Emma vs Casper: which mattress brand should you buy?

In this Emma vs Casper face-off, we compare the Emma Original mattress with the Casper Original mattress to help you decide which one to buy. They’re both regulars in our best memory foam mattress guide, so whichever one you go for you shouldn't be disappointed – so which is better for you, Emma or Casper?

Both memory foam mattresses provide stellar comfort, through a construction of foam layers including body-contouring memory foam. Both, too, are bed-in-a-box mattresses – which means they’re delivered to your door, rolled up in a conveniently sized box. And they’ve both earned rave reviews from customers and critics. 

They're both currently available to buy to shoppers in the US, but Casper is no longer selling in the UK – if you're reading this from the UK, check out best mattress guide for some alternatives. The other thing you should know is that you shouldn't pay too much attention to the list price on these mattresses. Sales are a regular occurrence in the mattress world, and these brands are no exception. Check out our Emma discount codes and deals page, or our Casper promo codes page, for the best current offers.

Because there are plenty of similarities between these mattresses, it can be difficult to differentiate between the two. Here, we'll explore the two mattresses in detail, looking at the design, feel, price, what other users say and the small print to help you decide which one to buy. Read on to find out which mattress wins in the battle of Emma vs Casper…

Emma vs Casper: design

The best way to understand the difference between two foam mattresses like the Casper Original and Emma Original is to compare the layers of foam they're made of.

The Emma Original

The Emma mattress is made up of three foam layers. At the top, a layer of 'Airgocell' foam is designed to respond to your body for ideal comfort in any position. At the core of the mattress is the memory foam layer, which is designed to distribute pressure evenly. Finally there's a section of HRX foam, that's zoned to provide firmer support under the hips, but softer cushioning around the the shoulders. There's also a cover that's designed to regulate temperature. It can be removed and washed at 104°F. There's no information about how deep this mattress is. 

The Casper Original

The Casper is actually now available as an all-foam or hybrid (foam and springs) version. We'll focus on the former here, as that's the most direct comparison with Emma. 

There are three layers of foam in the Casper Original mattress – which is also 11" deep – with each playing a specific role in providing a comfortable night’s sleep. The top layer is a thin layer of 'AirScape' foam, which is perforated to allow airflow and prevent the mattress from getting too hot through the night. Below that is a layer of memory foam that's zoned into three sections, to provide softness under the shoulders and more support under the hips. Finally, a durable base is designed to prevent sinking and sagging. 

Winner: Emma 

It's difficult to judge which of these mattresses is the better designed. Both are designed to contour to the body, both have features to encourage airflow and try to prevent overheating, and both are zoned to add extra support under the hips. However, the Casper doesn't have a removable cover or handles for turning, while the Emma Original has both of these. So for that reason Emma edges it in this category. 

Emma vs Casper: price

Based on MSRP, the Emma is much more wallet-friendly than the Casper. Here's a breakdown of the pricing for the main size options. 

• Emma Original US: twin - $659, twin XL - $919, full - $979, queen - $1,159, king - $1,459, California king - $1,459
• Emma Original UK: single - £339, double - £499, king - £559, super king - £659
• Casper Original US: twin - $895, twin XL - $995, full - $1,195, queen - $1,295, king - $1,695, California king - $1,685

However, bear in mind that both brands run cheap mattress deals all year round. These can lower costs significantly, but because the offers change regularly it’s difficult to directly compare prices over a long period of time. 

Winner: Emma Original 

Deals aside, Emma beats Casper when it comes to price. However, if you otherwise prefer the Casper, bear in mind that both brands regularly cut the price of their mattresses – you might well find a Casper deal that takes it down to a lower price point than the Emma if you look on the right day. 

Emma vs Casper: comfort and firmness

In this section, we compare the results of our testing. However, bear in mind that mattresses are subjective, which makes comparing them on a comfort level tricky. Your weight can influence how firm you find a mattress, for example. Different sleeping styles, too, can result in different experiences; as can back or joint pain, or a tendency to overheat at night. 

In the next section, we'll show you what other users thought, too, to help build a more rounded picture of what the Emma and Casper mattresses are like to sleep on.

Emma Original

We found the Emma to be perhaps marginally softer than the Casper, though there isn’t a great deal of difference between the two mattresses in this respect. In our testing, we found that it provides a beautifully comfortable sleep – whether you’re on your side, back or front – pushing you up to the top of the mattress, where you're cushioned and supported. 

This mattress also does a great job of preventing motion transfer through the mattress – which is great news if you sleep next to a restless partner. It's worth pointing out that one of our reviewers found the Emma to be warmer than other mattresses they'd tested, which could be an issue if you tend to sleep hot.  

The Casper  

We found The Casper to be a little firmer than the Emma Original, with a medium-to-moderately-high level of firmness that really suits side sleepers. The uppermost layer of the mattress, which is made of open-cell foam, kept our reviewers nice and cool throughout the night. That’s impressive, considering our testing took place in the summer months. 

Winner: draw

Both the Casper and the Emma are fabulous mattresses. We're happy to confirm that we found both to be fantastically comfortable and very supportive – better than most other memory foam mattresses-in-a-box we've encountered. If you want something softer, the Emma is the more comfortable of the two, but if you like a slightly firmer feel, the Casper is probably a better pick.

Emma vs Casper: the small print 

Delivery information, returns, warranties and other logistical details like these are important factors that can help elevate one mattress brand over another. Once again, though, the Emma and Casper mattresses match each other well.

Emma Original

When you buy an Emma mattress, you get a 100-day free trial period, and can have the mattress collected free-of-charge within that period, if you decide you don’t want it. You're required to give it a go for three weeks before you can send it back though. It comes with a 10-year guarantee.

The Casper 

The Casper mattress comes with precisely the same benefits, which are an industry standard among mattress-in-a-box brands. There’s a 10-year guarantee, a 100-day free trial period, and free returns for unsatisfied customers.

Winner: draw

When it comes to the small print, there's nothing to distinguish the two mattresses, so we're giving it a draw.

Emma vs Casper: which one should you buy? 

Overall, we think the Emma Original wins out, mainly on price, given there's little to distinguish the two otherwise and the Emma is significantly cheaper. It also has some welcome design additions; namely a removable cover and handles for easier manoeuvring and turning. That said, the Casper Original is a little firmer than the Emma Original, so if you want more support, that might be a better pick for you. Similarly, the Emma can trap body heat, making it a less good choice if you tend to sleep warm. Either way, the 100-night trial takes the pain out of choosing. If you're not happy with one, it's easy to send it back and try the other.