Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress Review: Feature-Rich With Premium Comfort
Bear has a full catalog of quality mattresses, so I was excited about the opportunity to try the Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress, the brand’s top-tier offering. The company also lists it as the most popular model. It’s a hybrid that promises the comfort of memory foam with added support for key pressure points. I’m looking for a mattress with enough support that doesn’t put pressure on my hips and shoulders when I sleep on my side, so I put the Bear Elite to the test. In my Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress review, I break down my experience and share who I think would get a restful and supportive sleep on this mattress.
Our Bear Elite Hybrid review comes after 30 days of testing for comfort, firmness, motion isolation … [+]
Bear designs and markets its mattresses to promote rest and recovery for those who are active or athletic. The company even has Olympic athlete testimonial videos on its website. At 14 inches high with innerspring coils, added edge support and cooling features, the Bear Elite Hybrid promises a luxury feel. I slept on it for over 30 days, often with a dog, a cat and a human bed partner. We (including my pets) tested its pressure relief, temperature regulation, motion isolation and of course, comfort. Continue on below to see our full breakdown of this premium memory foam bed.
Our Score: 8 | Type: Hybrid | Bear’s Firmness: Three choices review covers Medium 6 out of 10 | Trial period: 120-nights | Warranty: Lifetime | Height: 14 inches
Best for:
- Side, back and combination sleepers
- Sleepers with back or joint pain
- Hot sleepers or athletes (cooling and Celliant-infused cover)
Skip if:
- You’re looking for the sinking feel of memory foam
- You’re a stomach sleeper over 250 pounds
- You or your bed partner move a lot and don’t want to disturb one another
Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress Construction, Firmness And Feel
Memory Foam And Higher-Gauged Coils Offer Great Pressure Relief
Bear’s Elite Hybrid is a 14-inch mattress that’s available in three comfort levels: soft, medium and firm and I chose medium firmness to test for this review. The Bear Elite Hybrid has a five-layer construction with the option to upgrade to a Celliant-infused cover for more restorative sleep, according to the company. Here’s a breakdown of the bed’s different layers:
- Cover: A quilted cushion cover is made from phase change material, which is designed to absorb heat.
- Comfort layer: The first layer consists of copper-infused memory foam, designed for comfort that also offers cooling.
- Transition layer: Transition foam separates the memory foam and coils for added support and contour.
- Support layer: A system of individually wrapped coils are the bed’s main support layer, and it has reinforced edges for sturdier edge support.
- Base layer: A dense layer of foam acts as the bed’s base.
The Bear Elite Hybrid mattress contains thick pocketed coils, multiple comfort layers and a … [+]
Bear puts its Elite Hybrid Mattress in a medium firmness around the middle of its firmness scale at a 6 out of 10. The company rates the soft and plushest option at a 5 and the firm option at a 7. I agree with the brand’s firmness rating as a lightweight sleeper (less than 150 pounds). As someone who has recently only tested memory foam mattresses, I felt fully supported compared to the sinking or hugging feeling you can get from memory foam. That said, sleepers who weigh over 250 pounds might find the medium softer and want to opt for the firm option.
As primarily a side sleeper, though I do rotate to my back at times, the Bear Elite Hybrid felt supportive and comfortable in both positions. It wasn’t too soft, and it wasn’t so firm that it created pressure build-up. Side sleepers usually need more cushioning to keep pressure from building up on the hips and shoulders, while a medium-firm feel is best for back sleepers to get adequate support. The Elite Hybrid offered better support than some of the memory foam models I’ve tried without being too firm. It’s a good option for side and back sleepers under 250 pounds and may even provide enough firmness for stomach sleepers under 150 pounds.
Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress Features
Suitable For A Variety Of Sleepers
The Bear Elite Hybrid arrived the same way as other bed-in-a-box mattresses I’ve tried. FedEx left it in my apartment’s front mail area instead of at my door. I’ve been able to push the memory foam models from there to my door, but I could tell right away that I needed help moving it into the apartment and to the bedroom.
As soon as the mattress inflated, Charlie (the dog) and Dennis (the cat) couldn’t resist trying it out. They’ve become used to the rotating mattresses in our house and were eager to test the new arrival’s firmness level, edge support and motion transfer. We found that it’s truly a luxurious mattress and as comfortable as it looks. It’s one of those beds that are generally hard to dislike. And with a medium firmness level and hybrid construction, it’s suitable for almost all sleeping positions and bodies.
