Casper Mattresses Comparison

Casper mattress key highlights

• All Casper beds come with free shipping, free returns, a 100-night risk-free sleep trial, and a 10-year warranty. These policies are standard for the online mattress industry.
• The Element, Original Caper, and Wave mattresses are made entirely of foam. The number of layers, composition, and thickness of each bed varies, though. With the Original Casper and Wave mattresses, consumers have the choice to opt for hybrid designs (i.e., the beds come with coils foundations).
• Regardless of which Casper bed you purchase, it will have a comfortable, moderate foam feel. In other words, Casper mattresses have more of a standard foam feel rather than a traditional memory foam feel.
• All types of sleepers will be just fine on Casper mattresses. It doesn’t matter whether you spend the majority of the night on your back, stomach, or side. The three beds land near the middle of the firmness scale, meaning they’re not too firm or too soft.
• The Element and all-foam versions of the Original Casper and Wave mattresses are best for people with lower or moderate body weight. People with higher body weight will likely want to choose the hybrid version of either the Original Casper or Wave.
• Casper follows a good-better-best model with its mattress lineup. The Element is the company’s budget-tier mattress. The Original Casper is priced competitively with what most people would expect to pay for an online bed. The Wave is the company’s luxury option and thus carries a premium price tag.

Casper Element review

Casper mattresses are good for:

• people who have a limited budget
• people who want a comfy foam bed

Details:

• free shipping and returns
• 100-night trial period
• 10-year warranty
• made in the United States

Budget price point

The Element is Casper’s entry-level bed and is therefore priced accordingly. It’s a great option for anyone working with a tight budget, such as students and young professionals.

It’s also a solid choice for people looking for a comfortable, affordable bed for their child, teenager, or guest room.

The MSRP for the Element ranges from around $400 for a Twin size to $800 for a King size. Since the bed is already fairly inexpensive, Casper doesn’t regularly run sales on the Element. However, around major holidays Casper will offer discounts in the 5 to 10 percent off range.

Simple all-foam design

The Element is made up of three different foam layers that total 10 inches thick. Here’s a quick summary of each individual layer, starting from the bottom:

• Support foam: this is the foundation for the bed
• Memory foam: the transition layer that provides deep pressure relief
• Open-cell foam: the true comfort layer of the mattress

Wrapping the three layers of foam is a removable, charcoal-colored cover that helps hide spills, dirt, and grime. According to the company’s website, the cover is machine washable, which is something you don’t see every day.

There are only a handful of online beds that have removable, machine washable covers. Make sure to use a cold wash cycle and hang dry when finished.

We should also mention that all of the Casper mattresses, including the Element, use foams that are certified by the CertiPUR-US program. Without getting too technical, this essentially means the beds don’t contain harmful chemicals and are safe to sleep on.

Feel and firmness analysis

Although the Element mattress technically contains a layer of memory foam, we wouldn’t consider it a memory foam mattress. That’s because the top layer of open-cell foam is fairly responsive and balances out the feel of the mattress.

Overall, it has more of what we consider to be a standard or moderate foam feel. This just means the top layers combine to form a soft sleeping surface but don’t necessarily mold or adapt to your body’s shape.

To be honest, a lot of consumers prefer more of a standard foam feel. It’s soft and comfortable but not quite as intense as the adaptive characteristics of memory foam.

In regard to firmness, we actually think the Element is Casper’s firmest bed (albeit not by much). In our opinion, the bed rates out around a 5 to 6 on the firmness scale.

However, please note that firmness is very personal. It largely depends on your specific height, weight, and body type.

To summarize, people with higher body weight will likely find the Element to be slightly softer (more around a 4 to 5), while people with a lower body weight will likely find the bed slightly firmer (more around a 6 to 7).

Suitable sleeping positions

The Casper Element comfortably accommodates individuals in all sleeping positions. This includes people who sleep on their side, back, or stomach. It also applies to combination sleepers who rotate between the three primary positions.

