For my first post, a simple question: I’ve owned several TempurPedic pillows, and they only last about a year or two before they go “flat” and need replacing.
Why would a TempurPedic bed last much longer than the pillow?
Hi powerdog,
Durability is a complex question and is relative to the type and density of the foam, the softness of the foam, the amount and thickness of the foam, the design of the product that contains it, and the stress it is subject to among other factors. As a general rule … pillows tend to use softer versions of the same materials that are used in mattresses and softness is one of the factors that determines durability. You can read about the many factors involved in the durability of a mattress in post #2 here.
Because different people will have very different experiences with the same materials … your experience with Tempurpedic pillows may be quite different from most other people. This may be because you are “tougher” on your pillows in some way than most or because you are more sensitive to foam softening than other people. Pillows in general are also subject to more stress and compression than a mattress and memory foam pillows are usually all memory foam (which allows you to sink into the material to a greater percentage of its thickness) while a memory foam mattress always has much firmer support layers made from materials that are not memory foam underneath the memory foam layers on top which “stop” deeper compression and help support the heavier parts of the body.
Even your experience with a mattress may be much different from the norm because of the effect of different body types, sleeping styles, and sensitivity to foam softening between different people. A mattress that lasts one person 15 years may only last another 5 before the mattress no longer provides the comfort and support that they need, even though it would still be fine for someone else.
In general though … Tempurpedic pillows would last most people longer than they seem to last for you.
Phoenix