I have been reviewing mattresses for years to help people level up their sleeping game and know if a mattress fits their unique sleeping patterns and needs. I had the opportunity to put the Bear Original with the additional Celliant-infused cover top (optional with a $130 fee) to the test, and I want to share my findings here.
The Bear Original is a luxury all-foam bed with a reasonably affordable price tag that is great for both side and back sleepers. The Bear’s design, foam components, and optional but suggested Celliant-infused cover top offer a great blend of support and comfort that can help you get quality rest while stimulating muscle recovery and helping with chronic pain. It is also quite eco-friendly, despite having a bargain price. It’s a great choice for athletes and people generally looking for a quality mattress. However, there are some sleepers that I would not recommend this mattress for. Let’s get into it.
Editor’s Note: I tested the Bear mattress with the Celliant-infused cover.
Bear Original Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$786 – $1690
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Bear Original Mattress
The Bear Original mattress sleeps cool and is quite comfortable. It’s a particularly good option for athletes.
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$786 – $1690
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Bear Original Mattress
The Bear Original mattress sleeps cool and is quite comfortable. It’s a particularly good option for athletes.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$786 – $1690
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
I Recommend The Bear Original For…
- Back sleepers who love the comfort of all-foam beds but need extra lumbar support can appreciate the Bear Original’s medium firmness and high-density, dynamic foam foundation. Back sleepers should get the additional spinal support they need without losing out on that cozy memory foam feel.
- Hot sleepers who love memory foam but are worried about their body heat getting trapped in the night and leaving them falling asleep sweaty can enjoy the cooling memory foam and highly breathable quilted cover top, that helps keep you cool.
- Individuals struggling with chronic hip or back pain should be able to find a therapeutic combination of relief and support on the Bear.
I Don’t Recommend The Bear Original Mattress For…
- People who struggle to get in and out of bed or appreciate good edge support may want to look elsewhere. The Bear Original has decent edge support (3.5/5) but may not meet the standard they want or need.
- The Bear has decent bounce, but people who want a bed with a lot of bounce may prefer a hybrid or innerspring to the Bear Original.
- Heavier (over 230 lb) sleepers may experience sinkage or compromised support on the Bear.
How Firm is the Bear Original Mattress?
The Bear Original has a medium-firm feel. We at Mattress Clarity use a scale of 1-10 to decipher a bed’s firmness. After testing out the Bear Original, we gave it a 6.5/10 firmness score. This medium-firmness is a fairly accessible firmness level for most sleeper types. The Bear’s plush cover and memory foam top, combined with its denser foam foundation, give it a not-too-soft but not-too-hard feel that reflects its balance of comfort and support.
Bear Original Mattress Test Performance: My Overall Rating
Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches personally tests each mattress in categories such as materials, comfort, cooling, and support. Overall, the Bear scored a 4/5, with particularly high scores in the bed’s motion transfer, support, and the company’s generous warranty. Check the icons to learn more about these different topics, or scroll down for a more in-depth detailed analysis on each category we examined.
Bear Original: Performance
Support
Despite not having coils, the Bear offered excellent spinal support through its dynamic and high-density foam foundation. This strong base helped prevent our testers from experiencing problematic sinkage on the bed’s surface into the upper comfort layers while lying on it. We found the bed’s support base did a good job of keeping your spine in a healthier resting position when you sleep without compromising the plush feel and pressure relief of the upper memory foam and comfort layers.
Edge Support
The Bear had decent edge support, but it could have been better. When testing it, the edges sagged three ¾ inches, which may be frustrating for people sleeping or lounging on the edge of the bed. If edge support is a priority for you, you may want to consider a bed with superior edge support.
Cooling
Despite being an all-foam bed, the Bear Original did a great job of not trapping heat and offering a breathable sleeping surface. In particular, the cooling memory foam layer seemed to help generate airflow and disperse body heat at the bed’s core pretty well, with the Celliant-infused quilted cover noticeably helping to retain a cool sleeping surface. During our cooling test, we use a thermal camera to measure the temperature of a mattress surface after someone has rested on it. This gives us a good idea of how much body heat a mattress absorbs and retains. When we ran this test on the Bear, we observed that the surface only rose to 77.6 degrees, which isn’t bad, but also not as great as many of the hybrid or latex mattresses we test.
Motion Transfer
A few of our testers got together and moved around on the Bear Original’s surface to see what it would be like if two sleepers who tossed and turned in the night slept on it. They experienced very little motion transference or disruption when testing this scenario, giving the Bear Original an impressive 4.5/5 in this category. Couples should take note that the Bear could be a decent solution for loved ones who have a hard time sleeping next to each other.
Response
We gave the Bear a 3/5 for its responsiveness, which is better than average for an all-foam bed but not as impressive as what some beds, such as latex mattresses, offer. It’s memory foam, so after cushioning and reacting to our bodies, it takes a little longer to bounce back (which may impact moving around on it). However, whether due to its dense base or something else, it did bounce back a bit quicker than a lot of other all-foam beds we’ve tried out.
