Leesa vs Tempurpedic Mattress Review 2020

While a Leesa vs Tempurpedic comparison sounds unequal at first blush, it can be exciting to know how it will turn out. This is exactly why you’re reading this guide right now. We have one brand that has been around in the business for decades and another that has just propped up in the decade. 

Tempurpedic seems to have the upper hand. But if we look at it this way, we are going to dismiss a competent memory foam mattress brand that can rival those that came before it. At the same time, Leesa is not necessarily out of Tempurpedic’s league. They actually offer the same mattress type, and the latter is seen as more traditional.

Tempurpedic is the reigning memory foam mattress company in the United States. It is also popular internationally. The technology behind it was based on research by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). It was brought by the Swiss to the country in 1992. 

Let’s learn more about these two in the sections that follow.

Leesa vs Tempurpedic Mattress Comparison

Leesa vs Tempurpedic Mattress Review

For the sake of the subject, we will focus on the Tempur-Adapt and the original Leesa Mattress in this review. 

Construction & Materials

So Tempurpedic has been saying its signature material was born out of NASA’s research on cushioning materials for airplane seats. This technology is supposed to be a safety feature during emergencies. And the formulation for that cushioning tech is found in the company’s Tempur foam. 

Tempurpedic is mainly known for memory foam beds. This is composed of a memory foam comfort layer and a high-density polyfoam support core layer. This combination is similar to almost all of its models beside Tempur-Adapt. However we trust it, there is a part where we probably want to know what exactly are the layers made of. Unfortunately, Tempurpedic does not disclose that kind of information.

In this case, Leesa is a breath of fresh air. Like other bed-in-a-box brands, it is transparent about the construction and materials of its mattresses. Its flagship model uses a blend of foam that starts with a proprietary foam. In the earlier editions, the unique premium foam is called the Avena Foam. It has since then been replaced by the LSA200 Foam.

• LSA200 Foam – As part of its redesign, the Leesa now features the LSA200 Foam. It combines the close conformity of memory foam and the responsiveness of latex foam just like the Avena Foam. But it also bumps up the contouring, cooling, and catering to all sleeping positions.
• 2-Inch Memory Foam – This layer reinforces the contouring action of the top layer. It also serves as a transition layer between the comfort and support layers, so you feel gradually supported as you sink into the bed.
• 6-Inch High-Density Foam – As the base layer, it is supportive of all sleeper types of all shapes and sizes. Speaking of shapes, it is the one that provides shape to the entire bed.
• Signature Leesa Gray Cover – A zip-off type cover completes the design. It has four white stripes on a gray cover. It’s removable so you can clean it off when you want it.

Winner: Leesa

Firmness & Feel

As online mattresses become a hit, customers are looking for the “not too soft, not too firm” feel. This falls within 5 to 7 firmness level based on the 1 to 10 firmness scale–where 1 is softest and 10 is the firmest. It’s the guidelines used by manufacturers and customers alike. Consider this legend:

Legend

1 is soft, 10 is firm

• Ultra Soft – 1-2
• Soft – 3-4
• Medium – 5-6
• Firm – 7-8
• Ultra Firm – 9-10

In some instances, a mattress maker will use a very different scale. But for Tempur-Adapt, the usual applies more or less. Tempur-Adapt is a medium-firm mattress (5 firmness score). This means it’s best for those who sleep on their back or on their side. All weight groups can benefit from this bed:

• Lightweight – 90 pounds and below
• Average weight – 90 to 130 pounds
• Heavyweight – 130 pounds and above

The original Leesa Mattress also gives off that “not too soft, not too firm” feel. It has a 5.5 firmness score, which also falls within the medium category. The thing with Leesa is that the top layer is plush. Then it gradually offers a firmer feel as your body hits the following layers. We recommend this bed to the side sleepers who are of average weight.

Stomach and back sleepers are not entirely out of Leesa’s scope. If you are on the heavier side, though, you may find it too soft.

Winner: Tempurpedic

Cooling

All-foam models, especially those with memory foam, are notorious for trapping heat. Allowing air to circulate within the foam layers makes for better breathability in this kind of construction. Many online mattresses now use an open-cell structure memory foam to enable this effect. Also, components like gel, copper, and graphite can be added. Phase change technology is another known solution.

The Avena foam inside some existing Leesa models employs a microcell structure which prevents the mattress from overheating. It keeps sleepers feeling cool when they hit the surface. At the same time, the other layers are ventilated. While the top foam absorbs heat to contour your curves, fresh air is able to enter the other foams, which wick away heat.

Newer Leesa Mattress models have the LSA200 Foam now. This one retains the ability of the Avena Foam, enhancing the breathability of the bed. It also advances how the Leesa dissipates heat, so it doesn’t return to your body and cause you discomfort. However, some users report that it still tends to sleep warm. The Leesa Sapira Hybrid corrects this all-foam flaw.

Tempurpedic offers all-foam models. And it has been working on this issue as well. The Tempur-Adapt contains memory foam, which is great at contouring. This is what others refer to as the traditional memory foam. But the one being referred to as the traditional memory foam is now also infused with cooling properties. So the air flowing across the foam layers is kept afresh.

