Tom's Guide Verdict
The Bear Elite Hybrid is a luxury cooling mattress that we rate as an excellent choice for hot sleepers with lower back pain. We slept comfortably on a queen size medium-firm Bear Elite Hybrid for over three weeks, scoring it highly during our in-house tests for pressure relief, motion isolation, and cooling. The lumbar support is excellent (nearly as good as on our top hybrid bed, the Saatva Classic), and the choice of three firmness levels means it can be tailored to most sleeping positions and body weights. Saatva edges it in terms of overall build quality and benefits, but the Bear Elite Hybrid sleeps cooler than the Saatva. You'll get 120 nights to trial it at home, plus a lifetime warranty. At $1,614 for a queen on sale, we feel this is a good value hybrid for the money.
Pros
- +
Stays cool all night
- +
Comes in three firmness levels
- +
Isolates motion well
- +
Comes with a lifetime warranty
Cons
- -
Inconsistent edge support
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Bear Elite Hybrid mattress review in brief
Standing at 14" tall and made from premium-grade non-toxic materials, the Bear Elite Hybrid mattress is the brand's most luxurious model yet. It comes in three firmness levels (soft, medium, and firm), with standout features including a cooling cover to prevent overheating, and a lumbar support section to reduce lower back pain.
We slept on the Bear Elite Hybrid mattress in a medium firm queen size for over three weeks, testing it in all key areas: support, comfort, motion isolation, temperature regulation, edge support, and pressure relief.
Bear Mattress is one of the most popular bed brands in America so we were keen to see how its flagship offering, the Bear Elite Hybrid, stacks up against our tried and tested recommendations for this year's best mattresses for all sleepers. Here's what we discovered during our review process...
Bear Mattress rates its medium Elite Hybrid as a 6 out of 10 on its firmness scale, and we're inclined to agree. There's minimal sinkage, which our lead tester found most comfortable for back and stomach sleeping. It'll also suit side sleepers who don't need ample cushioning, although we'd recommend going softer if you'd like your mattress to have more give (or firmer if you need even less sinkage).
We’re happy to report that the Bear Elite Hybrid does a great job with temperature regulation, creating a breathable environment throughout the night. (We tested it in Texas in July, with the air conditioner set at 77 degrees F.)
Our test model included the upgraded Celliant-infused cover, which had a mild cooling sensation and a softness that put our reviewer to sleep in seconds. The standard cover includes phase change materials (PCM), which also help with cooling.
Type: Hybrid
Materials: Copper-infused memory foam, foam, coils, phase-change material (cover), Celliant fibers (upgraded cover)
Firmness (out of 10): 6 (we tested the medium)
Depth: 14"
Trial period: 120 nights
Warranty: Lifetime
Price bracket: Upper-mid range to premium
Couples should be satisfied with the Bear Elite Hybrid’s motion isolation, as it aced our real-world and objective tests. It’s unlikely your partner will wake you when they change positions or get in and out of bed. The edge support along the sides of the mattress is superb, but less so at the foot of the bed and the corners. This makes us wonder if the reinforced coils encompass the entire perimeter of the mattress.
Though it teeters between the upper mid-range and premium price categories after regular mattress sales, we think the cost is reasonable. (A queen-size Bear Elite Hybrid usually sells for $1,499 after 35% off.)
The extras only add to the value, with a 120-night risk-free trial, a lifetime warranty, and a free accessory bundle. We spotted a 40% off flash sale near Memorial Day earlier this year, and it's possible we'll see that offer return during this year's best Labor Day mattress sales and deals.
Read below for our complete Bear Elite Hybrid mattress review and why we now rate it as one of the best hybrid mattresses of 2024.
Bear Elite Hybrid mattress review: Price & deals
- The most expensive mattress in Bear's lineup
- At the cusp of upper-mid range and premium after regular sales
- Includes 120-night trial, lifetime warranty, and free accessories
The Bear Elite Hybrid is the brand's most expensive mattress; a queen retails for $2,305. However, it's usually on sale for up to 35% off, which drops the price of a queen Bear Elite Hybrid to as low as $1,499.
A 40% flash sale near Memorial Day yielded even lower prices, and there's a possibility that offer could return as we approach Labor Day and Black Friday mattress sales.
Here are the list prices (and typical sale prices) for all sizes of the Bear Elite Hybrid mattress:
- Twin: MSRP $1,893 (normally sells for $1,231)
- Twin XL: MSRP $1,960 (normally sells for $1,274)
- Full: MSRP $2,108 (normally sells for $1,371)
- Queen: MSRP $2,305 (normally sells for $1,499)
- King: MSRP $2,762 (normally sells for $1,796)
- California king: MSRP $2,762 (normally sells for $1,796)
- Split king: MSRP $3,920 (normally sells for $2,548)
There is no extra cost between the three different firmness options but for an extra $195, you can add a Celiant-infused cover for a cooler sleep experience. Bear occasionally offers a free bedding bundle with purchase, which includes two pillows, a sheet set, and a mattress protector.
The Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress ships free and comes with a 120-night trial period and free returns. There's also a lifetime mattress warranty that includes one free replacement in the event of a manufacturer defect.
Bear Elite Hybrid mattress review: Design
- A 14" hybrid mattress with five layers
- Cooling cover upgrade adds Celliant fibers for recovery
- Made without fiberglass and with non-toxic materials
The Bear Elite Hybrid is a five-layer mattress that's 14 inches tall with two handles on each side for easy maneuvering when rotating or moving it. At the base is a high-density support foam layer to maintain the structural integrity of the mattress over time. Above that is a layer of individually encased coils for airflow, support, and motion isolation. The coils along the perimeter are reinforced for edge support, while the center features higher-gauge coils for maximum lumbar support.
The upper foam layers consist of transitional foam for ergonomic support and contouring, and copper-infused memory foam to aid with cooling. (Copper also has antimicrobial properties, but you'll still want to know how to clean your mattress properly.)
However, it’s the cover that might make the biggest impact on the comfort and cooling capabilities of the Bear Elite Hybrid. It comes standard with a hand-quilted cover made from phase change materials that remove body heat from the surface. Customers have the option of adding a Celliant-infused cover, which aids in faster recovery and higher sleep quality by absorbing your body heat and transforming it into 'waves of energy,' according to the brand.
Not only are the foams used in this mattress CertiPUR-US certified, but the Bear Elite Hybrid mattress as a whole is GreenGuard Gold certified, ensuring low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and adherence to strict guidelines for air quality and overall health. It's also made without fiberglass.
- Read more: What is a non-toxic mattress?
Bear Elite Hybrid mattress review: Support & comfort
- Comes in three firmness levels; we tested medium (6/10)
- Supportive for stomach and back sleeping
- May not have enough give for some side sleepers
Our reviewer, who is 5’5” and weighs 175lbs, tested a queen-size Bear Elite Hybrid mattress in medium with a Celiant-infused cover. During her three weeks of testing, our reviewer slept wonderfully and found it exceptionally comfortable (she’s tested over 20 mattresses in the past few years).
The mattress comes in soft, medium, or firm, with Bear rating the different firmness levels as 5, 6, and 7 out of 10, respectively. Our reviewer described her medium Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress as a 'soft medium,' but otherwise agreed with the brand's assessment of 6 out of 10.
To objectively test the Bear Elite Hybrid's pressure relief, we placed a 15lb dumbbell in the center of the mattress, where it sank about half an inch. (Because the top cover is quilted, it appears as if the dumbbell sank further, but it did not.)
Upon lying on the mattress, our reviewer noticed how soft the top layer was, yet she didn’t sink into the surface. It didn’t contour around her but softly nestled against her, which helped her fall asleep quickly.
Back and stomach sleeping was most comfortable for our lead tester, as her spine remained aligned and she felt considerable pressure relief in her hips. (The mattress has firmer coils in the center of the mattress.) She was also able to sleep on her side, although the mattress didn't sink as much as she would have liked in that position.
But remember that firmness and comfort are subjective. We had a secondary tester, who is 5'7" and 135 lbs., sleep on their side on the Elite Hybrid and they said it was comfortable. Those who prefer to exclusively sleep on their sides might want to go for the soft Bear Elite Hybrid as it’ll have a bit more give. You can also check out our guide to the best mattresses for side sleepers.
Score: 4 out of 5
Bear Elite Hybrid mattress review: Performance
- Minimal motion transfer
- Great temperature regulation
- Strong edge support along the sides
Our lead reviewer tested a queen-size medium Bear Elite Hybrid mattress with a Celliant-infused cover for three weeks. Keeping in mind our mattress methodology, our reviewer evaluated temperature regulation, edge support, motion isolation, and setup based on objective tests, her real-world experiences, and feedback from other sleepers. Here's how we got on...
Motion isolation
Many things can disrupt a person’s sleep, including someone getting in and out of bed or changing positions. That won’t be a concern for folks who invest in a mattress with high-quality motion isolation, like the Bear Elite Hybrid. To test its motion isolation, our lead reviewer had another person get in and out of the bed and move between their stomach, back, and side. She did not feel their movements.
To further test the Bear Elite Hybrid's motion isolation capabilities, she placed an empty wine glass in the middle of the mattress and then dropped a 15lb weight from 4, 10, and 25" away.
The wine glass stood solidly when dropped at 10 and 25", though it wobbled and fell when the weight was dropped 4" away. This may have been due to the mattress cover being quilted, so it doesn’t offer a flat, stable surface for this type of test.
Keeping this in mind, we’d say that the motion isolation of the Bear Elite Hybrid is solid and makes it a good choice for couples and anyone else who shares a bed.
Score: 4.5 out of 5
Temperature regulation
Our reviewer tested the mattress for three weeks in July when her air conditioner was set at 77 degrees F. She slept with the fan on under microfiber sheets and a lightweight comforter.
Despite testing the mattress in the warmest room in her house, the Bear Elite Hybrid did a great job of maintaining a comfortable temperature for sleeping. Our lead tester was able to fall asleep easily and did not wake up at any point during the night due to being warm or sweating.