Durability
The Bear Original uses higher-quality (eco-friendly) components in its build, making it a reliably durable mattress that should perform for years. Notably, though, while quite durable for an all-foam bed, it may not compare to the durability of hybrid or innerspring mattresses that use coils. While we tend to score all-foam beds lower than hybrid or innerspring mattresses when it comes to their durability, Bear’s lifetime warranty should be considered when judging the bed’s durability in the long term.
Bear Original: Policies
Trial Period
The Bear Original comes with a 120-night sleep trial. Notably, some other mattress companies offer 365-night sleep trials; however, not all of them include a lifetime warranty. Furthermore, Bear claims that their sleep trial includes no hassles or gimmicks; if you don’t like it, they will pick it up for you and take it back without a fee (unlike some other companies that offer longer sleep trials but charge a return fee, which is why we scored it a 5/5).
Warranty
The Bear offers a confident lifetime warranty on its original mattress. When it comes to warranties, there’s no beating a lifetime warranty, and such an offer should reflect the bed’s durable and quality construction.
Two-Hour Nap Test
Now for my favorite part of the job: the nap test. Though I’m primarily a back sleeper, I wanted to nap in all three positions to see how I felt. I started out on my side, and I immediately noticed some tension in my shoulder and hip. I’m a bigger guy who weighs about 270 lbs, so I sank into the top layer of the mattress quite a bit. Lightweight side sleepers should feel a lot better on this mattress than I did.
Then, I moved to my stomach. Here, my hips sank into the top layer quite a bit. After just a 30 minute snooze, I felt some pain in my lower back. Finally, I slept on my back. I felt the best in this sleeping position, but I still wasn’t as supported as I would like to be. If you’re a heavier person, like me, you may want to find a firmer mattress.
I woke up feeling slightly hot, but not sweaty. If you tend to overheat at night, you may want to consider getting a cooling mattress with extra infusions and airflow.
Bear Original – Other Factors To Consider
Our testing methodology is only one part of how we judge the quality of a bed. Here are a few other things to consider about the Bear Original.
Off-Gassing
The Bear Original is an eco-friendly foam mattress that is both GREENGUARD GOLD and CertiPUR-US Certified. This means it’s lower in Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and has an eco-friendly manufacturing process. As a result, you shouldn’t expect a big whiff of chemical odors when you first welcome it into your home.
Noise
When our testers moved around on the Bear, it was virtually silent. Combination sleepers who toss and turn should be able to get a good night’s rest without waking themselves up on this premium foam bed.
Sex
As I mentioned above, we gave the Bear a 3/5 for its responsiveness, which is better than average but could be better. While the Bear’s dense foam foundation helped generate some bounce in the bed, the top comfort layers may cause couples to sink a bit into it when moving on it. The Bear is still a quality choice for couples due to its great motion transfer, but an innerspring or firmer mattress may be preferable when considering good mattresses for sex.
Mattress Height
The Bear mattress stands at 10″ tall. While packed with layers of support and comfort, it is a little shorter than some of its competitors, such as the Casper Original.
Price
A queen-size Bear mattress costs $998.00 at regular price, which is a good price. But with coupons and promotions, you can save even more.
Sleeping Position and Weight
The Bear Original is excellent for average-weight (130 – 230 lbs) and lightweight (under 130 lbs) side and back sleepers. Stomach sleepers and combination sleepers who end up on their stomachs may need a firmer mattress unless they are under 130 lbs, and even then, they may still prefer a firmer bed.
In most cases, heavier sleepers will sink too much into the Bear Original regardless of their sleeping position (especially heavier stomach sleepers), which could lead to back, knee, or shoulder inflammation.
| Sleeper Weight | Back Sleepers | Side Sleepers | Stomach Sleepers |
| Lightweight (Under 130 lb) | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Average (130 – 230 lb) | Excellent | Excellent | Bad |
| Heavyweight (Over 230 lb) | Fair | Bad | Bad |
Heavyweight Tester – 6’7”, 270 lbs
“The Bear mattress offers a great balance of comfort and support, which is great news for back sleepers. When I slept on my back, I felt my hips gently sink into the top foam layer. Thanks to the high-density support foam underneath, I got plenty of lumbar support in this sleeping position.” — Marten
Average-weight Tester – 5’3”, 150 lbs
“I felt great while resting on my back and side. The memory foam cradled my hips but still kept me in the correct alignment. I didn’t get enough support when I rested on my stomach.” — Elisa
Lightweight Sleepers – Under 130 lbs
Lightweight sleepers won’t compress the mattress too much, so they should get the support and comfort they need in all three sleeping positions. The thick base layer should keep smaller people’s backs in alignment, and the soft foam layer should cushion joints and alleviate tension.
Bear Original Construction
The Bear uses top-tier and eco-friendly materials in its construction. It offers a great blend of comfort and support for an all-foam bed while providing a more hypoallergenic sleeping experience than cheaper-made foam mattresses. Here’s my breakdown of its multi-layered build.
