As an all-foam bed with three internal layers, the Bear Original may seem simply designed. But after I tested it, it emerged as a champion contender for comfortable stomach sleeping. I found that the Bear’s slightly firm feel and sturdy foams make for awesome spinal alignment. The cover presents two options for a rejuvenating sleep surface: breathable Tencel™ or state-of-the-art Celliant®.
I’d recommend this bed for people with back pain, but there’s still so much to say about its construction, pressure relief, and support. In this review, I’ll break down all the pros and cons, features, and specifications.
Bear Original Mattress
This flagship model was thoughtfully crafted and assembled to be an attractive all-foam option for athletes who need better rest.
Material
Foam
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Bear Original Mattress
This flagship model was thoughtfully crafted and assembled to be an attractive all-foam option for athletes who need better rest.
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Bear Original Mattress
This flagship model was thoughtfully crafted and assembled to be an attractive all-foam option for athletes who need better rest.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Bear Original Mattress Performance Ratings
Watch Our Bear Original Video Review
Editor’s note: We are currently working on updating our Bear video review. For the latest findings, please refer to our written review.
Who I Recommend the Bear Original For:
- Athletes – This mattress was made specifically for athletes and those who need to sleep well and wake up feeling ready to go. What stands out the most is the Celliant® cover that’s designed to enhance recovery for active consumers by transforming body heat into infrared energy. This may improve blood flow and reduce inflammation for these sleepers.
- Combination sleepers – I found this mattress works great for combination sleepers switching between back and stomach sleeping. It sports excellent support levels that help keep the body aligned in these positions. Plus, switching positions should be easy on this mattress.
- Stomach sleepers – Julia Forbes, who is our other lead tester, is a stomach sleeper. She gave the Bear mattress a thumbs up for stomach sleeping. While Julia is an average-weight sleeper, we found this bed to be good for stomach sleeping across different weight groups too.
Who I Don’t Recommend the Bear Original For:
- People who want to sink into their bed more – Stuart Petty, another of Sleep Advisor’s mattress testers, noted that he felt more ‘on top of’ this mattress rather than ‘in’ it, adding that he’d “prefer something with slightly more sink for my wider shoulders.” Therefore, if you want more sinkage from your mattress, especially for side sleeping, consider a softer model.
- Budget shoppers – The Bear’s enhanced design could benefit many sleepers, but it also comes at a slightly higher price than competitors. Although selling directly to consumers helps keep costs down, the Bear mattress may still be out of range for some budget mattress shoppers. That being said, the Bear Original is cheaper than the brand’s hybrid models.
Customer Reviews of the Bear Original Mattress
According to Bear’s website, the Bear Original scores about 4.5 out of 5 stars. Customers appreciate the Bear Original mattress for its excellent pressure relief but have reported that its edge support may be lacking, which could affect those who use the full mattress surface.
Testing the Bear Original Mattress
Sleep Advisor’s Testing Methodology
At Sleep Advisor, our mattress reviews are based on findings from in-person tests that allow us to have a genuine understanding of how the mattress feels and performs.
Testing the Bear Original mattress allowed me to judge how the bed feels in various sleeping positions. Although its firmness can be considered versatile, some may still find it too firm or too soft, depending on their preferred sleeping position. For this reason, I had some of my teammates help with testing, giving their two cents on how the bed feels and performs for different weight groups.
Apart from testing the overall feel, we also focused on how the bed isolates motion, supports the heaviest body parts, and relieves pressure in sensitive areas.
To learn more about our testing methodology, visit our product review process page.
Firmness & Feel
Firmness Scale: 7/10
Please remember that firmness is a subjective characteristic and your shape will dictate how you experience a bed. A heavier person whose weight can more easily push through softer comfort and support layers may experience a bed as softer than a lightweight person. The way you are shaped could also play a role here. Consider your weight, shape, and size when evaluating firmness scores.
When evaluating mattress firmness, we rank beds on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the firmest. I rated the Bear mattress a 7 out of 10, which means it has a slightly firm feel.
That said, I think this bed will feel firmer for lighter-weight sleepers and softer for heavier sleepers, so keep that in mind when making your decision. Don’t let the slightly firm feel deter you either; this also means the bed is plenty supportive, which is helpful for maintaining a healthy posture during sleep.
How Does It Feel?
When you first lie down on the Bear, you should notice that the soft Celliant® cover, which stretches tightly around the mattress. The cover isn’t removable but can be gently spot-cleaned.
You should also feel yourself nestled in a gentle cradle, with plenty of lifting from the bed’s all-around firmer feel.
