Casper Original Mattress Review

10/15/2024 Update – The Casper Original has been discontinued. It has been replaced by the Casper One (review here).

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. We then take the results of that test and compare to every mattress we’ve tested to date.

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

Factor	Casper Original	Average
Overall Score	8.16	8.64
Price (Queen)	$1,295	$1,099 (Foam only)
Cooling – Score	8.0	8.7
Sinkage – Depth	1.69″	2.15″
Sinkage – Feel	Very Minimal	Moderate
Motion Transfer – Score	7.2	8.2
Motion Transfer – Acceleration	11.30 m/s²	8.63 m/s²
Response Time – Score	9.6	8.9
Response Time – Mostly Recovered	0.2 sec.	0.4 sec.
Response Time – Fully Recovered	0.7 sec.	0.9 sec.
Bounce – Height	9.80″	9.70″
Bounce – Feel	Moderate	Moderate
Edge Support – Score	9.1	8.6
Edge Support – Sitting	3.75″	4.06″
Edge Support – Lying	Excellent	Good
Sex – Score	8.7	8.5
Pressure Relief – Score	8.0	8.8
Comfort Layer Thickness	3.5″	4.1″
Mattress Thickness	10.5″	12.0″
Off-Gassing – Score	5.8	8.4
Off-Gassing – Smell	Strong	Strong
Off-Gassing – Days	15 days	6 days
Company – Score	8.5	8.7
Trial	100 nights	168 nights
Warranty	10 years	25% have lifetime warranties, average of other 75% of mattresses is 14 years

How is the Casper Original Different?

The Casper Original is $1295 for a queen mattress, making it 41% more expensive than the average foam mattress ($913 for a Queen).

In addition to price, here is how the performance of the Casper Original compares to average mattress performance across all mattresses we’ve tested to date.

Cooling performance on the Casper Original is good, but far from great. In our tests, I felt a slight to moderate level of heat retention around my body.

Ultimately, this is less a problem specifically with Casper and has more to do with most all foam mattresses in general.

The all-foam design just has its limitations when it comes to cooling. All foam designs retain more heat and don’t have as much airflow (relative to hybrid and coil mattresses).

• 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

Casper’s aeration holes in the top layer does help, as does the more restrained 3.5” comfort layer. Even so, it’s not enough to bring it to the “excellent” tier of cooling performance.

The Casper Original Hybrid was a notable step up in terms of cooling performance compared to the all-foam Casper Original.

Looking at our objective data, we measured a maximum surface level temperature of 85.2°. From minutes 0 to 1 the temperature dropped by 6.9°.

From minutes 0 to 5 the temperature was reduced by 11.9°.

Heat Dissipation Over Time

In my view, “hot” and “warm” sleepers are likely going to feel warmer on the Casper Original and would be better served by Casper’s Original Hybrid or another hybrid mattress.

The Casper Original has a very minimal level of sinkage. In our tests, we measured 1.69” of pressure point sinkage. This is considerably less sinkage than the average of 2.20” of sinkage.

The level of sinkage is documented in the image below.

The Casper Original creates a feeling that sleepers are floating more on “top” of the mattress, as opposed to lying “in” the mattress. This is neither good nor bad, but it’s definitely a more unique feel.

This restrained sinkage depth helps to prevent the mattress from overly enveloping sleepers. However, it also inhibits pressure relief (which we discuss more later).

There is a minimal level of contouring hug with the Casper Original. The heavier parts of the body will experience more contouring, however, the body at large floats more on top of the mattress.

The Casper Original has a moderately high level of motion transfer. In our tests, we measured 11.30 m/s² of acceleration range. This is 3.48 m/s² more motion than the average of 7.82 m/s².

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

The relatively thinner mattress height, thinner comfort layer, and medium-firm feel all combine together to create the higher motion transfer that we measured.

Looking at our motion transfer chart, which visualizes our accelerometer data, we see the highest motion from 0 to 0.21 seconds.

There is a secondary motion spike at 0.57 seconds. By 0.92 seconds the motion returns to near-zero levels.

Neither the total motion peaks, secondary spike, or total motion duration are a pretty picture. The total motion experience here is not great.

The Casper Original has an very fast material response time. In our tests, we measured a mostly recovered response time of 0.2 seconds and a fully recovered response time of 0.7 seconds.

Both of these are notably faster than the averages of 0.45 and 0.89 seconds, respectively. Even in an all-foam mattress, the Casper Original is able to rebound back to shape effectively instantly.

The level of responsiveness is documented in the video below.

The fully recovered speed isn’t at the same level as the highest-performance responsive poly foams or natural latex, but it’s not far off either. I don’t expect the response time will be an issue for most sleepers.

The Casper Original has a high level of bounce. In our tests, we measured a total bounce height of 9.80”. This is just a little more than the average of 9.62”.

Casper’s bounce is right in the sweet spot. Ideally, I like to see 8-12” of total bounce. Mattresses within this range experience all the benefits of bounce, without creating an excessive motion transfer of trampoline feel.

The fact Casper has this level of bounce in an all-foam mattress design was a bit surprising.

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

On average, all foam mattresses have a bounce of just 7.52”. The added bounce, while not great for motion (as we discussed earlier), it’s definitely a boon for sex performance (which we discuss 2 sections down).

Edge support performance on the Casper Original is excellent. In our tests, we measured a total sitting sinkage depth of 3.75”. This is 0.57” less sinkage than the average of 4.32”.