The top layers of the bed combine to form a pressure-relieving sleeping surface for the hips and shoulders of side sleepers, yet at the same time, the dense support core and overall firmness profile of the bed ensure back and stomach sleepers maintain proper spinal alignment.

Combination sleepers will also appreciate the resilient nature of the top comfort layer. This makes it very easy to switch between positions.

Given the Element mattress is entirely made of foam, it’s going to be best for people with lower or moderate body weight.

Generally, beds that contain coils like the Casper Hybrid and Casper Wave Hybrid are more ideal for people with higher body weight since coils are more durable and supportive than dense foundation foams.

Verdict: Casper Element review

See more details about the Casper Element Mattress

Casper Element mattress review

Original Casper mattress review

Casper mattresses are good for:

• people who are looking for a comfortable, affordable mattress
• anyone who’s interested in a bed-in-a-box mattress

Details:

• free shipping and returns
• 100-night trial period
• 10-year warranty
• made in the United States

Casper mattress price and discount

The flagship Casper mattress is priced in the same range as other popular online beds, such as Leesa, Purple, and Puffy. It’s not a cheap mattress, but we also wouldn’t consider expensive, either, by industry standards. Here’s how MSRP breaks down by size:

It’s important to note the prices displayed above aren’t what you’ll likely pay come checkout. That’s because Casper likes to offer discounts on its flagship mattress.

Casper almost always has some sort of sale or coupon code you can take advantage of. The typical discount is usually around $50 to $100. Be sure to locate the green discount box on your screen to check the current promotion.

Premium foam design

Compared to the average online bed, the Casper mattress is thicker and more advanced. The bed includes four different layers that total 12 inches thick. Here’s a quick look at each layer, working from bottom to top:

• Dense support foam: serves as the foundation for the mattress
• Zoned support foam: unique foam layer that’s split into three different sections to provide support and pressure relief where you need it most
• High-density memory foam: provides deep comfort and support for sleepers
• Open-cell foam: the proper comfort layer for the bed

As you can see above, the flagship Casper mattress basically uses the same top two layers as the Element mattress. It’s really the special zoned support layer that sets it apart, and to be quite frank, is what makes it different from the typical online mattress.

This layer contains three separate zones that vary in firmness. The top and bottom zones are designed to be slightly softer to allow your shoulders to settle in below your hips and provide pressure relief for your lower body.

The middle zone is slightly firmer to provide extra support under your lower back, hips, and core areas. The goal here is to keep your spine in proper neutral alignment so that you don’t wake up with any aches or pains.

The flagship Casper mattress uses a soft white and gray cover that’s removable. However, unlike the cover on the Casper Element, it’s not recommended you machine wash it.

Instead, if the cover somehow gets dirty, spot clean the soiled area with a safe, mild detergent and water. This is how you clean the majority of covers on bed-in-a-box mattresses, so it’s nothing out of the ordinary.

Soft foam feel

As you might imagine, the Original Casper mattress has a similar moderate foam feel to that of the Casper Element. After all, both beds use open-cell foam and memory foam for their top comfort layers, so this shouldn’t come as a big surprise.

Just in case you skipped the section about the Element mattress, a moderate foam feel simply means the top layers are soft and gentle but don’t necessarily conform to your body like memory foam.

Overall, our team finds the Casper mattress to be extremely comfortable, and it seems the general public tends to agree with us.

Medium firmness profile

In our opinion, the Casper mattress is just a hair softer than the Element. That’s in large part due to the zoned support layer that the Original model utilizes.

All in all, we think the bed rates somewhere between a 4 and 6 on the firmness scale. The mattress finds a nice middle ground between comfort and support.

Just a reminder, firmness is highly subjective. People with higher body weight will likely feel the bed lands closer to a 4 rating, while people with lower body weight will likely feel it belongs closer to a 6 rating.

Highly accommodating

Casper designed its flagship mattress so that it would satisfy a large portion of the population. In other words, Casper didn’t want the bed to be overly soft or excessively firm in the interest of not deterring potential customers.

