Written by Lauren Hapgood, Performance Staff Writer
With beginnings in 2014, Casper is one of the most important mattress manufacturers in the business today. Many associate the start of the bed-in-a-box industry with the launch of Casper, and even credit the company with the invention of the bed-in-a-box.
From cushioning all-foam mattresses to carefully crafted coil beds, Casper offers an array of mattress constructions for a variety of prices, expanding their market to shoppers of all kinds. The company uses a proprietary AirScape foam that’s ventilated for airflow. And they famously incorporate zoned support in many of their mattresses. Zoned support divides the mattresses into three separate firmnesses which aim to provide the proper support and relief to targeted areas of the body.
While Casper mattresses are generally quality beds that meet the needs of many sleepers out there, we recognize that not all beds (or brands) are perfect. There are a few reasons why someone might want an alternative. Chief among them is the usage of fiberglass in many of their all-foam mattresses, as well as the lack of support for heavier sleepers and stomach sleepers in some of their hybrids.
All that is to say, you might be looking for a model that has the pros of Casper mattresses while still avoiding some of the cons. And that’s why our Sleepopolis team does what we do. Welcome to our Casper Alternatives page, where we’ll provide alternative choices to replace Casper models with some of the other best brands on the market. Read on to see which Casper alternative might be the best fit for you and your specific needs.
Best Casper Alternatives
- Saatva Classic – Best Casper Wave Hybrid Snow Alternative
- Emma Original – Best Casper Original Alternative
- Puffy Lux Hybrid – Best Casper Wave Hybrid Alternative
- Helix Sunset Luxe – Best Casper Nova Hybrid Alternative
- DreamCloud – Best Casper Original Hybrid Alternative
- Nolah Evolution Comfort+ – Best Casper Snow Alternative
- Bear Original – Best The Casper Alternative
Compare the Casper Alternatives
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| Saatva Mattress | Emma Mattress | Puffy Lux Hybrid Mattress | Helix Sunset Luxe Mattress | DreamCloud Original Mattress | Nolah Evolution Comfort+ | Bear Original Mattress | |
| Rating | |||||||
| Firmness | Multiple firmness options | Firm: 7/10 | Soft: 5.5/10 | Soft: 5.5/10 | Firm: 7/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Firm: 7.5/10 |
| Material | Innerspring | Foam | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Foam |
| Cooling | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | -- | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sleep Position | Back & Stomach | Back | Back & Side | Back & Side | Back | Back & Side | Back & Side |
Saatva Classic – Best Casper Wave Hybrid Snow Alternative
Product
Firmness
Score
Saatva Classic – Best Casper Wave Hybrid Snow Alternative
Expert Opinion
The Casper Wave Hybrid Snow is a hybrid mattress, utilizing both coils for support and foam for pressure relief. It’s a luxury mattress with a careful construction of six different layers, many of which are specially designed for cooling. Although this mattress has nearly 200 reviews on the company site (totaling 4.4 out of 5 stars), and although luxury mattress companies are justified in having steeper prices for their luxury beds, some shoppers may find the price runs a little too high.
Those looking for the Wave Hybrid Snow’s coiled support and cooling properties with a lower price and more of an innerspring feel should set their sights on the Saatva Classic. This is yet another luxury mattress, but it’s considered an innerspring, so there’s an emphasis on the sturdiness and responsiveness of its dual-coil design.
Innersprings are also breathable, as the coils allow for airflow. And on our cooling tests, which involve a detailed observation of the mattress’s construction and a temperature check with a thermal gun, the Saatva proved to have good results (4.5 out of 5 for cooling).
What our tester says: “The Saatva gets its firm feel from its coil-on-coil construction, which offers quite a bit of support. The Saatva might feel softer in the center since it has a zoned support system. This means it’s firmer in certain parts of the bed and softer in others. The memory foam layer in the middle offers pressure relief in the center where sleepers need it.” – Bridget Chapman, former senior product editor
Pros of the Saatva Classic Mattress
- Some of the more negative Casper Wave Hybrid Snow reviews comment on the delivery process. Saatva’s customer service is one of our favorites in the industry, as the company offers free white glove delivery.
- While the Wave Hybrid Snow only has one firmness level, you can choose between Plush, Luxury Firm, and Firm versions of the Saatva Classic.
- The Saatva is highly responsive, as confirmed during our Sleepopolis testing process. So, it provides ease of movement for combination sleepers switching sleeping positions throughout the night.
Cons of the Saatva Classic Mattress
- The Saatva didn’t test as well in motion isolation, so couples who sleep light might want to opt for the Wave Hybrid Snow, which received outstanding results on the same test.
Cost and Policies
- Cost: Before discounts, the Saatva ($1,995 for a queen) is priced lower than the Casper Wave Hybrid Snow ($3,595 for a queen).
- Trial and warranty: Saatva offers a 365-night trial and a lifetime warranty, while Casper offers a 100-night trial and a 10-year warranty.
- Shipping: Both companies provide free shipping. Saatva also offers free white glove delivery.
Ready to try out the Saatva Classic? Click here to get the best deal. You can also learn more in our full Saatva Classic mattress review. For more information about the Casper Wave Hybrid Snow, see our full Casper Wave Hybrid Snow mattress review or click here to get the best deal.
