Zinus vs Tempurpedic: Detailed Mattress Comparison

Can't decide between Zinus and Tempurpedic? We compared them for you.
By
Romeo Vitelli
Romeo Vitelli
Expert Writer
Received his doctorate in Psychology in 1987, spent fifteen years as a staff psychologist in Millbrook Correctional Centre. In 2003 went into full-time private practice. read more
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Includes well-known professionals, who together provide decades of sleep medicine experience that enables Talk About Sleep to fulfill its mission of creating access to high- read more
Last updated: August 18, 2023
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Can't decide between Zinus and Tempurpedic? We compared them for you.
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If you’re ready for a new mattress but are torn between a classic luxury option or a brand that’s been taking the industry by storm, you’re in the right place. We put together our Zinus vs Tempur-Pedic comparison because these brands have universal appeal. They suit a wide range of sleepers and get consistently good reviews from consumers.

When it comes to Tempur-Pedic vs Zinus, these brands have a lot to offer. Zinus is convenient, comfortable, and a good fit for any budget. Tempur-Pedic is known for its quality but it comes with a much higher price tag. To help you choose the right one for you, let’s take a look at what makes each one unique.

Quick Comparison

Zinus Tempur-Pedic
  • Medium-firm with soft sleeping surface
  • Gel-infused memory foam layer to dissipate heat
  • Effective against motion transfer
  • Good edge support
  • Ships compressed in a box
  • Can have significant off-gassing and odor
  • Reasonably priced
  • Medium with soft sleeping surface
  • SmartClimate dual-layer removable cover wicks away moisture and helps regulate heat
  • Effective against motion transfer
  • Exceptional edge support
  • Not compressed
  • Little off-gassing and odor
  • Luxury priced
VIEW ON AMAZON VIEW ON AMAZON

Mattress specifications

Zinus Tempur-Pedic
Type Foam Foam
Firmness Medium firm (6) Medium (5)
Thickness 12″ 11″
Weight 75 lbs 79 lbs
Sleep trial 100 nights 90 nights
Warranty 5 years 10 years
Price (Queen) $392 $2,099
Certification CertiPUR-US CertiPUR-US

Construction

Zinus Tempur-Pedic
Support core 3.5″ high-density foam3.5’’ base high-density foam Polyfoam (Solid)
Comfort layers 3″ comfort foam2″ gel-infused memory foam Memory foam
Cover knitted Jacuard SmartClimate dual-layer removable cover

Though Zinus and Tempur-Pedic are both made of memory foam, there are some significant differences between them. It’s important to keep these things in mind when deciding which is the right one for you.

Comfort

Zinus vs Tempurpedic: Detailed Mattress ComparisonThere are a lot of factors that contribute to the comfort of a mattress including firmness, Tempurature control, motion transfer, and responsiveness. But it’s also important to consider your own preferences when making your decision.

Here’s everything you need to know about Zinus and Tempur-Pedic so you can decide which one best suits your sleep style.

Firmness and support

The Zinus foam mattress is rated medium firm, though the sleeping surface is soft and hugs the body just a little as you sleep. This is a great feature for a combination sleeper who moves occasionally throughout the night. On the other hand, a deep sleeper who doesn’t move around a lot or someone who’s above average weight might not find it as comfortable. With constant pressure, the top comfort foam condenses and you can really feel the firm support foam coming through.

The Tempur-Pedic mattress is medium firmness and a little bit softer than the Zinus. It hugs a bit more when you lay down so if you like something softer, the Tempur-Pedic might be a better choice. This mattress is an inch thinner than the Zinus but it’s extremely supportive. The brand’s unique TEMPUR material is made of millions of cushioning cells that conform to your body as you sleep. It’s not quite the same as memory foam and is more effective at retaining its shape.

Tempurature control

Generally, Zinus mattresses get a bit hot, though they do have a layer of gel-infused memory foam to help dissipate heat. Most people will be fine but anyone who gets really hot while sleeping might find the heat a bit uncomfortable.

The SmartClimate dual-layer removable cover from Tempur-Pedic features moisture-wicking fibers to help you stay cool and dry while you sleep. All memory foam mattresses are a little hot but the cool-to-the-touch cover definitely helps.

Motion transfer

Zinus does a great job when it comes to motion transfer. This is one thing that memory foam is known for and Zinus really does it right.

Tempur-Pedic’s motion transfer is essentially zero. Some people might remember their early advertising campaign featuring a glass of red wine on one side of the bed while someone jumped on the other side. The brand has always been known for its ability to absorb energy and not transfer motion.

