Bear is a mattress brand that designs its beds with the active community in mind to help them achieve healthy, restorative sleep. The Bear Elite Hybrid is the brand’s “ultra-luxurious” and most popular mattress, offering upgraded features plus advanced cooling and support technology. Want to know more about this luxury bed? Read on to see how it performed in categories such as motion isolation, responsiveness, and more.
My fellow testers and I have been testing mattresses and other sleep products for almost three years since Sleepopolis started in 2014 and have helped 60,108 people (and 15,622 in 2024 alone) find a mattress that works for them. We’ve undergone extensive training to help provide accurate recommendations using our stringent review methodology. Our expert testers and certified sleep science coaches have tested more than 330 beds in our studio, so we know a thing or two about the best mattresses.
We also work closely with a network of medical professionals when developing our methodology. Our chief medical advisor, Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD, FACP, FCCP, FAASM, and our director of sleep health, Dr. Shelby Harris, were especially crucial to ensuring accuracy and non-bias throughout our testing process.
The Bear Elite Hybrid uses foam and coils for a mix of support, cushioning, and cooling. While designed for athletes prioritizing wellness and recovery, sleepers of all activity levels can enjoy the many luxurious features. Enjoy zoned support for targeted relief, an “on top of” feel allowing for ease of movement, and cooling features throughout. For more information, watch our video review.
What our tester says:
“I’d recommend the Bear Elite Hybrid for most back and stomach sleepers.I think these sleepers will get the needed pressure relief and contouring around the lower back and hips. This mattress does a wonderful job at offering body contouring while still helping the sleeper stay elevated and lifted as well. The layers of foam should provide comfort while the coil system should offer lots of support.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and mattress tester
Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress Overview
As Bear’s luxury option, the Elite Hybrid has a more complex construction than the brand’s standard models, with five layers of advanced cooling and support technology to help sleepers get their best night’s rest.
The mattress combines phase change material, a textile that creates a cool-to-the-touch sensation, and the brand’s trademarked Sleep Recovery Technology, which is powered by Celliant fiber (we’ll talk more about this later). Celliant has helped Bear make a name for itself in the fitness and active community, as studies have shown the material helps promote increased circulation, oxygen levels, and overall recovery.
This mattress comes in three different firmness options: Soft, Medium, and Firm, allowing you to customize the bed’s comfort level based on your preference. Our testers assessed and reviewed the Medium model.
Bear Elite Hybrid Review Video
Check out our team’s video on the Bear Elite Hybrid before you read my in-depth article below. You’ll be able to see its materials up close and how it performed during our tests. Note that we’re working on an updated video, so the scores in our written review may not match those in the video.
Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress Sleepopolis Score
Bear Elite Hybrid Value
To decide if a mattress is worth the money, we look at whether the quality of the materials and the bed’s performance match its price point. Compared to many other luxury mattresses, the Bear Elite Hybrid is relatively affordable at $2,305 for a queen. It is, however, pricier than the best budget mattresses. The good news is you can typically find a queen-sized Elite Hybrid on sale for less than $1,700. I gave the mattress a 4.5 out of 5 for value because despite it not being the cheapest option out there, you get a lot of premium qualities and features for a reasonable price.
What Is the Bear Elite Hybrid Made Of?
When we evaluate a mattress’s materials, we get up close and personal, using a box cutter to cut into the side of the mattress and examine each layer. This allows us to assess the quality of the materials and their construction.
The Bear Elite Hybrid is a bed-in-a-box mattress, which means it will arrive at your doorstep compressed and rolled up in cardboard packaging. When it gets there, all you have to do is unbox it and set it up. You’ll likely want someone to help you with this since a queen size weighs 110 pounds.
As with many new mattresses, the Bear Elite Hybrid will need to off-gas for a few hours, but any smell should diminish once the bed has fully decompressed. I suggest placing the bed in a well-ventilated room for 24 to 48 hours before sleeping on it. In our experience, it only took a little over 24 hours for the Elite Hybrid to reach its full height.