Emma Original – Best Casper Original Alternative
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Firmness
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Emma Original – Best Casper Original Alternative
Expert Opinion
The Casper Original is Casper’s flagship mattress, which is an all-foam bed that has a firmer, more responsive feel. It’s a value buy and an overall quality option. But some shoppers turn their heads away from the original mattress because it has fiberglass in its construction, and the foam has the tendency to sag overtime.
If you’re looking for a similarly firm, all-foam option that’s still kind to your wallet, we’d love to introduce you to the Emma Original. It’s fiberglass-free, and it’s marketed specifically for its durable, long-lasting foams. This mattress has a similar firmness to the original Casper (7 out of 10, or slightly firmer than the industry standard). However, the nature of the foam in the original Emma allows it to support stomach sleepers under 250 pounds, in addition to back sleepers and combination sleepers. The Casper, on the other hand, is really best for those resting on their backs or combination sleepers who don’t spend too much time in a single position.
One draw of the Casper that the Emma Original also does well is back pain relief. To put this to the test, we used a pressure map, which is a mat we spread across the mattress surface to track how much pressure builds up at sensitive areas. Thermal imaging transfers results to a graphic, which uses red and orange to indicate areas of high pressure, yellow for moderate, and blue and green for low. Both the Casper and Emma received impressive results for back pain, showing low pressure buildup in the lumbar region.
What our tester says: “The Emma mattress is an all-foam bed, meaning that it includes four layers of foam in its construction, but doesn’t include any coils or springs. However, these are not all layers of memory foam (which you might have been thinking). Instead, the Emma uses Point Elastic Airgocell foam, HALO memory foam, and HRX (High Resiliency Extra) Supreme Foam throughout its build. These dense foams create a firm mattress, which is actually uncommon for this kind of bed.” – Bridget Chapman, former senior product editor
Pros of the Emma Original Mattress
- If online mattress shopping policies are important to you, you should appreciate Emma’s 365-night sleep trial (Casper only offers 100 nights to test out mattresses).
- The Emma Original received a high responsiveness rating, so it should suit combination sleepers well.
- Customers have positive things to say about the customer service and shipping process.
Cons of the Emma Original Mattress
- During testing, we found that the Emma Original isn’t quite supportive enough for sleepers over 250 pounds. For more options, we recommend taking a look at our roundup for the best mattresses for heavy sleepers.
Cost and Policies
- Cost: Both beds are relatively cheap and similarly priced, with the Emma at $1,053 for a queen and the Casper at $1,295 before discounts.
- Trial and warranty: Emma and Casper each offer 10-year warranties, but the Emma has a longer sleep trial (365 nights versus Casper’s 100 nights).
- Shipping: Both companies provide free shipping.
Ready to try out the Emma Original? Click here to get the best deal. You can also learn more in our full Emma Original mattress review. For more information about the Casper Original, see our full Casper Original mattress review or click here to get the best deal.
Puffy Lux Hybrid – Best Casper Wave Hybrid Alternative
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Firmness
Score
Puffy Lux Hybrid – Best Casper Wave Hybrid Alternative
Product
Casper Wave Hybrid MattressFirmness
Medium-soft: 6/10Score
Expert Opinion
The Casper Wave Hybrid is a luxury option combining foam and coils, but it’s not quite as cooling (or expensive) as its Wave Hybrid Snow counterpart. Like many other Casper mattresses, it uses Airscape foam for ventilation and zoned support for better spinal alignment. The multiple foam layers and firmness of 6 out of 10 give it an edge when it comes to pressure relief.
However, the Wave Hybrid has a more responsive feel and a full retail price that might dissuade budget shoppers, as is the case with other Casper hybrids. If you’re someone searching for something with a bit more sinkage, or if you’re looking for a hybrid bed that’s still luxurious but just a bit cheaper, we recommend the Puffy Lux Hybrid.
This mattress also includes layers dedicated to top-tier pressure relief and adequate support. But the Puffy Lux Hybrid is a tad softer (5.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale) and strives to provide for a traditional memory foam feel, rather than siding with Casper’s more responsive foam nature. This helps it excel in trapping movement, which helped it score a perfect 5 out of 5 on our motion isolation test.
To determine how well the Lux Hybrid isolates motion, we dropped a 10-pound steel ball from three different heights and measured the disturbance with a seismometer. We found low disturbance during testing, which tells us that the Lux Hybrid traps movement so well that couples shouldn’t be able to feel each other moving around much at night.
What our tester says: “The Puffy Lux has a very soft and cuddly feel, but still provides support (thanks to the coils). I definitely felt like I was sinking into this bed, rather than floating “on top.” This makes the bed highly cushioning — I felt lots of pressure relief.” – Bridget Chapman, former senior product editor
Pros of the Puffy Lux Hybrid Mattress
- Like the Casper Wave Hybrid, the Puffy Lux Hybrid did considerably well on our pressure relief test, so it should be good for back pain and many types of joint pain.
- The Puffy Lux Hybrid may be on the softer side, but that doesn’t mean it sacrifices support. During testing, this bed received a 4 out of 5 support score, thanks to the sturdy coils and support foam at the bottom.
