Built with an intriguing mix of aerated latex, gel-infused memory foam, and sturdy high-density poly foam, the Original GhostBed is a cozy option for those in search of both pressure relief and support. But is it the right bed for you?
To find out, I’m going to tell you everything you need to know about it in my GhostBed mattress review, from how it’s built to how it feels and much, much more! Plus, I’ll also be including a line-up of all my other GhostBed mattress reviews for your perusal and comparison.
So, without further ado, let’s get into this GhostBed review! You can also click here to skip to the review summary.
Brand Snapshot
GhostBed hit the scene in 2015 on a mission to provide customers with “supernatural comfort.” Over the years, this aim has produced a number of different mattresses, from the Original GhostBed we’re looking at here to the GhostBed Luxe, GhostBed Flex, and GhostBed Matrix models (all of which we’ll discuss a little later on).
The brand also sells sheets, pillows, adjustable bases, mattress protectors, and more! But we won’t be getting into any of these products today, so let’s turn our attention back to the Original GhostBed.
What is the GhostBed Mattress Made of?
The GhostBed is built with three layers of latex, memory foam, and high-density poly foam. This combination makes for a unique feel, one that strikes a satisfying balance between pressure relief and support.
For more, let’s dive underneath the cover!
Cover – Made of a polyester/viscose blend, this cover is soft and breathable.
Comfort – The first foam layer you’ll encounter is a 1.5” section of aerated latex. It’s a bouncy material that provides excellent mobility for moving around and changing positions. Latex is also naturally cooling, so helps to dissipate body heat throughout the structure. While latex is a fairly common mattress material, I’m intrigued by the aerated twist GhostBed puts on it, which works to encourage even more breathability and cooling.
Contour – Below the latex layer, you’ll land on one of memory foam. Gel-infused memory foam, to be exact. This distinction is an important one, because it signifies that not only are you getting the deep body-contouring and pressure relief typical of memory foam, but you also get a nice cooling buffer against its overheating tendencies. Plus, I also like that the memory foam is positioned underneath the latex layer, which ensures you won’t sink too far into the bed.
Base – And finally, the base of the bed, comprised here of 7.5” of high-density poly foam. This is an ultra-sturdy section that functions mostly to support the softer foams above it. Since the majority of the mattress is made up of this layer, I suspect it will lend the bed an overall firm feel.
How Does the GhostBed Feel?
So, we’ve broken down what the GhostBed is made of, but how exactly does it feel? To find out, I’m going to put this mattress through a few different tests, starting with firmness.
As with any feel factor, firmness is subjective, and can change a lot depending on one’s size, shape, and weight. Therefore, my interpretation of the GhostBed may differ from your own. For reference, I’m 5’10”, 190 lbs., and prefer to sleep on my stomach.
After rolling around on the GhostBed, I decided to give it a 7/10 on the firmness scale. When compared to the industry standard of 6.5 for medium firmness, it seems this bed is a touch on the firmer side.
The mattress got a 7 from me because I felt as though the predominant feel was one of support and bounce. Though I did get some nice contouring from the middle memory foam layer, I wouldn’t say it curbed very much of the lift I experienced from the latex and high-density poly foam. That being said, I think this bed would probably be best-suited for combo sleepers, particularly those who flip between their back and side in the night.
Testing the GhostBed Mattress
But firmness isn’t the only factor to consider! So, let’s test out this mattress for two other characteristics: Pressure Relief and Motion Transfer.
Pressure Relief
First up, let’s chat pressure relief. For those unfamiliar with this term, it basically refers to a bed’s capacity for alleviating tension at sensitive spots such as the shoulders, hips, and lower back. To assess this attribute, I like to use a handy dandy pressure map!
Though it may sound a little technical, it’s actually quite simple: I roll this device out, hop aboard, and let the map do the rest! As I move around, the gadget records the force exerted by my body, creating a colored “map” of the pressure. For reference, blue indicates areas of low pressure and red indicates areas of high pressure.
Back – I really liked how the GhostBed felt on my back! The memory foam layer provided plenty of contouring to my lumbar region while the latex and high-density poly foam worked to position me squarely on top of the structure. Would definitely recommend this mattress for folks who suffer from back aches in the night.
Side – Rolling onto my side felt okay, not great. Though I experienced a bit of pressure relief at my shoulders and hips, the bed is just a little too firm for long-term side sleeping. If you switch between your back and side in the night, I think you’ll be alright, but otherwise, I’d suggest going for a softer GhostBed model (like the Luxe!)
Stomach – Turning onto my stomach also felt just okay! Where this mattress is slightly too firm for side sleepers, it’s also slightly too soft for stomach sleepers. That’s because these folks need extra lift at the hips to support an even spine alignment from the hips all the way to the shoulders.