Charlie tried out the Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress and was a big fan.
Pressure Relief
To test how the Bear Elite Hybrid performed for pressure relief, I spent over 20 minutes at a time in each of the three sleeping positions (side, stomach and back). I took note of how my body felt and whether there was discomfort, support or pressure buildup.
Side sleeping: I’m mainly a side sleeper, so I tested this position by going to bed as usual. I found that the medium Bear Elite Hybrid gave me good pressure relief for my hips and shoulders. I didn’t notice pressure buildup in the morning in the way I have with other firmer mattresses. I would recommend this mattress for light to medium-weight side sleepers. Although, some very petite sleepers may want the softer firmness and heavier sleepers may want the firmer option.
Back sleeping: I rotate on my back during the night and sometimes go to sleep on my back (if my shoulder is bothering me), so I tested this position through my usual habits. The mattress felt supportive to my lower back and shoulders when lying on my back. I’d recommend the medium Bear Elite Hybrid to back sleepers under 250 pounds. Heavier sleepers who favor their back or stomach may need more support and could opt for the firmest model.
Stomach sleeping: Since I don’t sleep on my stomach, I tested this position by lying on the bed a few times for at least 20 minutes at a time. Sometimes I work on my laptop while lying on the bed on my stomach. I didn’t sink in the middle, so I think it’s a good option for lightweight stomach sleepers. I did feel more supported on my stomach than some memory foam options I’ve tried. My partner, who is a medium-weight (more than 150 pounds and less than 250 pounds) stomach sleeper, said he preferred it over the all-foam models we’ve tried and felt more supported, but he would still opt for a firmer choice..
Cooling
I’ve tried many sleep products that claim to be cooling, but I have yet to experience it. The best I can report is feeling neutral, meaning I don’t feel warmer than usual but I also don’t feel noticeable cooling. The Bear Elite Hybrid felt neutral to me. I slept on it during hot summer nights with no air conditioning. It didn’t keep me or the animals from overheating, but I did notice a difference from memory foam beds that I’ve slept on where I felt hotter than usual.
Charlie is a dachshund mix, so by nature, he has to sleep under the covers. I can always tell when Charlie is hot because he gets up in the middle of the night to get out from under the sheets and move to a new spot. He still did these movements on this mattress, but not more or less than usual.
Motion Transfer
Memory foam is known to be good with motion transfer, but hybrids can be a little different since they have springs inside. To test motion transfer, I let my human and animal bed partners do their thing. There’s a lot of motion in my bed with the dog adjusting positions, the cat jumping from the six-foot cat tree to the mattress and my human partner who moves frequently while sleeping.
The Bear Elite Hybrid didn’t absorb all of this motion, so I felt things more than I would on a solid memory foam mattress. Charlie scratching an itch at the edge of the bed could be felt, and Dennis hopping from the tree was more noticeable.
I think this mattress is a good option for people who sleep alone, don’t have quite as much movement in the bed as I do or aren’t as concerned with motion transfer. If you sleep with animals or you or your partner move a lot at night, I recommend the Bear Original Mattress.
Support
The Bear Elite Hybrid is designed to provide better overall support and edge support. Under the foam layers are individually encased spring coils and reinforced edge coils. After laying near the edge and sitting on the edge of this mattress, I thought it provided pretty solid support.
Bear doesn’t list weight recommendations for products on its website. In general, hybrids provide more support for heavier sleepers than memory foam mattresses. I might recommend the firm model for heavier sleepers.
Ease Of Movement
This hybrid strikes a nice balance of being soft and comfortable for a side or combination sleeper without the “stick in the bed” feeling or the “bouncy” feeling, and I found it easy to move around on the Bear Elite Hybrid. Of course, everyone’s body is different in size and it feels when you rotate.
Other Things Worth Noting
I did notice the off-gassing smell on this mattress for a few hours after setup. I’m pretty sensitive to smells, so others may not notice it. But I admit that it was stronger than other bed-in-box mattresses I’ve tested.