- Side sleepers and folks with joint pain should especially benefit from this plush luxury bed.
Cons of the Puffy Lux Hybrid Mattress
- Because the Puffy Lux Hybrid strives to create a more slow-sinking feel, it’s not as responsive as other beds. So, if you’re searching for ease of movement on top of the bed’s surface, we might recommend you stick with the Wave Hybrid or check out the best mattresses for combination sleepers.
Cost and Policies
- Cost: At full retail price, the Puffy Lux Hybrid costs $2,849 for a queen compared to the Casper Wave Hybrid’s slightly higher $3,095.
- Trial and warranty: Both companies provide similar sleep trials (100 and 101 nights), but the Puffy’s lifetime warranty certainly beats Casper’s 10-year warranty.
- Shipping: Puffy and Casper offer free shipping for mattress purchases.
Ready to try out the Puffy Lux Hybrid? Click here to get the best deal. You can also learn more in our full Puffy Lux Hybrid mattress review. For more information about the Casper Wave Hybrid, see our full Casper Wave Hybrid mattress review or click here to get the best deal.
Helix Sunset Luxe – Best Casper Nova Hybrid Alternative
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Firmness
Score
Helix Sunset Luxe – Best Casper Nova Hybrid Alternative
Product
Helix Sunset Luxe MattressFirmness
Soft: 5.5/10Score
Product
Casper Nova Hybrid MattressFirmness
Soft: 5.5/10Score
Expert Opinion
The Casper Nova Hybrid is Casper’s softest model, and the balance of coils and foams are designed to provide top-tier pressure relief and adequate support to many different sleepers. However, some customer reviews critique the foam’s lack of durability, as well as the Nova Hybrid’s excessive sinkage. If you’re a fan of the Nova Hybrid’s softer feel, but are looking for longer-lasting foam and something with a bit more lift, we’d love to introduce you to the Helix Sunset Luxe.
This luxurious model is also the company’s softest bed in its line of hybrids. Helix is famous for creating a variety of beds that combine foam and coils and appeal to sleeping positions and body types of all kinds. The Helix Sunset Luxe, in particular, tested really well for side sleepers and back sleepers, similar to the Nova Hybrid.
During testing, we felt it had a nice balance of motion isolation and responsiveness. So, the mattress should adequately trap movement without making you feel too stuck in the mattress material. This is a rarer balance to achieve in the mattress world, but we feel the Sunset Luxe does this well.
What our tester says: “The Helix Sunset Luxe is very similar to the standard Helix Sunset model, but it’s two inches thicker, has five layers in its construction (the standard Sunset model only four five), uses zoned support (more on that below), and includes a more cooling cover than the standard Sunset model offers.” – Logan Block, former content director
Pros of the Helix Sunset Luxe Mattress
- Similar to the Casper Nova Hybrid, the Helix Sunset Luxe received all-around good cooling results during testing. This is thanks to its breathable coils and cooling Tencel cover.
- On our pressure map test, the Sunset Luxe tested particularly well for joint pain, specifically at the shoulder and hip.
- For a softer mattress, we thought the Sunset Luxe had decent edge support and should allow sleepers to stretch out across the mattress surface.
Cons of the Helix Sunset Luxe Mattress
- Like the Nova Hybrid, the Sunset Luxe isn’t quite firm enough for stomach sleepers, nor is it supportive enough for heavier folks.
Cost and Policies
- Cost: Both beds are priced similarly, with the Casper coming in at $2,495 for a queen at full retail price, and the Helix dropping its total to $2,373.
- Trial and warranty: Casper and Helix each include a 10-year warranty and a 100-night trial with a mattress purchase.
- Shipping: Free shipping is available on both company sites.
Ready to try out the Helix Sunset Luxe? Click here to get the best deal. You can also learn more in our full Helix Sunset Luxe mattress review. For more information about the Casper Nova Hybrid, see our full Casper Nova Hybrid mattress review or click here to get the best deal.
DreamCloud – Best Casper Original Hybrid Alternative
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Firmness
Score
DreamCloud – Best Casper Original Hybrid Alternative
Product
DreamCloud Original MattressFirmness
Firm: 7/10Score
Product
Casper Hybrid MattressFirmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10Score
Expert Opinion
The Casper Original Hybrid is Casper’s most streamlined hybrid mattress, while still including Casper’s signature ventilated foam and zoned support. It has an average price for a hybrid at full retail, and thousands of positive reviews on the company site. But many customers do express a few points of dissatisfaction. Some complain the Original Hybrid is firmer than advertised, and produces off-gassing that lasts much longer than anticipated. There also seems to be some discontent with customer service when it comes to processing returns.
So, if you’re looking for a standard hybrid mattress but aren’t sure of a good alternative, where do you turn? We think the Original Hybrid’s firmness and feel can be easily compared to the DreamCloud Original Hybrid, which also uses foam and coils to achieve a balance of comfort and support. But the DreamCloud also scored 5 out of 5 on our trial period and warranty, and on multiple accounts we’ve given the company a stellar rating for customer service. A smaller but altogether important perk of the DreamCloud is that it includes handles on the side of the mattress (unlike the Casper Original Hybrid), making it easier to transport the bed.
