Casper Wave 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	High
Response Time	Extremely Fast
Bounce	High
Edge Support	Excellent
Sex	Excellent
Pressure Relief	Exceptional
Off-Gassing	Very Good
Company	Excellent

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

The cooling performance is very similar to that of the Casper Nova Hybrid (which makes sense, as they share many design and material similarities).

The Wave Hybrid uses a 5.0” comfort layer, which is truly exceptional for pressure relief. However, a thicker comfort layer can also create heat retention issues in some cases, and we experienced that here.

Despite the increase in air flow due to the hybrid design, the foams just seem to retain more heat relative to many others we’ve tested.

• 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 Snow mattress offered considerably better cooling relative to the Casper Wave Hybrid (in addition to better overall performance, while also being less expensive).

If you describe yourself as a “hot” or “warm” sleeper you will likely be better off with the Snow mattress.

In our objective cooling tests, we measured a max surface level temperature of 91.0°F. From minutes 0 to 1 the temperature was reduced by 4.8°.

Heat Dissipation Over Time

From minutes 0 to 5 the reduction was 7.2°. When we look at the complete picture of subjective experience, objective data, and material / mattress design I am confident in my view that the Casper Wave has good cooling performance but still leaves much to be desired.

The Casper Wave Hybrid has a deep level of sinkage. In our tests, we measured a sinkage depth of 2.38”. This is 0.22” deeper sinkage than the average of 2.21”.

The level of sinkage is documented in the image below.

The thick 5.0” comfort layer creates a dramatic contouring hug around the body. It isn’t as sharp or exacting as an all-memory foam layer would be, but it does lean more in that direction (compared to all latex or a more traditional coil mattress).

All that said, I never felt stuck and the contour did not inhibit my ability to easily move around on the mattress. Overall, I’m pleased with the sinkage dynamic and contouring hug.

The Casper Wave Hybrid has a high level of motion transfer. In our tests, we measured a total acceleration range of 12.88 m/s². This is 4.91m/s² more motion transfer than the average of 7.97 m/s².

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

The hybrid design, latex foam, and convoluted “wave” channel design in the 4th layer of foam are doing this no mattress no favors when it comes to motion transfer.

Much like the Casper Nova Hybrid with its zoned cut foam, the “wave” channels (in the 4th foam layer) allow for a deeper and faster push through the foam layers (while also being nearer to the support coils). This creates a more abrupt and immediate type of pushback and therefore, more motion transfer.

In our motion transfer chart, which visualizes our accelerometer data, we can see high motion peaks through 0.28 seconds. Motion remains moderately high until 0.92 seconds, when it returns to near zero levels. Neither the motion peaks nor motion duration paint a pretty picture for the Casper Wave.

The Casper Wave Hybrid has an extremely fast material response. In our tests, we measured a mostly recovered response time of 0.2 seconds and a fully recovered response time of 0.8 seconds.

Both of these are notably faster than the average response times of 0.44 and 0.89 seconds, respectively (based on all of our tests to date).

The level of responsiveness is documented in the video below.

The poly foam and latex foam on top of the mattress is a great choice to create fast responsiveness. The memory foam layers within the core are notably slower to respond by comparison. However, their presence further from the top helps to limit their impact on response.

The Casper Wave Hybrid has a high level of bounce. In our tests, we measured a total bounce height of 10.78”. This is 1.17” more bounce than the average of 9.61” (based on all of our tests to date).

The combination of hybrid design, latex, poly foam, and limited memory foam, are all contributing to the higher level of bounce. As is the thin cover.

While bounce is more preferential, in general, I like to see 8-12” of total bounce height. The Wave Hybrid’s 10.78” is right in the middle, creating plenty of bounce for improved sex and ease of movement.

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

Edge support on the Casper Wave Hybrid is a bit of a mixed bag. While sitting edge support was excellent, lying edge support left something to be desired. In our sitting edge support tests, we measured 3.25” of sitting edge sinkage. This is 1.04” less than the average of 4.29”.

