Bear Original Hybrid Review

In This Review
Performance Tests | Firmness | Support & Sleeping Positions | Design | Materials | Comparisons | FAQs

At NapLab, we put each mattress to the test.

We test 10 different factors that impact the performance, comfort, and feel of the mattress. We then take the results of those tests and compare them to every mattress we’ve tested to date.

Check out the full performance table below to see how this mattress ranks:

Factor	Bear Original Hybrid	Average
Overall Score	8.56	8.52
Price (Queen)	$835	$1,515 (Hybrid only)
Cooling – Score	9.0	8.6
Sinkage – Depth	2.69″	2.25″
Sinkage – Feel	Very Deep	Moderate
Motion Transfer – Score	7.7	8.2
Motion Transfer – Acceleration	10.15 m/s²	8.78 m/s²
Response Time – Score	9.6	8.7
Response Time – Mostly Recovered	0.2 sec.	0.4 sec.
Response Time – Fully Recovered	0.8 sec.	1.0 sec.
Bounce – Height	8.12″	8.66″
Bounce – Feel	Moderate	Moderate
Edge Support – Score	8.9	8.7
Edge Support – Sitting	4.00″	3.85″
Edge Support – Lying	Excellent	Good
Sex – Score	8.1	8.2
Pressure Relief – Score	8.0	8.6
Comfort Layer Thickness	4.50″	4.35″
Mattress Thickness	11.25″	12.31″
Off-Gassing – Score	8.1	7.9
Off-Gassing – Smell	Strong	Strong
Off-Gassing – Days	7 days	8 days
Company – Score	9.4	8.8
Trial	120 nights	193 nights
Warranty	Lifetime	40% have lifetime warranties, average of other 60% of mattresses is 13 years

How is Bear Original Hybrid Different?

The Bear Original Hybrid is an 11.25″ hybrid mattress with an overall performance level that is slightly better than the average mattress and a price that is significantly less than average —a savings of 45% off of the average hybrid.

Advantages

Specific advantages of the Bear Original Hybrid include better cooling performance, faster material response time, and slightly better edge support.

The price could also be a huge advantage for sleepers on a tight budget. Looking at all hybrids we’ve tested to date, only 18% of mattresses are below the price of the Bear Original Hybrid.

Neutral Factors

The Bear Original Hybrid has very deep sinkage and moderate levels of bounce. Both sinkage and bounce are preferential factors and different sleepers may feel differently about what’s “good” or “bad” in a mattress.

If you like sleeping “in” the mattress, you are more likely to enjoy the feel of the Bear Original Hybrid than if you prefer sleeping “on” the mattress.

Disadvantages

With the low price, comes a handful of disadvantages. Motion transfer levels are higher than average and pressure relief is below average as well.

Despite this mattress having 4.5″ of comfort material (more than average), the quality of the materials just isn’t at a high enough level to dramatically improve pressure relief.

The Bear Original Hybrid has excellent cooling. During our tests, I did not experience any significant level of heat retention.

This mattress has a few different design elements that help with cooling. First up and arguably most impactful, we have the cover that’s infused with Celliant.

Celliant is a proprietary material that embeds quartz, silicon oxide, and titanium oxide within the fibers of the cover.

• Baseline Temperature – the temperature of the mattress before anyone lies on it
• Maximum Temperature (0 minute) – the temperature of the mattress after lying on it for 15 minutes
• Ending Temperature (5 minute) – the temperature of the mattress after being lied upon and having no one on it for 5 minutes

These thermoreactive minerals absorb heat and reflect it back as infrared energy. This infrared energy has been clinically proven to increase tissue oxygenation and blood circulation (source), which, in addition to aiding in muscle recovery, can also help your body cool itself more effectively.

Beyond the Celliant cover, we also have a hybrid design, which brings more airflow into the mattress.

Lastly, this mattress is also available with an optional cooling layer called CoolForce. Our mattress did not include the optional CoolForce layer.

In our objective temperature tests, we measured a max surface level temperature of 91.0° F. This is 0.8° warmer than the average of 90.2° F, based on all of our tests to date.