The DreamCloud, similar to the Casper Original Hybrid, is suitable for hot sleepers, back sleepers, combination sleepers, and those with back pain. The beds received similar firmness scores (6.5 and 7 out of 10), and similar results for our couples performance testing (in areas like cooling and motion transfer). However, the DreamCloud’s individually wrapped coil layer should better support heavier sleepers. We think the biggest draw of the DreamCloud is its ability to achieve a luxury feel at a fantastic price. It’s widely considered an affordable but luxurious mattress, thanks to features like its plush cashmere-blend cover and its cooling gel-infused memory foam layer.
What our testers say: “In the case of the DreamCloud, we found it to have excellent cooling, which is good news for anyone who sleeps two bodies to a bed instead of just one. There’s also strong enough edge support for two people to spread out and a high amount of responsiveness for sex.” – Bridget Chapman, former senior product editor
Pros of the DreamCloud Mattress
- The DreamCloud’s longer sleep trial (365 nights as opposed to Casper’s 100 nights) allows shoppers more time to decide if the bed truly fits their needs.
- This mattress regularly appears on our roundups for the best hybrid mattresses and the best mattresses for back pain.
- The DreamCloud includes cooling features in many of its layers: a breathable cashmere cover, a gel-infused memory foam comfort layer, and coils for airflow.
Cons of the DreamCloud Mattress
- While this mattress can accommodate combination sleepers who switch sleeping positions throughout the night, strict side sleepers and strict stomach sleepers are better off with a mattress geared specifically toward their needs.
Cost and Policies
- Cost: The Casper Original Hybrid is priced slightly higher than the DreamCloud at $1,495, compared to DreamCloud’s queen for $1,332.
- Trial and warranty: DreamCloud also takes the cake when it comes to trial and warranty length. Casper offers the standard 10-year warranty and 100-night trial, while DreamCloud includes a lifetime warranty and a year-long trial.
- Shipping: Both companies provide free shipping.
Ready to try out the DreamCloud Original? Click here to get the best deal. You can also learn more in our full DreamCloud Original mattress review. For more information about the Casper Original Hybrid, see our full Casper Original Hybrid mattress review or click here to get the best deal.
Nolah Evolution Comfort+ – Best Casper Snow Alternative
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Firmness
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Nolah Evolution Comfort+ – Best Casper Snow Alternative
Product
Nolah Evolution Comfort+Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10Score
Expert Opinion
Casper’s Snow mattress is specially designed for cooling, using proprietary Snow Technology that, as Casper claims, “keeps you 5° cooler all night.” While this isn’t something we’ve reviewed in our Sleepopolis mattress lab, Casper representatives informed us that the bed has a medium feel. Additionally, it’s marketed to emphasize support and to appeal to all kinds of sleepers. Many shoppers seem content with their purchase, but we did notice a few common complaints. While cool to the touch, some customers feel the Snow fails to keep them cool throughout the night. Others think that while it is, to an extent, cooling and supportive, the price fails to reflect the overall mattress performance.
Those wanting to give a shot at another cooling and supportive mattress should heavily consider the Nolah Evolution Comfort+. We’ve actually reviewed this bed in our mattress lab, and for roughly the same price after discounts, the Evolution Comfort+ knocks it out of the park for both support and cooling. Heavier side and back sleepers should be comfortable on this bed, and though dense foams and sturdy coils provide lots of lift to this bed, our pressure map shows the Euro top provides plenty of pressure relief.
It’s also worth noting that there’s cooling tech in most layers of this luxury mattress. The cover includes special cooling fibers to help dissipate heat. Their proprietary foam is ventilated and used in the comfort layer.
What our tester says: “The hybrid construction — using foams and coils — keeps you lifted up and out of the structure of the mattress for an “on top of the bed” feeling, but the Euro top gives some light contouring and a plush top layer for comfort.” – Bridget Chapman, former senior product editor
Pros of the Nolah Evolution Comfort+
- If achieving proper spinal alignment is a top priority, you’ll probably be happy to know that the Nolah Evolution Comfort+ has zoned support, just like the Casper Snow.
- While designed for heavier people, lightweight back and stomach sleepers, as well as average weight back and side sleepers, should be extremely comfortable on this bed.
- The Nolah Evolution Comfort+ received impressive results on our motion isolation and responsiveness tests (a difficult balance to strike), so we think it’s a solid option for couples.
Cons of the Nolah Evolution Comfort+
- Like the Casper Snow, the Nolah Evolution Comfort+ is a luxury mattress, so it’s not the best buy for budget shoppers. If you’re searching for the best affordable beds on the market, check out our roundup for the best cheap mattresses.
Cost and Policies
- Cost: The Nolah Evolution Comfort+ is priced a bit higher than the Casper Snow at full price ($2,499 compared to the Snow’s $1,995 for a queen).
- Trial and warranty: Casper’s 100-night trial is about the same length as Nolah’s 120-night trial, but Nolah does provide a much longer warranty (lifetime warranty versus Casper’s 10 year-warranty).
- Shipping: Casper offers free shipping full-stop, but Nolah only provides free shipping in the contiguous U.S. (not HI or AK).
