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Casper Select Review

Derek Hales

Updated

Update – This mattress has been discontinued. For Casper on a budget, click here to check out our review of the Casper One foam mattress.

Casper Select Cover Photo
8.07 Overall Score
Tested With Scoring System 1.2
8.0 Cooling
7.0 Motion Transfer
9.0 Response Time
9.1 Edge Support
7.5 Sex
8.0 Pressure Relief
8.1 Off-Gassing
8.5 Company

Best For

  • Very fast response time
  • Excellent edge support when sitting or lying
  • Affordable price if you’re on a tight budget

Considerations

  • Higher levels of motion transfer than other foam mattresses
  • Low levels of bounce may hinder sex performance

Our Verdict

The Casper Select is a 12” foam mattress made of that uses poly foam, gel memory foam, and a support foam base. It’s a budget-friendly Casper option that is sold directly through Costco.

It has very minimal levels of sinkage and low bounce.

The mattress comes in a single firmness a 6.5 out of 10, where 10 is the most firm, making it a good option for stomach or back sleepers.

The Casper Select has an overall score of 8.07 which placed it in the bottom 17% percentile compared to all mattresses tested to date. Looking specifically at foam mattresses, this mattress scores in the bottom 16%.

For sleepers on a tighter budget and prefer the all-foam feel this could be a good option, assuming you are okay with the performance areas where it struggles.

Type: Foam
Firmness: Medium-Firm (6.5)
Best For: Stomach & Back Sleepers, All Body Weights

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

NOTE: You must have a Costco membership in order to purchase the Casper Select. For Casper without Costco, check out the Casper Original. The Original is slightly more expensive, but you can purchase the mattress directly from Casper.

YouTube video

Performance Tests

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:

FactorCasper SelectAverage
Overall Score8.078.58
Price (Queen)$530$1,069 (Foam only)
Cooling – Score8.08.7
Sinkage – Depth1.63″2.13″
Sinkage – FeelVery MinimalModerate
Motion Transfer – Score7.08.2
Motion Transfer – Acceleration11.73 m/s²8.63 m/s²
Response Time – Score9.09.0
Response Time – Mostly Recovered0.3 sec.0.4 sec.
Response Time – Fully Recovered0.9 sec.0.9 sec.
Bounce – Height6.93″9.52″
Bounce – FeelLowModerate
Edge Support – Score9.18.6
Edge Support – Sitting3.75″4.03″
Edge Support – LyingExcellentGood
Sex – Score7.58.5
Pressure Relief – Score8.08.7
Comfort Layer Thickness4.5″4.1″
Mattress Thickness12″12.0″
Off-Gassing – Score8.18.1
Off-Gassing – SmellStrongStrong
Off-Gassing – Days7 days7 days
Company – Score8.58.7
Trial100 nights176 nights
Warranty10 years24% have lifetime warranties, average of other 76% of mattresses is 13 years

How is the Select Different?

The Casper Select has an overall performance level that is worse than the average mattress and a price tag that is 63% cheaper than the average. Compared to the average foam mattress, the Select is 50% less, for a savings of $539 on a queen-sized mattress.

Advantages

In terms of advantages, the Casper Select has a very fast response time and above-average edge support performance with 7.9% less edge compression than average. Additionally, the Casper is cheaper than the average mattress we tested.

Neutral Factors

This mattress has very minimal levels of sinkage and low levels of bounce. If you enjoy the “floating on top of the mattress” feel then the Select could be a good fit.

Disadvantages

Disadvantages of the Select are higher levels of motion transfer and worse cooling performance than average. In addition, sex performance, pressure relief, and company score were all less than average.

Casper Select Side
Casper Select Side
8.0

Cooling Test

Cooling performance on the Casper Select is good, but far from great. In our tests, I felt a slight to moderate level of heat retention around my body. The heat was notably building up around my back.

Baseline Temp.

69.8° F

Max Temp.

85.8° F

Ending Temp.

74.6° F

Ultimately, the cooling issues are most likely the cause of simple all-foam construction. 100% foam mattresses just aren’t going to breathe as well as most hybrid and coil-based mattresses.

Max Temp.

