Elm Sleep Resort Hybrid Mattress Review

January 8, 2024 Update – On December 12, 2023, we received an email from a reader explaining that Elm Sleep (sister brand of Pillar Sleep) was not responding to email requests from the Elm Sleep customer requesting a refund. On December 14, 2023, and December 19, 2023, NapLab sent emails to our contact at Elm Sleep requesting information about the incident. Elm did not reply to our emails. On December 21, 2023 we sent an email to our contact at Pillar Sleep requesting information. Pillar Sleep did not reply to our email. As of January 8, 2024, neither Elm Sleep nor Pillar Sleep has responded to any of our 3 emails. Customer support, trial periods, and refund policies are essential, as they reduce risk for sleepers purchasing a new mattress. At present, Pillar Sleep and Elm Sleep’s customer support experience is such that we cannot recommend them.

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	Minimal
Motion Transfer	Very Low
Response Time	Extremely Fast
Bounce	Low
Edge Support	Excellent
Sex	Excellent
Pressure Relief	Exceptional
Off-Gassing	Excellent
Company	Exceptional

Cooling performance on the Elm Sleep Resort mattress was excellent. In our tests, I felt no significant level of heat retention around my body. The Elm uses a simple, but proven hybrid design.

The base layer of pocketed coils provides ample airflow, helping the foam comfort layers to breathe and release heat. Elm lacks some of the features we look for that could have pushed it to a perfect 10/10 cooling score, nevertheless, it’s still a respectable and excellent score.

• 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

Looking at our objective data, the Elm did fantastically. In our tests, we measured a maximum surface level temperature of 85.3° F. From minutes 0 to 1 the Elm reduced the temperature by 4.4°.

Across our range of objective measurements, the Elm is notably better than the averages. However, our cooling tests took place during a particularly cold and rainy day in Arizona. As a result, they appear a good bit better than they likely would on a more typical day.

Heat Dissipation Over Time

Within 3 minutes the Elm was able to release most of the retained heat. Overall, I am confident that the Elm will provide excellent cooling performance for most sleepers.

The Elm Sleep Resort mattress has a minimal level of sinkage. In our tests, we measured 1.81” of pressure point sinkage. This is 0.43” less than the average of 2.24” (based on all of our tests to date).

The level of sinkage is documented in the image below.

The thick 3.0” memory foam layer on top is harder when you first lie down, but quickly softens as it contours to your body. The mattress has a more noted memory foam feel.

There is a high degree of hug and body contouring. At the same time, I don’t feel overly enveloped by the foam layers (due to the minimal level of sinkage). It’s got a more restrained sinkage depth.

While the response isn’t instant, I don’t feel trapped and the body contouring provides ample pressure relief. Overall, I’m pleased with the sinkage dynamic.

Motion transfer on the Elm Sleep Resort was very low. In our tests, we measured 6.02 m/s² of acceleration range. This is 1.10 m/s² less motion transfer than the average of 7.12 m/s².

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

The thick 6” foam comfort layer, 3.0” of memory foam on top, and pocketed coil base all work together to create a low level of motion transfer.

Looking at our motion transfer charts, which visualize our accelerometer data, we can see the highest motion peaks from 0.00 to 0.21 seconds. After 0.21 seconds the motion drops dramatically, dropping again at 0.63 seconds, and returning to near zero levels by 1.12 seconds.

While the total motion duration is slightly longer than we ideally like to see, the motion intensity is low even at its peaks. By 0.21 seconds the vast majority of motion has subsided. Overall, I found the motion transfer to be very low.

Response time on the Elm Resort mattress is a bit of a mixed bag. In our tests, we measured 0.4 seconds for the mattress to mostly recover and 1.1 seconds for a full material recovery.

The mostly recovered time is 0.07 seconds faster than the average of 0.47 seconds. This is also the measurement that our score is based on.

The level of responsiveness is documented in the video below.

The Elm is able to (mostly) rebound back to shape extremely quickly. However, those deeper contouring memory foams do take slightly longer at 1.1 seconds.

