The Sealy Innerspring Mattress Review You Can Actually Trust (Response Line Models Essentials, Performance, Premium, Posturepedic)
No commission • No endorsements • Based on owner experiences • Since 2008 • More
THE GOOD: Often affordable • widely available • model variety.
THE BAD: Fair-at-best owner satisfaction and durability / lifespan (like innerspring beds in general) • off gassing possible.
THE MATTRESSES: Sealy's Response lineup of models consists of Essentials, Performance, Premium, and Posturepedic. They cost $290-$1500+ and are 8.5-16 inches thick. Innerspring coils are used for support and (gel) foam and gel memory foam (select models) for comfort.
SEALY ALTERNATIVES: Sealy memory foam and Sealy hybrid.
THE COMPANY: Tempur-Pedic purchased Sealy in 2012 and Sealy is now a subsidiary of Tempur Sealy International Inc. (The Sealy brand started in 1881.)
THE COMPETITION: Mostly Simmons and Serta and other low- and mid- priced mattresses. See the spring mattress reviews – summary or the mattress comparison as well as the information below to learn how Sealy compares to competitors. Also see how traditional mattress brands such as Sealy compare to newer brands.
Contents
Sealy Innerspring Mattress Ratings – Summary
Company Ratings
Owner Satisfaction
Lifespan / Durability
Prices
(Back) Pain Relief Potential
Support
Pressure Point Minimization
Motion Isolation / Couple Friendliness
Off Gassing Odor
Sleeping Hot Potential
Sex Suitability
Ease of Moving On, Getting Up Off
Noise
Topper Usage
Ease of Lifting, Handling / Weight
Ease of Maintaining
Model Prices & Specifications
About our unbiased Sealy Ratings and research
Ratings are based on the experiences of 855+ owners of Sealy innerspring mattress models. Learn more about our research methodology and why you can trust our reviews.
Sealy Innerspring Mattress Ratings – Summary & Comparison
Sealy Essentials is Sealy's ultra-low priced brand of mattresses. Specs.
Sealy Performance (formerly Posturepedic) is Sealy's brand of low-priced innerspring mattresses. Performance models offer better materials / design than Essentials. Specs.
Sealy Premium (formerly Posturepedic Plus) is Sealy's brand of low- to mid-priced innerspring mattresses. Premium models offer better materials / design than both Essentials and Performance. Specs.
The table below shows how Sealy innerspring models rate compared to the average mattress. Essentials, Performance, and Premium are fairly new models; ratings below are partially based on the owner experiences for similar and recently discontinued Sealy innerspring models – namely Sealy brand, Posturepedic, and Posturepedic Plus.
| Sealy Essentials | Sealy Performance | Sealy Premium | |
| Sample size | 126 | 519 | 211 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner satisfaction* | D | D+ | C- |
| Affordable | B+ | B | B- |
| Durability / longevity | D | D | D+ |
| Support | C- | C+ | B- |
| Minimizes pressure | D | C- | C+ |
| Less (back) pain | C- | c | c+ |
| Sleep quality | C | C+ | B- |
| Easy to move on | C | B | B- |
| Motion isolation | D+ | c | B- |
| Edge support | C | B | B |
| No initial odor | B- | C | C- |
| Not a heat trap | B+ | B- | c |
| Sex friendly | C+ | B- | B |
| No noise | d+ | c+ | B+ |
| Large person friendly | D | c | B |
| Small person friendly | C+ | B- | C |
| No topper needed | C- | C | B |
| Short break in | B | B- | C+ |
| Easy to lift, move | B+ | B | B- |
| Low maintenance | C- | C- | C- |
* For daily adult use. Learn more.
Sealy Company Ratings
The ratings below – based on consumer experiences and the evaluation of Sleep Like The Dead – show how Sealy compares to the average mattress manufacturer.
| Warranty coverage | C- | Sealy Essentials warranty ranges 5-10 years. Sealy Performance and Premium warranty provides 10 years total, full non-prorated coverage. Similar to competitors Serta and Simmons, a significant number of consumers historically have reported difficulty in successfully engaging warranty coverage. (See mattress warranties: what to know.) |
| Customer service | C | Sealy customer service overall is considered by consumers to be about fair and simiilar to that of other major mattress makers. |
| Marketing accuracy | B | Aside from the use of hyperbole such as "exceptional support" – a claim that at least 15% of owners would likely disagree with – Sealy's marketing presentation is essentially fact based. |
| Specs disclosed | C | Sealy may provide thickness specifications for the various layers of its mattresses, but details for the makeup of materials are limited. As a result, comparison shopping and making an informed buying decision can be somewhat impeded. |
| Time in business | A | Tempur-Pedic – in business since 1992 – purchased Sealy in 2012 and Sealy is now a subsidiary of Tempur Sealy International Inc. (The Sealy brand started in 1881.) |
| BBB rating | A+ | Sealy / Tempur Sealy – like Serta and Simmons – currently have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Learn more about BBB ratings. |
| SLTD rating | C+ | SLTD (Sleep Like The Dead) company rating for Sealy is determined by averaging the above company ratings. This rating is the same as that of Serta and Simmons. |
Owner Satisfaction
For everyday adult use, Sealy innerspring mattresses overall perform slightly better than the average innerspring mattress but below that of the average mattress overall.