The Bear Elite is a luxurious 14-inch mattress designed to offer sleepers pressure relief, comfort, and support. It’s a hybrid mattress, so it combines the sturdy innerspring coils with plush memory foam.
As Dr. Dasgupta explains, “A hybrid mattress is a special kind of mattress that combines the support of traditional springs with the comfort of modern foam. It aims to offer a balance between firmness and softness, making it suitable for various sleep preferences.”
Let’s take a closer look at the construction of each of its layers below.
Cover – The Bear Elite’s top layer is a hand-quilted cover that combines cooling phase change material fabric and the brand’s trademarked Sleep Recovery Technology, powered by Celliant fiber. Bear claims that Celliant absorbs your body’s energy, then reflects it back to you to assist with blood flow and muscle recovery. We haven’t tested this ourselves at Sleepopolis, but the material has undergone several clinical trials that support the company’s claim.
Comfort Layer – Below the cover is a layer of copper-infused memory foam. This material has a slow response to pressure, providing the sleeper with some immediate comfort and body contouring. You’re likely to sink into this layer, which is ideal for those in need of cushiony support at the shoulders. The copper infusion also helps prevent this layer from trapping body heat.
Transition Layer – Next up is a layer of breathable comfort foam that brings extra airflow, promoting a cooling feel. It has five zoned sections in the bed to provide different amounts of pressure from your head to your toes, which can help enhance a neutral spinal alignment.
Support Layer – Up next, you’ll find the two layers of individually encased pocketed spring coils, which assist with motion isolation and support. There are also edge-to-edge coils around the perimeter of the mattress, so you can sleep near the edge of the bed and maximize the sleep surface area. These coils enhance the durability and airflow of the mattress as well.
Base Layer – The final layer of the Bear Elite is a high-density support foam to keep everything in place and supported.
Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress Firmness
When explaining how a mattress feels, I typically begin with firmness because it’s likely to give folks a good idea of how the mattress will feel to them. The way a mattress feels depends on numerous factors, including body weight, preferred sleeping position, and other sleep needs. To get a better general idea of how firm the Bear Elite Hybrid is, our testers of different body weights and sleep preferences lay on the mattress and settled on a firmness level rating.
After lying in every sleeping position on the Bear Elite Hybrid mattress, my fellow mattress tester, Sosha Lewis, gave it a 7 out of 10 on our firmness scale, putting it just above the industry standard of medium-firm. For context, the industry standard is 6.5 out of 10 or medium firm.
“Although this bed was slightly firmer than average, the pillow top offers some contouring,” said Sosha. “I found it very comfortable on my side and back.”
The Bear Elite Hybrid is a little firmer than most mattresses, so I wouldn’t recommend this bed to folks who are looking for something super plush to sink into. You will likely feel more “on top” of this mattress than “inside” of it.
Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress Performance
My colleagues and I run multiple tests on every mattress to help shoppers get an objective view of what it’s like to sleep on them every night. Our testing methodology allows me to make even more specific recommendations in addition to sleeping position and body type. Read on to see how the Bear Elite Hybrid performs in pressure relief, motion isolation, cooling, and more.
Bear Elite Hybrid Pressure Relief Performance
Pressure relief refers to how a bed eases tension at pressure points at the hips, shoulders, and back. People who suffer from aches and pains need to sleep on a mattress that provides good pressure relief. These beds feel gentler around those sensitive pressure areas.
As Dr. Dasgupta explains, “An unsuitable mattress can worsen pressure point discomfort if it doesn’t offer the proper support, is made of low-quality materials, or isn’t the right firmness level.”
We test pressure relief using a specialized mat that we roll onto the surface of the mattress and then lie on in the side- and back-sleeping positions. This mat uses thermal technology to sense where pressure is building along the body. The results are translated into an easy-to-read graphic that displays areas of low pressure as blue and green. Meanwhile, areas of pressure buildup appear yellow and red.