The quilted cover, which is infused with phase change materials (PCM), absorbs body heat and feels slightly cool to the touch. Our test model featured the upgraded Celliant-infused cover for additional temperature regulation.
Combined with the airflow of the coils, the Bear Elite Hybrid succeeded in keeping our reviewer’s body heat from building up. We'd recommend it to hot sleepers seeking an effective cooling mattress.
Score: 4.5 out of 5
Edge support
The Bear Elite Hybrid mattress has reinforced coils along the perimeter to provide additional support for those getting in and out of bed or sitting on the edge to dress. To test the efficacy of this design, our reviewer placed a 15lb dumbbell on the sides and foot of the bed, as well as the corners.
The dumbbell did not roll off and seemed to only sink half an inch when placed on the sides and about an inch on the corners and the foot of the bed.
It's undeterminable through the Bear website if the coils are reinforced along all the edges of the mattress, or only along the sides (as our reviewer believes is the case). When she sat on the sides, our reviewer felt noticeably more supported than sitting at the foot of the bed or on the corners.
Most people don’t sleep near the foot of the bed or even sit on the corners of a mattress, so it’s unlikely that this will affect their sleep experience.
Score: 4 out of 5
Bear Elite Hybrid mattress review: Delivery & setup
- A mattress-in-a-box that ships for free in most states
- Optional White Glove Delivery from $100
- Mild off-gassing odor, which dissipated after a few hours
Upon ordering the Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress, you can choose between free shipping or White Glove Delivery with Bear’s partner, LoadUp. Fees start at $100, and services include mattress and foundation setup plus optional removal.
Our lead tester opted for free standard shipping of her queen-sized mattress, which was rolled and vacuum-sealed in a cardboard box. It was easy to move the box from the driveway (where it was delivered, rather than the front porch) to the bedroom.
She had no problem removing the mattress from the cardboard box and setting it on her bed frame. When the plastic was cut away, the mattress appeared to expand immediately. Our reviewer slept on it that night.
There was a slight off-gassing odor, but it wasn’t necessarily unpleasant or strong. The smell was only noticeable when the reviewer put her face near the mattress, and it dissipated after a few hours.
Bear Elite Hybrid mattress review: User reviews
- Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 3,800 reviews (July 2024)
- Sort by star rating, popular topics, and those with media
- Praise for comfort and removing aches and pains
The Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress has a 4.6 out of five-star rating from over 3,800 reviews (July 2024). When submitting their reviews, customers can note their sleep position and which firmness level they ordered, which helps potential customers better understand who this mattress suits.
While there is no search box to search the reviews for specific words, you can filter the reviews by star rating and popular topics like 'support,' 'edge,' and 'back pain.' There is also a button that lets you see reviews where customers have included media.
We also saw quite a few instances of customers noting how quickly they fell asleep on the Bear Elite Hybrid
The most common praise for the Bear Elite Hybrid mattress is comfort. People of all sleep positions were very satisfied with how comfortable the mattress was, and many with aches, pains, or physical issues claimed that sleeping on the it alleviated their discomfort and improved their sleep. We also saw quite a few instances of customers noting how quickly they fell asleep on the Bear Elite Hybrid.
Most complaints came from customers who said the mattress was either too soft or too firm. They may have ordered the mattress at a firmness level that was not suited to their sleep style (remember the mattress comes with a 120-night trial and free returns). There were a few who mentioned that the mattress was not as they’d hoped in terms of temperature regulation, but these were few and far between.
Should you buy the Bear Elite Hybrid mattress?
Falling asleep quickly and staying asleep throughout the night are among the most important concerns people have when buying a mattress – and rightfully so. We found the Bear Elite Hybrid mattress effectively addresses those problems thanks to its combination of comfort, support, and pressure relief.
No matter which firmness level you choose, you'll find the surface soft – but not so soft you sink too far in. Our main reviewer (and many customers) noted how quickly they fell asleep on this mattress and how well it alleviated their aches and pains. Consider the Bear Elite Hybrid if you're seeking a good mattress for back pain, especially given its dedicated lumbar support.
It also effectively dampens movement when two people sleep in the same bed, so we recommend it for bed-sharers. The cooling prowess of the Bear Elite Hybrid isn't quite on the level we experienced during our GhostBed Luxe mattress review, even with the updated Celliant-infused cover, but this doesn’t diminish Bear's temperature regulation capabilities, either.
The only drawback to this mattress is the edge support along the foot of the bed. Sit on the side and you'll barely sink, but sit along the foot of the bed and you’ll notice a major dip. This shouldn’t impact most people’s decision to buy – especially when you consider the lifetime warranty that comes with this mattress.
Overall, if you like a soft-medium feel and a mattress that does an above-average job in all categories, go for the medium Bear Elite Hybrid. It's unlikely you’ll use the 120-night trail to return your mattress because we think it’s that comfortable. Of course, if you're a strict side sleeper or stomach sleeper, you can go softer or firmer, ensuring you're comfortable, no matter how you lay.
Bear Elite Hybrid mattress review: Alternatives to consider