About the Company
Bear is a well-known bed-in-a-box brand. The company says it aims to help active and athletic customers improve sleep wellness by creating products that give support and pressure relief. The company’s mattresses are CeriPUR-US certified, Greenguard Gold certified and fiberglass-free, so they aren’t made with harmful chemicals. Bear products ship directly from its factory in Arizona.
Shipping And Delivery
Bear does offer free shipping and free returns. However, it says additional fees may apply to products going to Alaska or Hawaii. Mattresses ship via FedEx and delivery times can vary depending on the delivery location. The company gives an estimated shipping window of two to five business days.
Bear offers white glove delivery service through a partnership with a company called LoadUp. This includes the in-home setup of a new mattress and removing an old mattress. The service can range from $80 to $150, depending on what you need and where you’re located. You can choose just to have your old mattress removed with no setup for the new one, or you can get help setting up the new mattress and bed frame with help removing the old one. LoadUp says the average cost for mattress disposal is $80, but prices vary depending on services and location.
Trial Period And Returns
All Bear mattresses have a 120-night trial period. Bear says it assists you with the return if you don’t like how the mattress sleeps within a period of 30 to 120 nights. The company refunds the cost of the mattress to the original payment method if you have it removed by an “authorized party of Brooklyn Bedding LLC and confirmed by Brooklyn Bedding LLC.”
Bear only allows one refund or exchange per household or delivery address, and no refunds are offered after the 120-day period.
Warranty
Bear mattresses purchased after January 1, 2022 are covered under a limited lifetime warranty. This means the person who purchased the mattress is covered under the warranty for as long as they own it. You must have the receipt as proof of purchase, and only the original buyer can put in a claim under the warranty.
The warranty is limited to one replacement. It covers defects and flaws that aren’t because of incorrect use or improper handling. The warranty does not cover normal wear and tear, damage caused by misuse or abuse (cuts, tears, spills, mold, etc.) or changes in your sleeping comfort preferences.
Other Mattresses From The Brand
Final Thoughts
As a petite side sleeper, I liked the Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress. I could feel the difference the coils make in terms of support. It felt nice and cozy to sleep on both my side and my back. The mattress feels more luxurious than your average bed-in-the-box model. Ultimately, I recommend it to side, back and combination sleepers under 250 pounds. If you’re a heavier sleeper or sleep on your stomach, you may want the firmest option. If you’re lightweight and strictly sleep on your side, you may want the softest firmness option.
While I didn’t notice cooling, I also don’t think this model would make hot sleepers hotter. So it’s worth a try if you sleep hot.
Finally, Dennis (the cat) chose to sleep on this mattress with me more than other models, so based on his review, I recommend this one to cat people.
How I Tested The Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress
My sleeping needs and bedmates are unique to me, like everyone’s, but I tried to consider different types of sleepers to think about how they might find this product.
- I slept on the mattress for a little over 30 nights before writing this review. During that time, I slept or rested in different positions and paid attention to how my body felt, including where I felt support or pressure relief, how easily I could switch positions and whether or not I felt my active bedmates (human, cat and dog) moving.
- Since I mainly sleep on my side and sometimes my back, I asked my bed partner (mainly a stomach sleeper) how he felt. He found the mattress more supportive than memory foam models but would still prefer something firmer to support the midsection. I’m a petite sleeper (under 150 pounds) and my partner is an average-sized sleeper (over 150 pounds and under 250).
- I love a good nap, especially in the summer heat. So I tested the mattress’s cooling abilities during the night and day to see if I woke up or slept comfortably during different times of day and sleeping periods. I also paid attention to the dog’s behavior to see if he made more or less adjustments due to temperature.
My Expertise
I have over a decade of experience covering lifestyle and medical topics, including products used for health reasons. I have interviewed hundreds of clinicians and other experts to gain a deeper understanding of medical conditions, treatments, healthy living and sleep products. I have also worked on staff at U.S. News & World Report in the home product reviews division and at Healthline Media.
I’ve also tested and reviewed the Bear Original Mattress for Forbes Vetted and the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress. My writing has appeared in Forbes Health, Health.com, Medical News Today, Business Insider, Yahoo Life, Everyday Health, Sleep Foundation and Verywell Health, where I wrote a quiz to gauge how well you’re sleeping.