Comparison of Two 10″ Bed-in-a-Box Mattresses
Mattress Comparisons
Numerous blog-style websites have been reviewing mattresses, especially those sold online. Almost all of them offer comparisons between comparable brands and models. When it comes to memory foam mattresses, memory foam mattress reviews compare the reviewed models more often with equivalent TEMPUR-Pedic models than with any other brand. The reasons for this are (1) TEMPUR-Pedic is the original memory foam mattress brand, hence the best known, (2) TEMPUR-Pedic’s consistent quality still makes it the standard for comparison, and (3) TEMPUR-Pedic’s generally high prices showcase the reviewed mattress as being more affordable.
Another frequent target for comparison is The Casper Mattress. For one thing, it is seen as the disrupter. For another, since it is a memory foam mattress, other memory foam mattresses may be compared to it. Finally, it’s success in the marketplace makes it a well-known target for comparisons.
A Challenge to the Disrupter
Dr. Rick Swartzburg, a chiropractor, began consulting for mattress companies in 2001, and in 2005 designed the Tri-Pedic Mattress. Since then he has headed Selectabed, a manufacturer of mattresses and pillows. A subsidiary, Snuggle-Pedic, has the top-rated pillows with shredded memory foam on Amazon. In 2016, the Snuggle-Pedic Mattress was introduced, and it is the top-rated memory foam mattress on Amazon. It is only natural to compare it to The Casper, since they are both memory foam mattresses, boxed beds, the same height, close to the same firmness, close in price, and sold on Amazon. Also, both mattresses are designed and made in the U.S.A. with American-made materials.
The Snuggle-Pedic Mattress
(The Challenger)
The Snuggle-Pedic Mattress is a 10” high memory foam mattress. It was designed to be a bed-in-a-box version of the Tri-Pedic mattresses. Dr. Swartzburg and Selectabed engineers spent about two years developing and testing this new product. Tri-Pedic mattresses are sold and delivered uncompressed. They needed a mattress with the same support and pressure relief which could be compressed and rolled for shipment without sacrificing its quality and durability.
Mattress Construction
Unlike the three-layer Tri-Pedic models, the Snuggle-Pedic Mattress has only two layers. Two layers are better-suited to compression and rolling than multiple layers, since it is easier to maintain the integrity of its assembly.
Comfort Layer
The top layer is 3” of ventilated memory foam with a medium firmness, the preference of the majority of mattress shoppers. At 3-lbs/ft³ density, it is lighter than the 4-lb. memory foam used in the top layers of Tri-Pedic mattresses. This is one of the adjustments made for a boxable mattress.
Channeled Support Layer
The 7” base layer is high-density polyurethane foam which is firm enough to keep the softer memory foam from bottoming out. Numerous airflow channels are cut into the top surface.
Cover
The Snuggle-Pedic Mattress has a modular cover. The top panel is zippered for removal so it can be cleaned. Also, the firmness can be adjusted by replacing the memory foam with a softer or firmer version. It is made of Kool-Flow fabric, a knitted blend of rayon from bamboo (43%), polyester (56.4%), and lycra (0.6%), which has knit-in micro-vents as part of its cooling system.
The Casper Mattress
(The Disrupter)
The Casper was originally the only model offered by Casper Sleep. Now it is the middle model, flanked by an entry-level model, The Essential, and a luxury model, The Wave. Although The Casper of today is a continuation of the original Casper Mattress, it is not the same one that stormed the mattress market in 2014. This is the third version (or iteration) of this model. The most significant changes are to the top and third layers.
Mattress Construction
The Casper began as a three-layer latex-memory foam hybrid mattress in 2014. It is now a four-layer model with a different material in the top and upgraded support midway down.
Cover
The cover of The Casper is a “soft polyester blend.” Product descriptions do not disclose what the other fibers are. Like the Snuggle-Pedic cover, it is zippered for removal and washing, a feature which is becoming more common among mattress brands. It is also breathable and “stretchy.”
Comfort Layer
The comfort layer of The Casper is 1½” high. In 2014, it was Dunlop latex. In the first revision, it was changed to a latex-like foam, which it still is. Latex replacement is a continuing trend among mattress manufacturers. Some reviewers think this is to avoid the chance of allergic reactions, while others think it’s the cost of natural rubber-tree latex.
Contour Layer
The 1½” Contour Layer of The Casper is 4-lb memory foam. This is called the “Contour Layer” because of memory foam’s contouring support. It is thought by some commentators that the reason the memory foam is in the second layer is so it would not get as hot as it would if next to the sleeper’s body.
Zoned Support Transition Layer
This is the latest upgrade of The Casper. The Base Layer was divided into a 1½” Transition Layer and a Foundation Layer. The Transition layer consists of three zones to differentiate support among body areas. The softest zone is for the shoulders, the firmest for the hips, and medium for the lags.
Foundation Layer
This is the firmest layer, providing support for the rest of the mattress. It is made of high-density polyurethane foam.
Comparison of Key Mattress Features
Each of these two mattresses has significant key features, Zoned Support in the Casper and the Airflow Transfer System in the Snuggle-Pedic. One feature they share is being boxed for parcel shipment.
Zoned Support
The key feature of the current version of The Casper is its zoned support. This follows suit with zoned support among several mattress brands for more than six years. The reason is that the hips are the heaviest zone of the body, and more support here helps keep the spine in line. This is especially important for side sleepers[1], where sagging at the hips will bend the backbone sideways, a sure formula for morning back pain.
Meanwhile, the softer support under the shoulder lets it sink in more, which helps side sleepers keep the head in place, avoiding or lessening neck pain.
