Bear Mattress Review

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Since its founding in 2015, Bear has been on a mission to help active folks get better rest. With a team of sponsored athletes, medical professionals, and fitness enthusiasts, the company has carved out a unique niche in the mattress industry by marketing its products as tools for post-workout recovery.

So, does the original Bear mattress achieve these lofty goals? To find out, I decided to hop in the Bear and test it out myself, assessing its construction and feel to see which sleepers it could work for.

Keep reading for my full Bear mattress review. Short on time? Skip down to my review summary.

Bear Original Mattress

bear original

We appreciate the firm and responsive feel of the Bear mattress. Its combination of support and pressure relief makes it an awesome option for anyone struggling with back pain. The Celliant cover also does a great job of keeping the mattress cool.

Sleepopolis Score 4.3/5
SO Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

SO Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

120 nights

SO Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SO Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium-firm: 7/10

SO Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

SO Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SO sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
SO sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
SO sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5
Watch Our Video Review

Bear Original Mattress

bear original

We appreciate the firm and responsive feel of the Bear mattress. Its combination of support and pressure relief makes it an awesome option for anyone struggling with back pain. The Celliant cover also does a great job of keeping the mattress cool.

Sleepopolis Score 4.3/5
SO Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

SO Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

SO Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium-firm: 7/10

SO Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SO Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

120 nights

SO Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SO sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
SO sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
SO sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5
Watch Our Video Review
bear original

Bear Original Mattress

We appreciate the firm and responsive feel of the Bear mattress. Its combination of support and pressure relief makes it an awesome option for anyone struggling with back pain. The Celliant cover also does a great job of keeping the mattress cool.

Sleepopolis Score 4.3/5
SO Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

SO Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium-firm: 7/10

SO Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

120 nights

SO Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

SO Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SO Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SO sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
SO sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
SO sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5
Watch Our Video Review

Where the Bear Is Featured

Here at Sleepopolis, we use a series of hands-on tests to determine which mattress roundups a bed belongs on and who it might be good for. Here are some of our 2024 mattress roundups that include the Bear:

Bear Mattress Overview

Bear is a unique mattress company in that it’s extremely health and wellness centric. While their mattresses should appeal to many people searching for comfort and recovery, Bear heavily markets their mattresses to athletes and active people.

The Bear Original is the company’s flagship mattress, and like other models from Bear, there’s an option to add a Celliant-infused cover for an additional fee. Bear describes Celliant as a material that helps promote cooling and enhance recovery, and while we can’t confirm this, we certainly think it’s worth a try.

This is an all-foam bed-in-a-box mattress that utilizes contouring memory foam for comfort and high-density foam at the bottom for support. Because it utilizes foams, the Bear does have an off-gassing period, so you should give it some time (approximately 24 hours) to decompress.

Read more about off-gassing and other mattress terminology in our mattress glossary.

Bear Mattress Review Video

For a unique look at the Bear, check out my video review. In it, I’ll reveal its materials up close and show you how it performed during our tests. Overall, I rated this mattress at a 4.3 out of 5, and you can see my individual scores for all of our testing categories at the end of the video.

What is the Bear Mattress Made Of?

The Bear is one of the best mattresses in a box and features a 10-inch profile made up of three layers of foam: one of memory foam and two of poly foam. This combination of materials is intended to create a structure that’s as pressure-relieving as it is supportive, and it’s can also be capped off with the previously mentioned, $130 Celliant cover, which is designed for optimized recovery.

bear feel
A closer look at the Bear’s Celliant cover

Cover – As I mentioned above, the Bear’s additional cover is built with Celliant, a material that some studies suggest could help with recovery while sleeping by promoting blood flow. It does this through microfibers of silicon and aluminum oxide designed to absorb your body’s energy. The fibers absorb the energy, then redirect it back to your body for enhanced blood flow and temperature regulation.

