Casper Element vs GhostBed: Which Should You Choose?

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The Casper Element vs GhostBed are both budget-friendly foam mattresses that are sold online. These bed-in-a-box options have some differences that will make each mattress appeal more to different types of sleepers. We’ll compare them here in this post. 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 Element vs. GhostBed: Top Similarities

  • Both are all-foam mattresses and have three layers.
  • Both have bouncy surfaces and incorporate memory foam.
  • Both offer trials of roughly 100 days. (GhostBed’s is 101 days.)
  • Both offer free shipping and great customer service.

Casper Element vs. GhostBed: Key Differences

  • GhostBed costs a bit more ($1295.00 to $2025.00 for GhostBed; $595.00 to $1395.00 for Casper Element).
  • Casper Element is thinner. (GhostBed is 11″ thick, Casper Essential is 8.5″ thick.)
  • Casper Element is softer without question.
  • GhostBed uses latex and is bouncier and more responsive.
  • Casper uses Certi-PUR certified foams. This certification means these materials are considered more eco-friendly than typical mattress materials.
Deals: Readers can get the highest available discount on Casper by clicking HERE. Readers can get the highest discount available on GhostBed by clicking HERE. A mattress is opened to show its construction.

Casper Element Construction

  • Casper Element’s cover is a soft, poly-knit material that doesn’t affect the overall feel of the mattress significantly.
  • The top layer is 2″ of springy, breathable, open-celled “Fusion Foam.”
  • The middle layer is 1.5″ of memory foam. This responsive foam provides additional pressure relief and body contouring.
  • The support layer is 4.5″ of durable polyfoam, and is a pretty standard base layer on the market.

GhostBed Mattress

GhostBed Classic Mattress

The GhostBed is a supportive bed-in-a-box mattress that is a great option for stomach sleepers, hot sleepers, and those looking for a value mattress.

Clarity Score 4.1/5
MC Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

MC Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

101 nights

MC Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping minus HI and AK

MC Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Firm: 8/10

MC Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

20-year warranty

MC Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

MC sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
MC sleeper type back pain
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
MC sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
MC sleeper type stomach sleepers
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5
Watch Our Video Review

GhostBed Mattress

GhostBed Classic Mattress

The GhostBed is a supportive bed-in-a-box mattress that is a great option for stomach sleepers, hot sleepers, and those looking for a value mattress.

Clarity Score 4.1/5
MC Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

MC Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

20-year warranty

MC Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Firm: 8/10

MC Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping minus HI and AK

MC Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

101 nights

MC Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

MC sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
MC sleeper type back pain
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
MC sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
MC sleeper type stomach sleepers
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5
Watch Our Video Review
GhostBed Classic Mattress

GhostBed Mattress

The GhostBed is a supportive bed-in-a-box mattress that is a great option for stomach sleepers, hot sleepers, and those looking for a value mattress.

Clarity Score 4.1/5
MC Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

MC Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Firm: 8/10

MC Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

101 nights

MC Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

20-year warranty

MC Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping minus HI and AK

MC Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

MC sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
MC sleeper type back pain
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
MC sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
MC sleeper type stomach sleepers
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5
Watch Our Video Review
A mattress is opened to show its construction.

GhostBed Construction

  • GhostBed’s removable viscose cover is soft and breathable and also doesn’t affect the feel of the mattress too much.
  • On top is 1.5″ of proprietary “Aerated” latex with small holes in it. This latex sleeps cooler than memory foam and is more springy.
  • In the middle is 2″ of proprietary gel memory foam that is formulated to sleep cool. This layer provides contouring support.
  • The support layer is 7.5″ of dense core foam and is pretty standard for an all-foam mattress.

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

Construction Differences and Notes

  • Both are comprised of three layers of foam and have springy surfaces.
  • Because it has a latex surface, GhostBed is a little more bouncy.
  • GhostBed is firmer without question.
  • Casper Essential is softer and has more of a memory foam feel.
  • Casper Essential is thinner.
  • GhostBed offers more overall support for heavier-weight sleepers.

Firmness and Feel Differences

Both mattresses are responsive, but Casper is softer and has more give. In addition to watching the videos below, it may also be helpful to compare the feel of these mattresses to other competition by checking out some of our popular GhostBed and Casper comparisons like GhostBed vs Tempur-Pedic and Casper Element vs Leesa.
 

Motion Transfer Differences

Casper Element isolates motion a little better because it is softer. GhostBed also does a pretty good job, so I would say the differences are pretty small.
 

Pick Casper Element If …

  • You sleep on your side- Casper Essential is softer and will conform better to the contours of the body. I believe it is therefore more appropriate for side sleepers who need that extra pressure relief.
  • You are lightweight- This thin mattress is great for kids, teens, and other lightweight sleepers who don’t need a ton of extra support.

Pick GhostBed If …

  • You sleep on your stomach or back- GhostBed is firmer and more supportive overall. This makes it a better choice (in my opinion) for stomach and back sleepers.
  • You need extra support- GhostBed is thicker and will support more weight, which is good for couples and adults who are bigger than most teenagers.
RELATED: Top Mattress Choices Overall

Overall

These mattresses have some similarities in construction, but ultimately they differ in firmness and support. Both are fairly budget-friendly. Hopefully this comparison helped people determine which is better for them. Please leave any specific questions about Casper Element or GhostBed in the comments. I am happy to provide a personal recommendation if someone wants to leave some information about themselves and their preferences in the comments.

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Joe Auer

Joe Auer

Founder/Managing Editor

About Author

Joe is the founder of Mattress Clarity and has been reviewing mattresses and other sleep products for more than five years. Joe knows a lot about mattresses, having tested more than 100 personally. Through his experience, he has developed a straightforward and practical approach to making mattress recommendations.

Joe does not believe there is one best mattress for everyone and that a more tailored approach is often the most helpful to mattress shoppers. He tries to make clear what types of sleepers a particular mattress would be good for. He also notes what considerations people should make when looking at a particular type of bed.

His extensive knowledge of mattresses, and the mattress industry, has garnered him some media attention. He’s been interviewed and featured in several online publications, including Inc.om, Business Insider, New York Magazine, Huffington Post, and Forbes.

Thanks to his expertise, Joe has tested countless approaches to improving his own sleep quality. He has two top sleep tips that he’s benefitted from personally. He limits his caffeine consumption to 100 mg a day and meditates for 15 minutes daily.

Joe has an undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University and an MBA from Columbia University, where he studied entrepreneurship.

When he isn’t reviewing mattresses, Joe loves to play classical piano, read fiction and non-fiction, and travel.