Trying to decide between the Amerisleep and Bear mattresses? You’ve come to the right place! We’ve personally tested both of these beds, and we’re excited to share how they stack up.
In this comprehensive Amerisleep vs Bear mattress comparison, we’ll review the similarities and differences between both mattresses and offer a full breakdown of each bed’s construction, firmness, feel, and performance. We’ll also share our suggestions for who should choose one of these beds over the other. By the end of this comparison, you should have all the info you need to make a sound decision!
Product
Firmness
Score
Product
Amerisleep AS3 MattressFirmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10Score
Product
Bear Original MattressFirmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10Score
Amerisleep vs. Bear Overview
Amerisleep and Bear are both popular online mattress brands. Amerisleep offers five different mattress models to accommodate many different types of sleepers. These models range from very firm to very soft. We’ve reviewed the all-foam Amerisleep AS3 here since it’s right in the middle of the firmness spectrum.
The original Bear mattress is an all-foam bed that was designed with athletes in mind. It’s meant to support muscular recovery, and its benefits don’t end there. Here’s a quick look at who’s most likely to enjoy the Amerisleep and who might prefer the Bear.
Who Should Get the Amerisleep?
- People who want multiple firmness options
- Back sleepers who need extra lumbar support
- Folks who want a mattress that feels more substantial
Read up on the Amerisleep AS3 in our in-depth Amerisleep AS3 mattress review.
Who Should Get the Bear?
- People who are looking to save some money
- Side sleepers
- Lightweight people
Learn more about the Bear in our comprehensive Bear mattress review.
Amerisleep vs. Bear Mattress Video Review
Want to see the Amerisleep and the original Bear mattress in action? Then check out our in-depth video review! Our reviewer, Marten, will reveal the construction on each of these beds and share his experiences with sleeping in every position on both mattresses.
Amerisleep vs. Bear: Top Similarities
Before we dive into the similarities between these beds, let’s get clear on which mattresses we’re talking about. As noted above, we’ve pitted the all-foam Amerisleep AS3 against the all-foam Bear Original mattress. Here’s what these two beds have in common.
- These are both popular online mattresses.
- Both beds come with good customer service terms.
- They have similar base layers.
- They’re similar when it comes to feel.
- In our experience, the Bear has the same firmness as the Amerisleep AS3.
Amerisleep vs. Bear: Key Differences
While these beds have several factors in common, they’re also very distinct. Here’s an overview of the ways in which these mattresses differ.
- The Amerisleep comes in five firmness options, ranging from very firm to very soft. The Amerisleep AS3 is right in the middle.
- The Amerisleep AS3 is thicker than the Bear.
- The beds use different materials in their comfort layers. (The Amerisleep features Bio-Pur foam, while the Bear uses gel-infused memory foam)
- The Amerisleep AS3 is zoned to create variable firmness across the mattress, while the Bear is not zoned.
- The Bear costs less than the Amerisleep mattresses.
Firmness and Feel Differences
A bed’s firmness and feel will tell you a lot about whether it’s suitable for your sleep position(s) and other preferences. So let’s dive into the in-depth portion of this comparison with a close look at the firmness and feel of both the Amerisleep and the Bear.
How Firm Are the Amerisleep and Bear Mattresses?
We ranked the Amerisleep AS3 around 6.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale. (Again, note that the Amerisleep models come in five different firmnesses; the AS4 and AS5 are softer than the AS3, while the AS1 and AS2 are firmer.) We also ranked the Bear Original mattress around 6.5/10. The industry standard for medium-firmness is 6.5/10, so this suggests that both mattresses are right around average firmness.
That said, note that firmness is a bit subjective. Depending on your body weight and personal preferences, you might rank either or both of these beds a touch firmer or softer than our assessments.
Sleeping on the Amerisleep and Bear Mattresses
We spent time sleeping on both of these mattresses. Read on to learn how we felt in every sleeping position.
Amerisleep AS3
We felt great while back sleeping on the Amerisleep AS3. We enjoyed a pleasant balance of comfort and spinal support.
We felt decent but not spectacular while side sleeping on this mattress. Lighter-weight side sleepers might obtain more pressure relief, while average- and heavier-weight sleepers will probably want to consider the softer Amerisleep AS4 or AS5.
In our experience, the Amerisleep AS3 is not quite supportive enough for stomach sleeping. People who spend all night in this position should consider the firmer AS1 or another mattress for stomach sleepers.
Amerisleep AS3 Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping minus HI and AK
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Warranty
20-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Amerisleep AS3 Mattress
The Amerisleep AS3 is the brand's most popular model and offers an excellent balance of comfort and support.
Material
Foam
Warranty
20-year warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping minus HI and AK
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Amerisleep AS3 Mattress
The Amerisleep AS3 is the brand's most popular model and offers an excellent balance of comfort and support.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
20-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping minus HI and AK
Price Range
$$$$$
Bear
As with the Amerisleep AS3, we experienced a great balance of spinal support and pressure relief while back sleeping on the Bear.