Cover
The Bear comes with a soft and breathable quilted cover top, creating a plush surface that is hot-sleeper friendly. However, we tested the Celliant-infused cover top version, which comes with an additional $130 fee. Despite the fee, Bear claims its plush Celliant-infused cover top transforms your body heat into “infrared energy” that can help stimulate blood flow and generate muscle recovery while keeping you cool. Notably, some studies did show these claims to bear validity. Moreover, the Celliant-infused cover top felt worth the price, was super cozy, and did help dissipate heat while keeping testers cool on this all-foam bed.
Comfort Layers
Underneath the quilted cover top is a cooling gel-infused memory foam layer. This layer allows you to sink into the pressure-relieving cradle of memory foam while still helping you sleep cool.
Underneath this is a “dynamic” foam transition layer that helps retain comfort at the bed’s core and above its dense foam base while optimizing spinal support and preventing problematic sinkage into the bed’s upper comfort layers.
Support Layers
The bed’s base has a thick layer of high-density support foam. This foam layer is intended to provide a stronger foundation of spinal support and cushioning upwards to the Bear’s comfort layers while helping to preserve durability throughout the bed.
How To Try and Buy The Bear Original Mattress
The Bear Original is sold and can be tried out in person at brick-and-mortar sleeping product stores across the USA. You can easily see if there is a store with the Bear Original near you on Bear’s store locator page on their website.
However, the Bear Original is easiest to buy directly from the company on its website, but it is also available on Amazon.
Bear Mattress Size Options and Price
For the most up-to-date pricing (prices do not include the Celliant-infused cover top) and size information, look at the chart below:
| Size | Dimensions | Price |
| Twin | 39″ x 75″ | $786.00 |
| Twin XL | 39″ x 80″ | $849.00 |
| Full | 54″ x 75″ | $911.00 |
| Queen | 60″ x 80″ | $998.00 |
| King | 76″ x 80″ | $1304.00 |
| California King | 72″ x 84″ | $1304.00 |
Bear Original Mattress
The Bear Original mattress sleeps cool and is quite comfortable. It’s a particularly good option for athletes.
How the Bear Original Compares
Before choosing a mattress, it’s important to consider your options. Here, I compare the Bear Original to the Casper Original and the Bear Pro to help you know what’s out there and make the right choice. Also, don’t forget to check out our Bear mattress comparisons to see how it stacks against other brands.
Product
Firmness
Score
Product
Firmness
Score
Product
Firmness
Score
Product
Firmness
Score
Bear vs Casper Original
The Bear and Casper are both relatively eco-friendly all-foam beds, but Casper has a slightly firmer feel (7/10 vs. the Bear’s 6.5/10) and a slightly more expensive price tag. Stomach sleepers may prefer the Casper due to its firmer feel, while people struggling with pain due to exercise may enjoy the therapeutic benefits of the Bear’s Celliant-infused cover top more. In addition, side sleepers may find the Casper too firm.
Furthermore, the Casper is about one inch taller than the Bear and has slightly better edge support. Still, the Casper has a limited 10-year warranty and a shorter sleep trial than the Bear’s lifetime warranty and 120-day sleep trial.
Read the in-depth comparison of Bear vs Casper.
Bear vs Bear Pro
The Bear Original is an all-foam bed, while the Bear Pro is a hybrid, incorporating coils in its construction. The Bear Pro is a fairly superior mattress, but it reflects in its price (it’s at least $200 more expensive). However, the Bear Pro includes Bear’s Celliant-infused quilted cover top at no additional charge (unlike the Bear Original).
Due to its higher-end hybrid build, the Bear Pro is a far better choice for heavier and stomach sleepers. Both mattresses offer great pressure relief and comfort, but the Bear Pro will likely offer more efficient back support for all sleeper types than the Bear Original. The Bear Pro is essentially a hybrid version of the Bear Original that is more versatile but bears a higher price tag.
Check our full Bear vs Bear Pro mattress comparison.
FAQs
Is the Bear Original a good mattress?
The Bear Original is indeed a good mattress. It is a high-quality mattress with a great balance of support and comfort, especially for its price. It works well for most back and side sleepers and offers an excellent solution for hot sleepers who like memory foam.
Can you flip a Bear Original Mattress?
No, the Bear Original mattress can only be used on one side.
Do you need a box spring with the Bear Mattress?
You don’t need a box spring with the Bear Original. Bear recommends not using one, as a box spring won’t create the even distribution the mattress needs.
Can you rotate the Bear Original?
Yes, you can rotate the Bear Original.
What are Bear Original’s shipping policies?
Bear offers free shipping and returns to all of the continental USA. However, shipping to Alaska and Hawaii will come at an additional fee.
Is the Bear Original made in the USA?
All Bear mattresses are factory-direct and made in the USA.
Is the Bear mattress worth it?
The Bear Original is a high-quality mattress with a great balance of comfort and support. It works well for many back and side sleepers.
Is the Bear Mattress good for back pain?
The Bear mattress one of the best mattress for back pain, especially for average weight back sleepers. Its foam construction contours the body and promotes the proper spinal alignment.
Bear Mattress Video Review