Sleepers in all three weight categories typically experience pressure relief differently. For example, what might feel soft to a heavyweight sleeper will likely feel a lot firmer to a lightweight sleeper. To give you a better understanding of how the bed might feel for you, we invited an average-weight tester, lightweight tester, and a heavyweight tester into the studio to test pressure relief on the Bear Elite Hybrid. When we combined our overall pressure relief scores for back and side sleeping, we found an average score of 3.8 out of 5.
Our average-weight tester, Kayla Godfrey, felt the most comfortable on her back. Her average PSI was 9.62, while the overall average PSI for back sleeping is 15.1. Based on her results, I think the Bear Elite Hybrid should relieve a great deal of pressure for average-weight back sleepers.
“I think this mattress offers good pressure relief for my back,” she said. “My hips and shoulders feel aligned and I don’t feel any significant pressure building up in my lower back.”
Similarly, Kayla felt comfortable lying on her side on the Elite Hybrid. She liked how supported her hips and shoulders felt while in the side-sleeping position. She said, “My hips and side feel supported. I usually experience more pain in my shoulder but this feels pretty good with a pillow.” Side sleepers typically feel the most pressure buildup in their hips and shoulders, so these results are quite impressive.
Next, it was our lightweight tester’s turn to try out the Bear Elite Hybrid. Our lightweight tester, Asha Birjah, saw the best pressure relief test results on her back. She had an average PSI of 9.62 on her back, which is well below the average for back sleeping. “I can feel my bottom sinking in more than my shoulders, but not by much,” she said. “There is somewhat of an arch in my lower back, but it feels balanced and comfortable overall.”
Asha’s side-sleeping results were also impressive, given how firm the Bear Elite Hybrid mattress is. Her average PSI on her side was 11.19, which was just below the average of 12.6. “My hips feel more elevated in this position, and I feel comfortable,” she said. “I don’t feel any pressure on my shoulders.”
However, our heavyweight tester, Caine Wilkes, experienced the Bear Elite Hybrid differently than Kayla and Asha. While lying on his back, he said, “I think my bottom may sink just a little more than my shoulders, but it doesn’t feel uncomfortable. Overall, I feel evenly supported. I think this is a pretty good mattress for heavy back sleepers.”
On the other hand, he noted feeling more pressure in his legs and shoulders when he lay on his side. It’s worth noting that his PSI in both sleeping positions was above the average, at 15.3 for side sleeping and 14.54 for back sleeping.
Bear Elite Hybrid Motion Isolation
Motion isolation is especially important if you sleep with a pet or an easily disturbed partner. Ideally, these sleepers want a mattress that can absorb movement at the source to prevent the sleeper on the other side of the bed from feeling it. Our testers assessed the motion isolation of the Bear Elite Hybrid using two tests: the ripple test and the partner test.
During the ripple test, we lie next to a bin of water, roll around on the mattress, and see how much the water vibrates. For the partner test, two of us lie down next to each other. One of us wears a blindfold while the other moves around. The blindfolded tester raises their thumb whenever they can feel movement.
We found that the Bear Elite Hybrid excelled at motion isolation. We hardly saw any movement in the water, and could barely feel each other moving around. I think it would be a good choice for anyone who sleeps with a partner and doesn’t want to be disturbed by their movements at night.
Bear Elite Hybrid Responsiveness
We measure responsiveness to determine how quickly a mattress can bounce back to its original shape after applying pressure to it. Hybrid and innerspring mattresses typically snap back right away, while memory foam mattresses slowly return to their original form. Responsiveness is important for combination sleepers or those who frequently change positions at night, as it aids mobility when you’re moving around.
Our testers gave the Bear Elite Hybrid a 4.0 out of 5 in this category, meaning it is a highly responsive mattress. I think the Bear Elite Hybrid is a great mattress for combination sleepers and people who need to adjust frequently while sleeping.
Switch test: For the switch test, our mattress testers lie on the mattress and observe how difficult or easy it is to switch between positions. During this test, our mattress tester Sosha found it fairly easy to move from her stomach to her back and side. However, she noted that the soft upper layer may make it a little difficult for those with mobility issues.