Ready to try out the Nolah Evolution Comfort+? Click here to get the best deal. You can also learn more in our full Nolah Evolution Comfort+ mattress review. For more information about the Casper Snow, click here to get the best deal. Our full Casper Snow mattress review is coming soon.
Bear Original – Best The Casper Alternative
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Firmness
Score
Bear Original – Best The Casper Alternative
Expert Opinion
The Casper is marketed as Casper’s affordable all-foam bed. While it doesn’t feature zoned support like other models, it does include the same AirScape foam technology that promotes breathability in the comfort layer. Sturdier foam towards the bottom of the bed is included to lift the body into a healthy alignment. And while we haven’t reviewed The Casper in our lab just yet, it’s safe to say many customers are satisfied (4.7 out of 5 stars on the company site).
With a bit of a deeper dive, however, we’ve found that some customers had issues with the foam quality, saying it sags quite a bit after a couple years. And others struggled with customer service, especially when it came to a smooth delivery.
We’d argue that for a value mattress with sturdier foam, a nicer lift, and impressive customer service, shoppers should opt for the Bear Original. Bear mattresses are unique in that they’re specifically designed for rest and recovery, targeting athletes and others with active lifestyles. But truthfully, back sleepers of all body types and athletic abilities should appreciate this mattress. Our pressure map test showed some exceptional results for back sleepers with back pain and joint pain.
What our tester says: “Though you’re likely to sink into its top layer of memory foam, this sinkage is curbed by the taut poly foam transition layer. This means most folks are going to be positioned more “on top” of the structure than “in” it, which could work particularly well for combination sleepers or other folks looking for a firm mattress with a fairly responsive feel.” – Bridget Chapman, former senior product editor
Pros of the Bear Original Mattress
- One of the Bear’s most distinctive features is its Celliant cover, which can be purchased at an additional fee. Firsthand, we’ve seen Celliant’s cooling abilities. But Bear also claims that this material assists with blood circulation and recovery.
- If you’re not keen on spending extra for the Celliant cover, don’t worry; the Bear’s comfort layer still includes graphite infusions in the foam for cooling.
- The Bear has a more “on top of” feel and strays away from that traditional memory foam sinkage, which is fantastic news for combination sleepers who are searching for ease of movement on their mattress.
Cons of the Bear Original Mattress
- While this bed is a back sleeper’s dream, we wouldn’t recommend it for strict side sleepers wanting extra pressure relief, or strict stomach sleepers wanting a firm option.
Cost and Policies
- Cost: The Bear Original and The Casper are pretty much the same price, with the Bear Original coming in at $998 and The Casper at $995 for a queen.
- Trial and warranty: Bear has a slightly longer sleep trial (120 nights over Casper’s 100 nights), but its lifetime warranty certainly beats Casper’s 10-year warranty.
- Shipping: Both companies provide shoppers with free shipping.
Ready to try out the Bear Original? Click here to get the best deal. You can also learn more in our full Bear Original mattress review. For more information about The Casper, click here to get the best deal. Our full The Casper review is coming soon.
More About Casper as a Company
As mentioned, Casper is one of the industry’s leading online mattress brands, offering all-foam and hybrid (foam + coils) beds. These models often include proprietary AirScape foam for cooling, and zoned support for proper spinal alignment. In fact, Casper claims to be the first brand to utilize zoned support in their mattresses.
On the company site, Casper divides their available models into three different categories: value, performance, and cooling. The value options consist of the Original mattress, as well as The Casper, which are both all-foam mattresses offered for under $1,300 for a queen before discounts.
There are three different models in Casper’s performance section, and this particular category emphasizes healthy body alignment throughout the duration of rest. The Casper Original Hybrid, Nova Hybrid, and Wave Hybrid are included in this category, as specifically marketed and designed for better support. We’d put the Original Hybrid in the average price range for mattresses, while we’d consider the Nova and Wave to be luxury models.
Lastly, Casper offers cooling models using Snow Technology, which purportedly helps folks sleep up to six degrees cooler than they would on other mattresses. We have a thermal gun test that we perform in our Sleepopolis lab, and have yet to determine whether or not this is an accurate claim. But in terms of Casper’s cooling beds, the Snow and the Wave Hybrid Snow are the two mattresses Casper has included in this category. They’re both set at luxury prices.
The Bottom Line
We think that Casper offers a versatile line of quality mattresses, using a combination of both all-foam and hybrid models to appeal to a wide market of consumers. In many cases, a Casper mattress might suit you best. But we encourage you to read the rest of our buying guide below for even more information on Casper alternatives and what you should be looking for in a mattress.
What Is Zoned Support?
Zoned support divides a mattress into different firmnesses, so particular parts of the body are receiving more support than others. For instance, the hips might need firmer support in that area so your body stays lifted throughout the night, while your shoulders might need a softer surface for adequate pressure relief. This specially designed support system helps the spine maintain a neutral, healthy alignment. While zoned support is not an essential feature for every mattress, it’s certainly appreciated, especially for those struggling with back pain.
Read more about this very topic in our article: What Is a Zoned Support System?
