Comparison
Founder of GoodBed, Leading Mattress Expert
This is an in-depth overview of the Bear brand of mattresses, currently consisting of four primary models. We also have an in-depth review of the Bear Original, the company's first mattress.
If you’d prefer to watch rather than read, check out our full Bear mattress collection overview.
Bear Mattress Collection: Cooling and Recovery
If you have seen commercials for Bear mattresses, you know they they often feature athletes. These mattresses are intentionally marketed to active people, or to anyone interested in muscle recovery. The covers feature a fiber called Celliant, which apparently can promote blood flow and increase oxygen levels.
Bear makes some pretty big claims, from asserting that their mattresses "harnesses your body's natural energy to expedite recovery times and overall well-being."These are lofty claims, but Bear does back them, citing a number of studies. Furthermore, the FDA has approved some of these claims, specifically that Celliant does have properties that promote blood flow and can increase oxygen levels.
All of the Bear mattresses include covers with Celliant fibers.
Additionally, the mattresses include cooling technologies: Its memory foams are infused with gel, and in some cases copper. Both are proven heat conductors intended to draw heat from the body. Some models also include polyethylene fibers, a high density fiber that feels cool to the touch. And some include phase-change material as well (we'll discuss that further below).
All six mattresses use some amount of Bear's Dynamic Foam. This is a relatively standard polyurethane foam that is used as a transition layer.
Bear Original Mattress
We reviewed the first Bear mattress back in 2017 when it was released. It still have the same basic construction, though the feel of the mattress has changed since that original model.
The Bear Original is a 10" tall mattress made of three foam layers under the cover (which includes the Celliant fibers).
- 2" gel memory foam
- 2" Dynamic Foam
- 6" polyurethane foam support
The memory foam used as the top 2 inches of the mattress is a quicker memory foam. That is to say it does not have a lot of memory feel -- that melting sensation we associate with memory foam. Rather, this foam recovers its shape quickly.
On our scale, we judge the Bear Original as a Firm mattress. In terms of cushioning, you get a blend of feeling like you are floating above your mattress and sinking into it.
In terms of bounce, as an all-foam mattress, the foams absorb almost all motion. This is not a bouncy mattress at all.
Bear Pro Hybrid
This mattress is very similar to the Bear Original with a big exception: Instead of a foam block as the support layer, the Pro Hybrid has a unit made of fabric-encased springs.
The coil unit has 840 springs in a queen size, with firmer edge-support coils. Under the Celliant-fiber cover we have:
- 1.5" memory foam
- 1.5" Dynamic transition foam
- 6" coils support unit
- 1" foam as a base for the springs
As you might expect, the big difference between the Original and the Pro Hybrid is bounce -- because of the coil unit. Otherwise, it feels pretty similar. We still call it a Firm (though maybe it's a little closer to Medium Firm).
Cushioning is still a blend of that floating-on-top feeling versus sinking in deeply. It has just a little bit of extra cushioning and conformance compared to the Original.
There isn't much memory feel on the Pro Hybrid. The cover is also the same as the Original mattress.
Bear Star Hybrid
The Bear Star Hybrid adds extra features and does have a different feel. It also looks different. This is a 13" mattress, so it's taller than the others so far. It's also what we would call a faux Eurotop bed; it has a sort-of pad on top. In a true Eurotop, it would be a truly separate pad, but this one just has the look; it's attached.
Another big difference is the cover, which is tufted and quilted, and has a more traditional look. The material is also different. In addition to the Celliant fibers, it include polyethlene fibers, which are higher in density. This gives the cover a palpable coolness to the touch.
Under the cover, there are 4 layers to the Star Hybrid.
- 1" copper-infused memory foam
- 2" Bear Dynamic Foam
- 8" pocket spring unit
- 1" foam layer as a support for the spring unit
Bear Elite Hybrid
This is the only Bear model that comes in different feels. The Elite Hybrid comes in a Firm, a Medium, and a Soft. This is a 14" mattress. It starts with a quilted cover that incorporates Celliant and polyethylene, but adds phase-change material. Phase change material can be thought of as tiny wax beads. These beads stay solid for a while, helping keep you cool until your body warms the mattress, intended to help you feel cooler while you fall asleep.
The coil unit is also different than the Pro Hybrid of Star Hybrid. It is a zoned coil unit, meaning the firmness of the springs varies depending on where they are in the mattress. There are firmer coils under the hips (the heaviest part of our bodies), at the top and at the bottom.
- 1" copper-infused gel foam
- 3" Dynamic Foam
- 8" pocket spring unit
- 1" base foam
All three models have some bounce owing to the coil unit, and it's about the same amount of bounce in each model.
With similar construction and layers, the difference in feel is due to the quilting pattern on the cover. A tighter pattern means a firmer feel, and a looser one imparts a softer feel. And indeed, the three models do have quite different feels.
The Firm version is really firm. We could designate it as Very Firm, and it is the firmest of all Bear mattresses. You barely feel like you sink into the mattress at all.
The Medium version is also a Medium on our scale, with a blend of cushioning and conformance.
The Soft version we would call a Medium Soft, and in practice, it is pretty similar in feel to the Medium version. We thought you could feel the memory foam more on the Soft version.
Due to the coil units, all models have an above average amount of bounce.
Other Factors to Consider
Delivery
- Free delivery to door
Bear includes free delivery, which is not particularly unusual among its competitors. White glove service--which includes delivery and in-home setup--is available at additional cost.
Returns
- 100-day trial period
- Full refund, including free pickup within trial period
Bear offers buyers a 100-day trial period, and requires that buyers try the mattress at least 30 days before returning it. Returns within the trial period are free, with pickup of the mattress. See: Bear return policy
Warranty
- Warranty Length: 10 years
- Indentation Coverage: 1” and above
One of the biggest, if not THE biggest complaints about any mattress from consumers regards body impressions—the inability of a mattress to spring back, eventually creating a low spot/sinkhole in the mattress. As such, mattress warranties all contain a term defining how big a sag or ‘body impression’ (measured when no one is on the mattress) is considered a defect, and thus covered under the warranty. The industry standard for mattresses is generally between ¾” and 1.5”. Bear has chosen to cover indentations that meet or exceed 1”. Practically speaking, that means any softening or sagging would need to be at least that deep before the warranty would offer you protection. See: Bear warranty policy.