Responsiveness test: Our next test measures how responsive a mattress is by recording how long it takes for the mattress to bounce back after putting weight on it. Our testers place a 53-pound kettlebell on the mattress and let it sit there for 7 seconds to allow it to fully sink in. Next, they pull the weight straight up and record how long it takes for the mattress to come back to its original shape. It took just one second for the Bear Elite Hybrid to fully bounce back, which is exceptional. Based on our testers’ results, I gave it a 4 out of 5 for responsiveness.
Sinkage test: For this test, we bring the kettlebell back and use a ruler to measure how many inches it sinks in when placed on the bed. We measured 3.5 inches of sinkage on the Bear Elite Hybrid, which is a bit more than the 3.25-inch average.
Bounce test: The final responsiveness test helps us assess how much bounce a mattress has. For this test, our mattress testers climb a ladder 6 feet above the mattress and then drop a 25-pound steel ball onto the surface. A yardstick on the wall allows us to see how high the ball bounced. The ball bounced 13 inches on the Elite Hybrid, which is lower than the 15.8-inch average.
Bear Elite Hybrid Cooling
If you usually wake up covered in sweat, you’re probably looking for a breathable mattress with cooling features to help you stay cool and comfortable at night. According to Dr. Harris, hybrid mattresses are usually good candidates for hot sleepers because their innerspring coils allow more airflow and breathability. Because of the layer(s) of springs, there’s a lot more space in the construction. Some hybrid models even feature gel-infused memory foam and phase change material to further help with cooling.
We test a mattress’s cooling ability with a few different tests, outlined before. After considering all of the data for the Bear Elite Hybrid, our mattress testers gave it a 4.5 out of 5 in the cooling category, meaning it should be a big hit among hot sleepers.
Thermal gun test: We use a thermal gun to record the mattress’s temperature before lying on it. Next, one of our testers rests on it for 5 minutes and measures the temperature again. If the temperature increases by fewer than 5 degrees, we consider it excellent cooling. An increase of 5 to 10 degrees indicates good cooling, 10 to 15 degrees indicates decent cooling, and more than 15 degrees indicates poor cooling.
When our testers performed the thermal gun test on the Elite Hybrid, they found a temperature increase of 4.8 degrees, indicating excellent cooling abilities. This isn’t surprising considering the Bear Elite Hybrid’s cooling features and hybrid construction.
Cover test: The cover test involves feeling the surface of the mattress and observing whether it might feel cool to the touch when you first lie down. The Bear Elite Hybrid’s cooling cover has the brand’s Sleep Recovery Technology, and our testers found it to be quite cool and breathable during testing.
“It felt cool to the touch when I first started,” said mattress tester Sosha Lewis. “The mattress didn’t noticeably heat up while I was lying on it.”
Feel test: During the thermal gun test, the tester also pays attention to their body’s temperature and whether they can feel the bed warming up. On the Bear Elite Hybrid, Sosha noted that it felt cool to the touch before testing it but not after she got up. While it heated some, she didn’t notice it warming up while she was on the mattress.
Bear Elite Hybrid Edge Support
Edge support measures the strength of a mattress’s perimeter. A bed with strong edge support enables you to lie and sit down on the perimeter without it collapsing too much beneath you. This feature usually appeals more to couples, heavier people, or anyone who likes spreading out across the mattress surface. Our testers gave the Bear Elite Hybrid a 4.5 out of 5 overall in this category, meaning it has near-perfect edge support.
Tape Measure test: The tape measure test (or weighted edge support test) involves stacking weights on top of each other directly on the edge of the bed. Our testers repeat this process three times with three weight stacks — a 99-pound stack, a 154-pound stack, and a 198-pound stack. We then use a tape measure to measure the sinkage.
This test is meant to simulate how much the edge of the mattress would sink when sleepers in various weight categories sit or lie on the edge. The 99-pound stack represents lightweight sleepers, while the 154-pound and 198-pound stacks represent average-weight and heavyweight sleepers, respectively.
From lightest to heaviest, the sinkage went from 2.5 to 4 to 4.5 inches.