Sleeping Positions for Different Body Types
The Bear Original mattress doesn’t have a weight limit, but this doesn’t mean it can handle an infinite amount of weight. As a general rule of thumb, I’d advise only sticking with 250-300 pounds per side, which would be 500-600 pounds total for couples since this is an all-foam bed with only a 10-inch profile.
Side Sleepers
- Lightweight Sleepers – Lightweight side sleepers may prefer a bit more sinkage which would allow for better pressure relief in this position. I think the Bear Original is likely too firm for this group of sleepers.
- Average Weight Sleepers – Although those closer to 230 pounds might sink deeper, I still think most side sleepers would prefer a softer mattress.
- Heavyweight Sleepers – We found the Bear to be just too firm for all body types for side sleeping.
Explore the best mattresses for side sleepers.
Back Sleepers
- Lightweight Sleepers – Lightweight back sleepers should get sufficient support. I found that the foam contours the back, which is not something we see often with beds that don’t have zoned support.
- Average Weight Sleepers – While testing for average-weight back sleepers, Julia’s hips sank just a bit, but she still experienced overall good alignment.
- Heavyweight Sleepers – Although the Bear mattress is firm enough in theory, our plus-size tester, Spencer Bland, noticed his hips sinking a bit too much here, adding “I can feel my hips sinking inward and hurting my back.”
More: Best Mattress for Back Sleepers
Stomach Sleepers
- Lightweight Sleepers – Lightweight stomach sleepers are better off sleeping “on” the mattress instead of “in” it because this position typically requires more support. The Bear feels nice on the stomach for petite sleepers.
- Average Weight Sleepers – Stomach sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds should like how this bed feels on the stomach.
- Heavyweight Sleepers – We also noticed the Bear was plenty supportive for heavyweight stomach sleepers as well.
Discover the best mattresses for stomach sleepers.
Pressure Relief
4/5
The Bear Original’s top layer of gel memory foam should deliver the majority of pressure relief. However, pressure relief can be an issue for some people due to how firm the Bear is.
While I wouldn’t advise side sleepers in need of abundant pressure relief to get the Bear, this mattress should still mitigate pressure for most back sleepers and stomach sleepers, which is why I gave it a 4 out of 5 here.
Is the Bear Original Good for Pain Relief?
In my opinion, people with any kind of pain should be careful with the Bear’s firmness level. This bed is slightly firm, so it might be too much for those with hip or shoulder pain. This is especially the case if you’re a side sleeper since I noticed the foams don’t allow too much sinkage. When it comes to back pain, I think the Bear Original should do well thanks to its sturdy foams that offer gentle contouring and sufficient support.
Back Pain
I think sleepers with back pain should like the Bear’s firmer feel as it provides solid levels of support in the lower and upper back areas. The gel memory foam layer allows gentle contouring to prevent the pressure from building up, while the sturdy high-density foam base ensures the hips are aligned with the rest of the body to prevent lower back pain.
More: Best Mattress for Back Pain
Hip Pain
People with hip pain may find this mattress too firm, especially if they usually sleep on their side. I found that the Bear Original doesn’t feel the best for side sleeping; it’s just too firm without enough sinkage for pressure relief to help those with hip pain. Find more mattresses for hip pain here.
Shoulder Pain
The Bear Original may help with pain relief in the shoulder area, but only if you’re a back sleeper. Side sleepers are likely to find the bed too firm as it doesn’t allow too much contouring in this position, which I think can exacerbate shoulder pain, especially for those who weigh under 130 pounds. Explore our picks for the best beds for shoulder pain here.
Support
5/5
With the Bear mattress, the three layers of foam help the bed maintain its structure and keep your body in proper alignment, which is vital for preventing back pain. Even without zoned support, this all-foam bed did a good job of providing body support.
Motion Transfer
3.5/5
Motion transfer can be a serious issue for couples and co-sleepers, preventing them from getting a good night’s sleep. If a bed has lots of motion transfer, that means movement from one side of the bed is likely to be felt on the other side.
While Stuart didn’t notice much motion transfer during his testing, I found there wasn’t as much motion absorption because of the mattress’ firmer feel. For this reason, I’m only giving a 3 out of 5 here.
Temperature Regulation / Cooling
2.5/5
Although the Bear Original has cooling features, I didn’t notice much of anything in terms of cooling when I tested this bed. It took over five minutes for the surface to cool back down to its starting temperature of 66.8 degrees after reaching 76.2 degrees when I was lying in it. Any cooling felt initially fades super quickly, so this might not be the best mattress if cooling is your number one concern.
Bounce
4.5/5
The Bear Original is not the most bouncy, but the overall responsiveness level is pretty good for an all-foam bed. Getting in and out of bed and changing positions should also be simple enough. However, if you want more bounce, I suggest you go for some of Bear’s hybrid mattress.