It’s worth noting that, even though Celliant’s benefits have been verified in nine clinical trials, Sleepopolis can’t independently speak to its effects. However, we can say that as a material, it keeps the Bear extra-cool. But don’t forget that this cover is not included in a regular purchase. Customers need to click “Add Celliant Infused Cover” at check out, which will add $130 to their order total.

Comfort Layer – Bear kicks things off with a 2-inch section of graphite gel-infused memory foam. This material has a slow response to pressure, allowing the sleeper to sink into the structure for some immediate pressure relief. This could be especially important for active folks who need to alleviate tension after a workout. The graphite infusion in this layer will also help mitigate memory foam’s tendency to trap body heat.

Transition Layer – Next up, you’ll find a layer made of responsive transition foam. This responsive foam has a firmer feel than the memory foam above it, and is meant to curb some sinkage and position the sleeper more “on top” of this bed than “in” it.

Support Layer – The bulk of the mattress is made up of this 6-inch section of high-density support foam. This sturdy material offers a ton of firm support.

BearConstruction

Bear Mattress Firmness

Now that we’ve gone over the basics, let’s dive into this bed’s unique feel, starting with firmness.

As with any feel factor, firmness is subjective, and can change a lot depending on your body size, shape, and weight. That’s why I always incorporate a few different opinions into this section. In addition to my own personal thoughts on the Bear’s firmness, I’m also going to draw on the perspectives of my coworkers.

The score below is the average of all our different ratings.

BearOriginalFirmness
The Bear on the mattress firmness scale

We were pretty much in agreement about the firmness level of the Bear mattress, landing on an average rating of 7 out of 10 on the mattress firmness scale. When compared to the industry standard of 6.5 for medium firmness, it seems this bed is on the firmer side.

I personally gave the bed a 7 as I found its double poly foam construction produced a firm, supportive feel. 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.

Bear Original Mattress

bear original

We appreciate the firm and responsive feel of the Bear mattress. Its combination of support and pressure relief makes it an awesome option for anyone struggling with back pain. The Celliant cover also does a great job of keeping the mattress cool.

Sleepopolis Score 4.3/5
SO Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

SO Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

120 nights

SO Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SO Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium-firm: 7/10

SO Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

SO Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SO sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
SO sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
SO sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5
Watch Our Video Review

Bear Original Mattress

bear original

We appreciate the firm and responsive feel of the Bear mattress. Its combination of support and pressure relief makes it an awesome option for anyone struggling with back pain. The Celliant cover also does a great job of keeping the mattress cool.

Sleepopolis Score 4.3/5
SO Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

SO Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

SO Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium-firm: 7/10

SO Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SO Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

120 nights

SO Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SO sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
SO sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
SO sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5
Watch Our Video Review
bear original

Bear Original Mattress

We appreciate the firm and responsive feel of the Bear mattress. Its combination of support and pressure relief makes it an awesome option for anyone struggling with back pain. The Celliant cover also does a great job of keeping the mattress cool.

Sleepopolis Score 4.3/5
SO Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

SO Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium-firm: 7/10

SO Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

120 nights

SO Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

SO Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SO Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SO sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
SO sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
SO sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5
Watch Our Video Review

Sleeping Position and Body Weight

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).

As a general rule, 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 a Good Mattress for Light Sleepers (Under 130 pounds)?

  • Light Back Sleepers – These sleepers should like the Bear. It will offer them solid support throughout the night.
  • Light Side Sleepers – These sleepers might find the Bear a little softer than other sleepers because they’ll rest on top of its soft top layers. So, light side sleepers will probably get the pressure relief they need from this bed.
  • Light Stomach Sleepers – The Bear is too soft for these sleepers. It won’t keep their hips lifted up in line with their shoulders, which can lead to back pain.
bear stomach
Stomach sleepers will probably find this mattress too soft.

Is the Bear a Good Mattress for Average Weight Sleepers (130 – 250 pounds)?