Seated test: The seated test involves one of our mattress testers sitting on the side of the mattress and standing up several times. During this test, our mattress tester Sosha observed how supported she felt sitting on the Bear Elite Hybrid and whether she felt like she might fall off.
During the seated test, she found that the Bear Elite Hybrid had great edge support while sitting around the perimeter.
“It is a tall mattress on a base so it was difficult for me to reach the floor,” Sosha said. “I had to slide to the very edge to get my feet planted. However, it was still easy to get up and I didn’t have to use my hands. If you have mobility issues or are shorter than me (5’4″) this could be a problem.”
Full body test: This test is similar to the seated test, except our tester lies directly on the edge of the bed in different sleeping positions. Sosha gave the Bear Elite Hybrid a 5 out of 5 on this test.
“I felt very secure when lying on my side,” she said. “I noticed very minimal sinkage and I didn’t feel like I was going to fall off while lying on the mattress.”
Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress Performance For Couples
The Bear Elite Hybrid is an excellent mattress for couples. Hybrid models rarely perform well in cooling, motion isolation, and responsiveness. However, the Elite Hybrid is one of those rare hybrid mattresses that exceeds expectations in all three.
Other Performance Factors to Consider
Our mattress testers managed to cover a lot of ground in the above tests, but there are still a few factors you should consider before swapping out your old mattress with the Bear Elite Hybrid.
Sex
A responsive mattress isn’t just great for combination sleepers; it can also determine whether a mattress is good for sex. The best mattresses for sex are bouncy enough for couples to quickly move and switch positions. The Bear Elite Hybrid is a responsive hybrid mattress, so I don’t anticipate couples having any trouble here. Most folks should find the Elite Hybrid easy to maneuver on.
Noise
As much as our testers tried to squeeze a peep out of the Bear Elite Hybrid, it didn’t make a sound. Our testers could not detect any noise while sitting, lying, or rolling around on this mattress. Hybrid mattresses are typically noisier than memory foam models because of their innerspring coils. Luckily for sleepers sensitive to noise, the Bear Elite Hybrid is the exception to that rule.
Base Compatibility
Bear claims that many of its beds are compatible with adjustable bases. When we tested out this claim in our mattress studio, we found that the Bear Elite Hybrid was able to move with the base, although it didn’t conform completely and left a little gap between the base and the bed while in TV-watching mode. This is fairly normal with hybrid mattresses, where the springs have a harder time bending with the foundation than foam. I think the Bear Elite Hybrid will be most comfortable for sleepers who want to lightly elevate their head and feet, but might be slightly uncomfortable when the mattress is fully inclined.
Durability
We calculate our durability score by finding the average between our edge support, materials, and warranty scores. Support and edge support are important durability indicators because strong support systems can prevent premature sagging. High-quality materials also last longer than cheap materials. The mattress warranty provides further insight into how long the company expects the mattress to last.
“In most cases, you’ll need to replace your mattress every 5 to 10 years,” explains Dr. Harris. “However, if your mattress is uncomfortable or noticeably saggy or damaged in certain areas, it may be time to shop for a replacement.”
With 4.5-star edge support, 5-star materials, and a 5-star limited lifetime warranty, the Bear Elite Hybrid has a final durability score of 4.75 stars. In other words, the Bear Elite Hybrid doesn’t skimp on quality despite being less expensive than some of its competitors. I think this mattress will last most individuals and couples 10 years or more.
Bear Elite Hybrid Performance Scores
How does the Bear Elite Hybrid compare to other mattresses on the market? See how its scores stack up against the overall average below. Note that we recently rolled out a new testing methodology, so we don’t have data for every category yet, but we will soon.
