If you've decided to buy a Bear mattress but can't choose between the Bear Original and the Bear Elite Hybrid, we have everything you need right here to help you make a decision. Both models are non-toxic and free of fiberglass, and both come with market-leading lifetime warranties. Beyond that they're very different mattresses in terms of feel, support, and price.
The Bear Original is the brand's most affordable mattress (priced from $490 at Bear Mattress), and it's all-foam construction could be appealing to sleepers who prefer a more contouring mattress. The Bear Elite Hybrid (priced from $1,614 at Bear Mattress) is one of our top recommendations for this year's best mattresses for all sleepers, testing well in all key areas including cooling and lower back support.
In this Bear Original vs Bear Elite Hybrid mattress comparison guide, we analyze both beds in terms of price, design, support, comfort, and temperature regulation. They're on sale in this month's mattress sales too, with 30% off and you'll get up to $500 of free bedding with your purchase. Here's what you need to know...
Bear Original vs Bear Elite Hybrid mattress: Key differences
Type: Memory foam
Firmness option: Medium firm
Height: 10"
Sizes: 7
Sleep trial: 120 nights
Warranty: Lifetime
Price (on sale): from $490 at Bear Mattress
Free gift: Up to $500 worth of bedding
Type: Hybrid
Firmness option: Soft, Medium, or Firm (we tested the Medium)
Height: 14"
Sizes: 7
Sleep trial: 120 nights
Warranty: Lifetime
Price (on sale): from $1,326 at Bear Mattress
Free gift: Up to $500 worth of bedding
Bear Original vs Bear Elite Hybrid mattress: Price & trial
- Both come with forever warranties, a 120-night trial, and free bedding
- The Bear Original is the cheaper option, with a queen usually $699
- A queen Elite Hybrid is typically reduced to $ 1,614
As both beds are brought to you by Bear Mattress, you'll find they come with the same benefits: free shipping and returns, lifetime warranties, a 120-night sleep trial, and a free bedding bundle worth up to $500.
The key difference between the two models is the price bracket. While the Bear Original is a mid-range foam mattress that's one of the best mattresses under $1000 for a queen, the Elite Hybrid is much more expensive and sits in the upper-mid price bracket when on sale (verging on premium at MSRP).
Both are effected by Bear's site-wide sales, so if you see a 30% deal on the Bear Original, you'll likely see the same discount on the Elite Hybrid. Right now, a 30% deal puts a queen Original down to $699 and an Elite Hybrid to $1,164.
While we've seen 35% off and 40% off discounts on Bear's bed line-up, the MSRPs of the Bear Original have have dropped slightly over the last year. That said, we do predict to see bigger price drops on these mattresses in this year's Black Friday mattress sales.
Bear Original vs Bear Elite Hybrid mattress: Design & materials
- The Original is a 10" all-foam mattress with three layers
- The Elite Hybrid is a 14" hybrid with three firmness options
- Both mattresses are USA-made and fiberglass-free
The Bear Original has a simple all-foam construction found in the best memory foam mattresses. It has three layers: a gel memory foam layer infused with cooling gel, a middle layer of 'Bear Dynamic Foam' for pressure relief, and a bottom layer of high-density foam for durable support. These layers are topped by a quilted cover designed to be soft and breathable.
The Bear Elite Hybrid, on the other hand, has a more complex construction found in many of the best hybrid mattresses. It has five layers: an antimicrobial copper-infused memory foam layer at the top, a transitional foam layer that leads to the individually-encased coils, a second layer of coils for edge support, and a bottom layer of high-density foam. These layers sit under a hand-quilted cushion cover designed to be cool to the touch.
Bear Original vs Bear Elite Hybrid mattress: Comfort & support
- Both have great motion isolation and edge support
- The Elite Hybrid has three firmness options: soft, medium, or firm
- The Bear Original is comfortable for all sleep positions
We've tested both mattresses in our Bear Original mattress review and our Bear Elite Hybrid mattress review, and were impressed with both. Testers felt the Bear Original was comfortable in most sleeping positions thanks to the medium-firm supportive memory foam that encourages proper spine alignment. The edge support was also sturdy, and couples should also be happy to know that it scored high in our motion isolation tests.
As the Elite Hybrid comes in three firmness levels (soft, medium, or firm), we only tested the medium model. We found little fault with this mattress, though we did feel the edge support could be better and the foam could offer more body-contouring relief to side sleepers. That said, it's incredibly supportive and comfortable for back and stomach sleepers and isolates motion well.
Bear Original vs Bear Elite Hybrid mattress: Temperature control
- Both mattresses are designed with covers that wick away excess heat
- Our reviewers felt that the Bear Original did trap body heat
- The Elite Hybrid uses cooling gel, graphite and copper to dissipate heat
Reviewers did feel that, despite its gel-infused foam, and breathable Celliant cover, the Bear Original did trap some body heat. They noted that on warmer nights, they slept slightly hot on this bed, but felt cozy on colder nights, so hot sleepers and those in warmer climates may want to stay clear.
Meanwhile, the Elite Hybrid impressed reviewers with its excellent temperature control. They chalked up its great cooling properties to the Phase Change Material infused in the cool-to-the-touch cover, along with the airflow-boosting coils.
Bear Original vs Bear Elite Hybrid mattress: Which should you buy?
Buy the Bear Original mattress if...
✅ You're a side sleeper: The Bear Original has more contouring foam for side sleepers than the Bear Elite Hybrid
✅ You're on a tighter budget: This is Bear's most affordable mattress, with a queen always under $1,000
✅ You share with a restless sleeper: The Bear Original did a superb job of isolating motion
Buy the Bear Elite Hybrid mattress if...
✅ You're a back or stomach sleeper: The supportive foam and two sturdy coil layers make the medium option a great choice for front and back sleepers who want proper spinal support.
✅ You sleep hot: The cooling Celliant-infused cover and air-circulating coils will keep hot sleepers comfortable all night.
✅ You want to pick your firmness: The Bear Elite Hybrid is available in three firmness levels; soft, medium, or firm.