We enjoyed a pleasant amount of pressure relief while side sleeping on the Bear. We felt comfortable around the shoulder and hip, which are common hot spots for side sleepers.
The only position that didn’t really work on this mattress? Stomach sleeping. The Bear didn’t offer quite enough support for this position, and our hips sank a bit too far into the mattress.
Bear Original Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Bear Original Mattress
The Bear Original mattress sleeps cool and is quite comfortable. It's a particularly good option for athletes.
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Bear Original Mattress
The Bear Original mattress sleeps cool and is quite comfortable. It's a particularly good option for athletes.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
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.
What Do the Amerisleep and Bear Mattresses Feel Like?
The Amerisleep AS3 has memory foam in the top layers, which creates some of the slow-moving feel associated with that material. At the same time, the Bio-Pur foam is more responsive than conventional memory foam, so we didn’t feel stuck in this bed. While it’s not as bouncy as, say, a latex mattress, it’s still pretty easy to move around.
Much like the Amerisleep AS3, the Bear has a balanced foam feel with a bit of that slow-moving memory foam feel on top. At the same time, sleepers shouldn’t feel stuck in this mattress.
Average Weight Sleepers – 130lbs – 230lbs
The Amerisleep AS3 should offer most average-weight back sleepers a great balance of comfort and support, though folks who are on the heavier side of the spectrum might prefer the firmer Amerisleep AS2. Similarly, side sleepers on the lighter side of the spectrum should enjoy adequate pressure relief, while folks who are on the heavier side might want the plusher AS4 or Amerisleep AS5. The AS3 is almost certainly not supportive enough for average-weight stomach sleepers.
Average-weight back sleepers should enjoy a pleasant balance of pressure relief and spinal support on the Bear. Side sleepers who are on the lighter end of the weight spectrum should obtain plenty of pressure relief, while folks who weigh closer to 230 pounds might feel some pressure around the shoulder and hip. For the most part, average-weight stomach sleepers will probably want to seek out a more supportive mattress.
Heavyweight Sleepers – Over 230lbs
Heavyweight back sleepers who weigh close to 230 pounds should enjoy a mixture of support and pressure relief on the Amerisleep AS3. Folks who weigh more than that will probably want to look for a more supportive mattress for heavy people. Heavyweight side sleepers will probably want the plusher AS4 or AS5 in order to get enough pressure relief. The Amerisleep AS3 is not supportive enough for heavyweight stomach sleepers.
Heavyweight back sleepers should enjoy a great balance of comfort and spinal support on the Bear mattress. Heavyweight side sleepers will probably press through the top comfort layer and into the firmer support layers underneath, which means they’re likely to experience too much pressure around the shoulder and hip. Heavyweight stomach sleepers will almost certainly find that their hips bow too far into the mattress and pull the spine out of alignment.
Lightweight Sleepers – Under 130lbs
The Amerisleep AS3 should be a great match for lightweight back sleepers thanks to a pleasant balance of comfort and spinal support. It’s also a great option for lightweight side sleepers, who should enjoy plenty of pressure relief. The AS3 is probably too soft for lightweight stomach sleepers.
In general, lightweight sleepers should enjoy sleeping on the Bear mattress. They’ll get a blend of comfort and support while back sleeping; they should obtain plenty of pressure relief while side sleeping, and the Bear could even be supportive enough for lightweight stomach sleepers. That said, stomach sleepers who prefer an extra supportive feel will want to look for a firm mattress.
Mattress Construction Differences
Now that you know what it feels like to sleep on top of the Amerisleep AS3 and the Bear mattress, let’s dive below the surface of these beds. We’ll reveal each layer of the Amerisleep’s and Bear’s constructions and share how different materials impact performance and feel.
Cover
The Amerisleep mattress has a Refresh Cooling Cover, which is designed to feel cool to the touch and improve circulation.
For an extra $200, the Bear offers a cover that’s woven with Celliant, a material that helps with cooling and might support athletic recovery by stimulating blood flow. If you opt not to spend the extra $200, the cover will not include Celliant.
Comfort Layers
The Amerisleep’s top comfort layer is made from the brand’s Bio-Pur foam, which is bouncier and more responsive than standard memory foam. It’s also open-celled, which makes it more breathable than conventional memory foam. Depending on which Amerisleep model you purchase, the bed will have more or less of this material. The firm Amerisleep AS1 has the thinnest layer of Bio-Pur foam, while the soft AS5 has the most. The AS3 is right in the middle.
Underneath the Amerisleep’s Bio-Pur foam layer, there’s a HIVE transition layer with a zoned construction. This makes the mattress slightly firmer in some areas (for extra support) and slightly softer in others (for extra pressure relief). The AS1 doesn’t include this layer, but the other Amerisleep models do.
