Casper Element vs Tuft & Needle: Which Should You Choose?

by

Joe Auer

| Updated:

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The Casper Element vs Tuft & Needle are both budget all-foam mattresses. While Tuft & Needle is the namesake and flagship mattress of its maker, Casper Element represents Casper’s first true foray into the budget mattress category. We’ll compare the two models in this post so you can decide which better meets your needs. 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. Tuft & Needle: Top Similarities

  • Both are all-foam mattresses with relatively simple constructions.
  • They are comparably priced ($645.00 to $1295.00 for Tuft & Needle; $595.00 to $1395.00 for Casper Element). 
  • Both use polyfoam and have polyester covers.
  • Both have springy, responsive surfaces.
  • Both offer 100-day trials and free shipping.

Casper Element vs. Tuft & Needle: Key Differences

  • Tuft & Needle is thicker at 10″, while the Casper Element is only 8.5″ thick.
  • Tuft & Needle will be firmer than Casper Element for most sleepers.
  • Casper Element incorporates memory foam, while the Tuft & Needle has uses a proprietary foam.
A mattress is opened to show its construction.

Casper Element Construction

  • Casper Element has a removable, soft, poly-knit cover that doesn’t affect the mattress feel too much.
  • On top is 2″ of an open-celled, springy, breathable polyfoam that Casper calls “Fusion Foam.”
  • The middle layer is 1.5″ of responsive memory foam, which adds pressure relief and body contouring.
  • The base support layer is comprised of 4.5″ of durable support foam, which is a pretty standard foam for bed-in-a-box mattresses.
CasperElementMattress

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
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Product Details
Material
Foam
Firmness
Firm: 8/10
Sleep Trial
100 nights
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
Shipping
Free shipping
Price
$$$$$

Our Recommendation
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Side Sleepers
This bed offers pressure relief at both the shoulders and hips, making it a great fit for side sleepers.
Back Sleepers
This bed’s strong support is ideal for back sleepers because it helps keep the spine neutrally aligned.
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers, as it provides them support and easy mobility.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Visit Casper
Average Customer Rating
4.3 /5
Watch Our Video Review
Casper Element vs Tuft & Needle

Tuft & Needle Construction

  • Tuft & Needle has a breathable polyester blend cover that also doesn’t affect the overall feel of the mattress too much.
  • The top of Tuft & Needle’s two layers is 3″ of firm, bouncy proprietary “Adaptive” foam. This is a polyurethane-based foam that incorporates graphite and a gel polymer to absorb and evenly distribute heat from the body.
  • The support layer is 7″ of 1.8-lb-density poly foam, which is pretty standard on the market.
tuft and needle orig e1624483781206

Tuft & Needle Mattress

tuft and needle orig e1624483781206
The Tuft & Needle is a great value mattress that is also extremely comfortable.
Clarity Score
3.6 /5
Read Tuft & Needle Mattress Review
Check Price
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Product Details
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Sleep Trial
100 nights
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
Shipping
Free shipping minus HI and AK
Price
$$$$$

Our Recommendation
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Back Sleepers
This bed’s strong support is ideal for back sleepers because it helps keep the spine neutrally aligned.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Visit Tuft & Needle
Average Customer Rating
4.6 /5

Construction Differences and Notes

  • Both are all-foam mattresses that have relatively few layers.
  • Both use polyfoam somewhere in the construction.
  • Tuft & Needle is firmer and also thicker.
  • Casper Element uses memory foam and has one more layer.

Firmness and Feel Differences

While both have responsive top layers, Casper Element is a little softer. I would say that Tuft & Needle feels more supportive overall. That is mainly because it is thicker and firmer.

Motion Transfer Differences

Because it’s softer, Casper Element has a slight edge in preventing motion transfer. However, they both did a decent job at isolating motion. Both mattresses might be a pretty good option for couples.

Pick Casper Element If …

  • You are a side sleeper. Casper Element conforms better to contours and is softer overall, potentially making it more appealing for side sleepers.
  • You want something softer. Casper Element has a softer top layer and a memory foam middle layer that adds even more softness to the mattress.

Pick Tuft & Needle If …

  • You are a back or stomach sleeper. Tuft & Needle is firmer and more supportive, potentially making it a more appropriate choice for back or stomach sleepers who need that extra support.
  • You like a little firmness. If you generally prefer a stiffer mattress, Tuft & Needle will give you that feel more than the Casper Element.
RELATED: Top Mattress Picks Overall

Overall

These are very comparable mattresses. The features most likely to make shoppers prefer one over the other are firmness and the general feel.   I hope this comparison is helpful for you! Please leave any specific questions about either brand 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.