  • Average Weight Back Sleepers – These folks should feel really comfortable on the Bear. Its top layer of memory foam will do an excellent job filling in the space at their lumbar regions, bringing support and pressure relief to their spines.
  • Average Weight Side Sleepers – The firmness of the bed could cause some jamming at the hips and shoulders for these folks. Strict side sleepers will want to keep their eyes peeled for a more body-contouring bed. One of our best memory foam mattresses could be a better fit.
  • Average Weight Stomach Sleepers – This bed is also too soft for average weight stomach sleepers. It will allow their hips to sink too far into the mattress, which can cause pain over time.
bear back
Back sleepers should really like this bed.

Is the Bear a Good Mattress for Heavy Sleepers (over 250 pounds)?

  • Heavy Back Sleepers – The all-foam Bear might not be quite supportive for any heavier sleepers, who often do better on mattresses that include innerspring support (instead of poly foam support). I’d recommend these folks check out our best mattresses for heavy people instead.
  • Heavy Side Sleepers – See above.
  • Heavy Stomach Sleepers – See above.

Bear Mattress Performance

A big part of what we do here at Sleepopolis is run a series of tests on each mattress we review. This helps our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches get an objective view of what it would be like to sleep on them. These tests also allow us to make even more specific recommendations in addition to sleeping position and body type. Below, see how the Bear Original performs in areas such as pain relief, motion transfer, cooling, and more.

Bear
The Bear mattress in the Sleepopolis studio

Bear Mattress Pain Relief Performance

When I examine a bed’s pain relieving abilities, I’m concerned with how well it’s able to alleviate tension at sensitive areas. This is also known as pressure relief.

To measure the Bear’s pressure relief, I placed a pressure map on top of the mattress. Then, I laid down on it in the back and side sleeping positions. The map records areas of high, moderate, and low pressure and presents the results on a graphic illustrated by thermal imaging.. You’ll see low pressure areas recorded in blue to green and high pressure areas recorded in yellow to red. We cover three different areas when it comes to pressure relief: back pain, shoulder pain, and hip pain.

BearOriginalPressure
The Bear’s pressure map results

Based on these pressure map results, the Bear looks like a great option for back sleepers who struggle with back pain. Its gel memory foam layer should do a great job alleviating tension at the lower back, while the firmer foams beneath should keep your spine in a healthy alignment. On the side sleeping graphic, I’m also seeing really low pressure buildup results overall, so many should do well on the Bear. Although the graphic shows low pressure at the shoulders, I could feel some pressure build up there, so that’s something to be aware of when it comes to severe shoulder pain. Folks with severe hip pain should be cautious as well.

Motion Transfer

Motion transfer is the amount of movement detectable from one side of the bed to the other. This is especially important for couples because it indicates how disturbed you’re likely to feel if a partner tosses and turns at night.

We come up with our motion-transfer score using a few different tests. For the first one, we lie down on the mattress with a colleague, roll around, and determine how much of each other’s movements we can feel. The second test involves us placing a full wine glass on the mattress and seeing how much the wine moves around with us. If the liquid has zero to little movement, then it’s a safe bet that the mattress has low motion transfer.

To illustrate motion transfer during our third test, I dropped a 10-pound steel ball from heights of 4 inches, 8 inches and 12 inches and measured the disturbance it caused: the bigger the lines, the bigger the disturbance.

BearOriginalMotion
The Bear’s motion transfer results.

These are great motion transfer results. This means you shouldn’t be too bothered by your bedmate’s nighttime movements on the Bear. I credit this to the top layer of memory foam, which helps to dampen movement across the structure.

Responsiveness

When we test responsiveness, we lie down on the mattress and roll around on it, determining how easily it is to switch positions. For a responsive mattress, we look for a higher response to pressure (a bouncier or “on top of” feel).

Memory foam mattresses like the Bear tend to have a lower response to pressure, as foam is normally made to sink you into the material. On the other hand, hybrid mattresses often have a higher response to pressure, as they include springy coils. Responsive mattresses are usually good for sex since they make it easy to change positions and move around. These traits also make them good for combination sleepers who switch sleeping positions at night.