The Bear’s main comfort layer is made from gel-infused memory foam. It has some of the conventional feel of memory foam, while the gel infusion helps dissipate heat. Underneath the memory foam, there’s a transition layer of higher-density foam that’s a touch firmer and more responsive.
Support Layer
The Amerisleep’s support layer is made from a Bio-Core base foam that’s high-density and supportive.
Similarly, the Bear’s support layer is high-density support foam that gives the mattress its overall structure.
Mattress Height
The Amerisleep AS3 is 12” tall, while the Bear is a bit shorter at 10”.
Amerisleep vs. Bear Mattress Size Options and Price
Curious about the size and pricing options for the Amerisleep and/or Bear mattress? Then take a gander at the charts below, which offer the most up-to-date info for each of these beds!
Amerisleep AS3
| Size | Dimensions | Price |
| Twin | 38” x 74” | $1499.00 |
| Twin XL | 38” x 80” | $1549.00 |
| Full | 54” x 75” | $1699.00 |
| Queen | 60” x 80” | $1749.00 |
| King | 76” x 80” | $2049.00 |
| California King | 72” x 84” | $2049.00 |
| Split King | Two 38” x 80" pieces | $2648.00 |
Bear
| Size | Dimensions | Price |
| Twin | 39" x 75" | $786.00 |
| Twin XL | 39" x 80" | $849.00 |
| Full | 54" x 75" | $911.00 |
| Queen | 60" x 80" | $998.00 |
| King | 76" x 80" | $1304.00 |
| California King | 72" x 84" | $1304.00 |
See how these mattress prices compare to others by looking at our popular Amerisleep and Bear comparisons like Amerisleep vs Tempurpedic and Bear vs Casper.
To get the best deal on both mattresses, check out our Amerisleep mattress coupons and Bear mattress coupons.
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Amerisleep vs. Bear Performance Differences
You’ve read this far, which means you now know a lot about the Amerisleep and the Bear! But there are still some important factors left to consider before you make a final decision. We put both of these beds through a barrage of tests to assess their performance with temperature regulation, motion transfer, edge support, and more. Let’s see how they stacked up!
Sleeping Hot or Cold
Both the Amerisleep and the Bear are all-foam mattresses, which generally are known for trapping heat. That said, each mattress boasts some design features to help it sleep cooler. The Amerisleep has a breathable cover and uses open-celled foam for extra breathability, while the Bear uses cooling Celliant in its optional cover and gel infusions to help dissipate heat from the comfort layers.
Motion Transfer
The Bear is the winner for this category. The memory foam comfort layer does a great job of absorbing movement and minimizing disturbances across the surface of the mattress. The Amerisleep does a great job as well, but the Bear is even better.
Edge Support
This was a close one. They both feature decent, though not stellar, edge support. In a head-to-head comparison, the Amerisleep AS3 ekes out a win. We felt a bit more secure near the edges of that mattress.
Durability
Once again, this is nearly a tie. The materials in the Amerisleep might be a touch more durable.
Off-Gassing
It’s possible you might notice some initial off-gassing from the Amerisleep; this should dissipate within a few days. The Bear is made with CertiPUR-US certified foams that are low in VOCs, so it’s unlikely to produce strong off-gassing out of the box.
Sex
A great mattress for sex makes it easy for partners to change positions. While the Amerisleep and Bear aren’t the most responsive mattresses around, they should both be a decent match. It’s unlikely that sexual partners will feel stuck in either bed.
Company Policies
Thinking about purchasing the Amerisleep or the Bear? Here’s a quick look at the company policies you can expect from each brand.
Warranty Info
The Amerisleep AS3 mattress comes with a 20-year limited warranty. The first 10 years consist of a full replacement warranty, meaning repairs and replacements are free of charge (so long as they meet the terms of the warranty). During the second 10 years, Amerisleep will only cover a portion of the costs for repairs or replacements.
The Bear mattress comes with a lifetime warranty. You can learn more about how mattress warranties work in our comprehensive guide to mattress warranties.
Sleep Trial
The Amerisleep comes with a 100-night sleep trial period, meaning you can test out the mattress in your own home for 100 nights risk-free.
The Bear comes with a 365-night sleep trial.
Return Policy
If you decide that you don’t like the Amerisleep AS3 mattress, simply return it during the 100-night trial period for a full refund. Because it can take some time to break in a new mattress, Amerisleep requests that customers wait at least 30 days before starting the return process.
The Bear mattress comes with free shipping and returns so long as consumers send an email to the returns department before their 365th night of the sleep trial. The brand will arrange a pick-up for free, and they’ll donate the returned mattress to a local charity.
To see how these mattresses compare to other brands, check out our Amerisleep mattress comparisons and Bear mattress comparisons.
