Casper Element vs Tuft & Needle: Which Should You Choose?

We receive free products to review and participate in affiliate programs, where we are compensated for items purchased through links from our site. See our disclosure page for details.

The Casper Element vs Tuft & Needle are both budget all-foam mattresses. While Tuft & Needle is the namesake and flagship mattress of its maker, Casper Element represents Casper’s first true foray into the budget mattress category. We’ll compare the two models in this post so you can decide which better meets your needs.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Casper Essential mattress has been renamed the Casper Element; however, at this time, the Element is currently out of stock. Check out our Casper foam mattress review for another great option!

Product
Firmness
Score
Casper Element Mattress
Firm: 8/10
3.6/5
Tuft & Needle Mattress
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
3.6/5
Product
Casper Element Mattress
Firmness
Firm: 8/10
Score
3.6/5
Product
Tuft & Needle Mattress
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Score
3.6/5

Casper Element vs. Tuft & Needle: Top Similarities

  • Both are all-foam mattresses with relatively simple constructions.
  • They are comparably priced ($645.00 to $1295.00 for Tuft & Needle; $595.00 to $1395.00 for Casper Element). 
  • Both use polyfoam and have polyester covers.
  • Both have springy, responsive surfaces.
  • Both offer 100-day trials and free shipping.

Casper Element vs. Tuft & Needle: Key Differences

  • Tuft & Needle is thicker at 10″, while the Casper Element is only 8.5″ thick.
  • Tuft & Needle will be firmer than Casper Element for most sleepers.
  • Casper Element incorporates memory foam, while the Tuft & Needle has uses a proprietary foam.

A mattress is opened to show its construction.

Casper Element Construction

  • Casper Element has a removable, soft, poly-knit cover that doesn’t affect the mattress feel too much.
  • On top is 2″ of an open-celled, springy, breathable polyfoam that Casper calls “Fusion Foam.”
  • The middle layer is 1.5″ of responsive memory foam, which adds pressure relief and body contouring.
  • The base support layer is comprised of 4.5″ of durable support foam, which is a pretty standard foam for bed-in-a-box mattresses.

Casper Element Mattress

The Casper Wave Hybrid is a comfortable option for back sleepers, hot sleepers, and many side sleepers.

Clarity Score 3.6/5

Material

Foam

Trial Period

100 nights

Shipping Method

Free shipping

Firmness

Firm: 8/10

Warranty

10-year limited warranty

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.3/5
Watch Our Video Review

Casper Element Mattress

The Casper Wave Hybrid is a comfortable option for back sleepers, hot sleepers, and many side sleepers.

Clarity Score 3.6/5

Material

Foam

Warranty

10-year limited warranty

Firmness

Firm: 8/10

Shipping Method

Free shipping

Trial Period

100 nights

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.3/5
Watch Our Video Review

Casper Element Mattress

The Casper Wave Hybrid is a comfortable option for back sleepers, hot sleepers, and many side sleepers.

Clarity Score 3.6/5

Material

Foam

Firmness

Firm: 8/10

Trial Period

100 nights

Warranty

10-year limited warranty

Shipping Method

Free shipping

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.3/5
Watch Our Video Review

Casper Element vs Tuft & Needle

Tuft & Needle Construction

  • Tuft & Needle has a breathable polyester blend cover that also doesn’t affect the overall feel of the mattress too much.
  • The top of Tuft & Needle’s two layers is 3″ of firm, bouncy proprietary “Adaptive” foam. This is a polyurethane-based foam that incorporates graphite and a gel polymer to absorb and evenly distribute heat from the body.
  • The support layer is 7″ of 1.8-lb-density poly foam, which is pretty standard on the market.

Tuft & Needle Mattress

The Tuft & Needle is a great value mattress that is also extremely comfortable.

Clarity Score 3.6/5

Material

Foam

Trial Period

100 nights

Shipping Method

Free shipping minus HI and AK

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6.5/10

Warranty

10-year limited warranty

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.6/5

Tuft & Needle Mattress

The Tuft & Needle is a great value mattress that is also extremely comfortable.

Clarity Score 3.6/5

Material

Foam

Warranty

10-year limited warranty

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6.5/10

Shipping Method

Free shipping minus HI and AK

Trial Period

100 nights

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.6/5

Tuft & Needle Mattress

The Tuft & Needle is a great value mattress that is also extremely comfortable.

Clarity Score 3.6/5

Material

Foam

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6.5/10

Trial Period

100 nights

Warranty

10-year limited warranty

Shipping Method

Free shipping minus HI and AK

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.6/5

Construction Differences and Notes

  • Both are all-foam mattresses that have relatively few layers.
  • Both use polyfoam somewhere in the construction.
  • Tuft & Needle is firmer and also thicker.
  • Casper Element uses memory foam and has one more layer.

Firmness and Feel Differences

While both have responsive top layers, Casper Element is a little softer. I would say that Tuft & Needle feels more supportive overall. That is mainly because it is thicker and firmer.

Motion Transfer Differences

Because it’s softer, Casper Element has a slight edge in preventing motion transfer. However, they both did a decent job at isolating motion. Both mattresses might be a pretty good option for couples.

Pick Casper Element If

  • You are a side sleeper. Casper Element conforms better to contours and is softer overall, potentially making it more appealing for side sleepers.
  • You want something softer. Casper Element has a softer top layer and a memory foam middle layer that adds even more softness to the mattress.

Pick Tuft & Needle If

  • You are a back or stomach sleeper. Tuft & Needle is firmer and more supportive, potentially making it a more appropriate choice for back or stomach sleepers who need that extra support.
  • You like a little firmness. If you generally prefer a stiffer mattress, Tuft & Needle will give you that feel more than the Casper Element.

RELATED: Top Mattress Picks Overall

Overall

These are very comparable mattresses. The features most likely to make shoppers prefer one over the other are firmness and the general feel.  

I hope this comparison is helpful for you! Please leave any specific questions about either brand in the comments.

Joe Auer

Joe Auer is the editor of Mattress Clarity. He mainly focuses on mattress reviews and oversees the content across the site. He likes things simple and takes a straightforward, objective approach to his reviews. Joe has personally tested nearly 250 mattresses and always recommends people do their research before buying a new bed. He has been testing mattresses for over 5 years now, so he knows a thing or two when it comes to mattress selection. He has been cited as an authority in the industry by a number of large publications. When he isn't testing sleep products, he enjoys working out, reading both fiction and non-fiction, and playing classical piano. He enjoys traveling as well, and not just to test out hotel mattresses! Joe has an undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University and an MBA from Columbia University.