Who Should Buy a Casper Mattress
- People with back pain: Almost all Casper models are equipped with zoned support, which divides the mattress into sections with different firmnesses. This provides cushioning where necessary and support where needed, which promotes better spinal alignment.
- Hot sleepers: There are a number of Casper models that emphasize cooling (specifically the Snow and Wave Hybrid Snow models), but all models include AirScape foam, designed for ventilation and breathability.
- Back sleepers: Many models, from the Original to the Wave Hybrid, are advertised at a medium firmness that will likely appeal to back sleepers wanting a balanced feel.
Who Shouldn’t Buy a Casper Mattress
- Those avoiding fiberglass: Several of Casper’s models do include fiberglass in the construction, and folks wanting to stay away from this material might consider one of the best mattresses without fiberglass or one of the best organic mattresses.
- Folks wanting a super long-lasting bed: We have noticed several complaints about the foam in Casper beds sagging prematurely. If you’re a sleeper who needs extra support, or if you’re adamant on an extremely durable bed, check out our roundup for the best mattresses that won’t sag.
- Some heavy sleepers: During testing, we’ve noticed that not many models (with the exception of a couple of their hybrid beds), aren’t supportive enough for folks over 250 pounds. For mattresses built for larger bodies, see our roundup of the best mattresses for heavy people.
Things to Look for in Alternatives to Casper Mattresses
There are particular considerations that every shopper should be aware of before purchasing one of the best mattresses. Your sleeping position, body weight, and personal preferences all factor into which Casper alternative you should opt for.
Sleeping Position
There are three primary sleeping positions we recognize at Sleepopolis: back sleeping, side sleeping, and stomach sleeping. There are also combination sleepers, who switch sleeping positions throughout the night. Read the bullets below to find out which kind of bed caters best to your preferred sleeping position. Use this information to help determine which of our favorite Casper alternatives is best for you.
- Back sleeping: Generally, we recommend back sleepers opt for a medium-firm mattress (or somewhere around 6.5/10 on the industry firmness scale) for the best balance of comfort and support. Back sleepers need both in order to lift the hips into alignment and to fill in the lumbar region to maintain that natural curve in the spine.
- Side sleeping: Side sleepers tend to put a lot of pressure on the hip and shoulder, as they’re laying on these joints all night. So, for these folks, we recommend a softer mattress (somewhere under medium-firm depending on bodyweight). That way, the cushy surface can contour to the hip and shoulder without allowing excess pressure to build up. This can help prevent joint pain in the long run.
- Stomach sleeping: It can sometimes be difficult to find a mattress for stomach sleepers, as these folks require a sleeping surface that’s on the much firmer side. With a soft mattress, stomach sleepers’ hips can sink into the material and bow the back out of alignment. So, make sure that you focus on a bed that’s both firm and durable, allowing the hips to stay lifted and the spine to remain in proper alignment throughout the whole night.
- Combination sleeping: Perhaps you don’t quite fall into one of these categories, but multiple, whether it’s as a back/side sleeper, or back/stomach sleeper, for example. We call this combination sleeping. And these folks should look for what we call a more responsive mattress. In other words, it has more of an “on top of” feel rather than a sinking feel. A bed that traps too much movement makes it harder to switch sleeping positions on the mattress.
For more information on sleep posture, see our Sleepopolis Guide to Better Sleep Posture, as well as our news article on Chiropractic-Recommended Sleeping Positions.
Body Type
Yep, your body type — specifically your weight — is an absolutely crucial factor when it comes to purchasing a mattress. And when you’re selecting your Casper alternative, this should be kept top of mind.
We recognize that people come in all shapes and sizes, and people of every size deserve a mattress that works for their body type. We use the weight categories light, average, and heavy to more easily categorize sleepers based on how mattresses will perform for their body type, as most mattresses are designed for the group we call “average” (130 to 250 pounds).
- Lightweight sleepers: We classify lightweight sleepers to be at or under 130 pounds. These sleepers don’t put as much weight on the mattress layers and typically experience beds to be firmer than most sleepers, and so we recommend they go for a softer construction that allows the necessary balance of comfort and support.
- Average-weight sleepers: We think a more medium-firm mattress (somewhere around a 6.5/10 on the firmness scale should strike a nice balance for folks between 130-230 pounds.
- Heavyweight sleepers: Larger-bodied folks weighing at or over 230 pounds compress the mattress layers more than lighter sleepers, so they should seek a firmer, more durable option with a thicker comfort layer.
Firmness
The mattress industry’s firmness scale measures mattress firmness between 1 and 10, with 1 representing the softest possible mattress, and 10 representing the firmest. Select the firmness of your Casper alternative mattress based on your preferred sleeping position and body weight.
- Softer mattresses and best cater to lightweight sleepers, side sleepers, and those with joint pain.
- Medium-firm mattresses create a balanced feel that typically appeals to back sleepers and folks suffering from back pain.
- Firmer mattresses are typically preferred by stomach sleepers and anyone looking for a more “on top of” feel.
If you’re still not sure what bed suits your needs best, take our Sleepopolis mattress quiz or peruse our Sleepopolis Mattress Firmness Guide.