Ideally, I like to see 4.0” of sitting edge sinkage or less. Casper easily exceeds that mark. I felt perfectly well supported even when sitting directly on the edge of the mattress.

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

That said, lying edge support is good, but far from great. During our tests, I did not feel tremendously well supported when lying directly on the edge of the mattress.

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

Lying edge support is worse on my back. While lying on my back the portion of my back closer to the edge is notably angled downward compared to the other half of my back (nearer to the middle of the mattress), which has more even and better support. Lying edge support on my side was better compared to lying on my back.

This is more likely a product of the medium feel, thin cover, and lack of a coil unit with edge support coils. While the mattress is encased in a perimeter edge support foam, which is undoubtedly improving edge support (especially while sitting), it’s still not a perfect solution. Typically, edge support coils perform better than perimeter support foam alone.

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	High
Edge Support	20%	9.9	Excellent
Noise	10%	10	Minimal
Pressure Relief	5%	10	Exceptional
Cooling	5%	9.0	Very Good

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

This is a fantastic score and when we look at important performance factors we see why. This mattress has high levels of bounce 10.78″, which makes up 60% of the sex score. Edge support is also excellent, which makes up another 20%.

Bounce and edge support are both extremely important for good sex performance. Overall, the Wave Hybrid is a very comfortable mattress and will improve the dance without pants for most.

The only possible issue is the medium feel, which creates a deeper level of “push” (for lack of a better word) into the mattress and will require greater excretion for some amorous activity participants.

Pressure relief is exceptionally good on the Casper Wave Hybrid. During our tests, I felt zero pressure point build-up anywhere on my body.

The mattress did a fantastic job of creating ample pressure relief and comfort in all sleeping positions. The great pressure relief is due to the excellent material quality and material types.

First and foremost, we have a thick 5.0” comfort layer. Typically, I want to see at least 3.0”, with 4.0” or more being ideal. With 5.0” of material, a mix of foam types, zoned memory foam core, and a transitional poly foam atop the support system, we have everything I look for and hope for in a comfort layer.

Overall, I’m exceedingly pleased with the pressure relief dynamic. The Casper Wave Hybrid is incredibly comfortable and I don’t expect pressure relief will be an issue for most sleepers.

Off-gassing is strong out of the box with the Casper Wave Hybrid. The smell lasted for a full 11 days before dissipating.

This is 2.75 times longer than the average of 4 days (based on all other mattresses 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.

Casper has a 100-night trial period and a 10-year warranty. Shipping and returns are free if you decide that the mattress isn’t right for you.

The 100-night trial gives you over 3 months to decide if you like it. But I will note here that the average trial across all mattresses tested to date is 160 nights. So Casper is notably shorter.

The 10-year warranty is also shorter than average. The average warranty length is 14 years, not considering the 28% of mattresses that have lifetime warranties.

The firmness of the Casper Wave Hybrid is 5.5 out of 10. This is a medium feel and just a touch softer than medium-firm mattresses, which tend to come in right around 6 out of 10.

Support on the Casper Wave Hybrid is excellent. During our tests, I felt well-supported in all sleeping positions. I would recommend this mattress for sleepers between 150-300 lbs.

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

The medium (5.5 out of 10) firmness of the mattress makes it a great choice for a wide range of body types and all sleeping positions. The mattress has an ample 5.0” thick comfort layer that works well with a 7.0” support system (6” coils + 1” support foam).

The Casper Wave Hybrid’s zoned memory foam layer (the 3rd foam layer from the top) creates more robust support in the middle of the mattress where body weights are typically heavier.

While zoned foam isn’t as good as a zoned coil unit (based on my experience testing), it’s still better than no zoning at all.

In addition, the Wave Hybrid includes up to 78 “gel pods”.

These are shallow half spheres around 2” wide and weighing about 0.5 oz each. Casper says they “provide more support than foam alone”, which is probably true.

However, given their relative size, thickness, and weight, I am not super impressed with these. These feel like a marketing gimmick more than anything else.

