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Ten years ago, "mattress in a box," was synonymous with Casper. When the brand first launched, most mattresses were purchased in stores, but Casper normalized buying a mattress online and having it shipped to your doorstep for DIY setup. Nowadays, boxed mattresses are the norm, with hundreds of brands to choose from.
What's the best Casper mattress? After thoroughly reviewing surveys from our mattress testers and consumer panel, we recommend Casper's Original Mattress. It stands out for its ergonomic design, which helps users maintain proper alignment. Casper replaced it with The One in 2024, but the Original is still available online.
Casper's mattresses have gone through several overhauls since 2014, including both upgraded features and simplifications, and the brand currently carries five models: one foam and four hybrids.
Our analysts at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles Lab and I have been testing Casper mattresses since the brand first launched, and in recent years, we've surveyed over 250 Casper mattress owners for added insight on their experiences. Here, we're breaking down everything you need to know to decide if a Casper mattress is right for you.
Casper mattress overview
Casper has earned a reputation as a leading mattress brand: It changed the way we shop online for mattresses, and it's paved the way for many other online direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands over the years. Back in 2014, I attended Casper's launch event in which the brand promised that it was "a new sleep company that has re-imagined how we think about, shop for, and use our mattresses."
When Casper first launched, it only had one model in its line, dubbed the "one perfect mattress." Our favorite mattress from the brand is the Original model—an all-foam mattress with a medium-firm feel—though Casper discontinued it in favor of The One, a similar all-foam mattress that cuts out zoned support and costs almost 40% less. You can still purchase the Original Mattress online, so we'll explain everything from the design to how it performed in our tests.
Casper Original Mattress
Pros
- High scores from our panel of reviewers
- Zoned layout for ergonomic alignment
- More affordable than other Casper models
Cons
- Only one firmness level available
| Mattress type | Memory foam |
|---|---|
| Height | 11 in. |
| Firmness level | Medium Firm |
| Sizes | Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King |
| Trial period | 100 days |
Who it's best for
While there are many factors that go into your decision to buy a specific mattress model, here are the groups that may benefit the most from the Casper Original Mattress based on the model's specifications and our reviewer feedback.
✔️ Side sleepers: Memory foam offers excellent pressure relief, which is key for sleeping on your side. And because this mattress has zoned sections, it helps keep your spine aligned so that you aren't putting too much weight on your pressure points (like your shoulders and hips). Just note that because it has a medium-firm feel, it may be too firm for side sleepers with smaller frames; lightweight sleepers need a softer surface for spine alignment.
✔️ Back pain sufferers: When it comes to alleviating back pain, physicians often recommend mattresses with a medium firmness level based on past studies. Memory foam is a popular choice if you're looking for pressure relief. Casper checks off these boxes, though it's considered a tad more firm than a true "medium."
✔️ Value shoppers: Though it's certainly not a cheap mattress—it costs over $1,000 for a Queen size—it's still in a reasonable price range, especially compared to other models on the market. Mattress prices have skyrocketed in recent years, so finding a top-rated mattress under $2,000 can be considered a big feat.
✔️ Young adults: In our mattress surveys, we've found that Casper tends to get more positive feedback from the under-40 crowd. This could be because the mattress height is lower and there's less edge support, making it harder for people with mobility issues to get in and out of bed. That being said, Casper still received praise from users of all ages who enjoyed sleeping on the mattress, though those under 40 were particularly impressed.
✔️ Busy people: Casper is convenient, both in terms of its simple ordering process and when it comes to making the bed. Because it has a lower profile and weighs less than mattresses with metal coils, our reviewers found it quick and easy to lift the corners when putting sheets on the bed.
Materials & construction
The Casper Original Mattress has a simple yet well-thought-out design. Its outer cover is a stretchy knit fabric that's made from recycled water bottles and the mattress includes the following layers from top to bottom:
- Casper's signature AirScape foam, which features thousands of small perforations throughout for increased breathability.
- The memory foam with zoned support is softer under your shoulders while firmer under your lower back and hips for proper spine alignment.
- A supportive base foam helps prevent it from sinking and sagging.
✔️ Firmness and feel
The Original Mattress is an all-foam model with a medium-firm feel. Those used to firm innerspring mattresses may find this jarring: Instead of a bouncy, responsive surface, the foam conforms to your body with the goal of providing pressure relief. The difference in texture may feel soft and cushy at first, but it's not exactly an ultra-plush bed. Our testers liked how it contoured to the shapes of their bodies but still offered necessary support.
How it performed in our tests
Casper earned high scores across multiple categories from our testers, including the ordering process and setup experience to how well the mattress has held up over time. Here are the highlights:
✔️ Comfort and support
Most of our Casper Original Mattress reviewers found the model to be both comfortable and supportive, thanks to its memory foam fill and ergonomic design. One user told us, "It supports all the curves of my body." Another said, "It is hard to describe, but it is just so comfy. [It's the] right mix of cushy and supportive. I lay down and think 'Ah!'"
✔️ Motion isolation
Memory foam mattresses are ideal if you want to avoid feeling your sleeping partner move around throughout the night, and the Casper Original Mattress delivers on this aspect. Our reviewers found that they weren't disturbed by their partners (and vice versa) when one was moving around and the other was sleeping.
✔️ Edge support
Firm edges on a mattress make it easier to get in and out of bed, especially for anyone with mobility issues. Unfortunately, this feature is less common in affordable foam mattresses. Though our reviewers didn't complain about the lack of edge support, no one highlighted this aspect.
✔️ Cooling capabilities
Memory foam traps heat, making it less ideal for hot sleepers. To combat this issue, Casper's top layer is made of the brand's AirScape foam, which means the foam has thousands of tiny holes throughout to help increase airflow instead of trapping heat.