Airflow Transfer System
The patented Airflow Transfer System developed by Dr. Swartzburg for Selectabed, facilitates the flow of air through the mattress between the top and the sides. It is an option in most Selectabed mattresses and standard in Tempflow and Snuggle-Pedic mattresses.
Air coming through the top panel of the cover travels down through vertical pores in the comfort layers (only one, in the Snuggle-Pedic) and horizontally through the air channels and out through the side panel of the cover. Using other channels and pores, cool air comes in the sides and travels through to the top. Heat is transferred to air going through the foams.
Warranties
The Casper carries a 10-year non-prorated warranty and has a 100-night sleep trial. The Snuggle-Pedic Mattress has a 20-year non-prorated warranty and a 120-night sleep trial, and during the trial period the firmness level of the mattress can be adjusted.
Price
Both mattresses are about the same in terms of price comparison. The prices of the Snuggle-Pedic Mattress and The Casper on Amazon are close, but the Snuggle-Pedic costs a little less. Both brands are available in six sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, and California King. The Snuggle-Pedic ranges in price from $549.99 for Twin to $1,149.99 for King and California King, The Casper from $595.00 to $1,195.00. The price differential ranges from $45.01 to $95.01 more for The Casper than for the Snuggle-Pedic. The widest spread is for the most popular sizes, Full and Queen.
Snuggle-Pedic vs. Casper Price Comparison
| Size | Snuggle-Pedic | Casper |
|---|---|---|
| Twin | $549.99 | $595.00 |
| Twin XL | $599.99 | $645.00 |
| Full | $799.99 | $895.00 |
| Queen | $899.99 | $995.00 |
| King | $1,149.99 | $1,195.00 |
| Cal King | $1,149.99 | $1,195.00 |
Construction and Features Comparison
| Feature | Snuggle-Pedic | Casper | Casper Layer Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cover Material | Kool-Flow blend of bamboo rayon, polyester, and Lycra | Soft polyester blend, stretchy | |
| Removable Cover | Yes (zippered) | Yes (zippered) | |
| Vented Cover | Yes | Not mentioned | |
| Number of Layers | Two | Four | |
| Comfort Layer | 3" Snuggle-Flex 3-lb ventilated memory foam | 1.5" latex-like foam + 1.5" HD memory foam | Comfort Layer + Contour Layer |
| Channeled Base Layer | 7" high-resilience HD polyurethane foam, top surface channeled for airflow | 1.5" polyfoam, Zoned Support: shoulders soft, hips firm, legs medium + Very dense polyurethane foam for base support | Transition Layer + Foundation Layer |
| Cooling | Patented Airflow Transfer System: vented cover, ventilated memory foam, channeled base. | Breathable cover fabric and open-cell foam | |
| Warranty | 20 years non-prorated | 10 years non-prorated | |
| Sleep Trial | 120 nights | 100 nights | |
Amazon Ratings: Verified Customer Reviews
| Model | 5 Stars | 4 Stars | 3 Stars | 2 Stars | 1 Stars | Total Ratings | Star Point Totals | Average Ratings | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snuggle-Pedic | 249 | 15 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 281 | 1,338 | 4.76 | 95.23% |
| Casper | 269 | 52 | 28 | 32 | 43 | 424 | 1744 | 4.11 | 82.26% |
| ALL REVIEWS | |||||||||
| Snuggle-Pedic | 268 | 15 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 304 | 1,441 | 4.74 | 94.80% |
| Casper | 479 | 88 | 59 | 81 | 134 | 841 | 3220 | 3.83 | 76.58% |
Customer Reviews
We calculate our ratings in accordance with our Verified Review Policy.
Since The Casper and the Snuggle-Pedic Mattress are both sold on Amazon, it is fair to compare their customer ratings there. Amazon marks Verified Customer Reviews (VCRs). At this time there are 841 reviews (424 VCRs) of The Casper and 304 (281 VCRs) of the Snuggle-Pedic. The average rating of The Casper is 4.11 (82.26%) all reviews, and 3.83 (76.58%) VCRs. For the Snuggle-Pedic it is 4.76 (95.23%) and 4.74 (94.80%).v
Pros & Cons
Customers credit both mattresses with pressure-relieving support. The Casper has softer foam atop firmer memory foam, while the Snuggle-Pedic has lighter memory foam on top.
Some customers mentioned an initial odor with The Casper which did go away, but hardly a mention was made of odor with the Snuggle-Pedic. This also held true when being evaluated by independent reviewers/bloggers. Snuggle-Pedic’s memory foam, which is certified by CertiPUR-US, is made by a process which produces much lower emissions than many other memory foam products on the market.
Judging by the remarks of customers, the Snuggle-Pedic is cooler than The Casper, which can be credited to their use of the Airflow Transfer System ATS).
Where The Casper may have an edge is with its Zoned Support, which is the key upgrade of this model. More time may be needed to tell by the reviews. From the dates of reviews and how long some of these owners had the mattresses, it appears that some of these are for the first or second iteration, not the current zoned version. Also, by the description of the mattress on Amazon, they seem to be selling both version #3 (“4-layer foam construction for support, breathability, and bounce”) and version #1 (“Open-cell hypoallergenic latex keeps you cool all night”), possibly also version #2. I think this a copywriting error.
Conclusion
Both mattresses score well with consumers overall, but the Snuggle-Pedic scores much higher on Amazon’s verified consumer reviews with a 4.76 star to Casper’s 4.11, nearly missing a 5 star total to Casper’s 4 stars. So while both mattresses have some very good and unique features such as the zoned support Casper offers or the free customizations the Snuggle-Pedic offers, one would ultimately have to consider what fits their needs best and if they want to go by the hundreds of reviews that favor the Snuggle-Pedic over the Casper.