Further, this is just an assumption, but we hypothesize that’s why the company went to the trouble of adding a special zoned support layer in the bed. Casper wanted to make sure that sleepers are properly supported in all positions.

With that in mind, you can probably guess what types of sleepers the bed is best for. To save the suspense, the answer is all types.

People who primarily sleep on their side will appreciate the softer zone under their shoulders as well as the pressure-relieving qualities of the open-cell/memory foam comfort layer combination.

Likewise, folks who spend a lot of time on their back or stomach will appreciate the extra support from the firmer zone under their lumbar region.

Thoughts on body size

Even though the Casper mattress is thicker than the Element, we still think it’s best for people with lower or moderate body weight. People with higher body weight will likely want to opt for the Casper Hybrid, which we discuss in detail in the upcoming section.

Conclusion: Casper mattress review

It’s easy to see why the Casper mattress is so popular among consumers. It has pretty much everything the average online shopper would want in a new bed. The mattress is pressure relieving yet supportive for the key areas of your body, and let’s not forget, ultra-comfortable.

Bottom line: If you’re looking for an affordable foam mattress that offers a little more than the typical online bed, we’d strongly recommend you consider the flagship Casper mattress.

See more details about the Casper Original Mattress

Casper mattress review

Casper Wave review

Casper mattresses are good for:

• people who are intrigued with Casper’s “zoned support” technology
• all sleeping positions
• people who want a soft foam mattress

Details:

• free shipping and returns
• 100-night trial period
• 10-year warranty
• made in the United States

Premium price point

The Wave is Casper’s most intricate mattress. It takes the company’s flagship bed and kicks it up a notch.

Although this model no longer seems to be available on their site, it can be purchased on third-party sites like Amazon. You’re looking at anywhere from $1,300 for a Twin size to $2,700 for a King size.

Designed to alleviate back pain

The design of the Casper Wave is what really makes the mattress stand out from the crowd.

The bed uses an ergonomic system including targeted gel pods to properly align your spine. Overall, the bed is made of five distinct layers that total 13 inches thick. Here’s a quick rundown of each layer:

• Support foam: acts as the foundation for the bed
• High-resiliency zoned support foam: a targeted support layer that is even more advanced than the comparable layer found on the flagship Casper bed
• Memory foam: provides deep pressure relief for sleepers
• Latex foam: a responsive and breathable foam near the surface of the mattress
• Comfort Flo Foam: the true comfort layer for the mattress; Casper likes to call it “velvety soft”

As we referenced above, the zoned support layer in the Wave bed is a little more complex than you might have initially imagined.

Sure, it’s split into three different sections that vary in firmness just like the similar layer in the standard Casper mattress, but the layer on the Wave also includes targeted gel pods.

Essentially, the company added tiny capsules of gel in the center third of the bed to provide even more support and ensure your spine remains in proper alignment throughout the night.

In turn, this should help alleviate back pain and prevent you from feeling any aches or pains in the mornings. The targeted zoned support framework is also a big reason why the Wave mattress is endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association.

We should also mention it’s fairly unusual to find a bed that uses both memory foam and latex foam. Out of the 125-plus online beds we’ve tested, only a handful of them contain both types of foam.

This combination gives sleepers the best of both worlds. You get the pressure relief from the memory foam, yet at the same time, the latex foam adds a responsive and breathable element to the bed.

Lastly, the Wave mattress contains a removable cover made out of wool, which is supposed to help wick moisture and fight against humidity buildup.

It’s not machine washable, though. If it gets dirty, you should care for it in the same way as the cover on the flagship Casper bed.

What the Casper Wave feels like

The top layers on the Casper Wave are made of three different materials. You have memory foam, latex foam, and a proprietary foam called Flo Foam. As a result, the bed has a sort of mixed, moderate foam feel.

You can feel certain aspects of each type of foam. For example, the bed feels soft and pressure relieving (normally associated with memory foam), yet it’s also fairly resilient and supportive (normally associated with latex foam).

