Bear Mattress Review (2024)
Updated: October 15, 2024
Alex Forest
Sleep Content Specialist
Our Rankings
Edge support and
motion isolation are factored into our overall mattress ratings. These scores are shown in green (scores of 5.0+), yellow (3.0–4.9), or red (2.9 and below).
Firmness,
bounce, and cooling features are a matter of personal preference and aren’t part of our rating system, so these scores are shown in grey.
7.0 /10
9.0 /10
7.4 /10
5.4 /10
3.4 /10
Product Details
Bear Original is a 10″ all-foam mattress with a firm feel. It has outstanding edge support, very good motion isolation, and average bounce. It features open-cell foam construction, although Bear doesn’t specify which of its 3 interior foam layers have this feature. Its top layer contains cooling gel foam, and its bottom layer uses high-density support foam.
Bear Original’s breathable cover may be optionally upgraded to a “Celliant-infused” cover for additional cooling. The mattress we purchased for this review did not have this upgrade, which costs an extra $200–300 CAD, depending on which size you buy.
The mattress is designed to rest on any hard and flat surface, and the law label indicates it may be used with or without a foundation. It’s also compatible with adjustable bases. However, the company recommends that you don’t use a traditional coil box spring because it doesn’t provide enough support for all-foam mattresses.
Shipping Cost
Shipping fees may apply
Ideal For: Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers
Shop Douglas, and get a high-quality Canadian mattress with more features.
Read Douglas Review
You May Prefer Our Top Pick 2024
Douglas Original
9.9 /10
Made in
Winner!
2021 Product of the Year™
Voted the top choice overall in the Mattress-in-a-Box category through a survey of 4,000 Canadians by Kantar.
Bear Mattress Sizes & Prices
Choose Douglas and spend just $799 for a queen size.
Read Douglas Review
Delivery, Sleep Trial & Returns
Bear only ships its mattresses within the United States. In Canada, you can purchase Bear Original from third-party retailers like Bed Bath & Beyond. Couriers and delivery times may vary. The mattress we ordered from Bed Bath & Beyond was shipped through Canpar and took 15 business days to arrive.
Buying through a third-party retailer also means you’re subject to the retailer’s terms and conditions. For example, while Bear offers a 120-night sleep trial, Bed Bath & Beyond only offers a 30-night trial period.
Bear Original comes with a lifetime limited manufacturer’s warranty. This warranty only covers manufacturing defects and visible indentations greater than 1.5″ that aren’t caused by using the mattress with an improper foundation. It also doesn’t cover any damage that the mattress may receive while being shipped to you.
Get the mattress with a 365-night sleep trial and free returns with a full refund.
Read Douglas Review
Bear Mattress Construction
Bear Original stands 10″ tall and has 3 interior layers. All foam used is CertiPUR-US® and GREENGUARD Gold certified. The company states that open-cell foam is used in the mattress’s construction, but it isn’t clear which layer(s) this applies to.
- Layer 1: The top (comfort) layer of Bear Original is 1.5″ of cooling gel foam. This layer conforms the most to your body while lying on the mattress, and wicks heat away while you’re asleep.
- Layer 2: The middle (transition) layer is 1.5″ of polyurethane foam. This foam keeps you from feeling the denser support layer beneath.
- Layer 3: The bottom (support) layer is 7″ of high-density support foam. This layer gives the mattress most of its bulk, and stops you from sinking too deeply into the mattress while you’re sleeping on it.
Bear doesn’t say what materials are used in the mattress cover, either on the company’s website or the mattress’s law label. The breathable mattress cover (and its upgraded Celliant variant) is not removable or machine-washable. Spills or stains should be spot-cleaned only.
Buy the mattress with cooling features and a machine-washable cover.
Read Douglas Review
MattressReviews.ca commissions licensed third-party engineers and uses public data to rate mattresses on over 40 criteria.
This allows us to accurately rate and compare the performance of the mattresses reviewed on this website. Engineer independence and operating standards help ensure their results remain unbiased, valid, and reliable. Each mattress was evaluated using the same strict mattress testing methodology to protect the overall integrity of the results. The full report has been given the official stamp of approval from an APEGA-certified engineer operating under a strict ethical code of conduct.
Mattress testing conducted outside of this professional standard poses a greater risk of validity errors or reviewer bias.
7.0 /10
Firmness
In third-party engineer testing (commissioned by us), Bear Original had a deflection of 1.8″, contributing to its 7.0/10 firmness score.
This places the mattress in the firm category. However, Bear’s website says the mattress is medium-firm, meaning Bear Original is firmer than advertised. Firm mattresses can be comfortable for back and stomach sleepers, but they often create pressure points for side sleepers.