Pressure Relief
Pressure relief, to an extent, is a concern for everyone, as a pressure-relieving mattress ensures that areas where we put the most weight on don’t cause discomfort or unease on certain parts of the body. However, a mattress with amazing pressure relief is especially useful for those with existing pain problems. Many mattresses with impressive pressure relief include a thicker or higher quality comfort layer that provides sufficient cushioning. And there are plenty of mattresses in this Casper alternatives roundup that fit the bill.
See more about our testing process in our Review Methodology.
Support
Proper support is crucial for keeping the body elevated in a natural spinal alignment. Sturdy materials like high-density foams and strong coils can improve a bed’s support. Casper offers zoned support in their mattresses to provide targeted relief and support, but there are a number of other brands that offer this, from Bear to Helix.
Edge Support
Edge support is the strength of a mattress’s perimeter, and a mattress with sufficient edge support is important for folks who sleep close to the edge of the bed, or those who like to spread out across the mattress surface. Couples, in particular, should enjoy a bed with strong edge support because it allows them to make full use of the mattress surface.
Cooling
For those who live in a hot climate, or those who tend to overheat at night, it’s all the more paramount to find a mattress with cooling properties. Many Casper beds — particularly those in the Snow line — focus on cooling. But almost all of the top mattress brands have something for hot sleepers, such as Nolah and DreamCloud.
Keep an eye out for ventilated foams, or foams utilizing gel/copper/graphite infusions. Innerspring and hybrid mattresses have coils that help promote airflow. And some beds have cool-to-the-touch covers.
Motion Isolation
Motion isolation is something to keep in mind for anyone sleeping with a partner or pet. If a mattress isolates motion, it helps prevent movement from traveling across the mattress, and reduces the chances of your partner or pet disturbing your sleep. Thick comfort layers are typically great for this.
Responsiveness
A responsive mattress makes it easy for you to move around and change positions. This is a perk for both sex and combination sleeping. Most Casper mattresses have an overall “on top of” feel — even the all-foam versions — so when searching for an alternative, you’ll want to find something that avoids excess sinkage and has a bit of lift to it. Saatva is a phenomenal example of a brand that offers beds with high responsiveness.
How Much Should I Pay for a Casper Alternative?
Casper offers a wide range of price points for their beds, as do many other mattress companies. When searching for your Casper alternative, go into it with a budget in mind.
Budget Mattress Price
Cheap mattresses typically cost $1,200 or less for a queen. While some of these beds can still be quality options at value prices, others sag easily or provide inadequate support. So, make sure to look at customer reviews (or our Sleepopolis reviews) to ensure that you’re getting the best bang for your buck.
Average Mattress Price
Most beds cost between $1,200–$1,800 for a queen before discounts depending on the construction type and overall mattress quality.
Luxury Mattress Price
Luxury mattresses include special features such as additional comfort layers or cooling properties. These beds generally go for at or over $1,800 for a queen size bed. While luxury mattresses can be wise purchases in terms of long-lasting materials and overall durability, there are some beds that are priced far too high. So, make sure you do thorough research before committing to a larger purchase.
Mattress Roundups by Cost
Here are some of our favorite roundups pertaining to mattress cost. There should be a mattress for pretty much everyone, regardless of ideal price point, in at least one of these articles:
For more information, check out our guides on How Much Should You Spend on a Mattress and Cheap vs Expensive Mattresses.
How to Find the Best Deals
- Shop around holidays. Typically, mattress companies slash prices around the following months of the year:
- President’s Day (February)
- Memorial Day (May)
- Labor Day (September)
- Cyber 5 (November)
- Christmas (December)
Visit our Sleepopolis coupons page. We offer a variety of exclusive deals.
Types of Mattresses
Memory Foam
Memory foam mattresses typically appeal to side sleepers, folks with joint pain, and anyone searching for deep contouring and pressure relief. Beds made entirely with memory foam often offer a hug-like, sinking feel, and while they excel in the comfort department, some aren’t always the best in terms of support or cooling. That’s why we recommend searching for a bed with high-density foam for extra lift and support, and ventilated or gel-infused comfort foam for cooling.
Memory foam beds by Casper and some alternatives:
- Casper Original vs Emma Original
- The Casper vs Bear Original
Hybrid
Hybrid mattresses use the advantages of innerspring mattresses (support and cooling) along with the pressure-relieving properties of foam to create a more balanced feel that appeals to a wider range of sleepers. There are many different hybrid mattress designs on the market, and most of the time these beds appeal to back sleepers, hot sleepers, those with back pain, and seniors. If you look hard enough, there is truly something for everyone; you can find hybrids on the softer and firmer sides of the scale as well.
Hybrid beds by Casper and some alternatives:
- Casper Wave Hybrid Snow vs Saatva Classic
- Casper Wave Hybrid vs Puffy Lux Hybrid
- Casper Nova Hybrid vs Helix Sunset Luxe
- Casper Original Hybrid vs DreamCloud Original
- Casper Snow vs Nolah Evolution Comfort+
Innerspring
Innerspring mattresses have thinner comfort layers and utilize coils to emphasize support. This durable and breathable construction should be favored by heavier sleepers, stomach sleepers, and hot sleepers. If you’re still wanting more information on the difference between innerspring mattresses and memory foam mattresses, check out this guide.
