It’s hard to resist comparing Casper with all-foam mattresses sold online and delivered to customers inboxes. Putting them side-by-side brings to light some options you can consider. And wouldn’t it be great to find out which brands can take down or match the recognized leader of the online mattress boom?
One suitable contender is Amerisleep. This mattress company has been around longer than Casper (since 2007). Several models are attached to its name, most of them combining memory foam and Celliant technology. One of its longest-running offerings is the AS3 Mattress, which will be the focus of this Amerisleep vs Casper review.
The other focus is the Original Casper Mattress, which took the internet by storm in 2014. It’s the flagship mattress of Casper, a bed-in-a-box company that has captured the attention and loyalty of a growing online shoppers’ market. With several models under its name, the startup company hasn’t shown any sign of stopping.
In the following comparison, we will delve into the design and performance of these two models. We’re excited to find out who will emerge as the winner. Do you think Amerisleep stand a chance in beating Casper at its game?
Table of Contents
Amerisleep vs Casper Mattress Comparison
Amerisleep vs Casper Mattress Review
Construction & Materials
What goes inside these all-foam mattresses in the front and center of this review.
Let’s have a look at the components and construction of Amerisleep AS3 first. The first layer is the proprietary Bio-Pur foam, whose open cell structure is claimed to sleep cooler than memory foam by up to five times. An affinity layer beneath it makes you feel like you’re floating on a cloud. It adapts to your position while promoting even weight distribution.
Acting as the support layer is the Bio-Core™ foam. Both Bio-Core™ foam and Bio-Pur™ foam are partially made from plants. This signals the departure of the brand from unsafe petrochemicals typically used in manufacturing polyfoams. The first line of comfort and protection, however, comes from the Celliant fabric cover.
Celliant is considered a medical device by the Food and Drug Administration. Together with 13 Thermo-reactive minerals, it works to improve mattress performance and helps you rejuvenate fast.
On Casper Original’s end, you have the top comfort layer with its thin and breathable build. It’s placed above a memory foam layer which contours to your body and pressure points. Next is the core layer. It applies the company’s proprietary tech called ZonedSupport to provide your shoulders with firmer support and your hips with more gentle support. This tech also conforms well to your body for proper spine alignment.
At the base, a 5-inch, high-density polyfoam gives shape to the mattress. It is responsible for the support and durability this model is known for. Completing the design is a soft polyester cover in Casper’s signature white and gray.
Winner: Tie
Firmness & Feel
Firmness is a pretty subjective factor. Nailing the right feel can be challenging for mattress companies. Casper seems to have devised the formula for delivering the comfort that accommodates a lot of customers. So even if it’s touted as a one-size-fits-all solution, it still has made some progress in this area.
But, if this is your first time shopping for a mattress, have you ever thought about what firmness you like? If your answer is no or not sure, here is a convenient way to choose. A firmness score of 5.5 to 7 or medium firmness typically refers to the “just right” feel that is ideal to many sleeper types. The rest of the ratings and their labels are:
- Ultra Soft – 1-2
- Soft – 3-4
- Medium – 5-6
- Firm – 7-8
- Ultra Firm – 9-10
Amerisleep has more firmness options to cater to all sleeper types. Smack right in the middle is the AS3 with its medium-firm feel. It yields an optimal surface for side and combo sleepers. Take note that Amerisleep mattresses are subjected to a reversed version of the standard firmness scale–the firmest is 1 and the softest is 10.
Users and experts have spoken. They’ve said Casper sports a 5.5 firmness score. It falls within the sweet spot of the medium firmness category, perfect for those who snooze on their back, side, or stomach. Thanks to its zoning features, you can get nuanced with this one. It is firmest at the hip area, medium-firm at the shoulder area, and less firm at the knee area.
Winner: Casper
Cooling
Both AS3 and Original Casper belong to the all-foam mattress category. Most use either memory foam or latex as part of their multilayer design. Traditional memory foam is associated with sleeping hot. And the likes of Casper and Amerisleep have had to invent their own foam formulation to promote airflow. Others like them have infused materials with cooling properties, such as gel, copper, and graphite.
Open-cell technology is another solution found in some beds. The Bio-Pur foam in Amerisleep AS3 sports an open cell structure. With this composition, the air can circulate freely across the layers. On top of that, it applies the FDA-approved Celliant technology. Working together with the polyester cover, it absorbs heat and converts it to radiation, which helps you recover faster when beamed back to the body.
Overall, these materials can regulate temperature rather well. How about Casper?
The Casper Original Mattress also employs the open cell technology. Small pores, through which air flow in and out, can be found in the foams. This mechanism prevents the bed from trapping heat, as fresh air is able to penetrate it. However, there are some reports of the surface sleeping warm at some point.
