Tuft and Needle vs Zinus: Detailed Mattress Comparison

Can't decide between Tuft & Needle and Zinus? We compared them for you.
By
Romeo Vitelli
Romeo Vitelli
Expert Writer
Received his doctorate in Psychology in 1987, spent fifteen years as a staff psychologist in Millbrook Correctional Centre. In 2003 went into full-time private practice. read more
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Reviewed By
Medical Advisory Team
Medical Advisory Team
Includes well-known professionals, who together provide decades of sleep medicine experience that enables Talk About Sleep to fulfill its mission of creating access to high- read more
Last updated: August 15, 2023
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Can't decide between Tuft & Needle and Zinus? We compared them for you.
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Have you ever walked into a mattress store and just felt completely overwhelmed? There are so many to choose from. You don’t have the time to lay on each one and make the decision that will be a part of your life for the next five to ten years. In this comparison, we are going to dissect the qualities of two of the most popular mattress brands on the market, Tuft & Needle and Zinus.

The two most popular brands are also the most affordable mattresses on the market. Both Tuft & Needle and Zinus mattresses offer plenty of benefits with a few differences. In this comparison, we will look at every part of the T&N and Zinus mattresses to help you make the right choice. After reading this, you will have all the information you need before you walk into the mattress store.

Quick Comparison

Launched in 2012, Tuft & Needle have worked to create a massively divine sleep experience. Known for their T&N mattress which shows off a polyfoam model, 2.8 PCF, with a high-density core at 1.8 PCF. This mattress is 10-inch thick with a medium-firm rating. With a price tag of $595, this is a mattress to give some serious consideration to.

Zinus began conducting business in 1979. They primarily sold outdoor products, but quickly started on the indoor journey to mattresses. The Zinus mattress is a medium-firm foam mattress that measures 10 inches in thickness.  Weighing in at 53.9 pounds, the Zinus is lightweight and easy to move. To purchase a queen size, expect to pay a low $278.00. Zinus has been dedicated to providing quality sleep by offering affordable mattresses.

 

Tuft & Needle Zinus
  • Great for people who sleep hot on a foam mattress.
  • Holds a minimum weight of 130 lbs.
  • Perfect for side, back, or stomach sleepers
  • Moderately firm and minimal conforming
  • Features three types of foam
  • Can be infused with green tea extracts
  • Lightweight
  • CertiPUR Certified
  • Moderately firm
VIEW ON AMAZON VIEW ON AMAZON

Mattress specifications

Tuft & Needle Zinus
Type Foam Foam
Firmness Medium firm (6.5) Medium firm (6)
Thickness 10″ 10″
Weight 71 lbs 53.9 lbs (Queen)
Sleep trial 100 nights 100 nights
Warranty 10 years 10 years
Price $595 (Queen) $278.00 (Queen)
Certification Greenguard GoldStandard 100 by OEKO-TEX Certi-PUR-US Certi-PUR-US

Construction

Tuft & Needle Zinus
Support Core 7″ 1.8 PCF HD polyfoam 5.5″ HD polyfoam
Comfort Layers 3″ 2.8 PCF polyfoam 2.5″ memory foam2″ polyfoam
Cover Micro polyamide and polyester Jacquard knit

 

Both mattresses have excellent qualities in common. A 10-year warranty, Certi-PUR-US certification, and 100-night sleep trial will be yours with the purchase of either mattress. Both mattresses are made for the moderate-weight sleeper with a strong core construction.

The Tuft & Needle mattress has a 3’’comfort layer which features a 2.8 PCF polyfoam. Graphite is infused into the mattress to give added cooling. Moderate but consistent conforming provides this T&N a medium-firm comfort rating. Back and stomach sleepers will find this mattress well-suited for them. Motion is isolated and creates no noise. This is great for those who have partners who are light sleepers, that wake up with little movements.

Zinus offers buyers an affordable mattress wholly made of foam. This mattress is perfect for college students or rental homeowners. The foam construction makes this a choice for those who enjoy a memory foam feel. The jacquard knit cover gives the Zinus a cozy look but tends to bunch up during sleep.

Comfort

The T&N mattress offers a foam construction and a high-density core. This mattress gives side sleepers a comfortable night’s sleep with body conformation.

Zinus mattress has a memory foam construction with moderate body conformation. Back and stomach sleepers will find this mattress quite comfortable.

Firmness and support

Tuft and Needle vs Zinus: Detailed Mattress Comparison

A T&N foam mattress has a 6.5 firmness number will have excellent support, but will not conform entirely to the body.

