Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress Review – The Most Luxurious Bed For Athletes?

Written by Marten Carlson, Lead Reviewer and Certified Sleep Science Coach

Methodology

Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches have reviewed 600+ mattresses and accessories for over seven years using proprietary analysis and hands-on testing. We assess each bed for support, cooling, firmness, pressure relief and more.
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In This Review

I’ll go into detail about my personal experience with the Bear Elite Hybrid mattress, from its pressure relief, support, cooling capabilities and more.

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If you’re on the hunt for a comfy hybrid mattress with some impressive cooling features, you might want to take a look at the Bear Elite Hybrid. Our team has tested hundreds of mattresses, and it’s one of our favorite hybrids.

And, I personally tested the Bear Elite Hybrid mattress so I can give you an idea of what it’s like to sleep on this nice hybrid. In this review, I’ll discuss how this mattress performed in relation to cooling, firmness, and a lot more. If you want to know if it’s right for you, read on for my full Bear Elite Hybrid mattress review.

Editor’s note: The Bear Elite Hybrid mattress is available in three firmness levels. I tested the Medium model for this review.

I Recommend The Bear Elite Hybrid For…

• People who like 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 on 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.
• Hot sleepers are going to chill out on the Bear Elite Hybrid. It’s one of the best cooling mattresses, thanks to its cooling cover and breathable coils.

I Don’t Recommend The Bear Elite Hybrid For…

• 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.
• Those who want a cheaper mattress might think the Bear Elite Hybrid is too pricey. 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.

How Firm Is The Bear Elite Hybrid?

The Bear Elite Hybrid is available in three different firmnesses. We measure firmness on a scale of 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest), and the medium model of the Bear Elite Hybrid scored a perfect medium-firm, 6.5/10. The combination of pillow top, foam, and coils give this hybrid a balance of comfort and support.

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

Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress Test Performance: My Overall Rating

Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches test each mattress for seven categories while also considering the design and company policies. The Bear Elite Hybrid performed well on support and edge support, but it really stood out on cooling. Hover over the icons to learn more about these different topics, or scroll down for a more detailed analysis on each one.

Mattress Performance Ratings

Poor

Average

Excellent

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4.5

4.5

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5

Bear Elite Hybrid Performance in Our Tests

Support – [4.5/5]

Lying on the Bear Elite Hybrid, I felt no lack of support. However, as a larger person who weighs over 270 lbs, I didn’t feel as much support as I have felt on mattresses designed specifically with me in mind.

That being said, with three firmness options, you are going to feel a different amount of support with each version. The soft model might feel as supportive as the firm model, but this is intentional. This allows you to choose the amount of support you need for your preferred sleeping position.

Edge Support – [4.5/5]

Finding a mattress with good edge support if you sleep with a partner or simply want to use the full surface area of your bed. Thankfully, the Bear Elite Hybrid performed quite well during my tests.

Sitting and lying down near the edge of the mattress, I did not feel like I was going to roll off and onto the floor. I also measured how much the mattress collapsed when I sat near the edge. The Bear Elite Hybrid compressed about 3”, which is good considering my heavier weight. For our lighter tests, the mattress collapsed even less.

For more options like this, check out our best mattresses for couples.

Cooling – [4.5/5]

Like most of the Bear mattresses, the Bear Elite Hybrid features some nice cooling materials. For example, it boasts Phase Change Material, which is designed to regulate body temperature while you sleep. Lying down, the mattress felt to cool-to-the-touch, and I did not feel like I was overheating.

To further test the cooling properties of the Bear Elite Hybrid, I used a heat gun. I first tested the temperature of the mattress before I laid down. After lying down for five minutes, I tested the temperature again to see how much heat the bed had trapped. The temperature of the mattress rose from 73.4 to 77.5. This is just over 4 degrees, which means the mattress wasn’t trapping too much heat. I have tested some mattresses that heated up by more than 10 degrees.

