Bedgear M3 and M5 Mattresses Overview

Michael Magnuson

Founder of GoodBed, Leading Mattress Expert

Summary: Bedgear's M3 and M5 Mattress Lines

Shared Features in All Models

Modularity

All of the M3 and M5 models are built on the same modular pocket spring design, which Bedgear calls their “Independent Suspension Units.” In our opinion, this is a very unique pocket spring with a lot of benefits. 

First, it’s a totally modular system. This means that you can actually remove the pocket springs and replace these with firmer or softer coil units. This is practically unheard of in the mattress industry. Most other “modular” mattress designs are built with some degree of customization at the level of the comfort layers. These mattresses typically have zippered covers that allow you to access the internal layers and swap out layers of foam. 

Bedgear has designed the M3 and M5 models with a unique cover that allows you access not only the comfort layers, but the internal support layers as well. And this is not only a unique feature, it’s surprisingly easy to do. They also offer four different firmness of pocket spring so you can easily dial in the underlying support that feels best to you. If you’ve ever struggled to find a mattress that’s comfortable to you and your partner - or if you and your partner are different sizes - the Bedgear M3 and M5 mattresses are a great option, as you can build totally different firmnesses in the same mattress.

Second, the fabric that contains the coils is actually ventilated to maximize airflow. Most pocket springs are built with a non-woven polypropylene layer that doesn’t really breathe like a high-performance fabric. Whereas the fabric that Bedgear uses is actually ventilated like an open mesh to maximize airflow throughout the support layers.

Breathability

In another unique move, the M3 and M5 models are actually ventilated at every level to maximize airflow. Most notably, the foam perimeter (which Bedgear calls their “chassis”) also has perforated foam and air vents, and the top comfort layers are also perforated. And unlike some other brands, the comfort layers are perforated as a unit. This means that the perforations extend the entire depth of the foam to further maximize airflow. With many other mattresses, these perforations may only be present in a single layer of foam and then are blocked by subsequent layers.

Cooling Features

All of the Bedgear M-Series mattresses also have specific cooling features beyond breathability. The M3 and M5 models have a cover with inherent “cool-to-touch” properties created by high-density, polythethylene-based yarns. If you’re unfamiliar, polyethylene fibers are often incorporated into fabrics to act as a heatsink and absorb body heat.

Additionally, the M3 Night Ice and M5 Night Ice models have an additional layer of cooling fabric just under the cover AND a layer of phase-change material (PCM). Phase-change fabrics work similarly to PE fibers in that they are also effective heatsinks, although their mechanism of action is slightly different. Unlike PE fibers, PCM materials are made with microscopic wax beads that actively change phase from a solid to a liquid. This means that these can hold a steady state temperature and continue to absorb heat until all of the beads have changed phase.

In effect, the M3 Night Ice and M5 Night Ice models have three different cooling systems that maximizes breathability and temperature absorption to maintain a cool and consistent sleep surface.

How the M3 and M5 Lines are Organized

M-Series vs M-Series Night Ice

Both the M3 and M5 Performance Mattresses are subdividing into two overall categories: The regular M-Series and the M-Series Night Ice models. These are extremely similar lines with the same internal components in terms of their comfort layers and coil units, but differ in terms of the additional cooling features.

The Night Ice models are easily identified by their deep blue covers, which use the same cool-to-the-touch fabric with PE fiber as the regular M-Series models. Additionally, the Night Ice mattresses add PE fibers just under the cover, in the fabric of their "Cooling Active Core", as well as a layer of PCM that's applied directly to the top layer of foam. This means that the Night Ice models effectively have three different layers of cooling technology: one in the cover, one just under the cover, and one applied to the foam itself. In our experience, these feel a lot cooler to the touch, and this cooling effect will last longer than on the base M-Series mattresses. And just like the regular M-Series models, all of the Night Ice mattresses have perforated foams, ventilated fabric pocket springs, and side vents to maximize airflow.

The M3 Models

The big difference between the M3 and M5 models is found in the comfort layers. In the case of the M3 models, this is a four-inch stack of high-performance foam that we would describe as “latex-like.” In other words, it’s a very resilient foam that feels quite soft, but bounces back immediately. Bedgear calls this their Boost foam. This kind of foam is generally very durable and well-suited to people that toss and turn or sleep in multiple positions.

Note - the comfort layers and feel characteristics of the M3 and M3 Night Ice models are the same.

The M5 Models

The M5 mattresses, on the other hand, are built with a slower-responding foam with a lot of memory feel. Bedgear calls this foam their React foam. We also expect these to be quite durable, although the sense is more of a memory foam hybrid in this case. Additionally, we would describe these as having a slightly slower response than most memory foams. This kind of feel is generally well-suited to side-sleepers and people that like a lot of pressure relief.

Note - the comfort layers and feel characteristics of the M5 and M5 Night Ice models are the same.

Our Take on the M3 and M5 Mattress Lines

The M3 and M5 models from Bedgear are top-of-the-line mattresses that are truly unique in the mattress industry. The ability to customize a mattress at the level of the support layer is practically unheard of, and the combination of cooling features and ventilated materials means that these should also perform extremely well in terms of overall cooling. In short, we don’t think there’s an obvious weakness with these mattresses. They’re well-built, unique, and can be customized to satisfy a wide-range of sleepers.

We’d recommend these for most people. We'd also make a special recommendation to couples that have different comfort needs or preferences. The ability to customize the support layer means that the two sides of the mattress can feel vastly different while still maintaining a totally seamless cover. In terms of these coil units, we do think that most people will likely prefer the Medium Firm or Medium Plush (1.0 and 2.0) units, but this is just our opinion. If you want a much firmer or a much softer mattress, then the Firm and Plush (0.0 and 3.0) units are also available.

The M-Series mattresses are top of the line models, and as such, they are a bit more expensive relative to other options. For those who prefer a lower cost option, Bedgear also offers more classically constructed hybrid mattresses in their H-Series at a lower price point, but these are not modular in the same way as the M-Series and lack some of the cooling features.

Pricing

Other Factors

Returns and Exchanges

30-Day return policy for returns or exchanges on opened mattresses.

100-Day return policy for returns or exchanges on unopened mattresses.

Note - a $199 fee will apply in the event of a return.

Warranty

• Ten-year warranty
• Body impression: 1"

Warranty information for each mattress is included on the mattress "Law Label" at the store, and vary depending on the model. Be sure to talk to your salesperson about warranty terms, and particularly about the body impression warranty, which will tell you how much of a permanent depression may form to be covered under warranty.

In the case of the Bedgear M-Series, these are warrantied at a 1" body impression.