| Test | Product Score | Average Score |
| Firmness | 7 | 6.7 |
| Pressure Relief Side | 3.7 | 3.5 |
| Back Pressure Relief | 4 | 4 |
| Motion Isolation | 4.7 | 3.9 |
| Responsiveness | 4 | N/A |
| Cooling | 4.5 | 3.3 |
| Edge Support | 4.5 | N/A |
| Bounce Height | 13 inches | 15.8 inches |
| Bounce Rating | 5 | 4.2 |
| Sinkage | 5 | 4.7 |
| Sex Score | 5 | N/A |
| Noise | 5 | N/A |
| Off-Gassing | 5 | N/A |
| Trial Period | 4 | N/A |
| Warranty | 5 | N/A |
| Full Rise | 5 | N/A |
| Unboxing/Moving | 4 | N/A |
Bear Elite Hybrid Sleeping Position and Body Weight
Body weight has a major influence on how a mattress feels. Generally, lighter individuals tend to experience mattresses as firmer than those of average or heavier weight. To ensure we provide accurate recommendations, our team includes mattress testers from all three weight categories. When assessing mattresses, we ask testers from each group to evaluate the bed in three different sleeping positions. This approach allows us to offer tailored recommendations based on body weight and preferred sleeping positions.
Before we dive into our recommendations, though, we want to 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 230 pounds).
As a general takeaway, lighter sleepers don’t require as much support as average-weight sleepers, and mattresses will tend to feel firmer to them. On the other hand, heavy sleepers tend to need more support than average-weight sleepers and tend to sink into the mattress more. As far as sleeping positions go, side sleepers tend to need a softer mattress while stomach sleepers usually need a firmer, more supportive one. Back sleepers are usually somewhere in the middle.
Is the Bear Elite Hybrid a Good Mattress for Light Sleepers (Under 130 pounds)?
- Light Back Sleepers – Light back sleepers should experience a great balance of pressure relief and support on this mattress. It should feel like a true medium-firm bed to them.
- Light Side Sleepers – Light side sleepers could potentially find this mattress too firm if they have sensitive joints. For this reason, I’d recommend selecting one of our best soft mattresses instead.
- Light Stomach Sleepers – This model is not going to be firm enough for light stomach sleepers. These sleepers need a firm mattress to avoid sinkage at the hips, which creates a bend in the spine and could lead to back pain. I’d recommend trying the Firm model instead.
Is the Bear Elite Hybrid a Good Mattress for Average-Weight Sleepers (130–230 pounds)?
- Average-Weight Back Sleepers – These sleepers should enjoy the Bear Elite if they prefer a firmer feel (and they can always opt for the Soft model if they prefer a Softer feel). The Elite’s foam layers and zoned sections should support their lumbar region to relieve tension at the lower back.
- Average-Weight Side Sleepers – Even though the Bear Elite Hybrid is a little firmer than your average bed, our mattress tester, Sosha, found it very comfortable thanks to its contouring pillow top. Based on her experience, I would say that this is a good mattress for average-weight side sleepers who prefer sleeping on a firmer surface.
- Average-Weight Stomach Sleepers – During testing, Sosha noted a slight dip in her lower spine while lying on her stomach despite it being comfortable overall. Strict stomach sleepers in this weight category may not love the Elite Hybrid, but part-time stomach sleepers should be fine.
Is the Bear Elite Hybrid a Good Mattress for Heavy Sleepers (over 230 pounds)?
- Heavy Back Sleepers – Our heavyweight tester, Caine Wilkes, noted some slight sinkage around his hips but felt comfortable overall on his back. I think heavier sleepers should be comfortable on this mattress or the Firm model of the Bear Elite Hybrid.
- Heavy Side Sleepers – Caine didn’t feel as comfortable in this sleeping position, noting more pressure around his shoulders and legs because of its sinkage. Based on his feedback, I would recommend the Firm version of this bed to heavier side sleepers.
- Heavy Stomach Sleepers – I think this mattress model will be too soft for these sleepers. I’d recommend trying out the Firm model or checking out one of our favorite mattresses for heavier sleepers instead.
My Final Thoughts About the Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress
Now that we’ve covered all the assessments and tests, it’s time to ask yourself if this is the right mattress for your sleep needs. Even though my findings are subjective, I want to offer a few quick recommendations of who this bed might and might not be a good fit for.
