Casper Nova 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 value of the mattress. Testing categories include:

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

How is Casper Nova Hybrid Different?

The Casper Nova Hybrid has an overall performance that is slightly below averge and a price that is above average—70% more than the average hybrid mattress.

This is not really the balance we want to see from any mattress, but given the soft firmness of the Casper Nova it can still be a good option if you’re exclusively looking for a soft mattress.

Advantages

Other advantages include fast material response time, slightly better than average edge support, and good sex performance. This mattress is 12″ thick, equal to the average, but 5.0″ of the overall thickness is devoted to comfort materials alone, 0.8″ more than average.

Neutral Factors

This mattress has deeper sinkage than average and slightly higher levels of bounce. Both of these factors are neutral factors and the importance may vary based on what exactly you’re looking for.

Disadvantages

Cooling struggles a bit with the Nova Hybrid, due largely to the deeper sinkage and foam comfort layers. The trial period is also shorter than average and the mattress takes longer to off-gas.

Factor	Casper Nova Hybrid	Average
Overall	9.49	9.51
Price	$2,295	$1,353 (Hybrid only)
Cooling	9	9.4
Max Sinkage	2.46″	2.17″
Total Motion Transfer	10.07 m/s²	8.51 m/s²
Response Time	0.2 sec.	0.4 sec.
Total Bounce	10.46″	9.59″
Edge Support – Sitting Sinkage	4.00″	4.11″
Mattress Thickness	12.0″	12.0″
Sex Overall	9.9	9.6
Comfort Material	5.0″	4.2″
Off-Gassing – Smell	Strong	Strong
Off-Gassing – Days	18 days	5 days
Trial	100 nights	163 nights
Warranty	10 years	25% have lifetime warranties, average of other 75% of mattresses is 14 years

The Casper Nova Hybrid has good cooling, but it’s far from great. During our tests, I felt a moderate level of heat retention when I first began the test.

Over the course of the test, the heat did gradually reduce, indicating good airflow. However, heat retention remained in the slight to moderate range for the entirety of the cooling test.

• 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 Nova Hybrid uses a hybrid design, which improves cooling. As does the aerated top layer and cut zones within the 3rd layer of foam.

However, the 4.5” of foam on top of the mattress definitely creates a more significant challenge for heat retention. Especially relative to the Casper mattresses that only contain 3.0” of comfort foam (ex. Casper Original Hybrid).

While more foam is great for pressure relief and comfort, a thicker foam comfort layer can create more heat retention issues.

Our objective tests recorded a max level temperature of 91.0°. From minutes 0 to 1 the temperature was able to reduce by 4.5°, with a 6.9° reduction from minutes 0 to 5.

Heat Dissipation Over Time

Casper’s Snow mattress that we recently tested was significantly better when it came to cooling. Cooling on the Casper Nova Hybrid just left something to be desired.

The Casper Nova Hybrid has a deep level of sinkage. In our tests, we measured 2.46” of pressure point sinkage. This is 0.26” more sinkage than the average of 2.20”.

The level of sinkage is documented in the image below.

The second layer of memory foam creates a more notable hug and contour around the body. It has a more classic memory foam feel (including a slower response).

This memory foam layer, combined with the zoned cuts made into the 3rd layer of foam, create the right environment for a deep level of sinkage.

These material layers and their design create deeper sinkage, in addition to a highly enveloped feel. The mattress creates a more exacting and dramatic body-contouring hug.

The Casper Nova Hybrid has a moderate level of motion transfer. In our tests, we measured an acceleration range of 10.07 m/s². This is 2.15 m/s² more motion than the average of 7.92 m/s².

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

The basic design and material choices create the environment for a more moderate level of motion. Naturally, hybrid mattresses create more motion than all foam mattresses.

In addition, mattresses with convoluted and/or cut foam layers allow motion-generating events to create a more abrupt sinkage. When this abrupt and deeper sinkage comes into contact with the coil base, we end up with higher motion.

In our motion transfer chart, which visualizes our accelerometer data, we can see the highest motion peaks from 0 to 0.29 seconds.

Motion begins to drop thereafter, but it’s not until 0.78 seconds that we return to near-zero levels. Mattresses with the least motion transfer are able to return to near-zero levels within 0.3 seconds.

Needless to say, neither the motion duration nor motion intensity are particularly impressive on the Casper Nova Hybrid.