Based on all of our tests to date, we have measured an average fully recovered response time of 0.90 seconds. This makes the Elm 0.2 seconds worse than average for a full recovery.

In my view, the mostly recovered time is more important, as it better represents the bulk of how the mattress feels around your body and whether or not it’s quickly adapting to changes in movements.

By that standard, the Elm does great. However, for sleepers who need a full and complete material recovery instantly, they may find it lacking in this area.

When more pressure is applied to the mattress we see those slower contouring memory foams taking longer to respond. This could cause the heavy parts of your body to feel a more noted slowness with response.

The Elm Sleep Resort mattress has a low level of bounce. In our tests, we measured a total bounce height of 7.50”. This is 2.01” less bounce than the average of 9.51”.

Higher bounce often leads to increases in motion transfer. However, it also improves sex, increases response speed, and makes it easier to move around the mattress.

In general, I like to see 8-12” of bounce, as it’s a sweet spot that balances the needs across a range of preferences. At 7.50” the Elm is a bit below the ideal bounce height, but it’s not far off either.

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

The lower bounce most notably is impacting sex and leads to that slightly slower material response (which we discussed earlier). However, it’s also the reason motion transfer is so low. So there are pros and cons to this level of bounce.

Edge support on the Elm Resort mattress is excellent. In our tests, we measured 4.0” of sitting sinkage at the edge.

This is 0.50” better than the average of 4.50” (based on all of our tests to date). Even when sitting directly on the edge of the mattress I felt well-supported.

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

Lying edge support was even better. When lying directly on the edge of the mattress I felt exceptionally well-supported in all sleeping positions.

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

The mattress did a great job at creating a contouring hug and pressure relief, while still providing plenty of edge-to-edge support.

While sitting edge support could be slightly better, it’s still far better than the average. When you couple that with the exceptionally good lying edge support you have a mattress that checks most of my boxes.

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
Bounce	60%	9.4
Edge Support	20%	9.5
Noise	10%	10
Pressure Relief	5%	10
Cooling	5%	9.5

For the Elm Resort mattress, these individual factors generated a sex score of 9.5.

This mattress has relatively low levels of bounce, which isn’t great for sex, but it does have good edge support (which IS great for sex). These two factors make up 80% of the sex score.

The other factors—pressure relief, noise, and cooling, all had great scores so really the thing that kills the score here is bounce.

The lower level of bounce, thick comfort layer, and the memory foam top layer absorbs much of the energy, which in turn, creates the low motion transfer. But by the same token, that energy absorption creates a lack of bounce, which can make sex more difficult.

The Elm Resort mattress has exceptionally good pressure relief. In our tests, I felt ample pressure relief in all sleeping positions.

The Elm has 6.0” of comfort material, which is nearly 2” more than the average of 4.15” (based on all of our tests to date).

A thicker comfort layer doesn’t necessarily mean the mattress will have better pressure relief, but in general, it’s a good indicator.

With more foam, you have more layers between you and the support coils. This helps to create comfort and deep compression support that better eases sleepers into the support coils. This effect is what helps to create better pressure relief.

The Elm has a well-balanced body contouring hug and fantastic pressure relief.

Off-gassing on the Elm Resort hybrid was initially strong. The odor out of the box took 6 days to fully dissipate.

This is a little longer than the average, but not unreasonable. Remember too, once a mattress off-gasses, it will only need to do it once.

To speed up this process, leave the mattress in a well-ventilated room and be sure to leave off any bedding until the off-gassing process is complete.

Elm Sleep was newly launched in 2022. Their mattress comes with a 180-night trial period, a lifetime warranty, free shipping, and free returns.

Company Factor
Trial Period	180 nights
Warranty	Lifetime
Shipping	Free
Returns	Free
Country of Origin	USA

The Elm Sleep Resort hybrid is available in two different firmness levels—luxury plush or luxury firm. We tested the luxury plush, which we found to be a 5 out of 10 on the firmness scale, where 10 is the most firm.

Luxury Plush

Luxury Firm

We estimate the Luxury Firm to be a 7 out of 10 on the firmness chart.