Edge Support
4/5
We had some conflicting results here among our testers. Stuart noted, “Sitting on the edge of the mattress, it does buckle a bit, but lying on the bed, it doesn’t feel too much like I’m falling out.”
However, the rest of the team was a little disappointed it took over four weeks for the edges to inflate correctly. When sitting at the edge, I noticed that the bed felt like a slope, and, to be honest, lying there felt equally insecure.
As such, I wouldn’t recommend this bed if you’re interested in consistent edge support.
Performance for Couples
3/5
Couples looking for optimal edge support and cooling should look elsewhere since the Bear Original mattress might not deliver. However, I think it’s a good option for co-sleepers with somewhat similar habits. If you and your partner prefer firmer beds, you should enjoy sleeping on the Bear Original.
Related: Best Mattress for Sex
Bear Original Mattress
This flagship model was thoughtfully crafted and assembled to be an attractive all-foam option for athletes who need better rest.
Material
Foam
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Bear Original Mattress
This flagship model was thoughtfully crafted and assembled to be an attractive all-foam option for athletes who need better rest.
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Bear Original Mattress
This flagship model was thoughtfully crafted and assembled to be an attractive all-foam option for athletes who need better rest.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Preference-Based Features
Bed-in-a-Box Shipping
Rather than having to pick up your mattress at a store or pay expensive delivery fees, Bear comes shipped in a box right to your door for free within the continental U.S. After unwrapping it and giving it a few hours to inflate, it should be ready for sleep in no time.
Performance Materials
If you’re in the market for the latest and greatest in performance materials and technology that could potentially amplify your rest, I think you might want to check out the studies that are ongoing with the materials in this mattress to see if it’s right for you.
Eco-Conscious Materials
Bear’s foams are all CertiPUR-US® Certified, meaning that the foams in the mattresses are not made with ozone depleters, harmful flame retardants, or formaldehyde and have low VOC emissions.
Adjustable Base Compatible
All Bear brand mattresses are compatible with adjustable bases, and the company has even produced its own for easy and quick changes in mattress positioning.
Made in the USA
Bear mattresses are assembled in the United States. Explore the best mattresses made in the USA here.
Construction: What’s Inside the Bear Original?
The Bear Original features an all-foam design. This bed should be used on a solid, flat surface and is compatible with an adjustable base.
While the standard cover contains TENCEL™, you can pay an extra fee to have a cover that contains Celliant® technology, which may convert energy from the body into infrared light to help aid recovery. This material can also help promote additional cooling.
At 10 inches tall, the bed gradually transitions from soft to firmer layers from the top down.
- A breathable TENCEL™ cover sits atop the Bear Original.
- The top foam layer of the Bear Original is 2 inches of copper gel memory foam. Memory foam is popular in the bedding industry because of its top-notch pressure-relieving capabilities, and Bear infuses it with graphite gel to prevent it from becoming too hot.
- The transition layer is a 2-inch layer of poly foam. This foam provides a balance of added pressure relief and support while serving as a transitional layer between the top comfort foam and the dense support foam below.
- The base layer is made up of 6 inches of poly foam, which acts as the main support unit of this bed. The foam here is highly dense to help ensure the spine stays well-aligned. The support core also gives the mattress its durability for long-lasting use.
Unboxing & Off-Gassing
The Bear Original mattress comes wrapped and packed into a box, so it’s easy to move around. You should place the package on your foundation of choice before cutting the plastic wrapping and allowing the bed to unroll. One thing to keep in mind is that the edges took significantly longer (specifically four weeks) to inflate.
When it comes to odors, you’ll probably notice some off-gassing common for bed-in-a-box mattresses. Luckily, the foams in this bed are CertiPUR-US® certified, so the odors you notice aren’t harmful. Plus, they should dissipate by the time the bed expands and is ready to sleep.
Certifications
- Eco-Friendly Certifications – This product has a GREENGUARD Gold certification that reflects the product’s ability to meet some of the world’s most rigorous emissions standards. In addition, the foams in this bed are CertiPUR-US® certified. CertiPUR-US® is a third-party program that ensures the foams meet rigorous health and safety standards. This means they don’t contain harmful substances like ozone depleters, PBDEs, heavy metals, formaldehyde, and phthalates. They should also have low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.
Coupons, Trials, Warranties, and Shipping
- Shipping – The Bear Mattress ships free, is rolled up, and compressed into a box across the continental U.S. Shipping to Alaska and Hawaii is available for an additional fee.
- Trial – With a 120-night sleep trial, the company gives you plenty of time to decide if their flagship mattress is right for you.
- Warranty – This bed has a lifetime warranty.