Responsiveness

Zinus vs Tempurpedic: Detailed Mattress ComparisonBoth of these mattresses have a slow response time which is typical for a memory foam mattress. This means that both slowly respond to pressure. Rather than immediately contouring to your body, they slowly change shape to accommodate you.

Because the Tempur-Pedic is a sofer overall, it has a slightly quicker response time but this is one area where the two are evenly matched.

Resilience and bounce

Both Zinus and Tempur-Pedic have great bounce and resilience. Again, this is a common feature of memory foam mattresses. They bounce back and regain their shape quickly.

Edge support

Edge support is particularly important if you sleep with a partner or like to curl up on the edge of the bed. It prevents the edges from sinking or dipping by providing support that truly goes from one edge to the other.

Both of these mattresses have great edge support, though the Tempur-Pedic has a slight edge.

Inflation time, off-gassing and smell

While it might look like its ready in minutes, Zinus mattresses actually require 48 to 72 hours to completely expand. The off-gassing and smell can be quite potent. While this is a common complaint with most memory foam mattresses, off-gassing from some Zinus models can be quite intrusive.

Tempur-Pedic mattresses don’t ship compressed so they do not have an inflation time. While new mattresses do have a slight smell but it’s not anywhere near as strong as Zinus or any other compressed mattress.

Sleep position ratings

SLEEP POSITION Light sleepers
(less than 130 lbs)
Average sleepers
(130 lbs to 230 lbs)
Heavy sleepers
(greater than 230 lbs)
Zinus
Side 7 9 6
Back 8 7 7
Stomach 10 8 6
Tempur-Pedic
Side 8 9 8
Back 10 8 8
Stomach 7 8 7*

*Out of 10

As you can see, for average to heavy sleepers, the Tempur-Pedic has a slight edge over Zinus. The difference is especially noticeable for sleepers weighing over 230 pounds. Tempur-Pedic is made of higher quality materials and is able to provide a little more support than Zinus. That said, for the price, Zinus performs well against the high-end competitor.

Sizes and pricing

SIZE Zinus Tempur-Pedic
Twin $163 $1,599
Twin XL $1,599
Full $385 $1,914
Queen $440 $2,099
King $392 $2,792
California King $2,799
Split King $1,699

Customer service

Sleep trial Warranty and refund Delivery
Zinus 100 days 10-year warranty
full refund
Within the U.S.
Tempur-Pedic 90 nights 10 years Full refund minus shipping charges

Warranty and delivery

Zinus offers a 10-year limited warranty when purchased from an authorized retailer. It covers workmanship and materials and either replaces the mattress or provides a pro-rated refund. Normal wear is not covered and it specifies that the mattress must be used on the proper foundation. Indents of less than 1.5 inches aren’t covered and accidents or neglect including burns, cuts, molds, water damage, stains, or a mattress that is abnormally soiled or unsanitary may not be covered. It’s absolutely essential to use a proper stain-resistant cover. The use of heating pads or electric blankets also voids the warranty.

All Zinus mattresses are delivered anywhere in the U.S. and are compressed in an easy-to-manage box. They come with a 100-day in-home trial. You can return it for a full refund within that time.

Tempur-Pedic offers a 10-year replacement warranty against faulty workmanship or materials when purchased from an authorized retailer. Failure to use a proper base or foundation voids the warranty and Tempur-Pedic are quite specific about what constitutes a proper foundation. Read the fine print carefully. The warranty covers indentations greater than 3/4-inch, splits, or cracks.

They deliver within the U.S. and offer a white-glove service where they set up your new bed, discard packing materials, and remove your old mattress and box spring. This is particularly useful because Tempur-Pedic mattresses are not compressed and it can be difficult to move them from the front door to the bedroom.

So which should you buy?

Zinus

VIEW ON AMAZON [

Pros

  • Delivered compressed
  • Affordable
  • Medium firm support
  • Soft sleeping surface

Cons

  • Off-gassing and smell can be significant

Tempur-Pedic

VIEW ON AMAZON

Pros

  • Medium support
  • Softer sleeping surface
  • Made of higher quality materials
  • Expensive
  • Slightly better edge support
  • Minimal off-gassing and odor

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Delivered uncompressed

In conclusion

Tempur-Pedic has a slight edge over Zinus for comfort but it’s also significantly more expensive. In fact, depending on the size, it’s roughly eight times more expensive. Tempur-Pedic is definitely a good investment and gives you a great night sleep but it isn’t for everyone. If you’re on a tighter budget and want something affordable that doesn’t sacrifice comfort, Zinus is a great option.

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