Ideally, I like to see 4.0” or less, with less always being better. Casper hit my preferred benchmark with 0.25” to spare. Edge support while lying was equally as good.

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

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

During our tests, I felt well-supported in all sleeping positions even when lying at the absolute edge of the mattress.

While the relatively thin comfort layer may be a detriment to pressure relief, with respect to edge support, it’s beneficial. Coming into more abrupt contact with the support foam layer helps to create better edge support.

Our sex rating formula looks at 5 different factors weighted based on their importance.

All factors are not equal in terms of significance, but each plays an important role.

Three of the most important factors are listed below with the associated testing scores:

In addition to the factors above, there are two other we consider as well, including pressure relief and cooling.

Here’s a look at the breakdown of how these 3 factors rank within the full formula:

We use the scores from all factors, plugged into the formula above, to derive a sex score for each mattress.

Sex Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Rating
Bounce	65%	8.6	High
Edge Support	20%	9.1	Excellent
Noise	5%	10	Minimal
Pressure Relief	5%	8.0	Good
Cooling	5%	8.0	Good

This mattress has good bounce and good edge support. These two factors alone make up 80% of the total sex score, so it’s no surprise that this mattress scores well in this category.

Being all foam, the mattress is also quiet, which enhances the score as well. Overall, this is a comfortable mattress that should have good performance for the dance without pants.

Pressure relief on the Casper Original is good, but not great. In my tests, I felt a slight to moderate level of building pressure.

During the cooling test, I lie on my back for 15 minutes. This test is where I experienced the greatest pressure point build-up, mostly isolated to my lower back.

In my view, the relatively thin comfort layer and foam zoned layer creates an excessive pushback in the mid-section.

This excess support is what creates less than amazing pressure relief. All that said, pressure relief isn’t bad by any stretch, only that it could be better. In my view, pressure relief is notably superior on the Casper Original Hybrid.

While it has the same comfort layer, it uses a layer of pocketed coils for support. The pocketed coils create better transitional support, easing sleepers into the support system. Whereas in the all-foam Casper Original, you have more abrupt body contact with the support foam.

Off-gassing of the Casper Original was a good bit stronger than the average based on all of our tests to date.

Right out of the box, the mattress has a strong smell. It takes about 15 days for the mattress to fully off-gas.

Casper offers a 100-night trial period with all of their mattresses as well as a 10-year warranty. Both shipping and returns are free.

Company Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Data
Trial Period	15%	8.0	100 nights
Warranty	10%	8.0	10 years
Shipping	5%	10	$0
Returns	20%	10	$0
Trust	50%	8.0	Good
Country of Origin	0%		USA

Casper does require a 30-night adjustment period for the first month that you own the mattress. This gives your body time to adjust to the new mattress before initiating a return.

The Casper Original is available in a single firmness, a medium firm feel—6 out of 10 on the firmness scale.

This is a common firmness that is geared towards the widest range of sleepers.

Support on the Casper Original is excellent. During our tests, I felt well-supported in all sleeping positions. My only concern with respect to support is due to pressure relief.

While support was great, I did experience some pressure point build-up during our tests. Some sleepers could find these pressure points impact how well the mattress supports the body and how comfortable it remains during the night.

The Casper Original is on the thinner side. The relative thinness in total mattress thickness and comfort layer is primarily responsible for the pressure issues and the interconnected support issues.

Check out the table below to see which sleeper profiles would be best suited for the Casper Original mattress:

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

In my view, lighter and moderate-weight bodies are more likely to find the support perfectly acceptable. However, heavier-weighted bodies will likely find it less than amazing.

As a result, I would advise caution for sleepers who weigh more than 250 pounds.

Design

The Casper Original is a 10.5″ all foam mattress (Casper calls it 11″) with a medium firm feel.

Materials

On the Casper Original, there are three layers of foam. From top to bottom, these layers are listed below.

• 1.5″ poly foam
• 2.0″ memory foam
• 7.0″ support foam

The Cover

The cover of the Casper Original is soft, breathable, and has good stretch. It is a woven cover made of polyester, cotton, rayon, and Lycra.

The Comfort Layer

The top layer of foam, and the primary comfort layer, is a perforated poly foam. This layer is designed for cooling, response, and comfort.

Below the poly foam is a 2.0″ layer of memory foam. The memory foam below acts as a bit more of a transitional layer.

The Support Layer

The base of the mattress is a 7.0″ layer of high-density support foam, which acts as the support for the layers above.

Product Evolution

The first iteration of the Casper Original mattress was launched in 2014 and has undergone a handful of changes since its first release.

Casper Original: 2014 – 2018

• 1.5″ latex (dunlop)
• 1.5″ memory foam
• 7.0″ support foam
• Removable woven cover

Around 2019-2020 Casper expanded their collection to include more options (ex: Casper Wave, Casper Element, and Casper Original Hybrid). With this expansion, the Casper Original saw some changes too.

Casper Original: 2019 – Present

• 1.5″ poly foam
• 2.0″ memory foam
• 7.0″ support foam

The most notable changes include switching from latex foam to poly foam (still perforated foam) as well as making the memory foam layer 0.5″ thicker.

Casper Original vs. The Casper

The Casper Original mattress and The Casper are both foam-based mattresses.

Check out the differences between these two mattresses below.

Other Mattresses to Consider

Still not sure if the Casper Original is the right mattress for you? Check out these top-rated foam mattress alternatives for some other options to consider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Check out some of the top FAQs on the Casper Original 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.