The Adapt line models of the Tempurpedic have cooling components in its comfort layers. This is topped by a cooling cover. As usual, the company does not share the specifics about its construction and materials. This is the one disadvantage the Tempur-Adapt has in this department. But it delivers regardless.

Winner: Leesa

Edge Support & Sinkage

Is this your first time to hear about edge support? This factor is about the stability and support you get at the perimeter. It’s important for sleepers who tend to roll toward the edge. You may be one–and you do not like hogging or fight for the middle zone. So this part is essential for your sleep quality.

Know however that all-foam model typically does not fare well in this regard. Edge support is something that innerspring and hybrid mattresses possess. This feature makes your mattress less prone to premature sagging, which can cause an uneven surface. Couples would love to have this factor to expand their sleeping surface and extend its lifespan. It’s also great news if you like sitting on the edge when you’re not snoozing.

Leesa is not the best bed to have if you want great edge support. This all-foam mattress can register sinkage at the perimeter if you stay in that area. You will feel like falling off the floor if you roll toward the edge. If you are sharing your bed with someone else, this may not be ideal for you.

With Tempurpedic, you may find some edge support thanks to the high-density core layer. However, it is only considered fair. If this factor is a top priority on your list, you may want to go for a hybrid version. After all, the all-foam Tempur-Adapt is not expected to deliver in this department. If you only need minimal edge support, it is enough.

Winner: Tempurpedic

Motion Transfer

How about isolation motion–who will take the win in this Leesa vs Tempurpedic face-off? Well, we will choose the one that can make little to zero motion transfer. How important is this? If you are sharing your bed with someone else– a puppy, kid, or partner–you don’t want to disturb by their actions in the middle of your slumber.

So having a bed with exceptional motion isolation capabilities is a good place to start. It can be a make or break deal for some of you, which is understandable. After all, interrupted sleep can be a problem for individuals suffering from a sleep disorder. In some cases, it can also cause you difficulty in getting back to sleep if you are a light sleeper.

Read: 5 Sleep Disorders You Should Know Aside from Insomnia

Leesa Mattress can reduce motion transfer for sure. This ability is present in both the Avena Foam and the LSA200 Foam. It can isolate motion in one area and the resulting motion is transfer is minimal. The memory foam underneath the Avena Foam or the LSA200 Foam works hard to enhance this capability. So you can enjoy some uninterrupted snooze on it.

But we have to say that Tempur-Adapt is fantastic in eliminating motion transfer. You don’t just lessen the motion transfer–you reduce it to nothing. You can sleep soundly even if the other person is shifting endlessly in their spot. Perhaps the high-density polyfoam combined with the memory foam does the bulk of the job here.

Winner: Tempurpedic

Pricing

Obviously, the Leesa Mattress leads here by a lot of points. This is because the bed-in-a-box solution exists to eliminate the high mark-ups that come with traditional mattresses sold in showrooms and retail stores. We often say it here on phatfusion.net that online mattress brands pass on the savings to you.

Yet, among the online mattress models, Leesa is one of the more expensive choices. You can purchase a queen version at $995. That is not “expensive” compared to Tempurpedic, but there are more affordable choices out there. That is not to say it is not a good choice. The price still falls within the average price point for the luxury mattress category. And you can also avail of financing if you are qualified.

As for Tempurpedic, the Tempur-Adapt costs $2,199. This is one of the more affordable mattress lines from the company. It still is competitively priced, although quite pricey for a memory foam mattress. But the good thing with this model is that you can trust the brand that created it. It is the dream bed for some people. And they will willingly and gladly pay for it. Don’t worry, there’s financing.

Keep in mind that quality comes first. Your budget is also another important consideration. If you can afford the more expensive one and deem it the right fit for you, go for it. But there’s nothing wrong with choosing the less expensive one as its quality does not disappoint.

Winner: Leesa

Other Factors

Since we usually compare mattresses that are bought purely online, we acknowledge that there are some disparities here to discuss. For one, Tempur-Adapt is available both online and in-store. This makes its reach wider than Leesa. Second, Tempur-Adapt is more established, so it can offer more sophisticated customer perks. So, let’s just look at what each has to offer and then decide from there.

Leesa offers free shipping and returns, as well as a 100-night mattress trial. White glove delivery is available, but for a fee. You also need to follow a 30-day adjustment period before you can request a return–should you need to do it. There’s a 10-year full replacement limited warranty that comes with your order if returning is not an option for you.

Unfortunately, if you live in Hawaii or Alaska, you will have to pay $100 when returning your mattress. The free returns are exclusive to the contiguous United States. 

Tempurpedic will deliver your order via free standard shipping. You may ask for a next-day air delivery for $40 per order or a second-day air delivery for $25–both via UPS. If you live in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and other US territories, you will have to pay $25 per order for all comfort items. But great news! The company offers free white glove delivery and mattress removal within the continental US.

Tempurpedic will let you test out your mattress for 90 nights and will require a 30-night break-in period before accepting any return request. During the return process, it will shoulder the cost of the return and refund you in full. Your bed also comes with a 10-year non-prorated warranty. 

Winner: Tempurpedic

Pros & Cons

Leesa Mattress

Tempurpedic Mattress

Also Checkout Tempurpedic and Leesa comparison with other mattress.

Conclusion