Out of everything you shop for, a quality mattress should snuggle up to a premier spot on your priority list. Not only do we spend 33% of our lives asleep, but there’s nothing more restful than knowing you’re hitting the hay on something you’ve been dreaming about all day.
Truthfully, I’m someone that needs eight hours of sleep to go about my day in the best way possible. I’m also someone who has joked with my parents about being Golidlocks as it has always been a struggle to find that not-too-firm, not-too-soft mattress that’s perfect for me (otherwise known as “The Princess as the Pea,” as feeling 100% comfortable hasn’t been an easy feat for me).
That’s why I was beyond thrilled to review Casper’s brand-new Element Pro mattress. After just my first night’s rest on my newly minted sleeper, I was so impressed — especially for its mattress-in-a-box shipment that can be hit or miss sometimes.
“This mattress is great for sleepers in all positions,” Aaron Feldman, director of product and brand strategy at Casper, told the New York Post. “Our research shows that the average person changes position 20 to 30 times per night, so you need a mattress to accommodate your body’s natural movement. We would classify this mattress as Medium-Firm.”
Casper Element Pro Mattress, $595 to $1,395
The new Casper Element Pro mattress is offered in sizes Twin ($595), Full ($895), Queen ($995) and King ($1,395). It’s only offered online and worth your coin if you’ve been on the market for a new, quality mattress.
I’ve only slept on this mattress for a few days but it already exceeds my expectations. For a more in-depth review, make sure to revisit this article in a few months.
Oh, and this mattress is a total revamp of one of the brand’s top hits.
“The key difference between the Element and Element Pro is that the Element Pro features an additional support layer, providing responsive comfort and support that accommodates the body throughout the night. The result is that you wake up feeling refreshed.”
Aaron Feldman, Director of Product and Brand Strategy at Casper
Namely, this mattress features three fabulous layers with dual-foam, signature AirScape breathability and provides both comfort and long-lasting support for a good night’s rest. For my full-sized bed, it’s that low-to-the-ground, plush mattress I’ve always been looking for.
Now, the golden question: how does it compare to other mattresses? From experience, I’ve gone through quite a few mattresses for a 22-year-old (probably six, but that’s just a rough guess). My family also has a home on the Jersey Shore, so I’m constantly sleeping on various ones during my vacation stay.
Of course, the perfect mattress for me may not be the perfect mattress for you, but I would be surprised if anyone laid on the Casper Element Pro mattress and deemed it uncomfortable. For me at least, a full-bodied memory foam design is a luxury (I’ve only slept on ones with semi-harsh springs, and my latest one has been a hybrid: a combination of springs and memory foam).
What I look for when testing mattresses
Mattress-testing certainly isn’t my full-time job, but I’ve done enough research over the years in the commerce reporting space (and have spoken to a few sleep experts) to know that there is a certain testing process to keep in mind when either saluting or disapproving a mattress model.
Below, see the criteria I kept in mind, and how the Casper Element Pro panned out:
- Price: While everyone’s budget looks different, I believe Casper’s Element Pro mattress is a wonderful value. I have never spent more than maybe $500 for a full-sized model (and I think that reflects the amount I’ve gone through) but if you want a one-and-done deal, this one is fairly priced. Plus, for a 100% memory foam make, you can see prices shoot toward the $2,000 mark and beyond.
- Firmness: Whether you’re a back, stomach or side sleeper, firmness is something you’re going to need (to a degree) for support while you sleep. This mattress leans on the firmer side — compared to others I’ve slept on in the past — but I don’t feel like I’m sleeping on a rock. It contours to your body and has that nice bounce for a Goldilocks-perfect feel.
- Comfort: Surely, firmness plays a factor in how comfortable a mattress is. As soon as I laid down on its contouring layers, I didn’t have an ounce in me to get off of it (same deal when I woke up after my first night’s rest: I didn’t spring out of bed to my first alarm, which is something I hardly do). You can 100% tell this new mattress is well-made and designed with every sleeper in mind.
- Edge Support: When giving my new mattress a 360-view, I placed my hands on the edge of the mattress to see how it held up. It’s super strong and durable, which is great for those who like to sit at the edge of their bed (whether to watch a YouTube video with someone at their side or to tie their shoes). Over time, your mattress won’t “dip” to where you’ve sat or laid. This is a huge factor for me at least, as I always sleep at the same spot (don’t we all) and knowing I don’t have to rotate my mattress to have more support is a pretty big deal.
- Assembly & Set-Up: Unlike hiring someone from a department store to deliver and set up my mattress, Casper took the middle man out and added the convenience in. I’ve always been on the fence about mattresses that come straight out of a box but let me tell you — it expanded in less than five minutes (magic!) and was super easy to place atop my elevating mattress base (or, you can place it atop your boxspring, though I find you don’t need one with the Element Pro). For best use, roll the mattress out while it’s on your bed frame to avoid unnecessary lifting.
- Temperature Regulation: Personally, having a “cooling” mattress isn’t at the top of my checklist — even though I have days when I’m a super hot sleeper — but I have felt comfortable with the temperature of my bed and how I’m sleeping. Of course, these are my first impressions and it would take more testing over the next few months to have a more precise review for this point, but so far, so good.
The bottom line
I am pleased with my mattress and beyond ecstatic to call it mine (my memory foam, pure-comfort dreams have finally come true!) If you’re on the market for a mattress you can cozy up to (with some great bed sheets and the right pillow, of course, along with a mattress protector), then Casper’s new Element Pro model is a wonderful slice of luxury that is great for any sleeper.
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