I have a confession: I have a weird kind of magic when it comes to mattresses. My friends and family have always joked about my ability to get a new mattress whenever I need one — like a plush, pillow-top spring mattress that’s the perfect balance between soft and firm — and I typically find mattresses in pristine condition for $50 or less online. While some people might scoff at a secondhand mattress, I’ve always been satisfied with the results of my magic. After all, it’s hard to turn down a brand-new queen-sized mattress that your neighbor is tossing because they’re downsizing to a one-bedroom apartment in the city.
As a result, I’ve always been vaguely skeptical about the quality of online mattress-in-a-box retailers like Casper. The concept seemed cool and convenient, but swapping my trusty pillow top for a memory foam mattress? Not likely.
When I got the opportunity to test out Casper’s Wave Hybrid mattress(opens in a new tab), however, I decided to ditch my doubts and put it to the test. Could a mattress-in-a-box beat out my favorite pillow-top? After weeks of trying it out, I had my answer, and it definitely came as a surprise.
What is the Casper Wave Hybrid mattress?
While Casper is famous for its memory foam mattresses, the Wave Hybrid takes the Original all-foam mattress(opens in a new tab) and replaces it with a hybrid construction that combines memory foam, latex, and/or gel with springs. Casper touts several variations of hybrid mattresses on its website, but the Wave Hybrid is the most advanced mattress (and definitely the most intriguing).
Marketed as Casper's most supportive mattress, the Wave Hybrid boasts five different layers designed with gel pods and sturdy springs to create "zoned support" under your waist and lower back. Coupled with three layers of Casper’s AirScape breathable foam with cooling gel, a layer of strategic gel pods, and a light spring system, the Wave Hybrid is a complex mattress built with optimal spinal alignment in mind. Particularly great for back or side sleepers, the Wave Hybrid is designed to keep you cool, comfortable, and pain-free.
How does it feel?
My first impression of the Wave Hybrid was shockingly good. It was relatively easy to pull it out of the box and settle it on our bed frame, and — after letting the mattress air out for a few minutes — my partner and I both flopped down on our backs. Within seconds, I could already feel a difference. Unlike other memory foam mattresses (and a cheap memory foam topper that left me wary of giving this mattress a try), the Wave Hybrid was surprisingly supportive and cool. It was sturdier than my spring mattress without being overly firm, and I could practically feel my back thanking me in those first few minutes.
And after our first night on the Wave Hybrid, I knew I was sold.
Even as a sensitive sleeper who has been called a real-life “princess and the pea,” it did take me a few nights to adjust to the feeling of a slightly firmer mattress, but the initial difficulties around falling asleep were well worth the dramatic increase in sleep quality. Most nights, I even found myself ditching my pillow because it felt wonderful to lay completely flat on the Wave Hybrid.
My only complaint was that my back did feel a little warm some nights, but it wasn’t enough to feel oppressive, even on the hottest nights. Thankfully, for those who live in warmer areas or tend to overheat, Casper does offer a version of the Wave Hybrid with extra cooling built in using its new "snow technology" for an additional $500.
What about the quality?
It’s been a month since we received the Wave Hybrid, and my first impression of the mattress still stands. The quality is stellar, the support is sublime, and I’ve even noticed that the memory foam top is just as resilient as it was that first night.
Not only does this mattress seem to be incredibly well-designed, but it’s also blown all of my expectations out of the water. I’m not someone who has ever really noticed mattress features like edge support, but now that I have it, I can’t imagine life without it. The motion transfer is also shockingly low — most nights, I can barely feel my partner getting in or out of bed, which has been a huge improvement from our previous mattress.
Is it worth the price?
Coming in at $2,895 for a queen-sized mattress, the Wave Hybrid(opens in a new tab) definitely isn’t cheap. It’s Casper’s most expensive mattress, and it’s definitely on the high end when it comes to hybrid mattresses from other online retailers. However, Casper’s 100-night risk-free trial coupled with its 10-year limited warranty definitely makes it worth a try.
Is it a good option for those who are on a budget? Probably not, especially compared to Casper’s other hybrid mattress options(opens in a new tab). But if you’re looking for a stellar mattress to provide luxury support, or you’re someone who is struggling with back pain, it might be worth the splurge.