While the Bear isn’t necessarily bouncy by nature, it is easy to change positions on (and not all foam mattresses are). This means it should be good for sex and combination sleeping.

Cooling

Couples overheat more quickly than solo sleepers, so they often prefer cooling mattresses. But you can also overheat quite easily on a hot mattress without the help of a partner. Luckily, the Bear’s gel infusions ensure it sleeps cool, especially for an all-foam bed. Its also includes the option to add on a cover made of a material called Celliant (more on that in a bit) that helps you keep a low temperature. However, this addition does cost an extra $130, so keep that in mind before checking out. Even without this additional cover, we still recommend the Bear to folks who sleep hot.

Edge Support

Edge support is a measure of how supported you’ll feel on the sides of your bed. Strong edges make a bed feel larger, since you can spread out more across the mattress. With this in mind, good edge support is beneficial for couples, heavy sleepers, and anyone who likes to spread out across the mattress surface.

In my opinion, the Bear had average edge support. I didn’t feel like I was going to fall off the side of this bed, but I didn’t feel as supported on the sides as I did in the center.

Bear Mattress Performance for Couples

The four primary factors we look at when it comes to determining the best mattresses for couples are motion isolation, responsiveness, cooling, and edge support. The Bear did an all-around good job across the board. It may not have the strongest edge support, though, which can be a deterrent for heavier sleepers especially, as they need more support.

Bear Original Mattress

bear original

We appreciate the firm and responsive feel of the Bear mattress. Its combination of support and pressure relief makes it an awesome option for anyone struggling with back pain. The Celliant cover also does a great job of keeping the mattress cool.

Sleepopolis Score 4.3/5
SO Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

SO Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

120 nights

SO Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SO Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium-firm: 7/10

SO Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

SO Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SO sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
SO sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
SO sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5
Watch Our Video Review

Bear Original Mattress

bear original

We appreciate the firm and responsive feel of the Bear mattress. Its combination of support and pressure relief makes it an awesome option for anyone struggling with back pain. The Celliant cover also does a great job of keeping the mattress cool.

Sleepopolis Score 4.3/5
SO Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

SO Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

SO Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium-firm: 7/10

SO Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SO Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

120 nights

SO Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SO sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
SO sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
SO sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5
Watch Our Video Review
bear original

Bear Original Mattress

We appreciate the firm and responsive feel of the Bear mattress. Its combination of support and pressure relief makes it an awesome option for anyone struggling with back pain. The Celliant cover also does a great job of keeping the mattress cool.

Sleepopolis Score 4.3/5
SO Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

SO Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium-firm: 7/10

SO Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

120 nights

SO Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

SO Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SO Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SO sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
SO sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
SO sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5
Watch Our Video Review

My Final Thoughts about the Bear Mattress

Well folks, we made it to the end. After going over the Bear’s construction, feel, and performance, it’s time to answer the question you came here asking: Is the Bear mattress right for you? That’s not for me to say (sorry), but I can share some final thoughts to help you make the decision on your own.

Who I recommend the Bear mattress for

  • First and foremost, I’d recommend the Bear to back sleepers in need of a firm, supportive bed.
  • If you want a memory foam feel but don’t want to totally sink into it, this could be a good option for you. Though the Bear does have some sinkage and contouring, you won’t feel stuck in this mattress, which makes getting out of bed and switching positions easier.
  • Lastly, the bed is designed for athletic recovery, so it could be good for sleepers with active lifestyles.

Who I don’t recommend the Bear mattress for

  • If you’re looking for a lot of bounce, you better keep looking, because the Bear isn’t very buoyant. The Bear Star Hybrid mattress (formerly known as the Bear Hybrid mattress) might be a better fit if you’re looking for responsiveness.
  • Side sleepers should avoid the Bear — unfortunately, it’s just a bit too firm for those who need pressure relief at the shoulders and hips. I’d recommend side sleepers check out our best mattresses for side sleepers roundup to find some other options.
  • On the other hand, stomach sleepers will likely find the Bear too soft to support them. These sleepers should check out one of our best mattresses for stomach sleepers instead.