Even so, the Wave Hybrid still creates plenty of support and I don’t foresee it being an issue for a vast majority of sleepers.

Design

The design of the Casper Wave Hybrid is a 12″ hybrid with a medium feel.

Materials

The Casper Wave Hybrid mattress has a 12″ profile with 6 individual layers. There are four layers to the comfort level and 2 layers to the support system. From top to bottom, these layers include:

• 1.25” poly foam (phase change)
• 1.25” latex foam
• 1.5” memory foam (zoned)
• 0.75” – 1.5” poly foam (convoluted)
• 6.0” pocketed coils
• 1.0” support foam

The Cover

The cover of the Casper Wave Hybrid mattress is a soft, knit material with good stretch, breathability, and softness. It has a nubby finish with neutral gray tones.

The Comfort Layer

The comfort layer includes four individual pieces of foam.

The top is a 1.25″ poly foam. This layer is perforated for good breathability and faster response. It is also covered with a spray phase change material, the same thing we saw on the Casper Snow mattress.

The next layer is a 1.25″ latex foam (grey’ish purple). This layer helps provide bounce, response, and a more balanced body contouring hug.

Third in the stack is a zoned memory foam (marbled teal). This layer has 3 individual pieces of foam in this layer position. The head and foot of the mattress are softer, while the middle section is firmer to create more support for the heavier portion of the body

The last foam in the comfort layer is a convoluted poly foam (dark blue). The thickness ranges from 0.75″ up to 1.5″, depending on which point of the foam you are measuring from.

The convoluted channels cut into the foam create the 0.75” maximum air gap with the “wave” design of the foam cut.

In the center third of this layer (around the sleeper’s midsection) it also includes gel pods that sit in shallow circular cutouts. These pods are designed to add support and maintain spinal alignment. They are not designed for cooling.

These gel pods have a diameter of 2.0” and weigh 0.5 oz. each. There are up to 78 per mattress (according to Casper, presumably that means 78 in the King size). Law tag has these listed as thermoplastic elastomer and it represents 6% of the total material.

The Support Layer

The support layer of the Casper Wave Hybrid is made of two parts—a 6.0″ pocketed coil support system as well as a 1.0″ high-density support foam base.

The coils are encased in a thin fabric which not only allows the coils to move independently but also keeps the noise down.

All coils are also buffered by a 3.5″ edge perimeter foam that encircles the entire edge of the mattress.

Product Evolution

The first Casper Wave Hybrid was launched in 2017. In March of 2020, the mattress was updated to include AirScape technology. This upgrade is designed to keep body heat out of the mattress. The cover was also updated in 2020.

How is the Casper Wave Hybrid Different?

The Casper Wave Hybrid has a score that is right at the average in terms of performance, but the price tag is over double the cost of an average hybrid mattress.

Factor	Casper Wave Hybrid	Average
Overall	9.51	9.52
Price	$2,895	$1,410 (Hybrid only)
Cooling	9.0	9.4
Max Sinkage	2.38″	2.21″
Total Motion Transfer	12.88 m/s²	7.97 m/s²
Response Time	0.2 sec.	0.4 sec.
Total Bounce	10.78″	9.61″
Edge Support – Sitting Sinkage	3.25″	4.29″
Mattress Thickness	12.0″	11.9″
Sex Overall	9.9	9.6
Comfort Material	5.0″	4.2″
Off-Gassing – Smell	Strong	Strong
Off-Gassing – Days	11 days	4 days
Trial	100 nights	158 nights
Warranty	10 years	28% have lifetime warranties, average of other 72% of mattresses is 14 years

This mattress sleeps slightly warmer than average, compared to the average mattress (considering all mattress types, not just hybrids).

It also has slightly deeper sinkage, more motion transfer, more bounce, and a faster response time than average.

Edge support is better on the Wave Hybrid than the average mattress, despite having about the same overall thickness.

Other Mattresses to Consider

Not sure that the Casper Wave is the right pick for you? Check out these three other top-rated hybrids for alternative options to consider.

Frequently Asked Questions

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