(Looking for a slightly softer mattress that’s ideal for all sleep positions? Douglas Original scored 6.7/10 for firmness, giving you the perfect balance between comfort and support.)
9.0 /10
Edge Support
Foam mattresses can often have lower edge support scores. Bear Original, however, only had a deflection of 3.2″ from a seated position, giving it an outstanding edge support score of 9.0/10. You won’t sink into the sidewalls when you’re sitting on the mattress or sleeping nearer to the edge.
7.4 /10
Motion Isolation
Bear Original scored 7.4/10 for motion isolation, which is a very good score. If you share your bed with a partner, kids, or pets, you won’t notice them moving around when they change sleep positions.
(Top-notch motion isolation is essential for uninterrupted sleep. Douglas Original’s motion isolation score of 8.3/10 ensures that you stay undisturbed by most movements throughout the night.)
5.4 /10
Bounce
Bear Original scored 5.4/10 for bounce. This is an average score for a foam mattress. You won’t notice too much sinkage (or too little) when lying down, and you shouldn’t have any problems getting up in the morning.
3.4 /10
Cooling Features
The Bed Bath & Beyond website advertises Bear Original as a cooling mattress. It earns points for its:
1. Its breathable quilted cover, which adds to its air circulation
2. Optional Celliant infusion in the top cover
3.. Top layer of gel-infused foam that offers enhanced cooling
4. Open-cell foam construction, which the company says disperses heat
If you’re looking for an excellent mattress with more cooling features, check out Douglas Original. At $799 for a queen size, Douglas offers a machine-washable cover woven with plant-based Infinitex™ fibers that draw moisture away while you sleep. It also includes a layer of breathable Elastex® foam which adds even more breathability and comfort.
Pick the mattress with greater motion isolation and cooling features.
Read Douglas Review
Company Background
Bear Mattress was founded in 2014 by Scott Paladini. The company offers a diverse product lineup, including foam and hybrid mattresses, kids’ mattresses, and trundle mattresses. Customer reviews on the company’s website are positive. However, several one-star reviews indicate that the company’s mattresses tend to cause or worsen back pain, trap heat, and are much firmer than advertised.
There are relatively few Bear mattress reviews on third-party websites. The company is rated “Poor” on Trustpilot based on only a handful of reviews. Bear is also rated “NR” (unaccredited) on Better Business Bureau. Bear’s profile includes a BBB notice about its unqualified advertising claims, which was filed in 2023 and remains unresolved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Bear mattresses good?
Bear mattresses perform well in third-party engineer testing (commissioned by us). However, they’re priced higher than similar foam mattresses, and they lack common features like a machine-washable cover. They’re also subject to the terms and conditions of third-party retailers, meaning you’ll get a shorter-than-average sleep trial.
We think you should check out Douglas Original instead. Douglas costs just $799 for a queen size. With a competitive 365-night sleep trial and 20-year warranty, a machine-washable cover, and a free bedding bundle, Douglas gives you more value at a lower price.
Does Bear Mattress ship to Canada?
No, Bear Mattress only ships within the United States. If you live in Canada and want to buy a Bear mattress, you’ll need to purchase it through a third-party retailer.
Where do you buy a Bear mattress in Canada?
Bear Mattress does not directly sell or ship mattresses to the Canadian market. You may be able to find a Bear mattress at a third-party retailer like Bed Bath & Beyond.
How much does a Bear mattress cost?
Bear Original costs between $1,172–N/A, and is available in sizes ranging from twin to split king. A queen-size Bear Original costs $1,571.
How do I return a Bear mattress?
If you are able to purchase a Bear mattress in Canada through a third-party retailer, your purchase will be subject to that specific retailer’s return policy. For example, Bed Bath & Beyond only offers a 30-night return period for the Bear mattress.
If you purchase a Bear mattress and reside in the United States, you can return it during the 120-night sleep trial. However, the company requires you to wait 30 nights before a return can be initiated.
What does the Bear warranty include?
Bear offers a lifetime limited warranty for all of its mattresses. This warranty generally covers defects in workmanship and materials only, as well as any visible indentation greater than 1.5″ that isn’t caused by using the mattress with an improper or faulty foundation. It doesn’t cover any damage that might be caused during shipping.
What Bear mattress alternatives should I consider?
Consider Douglas Original instead. With 21,000+ customer reviews, a 365-night sleep trial, a 20-year warranty, and a machine-washable cover, Douglas offers high-quality sleep with long-lasting value—all for just $799 for a queen size.
You May Prefer Our Top Pick 2024
Douglas Original
9.9 /10
Made in
Winner!
2021 Product of the Year™
Voted the top choice overall in the Mattress-in-a-Box category through a survey of 4,000 Canadians by Kantar.
A firm mattress
A quality foam mattress for under $1,000