Bear Mattress Pricing and Sizing

The Bear is really affordable when compared to similar mattresses on the market and even made our list of best mattresses under $1000. Take a look at the chart below to find full pricing info, and be sure to check out our Bear mattress coupon page to save even more on your new mattress.

Prices listed are before offer or discount on each size.

SizeDimensionsPrice
Twin39” x 75” x 10”$695
Twin XL39” x 80” x 10”$695
Full54” x 75” x 10”$895
Queen60” x 80” x 10”$995
King76” x 80” x 10”$1,095
California King72” x 84” 10”$1,095

Bear Original Mattress

bear original

We appreciate the firm and responsive feel of the Bear mattress. Its combination of support and pressure relief makes it an awesome option for anyone struggling with back pain. The Celliant cover also does a great job of keeping the mattress cool.

Sleepopolis Score 4.3/5
SO Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

SO Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

120 nights

SO Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SO Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium-firm: 7/10

SO Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

SO Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SO sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
SO sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
SO sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5
Watch Our Video Review

Bear Original Mattress

bear original

We appreciate the firm and responsive feel of the Bear mattress. Its combination of support and pressure relief makes it an awesome option for anyone struggling with back pain. The Celliant cover also does a great job of keeping the mattress cool.

Sleepopolis Score 4.3/5
SO Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

SO Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

SO Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium-firm: 7/10

SO Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SO Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

120 nights

SO Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SO sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
SO sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
SO sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5
Watch Our Video Review
bear original

Bear Original Mattress

We appreciate the firm and responsive feel of the Bear mattress. Its combination of support and pressure relief makes it an awesome option for anyone struggling with back pain. The Celliant cover also does a great job of keeping the mattress cool.

Sleepopolis Score 4.3/5
SO Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

SO Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium-firm: 7/10

SO Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

120 nights

SO Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

SO Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SO Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SO sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
SO sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
SO sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5
Watch Our Video Review

Bear Mattress Policies and FAQs

How does the Bear mattress ship?

The Bear ships for free and will arrive compressed in a box.

Does the Bear come with a mattress warranty?

Yes, this bed comes with a lifetime warranty.

Does the Bear mattress come with a trial period?

Yes, Bear offers a 120-night sleep trial with this bed.

Where are Bear mattresses made?

All Bear mattresses are made in the USA.

What is Celliant?

Celliant is a micro-sized particle made of things like silicon and aluminum oxide. It reflects infrared light in a way that can help improve circulation and regulate your body temperature. Learn more about it in our What is Celliant Fiber article.

Bear Mattress Vs

Alright, now that we’ve got our heads wrapped around the Bear mattress, let’s compare it to some of its biggest competition on the online mattress scene: the Casper and Purple beds.

Bear vs Casper

Like the Bear, the Casper is an all-foam mattress with a similar firmness. The Casper has zoned support, which provides targeted relief and assists with back pain. The Bear’s special features lie in its Celliant cover.

  • Price: The Bear is a couple of hundred dollars less than the Casper. But when you add the Celliant cover on the Bear, they’re roughly the same price.
  • Sleeping position: The Bear is really only suitable for back sleepers. The Casper supports back sleepers well, but it also accommodates lightweight stomach sleepers and most side sleepers.
  • Cooling: Both mattresses have cooling features and should do a good job at cooling down hot sleepers.
  • Body weight: The Casper can support heavyweight side sleepers, while the Bear is unable to provide folks over 250 pounds with the proper support.

Read more in our full Casper mattress review.

Casper Original Mattress

P1023659

The Casper Original is an all-foam mattress that is a great option for back sleepers who want a balance of support and pressure relief. Combination sleepers will appreciate this mattress's responsiveness, which makes it easy to change positions throughout the night.