Though we wouldn't consider the Casper Original Mattress to be a cooling mattress, users told us they feel less warm on this than they do with other types of foam. Most also gave it good ratings for helping keep them at a comfortable body temperature, but I wouldn't recommend it for hot sleepers. If you prefer a cooling mattress, we like the Casper Snow, which uses materials that help pull heat away from your body.
✔️ Ordering, setup, and trial period
Our reviewers praised the simplicity of getting a Casper mattress: You buy the mattress online and it ships within days, then you can set it up at your own convenience. Users loved how it was contact-free and that there was no need to schedule a delivery window or wait around for a service to show up at their homes. Still, you'll likely need a friend or family member (or hired helper) to set up the mattress with you. A Queen-size model weighs 79 pounds, and it doesn't have side handles to assist with setting it up on the bed.
Casper also offers an any-reason 100-day trial period. That means you can get a refund if you don't love the mattress and find that it's not the right fit. It comes with a limited 10-year warranty, but we recommend focusing more on the trial periods when making a purchasing decision, especially since warranties only cover manufacturer defects (which can be difficult to prove).
✔️ Longevity
The brand says the mattress can last up to 12 years, but since the company is less than 12 years old, it's not easy to verify this yet. Still, Casper mattress owners have told us that so far, it has held up well over the years. You can also help extend the life of your mattress by using a mattress protector.
Bottom line: Is the Casper Original Mattress worth it?
Yes! After evaluating over 200 mattresses, it's still our favorite boxed mattress. We're especially impressed with its zoned support, which is rare for all-foam models, and our testers underscored its cushiony comfort and balanced support. Still, it might not be the best option for hot sleepers or someone who needs solid edge support.
Note: Casper may phase out the Original Mattress soon since it launched The One, but it's still online as of this update.
Original Mattress vs. The One
In 2024, Casper released "The One," a new foam mattress meant to replace its Original Mattress after 10 years. It's similar but costs several hundred dollars less—the Queen size is under $1,000—and it doesn't have zoned support. While our testers liked the pressure relief and comfort, they had mixed opinions when it came to support.
Based on our evaluations, we recommend the Original Mattress over the One, if you can find it. It's currently available on online retailers like Amazon and Walmart, though it may be phased out eventually.
How we test mattresses
To evaluate the Casper Original Mattress amongst the current market, our team of expert scientists and engineers have:
✔️ Researched hundreds of new models each year, reviewing the materials, claims, and other noteworthy features alongside brand reputation, customer service, and online reviews.
✔️ Surveyed more than 10,000 readers on our GH survey panel, analyzing over 170,000 answers to questions about the mattresses they own. This includes over 250 Casper mattress owners, who answered more than 5,000 questions.
✔️ Sent over 200 mattresses to hundreds of consumer testers to review at home, both short and long term, in the past few years. Users give feedback after several weeks of sleeping on the mattress, then we continue to follow up with them over extended periods to see how they hold up after repeated use.
✔️ Reviewed company-provided lab data (especially related to temperature and cooling) and firsthand user experiences from our own surveying. We also consider any claims made to see whether any brands may be overpromising on performance.
✔️ Leveraged our backgrounds in fiber science, materials engineering, and consumer science to assess everything from materials and structure to brand reputation.
✔️ Interviewed dozens of medical professionals and kept up with relevant sleep studies.
✔️ Visited dozens of mattress factories and showrooms, interviewing everyone from CEOs to in-house product experts.
What we consider
Our survey asks Casper mattress owners about ease of ordering, speed of delivery, ease of setup, and whether they encountered any issues throughout these processes. Users also let us know whether the mattress took shape quickly and felt comfortable right away, along with whether it felt comfortable and supportive over an extended period. We ask questions related to sleep quality, including whether they remained at a comfortable body temperature and whether they woke up feeling sore while sleeping on the bed. Our reviewers also have the opportunity to answer open-ended questions, telling us specific aspects they liked and disliked about the mattress.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
At the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab, our experts have been testing bedding and home products for over a century. In recent years, we have evaluated nearly 200 mattresses and surveyed more than 10,000 people. Consumer testers are enlisted to sleep on the newest upgrades from brands to provide feedback on their experiences after weeks, months and even years down the line.
Lexie Sachs is the executive director of strategy and operations at the Good Housekeeping. She has been actively researching and reporting on mattresses since 2014, and she's extensively reviewed dozens of models by meeting with brands, surveying real mattress owners and conducting consumer tests. Sachs attended the Casper launch in 2014 and has personally tried out several Casper models since it first hit the market.
Textiles Product Reviews Analyst Grace Wu currently oversees mattress testing at Good Housekeeping. Wu regularly evaluates mattresses herself, coordinates consumer testing and writes about beds for every type of sleeper. Prior to joining GH, she earned a Master of Engineering in materials science & engineering and a Bachelor of Science in fiber science from Cornell University.
Lexie Sachs (she/her) is the executive director of strategy and operations at the Good Housekeeping Institute and a lead reviewer of products in the bedding, travel, lifestyle, home furnishings and apparel spaces. She has over 15 years of experience in the consumer products industry and a degree in fiber science from Cornell University. Lexie serves as an expert source both within Good Housekeeping and other media outlets, regularly appearing on national broadcast TV segments. Prior to joining GH in 2013, Lexie worked in merchandising and product development in the fashion and home industries.
Grace Wu (she/her) is a product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she evaluates fabric-based products using specialized equipment and consumer tester data. Prior to starting at Good Housekeeping in 2022, she earned a master of engineering in materials science and engineering and a bachelor of science in fiber science from Cornell University. While earning her degrees, Grace worked in research laboratories for smart textiles and nanotechnology and held internships at Open Style Lab and Rent the Runway.