Together, these layers form a very comfortable and accommodating sleeping surface. At the end of the day, we don’t envision too many people having an issue with how the Wave mattress feels.

Firmness range

Although the Wave mattress utilizes different materials and a more advanced zoned support framework than the standard Casper bed, we think it lands in the same general range as far as firmness. We think it rates out near the middle of the scale (4 to 6).

This, of course, depends on your weight and body type, though. People with higher body weight will likely find the bed a bit softer, while people with lower body weight will likely find it slightly firmer.

Appropriate sleeping position

The Casper Wave is an excellent choice for all types of sleepers. Its ergonomic design ensures individuals in all sleeping positions receive the necessary support and maintain healthy alignment.

To summarize, side sleepers will appreciate the forgiving and alleviating nature of the top layers, while back and stomach sleepers will appreciate the zoned support and targeted gel pods under their torso region.

Body size discussion

Despite its advanced support framework, we think the Casper Wave is best suited for people with lower or moderate body weight.

By the way, that statement should by no means be interpreted as a criticism of the mattress.

Really, it’s just a reflection of its all-foam design. People with higher body weight should select the Casper Wave Hybrid instead, which we cover in detail here shortly.

Final thoughts: Casper Wave review

We are big believers in value shopping, so we’re the first to acknowledge that the Wave is expensive. We’re not going to sit here and try to spin the bed’s price tag as a positive.

We would never recommend it to shoppers who are on a tight budget. However, if you’re flush with cash and particularly concerned about back pain or maintaining proper spinal alignment throughout the night, the Casper Wave is an excellent choice.

Casper Hybrid review

Casper gives consumers the option to upgrade to a hybrid version of its flagship mattress. It’s essentially the same exact bed as the all-foam version, except it uses 6-inch pocketed coils for its support framework rather than dense foam.

To make the upgrade to coils, it will cost you $200. Therefore, the MSRP for the Casper Hybrid ranges from around $700 for a Twin size to $1,500 for a King size.

Again, this model isn’t currently on the Casper site, but it can be found on Amazon and other third-party sites.

As we alluded to above, besides the difference in construction, the all-foam and hybrid models are otherwise very similar in terms of feel, firmness, and suitable sleeping positions.

This raises the question: Why upgrade to the Casper Hybrid from the all-foam version? Well, there are a few reasons:

• Durability. Historically, coils are known for being more durable than foam foundations. Therefore, if you’re looking for a bed that will likely last you 8 to 10 years, the Casper Hybrid is the better bet.
• Support. Related to the previous point, coils are also more supportive than foam foundations. It’s pretty simple: Compared to foam, coils provide more resistance against pressure.
• Responsiveness. Coils are also more responsive than foams. In other words, they spring back quickly to their original position after pressure is removed. This often makes it easier to switch between sleeping positions.
• Air flow. Air can move more freely throughout beds that contain coils. With foam beds, air really doesn’t really have many channels or pockets to move through.

Combined, all these factors make the Casper Hybrid the more ideal choice for people with higher body weight. This group applies more strain and tension on beds.

As a result, mattresses that provide ample support (i.e., beds with coils like the Casper Hybrid) are better for people with higher body weight.

Casper Wave Hybrid review

Just like with the flagship Casper bed, consumers have the option of upgrading to a hybrid version of the Wave mattress. Instead of dense foam for its foundation, the Casper Wave Hybrid utilizes 6-inch pocketed coils.

As a result, the hybrid version of the Wave is a bit more supportive and adds a little bounce to the mattress compared to the all-foam bed. Otherwise, the two Wave models are essentially the same as far as feel, firmness, and ideal sleeping positions.

The MSRP for the Wave Hybrid between $1,500 to $3,000, depending on the size you’re looking for. The increase in price naturally leads to the question, why upgrade?

The answer once again comes down to durability and support. Beds with coils simply tend to last longer and offer more reinforcement, which is especially important for people with higher body weight.

Bottom line: If you have a higher body weight or you want a bed that has a high likelihood of lasting at least 8 to 10 years, we’d recommend opting for the Casper Wave Hybrid.