Sleepopolis Score 4.1/5
SO Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

SO Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

100 nights

SO Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SO Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Firm: 7/10

SO Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

10-year limited warranty

SO Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SO sleeper type couples
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
SO sleeper type back pain
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

"From the delivery of the box to the magical unfolding of the king size mattress to the first time laying on the bed, all smiles here! I have traveled for work for years, often sleeping on different beds at different hotels night after night."

Paul, Casper customer
Average Customer Rating
4.4/5
Watch Our Video Review

Casper Original Mattress

P1023659

The Casper Original is an all-foam mattress that is a great option for back sleepers who want a balance of support and pressure relief. Combination sleepers will appreciate this mattress's responsiveness, which makes it easy to change positions throughout the night.

Sleepopolis Score 4.1/5
SO Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

SO Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

10-year limited warranty

SO Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Firm: 7/10

SO Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SO Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

100 nights

SO Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SO sleeper type couples
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
SO sleeper type back pain
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

"From the delivery of the box to the magical unfolding of the king size mattress to the first time laying on the bed, all smiles here! I have traveled for work for years, often sleeping on different beds at different hotels night after night."

Paul, Casper customer
Average Customer Rating
4.4/5
Watch Our Video Review
P1023659

Casper Original Mattress

The Casper Original is an all-foam mattress that is a great option for back sleepers who want a balance of support and pressure relief. Combination sleepers will appreciate this mattress's responsiveness, which makes it easy to change positions throughout the night.

Sleepopolis Score 4.1/5
SO Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

SO Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Firm: 7/10

SO Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

100 nights

SO Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

10-year limited warranty

SO Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SO Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SO sleeper type couples
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
SO sleeper type back pain
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

"From the delivery of the box to the magical unfolding of the king size mattress to the first time laying on the bed, all smiles here! I have traveled for work for years, often sleeping on different beds at different hotels night after night."

Paul, Casper customer
Average Customer Rating
4.4/5
Watch Our Video Review

Bear vs Purple

Though the Purple is also a popular bed-in-a-box mattress, it’s got a very different feel from the Bear, thanks to its hyper-elastic polymer Smart Comfort Grid. This grid is composed of a bouncy and cooling material, so it could be great for hot sleepers. In my opinion, this collapsible grid is also fantastic at alleviating tension, especially at the hips, shoulders, and lower back.

  • Price: The Purple is a couple hundred dollars more than the Bear, if you include the Bear’s Celliant cover.
  • Sleeping position: The Bear is a solid option for back sleepers, but the Purple accommodates side sleepers and lightweight stomach sleepers.
  • Cooling: Both mattresses sleep cool, but Purple’s breathable polymer grid earned it excellent scores.
  • Body weight: Neither mattress is suitable for sleepers over 250 pounds.

Read more in our full Purple mattress review.

Purple Mattress

Screen Shot 2023 11 06 at 4.23.56 PM

The Purple has a unique comfort layer of GelFlex Grid, which offers great pressure relief and cooling. It has a slightly feel that should especially appeal to back sleepers.

Sleepopolis Score 4.5/5
SO Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Hybrid

SO Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

100 nights

SO Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SO Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Firm: 7/10

SO Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

10-year warranty

SO Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SO sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
SO sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
SO sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
SO sleeper type stomach sleepers
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.6/5

Purple Mattress

Screen Shot 2023 11 06 at 4.23.56 PM

The Purple has a unique comfort layer of GelFlex Grid, which offers great pressure relief and cooling. It has a slightly feel that should especially appeal to back sleepers.

Sleepopolis Score 4.5/5
SO Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Hybrid

SO Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

10-year warranty

SO Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Firm: 7/10

SO Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SO Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

100 nights

SO Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SO sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
SO sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
SO sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
SO sleeper type stomach sleepers
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.6/5
Screen Shot 2023 11 06 at 4.23.56 PM

Purple Mattress

The Purple has a unique comfort layer of GelFlex Grid, which offers great pressure relief and cooling. It has a slightly feel that should especially appeal to back sleepers.