Casper Select Before Cooling Test
Casper Select Before Cooling Test

Ending Temp

Casper Select After Cooling Test
Casper Select After 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

Beyond that, we don’t have a high-end cooling cover or any foam materials of any significant cooling performance. The only major cooling benefit is having the memory foam layer in the core. Even so, its impact just isn’t enough.

In our objective tests, we measured a max surface level temperature of 85.8°. From minutes 0 to 1 the max temp declined by 6.1°, with an 11.2° decline from minutes 0 to 5.

Heat Dissipation Over Time

Casper Select Heat Dissipation Chart
Casper Select Heat Dissipation Chart

All that to say, if you describe yourself as “hot” or “warm” sleeper then the Casper Select likely won’t meet your cooling needs. However, those with more typical cooling needs should find performance acceptable.

Sinkage Test

The Casper Select has a very minimal level of sinkage. In our pressure point sinkage tests, we measured a sinkage depth of 1.63”. This is 0.59” less sinkage than the average of 2.22”.

The level of sinkage is documented in the image below.

Casper Select Sinkage Test
Casper Select Sinkage Test

Notably, heavier parts of my body (butt / midsection in particular) do sink down deeper to a moderate depth. However, a vast majority of the body floats more on top of the mattress, as opposed to lying “in” the mattress.

Having memory foam within the core of the mattress creates more of a contouring feel. However, the poly foam on top of the mattress acts as a balancing layer, so sleepers don’t feel overly hugged or enveloped by the mattress.

7.0

Motion Transfer Test

The Casper Select has a moderate level of motion transfer. In our tests, we measured 11.73 m/s² of acceleration range. This is 3.10 m/s² more motion than the average of 8.63 m/s².

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

Max. Acceleration

5.68 m/s²

Min. Acceleration

-6.05 m/s²

Accel. Range

11.73 m/s²

Typically, all foam mattresses have far less motion transfer than what we experienced with the Casper.

In my view, the minimal level of sinkage combined with a medium-firm / slightly-firm feel is creating an environment for heightened motion.

Casper Select Motion Transfer Chart
Casper Select Motion Transfer Chart

Looking at our motion transfer chart, which visualizes our accelerometer data, we can see the highest motion from 0 to 0.14 seconds. We have a secondary spike from 0.42 to 0.56 seconds before motion returns to near-zero levels by 0.63 seconds.

9.0

Response Test

The Casper Select has an very fast response time. In our tests, we measured a mostly recovered response time of 0.3 seconds and a fully recovered response time of 0.9 seconds.

Mostly Recovered

0.3 sec.

Complete Recovery

0.9 sec.

The mostly recovered response time of 0.3 seconds is 0.15 seconds faster than the average of 0.45 seconds. However, the fully recovered response time of 0.9 seconds is exactly average (based on all of our tests to date).

The level of responsiveness is documented in the video below.

The responsive poly foam design, in addition to placing the memory foam within the core of the mattress (as opposed to on top), helps to ensure responsiveness is incredibly quick.

The faster response helps to prevent any type of a stuck feeling, makes it easier to move around on the mattress, and improves sex.

Bounce Test

The Casper Select has a low level of bounce. In our tests we measured a total bounce height of 6.93”. This is 2.59” less bounce than the average of 9.52″ (based on all of our tests to date).

Max. Depth

4.33″

Max. Rebound

2.60″

Total Bounce

6.93″

Max. Sinkage Depth

Casper Select Bounce Depth

Max Bounce Height

Casper Select Bounce Height

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

The all-foam design restricts the total bounce height. In general, I like to see 8-12” of total bounce.

It’s enough to see all the benefits of bounce (ease of movement + sex) without creating new issues (excess motion transfer). At 6.93” the Casper Select is below my ideal threshold, but only slightly.

9.1

Edge Support Test

Edge support on the Casper Select is excellent for both sitting and lying. In our sitting edge support tests, we measured a sitting sinkage of 3.75”. This is excellent and 0.28” less sitting sinkage than the average of 4.03”.

Max Sinkage

3.75″

Lying Support

Excellent

Even when sitting directly on the edge of the mattress I felt well-supported. In general, I like to see 4.0” of sitting sinkage or less. Casper hits that mark.