Winner: Amerisleep
Edge Support & Sinkage
You may have encountered edge support before but not known what it is for. It’s as simple as the term suggests. The perimeter is strong or stable enough, and not prone to compression and sinkage. Some all-foam mattresses, especially those made of memory foam, tend to perform well in this department.
There is minimal edge support in Amerisleep AS3. You will notice little to no sinkage when you lie down or sit at the sides. This should be a relief as those with weak edge support may be affected by early sagging. Their lifespan can also be reduced. All foam’s lifespan is pegged at 5-10 years on average.
On the other hand, Casper has fair edge support. A roll-off may occur if you sleep near the edge of this bed. This can be a serious problem if you are sharing your space with a partner, a kid, a sibling, or even a pet. There is also a chance the surface will become uneven due to sinkage at the perimeter.
Winner: Amerisleep
Motion Transfer
What’s the deal with motion transfer? Well, it refers to movements being transferred from one spot to another, the impact of which can interrupt the sleep of the other person. How many times have you awakened in the middle of the night because you felt shaking at the surface of or across the entire bed?
As you may deduce from the scenario above, this situation can affect your sleep negatively if it happens all the time. Thus, you need a mattress that can isolate motion significantly.
Amerisleep AS3 uses memory foam, which can contain motion well. All of its layers work together to absorb motion at the place where it originated. So if you sleep lightly, you won’t feel the movements of your partner on your end–or, they will not be transferred to your side of the bed, minimizing the disruption you’ll feel. The AS3 is also quiet when it carries weight.
The memory foam in the Original Casper won’t be beaten when it comes to motion isolation. You will feel a little motion transfer as you lie down on it. But your co-sleepers frequent shifts in position and episodes of getting in and out of bed should not bother you while you are snoozing.
Winner: Tie
Read our full review of the Best Memory Foam Mattresses in 2020.
Pricing
All-foam mattresses, especially memory foam ones, average $500 to $1,000 on the market. This type should last 5 to 10 years depending on their construction and materials, as well as factors like the edge support. Knowing these details, you can think of mattress shopping as an investment. Factor in your budget, and you may now have a clearer idea as to which bed you should be buying.
As we mentioned earlier, Amerisleep dishes out several mattress options. Their prices range from $999 to $1,899 (Queen). The cost of the AS3 is at the midpoint, $1,199 (Queen). But when compared to other all-foam models, it can be pricier than others. Don’t worry because there are discounts up for grabs. Watch out for those clearance and sales promos. However, financing is not available.
Casper also has multiple models in its collection, with prices ranging from $595 to $2,295 (Queen). We can say that part of the popularity of the Original version is due to its affordability–it retails at $995 (Queen). Although a bit less expensive than the AS3, the difference may not be too big for some. Financing is available through Affirm. You can get 0% APR financing, payable within 18 months.
Winner: Casper
Other Factors
As the online mattress business model evolves, there are things you should be found in the policies of online mattress brands. There are four things we always underscore for our readers, namely, free shipping, trial length, free return, and warranty. Sometimes, one company has a longer trial period and wider warranty coverage. This can be a make-or-break moment for some buyers. It’s definitely going to break the tie here.
Amerisleep offers free shipping to shoppers living within the contiguous United States. Fees vary for those living in Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, Mexico, or anywhere worldwide. There’s a 100-night trial available with your purchase, but you should follow the mandatory 30-day break-in period before requesting a return. So between Day 30 and 100, the company will initiate a return at no extra cost for you.
Casper offers free shipping as well. It’s standard UPS delivery applicable to anywhere in the US and Canada. A white glove delivery can be arranged, together with mattress assembly, for a fee of $149. A 100-night trial period goes with your purchase, without a required break-in period. You may request a return within your trial. But you’ll have to pack your mattress and drop it off at a UPS store.
Amerisleep provides a 20-year, partially-prorated warranty while Casper provides a 10-year, non-prorated warranty.
Winner: Casper
Pros & Cons
Amerisleep Mattress
- Supports and conforms to your body.
- Better cooling with open cell structure.
- Cover features Celliant technology.
- Highly affordable all-foam option.
- Can be too firm for lightweight users.
- Vague warranty terms.
Casper Mattress
- Uses zoning features for targeted pressure relief.
- Has medium firm feel to cater to all sleepers.
- Has excellent motion isolation.
- Casper is a trusted bed-in-a-box brand.
- Edge support is weak.
- May sleep warm at some point.
The Verdict
Amerisleep does not fall far behind, though. It only trailed the leading mattress brand in terms of shipping, return policy and warranty. And its terms are actually good enough to match those of Casper. At the end of the day, it can be a viable alternative to those who are looking for an all-foam mattress with cooling and edge support capabilities.
This is the point of our mattress review anyway. We want you to see the good and bad sides of any company/model. Then, you decide how to deal with the pros and cons. If this comparison does not satisfy you, we have more on the PhatFusion homepage. Feel free to navigate the categories as you need.
So, have you made a decision yet? Let us know in the comments section.