Tuft and Needle vs Leesa Mattress Review 2020

More and more customers are flocking online to see what the bed-in-a-box concept has to offer. For two brands, Tuft and Needle and Leesa, the appeal lies in custom foam layers and affordable prices combined with seamless customer experience. It also helps that both are early entrants in the online mattress market.

It is quite inevitable to put out a Tuft and Needle vs Leesa comparison guide for us because of their similarities. But we believe there are also differences that make these brands distinct from each other. So, after some quick introductions, we better get down to the business of scrutinizing their flagship models.

Tuft and Needle were built in 2012 by two engineers from Silicon Valley. The founders disrupted the mattress industry by innovating on the price, delivery, and design of their first-ever model: the T&N Mattress. Today, their product lineup has expanded to two models, as well as bedding and furniture.

Leesa came about in 2014. It has since then been known for its competitive all-foam offering, the Leesa Mattress. On top of that, it has also projected itself as a socially conscious mattress brand. Read Leesa’s 2018 Impact Report by following this link.

Tuft and Needle vs Leesa Mattress Comparison

Tuft and Needle vs Leesa Mattress Reviews

Construction & Materials

While both Tuft and Needle and Leesa have more than one mattress offerings, we are going to focus on their flagship models in this guide. The first we’ll look at is the layers inside the T&N Original Mattress. Don’t underestimate the only two foam layers that make up this bed. Unlike the closed-cell structure of traditional memory foam, they have an open-cell structure to provide proper ventilation.

• T&N Adaptive Foam – At the top is the proprietary foam that sets Tuft and Needle apart. It adapts to your pressure points, so you get superior relief while you sleep. Its open cells allow air to flow in and out of the mattress.
• Foundation Layer – Following right away is a high-density polyfoam base. While the comfort layer lets you sink in, this one gives the pushback necessary to support your back, shoulders, spine, and hips. However, there is no transition layer to ease you into the firmness of this foundation. This makes the T&N Mattress firmer than the typical all-foam bed.
• Polyester Blend Cover – To enhance breathability and keep the surface clean, a polyester blend cover is added. It cannot be removed, though, so you’ll have to spot-clean any dust or stain that sticks to the surface.

The Leesa Mattress is a mixed-foam model that also features a proprietary foam. Earlier releases contain the Avena Foam, a unique premium foam that combines the contouring of memory foam and the responsiveness of latex foam. This material gives you the best of both worlds. Below, however, is the more updated composition of this mattress:

• LSA200 Foam – The redesigned Leesa now sports the LSA200 Foam, which elevates your sleep experience further. That is, this top layer is even more contouring than the Avena Foam. It also stays as cool as the original material. But now, it caters to all sleeping positions more effectively.
• 2-Inch Memory Foam – This layer adds close conforming to the table, reinforcing pressure point relief. It also sits in between the comfort layer and the support layer, so your body feels supported gradually.
• 6-Inch High-Density Foam – The bottom layer is supportive of all sleeper types from all weight classes. It also gives the Leesa its structure and durability. 
• Signature Leesa Gray Cover – You’ll know it’s a Leesa because of the four white stripes that run along with a third of the bed’s gray cover (where you place your feet). This one is a zip-off type which you can remove and clean whenever necessary.

Winner: Leesa

Firmness & Feel

When it comes to firmness, the scale we use is the 1 to 10 range. The softest surface gets a score of 1 and the hardest surface gets a score of 10. If you’re buying a bed online, this Firmness Scale comes in handy. For your reference, this is more or less what’s being used by most mattress brands:

Legend

1 is soft, 10 is firm

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

Further, you can assign 4 as medium-soft, 5 as a medium, 6 as medium-firm, and 7 as a firm. But a 5.5 to 7 firmness score often signifies that the bed offers universal comfort. That means many sleeper types can find it not too soft and not too firm. 

We’re quite sure that the original Tuft and Needle is firm. It registers a 7 from expert reviewers and verified users. As we said, this bed has no transition layer. You’ll feel the pushback once you hit the end of the comfort layer. Thus, we recommend it to those who snooze on their back or back/stomach. Side sleepers may feel some pressure on their shoulders; otherwise, they should be fine.

Leesa Mattress, however, nails medium firmness at 5.5. It’s soft at the top, but then, it gradually becomes firmer from the middle to the bottom. Side sleepers who weigh 90 to 130 pounds (average weight) can maximize the benefits of the Leesa. Stomach and back sleepers are also welcome to try. Those who weigh above 130 pounds may find it too soft, though.

Winner: Leesa

Cooling

All-foam models can retain some heat because of the nature of the materials used. Some of them sport memory foam at the top and high-density polyfoam at the bottom. To dissipate heat, leading all-foam makers to introduce cooling components to the bed. This includes gel, copper, and graphite. Phase changing technology and open cell structure is also a couple of popular solutions. 

So, who sleeps cooler between Tuft and Needle and Leesa?