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

Sitting, 140 lbs.

Casper Select Edge Support

Sitting, 200 lbs.

Casper Select Edge Support With Vest

Lying edge support was equally as good. Even when lying directly on the edge of the mattress I felt well-supported by the mattress in all sleeping positions.

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

Lying on Edge, 140 lbs.

Casper Select Edge Support Side Sleeping

Lying on Edge, 200 lbs.

Casper Select Edge Support Side Sleeping With Vest

While the minimal sinkage and medium firm / slightly firm feel hurt the Casper in other performance areas, with respect to edge support, those attributes are beneficial.

Overall, edge support is quite good, especially for a mattress of this price point.

7.5

Sex Test

The Casper Select has a fair level of sex performance.

Sex FactorFactor WeightScoreRating
Bounce65%6.8Low
Edge Support20%9.1Excellent
Noise5%10Minimal
Pressure Relief5%8.0Good
Cooling5%8.0Good

The mattress has excellent edge support and is quiet. But the thing that really kills this mattress is low bounce. For sex, higher bounce is better. The foams of the Casper Select really deaden any energy or motion. And while this can be great for sleeping, it’s generally not great for sex.

8.0

Pressure Relief Test

Pressure relief on the Casper Select is good, but far from great. During my tests, I felt a slight to moderate level of pressure point build-up. The pressure points were mostly isolated to my lower back and shoulders.

Comfort Layer

4.5″

Support Layer

7.5″

On the positive side, the Casper Select uses 4.5” of total comfort foam. However, 1.5” of those layers are a poly foam layer in the core.

This layer of poly foam doesn’t appear to be very different from a support foam layer. As a result, I would say we have 3.0” of true comfort foams.

Casper Select Edge Support Sitting
Casper Select Edge Support Sitting

All that to say, the comfort foams just don’t seem to create enough pushback, thereby allowing the body to come into more abrupt contact with the support layers, creating a lack of deep compression support and therefore pressure point issues.

Stomach and back sleepers will be less susceptible to these issues, as the 6.5 out of 10 firmness will be more appropriate to their needs. However, many side sleepers may find the pressure relief to be more notably lacking.

8.1

Off-Gassing Test

Off-gassing on the Casper Select is strong right out of the box. After the unboxing, it still took a full 7 days for the mattress to off-gas completely.

Initial Smell Strength

Strong

Off-Gassing Period

7 days

This is right on par with the average off-gassing duration (also 7 days, comparing over 265+ mattresses tested to date).

8.5

Company

Casper offers a 100-night trial on their mattresses as well as a 1-year warranty. Even though the Casper Select is only distributed through Costco, the same trial and warranty apply to all Casper mattresses.

Company FactorFactor WeightScoreData
Trial Period15%8.0100 nights
Warranty10%8.010 years
Shipping5%10$0
Returns20%10$0
Trust50%8.0Good
Country of Origin0%USA

How firm is the Casper Select?

The firmness of the Casper Select is a 6.5 out of 10. This is just a touch firmer than the most popular firmness of 6 out of 10.

Firmness Chart 65

Casper Select is only available in a single firmness.

Support & Sleeping Positions

Support on the Casper Select is a bit of a mixed bag. If we only look at the material design and components of the mattress it checks most of the boxes.

We’ve got 12” of total thickness, 3” of higher quality comfort foam and a 1.5” transitional poly foam layer.

However, the relatively thin 3” of higher quality comfort foam doesn’t create enough comfort in the top layers, creating the pressure point issues we discussed earlier.

Casper Select Back Sleeping
Casper Select Back Sleeping

While this doesn’t change whether the mattress supports sleepers, it does change how the Casper Select supports sleepers.

The table below outlines who this mattress is likely to be best for, considering sleeper weight and preferred sleeping position.

Sleeper WeightStomach SleepersSide SleepersBack Sleepers
Under 150 lbs.YesMaybeYes
150-250 lbs.YesNoYes
250-300 lbs.YesNoYes

In my view, when we look at the pressure relief issues, 3” high-quality comfort layers, and 6.5 firmness, this is a mattress that creates a better support dynamic for stomach and back sleepers.