Satisfaction tends to be somewhat higher for the more advanced and pricier Sealy models.
In 30%+ of cases, Sealy mattresses are used for temporary, occasional adult use or everyday child use. When used in these ways, the mattresses overall rate slightly worse than the average mattress overall. (Learn how owner satisfaction is determined.)
* Partial estimate given model newness.
Owner Satisfaction Rate by Year of Ownership
The graph below shows that after the first two years Sealy innerspring mattress owner satisfaction is and remains somewhat lower than that of all mattresses overall (innerspring, memory foam, latex, air). This is largely due to Sealy (like innerspring mattresses in general) having somewhat worse longevity / durability than the average mattress.
Durability / Longevity
Sealy Essentials. When the mattress is used for occasional or temporary adult use or everyday child use, durability / longevity is often reported as being fair or better. When used by an adult on a regular and extended basis, fair-at-best durability / longevity is usually reported.
Sealy Performance and Premium. At least 22% of owners – especially owners of pillow top models – report the development of sagging, body impressions or a center ridge occurring within three years of ownership. Various other problems are reported including protruding springs and bulging sides, but these tend to be less common.
On average, owners report keeping their Sealy about six years with regular use. Based on limited owner experience data, the inclusion of additional support in the center third of the mattress provides little improvement in durability / longevity.
* Among owners who use mattress regularly / long term.
** Partial estimate given model newness.
Learn more about innerspring mattress durability / longevity.
Prices
Sealy Essentials. Prices often range $290-$900 depending on model and size. The relatively low price is due mainly to the fact that the mattresses tend to be thin and use fairly unsophisticated materials and designs.
Sealy Performance and Premium. Prices often range $420-$1,320+ depending on model and size. Those models with minimal padding / construction tend to be the most affordable.
* partial estimate.
(Back) Pain Relief
Sealy Essentials. Neither a clear strength nor weakness.
Sealy Performance and Premium. Pain reduction (especially reduction of back, hip and shoulder pain) is generally not a long-term strength. When the mattress is new (beyond the break-in period), owners often report having good comfort and reduced pain, including a minimization of pressure points. But as the mattress ages and perhaps sags, at least 15% of owners report pain.
See mattresses and pain relief for general analysis.
Support
Sealy Essentials. Relatively low coil count and little or no conforming material mean that support tends to be below average for couples and people weighing 230+ pounds.
Sealy Performance and Premium. Higher coil count, superior coil system, and the presence of at least some conforming material allows support to be average or better for most owners. At least 10% of owners, however, report that the mattress slopes toward the middle especially for couples. Mattress sagging also contributes to poor support.
Pressure Point Minimization
Softer mattresses and or those with memory foam tend to more equally distribute a person's weight thereby reducing pressure points and the discomfort they can cause.
Sealy Essentials. These models tend to be firmer with little or no memory foam content, meaning they usually offer only fair-at-best pressure point relief.
Sealy Performance and Premium. The availability of softer models along with the presence of memory foam (although often limited to .5 inch in lumbar area) tends to result in fair or better pressure point relief.
Motion Isolation
Motion isolation refers to how well the mattress keeps movement made by one person from being felt by another.
Sealy Essentials. Motion isolation is often below average.
Sealy Performance and Premium. Models with pocket coils – which appears to be most models – tend to perform best.
Off Gassing Initial Odor
Sealy Essentials. Initial odor / off gassing tends to not be a significant complaint by owners.
Sealy Performance and Premium. 12%+ of owners report significant off gassing initial odor, often described as chemical-like or musty. Thicker models tend to have the most complaints due likely to their significant foam content.
See mattress off gassing for general analysis.
Sleeping Hot / Heat Retention
Sealy Essentials. Owners tend to not report a significant heat problem.
Sealy Performance and Premium. About 7% of owners overall report heat buildup occurring to an extent that undermines sleep quality. Thicker, softer models tend to have the most heat retention potential.
See mattress heat retention for general analysis.
Sex Friendly
Sealy Essentials. They tend to have more bounce than many Performance and Premium models but often less cushion. Their relatively low weight may cause them to not stay in place.
Sealy Performance and Premium. Although they have at least fair motion isolation, they tend to still provide some limited bounce which is often preferred. Their relatively low weight may cause them to not stay in place.