It’s a good thing Tuft and Needle employs open-cell foams instead of closed-cell ones. The pinholes inside these layers allow air to circulate. They are also infused with ceramic gel and graphite, two elements that wick heat and moisture away from your body. Graphite, in particular, conducts heat away from your body. All of these work together to help you stay cool once you hit the hay.

Meanwhile, the Avena Foam inside some existing models of the Leesa is a microcell structure that is good at preventing the mattress from overheating. The mixed-foam design is thus well-ventilated. Further, the newer LSA200 Foam enhances the breathability of the bed. However, there may be instances of the surface becoming warmer the longer you lie on it.

Winner: Tuft and Needle

Edge Support & Sinkage

All-foam models do not possess the perimeter support that comes naturally with innerspring or hybrid mattresses. High-density polyfoam bases can only do so much. But what do you gain from good edge support, anyway? Well, for one, you will feel stable and supported if you tend to sleep near the edge. For another, the bed is spared from early sagging at the edges.

In this department, the T&N Original Mattress performs a bit dismally. A significant dent is made if you lie at the perimeter, which can make the surface look deformed. This can be owing to the fact that the two inner layers aren’t quite thick and sturdy. The bed does bounce back from the body impression. But the lack of edge support may affect its ability to endure daily wear. 

Leesa doesn’t seem to fare well in this light as well. The edge support in the original version is fair. That means there isn’t much stability at its perimeter to make you feel protected. You may also expect premature sinkage in those side areas where you like to sleep or sit on. Over time, this can be very uncomfortable especially if you are sharing your bed with someone.

Winner: None

Motion Transfer

Which bed in a box can insulate motion significantly? The one that actually makes little to zero motion transfer? If you’re one-half of a couple, you may want to take note of this. Getting your sleep interrupted regularly by a partner who moves frequently may not be good for your health. This can feel as bad as having a sleep disorder. So, motion isolation is an essential feature for you.

Read: 5 Sleep Disorders You Should Know Aside from Insomnia

For that matter, the T&N Original Mattress is a good choice for couples or anyone sharing the bed with someone else. Its top layer, the Adaptive Foam, is effective in insulating movements that can easily awaken light sleepers. It is designed to closely conform to your body. Think about containing your body parts and their movements in a tight hug.

Meanwhile, the multi foam Leesa Mattress can also reduce motion transfer quite well. Both the Avena Foam and the LSA200 Foam can isolate motion in one area of the bed–with minimal transfer. Either layer works together with the memory foam underneath it to achieve this effect. As a result, you are free to enjoy an uninterrupted good night’s sleep even with a “restless” partner.

Winner: Tuft and Needle

Pricing

Let’s move on to your budget. How much are you willing to spend to have better sleep each night? Chances are you’re here because you need to buy a new mattress as a replacement. Or maybe you’re used to sleeping on a non-standard bed, but want to change things up now? Whatever your reason is, the bed-in-a-box solution may just be what you need.

With Tuft and Needle, you can actually order a Queen at just around $500. That still excludes discounts during holiday sales and promo periods. Add the fact that there are always great offers up for grabs on online marketplaces like Amazon. This will be a firmer bed compared to most of its counterparts. But the price and quality combine to give you the best value for your money.

Leesa, on the other hand, is the more expensive choice. A queen-size version still falls under $1,000–to be exact, it’s $995. There are also discounts and promo prices to watch out for. But it is still relatively affordable–well within the average price point for a luxury online mattress model. Financing is available via both brands. Check out their respective sites to know if you’re eligible to apply.

Winner: Tuft and Needle

Other Factors

Buying a mattress online is pretty straightforward. After doing your research, you can go to the e-commerce store of your choice and pick your desired mattress model. If you applied for financing, can pay in cash, or want to use credit, you can just go ahead and complete your order. The best part is that you can be protected by customer-centric policies, which we will discuss here. 

Let’s take a look at what Tuft and Needle have in store for you. After all, it was built because its founders wanted to redefine the customer experience for mattress shoppers. It’s a given that shipping of your bed is free of charge. The product is easy to move through doorways, take out of its box, and set up in the bedroom. The trial lasts for 100 nights.

If it’s not the right fit, you can return your mattress to the company, and it will shoulder the return costs. If you happen to love it, you get access to a 10-year warranty instead.

Leesa also offers free shipping and returns and a 100-night mattress trial. You can also ask for a white glove in-home delivery, which may come with a fee. For a return request to be accommodated, you need to go through a 30-day adjustment period with your mattress first. There’s a 10-year full replacement limited warranty to back up your bed if you decide to keep it.

Leesa’s free returns are limited within the contiguous United States. You’ll need to pay $100 if you live in Alaska or Hawaii.

Winner: Tie

Pros & Cons

Tuft & Needle Mattress

Leesa Mattress

Also Checkout Leesa and Tuft and Needle comparison with other mattress.

Conclusion