“What if it doesn't suit me?”

This is the row that surprises people, so here it is in their own words. Tempur-Pedic's site states: “Given their use as personal items, pillows may not be returned.” Reviewers at Mattress Nerd put it plainly too: no returns, no exchanges, no trial period on pillows. The exception is a defect or damage on arrival.

A pillow is the one thing you can't judge until you've slept on it for a week. SORA gives you 30 nights to do that.

One important exception: this is Tempur-Pedic's own policy on their own site. If you buy the same pillow at a retailer, that retailer's return policy applies instead, and some give you 90 days. If you want a Tempur pillow, buying it somewhere with returns is the sensible route.

“My arm goes numb and my shoulder aches”

This is where the two pillows stop being comparable, and it's worth being clear about it rather than pretending one is simply better.

TEMPUR-Cloud is a flat pillow with a 5 inch profile. Their own description calls it low profile, extra soft, and similar to a traditional pillow, working best for back and stomach sleepers. It's designed to be soft and conforming, not shaped.

SORA Cloud is shaped. Six support zones, a raised contour that fills the gap between your head and the mattress, arm pocket zones so your arm isn't trapped under your head, and side sleeper wings that give the shoulder clearance.

“I sleep hot”

SORA Cloud includes a removable cooling cover at $59. The base TEMPUR-Cloud has a polyester knit cover without cooling; the cooling version is a separate, more expensive model in their range.

“Can I wash it?”

Same answer on both sides, and it's worth knowing before you buy either: the cover comes off and goes in the machine, the foam core does not. Tempur-Pedic's instruction is not to clean the material with liquid at all.