Who I Recommend the Bear Elite Hybrid For
- I’d recommend the Bear Elite Hybrid for most back and stomach sleepers. I think these sleepers will get the needed pressure relief and contouring around the lower back and hips. This mattress does a wonderful job at offering body contouring while still helping the sleeper stay elevated and lifted as well. The layers of foam should provide comfort while the coil system should offer lots of support.
- This bed should work well for combination sleepers since it’s quite responsive and easy to move around on.
- If you are a hot sleeper, I think you’ll enjoy all the cooling factors this bed offers, from the phase change material cover to the copper-infused foam.
Who I Don’t Recommend the Bear Elite Hybrid For
- Most side sleepers will likely find the Bear Elite Hybrid too firm for their joints at the hips, shoulders, and neck. If you sleep strictly on your side, this bed may not offer adequate pressure relief around your joints. I’d recommend these sleepers to try the Soft model of the Bear Elite Hybrid instead or to check out one of our best mattresses for side sleepers.
- At full retail, the Bear Elite could run a little expensive for budget shoppers. But keep in mind, we have coupons throughout this review that you can click on to save some cash.
Bear Elite Hybrid Pricing and Sizing
The price tag has the final say for many shoppers. Luckily, with the Bear Elite Hybrid you can enjoy a premium mattress at an affordable price compared to many of its competitors. To save more, check out our Bear coupons for the best deal possible.
| Size | Measurements | Price |
| Twin | 38″ x 75″ x 14″ | $1,893 |
| Twin XL | 38″ x 80″ x 14″ | $1,960 |
| Full | 54″ x 75″ x 14″ | $2,108 |
| Queen | 60″ x 80″ x 14″ | $2,305 |
| King | 76″ x 80″ x 14″ | $2,762 |
| California King | 72″ x 84″ x 14″ | $2,762 |
| Split King | 76″ x 80″ x 14″ | $3,920 |
Bear Elite Hybrid Policies
Always read the fine print before you buy a new mattress. Here’s an overview of the most important Bear company policies.
| Warranty | Limited lifetime |
| Sleep Trial Period | 120 nights |
| Shipping/Returns | Free shipping and free returns |
| Unboxing | A slight off-gassing odor that dissipates after about 24 hours. A queen-sized mattress is 110 pounds, so we recommend grabbing an extra set of hands to help you lift it. |
| Full Rise | The mattress fully decompressed and was ready to use 24 hours after unboxing. |
| Customer Reviews | This bed earned an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 on the Bear website based on 3,959 customer reviews. |
Bear Elite Hybrid Vs Competitors
Not completely sold on the Bear Elite Hybrid yet? Below I’ll compare it to some of its competitors from other popular online mattress companies.
Bear Elite Hybrid vs Helix Midnight Luxe
The Moonlight Luxe is much softer than the Bear Elite Hybrid. Our testers gave this mattress a 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale. I think the Midnight Luxe might be a better choice for lightweight sleepers, as they will likely get more cushioning around their lower backs and sensitive joints.
- Price: The Bear Elite Hybrid and Helix Midnight Luxe are both just over $2,300 before any discounts.
- Sleeping position: The Helix Midnight Luxe is a better choice for side sleepers because its plush comfort layer should offer more cushioning around their hips and shoulders. However, back sleepers and stomach sleepers will likely prefer the firm support of the Elite Hybrid.
- Cooling: Both mattresses performed well in cooling, thanks to their hybrid constructions. The Helix Midnight Luxe performed a little better here on our thermal gun test, only heating up 3.3 degrees.
- Body weight: The Helix Midnight Luxe is the better choice for lightweight sleepers. However, heavier sleepers will likely fare better on the Elite Hybrid, as these sleepers need more support to keep their spines aligned.
Read more in our full Helix Midnight Luxe mattress review.
Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Bear Elite Hybrid vs Saatva Classic
The Saatva has a traditional innerspring feel thanks to its two layers of thick innerspring coils. The first is a pocketed coil layer with zoned support (firmer in the center for lumbar support), and the second is a more classic layer made up of interconnected springs. Despite its firm and supportive base, it still has a plush Euro top that gives the bed a luxurious feel. This bed is a bit firmer than the Bear Elite Hybrid, landing at 7.5 out of 10 on our firmness scale.
