
To buy the best mattresses, you don't need to go to a store. In 2020, there are numerous companies that will sell you a ‘mattress in a box’ online. But Casper was the very first, launching in 2014 as a feisty startup aiming to turn the mattress industry on its head and cut out the numerous middlemen.
Casper attracted much ridicule at the time from those who thought consumers would never want to buy a mattress without first trying it out in store. But with the support of social media personalities such as Kylie Jenner, it proved them wrong, and today is worth over a billion dollars.
The original focus of the company was a single mattress, the Casper: a high-quality, custom multi-layer foam mattress that could fit, compressed down, in a small box and deliver a luxury mattress experience by mail at a bargain price. Today Casper offers a recently revamped version of that original mattress, along with three other models: the Element, the Wave Hybrid and the Nova Hybrid.
Casper mattresses have for many years been sold on both sides of the Atlantic. However, in July 2020, Casper announced it was winding down its UK and European operations, to focus solely only selling directly to USA-based customers.
See how the Casper compares to its main rivals:
What types of mattress does Casper sell?
The Wave Hybrid mattress is made up of five distinct layers of support
Casper sells four mattresses, each of which comes come in six standard sizes (Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King and Cal King) and fits regular sheets. These models cover a range of prices (but bear in mind there are regular Casper mattress promo codes and coupons to take the price down).
The Casper Original, which starts at $595, is a foam mattress is based on three layers: a top layer of breathable aerated foam; a second layer of foam divided into different zones, and a third layer of high-density poly foam. Alternatively, you can choose a Hybrid version of this mattress, which instead uses pocketed coils as the third layer.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
The next price-level up is the Nova Hybrid, which starts at $1095. This is made up of a top layer of aerated foam for breathability, followed by two layers of zoned foam, and a sturdy core of pocketed coils.
At the top end of the scale is the Wave Hybrid, which starts at $1495. This luxurious mattress is made up of five layers. From the top down, these are: 1in of open-cell polyfoam, 1.5in of open-cell latex, 1.5in of zoned memory foam, 1.5in of polyfoam with gel, and 7in of pocketed coils surrounded by polyfoam.
Finally, the most budget friendly Casper mattress, which weirdly doesn’t appear on its main mattress web page, is the Element. Constructed of just two layers of two layers of polyfoam, this is the only to buy if you're looking for the best cheap mattress deals.
Are Casper mattresses good quality?
The Casper Nova Hybrid mattress
One of the big themes of recent years in the mattress world has been the backlash against traditional memory foam mattresses. Yes, they provide a good level of support by moulding themselves to your body in a way that pocketsprung mattresses can't. But there’s often a feel of deadness to them, as if you’ve sunk into them and you can’t get out, as well as issues with overheating in high temperatures.
Mattress brands have taken various approaches to squaring this circle, and Casper’s innovation is to blend different types of foam (an approach they call ‘hybrid foam') and in some of its mattresses, coils, to create the best of both worlds. So do they succeed?
In general, yes. Casper mattresses do give a more consistent level of support than traditional sprung mattresses, while still providing a level of firmness and comfort that avoids the feeling of being trapped. And their use of aerorated foams is successful in keeping their mattresses cool, even in hot weather. So whether you’re looking at independent expert analysis or customer reviews, the same message keeps coming across: this is a quality brand.
It’s not, admittedly, a brand many people seem to fall in love with; but by the same token, there’s not a lot of Casper haters out there. It’s just a company that does its thing well, reliably and consistently, and there’s a lot to be said for that.
Of course, not every Casper mattress will suit every person. For example, the cheapest Element mattress is only really going to be comfortable if you’re a back sleeper who weighs less than the average person, while a side sleeper who weighs over 250lbs should probably opt for the sturdier Wave Hybrid mattress. But on the plus side, by keeping their range limited to just four mattresses, it’s much easier to choose the right model for your needs.
And if it turns out you don’t like the mattress, you can always take advantage of the 100-night sleep trial and return it. The one thing to bear in mind is that Casper asks you try the mattress for at least 30 days to get used to it. Over the longer term, meanwhile, you have a ten-year limited warranty to cover repairs and replacements.
What is the best Casper mattress?
The Casper Original is still the company's best mattress overall
The best Casper mattress in terms of overall value for money is the Casper Original. Based on the original Casper mattress from 2014, this model has been updated in 2020 with a nicer design, a very lovely knit-polyester cover, and a construction based on three foam layers.
This combination of a strong support core, a clever zoned system in the middle, and a responsive layer of open cell foam on top, now perforated to help with airflow, is an absolute winner. The result is a medium feel in terms of firmness, one that moulds to your shape and gives good pressure relief, yet which doesn’t give you that sinking feeling and has a little more bounce than the average foam mattress.
We also love how this mattress stays temperature-neutral whether your room is hot or cold. And overall, it strikes an excellent balance between the softness of memory foam and the responsiveness of springs; all at a very reasonable price.
There's not much to say beyond that, to be honest, and this isn't the most exciting mattress you'll ever buy. But it is solid, well constructed, comfortable and great value, and at the end of the day, that's probably going to benefit you more than clever gimmicks or groundbreaking design.
Tom May is a freelance writer and author of the book, Great Ted Talks: Creativity. He has been editor of Professional Photography magazine, associate editor at Creative Bloq, and deputy editor at net magazine. He has also worked for a wide range of mainstream titles including Radio Times, NME, Heat, Company and Bella.
-
I tried Olympic weightlifting for the first time – here are three things it's taught me
Being strong simply won't cut it
By Bryony Firth-Bernard Published
-
This ultra high-end Sonos rival is made with precious metals and costs more than a car
The Houchmand M1 System promises incredible audio for (very) affluent audiophiles
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
These limited edition McLaren x Loop earplugs are what you need for Formula 1 season
McLaren teams up with Loop on limited edition noise-reducing earplugs
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
5 sleep supplements that help me achieve 8+ hours of rest every night
It took me years to perfect my sleep routine – here are the supplements that helped
By Lizzie Wilmot Published
-
3 reasons why you wake up at 3am every night – and how to avoid it
Always waking up in the middle of the night? This could be why…
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
This tiny device will automatically disable your distracting apps before you sleep
Say hello to Kip...
By Lizzie Wilmot Last updated
-
Therabody experts give 7 tips for perfecting your sleep routine for World Sleep Day
From breathing exercises to sleep masks, here’s how to prioritise sleep, according to experts
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
Loop Dream review: super soft earplugs to help you snooze soundly, even if you’re a side sleeper
Squishy silicone and uniquely shaped ear tips take Loop’s nighttime earplugs to dreamy heights
By Joanna Ebsworth Published
-
Can’t get to sleep? Grounding bed sheets could be the answer – but I need convincing
Is this the future of sleep tech?
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
Bensons for Beds Slumberland Naturals Plant-Based Luxe Mattress review: premium comfort and exceptional quality
A top choice for comfort, durability and sustainability
By Lizzie Wilmot Published