- Return Policy – Returns are free within the trial period, which means no refund is available after the 120-night trial is up.
Sizes & Prices
Size | Dimensions (inches) | Price (w/o discount) |
Twin | 38” x 75” x 10” | $786 |
Twin XL | 38” x 80” x 10” | $849 |
Full | 54” x 75” x 10” | $911 |
Queen | 60” x 80” x 10” | $998 |
King | 76” x 80” x 10” | $1,304 |
Cal King | 72” x 84” x 10” | $1,304 |
Split King | 76” x 80” x 10” | $1,690 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Bear Original good for back pain?
I think the Bear Original mattress is a good option for people with back pain as it has a slightly firmer feel that prevents excess sinkage. This means you’re more “on” the mattress than “in” it, which should promote spine alignment, especially for those who prefer sleeping on their back or stomach.
Where is the Bear Original from?
Bear makes their mattresses in the United States, and this includes their Original model. The beds are designed and manufactured in the U.S., which allows free and fast shipping and returns.
How long does the Bear Original last?
Like most memory foam beds, the Bear Original should last seven to 10 years with proper use. One way to prolong its lifespan is to prevent your kids from jumping on it. I would also advise rotating the bed once or twice a year to ensure it wears out evenly.
Bear Original vs. Other Brands
Bear Original vs. Saatva Loom & Leaf
Product
Firmness
Trial Period
Product
Bear Original MattressFirmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10Trial Period
120 nightsProduct
Loom & Leaf MattressFirmness
Multiple firmness optionsTrial Period
365 nightsWho I Recommend the Bear Original For
- Couples with similar sleeping habits
- Eco-friendly shoppers
- Sleepers looking for a thinner mattress
Who I Recommend the Saatva Loom & Leaf For
- People sensitive to allergies
- Sleepers with lumbar pain
- Luxury shoppers
Check out our full Loom & Leaf Mattress Review.
Bear Original vs. Nolah Signature
Product
Firmness
Trial Period
Product
Bear Original MattressFirmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10Trial Period
120 nightsProduct
Nolah Signature 12″ MattressFirmness
Soft: 4/10Trial Period
120 nightsWho I Recommend the Bear Original For
- People with back pain
- Athletes
- Stomach sleepers
Who I Recommend the Nolah Signature For
- People looking for a soft mattress
- Side sleepers
- Lightweight people
Interested? Read our full Nolah Signature Mattress Review.
Bear Original vs. Other Bear Models
Bear Original vs. Bear Star Hybrid
Product
Firmness
Trial Period
Product
Bear Original MattressFirmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10Trial Period
120 nightsProduct
Bear Star Hybrid MattressFirmness
Medium-firm: 6/10Trial Period
120 nightsWho I Recommend the Bear Original For
- Memory foam fans
- Stomach sleepers
- Solo sleepers
Who I Recommend the Bear Star Hybrid For
- People looking for a hybrid mattress
- Sleepers with back pain
- Lightweight stomach sleepers
Learn more in our Bear Star Hybrid Mattress Review.
Bear Original vs. Bear Elite Hybrid
Product
Firmness
Trial Period
Product
Bear Original MattressFirmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10Trial Period
120 nightsProduct
Bear Elite Hybrid MattressFirmness
Medium-firm: 6/10Trial Period
120 nightsWho I Recommend the Bear Original For
- Active people
- Solo sleepers and couples with similar sleep habits
- People with lower back pain
Who I Recommend the Bear Elite Hybrid For
- People looking for strong edge support
- Sleepers who want a taller mattress
- Stomach sleepers
Explore our Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress Review.
My Verdict
The Bear Original mattress is an innovative bed created for athletes, as it aims to provide cooling and muscle recovery. The Celliant® technology may enhance muscle recovery, though research isn’t conclusive on this so keep that in mind.
I feel like this firmer mattress can be great for back pain and overall body support, especially for stomach sleepers of all weight groups. The downside is that we didn’t see as much consistency in performance for features like edge support and motion isolation. Overall, it earned a 4 out of 5.
Bear Original Mattress
This flagship model was thoughtfully crafted and assembled to be an attractive all-foam option for athletes who need better rest.
Material
Foam
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Bear Original Mattress
This flagship model was thoughtfully crafted and assembled to be an attractive all-foam option for athletes who need better rest.
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Bear Original Mattress
This flagship model was thoughtfully crafted and assembled to be an attractive all-foam option for athletes who need better rest.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Loren Bullock
Lead Product Tester
About Author
Loren is the Lead Reviewer at Sleep Advisor. She has prioritized sleeping for as long as she can remember, rarely deviating from seven to nine hours each night.
Combination Sleeper
Education & Credentials
- Certified Sleep Science Coach