Visit the Casper site for the latest deals on the Casper Wave Hybrid and their latest model, the Casper Nova Hybrid.

Other considerations

Sleeping temperature

Although the company likes to play up its open-cell and perforated foams for temperature-regulation purposes, the three beds don’t contain any special materials or technology that actively cool sleepers down.

As such, we’d rate the Element, flagship Casper, and Wave mattresses as temperature-even. This just means the beds don’t sleep particularly cool or especially warm. The three mattresses are more neutral as far temperature.

With that in mind, it’s important to understand that sleeping temperature is affected by a multitude of factors, not just your mattress.

For example, some common factors include the type of sheets you use, whether you like to cuddle with your significant other, and the climate where you lie your head every night.

Motion suppression

This subject is particularly meaningful for couples or folks who share a bed with their pet. Motion suppression relates to how well a bed muffles movement between the two parties.

The better your mattress is at deadening motion, the less you feel your partner’s movements throughout the night, which in theory should translate to a more restful night of sleep.

Luckily, all three Casper beds perform quite well in this department. The all-foam Casper mattresses perform slightly better than their hybrid counterparts since they don’t contain coils (i.e., no bounce), but nevertheless, we don’t anticipate couples having any major issues with any of the Casper models.

Perimeter support

This is another important subject for couples to consider. Perimeter support refers to how well the edges of the bed hold up against pressure. The last thing couples would want is to feel like they’re not properly supported near the edges, or even worse, like they might slip off the side.

This would force both individuals to feel like they must sleep near the center of the mattress. Fortunately, Casper beds perform well in this regard as well. We didn’t notice any significant compression around the perimeter of the beds during our tests.

In this case, though, the hybrid Casper beds are actually slightly better than the all-foam ones since coils provide more reinforcement than foam.

Still, we think couples will be able to spread out comfortably and use the entire surface of all the different Casper mattresses.

Comparison: Casper Wave vs. Casper Original

Now that we’ve covered all the different Casper beds, it’s time to discuss how they compare against each other, first starting with how the Original Casper mattress stacks up against the Wave.

Let us first acknowledge that this is a tough comparison, because the two beds are very similar as far as feel, firmness, and suitable sleeping positions. With that said, they do differ in a couple key areas.

Below we’ve outlined the big points of differentiation between these two beds, which should hopefully help you decide whether to upgrade to the Wave.

Price

This is the big decision point with these two beds. The standard Casper mattress is significantly more affordable than the Wave. You’ll likely save anywhere from $600 to $1,400 by opting for the Original Casper bed.

However, if price isn’t your top concern, there’s no denying the Wave is the better overall mattress from a construction standpoint.

Zoned support design

Both beds utilize a zoned support design, but the Wave is just a little more robust. Think of the Wave’s support framework just like the standard Casper’s design, but on steroids.

The Wave mattress uses special gel pods to provide additional support under your lower back, hips, and core. As such, if you experience back pain frequently or you want to ensure you’re always sleeping in a neutral position, it may be worth spending up for the Wave.

Latex foam

The Casper Wave uses a layer of latex foam near its surface, whereas the standard Casper mattress does not. This gives the Wave mattress a slightly more responsive feel.

It’s also fair to say the Casper Wave might have a leg up on the standard Casper mattress in terms of breathability thanks to the latex foam as well.

Those are the big decision points when comparing the Original Casper and Casper Wave mattresses.

Hopefully, you have a much clearer picture of the two beds. Below we compare the Element and Original Casper mattresses in case those are the two beds you’re trying to decide between.

Comparison: Casper Element vs. Casper Original

If you’re working with a limited budget, you’ve likely narrowed your choices down to the Casper Element or Original Casper mattresses.

As such, it’s time to dive into the main differences between the beds so you can make a final decision.

Price

Both the Element and Original Casper are considered affordable beds, but the Element is considerably cheaper.

The decision here really boils down to the max price you’re willing to pay for a new mattress. By opting for the Element, you’ll likely save anywhere from $200 to $400.