The Casper Nova Hybrid has an extremely fast response time. During our tests, we measured a mostly recovered response time of 0.2 seconds and a fully recovered response time of 0.4 seconds.

This is nearly tied with the fastest mattresses we’ve tested to date and is notably faster than the average (in both categories).

Based on all of our tests to date, we have measured an average mostly recovered response time of 0.44 seconds and an average fully recovered response time of 0.89 seconds.

The level of responsiveness is documented in the video below.

Overall, I’m quite pleased with the level of response. While the core memory foam layer does take a little longer to recover, the bulk of the mattress materials rebound back to shape nearly instantaneously. With this response speed, sleepers will not need to worry about feeling stuck in the mattress.

The Casper Nova Hybrid has a high level of bounce. During our tests, we measured a total bounce height of 10.46”. This is 0.84” more bounce than the average of 9.62”.

Ideally, I like to see 8-12” of total bounce height. It’s enough to provide for the benefits of higher bounce (improved sex, ease of movement), while not being so high as to create new issues (excess motion transfer).

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

At 10.46”, the Casper Nova Hybrid is well within the sweet spot. The hybrid design and faster response foam layers create the right mix of materials and design that allow for more bounce. Overall, I don’t foresee bounce creating significant issues for most sleepers.

Edge support on the Casper Nova Hybrid is a bit of a mixed bag. Sitting edge support was excellent, but that wasn’t the case for lying edge support.

In our sitting edge support tests, we measured a sitting sinkage compression of 4.0”. Even when sitting directly on the edge of the mattress I felt well supported.

Ideally, I like to see no more than 4.0” of sitting sinkage compression. Casper’s Nova Hybrid hits that mark.

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

Lying edge support left something to be desired. It’s good, but far from great. During our lying tests, I just did not feel tremendously well supported when lying directly on the edge of the mattress.

The medium-soft feel and a high degree of sinkage aren’t great attributes when you get to the edge of the mattress.

The deeper sinkage creates an edge that sinks deeper and therefore isn’t as supportive as the middle of the mattress.

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

The zoned 3rd layer of foam with significant cuts into the foam increases the sinkage, which further hinders edge support.

The Nova Hybrid does use a perimeter edge support foam, but when it’s up against a medium-soft feel and zoned foam cuts it’s just too much to overcome and lying edge support suffers as a result.

That said, what you give up in edge support you gain in terms of comfort and pressure relief, so there are pros and cons to this type of a design.

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%	10	Extremely Low
Edge Support	20%	9.5	Exceptional
Noise	10%	10	Minimal
Pressure Relief	5%	10	Exceptional
Cooling	5%	9.0	Exceptional

For the Casper Nova Hybrid, these individual factors generated a sex score of 9.9.

Especially for a softer mattress like the Nova, this is a fantastic score. This mattress has high levels of bounce, good sitting edge support, and is overall just a really comfortable mattress.

All of these factors contribute to the higher score and better-perceived sex performance.

Pressure relief on the Casper Nova Hybrid is exceptionally good. During our tests, I felt no significant level of pressure point build-up anywhere on my body.

The Nova Hybrid has among the thickest comfort layer of any Casper mattress at 4.5” thick. In my view, pressure relief and overall comfort is the primary selling point of the Casper Nova Hybrid.

It is truly a delight to lie on and the medium soft feel just melts your body into it.

The second memory foam layers create a more notable hug and contour around the body. This layer, combined with the zoned cuts made into the third layer of foam create a high degree of sinkage on the mattress.

You really feel enveloped by the mattress as it allows your body to sink down and into the mattress. My only concern is that sleepers who prefer a more typical medium or medium-firm feel may find it a bit too soft.

Coming in at a 4.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale, the Casper Nova Hybrid sits between soft and medium firmness. It’s ideal for many side sleepers. However, heavier-weighted bodies and back / stomach sleepers may find it’s just too soft to feel supportive. 

Off-gassing on the Casper Nova Hybrid is strong right out of the box. The smell lingered for a total of 18 days, much longer than the average of 3.9 days.

After 18 days the smell dropped into the slight to moderate category. Some portions of the mattress have a notably stronger odor, but it’s not consistent across the mattress.

That said, the odor has declined enough by 18 days that I think most sleepers will find it to be a non-issue.