- Price: At $2,099 full-retail for a queen, the Saatva Classic is a bit cheaper than the Bear Elite Hybrid.
- Sleeping position: Both beds are great for back and stomach sleepers. However, I would not recommend either mattress to strict side sleepers who need lots of cushioning around their hips and shoulders.
- Cooling: Despite its two layers of breathable coils, the organic cotton cover of the Saatva Classic retained more heat than the Bear Elite Hybrid. During the thermal test, our testers saw the Saatva’s temperature rise by 7.8 degrees, whereas the Bear Elite Hybrid only increased by 4.8.
- Body weight: The Saatva Classic is better for heavier sleepers because of the added support from its two layers of innerspring coils. I would not recommend either mattress to lightweight sleepers.
Read more in our full Saatva Classic mattress review.
Saatva Classic
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Other Models from Bear
Bear has a few other hybrid and memory foam models to choose from. Here’s how the Bear Elite Hybrid compares to its two other most popular models.
Bear Elite Hybrid vs Bear Star Hybrid
Like the Bear Elite Hybrid, the Bear Star Hybrid has a construction of both foam and coils, but with more of a medium-firm feel.
- Price: The Bear Star Hybrid is more affordable than the Elite Hybrid.
- Sleeping position: Both mattresses should be comfortable for back sleepers. The Bear Star Hybrid is the better match for side sleepers, and the Bear Elite Hybrid is the better match for stomach sleepers.
- Cooling: Though both beds are hybrid models, the Elite Hybrid has more cooling components to it.
- Body weight: The Bear Star Hybrid is only going to be a good fit for heavy back sleepers. The Bear Elite Hybrid might work for heavy side sleepers, too.
Learn more in our full Bear Star Hybrid mattress review.
Bear Star Hybrid Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Bear Elite Hybrid vs Bear Original
Although the Bear Original mattress is an all-foam bed, it has a firmer feel than the Bear Elite Hybrid due to the density of its materials.
- Price: As the luxury option, the Bear Elite Hybrid is significantly more expensive than the Bear Original.
- Sleeping position: Both mattresses are a suitable match for back sleepers and stomach sleepers, but not side sleepers.
- Cooling: The Bear Elite Hybrid is the better cooling mattress due to all its cooling features and airflow-promoting coils. You can add a Celliant cover to the Bear Original at checkout, but it comes with an additional fee.
- Body weight: While neither mattress is an ideal match for heavy sleepers over 230 pounds, I give the Bear Elite Hybrid the advantage since its coils give it extra support.
Learn more in our full Bear Original mattress review.
Bear Original Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Our Review Process
At Sleepopolis, our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches personally test each mattress. We start by unboxing the mattress to figure out how difficult (or easy) it is to get the mattress from the box to the bed. Then we spend time lying on the bed in different positions, taking time to assess it on our backs, stomachs, and sides. Next, we perform our Sleepopolis tests, using specialized tools to measure qualities like motion transfer, bounce, and pressure relief. Our last step is to open up the mattress and take a look at each layer. These steps allow us to give our final verdict on the mattress.
Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress Policies and FAQs
What are Bear’s policies for shipping, sleep trial period, returns, and warranty?
The Bear Elite ships free in an estimated seven to 10 business days. It comes with a 120-night trial period and a lifetime warranty. Returns are free of charge.
How much weight can the Bear Elite support?
A company associate said, “Our beds are made with very high-quality durable foams and coils and do not come with any weight limitations. When paired with our frame and foundation, the setup can hold up to 2,500 pounds.”
Does the Bear Elite need a box spring?
Bear does not recommend using a traditional coil box spring since they say it won’t provide the evenly distributed surface area needed for proper support. Instead, the company recommends using a foundation, platform bed, bunkie board, or adjustable base.
How can I extend the life of the mattress?
You can rotate the bed 180 degrees every six to eight months.