After getting off the mattress, the temperature declined by 4.6 degrees from minutes 0 to 1, which is 0.2 degrees less cool than the average 0 to 1 minute decline of 4.8 degrees.

When we consider the combination of objective data, my subjective experiences, and an analysis of the materials, I’m confident in my view that cooling is excellent.

The Bear Original Hybrid has very deep sinkage. During our tests, we measured a pressure point sinkage depth of 2.69″.

This is 0.44″ more sinkage than the average sinkage depth of 2.25″, based on all of our tests to date. The mattress creates a balanced body contouring hug.

The level of sinkage is documented in the image below.

This deeper sinkage can be especially beneficial for side sleepers who need a little more sinkage to create a more neutral spinal alignment. That said, some back and stomach sleepers may find it’s a bit too deep.

Beyond the deeper sinkage, the Bear Original Hybrid has a balanced, even, and non-polarizing feel. It uses a mix of different material types, including a quilted cover, memory foam, poly foam, and coils to create this balanced feel.

The Bear Original Hybrid has a moderate level of motion transfer. During our tests, we measured a total acceleration range of 10.15 m/s². This is 16% more motion transfer than the average of 8.79 m/s².

The higher motion is the result of the moderate bounce, a limited 1.50” memory layer, and a thinner-than-average design.

This combination creates more engagement with the coil unit, which transfers more motion throughout the mattress. In our motion transfer chart, which visualizes our accelerometer data, we can see the highest motion peaks from 0 to 0.2 seconds.

The level of motion transfer is also documented in the video below.

Motion declines significantly immediately thereafter and by 0.80 seconds, we’ve returned to near-zero levels of energy, which is 0.10 seconds shorter than the average motion duration of 0.90 seconds.

If there is a silver lining, it’s that motion duration is better than average.

Even so, motion intensity was notably higher than average and that initial intensity is likely to be felt by most sleepers. If you’re more sensitive to motion transfer, this could be more problematic.

The Bear Original Hybrid is a mixed bag for material responsiveness, with an extremely fast mostly recovered response time and a fast fully recovered response time.

In our mostly recovered test, we measured a recovery speed of 0.2 seconds, which is 0.22 seconds faster than the average of 0.42 seconds, based on all of our tests to date.

In our fully recovered responsiveness test, we measured a recovery speed of 0.8 seconds, which is 0.22 seconds faster than the average of 1.02 seconds.

While the full material recovery speed takes a moment longer to fully recover, the mattress is still incredibly responsive. The mostly recovered time in particular is tied for 1st with a number of other mattresses as the fastest we’ve tested to date.

The level of responsiveness is documented in the video below.

All that to say, these responsiveness speeds are fast enough to facilitate excellent ease of movement on the mattress. I never felt stuck or had any difficulty moving around, changing positions, or getting in / out of bed.

The Bear Original Hybrid has a moderate level of bounce. During our tests, we measured a total bounce height of 8.12″.

This is 0.55″ less bounce than the average of 8.67″, based on all of our tests to date. This mattress is equipped with a fairly thick 4.50” comfort layer. 1.50” of that material is a memory foam.

This thickness of comfort materials, especially when it includes a reasonably thick memory foam layer, sets the stage to absorb lots of energy, therefore reducing bounce.

The level of bounce is also documented in the video below.

The lower bounce is helping to keep motion transfer held to a reasonable level. However, that lower bounce also means that sex performance is worse. As such, it’s worth considering what’s more important to you.

The Bear Original Hybrid has good sitting edge support and excellent lying edge support.

In our sitting edge support test, we measured a sitting sinkage compression of 4.00″. This is 0.15″ more sitting sinkage than the average of 3.85″, based on all of our tests to date.

The level of edge support while seated is documented in the images below.

While lying directly on the edge of the mattress, I felt that the support was excellent in all sleeping positions.

This mattress utilizes reinforced coils along the left and right sides of the mattress. These reinforcing coils are helping to improve edge support for both sitting and lying.

The level of edge support while lying is documented in the images below.

Notably, there are no reinforced coils at the head or foot of the mattress. As a result, we find edge support being less supportive on the head and foot.

The Bear Original Hybrid has good sex performance. On the positive side, noise is minimal, earning a 10/10 score. In addition, cooling earned an excellent score, while pressure relief was good, but not amazing.

The edge support is also excellent, where we measured a 4.00” sitting sinkage compression.

The reinforced coils along the sides of the mattress help to deliver that stronger edge support, which extends the usable surface area of the mattress.

Sex Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Rating
Bounce	65%	7.6	Moderate
Edge Support	20%	8.8	Good
Noise	5%	10	Minimal
Pressure Relief	5%	8.0	Good
Cooling	5%	9.0	Excellent

Lastly, we need to talk about where the mattress isn’t so great, which is bounce. In our bounce tests, we measured a bounce height of 8.12”. This is less bounce than average. Lower bounce means the mattress is more strenuous and tiring to have sex on.

Overall, the sex score is good, but very far from great also.

The Bear Original Hybrid has a good level of pressure relief. During our tests, I felt no significant pressure points on my body. That said, it’s clear the pressure relief performance doesn’t rise to the excellent or outstanding level.

Bear’s higher-end models, like the Bear Elite and Elite Ultra, are significantly better than what we tested with the Original Hybrid.

The mattress is equipped with 4.5″ of comfort material, which is 0.16″ more comfort material than the average comfort layer thickness of 4.34″, based on all of our tests to date. In all mattress tests, we make it a point to cut the mattress open to examine the material layers. In doing so, I’m generally pleased with what I see.

That said, it’s also clear that these are not the absolute best or highest quality foams (as confirmed with our densimeter tests). Even so, given the price point, they are not unreasonable or unfair to sleepers.

This mattress has a typical hybrid mattress feel. It’s balanced and uses a mix of material types, including quilted cover, memory foam, poly foam, and coils to deliver a feel that most sleepers can enjoy.

In our objective pressure mapping tests, we measured a max PSI of 0.56, which is well within the 1.0 PSI threshold that I want to see all mattresses under.

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Side Sleepers	0.10	0.50

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Back Sleepers	0.06	0.56

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Stomach Sleepers	0.06	0.41

When I consider our objective pressure mapping tests, material thickness, material quality, and my subjective experience on the mattress, I’m confident most sleepers will find the pressure relief to be good.

The Bear Original Hybrid had a strong smell upon the initial unboxing. The mattress smelled for 7 days. This is 0.7 days shorter than the average smell duration of 7.7 days.

Bear mattresses come with a 120-night trial period and a lifetime warranty. Shipping and returns are both free.

Company Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Data
Returns	40%	10	$0
Trial Period	30%	8.0	120 nights
Warranty	20%	10	Lifetime
Shipping	10%	10	$0
Country of Origin	0%		USA

Comparing 117+ brands tested to date, the average trial period is 193 nights, 73 nights more than Bear offers.

The Bear Original Hybrid is only available in a single firmness option, which they call Medium-Firm.

Based on my tests, I agree that it has a medium-firm feel, which is a firmness rating of 6 out of 10, where 10 is the most firm.

Support on the Bear Original Hybrid is good. During our tests, I felt well supported by the mattress, especially on my side. That said, support on my back and stomach wasn’t quite as good due to the very deep sinkage depth.

Support Factor	Data
Comfort Layer	4.50″
Support Layer	6.75″
Firmness	Medium-Firm
Body Contour	Balanced
Zoned Support	No
Reinforced Edge	Yes

The mattress is equipped with a 6.75″ support layer. This is 1.22″ thinner than the average support layer thickness of 7.97″, based on all of our tests to date.

For a mattress to create the best support, it needs to meet 2 big requirements. First up, we want to see a neural spinal alignment while lying on the mattress.

Second, it needs to be a comfortable mattress capable of alleviating pressure points. While this mattress does meet those requirements, we do have a couple of caveats.

Check out the table below to see the sleeper weights and sleeping positions that would be best suited for this mattress.

