Nolah Vs Tempur-Pedic- Which Should You Choose?

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Nolah and Tempur-Pedic are very different companies – one is new on the market, the other a mattress industry veteran with brick and mortar stores. But when it comes to their products, there’s certainly a basis of comparison, and depending on what you’re looking for you might have to weigh some pros and cons before choosing one over the other. In this mattress comparison, I will go over the similarities and differences between the two options to help you decide which one is better for you.

Key Similarities

  • Both are all foam mattresses (with the exception of the Flex collection).
  • Both have a dense foam base layer.
  • Nolah has a quicksand-y feel and so do options from Tempur-Pedic.
  • Both offer free shipping.

Key Differences

  • Tempur-Pedic offers thicker options, with some mattresses as thick as 14 inches. Nolah’s mattress is 10 inches thick.
  • Tempur-Pedic mattresses are significantly more expensive.
  • Nolah is available only online, while Tempur-Pedic is available online and in stores. That’s one reason Nolah is so much cheaper.
  • Nolah is more temperature neutral, though Tempur-Pedic has over time added features to keep its mattresses cool.
  • Tempur-Pedic has been around a lot longer and has gone through more reviews and scrutiny.
  • Nolah offers a 120-night trial, while Tempur-Pedic offers only a 90-night trial.

Nolah Construction

Here’s a description of Nolah’s construction with a picture to illustrate:
  • The cover is made of a thin, soft, breathable viscose.
  • On top is a 2-inch layer of a proprietary “AirFoam” that keeps cool and has been shown in studies to relieve pressure better than standard memory foam.
  • Below the AirFoam is a 1-inch of latex-like Avena foam. This layer gives the mattress good bounce and makes it more responsive. The Avena foam is also highly durable.
  • A 7-inch layer of high density poly foam sits at the base, similar to most foam mattresses.
Nolah Original 10

Nolah Original 10″ Mattress

Nolah Original 10
The Nolah Original 10″ mattress works especially well for side sleepers, and it’s sold at a value price.
Clarity Score
4.2 /5

Product Details

Material
Foam
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Sleep Trial
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping
Free shipping
Price
$$$$$

Our Recommendation

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Side Sleepers
This bed offers pressure relief at both the shoulders and hips, making it a great fit for side sleepers.
Back Sleepers
This bed’s strong support is ideal for back sleepers because it helps keep the spine neutrally aligned.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.8 /5
NolahMattressConstruction

Tempur-Pedic Construction

Tempur-Pedic’s various mattresses have different constructions. One of its least expensive mattresses, the 11-inch thick Tempur-Cloud Supreme, is especially similar to Nolah in feel. Here’s how its layers break down for comparison.
  • It has a soft, durable zip-off cover.
  • The top layer uses special fibers and Tempur-Pedic’s “SmartClimate” system to wick away moisture and help you sleep cool.
  • Next are the comfort and support layers, which use Tempur-Pedic’s formulations of memory foam. The comfort layer uses a TEMPUR-ES material that is especially soft to conform to the contours of the sleeper’s body. The support layer below the comfort layer uses the original TEMPUR memory foam material.
  • Underneath it all is a base layer similar to the base layers in other foam mattresses, which Tempur-Pedic has formulated to help keep the mattress cool.
tempur cloud airtable

TEMPUR-Cloud Mattress

tempur cloud airtable
The Tempur-Cloud promises to provide the soft comfort consumers have come to expect from Tempur-Pedic mattresses, but for a more affordable price.
Clarity Score
3.6 /5

Product Details

Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Sleep Trial
90 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping
Free shipping
Price
$$$$$

Our Recommendation

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Side Sleepers
This bed offers pressure relief at both the shoulders and hips, making it a great fit for side sleepers.
Back Sleepers
This bed’s strong support is ideal for back sleepers because it helps keep the spine neutrally aligned.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Pain
This bed is a good match for anyone struggling with back pain, as it cushions the lumbar region and has enough support to keep the spine neutrally aligned.
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers, as it provides them support and easy mobility.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.4 /5

Construction Differences/Notes

  • Tempur-Pedic has more layers.
  • Tempur-Pedic has more models and firmness options.
  • Nolah is more temperature neutral throughout.
  • Tempur-Pedic’s memory foam is more of a standard memory foam, so it retains more heat.  The Nolah specialty foam has memory foam qualities but it faster to respond and is temperature neutral.
RELATED: Top Mattress Picks Overall

Firmness Differences/Notes

The Nolah and Tempur-Cloud Supreme have similar responsiveness to pressure.  If you watch the videos, you’ll notice the similarities. Remember though that the Cloud Supreme is just one of Tempur-Pedic’s models, and other models may have very different responsiveness.

Motion Transfer Differences

Both the Tempur-Cloud Supreme and Nolah mattresses isolate motion really well and would be good options for couples. Other Tempur-Pedic mattresses are also good at isolating motion, though there may be some variation in response to pressure depending on the model.
Before making a final purchase decision, it may also be helpful to compare these mattresses to other brands by checking out our other Nolah and Tempur-Pedic comparisons like Nolah vs Brooklyn Bedding and Tempur-Pedic vs Tuft & Needle.

Pick Nolah If:

  • You change positions a lot and like to sleep cool — While both mattresses have a quicksand feel, Nolah is easier to move around in. Both also make efforts to ensure cool sleeping, but Nolah is actually temperature neutral.
  • You want to save extra money — Nolah’s direct-to-consumer business model allows the company to charge lower prices for its mattresses with less compromise on quality. If your preferred Tempur-Pedic mattress feels a lot like the Nolah, definitely take price point into consideration.

Pick Tempur-Pedic If:

  • You’ve had success with memory foam – People tend to either love or hate memory foam. If the material has worked for you in the past, Tempur-Pedic is probably a safe bet for comfort.
  • You want a specific firmness level– Tempur-Pedic has a mattress for just about every firmness level you could want, something newer online mattress sellers don’t yet offer. You can also try out different Tempur-Pedic mattresses in a brick and mortar store, so it’s easier to bring home a mattress you’re pretty sure will be the right choice.
RELATED: Best Tempur-Pedic Mattress Alternatives

Overall

It’s hard to compare the whole Tempur-Pedic line to online sellers of single models, but I hope these similarities and differences have helped you determine which option is better for you. If you have any specific questions, please ask them in the comments.

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Joe Auer

Joe Auer

Founder/Managing Editor

About Author

Joe is the founder of Mattress Clarity and has been reviewing mattresses and other sleep products for more than five years. Joe knows a lot about mattresses, having tested more than 100 personally. Through his experience, he has developed a straightforward and practical approach to making mattress recommendations.

Joe does not believe there is one best mattress for everyone and that a more tailored approach is often the most helpful to mattress shoppers. He tries to make clear what types of sleepers a particular mattress would be good for. He also notes what considerations people should make when looking at a particular type of bed.

His extensive knowledge of mattresses, and the mattress industry, has garnered him some media attention. He’s been interviewed and featured in several online publications, including Inc.om, Business Insider, New York Magazine, Huffington Post, and Forbes.

Thanks to his expertise, Joe has tested countless approaches to improving his own sleep quality. He has two top sleep tips that he’s benefitted from personally. He limits his caffeine consumption to 100 mg a day and meditates for 15 minutes daily.

Joe has an undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University and an MBA from Columbia University, where he studied entrepreneurship.

When he isn’t reviewing mattresses, Joe loves to play classical piano, read fiction and non-fiction, and travel.