However, I would expect more significant support complaints and issues for side sleepers. All that to say, support is good, but far from great.

Design

The Casper Select mattress is a 12″ foam mattress that is sold exclusively at Costco. It is designed as a budget-friendly alternative to the Casper Original and has a balanced feel with a medium-firm firmness.

Type

Foam

Thickness

12″

Firmness

6.5

Casper Select 3

Materials

The Casper Select is a 12″ foam mattress. There are four layers in totality. From top to bottom, these layers are listed below:

  • 1.5” poly foam
  • 1.5” memory foam
  • 1.5” poly foam
  • 7.5” support foam
Casper Select Material Layers
Casper Select Material Layers

All foams used in this mattress are CertiPUR-US certified, meaning that they are made without ozone depleters and have low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) emissions.

The Cover

The cover of the Casper Select is a hand-sewn piece that is thin and breathable. It is a blend of polyester, cotton, rayon, and lycra, which gives the cover a good degree of stretch as well as softness. The cover has a zipper for easy removal as well.

Casper Select Side
Casper Select Side

The Comfort Layer

The comfort layer of the Casper Select is technically made of three layers of foam. The top layer is a 1.5″ poly foam followed by a 1.5″ gel memory foam. Both of these layers are designed for comfort and to limit heat retention.

Below the gel memory foam is a 1.5″ transitional poly foam. This foam has a bit higher density and is designed to transition weight and pressure into the support layer below.

Casper Select Top Layers
Casper Select Top Layers

The Support Layer

The support layer itself is a 7.5″ high-density foam. This layer supports the comfort materials above as well as provides structure for the mattress.

Casper Select Materials Corner
Casper Select Materials Corner

Product Evolution

The Casper Select launched sometime between 2018-2020. Since its launch, there have been no notable changes in design or material to this mattress.

As the mattress evolves and changes are made, we’ll circle back and update this section as needed.

Other Mattresses to Consider

Not sure if the Casper Select is the right choice? Check out these three other top-rated foam mattresses for budget alternatives under $750 you may want to consider.

For Performance

Leesa Studio material layers

Emma Original

8.74 Overall Score

The Emma Original is a 12″ foam mattress that outperforms or ties with the Siena in 7 out of 8 performance categories we test for. It is value-priced at only $699 for a queen—more than the Siena, but still 35% less than the average.

Read Review

For Response Time

Avocado Eco material layers

Zoma Start

8.51 Overall Score

The Zoma Start is a 10″ foam mattress with a medium-firm feel, minimal sinkage, and high levels of bounce. It has a 2.0″ comfort layer and would be a good choice for back or stomach sleepers as well as lighter-weighted sleepers. While it has slightly lower performance than Siena, it does have a fast material response time and a budget price ($599 for a queen).

Read Review

For Less Sinkage

Nest Bedding Quail material layers

Leesa Studio

8.44 Overall Score

The Leesa Studio is a 10″ foam mattress with a moderate level of sinkage and low levels of bounce. It has a 3.0″ comfort layer and a medium-firm feel. This mattress is priced at $749 for a queen—more than Siena but is still a good value in the foam mattress market.

Read Review

Frequently Asked Questions

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

How much does a Casper Select mattress cost?

Here are the current prices, with any sales or promotions reflected below:

Full: $549
Queen: $649
King: $849
Cal. King: $849

*Note: Sales prices are subject to change without notice or warning.

Is the Casper Select the same as the Casper Original?

No. The Casper Select is a retail-exclusive mattress sold only at Costco.com. It is also more budget-friendly, about 15% cheaper than the Casper Original, among other material and performance differences as well.

Is the Casper Select mattress firm?

No, this mattress is a 6.5 out of 10 which puts it in the “medium-firm” category. This level of firmness would likely be suitable for a very wide range of sleepers, not those specifically looking for a firm mattress.

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.

About Derek Hales

Derek Hales

Derek Hales is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of NapLab. His insights and work has been featured on ABC's Tamron Hall Show, Freakonomics, CBS News, ESPN, Reader's Digest, Homes & Gardens, New York Post, CNET, & More. Derek has personally tested 440+ mattresses and began testing mattresses in 2014.

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