Andrew Heinzman
Mattress toppers can transform an old or uncomfortable mattress, and the TEMPUR-Adapt + Cooling Mattress Topper takes that idea to the next level. It adds that TEMPUR-Pedic feel to your bed, and hey, it costs $1,500 less than a TEMPUR-Pedic mattress.
Like the TEMPUR-Topper Supreme, the TEMPUR-Adapt + Cooling Mattress Topper is a three-inch mattress topper made with TEMPUR-Pedic’s special memory foam. The only difference between these two toppers (besides $100) is the TEMPUR-Adapt comes with a cooling cover. So, if you’re interested in the basic TEMPUR-Topper (or not a fan of cooling bed-stuffs), this review is still relevant for you.
Turn Your Cheap Mattress Into a TEMPUR-Pedic
Unlike mattress pads (which just add some cushion), mattress toppers completely change the way your bed feels. They can make firm beds soft or add some memory foam to an otherwise unimpressive mattress.
I think TEMPUR-Pedic understands how transformative a mattress topper can be. The TEMPUR-Adapt isn’t just a three-inch bed cushion. On my mattress (which is very cheap and lumpy), the TEMPUR-Adapt feels strong and supportive, but neither too firm nor too soft. It’s a very interesting and dramatic change.
The TEMPUR-Adapt does have a $500 price tag, however. Many people aren’t willing to spend that much on a mattress, let alone a mattress topper. This puts the TEMPUR-Adapt in a weird spot. Should you buy it and refresh your uncomfortable bed, or just buy a new $500 bed?
There might be a third option here. Call me Captain Obvious, but TEMPUR-Pedic’s $2,000 to $4,000 mattresses are out of most people’s price range. So, I stopped into a mattress store to test some TEMPUR-Pedic mattresses. I wanted to see if the TEMPUR-Adapt could serve as a “budget” version of the TEMPUR-Pedic mattress.
This probably won’t surprise you, but the $2,000 beds feel better than a dirt-cheap mattress with a TEMPUR topper. Still, I found that both the TEMPUR-Pedic mattresses and topper had a comparable “supportive” feel. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say the TEMPUR-Adapt is a budget version of a TEMPUR-Pedic mattress. It’s a good option for people who want to refresh their bed without dropping $1,000.
That said, it’s sometimes better to replace your mattress than gussy it up with a topper. Expensive mattresses are more supportive and last longer than cheap ones, and they’re usually worth the money.
But if you’re unhappy with a brand-new mattress, or you simply want to extend the life of the one you’ve got, a topper like this one is probably worth it.
The Cooling Cover Is Expensive, But I’m Not Sweating It
While the TEMPUR-Adapt’s cooling cover isn’t as important as the topper itself, it balances out some of the temperature issues you run into when you sleep on memory foam. Oh, and it’s what separates the TEMPUR-Adapt topper from the TEMPUR-Topper Supreme, which is $100 cheaper. I think it’s worth the extra hundred bucks unless you already have a cooling mattress pad.
Memory foam is notorious for trapping heat, and the plastic covers that come with most mattress toppers only contribute to that sweaty tomfoolery. The cooling cover that comes with the TEMPUR-Adapt isn’t made of futuristic cooling gel or anything—it’s simply a quilted polyester and cotton cover that dissipates heat. It does a good job of it, too—even when I forget to turn on the fan, I don’t wake up sweaty.
The other benefit of this quilted design is that it’s soft. I’d be happy sleeping right on the cooling cover without any sheets. Come to think of it, I could probably get away with that. The cooling cover is washable, and its inner lining should prevent anything nasty from seeping down into the mattress topper.
The only thing I don’t like about the cooling cover is it only wraps around the topper and not the whole mattress. Yes, it’s a lot easier to clean when it’s only around the topper, but this also means the topper slides around a bit. And when the topper slides, the fitted sheet comes with it.
The cooling cover should fit over the whole mattress. This isn’t always ideal, though, as some people have huge mattresses and zipping a bag around it would be difficult. However, you can solve this problem with some sheet fasteners, which should probably be included with the topper.
This is an expensive topper, but it’s great if you want to add some support to an old, cheap, or uncomfortable mattress. And it’s $1,500 cheaper than a TEMPUR-Pedic mattress.
If you’re worried about this topper’s price tag, I’d suggest checking it (or a TEMPUR-Pedic mattress) out in person. That way, you can get a better idea of how the topper might feel on your bed.
Here’s What We Like
- It's supportive, without being too firm or squishy
- The cooling cover works
- Adds that Tempur-Pedic feel to a cheap mattress
And What We Don't
- It should come with bed straps or suspenders
- It ain't cheap