I’m not exactly sure what made the off-gassing so substantial on this particular mattress. Off-gassing on other Casper mattresses we’ve tested ranges from 7-15 days, so this isn’t completely unprecedented for the brand. Nevertheless, it’s notably longer than the average based on all mattresses we’ve tested to date.

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	100 nights
Warranty	25%	10	10 years
Shipping	25%	10	$0
Returns	25%	10	$0
Country of Origin	0%		USA

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

This is a great score across the board. It has a 100-night trial, which although it is shorter than the 160-night average, it should still be sufficiently long to decide if the mattress is right for you.

The warranty is 10 years and shipping / returns are free if the mattress ends up not working out.

The Casper Nova Hybrid has a firmness that puts it between soft and medium—4.5 out of 10, where 10 is the most firm.

Casper calls it a “medium-soft” which does feel like an accurate description. Notably, it is the softest Casper mattress within their lineup.

Support on the Casper Nova Hybrid is excellent. During our tests, I felt well-supported in all sleeping positions. The mattress uses a proven hybrid design with a thick and robust comfort layer, exceptionally good pressure relief, and high-quality materials.

My primary concern is for heavier weighted sleepers, who could find the level of sinkage, hug, and firmness create an improper level of support.

In addition, some stomach and back sleepers may also find it’s a little too soft to feel supportive. The mattress is best suited to the needs of side sleepers.

If you are a heavier-weighted sleeper and or a back / stomach sleeper you will likely be better served by Casper’s Original Hybrid, Wave Hybrid, Wave Hybrid Snow, or Snow mattress.

Sleeper Weight	Stomach Sleepers	Side Sleepers	Back Sleepers
Under 150 lbs.	Yes	Yes	Yes
150-250 lbs.	Maybe	Yes	Maybe
250-300 lbs.	No	Maybe	No

Design

The Casper Nova is a 12″ hybrid with a medium-soft feel. It has a nice softness to it that makes it a well-suited choice for side sleepers or lighter-weight sleepers in general.

Materials

Five distinct layers make up the Casper Nova Hybrid. From top to bottom, these layers include the following.

• 1.5″ poly foam
• 1.5″ memory foam
• 1.5″ convoluted poly foam
• 6.0″ pocketed coils
• 1.0″ support foam

The Cover

The cover of the Casper Nova hybrid is thin and breathable with a neutral 2-tone finish.

The Comfort Layer

Beneath the cover is three layers of foam that make up the complete comfort layer.

The top layer is a 1.5″ poly foam with aeration holes for better breathability and faster response time.

The middle layer is a 1.5″ memory foam. This layer has a zoned foam with the center 1/3 of the layer having a firmer feel and the top and bottom (respectively head and foot of the mattress) having a softer feel.

Strangely enough, this layer is never described as memory foam by Casper’s website, despite the fact that the law tag indicated that the mattress has 28% visco elastic polyurethane foam.

As a result, it’s not absolutely clear that this is the visco elastic polyurethane foam layer, however, based on its characteristics and the characteristics of the other foams, this layer is by far my best guess as to which is the visco elastic layer.

Adding to the confusion, in one place on the product page Casper indicates that the 3rd layer of foam is a memory foam. However, nothing about the feel or characteristics of the foam are like other memory foams I’ve tested.

All that said, these factors don’t change the performance of the mattress or the quality of the materials. Even so, consumers who have a greater interest in the specifics of material types may find the lack of clarity disappointing. 

The third layer of the comfort system seems to be a 1.5″ poly foam. This layer is also a zoned layer, similar to the foam above. It has alternating section of cuts into the foam, designed to create better spinal alignment. In total, there are 7 individual zones on this mattress.

The Support Layer

The support layer is made up of 6″ pocketed coils as well as a 1.0″ support foam base. Overall, this provides a solid foundation for the comfort materials and mattress structure.

The edges of the Nova Hybrid are reinforced by a thick perimeter foam that wraps around the entire mattress. This foam encases the coils as well as provides support when sitting or lying near the edge of the mattress.

Product Evolution

The Casper Nova launched in 2022 and has not undergone any major design updates since the initial launch.

Other Mattresses to Consider

Here are three alternatives to consider for the Casper Nova Hybrid, that you may want to check out.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Disclosure – Derek Hales has a history with Casper that some may view as relevant to his reviews of Casper products. In 2016, Casper Sleep sued Derek Hales in federal court over his reviews of its products. In 2017, the lawsuit ended with a settlement. See here for more information.