Motion Transfer – [3.5/5]

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 Hybrid mattress didn’t isolate motion as well as some beds I have tried. The innersprings give the bed a bouncy feel, and they’re not absorbing motion too well. Lying down on one side of the mattress, I felt my coworker rolling around on the other side. Also, I placed a glass of water on the bed and pushed into the surrounding area, mimicking the movement a partner might make. I saw a bit of disturbance in the water.

Response – [4/5]

The Bear Elite Hybrid was as bouncy as many other hybrid mattresses I have reviewed. The coils made it very easy to move around and change positions. That being said, the plush pillow top on top restricted my movements just a bit.

I used a ball to test the bounce of this mattress, and it bounced quite high. However, it didn’t bounce as high as on a latex hybrid mattress. If you want something extremely bouncy, you might want to look at something with latex.

Durability – [4.5/5]

The Bear Elite Hybrid is a high-quality mattress made with luxurious materials. The high-density foam shouldn’t sag as quickly as the foams found in cheaper mattresses. And, the sturdy coils should add some real life to this mattress.

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..

Bear Elite Hybrid Policy Scores

Trial Period – [5/5]

The Bear Elite Hybrid comes with a 120-night sleep trial. This is longer than the 100-night sleep trial you find with many other mattresses. However, some brands offer as long as 365-nights for their sleep trial.

You have to sleep on your mattress for at least 30 nights if you want to start the return process. After 120 nights, it is too late to return the mattress, and only one mattress can returned per household.

Warranty – [5/5]

You receive a Lifetime Warranty with your Bear Elite Hybrid mattress. Some competitors only offer a 10-year or 15-year warranty, so Bear gets a very high score.

The warranty covers any manufacturing defects or premature sagging in the foams and coils. It does not standard wear and tear. Also, if your firmness and comfort preferences change over time, that will not be covered.

Bear Elite Hybrid – Other Factors To Consider

I’ve already gone over the main criteria you want to think about when you’re shopping for a new mattress. However, there are a few other factors that might help you decide if a mattress is right for you.

Off-gassing

The Bear Elite is a bed-in-a-box mattress, so it did off-gas a bit. When I first opened it, I noticed a slight chemical smell. But don’t let the odor deter you—this smell faded away within 48 hours when I left it in a well-ventilated room.

Noise

When I tested this mattress, it made no sound at all. I rolled around and changed positions and didn’t hear any squeaking or creaking. It’s possible the innersprings could squeak as time goes on, but I don’t 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. As I discussed above, the the Bear Elite Hybrid has a bouncy feel, so you’ll never feel “stuck” inside of it.

Mattress Height

The Bear Elite Hybrid is 14” tall, which is pretty standard for a hybrid mattress of this price and design. Still, this is taller than many other bed-in-a-box mattresses and really rises off the bed. If you want something a bit thinner, you could also go for the Bear Star Hybrid.

Sleeping Position and Weight

As I mentioned above, the Bear Elite Hybrid is available in three firmness options. This means it will be a good fit for pretty much any sleeping position. You can simply opt for the soft, medium, or firm model, depending on how much pressure relief or support you need.

However, you also need to consider your body weight. Lightweight and average weight sleepers will get what they need on the Bear Elite Hybrid, but heavyweight people might want to find a mattress made specifically for them. If you weigh over 300 lbs, check out our best mattresses for heavy people. For more information, check out the following chart.

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

Heavyweight Tester – [6’7”, 270 lbs]

As a larger person, I had a pretty nice experience on this mattress. I tested the medium model and it was a good fit for back and side sleeping. However, even with the zoning in its construction, I did not feel enough support under my hips while stomach sleeping.

Bear Elite Hybrid Construction

The Bear Elite Hybrid is, of course, a hybrid mattress, but there’s a lot going on inside it. It features some pretty advanced cooling materials as well as a zoned construction designed to help with spinal alignment. I was excited to take a closer look at exactly what was going on inside this mattress.

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. In my experience, it was cool to the touch. You can also opt for a Celliant cover, which could also help with temperature regulation.

