The Original Bear mattress has some impressive features. But if you need something more luxurious, the Bear Elite Hybrid could be the better choice.
I personally tested this bed so that I can tell you everything you need to know. In this unbiased Bear Elite Hybrid mattress review, I’ll go over its firmness, feel, construction, cooling features, price point and more.
Editor’s note: The Bear Elite Hybrid mattress is available in three firmness levels. I tested the Medium model for this review.
Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Warranty
Lifetime Warranty
Price Range
$1893 - $3920
Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress
With a zoned support system, the Bear Elite Hybrid mattress is a great fit for those with back pain.
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
Lifetime Warranty
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$1893 - $3920
Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress
With a zoned support system, the Bear Elite Hybrid mattress is a great fit for those with back pain.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime Warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$1893 - $3920
Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress Video Review
Bear Elite Mattress Overview
Bear sells several different mattresses models, including the Bear Original and Bear Star. The Bear Elite is the brand’s most luxurious model. It’s available in three firmness levels: Soft, Medium and Firm. For this review, I’ll focus on the Medium model.
Pros of the Bear Elite Mattress
- It has a balanced foam feel. The thick comfort layers offer pressure relief, while the coils help support the spine. Because it has coils in the bottom layer, it’s easy to move around top of the mattress.
- The Medium model is a great match for most back and side sleepers. Its classic medium-firm feel offers both comfort and support, which helps average-weight people maintain the proper spinal alignment.
- It’s one of the best cooling mattresses, thanks to its cooling cover and breathable coils.
Cons of the Bear Elite Mattress
- Fans of slow-moving mattresses won’t like the Bear Elite. This mattress is more responsive than all-foam beds. If you prefer to sink into your mattress, you may want to consider getting one of the best memory foam mattresses.
- Heavyweight stomach sleepers won’t get the support they need. Even the Firm model won’t be able to keep heavyweight stomach sleepers’ hips in alignment, so the mattress could cause back pain. Take a look at our list of the best mattresses for heavy people for some better options.
- The Bear Elite Hybrid may be too pricey for some people. It’s the most luxurious option from Bear, so it comes at a higher price point. If you want to save some money, you may want to get the Bear Original mattress instead.
Overall Rating
Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches personally test each mattress in categories such as materials, comfort, cooling, and support. Hover over the icons to learn more about these different topics, or scroll down for a more detailed analysis on each one.
Note: Motion transfer is beneficial for those who share the bed and don’t want to be woken up by another’s movements. Looking for a mattress that better absorbs motion? Check out our Best Mattresses for Couples.
Bear Elite Mattress Firmness and Feel
Firmness and feel—they’re two of the most important elements to consider when shopping for a new mattress. Let’s see what the Bear Elite Hybrid is all about.
How Firm is the Bear Elite Mattress?
Mattress Clarity’s firmness scale ranges from 1-10, with 6.5/10 representing medium-firm. That also happens to be what the Bear Elite Hybrid Luxury Firm model feels like. It creates a great balance of comfort and support, thanks to the strong coils and soft foam.
The Bear Elite Hybrid mattress is available in three different firmness levels. Here’s a quick look at who may like each one:
| Choose Soft If: | Choose Medium If: | Choose Firm If: |
| You’re a side sleeper who likes softer mattresses | You are an average weight back or side sleeper | You’re a stomach sleeper |
Sleeping On The Bear Elite Mattress
The Bear Elite Hybrid mattress has a zoned support system, which means it feels firmer toward the center and softer near the head and foot. I really noticed the supportive middle section whenever I rested on my back. The mattress supported my spine, but I still felt a good amount of pressure relief along my hips.
While side sleeping, I didn’t feel any pressure along my shoulder. The softer sections of the mattress cushioned this pressure point and helped me feel comfortable throughout my nap.
As an average weight person, I felt decently supported when I rested on my stomach. Over time, I think my hips would start to sink out of alignment, which could cause lower back pain. If you are a stomach sleeper, you may want to opt for the Firm model.
What Does the Bear Elite Mattress Feel Like?
The Bear Elite mattress has a balanced foam feel. When you rest on it, you’ll feel the thick comfort layers cushion your body. The strong support coils create a responsive feel, so it’s easy to move around on top of this bed. You shouldn’t feel “stuck inside” this mattress.
| Sleeper Weight | Back Sleepers | Side Sleepers | Stomach Sleepers |
| Lightweight (Under 130 lb) | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Average (130 – 230 lb) | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| Heavyweight (Over 230 lb) | Good | Fair | Bad |
Bear Elite Mattress Construction
What makes the Bear Elite Hybrid mattress stand out? Let’s take a look at its construction to find out.
Cover
The Bear Elite Hybrid has a hand-quilted cover that feels soft and luxurious. The exterior is made with phase change material, which is one of the most effective cooling fabrics available.
Comfort Layers
The first comfort layer consists of copper-infused memory foam. Copper is great for two reasons: It’s cooling, and it’s antimicrobial.
Beneath the first comfort layer sits a layer of zoned comfort foam. But it’s not as straightforward as you might think–instead of a thick slab of foam, Bear cut divots into the material to promote airflow.
Support Layers
First, you’ll find a layer of individually-encased pocketed spring coils. These springs give the mattress a responsive feel and make it easier for people to move around on top of the bed.
Around the perimeter of the mattress, you’ll find even more coils. This gives the mattress excellent edge support, so you shouldn’t feel like you’ll roll off the side of this bed.
At the bottom, the Bear Elite Hybrid has a layer of high-density support foam.
Mattress Height
The Bear Elite Hybrid is 14” tall, which is thicker than most mattresses on the market.
Bear Elite Mattress Size Options and Price
Take a look at our size and price chart for the most up-to-date information.
Note: Prices do not reflect any coupons or discounts.
| Size | Dimensions | Price |
| Twin | 38” x 75" | $1893.00 |
| Twin XL | 38" x 80" | $1960.00 |
| Full | 54” x 75” | $2109.00 |
| Queen | 60” x 80” | $2305.00 |
| King | 76” x 80" | $2762.00 |
| California King | 72” x 84” | $2762.00 |
With a zoned support system, the Bear Elite Hybrid mattress is a great fit for those with back pain.
Get 35% off using code CLARITY35
Bear Elite Mattress Performance
Keep reading to learn more about motion isolation, edge support, durability and more.
Sleeping Hot or Cold
If you tend to sleep hot at night, the Bear Elite mattress is a great choice. Its cooling cover contains phase change material, which helps lower body temperature. It also contains a layer of copper-infused memory foam to help dissipate body heat. And finally, the Bear Elite mattress contains a coil support system for extra airflow.
Motion Transfer
Motion transfer is an important element to consider, especially if you share a bed with a partner. Nobody wants to awaken from a deep slumber whenever their partner shifts sleeping positions.
The Bear Elite mattress doesn’t isolate motion as well as many all-foam beds. The innersprings give the bed a bouncy feel, so you’re likely to notice your partner’s movements. If motion isolation is particularly important to you, I recommend checking out our list of the best mattresses for couples.
Edge Support
If you share a bed with a loved one, you should also think about your mattress’s edge support. If a bed has poor edge support, you’ll sink through the sides of the mattress and be forced to rest toward the center of the bed.
Fortunately, the Bear Elite Hybrid mattress has fantastic edge support. Whenever you sit or rest near the side of the bed, you should feel secure and stable.
Durability
The Bear Elite Hybrid is a high-quality mattress made with luxurious materials. It’s also thicker than traditional mattresses, so I expect it to have a long lifespan. The Bear Elite should last at least 10 years.
Off-Gassing
The Bear Elite is a bed-in-a-box mattress, so it does off-gas a bit. When you first open it, you might notice a slight chemical smell. But don’t let the odor deter you—this smell should fade away within 48 hours.
Noise
When I tested this mattress, it made no sound at all. It’s possible the innersprings could squeak as time goes on, but I do not expect that to become a major issue.
Sex
Looking for one of the best mattresses for sex? The Bear Elite Hybrid might have what you need. Typically, sexual partners prefer beds that are easy to move around on. The Bear Elite Hybrid has a bouncy feel, so you’ll never feel “stuck” inside of it.
Company Policies
We always urge shoppers to read the fine print before purchasing a brand new mattress. Here’s a quick overview of Bear’s company policies.
Warranty Info
The Bear Elite mattress is backed by an impressive lifetime warranty.
Sleep Trial
Bear offers customers a 120-night sleep trial period.
Return Policy
If you don’t like the Bear Elite mattress, you can return it for a full refund—as long as it’s within the initial sleep trial period.
How Does The Bear Elite Mattress Compare To Other Mattresses?
The Bear Elite mattress is quite new, so you might be wondering how it stacks up to some of its competition. Let’s take a moment to compare and contrast the Bear Elite with two other popular mattresses: The Bear Star Hybrid and the Original Casper.
Bear Elite vs Bear Star Hybrid
Product
Firmness
Score
Product
Bear Elite Hybrid MattressFirmness
Multiple firmness optionsScore
Product
Bear Star Hybrid MattressFirmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10Score
The Bear Elite is an upgraded version of the Bear Star Hybrid mattress. So how do they differ? The main difference sits within the comfort layer.
The Bear Elite mattress contains zoned and cut comfort foam. This layer makes the mattress feel firmer toward the center and softer near the head and foot, which helps sleepers maintain the correct spinal alignment. And because the foam is cut in a unique way, there’s even more room for airflow throughout this mattress.
Both mattresses feature cooling covers and strong coils, but the Bear Elite is one inch taller than the Bear Star Hybrid. For that reason, we expect this mattress to last a bit longer than the Bear Star model.
| Who Should Get The Bear Elite Mattress? | Who Should Get The Bear Star Hybrid Mattress? |
| People with back pain | People who want to save money |
| People who sleep particularly hot at night | People who don’t need a mattress with added bells and whistles |
Check out our Bear Star Hybrid mattress review to learn more.
Bear Elite vs Casper
Product
Firmness
Score
Product
Bear Elite Hybrid MattressFirmness
Multiple firmness optionsScore
Product
Casper Original MattressFirmness
Medium-firm: 7/10Score
Casper is one of the most popular online mattress companies, and for good reason. The company sells many different mattress models, but for this comparison I’ll focus on the original all-foam model.
The Casper mattress, like the Bear Elite, has a zoned support system. This makes it one of the best mattresses for back pain because it helps sleepers maintain the proper alignment. The Casper mattress also contains AirScape foam, a proprietary material that promotes airflow.
The Casper mattress has a balanced foam feel, but it feels less bouncy than the Bear Elite. It’s also a bit shorter, coming in at 11” tall in comparison to Bear’s 14” height.
Customers have more firmness options with the Bear Elite. The Casper is only sold in one firmness level, which feels like a 7/10 on our scale.
| Who Should Get The Bear Elite Mattress? | Who Should Get The Original Casper Foam Mattress? |
| Fans of hybrid mattresses | Fans of all-foam mattresses |
| People who want a taller mattress | People who want to save money |
| Those who want multiple firmness options |
Read our Casper mattress review for more information.
Final Thoughts
The Bear Elite Hybrid is the company’s most luxurious mattress. It’s available in three firmness levels: Soft, Medium and Firm. I tested the Medium model and found that it’s a good match for most average-weight back and side sleepers. It has a balanced foam feel, and it offers a good blend of comfort and support. However, this mattress isn’t supportive enough for heavyweight stomach sleepers, and it may be too pricey for some people.
FAQs
How long will the Bear Elite mattress last?
The Bear Elite mattress contains strong coils and several comfort layers. It’s much taller than typical mattresses, so I expect it to have a long lifespan. If taken care of, this mattress should last at least 10 years.
Can you flip the Bear Elite mattress?
No, you can’t flip a Bear Elite mattress. It is designed with a coil support system at the bottom. If you flipped it, the bed wouldn’t feel right.
What if I don’t like my Bear Elite mattress?
Not a fan? Not to worry. The Bear Elite mattress comes with a 120-night sleep trial period, which gives customers plenty of time to figure out whether it’s the bed for them.