Hi Chucl007,
Post #9 here has more about the different ways that one mattress can “match” another one. Memory foam can be a little tricky and will vary based on temperature, humidity, and other factors so even one tempurpedic may feel different from another if the conditions in the bedroom are different from the showroom or depending on whether the mattress you tested was broken in or new. I would also make sure that you have tested the Tempurpedics objectively and carefully using the testing guidelines in the tutorial post so that you aren’t choosing a mattress based on “showroom feel”. In both cases though most people have said that they are a good approximation but this will also vary to some degree based on individual perceptions. Both of them have great return policies so you can use your own experience to decide how close they are.
The one that is “most recommended” is the one that is the best match for your own personal value equation and this will vary from person to person. Once you have eliminated all the worst options and are choosing between mattresses which have no obvious weak links and there are no clear winners then your final choice would depend on your “best judgement” and on all the parts of your personal value equation that are most important to you or the one that you personally feel best about based on your conversations with them. In terms of quality and value neither one would be a mistake.
Most retailers and manufacturers don’t list the quality / density of the materials in their mattresses online so you would need to ask them about this either on the phone or in the store. I certainly wouldn’t consider a mattress where you didn’t know the quality of the materials inside it. You’ve probably seen this but the better options or possibilities I’m aware of in the Charleston area are listed in post #2 here.
I’m happy to help with “how” to choose and to help eliminate the worst options but “what” to choose when you are down to final choices is up to each individual person.
Phoenix