Motion Transfer
Let’s wrap up this section by taking a little look at motion transfer, which refers to the movement detectable from one side of the bed to the other. An important factor for all to consider, but especially those who sleep with a child, partner, or rowdy pet!
To illustrate this motion transfer, I dropped a 10 lb. steel ball from heights of 4 inches, Eight inches and 12 inches and measured the disturbance it caused: the bigger the lines, the bigger the disturbance.
These are actually pretty high motion transfer results, which tells me that you’re likely to feel a lot of movement across the bed. If you sleep with a restless partner, this may not be the best mattress for you.
Other Models
As I mentioned up top, the Original GhostBed is just one of several mattresses sold by the brand. So, allow me to introduce you to some of its mattress siblings:
GhostBed Luxe
- Like the Original GhostBed, the GhostBed Luxe is an all-foam bed-in-a-box. However, it has a softer, more luxurious feel.
- It’s also designed with cooling in mind, so could be a nice option for folks who overheat in the night.
- Since it’s gentler than the Original GhostBed, it could work wonders for side sleepers in need of deep pressure relief at the shoulders and hips.
- For more, check out my full GhostBed Luxe mattress review.
GhostBed Flex
- The GhostBed Flex is a hybrid mattress, so combines gentle foams with sturdy coils for bouncy yet pressure-relieving structure.
- In general, I’d recommend the Flex for combo sleepers who like to switch between their back and side while they snooze.
- It also did well on my motion transfer test, so could be a nice choice for couples!
- Read more at my full GhostBed Flex mattress review.
GhostBed Matrix
- Like the Flex, the GhostBed Matrix is also a hybrid mattress. However, it’s got more of a medium firm feel that could be great for combo sleepers.
- The Matrix is also incredibly bouncy, so might be a nice option for those in search of fantastic mobility.
- And if cooling is an important factor for you, you’ll be happy to know the Matrix sleeps super cool thanks to its cooling cover and gel memory foam comfort layer.
- See more at my full GhostBed Matrix mattress review.
Should you buy the GhostBed Mattress?
You did it! You made it to the end of the review! After breaking down its construction, going over its feel, and even comparing it to some of its mattress siblings, it’s time to decide: Is the GhostBed right for you? I can’t make that decision for you (sorry!), but I can leave you with a few final pros and cons to help you get there on your own.
GhostBed Pros
- Firstly, I really like this bed for back sleepers! It’s got a soft foam top layer for pressure relief at the lumbar region, but plenty of support for neutral spine alignment.
- I also think it could be a great choice for folks who need to move around and change positions. There’s some nice mobility here, which helps prevent any sort of “stuck-in-the-bed” feeling.
- The bed is also a solid value buy. Compared to similar mattresses on the market, I’d consider the GhostBed to be pretty affordable.
GhostBed Complaints
- Though the GhostBed is fairly gentle, I’d still say it’s probably too firm for side sleepers who really need to sink in for pressure relief at the shoulders and hips.
- Additionally, this bed didn’t do super well on my motion transfer test, so may not be the best option for couples.
GhostBed Company Policies
- Trial – 101 Night Trial
- Shipping – Free and Compressed
- Warranty – 20 Years
How Much Does The GhostBed Cost
The GhostBed is a value, coming in at a lower price than many of its competitors.
| Size | Dimensions | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twin | 38” x 75” x 11" | 58 lbs | $495 |
| Twin XL | 38” x 80” x 11” | 62 lbs | $650 |
| Full | 54” x 75” x 11” | 78 lbs | $775 |
| Queen | 60” x 80” x 11" | 89 lbs | $795 |
| King | 76” x 80” x 11” | 112 lbs | $975 |
| California King | 72” x 84” x 11” | 112 lbs | $995 |
FAQs
Can you flip a GhostBed?
Unfortunately, no! But, you can rotate it if you notice any sagging.
How long do GhostBeds last?
It depends a lot on the sleeper! However, the GhostBed does have a 20-year warranty, which is about twice as long as the typical one for a foam bed-in-a-box mattress.
Are GhostBeds good for back pain?
Yes, GhostBed mattresses are generally good for back pain! The gentle soft foam top layer helps relieve tension at the lumbar region while the sturdy high-density poly foam base helps support a neutral spine alignment.
Impressive Design & Build, Unexpected Price
- Materials
- Comfort
- Support
- Value
- Cooling
- Edge Support
- Sex
- Smell
- Company
- Refunds
- Trial
- Warranty
Summary
The GhostBed mattress has proved to be quite impressive. By offering a level of firmness that softens up during sleep, the GhostBed is able to meet the needs of a large number of sleepers. Not too mention the above average levels of support and cooling. This mattress design also adds to the mix. Sitting at 11″ in height, the GhostBed has an additional 0.5″ of comfort foam. 0.5″ may not sound like much, but trust me, it makes a noted difference. All things considered, the GhostBed delivers great value with a latex + memory foam mattress that’s priced well below what you would expect
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