A Zinus memory foam mattress has a medium-soft rating making it suitable for the moderate sleeper. Memory foam will conform to your body as you sleep like a big hug.

Temperature control

The T&N foam mattress is infused with graphite to help keep a cooling effect during sleep. For those who are hotter sleepers, this can help with those feelings of being too warm while you sleep.

Zinus memory foam mattress holds heat, therefore, making for a warm night’s sleep. The memory foam will hold in body heat given off during the night. If you tend to get cold while sleeping, this mattress might be what you are looking for.

Motion transfer

T&N Mattresses contain no memory foam. Even so, it has a sleep surface that reduces motion transfer, which helps make co-sleeping a more pleasurable experience.

Zinus mattress features memory foam, which does a fantastic job of absorbing any motion during sleep.

Responsiveness

T&N mattresses are not constructed with memory foam, giving you some response. However, the responsiveness here is lower than with the Zinus mattress, since it’s constructed from memory foam.

Resilience and bounce

Tuft and Needle vs Zinus: Detailed Mattress Comparison

T&N Mattress has some bounce thanks to its proprietary foam, but not an enormous amount. However, if you’d like to have a mattress with a hugging feel, Zinus mattresses have no bounce due to the memory foam inside.

Edge support

T&N mattresses have not the best edge support possible and may develop sinkage over time. At the same time, the edges of the Zinus mattress are stronger but may not be durable over an extended period of time.

Inflation time, off-gassing, and smell

T&N mattresses will have some odor from off-gassing, but that will subside with time. The same goes for the Zinus mattress.

Sleep position ratings

SLEEP POSITION Light sleepers(less than 130 lbs) Average sleepers(130 lbs to 230 lbs) Heavy sleepers(greater than 230 lbs)
Tuft & Needle
Side fair very good good
Back very good good very good
Stomach fair good good
Zinus
Side fair good fair
Back good good fair
Stomach fair fair fair

 

Your normal sleep position is essential in choosing the right mattresses. Tuft & Needle mattresses are made for average sleepers who enjoy sleeping on their side, back, and stomachs. Light sleepers may not like this mattress as much due to a lack of support. Side, back, and stomach sleepers of average weight will find the Zinus mattress fair to good. Heavy sleepers will not want to purchase the Zinus mattress.

Sizes and pricing

SIZE Tuft & Needle Zinus
Twin $350 $187
Twin XL $395 N/A
Full $495 $245
Queen $595 $278
King $750 $366
California King $750 N/A

Customer service

Sleep trial Warranty and refund Delivery
Tuft & Needle 100 nights 10-year warranty

Full refund

Within the U.S.
Zinus 100 nights 10-year warranty

Full refund

Within the U.S., except for Alaska and Hawaii

 

Customer service is key to making any purchase. When purchasing either the Tuft & Needle or Zinus mattress, you will receive a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty. Within the warranty period, you can receive a full refund. Both mattresses can be delivered anywhere in the United States with the exception of Zinus who cannot deliver to Alaska or Hawaii.

If pricing is number one on your priority list, then the Zinus mattress will be your best choice. While the Tuft & Needle queen mattress comes in at $595, a Zinus mattress will only cost you $278.

So which should you buy?

Tuft & Needle

VIEW ON AMAZON

Pros

  • Medium firm mattresses great for an average sleeper
  • No motion transfer
  • Also suitable for back and stomach sleepers

Cons

  • Higher price
  • Does not eliminate motion transfer completely
  • Poor edge support
  • May experience off-gassing

Zinus

VIEW ON AMAZON

Pros

  • Medium firm mattress suitable for most people
  • Hugging memory foam
  • Affordable
  • 100-night sleep trial

Cons

  • Jacquard knit over tends to butch up while sleeping
  • Edge support is stronger but not durable
  • Unpleasant odors (off-gassing)

In conclusion

Purchasing the right mattress is vital to getting a good night’s sleep. Tuft & Needle and Zinus mattresses both offer a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty. Both have excellent support for the average-weight sleeper who spends the night on their side, stomach, or back. T&N mattresses don’t give good edge support or motion transfer while the Zinus offers a memory foam construction with reduced motion transfer.

Zinus mattresses will offer you an affordable choice in a quality mattress. Affordability is the Zinus star in the mattress business. Tuft & Needle provides a mattress that has good quality features and may last longer, but you will pay more out of pocket.

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