Construction

Not only is the flagship Casper mattress thicker, but it also incorporates the zoned support layer that we’ve already discussed in detail throughout this review.

From a pure design standpoint, the Original Casper mattress has the edge. If the ~$300 price increase isn’t a major deterrent in your decision, there’s no question the Original Casper mattress is the more attractive option.

Firmness ratings

Although both beds are very close on the firmness scale, we do think the Casper Element is slightly firmer. Accordingly, if you tend to favor your back or stomach, you might want to save money and stick with the Element.

However, if you tend to favor your side, you may want to consider paying up for the Original Casper so your hips and shoulders have a slightly softer sleeping surface.

Weight and body type

For people with higher body weight, we’d strongly recommend you go with the Casper Hybrid mattress since it contains coils for its foundation.

As we’ve already stated multiple times, people with higher body weight are better off with coil beds rather than all-foam ones since they last longer and provide more support for this group.

Those are the big differences between the Element and Original Casper mattresses. Other than the four points listed above, the two beds are very similar.

Overview: Purchasing a Casper mattress online

Casper helped pioneer the friendly customer policies that have now been adopted by the vast majority of online mattress companies. However, we realize that these policies are still foreign to shoppers who have never purchased a bed online before.

To put it simply, Casper (and other bed-in-a-box companies) try to make the purchasing process as painless as possible for consumers. Allow us to explain.

First, Casper beds come with free shipping. You won’t have to pay an exorbitant fee just to have your new bed delivered.

Now, don’t be surprised when the mattress shows up on your doorstep in a box. This is how the term “bed-in-a-box” came to be.

The beds come roll-packed in a cardboard box about the size of a water cooler you’d find in an office setting. In most cases, your new Casper mattress will arrive within 3 to 10 business days after purchasing online.

The setup process for Casper mattresses is fairly straightforward. Once you see your new bed has been delivered, grab a friend and move the box to your bedroom. From there, open the box, roll the bed out onto your frame, and cut the plastic.

You’ll immediately start to see the bed take its natural shape. Please note you’ll want to give the mattress at least 24 hours to fully inflate before you officially take the plunge and sleep on it.

Once your new bed is delivered, your risk-free trial period begins. Casper allows customers to test out its beds for 100 nights. This gives you ample time to determine whether you want to keep the mattress. If you do, Casper beds come backed by a 10-year warranty.

If your new mattress doesn’t work out for some reason, the return process is quite simple. All you have to do is contact Casper customer support and they’ll take care of everything.

Customer support will work with you to schedule a time for the bed to be removed from your home. Once the bed has been picked up, Casper will issue you a full refund.

FAQs

How did Mattress Finder acquire these beds?

Casper sent us the mattresses for free so we could test them. However, the company in no way influenced our review of the beds. Mattress Finder is an independent reviews site. We produce unbiased content so consumers can make educated purchase decisions.

When was Casper founded?

Casper was launched in 2014. The company has raised more than $300 million from investors. Last we checked, the company was valued at more than $1 billion.

How can consumers get in touch with Casper?

The Casper support team can be contacted via email, phone, or online chat. The company’s official support number is 888-498-0003. If you’d rather email, please use support@casper.com. Lastly, the company’s online chat portal can be found on its official website.

Are Casper mattresses available to purchase in retail stores?

Yes, Casper has partnered with several different brick-and-mortar retailers in the past, including Target, Costco, and West Elm. We recommend you check the company’s official website for a detailed, up-to-date listing off current retail locations.

What other products does Casper sell?

Casper sells a variety of bedding products in addition to mattresses, including pillows, bed frames, sheets, and weighted blankets.

The Mattress Finder team is composed of certified professionals who are passionate about helping consumers improve their sleep. We thoroughly test each mattress we review through a series of practical, hands-on inspections and assessments. We write every review expecting that our closest friends and family members rely on us for their mattress and sleep product decisions, so honesty and authenticity are core principles of our inspection process.