Sleepopolis Score 4.5/5
SO Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Hybrid

SO Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Firm: 7/10

SO Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

100 nights

SO Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

10-year warranty

SO Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SO Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SO sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
SO sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
SO sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
SO sleeper type stomach sleepers
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.6/5

Other Models from Bear

The Original Bear mattress isn’t just facing stiff competition from the outside world — it also has to square up against its mattress siblings, the Bear Star Hybrid and Bear Pro.

Bear Original vs Bear Star Hybrid

Though both beds feature memory foam, the Hybrid gets a little extra oomph from its section of bouncy pocketed coils.

  • Price: The Bear Star Hybrid is significantly more expensive than the Original due to its addition of sturdy coils.
  • Sleeping position: Both beds support back sleepers, but the Bear Star Hybrid provides enough cushioning for many side sleepers as well.
  • Cooling: The Star Hybrid should be better at cooling with its inclusion of breathable coils.
  • Body weight: The Star Hybrid’s coils help support heavier sleepers, while the Bear is unable to properly accommodate folks over 250 pounds.

Read more in our full Bear Star Hybrid mattress review

Bear Star Hybrid Mattress

P1065006

We found a lot to love in the Bear Star Hybrid. While the lift of its pocketed coil system will leave you feeling more “on top” of the mattress than “in” it, its top layers of memory foam are going to provide you with plenty of pressure-relieving sinkage.

Sleepopolis Score 4.5/5
SO Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Hybrid

SO Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

120 nights

SO Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SO Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Soft: 6/10

SO Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

SO Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SO sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
SO sleeper type joint pain
Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
SO sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
SO sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5
Watch Our Video Review

Bear Star Hybrid Mattress

P1065006

We found a lot to love in the Bear Star Hybrid. While the lift of its pocketed coil system will leave you feeling more “on top” of the mattress than “in” it, its top layers of memory foam are going to provide you with plenty of pressure-relieving sinkage.

Sleepopolis Score 4.5/5
SO Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Hybrid

SO Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

SO Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Soft: 6/10

SO Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SO Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

120 nights

SO Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SO sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
SO sleeper type joint pain
Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
SO sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
SO sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5
Watch Our Video Review
P1065006

Bear Star Hybrid Mattress

We found a lot to love in the Bear Star Hybrid. While the lift of its pocketed coil system will leave you feeling more “on top” of the mattress than “in” it, its top layers of memory foam are going to provide you with plenty of pressure-relieving sinkage.

Sleepopolis Score 4.5/5
SO Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Hybrid

SO Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Soft: 6/10

SO Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

120 nights

SO Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

SO Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SO Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SO sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
SO sleeper type joint pain
Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
SO sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
SO sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5
Watch Our Video Review

Bear Original vs Bear Pro Hybrid

The Pro Hybrid boasts its ability to relieve pressure off of sensitive areas, cool down hot sleepers, and allow for ease of movement. It has an addition of sturdy coils, something the Bear Original lacks.

  • Price: When comparing the Pro Hybrid with the Original (including the Celliant cover), each mattress ends up at roughly the same price.
  • Sleeping position: Both beds are better tailored to back sleepers, with each having a firmness of 7 out of 10.
  • Cooling: Both beds include lots of cooling technology thanks to Celliant, but the Pro Hybrid allows for extra airflow with its coils.
  • Body weight: The Pro Hybrid can support some heavy back and side sleepers, while the Original is best for those under 250 pounds.

Read more in our full Bear Pro mattress review.

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 laying 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.

Bridget Chapman

Bridget Chapman

Former Senior Product Editor

About Author

Bridget is a Certified Sleep Science Coach and senior editor here at Sleepopolis. From testing mattresses to writing about various sleep health topics, her goal is to help you get a good night’s sleep. You can also find her in videos on our YouTube channel. Bridget graduated magna cum laude from San Diego State University with a degree in journalism and a minor in English. Before joining the Sleepopolis team, she was a TV news reporter and worked in cities across the country. She loves spending time outdoors, checking out new restaurants, snuggling with her pets, and of course — getting some quality Zzz’s.

Combination Sleeper