Currently, Casper does not offer innerspring beds. However, if that’s the mattress type you’re looking for, find the market’s best options on our roundup of the best innerspring mattresses.
Latex
Latex beds can be more expensive, but the eco-friendly, cooling, and responsive aspects of these beds are worth the cost for many customers. Some include support foam as a base, while others utilize coils (these are known as latex hybrids).
Currently, Casper does not offer latex beds. However, if that’s the mattress type you’re looking for, find the market’s best options on our roundup of the best latex mattresses.
Most Similar Brands to Casper
We asked our senior staff writer and veteran mattress reviewer, Amelia Jerden, about which brands she found to be most similar to Casper in terms of the selection of beds offered and the overall feel. She let us know that her number one pick in terms of selection and feel would be the mattress company Bear. We’ve reviewed a number of the company’s mattresses, including:
- Bear Original mattress review
- Bear Elite Hybrid mattress review
- Bear Star Hybrid mattress review
- Bear Pro Hybrid mattress review
Amelia also mentioned that she thought that as a company, Nolah was comparable to Casper, but their all-foam mattresses should measure a bit softer on the firmness scale. The case is similar with Emma, except this line is built for larger bodies and the mattresses tend to lean towards the firmer side of the scale.
Should You Buy a Mattress Online?
There are pros and cons to buying a mattress online versus in-stores. We’ll address some of the primary differences below, but if you want a full guide, see our In-Store vs Online Mattress Buying Guide.
As a company, Casper offers both online mattresses, as well as beds in brick-and-mortar stores. There’s even an exclusive mattress that Casper makes for Costco, known as their Select model. Casper isn’t the only mattress retailer to have beds both in-store and online, though. Saatva, Nectar, Helix, and Serta are some of the many brands that offer multiple ways to buy.
Pros of Online Mattresses
- Shoppers can see the full breakdown of a mattress they see online.
- You can browse more options and more brands than you can in-store.
- A sleep trial allows you to determine whether or not the mattress is best for you.
- It’s convenient to buy a mattress online because you don’t have to leave the comfort of your own home.
Cons of Online Mattresses
- You aren’t able to try the mattress out immediately like you would be able to in-store.
- Customer service is available over the phone with online mattress purchases, but you get immediate help and perhaps a more personal experience in-store.
- The amount of online mattress options can be incredibly overwhelming.
- Typically, buying a mattress in-store comes with a moving crew to help set up your new bed. Not all online mattresses come with white-glove delivery (some do though).
FAQ
What is comparable to a Casper mattress?
Every Casper mattress is different, so we can’t say there’s one particular competitor’s mattress that we can compare to all Casper beds. However, we do have a list of alternatives that compare each Casper bed to what we see as its best competitor:
- Saatva Classic – Best Casper Wave Hybrid Snow Alternative
- Emma Original – Best Casper Original Alternative
- Puffy Lux Hybrid – Best Casper Wave Hybrid Alternative
- Helix Sunset Luxe – Best Casper Nova Hybrid Alternative
- DreamCloud – Best Casper Original Hybrid Alternative
- Nolah Evolution Comfort+ – Best Casper Snow Alternative
- Bear Original – Best The Casper Alternative
Who is Casper’s competitor?
Casper is a popular bed-in-a-box brand that competes with other successful online mattress brands such as Helix, Emma, and DreamCloud.
Is Costco Casper mattress the same as a regular Casper mattress?
Costco offers the Casper Select, which is a specially made model sold exclusively at Costco stores. Its construction is pretty much the same as the Casper Original, but the Original is priced a bit higher and offers more size options. For more information, check out our Casper Select mattress review.
What makes Casper different?
Casper is often attributed with launching the bed-in-box trend with its start in 2014, and it has developed a loyal following of mattress shoppers in search of quality online beds. Casper’s beds are famous for their proprietary AirScape foam, which is ventilated for breathability, as well as their zoned support system.
How We Chose These Mattresses
Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches has reviewed more than 300 products in our mattress lab, running each one through tests such as pressure-mapping and measuring motion transfer with a seismometer. From there, we give every bed an overall score based on materials, motion isolation, support, and more. We also factor in brand performance with categories such as value and warranty.
Click here to learn more about our methodology. And if you’re still not sure of the right mattress, you can take our mattress quiz to be shown a selection of mattresses curated to your sleep preferences.
Best Casper Alternatives
| Mattress | Best For | Price (Queen Size) | Coupon | Review |
| Saatva Classic | Casper Wave Hybrid Snow Alternative | $1,995 | Saatva Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Emma Original | Casper Original Alternative | $1,053 | Emma Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Puffy Lux Hybrid | Casper Wave Hybrid Alternative | $2,849 | Puffy Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Helix Sunset Luxe | Casper Nova Hybrid Alternative | $2,373 | Helix Coupon | Read Our Review |
| DreamCloud | Casper Original Hybrid Alternative | $1,332 | DreamCloud Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Nolah Evolution Comfort+ | Casper Snow Alternative | $2,499 | Nolah Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Bear Original | The Casper Alternative | $998 | Bear Coupon | Read Our Review |