Casper Original vs. Element- Which Should You Choose?

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Casper is best known for its high-end flagship mattress, but the bed-in-a-box company also makes a simpler model that sells at a much lower price. Both models are entirely foam, but they have different feels and will appeal to different sleepers. Below, we’ll compare the Casper Original vs Element mattresses! 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!

Casper Original vs. Element: Top Similarities

  • They are made by the same company.
  • Both models are made entirely of foam.
  • The mattresses use basically the same materials, including memory foam.
  • Both models use foams that are Certi-Pur certified, which means they are considered more eco-friendly than typical mattress materials.
  • Both offer 100-day trials and free shipping.

Casper Original vs. Element: Key Differences

  • Casper Element is more affordable ($895.00 to $1695.00 for the original Casper; $595.00 to $1395.00 for Casper Element).
  • Casper Element has three layers, one less than its flagship counterpart.
  • The original Casper can support more weight than the Element can.
  • The original Casper is thicker at 10″, compared to Casper Element’s 8.5″.
  • The original Casper is sturdier overall.
Casper Original vs Element

Casper Element Construction

  • The Element has a removable cover made of a soft, poly-knit material that doesn’t affect the overall feel of the mattress significantly.
  • The top layer is 2″ of open-celled, springy, breathable polyfoam. Casper calls this material “Fusion Foam.”
  • The middle layer is 1.5″ of responsive memory foam.
  • The base layer is 4.5″ of durable support foam, which is pretty standard on the market.

Casper Element Mattress

CasperElementMattress

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

Clarity Score 3.6/5
MC Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

MC Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

100 nights

MC Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

MC Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Firm: 8/10

MC Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

10-year limited warranty

MC Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

MC sleeper type seniors
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
MC sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
MC sleeper type side 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

CasperElementMattress

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

Clarity Score 3.6/5
MC Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

MC Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

10-year limited warranty

MC Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Firm: 8/10

MC Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

MC Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

100 nights

MC Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

MC sleeper type seniors
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
MC sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
MC sleeper type side 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
CasperElementMattress

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
MC Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

MC Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Firm: 8/10

MC Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

100 nights

MC Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

10-year limited warranty

MC Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

MC Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

MC sleeper type seniors
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
MC sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
MC sleeper type side 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
The construction of a mattress.

Original Casper Construction

  • The original Casper has a similarly lightweight cover that also doesn’t affect the overall feel of the mattress too much.
  • The 1.5″ thick top layer is made of the same open-cell polyfoam that is used in the Element.
  • The second layer, as with Element, is 1.5″ of memory foam.
  • The original Casper has an additional 1.5″ polyfoam transition layer on top of the base layer. The purpose of this layer is to ensure even weight distribution.
  • 5″ of high-density polyfoam form the base layer, which is pretty standard for bed-in-a-box mattresses.

Casper Original Mattress

casper original hero

Casper mattresses work well for all sleeping positions, thanks to its unique zoned support system.

Clarity Score 3.7/5
MC Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

MC Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

100 nights

MC Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

MC Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium-firm: 7/10

MC Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

10-year limited warranty

MC Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

MC sleeper type couples
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
MC sleeper type seniors
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
MC sleeper type back pain
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

"From the delivery of the box to the magical unfolding of the king size mattress to the first time laying on the bed, all smiles here! I have traveled for work for years, often sleeping on different beds at different hotels night after night."

Paul, Casper customer
Average Customer Rating
4.4/5
Watch Our Video Review

Casper Original Mattress

casper original hero

Casper mattresses work well for all sleeping positions, thanks to its unique zoned support system.

Clarity Score 3.7/5
MC Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

MC Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

10-year limited warranty

MC Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium-firm: 7/10

MC Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

MC Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

100 nights

MC Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

MC sleeper type couples
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
MC sleeper type seniors
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
MC sleeper type back pain
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

"From the delivery of the box to the magical unfolding of the king size mattress to the first time laying on the bed, all smiles here! I have traveled for work for years, often sleeping on different beds at different hotels night after night."

Paul, Casper customer
Average Customer Rating
4.4/5
Watch Our Video Review
casper original hero

Casper Original Mattress

Casper mattresses work well for all sleeping positions, thanks to its unique zoned support system.

Clarity Score 3.7/5
MC Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

MC Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium-firm: 7/10

MC Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

100 nights

MC Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

10-year limited warranty

MC Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

MC Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

MC sleeper type couples
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
MC sleeper type seniors
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
MC sleeper type back pain
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

"From the delivery of the box to the magical unfolding of the king size mattress to the first time laying on the bed, all smiles here! I have traveled for work for years, often sleeping on different beds at different hotels night after night."

Paul, Casper customer
Average Customer Rating
4.4/5
Watch Our Video Review

Construction Differences and Notes

  • Both are all-foam mattresses that have only a few layers.
  • Both have somewhat of a memory foam and balanced foam feel.
  • Both are relatively soft and have good bounce.
  • The original Casper distributes weight more evenly and is thicker overall.
  • The original Casper is sturdier and more supportive.

Firmness and Feel Differences

Both mattresses are relatively soft and responsive and return to shape quickly. Casper Original has more of a supportive feel overall because of the zoned construction. It definitely feels a bit firmer underneath the middle parts of your body. Check out the videos below to see how these two mattresses compare in terms of firmness and feel.

Motion Transfer Differences

Both models isolate motion well and each is a good option for couples in that respect. That said, because the original Casper is thicker and sturdier, it will be better able to support the weight of two people.

Pick Casper Element If

  • You are on a budget- This is a great buy if you’re looking for that Casper feel but with a lower price tag.
  • You don’t weigh a lot- This mattress can provide adequate support for only so much weight, so it’s a great option for children and small adults.

Pick Casper Original If

  • You need to support more weight. Couples and adults who weigh more will appreciate the thickness, supportiveness, and even weight distribution of the flagship model.
  • You sleep on your stomach or back. While both mattresses are soft, the thickness and zoned support of the original model make it more supportive overall.
RELATED: Top Mattress Picks Overall

Overall

The Element is a lightweight version of Casper’s higher-end flagship mattress. It’s a great buy if you can go without some of the support of the original Casper. If you need something stronger and more durable, though, go with the thicker original option. Hopefully this comparison has helped you determine which mattress better suits your needs. Make sure to also check out our mattress comparisons page for more popular Casper comparisons like Casper Element vs Ghostbed and Casper vs Tuft & Needle! Please leave specific questions about these models 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.