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.

This rests on a layer of transition foam. This offers some support and a bit more pressure relief while you keeping you from sinking too far into the mattress. Together, the plusher top layers create a bit of a pillow top feel.

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 to move around on top of the bed.

They are also zoned, so they are more supportive under the lumbar area. I could feel this extra support when I was lying on my back. On the bottom, the Bear Elite Hybrid has a layer of high-density support foam.

How To Try and Buy The Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress

If you think the Bear Elite Hybrid mattress is right for you, your best option is to buy it through the brand’s website. You can also use our coupons in this review to get the best deal on the Bear Elite Hybrid. Clicking on those coupon links will take you directly to the Bear brand page.

Once you purchase the mattress, Bear will ship the mattress directly to you, and you can unbox it and sleep on it after it has expanded and off-gassed. Also, since you can’t really try the mattress before you buy, Bear offers a 120-night sleep trial. During this time, you can really decide if this mattress is right for you. If, after 30 nights, the mattress just isn’t doing it for you, you can return for a full refund.

Sizes and Prices of The Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress

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”	$2108.00
Queen	60” x 80”	$2305.00
King	76” x 80″	$2762.00
California King	72” x 84”	$2762.00

Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress

With a zoned support system, the Bear Elite Hybrid mattress is a great fit for those with back pain.

Use code DEAL30 for 30% off sitewide + 2 free pillows with mattress purchase

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Mattress Clarity Score

4.50 / 5.0

How The Bear Elite Hybrid Compares

You might be wondering how the Bear Elite Hybrid stacks up to some of its competition. Let’s take a moment to compare and contrast the Bear Elite with three similar mattresses.

Product

Firmness

Score

Product

Bear Star Hybrid Mattress

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6.5/10

Score

4.1 / 5

Check Price

Read Bear Star Hybrid Mattress Review

Product

Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6.5/10

Score

4.6 / 5

Check Price

Read Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress Review

Product

Saatva Mattress

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

Score

4.3 / 5

Check Price

Read Saatva Mattress Review

Bear Elite Hybrid vs. Bear Star Hybrid

The Bear Elite Hybrid is an upgraded version of the Bear Star Hybrid mattress. So how are they different? First off, the Bear Elite Hybrid is available in three firmnesses while the Bear Star Hybrid is only available in one firmness. The Bear Star Hybrid is medium-firm so, if you want something softer of firmer, the Bear Elite Hybrid will be your best bet.

Also, while the Bear Star Hybrid is a cooling mattress, the Bear Elite Hybrid features more impressive cooling features. In my experience, I slept cooler on the Bear Elite Hybrid and did not overheat at night. However, because of the firmness options and more advanced materials, the Bear Elite Hybrid is going to cost more than the Bear Star Hybrid.

Bear Elite Hybrid vs. Helix Midnight Luxe

The Helix Midnight Luxe is another luxurious hybrid mattress with a similar design to the Bear Elite Hybrid. They both feature tall, supportive zoned coils topped with multiple layers of foam and a bit of a pillow top.

That being said, the pillow top is more pronounced on the Helix Midnight Luxe and offers a plusher feel than the Bear Elite Hybrid. But, the Bear Elite Hybrid offers better cooling features than the Helix Midnight Luxe. Because they are very close in price, it’s really a choice between plushness and cooling.

Bear Elite Hybrid vs. Saatva Classic

The Saatva Classic is a very popular hybrid innerspring mattress that also features coils and a plush pillow top. Like the Bear Elite Hybrid, the Saatva also comes in multiple firmnesses. And, the Saatva also boasts a breathable design.

However, the Bear Elite Hybrid features more pronounced cooling than the Saatva Classic. The Saatva, on the other hand, has a more traditional look and feel, and costs less than the Bear Elite Hybrid. If you want a classic innerspring mattress and want something more affordable, the Saatva will be a good choice. If you sleep very hot at night, the Bear Elite Hybrid should be a better option.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress

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.

Watch Our Review Of The Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress