Bear Pro Hybrid Review

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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 value of the mattress. Testing categories include:

Test	Rating
Cooling	Excellent
Sinkage	Deep
Motion Transfer	High
Response Time	Extremely Fast
Bounce	Moderate
Edge Support	Excellent
Sex	Excellent
Pressure Relief	Excellent
Off-Gassing	Very Good
Company	Excellent

Cooling performance on the Bear Pro is excellent. During our tests, I did not feel any significant level of heat retention around my body.

• 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

The hybrid design provides ample airflow. The cover is infused with Celliant, a clinically proven fiber that has been shown to increase body tissue oxygenation levels and increase blood flood. Lastly, the mattress has a fairly thin 3.5” foam comfort layer.

While the thinner comfort layer will inhibit pressure relief performance, it also has the added benefit of improving cooling performance, as there is less material in which heat could be easily retained.

Heat Dissipation Over Time

In our objective testing, we measured a max surface level temperature of 89.8°F. After we got off the mattress the temperature declined by 4.0° from minutes 0 to 1.

From minutes 0 to 5 the reduction was 7.4°. While Bear’s higher-end Elite mattress absolutely offers better cooling performance relative to the Bear Pro Hybrid, the Bear Pro is still more than serviceable. I expect that most sleepers will find the level of cooling performance to be perfectly acceptable on this mattress.

The Bear Pro has a deep level of sinkage. In our tests, we measured a total sinkage depth of 2.42”. This is 0.22” more sinkage than the average of 2.20”.

The level of sinkage is documented in the image below.

While the sinkage depth did make its way into the “deep” sinkage tier (moderate caps at 2.30”), it has a highly balanced feel. The foam comfort layer creates a moderate level of body contouring hug.

The poly foam creates a hug around the body, but it isn’t as dramatic or as exacting as memory foam typically is. In addition, the pillow top cover further helps to balance out the feel, offering a more traditional top-most layer.

My only concern is for heavier-weighted bodies. At only 10” thick heavier bodies are going to sink through the layers, potentially resulting in an excessive level of sinkage.

The Bear Pro Hybrid has a high level of motion transfer. In our tests, we measured a total acceleration range of 12.33 m/s². This is 4.34 m/s² more motion than the average of 7.99 m/s².

Thinner mattresses, especially thinner hybrid mattresses, often struggle with motion transfer. There is simply less material that is capable of absorbing the energy. As a result, that energy has to spread somewhere, which in this case is in and around the coil unit.

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

When we look at the motion transfer chart, which visualizes our accelerometer data, we can see the highest motion spikes from 0 to 0.14 seconds. After 0.14 seconds motion drops dramatically, but it isn’t until 0.78 seconds that we return to near-zero levels.

If there is a silver lining to motion, it’s that the motion duration isn’t as bad as it could be. Mattresses with the highest motion duration can see motion linger for 1.5 seconds, while the lowest motion mattresses disperse all energy within 0.3 seconds.

All things considered, motion is definitely high on this mattress. Those who sleep with a partner should carefully consider if the pros and price of the Bear Pro Hybrid outweigh the motion cons.

The Bear Pro Hybrid has an extremely fast material response time. In our tests, we measured a mostly recovered response time of 0.3 seconds and a fully recovered response time of 0.8 seconds.

The mostly recovered response time is notably faster than the average of 0.43 seconds, while the fully recovered time was just slightly faster than the average of 0.88 seconds.

The level of responsiveness is documented in the video below.

In any case, the responsiveness should be more than fast enough for a majority of sleepers. During our tests, I never felt stuck and the mattress recovered quickly as I changed position.

The Bear Pro Hybrid has a moderate bounce height. In our tests, we measured a total bounce height of 8.69”. This is 0.95” less than the average of 9.64”.

The lower-than-average bounce height is restrained by the pillow top cover and the medium feel.

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

Both of these attributes serve to absorb a moderate level of the total bounce energy. Even so, the bounce is still in an acceptable range. Ideally, I like to see 8-12” of total bounce height.

At 8.69” the Bear Pro is still in that sweet spot. I expect most sleepers will be satisfied with this level of bounce.

Edge support on the Bear Pro Hybrid is a mixed bag. The mattress has excellent sitting edge support, but the lying edge support leaves much to be desired.

In our sitting edge support test, we measured a sitting edge compression of 3.5”. This is 0.75” less sinkage than the average of 4.25”. Ideally, I like to see 4.0” or less and the Bear Pro was easily there at 3.5”.

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

Lying edge support is good, but far from great. The design of the pillow top has materials that curve down and away from the mattress at the edge.

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

When lying on my back on the edge I felt that the edge portion of my back was notably lower than the other half of my back. This creates support problems.

While lying on my side the edge felt notably better, but again, I wouldn’t call it great performance.

All that said, this is a very budget-friendly hybrid mattress, so the performance is not unexpected. Sleepers who want to buy a hybrid in this price tier need to adjust performance expectations accordingly. 

The best mattresses for sex have high bounce, good edge support, quiet materials, and good pressure relief and cooling.

These 5 factors make up the NapLab sex performance score.

Sex Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Rating
Bounce	60%	9.7	Moderate
Edge Support	20%	9.8	Excellent
Noise	10%	10	Minimal
Pressure Relief	5%	9.5	Excellent
Cooling	5%	9.5	Excellent

For the Bear Pro Hybrid, these individual factors generated a sex score of 9.7.

The mattress has good bounce (8.69″), not the best we’ve seen, but not bad. Compared to the average (9.64″), the Bear Pro has less bounce than average, comparing all mattresses tested to date.

Edge support is excellent (3.5″) and is better than the average level of sitting edge support (4.25″). These two factors alone make up 80% of the sex score.

Overall, the Pro Hybrid is comfortable and earns a solid score across the board for sex performance.

The Bear Pro Hybrid has excellent pressure relief. During our tests, I felt no significant level of pressure point build-up.

Our review is based on the version with the optional pillow top. I was quite shocked at how good it felt, especially given the price point.

This pillow top I expect is making a significant pressure relief difference compared to the version with the regular cover.

My only significant concern is that it’s just a 10” mattress. Heavier-weighted bodies are likely going to sink through the relatively thin 3.5” comfort layer and potentially create pressure point issues by engaging more with the support coils.

Even so, it’s hard to complain too much about those potential issues given the incredibly attractive price point.

The Bear Pro Hybrid has slower off-gassing than average. Right out of the box, the smell is strong and it takes 8 days to dissipate fully.

The average off-gassing period is 4 days so the 8 days that the Bear Pro takes is 2x the average.

The company score takes a look at factors that may influence your experience with the mattress.

Factors include length of the trial period, warranty, shipping / return costs, and country of origin.

Company Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Data
Trial Period	25%	9.0	120 nights
Warranty	25%	10	Lifetime
Shipping	25%	10	$0
Returns	25%	10	$0
Country of Origin	0%		USA

For Bear, these individual terms and conditions generated a company score of 9.8.

The mattress comes with a 120-night trial period, just a touch shorter than the 160-day average.

It also comes with a lifetime warranty, free shipping, and free returns. In addition, all Bear mattresses are made in the US.

The Bear Pro Hybrid mattress comes in a single firmness, but has the option to add a pillow top for additional softness.

We tested the version with the optional Cloud pillow top cover. With the cover, the firmness is around 5.5 out of 10.

I would estimate the regular version of the Bear Pro Hybrid with the standard cover at a 6.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale.

Support on the Bear Pro Hybrid is excellent. During our tests, I felt well-supported in all sleeping positions. As with pressure relief, my primary concern for support is for heavier-weighted bodies.

This is a very budget friendly 10” thick mattress. As a result, it has a compelling price point, but it also isn’t built to support the heaviest-weighted bodies.

In my view, the Bear Pro will provide sufficient support up to 250 pounds, but not much beyond. This isn’t an issue with Bear specifically, but rather most 10” mattresses.

Heavier-weighted sleepers need a thicker mattress to create optimal support. For lighter and moderated weighted sleepers the Bear Pro will provide proper support.

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

Design

The Bear Pro Hybrid is designed as a budget-friendly hybrid mattress that balances performance and price. It is only 10″ thick and has two different firmnesses available (depending on which cover you opt for, standard cover or pillow top).

Materials

In total, there are five layers on the Bear Pro Hybrid. From top to bottom, the layers include:

• 0.5” quilted cover
• 1.5” poly foam
• 1.5” poly foam
• 6.0” pocketed coil
• 0.5” support foam

The design and material layers are quite a bit different from what’s on Bear’s product page.

Here are the notable differences:

• The top comfort layer is supposed to be cooling gel memory foam, but the law tag simply states that it’s 95% polyurethane foam and 5” blended fiber batting. I don’t see anything about memory foam.
• The design on the product page also leaves out the bottom 0.5” foam layer on the foundation.

The Cover

The cover of the Bear Pro Hybrid is a soft, breathable material that integrates Celliant fibers for improved cooling and improved blood flow.

Sleepers can choose between a thinner standard over and a pillow top cover. The pillow top provides an undoubtedly softer feel than the standard cover.

The cover also has handles on the sides of the mattress which makes it easier to move the mattress as needed.

The Comfort Layer

As mentioned above, the comfort layer is supposed to be a cooling memory foam, but the law tag calls this layer poly foam.

In total, there are two layers of poly foam within the comfort layer, both layers are 1.5″ thick.

The Support Layer

Below the poly foam is the support layer, which is made up of 6″ pocketed coils and a 0.5″ support foam. The product page omits the use of support foam entirely, but it was included in the model we tested in-house.

Product Evolution

The Bear Pro Hybrid was newly released in early 2023. It was launched as a budget-friendly alternative to Bear’s more expensive Star and Elite hybrid models.

Since launch there have been no notable changes to the materials or design.

How is the Bear Pro Different?

The Bear Pro Hybrid has performance right at the average level, despite being priced below average—costing 34.5% less than the average hybrid.

Factor	Bear Pro Hybrid	Average
Overall	9.52	9.52
Price	$909	$1,386 (Hybrid only)
Cooling	9.5	9.4
Max Sinkage	2.42″	2.19″
Total Motion Transfer	12.33 m/s²	7.99 m/s²
Response Time	0.3 sec.	0.4 sec.
Total Bounce	8.69″	9.64″
Edge Support – Sitting Sinkage	3.50″	4.25″
Mattress Thickness	10.0″	11.9″
Sex Overall	9.7	9.6
Comfort Material	3.5″	4.2″
Off-Gassing – Smell	Strong	Strong
Off-Gassing – Days	8 days	4 days
Trial	120 nights	162 nights
Warranty	Lifetime	29% have lifetime warranties, average of other 71% of mattresses is 14 years

Cooling is slightly better than average, while the sinkage is deeper and bounce less than average.

Edge support is also better than average with a faster response time. Motion transfer is really the only area that struggled, measuring 12.33 m/s², 46% more than average.

Other Mattresses to Consider

Not sure that the Bear Pro Hybrid is the right pick for you? Check out these three top-rated hybrids for alternative picks you might want to consider.

Frequently Asked Questions

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