Sleeper Weight	Stomach Sleeper	Side Sleeper	Back Sleeper
Under 150 lbs.	Maybe	Yes	Maybe
150-250 lbs.	Maybe	Yes	Maybe
250-300 lbs.	Maybe	Yes	Maybe

First, pressure relief is good, but not great. This will limit the comfort dynamic on the mattress for some. Second, the sinkage depth is ideal for side sleepers, but may be too deep for some back and stomach sleepers.

This mattress is only available in a single firmness, medium-firm. A medium-firm feel works well for most, but when combined with the very deep sinkage, it may still prove an inappropriate feel for stomach and back sleepers.

Moving on, in terms of material quality, the mattress is fine, but it’s also far from great. In our foam density tests, we found the foam layers between a 1.39 PCF and 1.96 PCF. In my view, this is only a fair level of density at best. Denser foams typically last longer and perform better.

All that said, while these density levels aren’t amazing, they also aren’t uncommon for a mattress at this price point. While the foam density was disappointing, I was more pleased with the coil unit, which we measured at a 14.5 gauge, a fairly thick wire.

Based on all of my tests to date, an analysis of the materials, and my subjective experiences, I’m confident that most sleepers will find support on the Bear Original Hybrid is good.

The Bear Original Hybrid is an 11.25″ hybrid mattress that comes in a single firmness option—Medium-Firm. This is a more basic hybrid, but also one that comes at a lower price tag than the average.

Design Factor	Data
Type	Hybrid
Thickness	11.25″
Cover Type	Quilted
Weight	115 lbs.
Has Handles	No
Fiberglass-Free	Yes
Ships in a Box	Yes

Within the Bear collection, there are four tiers of hybrid. From base level to luxury level, these tiers are as follows:

• Tier 1: Bear Original Hybrid (most basic)
• Tier 2: Bear Pro Hybrid
• Tier 3: Bear Elite Hybrid
• Tier 4: Bear Elite Ultra Hybrid (most luxury)

The Bear Original Hybrid is 11.25″ thick and contains a combination of different foam types and a coil base. From top to bottom, here is a full list of the materials used in this mattress:

Layer Type	Thickness	Manufacturer’s Specs	Tested Specs
Quilted Cover	1.50″	1.5 PCF	1.68 PCF
Memory Foam	1.50″	2.4 PCF	1.96 PCF
Poly Foam	1.50″	1.8 PCF	1.45 PCF
Pocketed Coils	6.25″	14.5 Gauge (Interior), 15.5 Gauge (Edge)	14.5 Gauge, 15.5 Gauge
Support Foam	0.50″	1.5 PCF	1.39 PCF

The Bear Original Hybrid has a 1.5″ quilted thick cover. It has a soft, breathable material that integrates Celliant fibers for improved cooling and improved blood flow.

Sleepers can choose between a standard quilted cover or a cover with an extra “CoolForce layer”. The CoolForce layer is designed for better cooling and temperature regulation.

As mentioned above, our mattress did not include the optional CoolForce layer. That said, I have tested CoolForce on a different mattress (the Helix Plus Elite; Helix and Bear are owned by the same parent company, 3Z). During those tests, I was not impressed with the cooling benefits of CoolForce and felt it was not worth the added costs.

The comfort layer is 4.50″ thick, including the quilted cover. Below the cover are two layers of 1.5″ poly foam each, for a total of 3.0″ of foam.

The support layer is 6.75″ thick and made of a 6.25″ pocketed coil unit followed by a 0.50″ support foam base.

Product Evolution

The Bear Original Hybrid was launched in 2026 as a replacement for the previous value hybrid, the Bear Star Hybrid, which has been discontinued.

The Original Hybrid comes in at a lower price tag than the Bear Pro Hybrid

Previously, the Bear hybrid collection was limited to the Bear Pro Hybrid, Bear Star Hybrid, and Bear Elite Hybrid.

When the Bear Original Hybrid was released, it was launched alongside the Bear Elite Ultra Hybrid (the most luxury-tier hybrid offered within Bear’s collection).

Other Mattresses to Consider

Not sure if the Bear Original Hybrid is the right pick for you? Check out these three other top-rated hybrid mattresses (under $1,000) for alternatives you may want to consider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Check out some of the top FAQs on the Bear Original Hybrid mattress below and get the answers you’re looking for.