The Elm Resort mattress has excellent support. I felt well-supported in all sleeping positions. The mattress has a robust material design with 15” of total material thickness.

A thicker mattress doesn’t always indicate better support, but it’s often true and certainly true here.

Elm uses 9.0” of support materials (8” pocketed coils and 1” foam). This support system is topped with 6.0” of comfort material. The combination is able to create both pressure relief and support appropriate to most body types.

Elm also uses a 2.0” poly foam layer in the core to create improved transitional support.

Although support is good overall on the Elm Resort, both firmnesses are not ideal for all sleepers.

Luxury Plush

The luxury plush firmness (5 out of 10) would be best for lightweight or moderate-weighted sleepers in all sleeping positions. Heavier back or stomach sleepers may find that this mattress is not supportive enough to keep the spine properly aligned.

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

Luxury Firm

The luxury firm (7 out of 10) would be a better choice for heavier sleepers in all positions or moderate-weighted sleepers, especially back or stomach sleepers.

Some side sleepers (150-250 lbs.) may find this mattress to be a bit too firm to properly contour their side. Most lightweight sleepers will find this firmness to be too firm.

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

Overall, I have no complaints with respect to support. The Elm did a great job in our tests and I am confident that one of the two firmnesses will create adequate support for the vast majority of sleepers.

Design

The Elm Sleep Hybrid mattress is a blended foam mattress with a support coil base. The combination of foam and coils generates a balanced feel and makes this a mattress for a wide range of sleepers.

Materials

There are five layers of the Elm Sleep Resort mattress. Being a hybrid, the mattress is essentially broken up into two main zones: the comfort zone and the support zone.

The comfort zone includes the quilted cover and two layers of foam. And the support zone includes a layer of pocketed coils and a thin layer of support foam.

Here is a more detailed breakdown, from top to bottom:

• 1.0” quilted cover
• 3.0” memory foam
• 2.0” poly foam
• 8.0” pocketed coils
• 1.0” support foam

The Cover

The cover of the Elm Sleep Resort mattress is a 1″ thick quilted cover with a stretchy, soft finish. It has a tufted stitching pattern which gives the cover a lofted, luxurious look.

The fabric on the sides of the mattress is a dark, thicker material, which is nice for the durability and longevity of the mattress.

The Comfort Layer

The comfort layer is made up of two different foams. There is a 3″ slab of memory foam followed by a 2″ poly foam, which acts as a transitional layer between the memory foam and the support coils below.

The Support Layer

The support layer below the foams is an 8.0″ pocketed coil system. This layer includes hundreds of coils, where each coil is encased in a thin fabric. This design is intended to limit motion transfer, improve pressure relief, and dampen noise.

Below the coils is a high-density foam base that supports the coils and helps provide maximum pushback to all layers above.

Product Evolution

The Resort hybrid was newly launched in 2022. Because of its short lifespan, there have been no design changes since its release. As the mattress ages, we will periodically update this section with any changes as they come.

How is the Elm Resort Different?

The Elm Sleep Resort isn’t hugely unique from other mattresses across the market. But there are a few benefits to note that help the Resort take a leg up compared to some other mattresses.

#1. CertiPUR-US Certified

The Resort hybrid mattress is CertiPUR-US certified. This means that the mattress and all materials are made without:

• Fiberglass
• Harmful adhesives
• Ozone depleters
• PBDEs, TDCPP, or TCEP flame retardants
• Mercury, lead, and other heavy metals
• Formaldehyde
• Phthalates

#2. Thicker Profile

This mattress has a 15″ thick profile, which is more than many other mattresses we test. Thicker profiles allow for thicker support and comfort layers as well. This can be especially beneficial for heavier sleepers, who may sink through thinner foams.

Other Mattresses to Consider

Still not sure that the Elm Resort hybrid is the right pick for you? Check out the three recommendations below for top-rated alternative hybrids.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have more questions? Check out some of the top FAQs on the Elm Sleep Resort mattress below and get the answers you’re looking for.