See mattresses and sex for general analysis.
Easy To Move On, Get Up Off
Sealy Essentials. Given their thin, non-conforming comfort layer, they provide little resistance to movement. Couples and larger people (220+ lbs), however, may find that a lack of support makes movement difficult.
Sealy Performance and Premium. Softer models with thick comfort layers may provide some difficulty of movement. Taller models (11" thick and up) may be difficult to get onto or off, especially for shorter people.
Noise
Sealy Essentials. At least 10% of owners complain of noise, namely squeaking and creaking.
Sealy Performance and Premium. Mattress noise (creaking, squeaking, clunking) is reported by about 4% of owners.
Topper Usage
A topper is a product that can be placed on a mattress to improve its comfort / softness.
Sealy Essentials. Given that these mattresses are often more firm than soft, topper use by owners is greater than average.
Sealy Performance and Premium. The less expensive models tend to have greater topper needs than the pricier models.
Easy To Lift, Handle, Move
Thicker, more expensive models tend to be heaviest. Performance and Premium models often have handles for maneuvering the mattress.
Easy To Maintain
All Sealy models have one-sided, no-flip designs. Given their below-average durability / longevity, however, at least 20% of owners report rotating their mattress head to foot several times a year to prevent or combat wear, sagging and compression.
Sealy Innerspring Model Prices & Specifications
Prices below are for a mattress only, not a foundation which is often $100-$300 depending on size. The price ranges are due to the availability of different models within each line. Models in the higher end of a price range tend to be thicker and / or have better material / design.
| Essentials | Performance | Premium |
| Prices | ||
| twin $290-$465 full $360-$580 queen $410-$665 king $555-$885 |
twin $420-$720+ full $460-$740+ queen $470-$770+ king $710-$1050+ |
twin $620-$950+ full $650-$1000+ queen $650-$1020+ king $900-$1320+ |
| COMMENT: Prices are similar to those of main competitors (see below). The Performance lineup likely provides the best value among the Sealy innerspring models. | ||
| Thickness | ||
| 8.5-13" | 11.5-14" | 14-16" |
| COMMENT: The average mattress overall is 11" thick which means that most Sealy models have above-average thickness. Above-average thickness can give the bed an upscale presence, but shorter people may find the thicker models especially to be too tall for easily getting on and off. A low profile foundation can help lower the bed's overall height. | ||
| Support | ||
| bonnell / open coil or pocket coil. 525-638 coil count (queen) |
bonnell / open coil or pocket coil 638-915 coil count (queen) |
pocket coil 960 coil count (queen) |
| COMMENT: Learn about coil types as well as coil count. | ||
| Comfort Layer | ||
| 1.5-5" regular foam | 4-6" regular foam .5" gel foam or gel memory foam in center third of mattress |
3.5-6.5" regular foam .5" gel memory foam in center third of mattress .5" full layer gel memory foam (select models) |
| COMMENT: .5" memory foam in center third of mattress is mostly unique to Sealy. Gel (memory) foam tends to reduce heat trap complaints significantly, but .5" is not likely enough to make a noticeable difference in reducing heat. | ||
| Firmness | ||
| mostly medium-soft to firm | mostly medium-soft to firm | medium-soft to x-firm |
| COMMENT: Learn which firmness may be best for your size and sleep position. | ||
| Adjustable Base Compatible | ||
| most models | yes | yes |
| COMMENT: The thinner the mattress, the more friendly it tends to be for an adjustable bed base. (See adjustable bed base ratings.) | ||
| Warranty | ||
| 5-10 years | 10 years non-prorated | 10 years non-prorated |
| COMMENT: Warranty length is similar to that of competitors. See mattress warranties: what to know. | ||
| Main Competition | ||
| Simmons Beautysleep Serta Perfect Sleeper & Sertapedic Other low-priced mattresses |
Beautyrest Silver / Recharge Serta Perfect Sleeper Other low- to mid-priced mattresses |
Beautyrest Platinum Serta Perfect Sleeper Other mid-priced mattresses |
Sleep Like The Dead's mattress research in The News –
About our unbiased Ratings and research for Sealy's Posturepedic Innerspring Response Line
Ratings are based on the experiences of 855+ owners of Sealy Essentials, Posturepedic, Performance, and Premium models (including similar discontinued models).
Learn more about our research methodology and why you can trust our mattress reviews.
Keep in Mind
– 20%+ of Sealy innerspring mattress consumers report substantial sagging or body impression development occurring within three years – a rate similar to that of innerspring beds overall.
– Sealy innerspring mattresses (like innerspring mattresses in general) are overall about 40% less expensive than the average mattress.
– At least 30% of Sealy Essentials mattress owners use the product on a less-than-regular and long-term basis. The construction of the mattress is likely not well suited for long-term, regular adult use.