The wave of online commerce has enveloped almost every major consumer section around it, one of which is the Sleep Industry. For decades, mattresses used to be sold through networks of retail outlets, dominated by a few giants. This trend has changed with the entry of fresh internet-based mattress companies that offer comprehensive marketing literature regarding their high-quality products.
Casper and Avocado are two such companies that offer premium sleep solutions, each having a unique feature-set, but with the same ultimate goal: a satisfied customer. In this Avocado vs Casper Original comparison, we explore how the features of the two products contrast with each other, to help you decide which of them is best for you.
Avocado Breakdown
Avocado is a USA-made mattress, envisioned as a non-toxic, natural and organic product. The mattress is available in two variants, with and without the pillow top cover. It is primarily a latex-based product with a layer of pocketed coil system, all of which are free from petroleum-based compounds, pesticides and flame retardants.
Construction
Cover
Maintaining its eco-friendliness and all-natural standing is extremely important for the company. From the very top, they have lived up to this. The cover is made from GOTS-certified organic cotton and Joma® New Zealand Wool, studded with hand-tufted buttons. All the mattress’ layers are secured firmly by this cover through wool yarn rosettes, without the use of any chemical adhesives.
The layer of cotton is light, soft and adds to the mattress’ breathability. Under this lies a layer of 1oz/sqft. 100% natural Joma® New Zealand wool, which is a natural fire barrier and wicks moisture. Furthermore, the wool’s inherent anti-microbial properties prevent mite infestation, keeping your investment safe. Just like cotton, the wool also promotes breathability and keeps the temperature of the mattress regulated.
First Layer
A 2-inch thick, all-natural Dunlop latex layer awaits you under the Joma® wool. The layer has an ILD of 14 – 19 that translates into medium firmness. This combined with Latex’s inherent bounciness keeps you from sinking into the bed, something that can’t always be said about memory foam mattresses. The layer is etched with small holes, which when combined with latex’s natural cooling properties lead to greater heat dissipation.
Second Layer (Pillow Top Version)
The layer consists of 2 inches of natural Dunlop latex with an ILD rating of 20 – 25, bringing extra conformity to the mattress. The increase in ILD rating means a firmer response is generated against the body’s weight. The Pillow Top version is sometimes also referred to as the “Euro-style top”.
Third Layer
1130 individually-tuned support coils form an 8-inch pocketed coil system, serving as the third layer of the mattress. The support coil system is claimed to the most advanced available, with each coil floating independently bringing motion transfer reduction and helping in spinal alignment. The coil system has been broken down into three firmness comfort zones to provide customized support to the hips, back and shoulders. The reason for this “zoning” is to ensure that each of these areas gets the required conformity and plushness. The pelvic area is firmer as it carries the most weight, while the hips and shoulders area is softer. This design makes the mattress a viable option for people with extreme body weights and profiles.
Fourth Layer
Finally, there’s a one-inch layer of 100% natural Dunlop latex that acts as a base for the mattress and an added support for sleepers. The 26 – 31 ILD rated layer absorbs pressure from the pocketed coil system and maintains the mattress structure.
Firmness and Feel
Comfort and Support
Starting off with the non-pillow top version; the mattress is composed of 2” thick Dunlop latex along with an 8” pocketed coil system. Compared to Casper, which is an all-foam mattress comprising of inner memory-foam layers, Avocado keeps the body from sinking in. This however, doesn’t mean that the mattress will always retain its shape. The contouring part is handled by the 3-zone pocketed coil system that generates a plush response for each strategic part of the body.
The pillow-top version contains an extra 2” layer of latex. This brings greater conformity and pressure relief for the sleeper, makes the mattress bouncier and lowers the level of sinkage compared to the simple version.
Edge Support
For people who spend a considerable amount of time on the edge of the mattress, or those who wish to make good use of the entire surface area of the mattress during the night, edge support is an important parameter. The layer of ergonomic support coils ensure that you get the same level of support irrespective of your position on the mattress. This makes the Avocado a good option for people looking for reliable edge support. In retrospect, Casper, also performs well however, it does generate a little extra compression through the top foam layers as you move closer to the edge.
Cooling
The mattress has an organic cotton cover followed by a layer of Joma® wool, both of which bring breathability to the mattress, wicking away moisture. The wool in particular acts as a temperature regulator, making sure each part of the body feels equally warm. Next, the latex layer, which is already a natural coolant, has been aerated to aid with temperature regulation. This is followed by the 3-zone pocketed coil system that has improved airflow so that the heat can travel all the way to the bottom-most layer.
Motion Transfer
Motion isolation becomes a noticeable parameter as you start sharing your bed with your partner. The latex-build of the mattress, and the inherent bounciness may put up a bad first impression regarding motion isolation. The truth however, is much different. The innersprings have been wrapped individually that ensure that movement at one end doesn’t affect the other. This results in minimal disturbance for the other person on the bed.
Unique Features
Natural Joma® New Zealand Wool
Carefully shorn from crossbred sheep that roam across New Zealand’s farmlands, Joma® wool brings benefits to the mattress that aren’t always found in synthetic materials. For starters, the wool is resistant to fire, bringing an impressive safety feature in your mattress. Next, it is resistant to microbes and mites, and keeps your mattress odor-free by wicking away moisture. At the same time, the wool can trap air within its fibers and keep the temperature of the mattress regulated, both in summers and winters.
100% Natural Latex Rubber
Harvested from sustainable sources, rubber used in Avocado mattresses is 100% natural. In addition to being environmentally-friendly, the material is very comfortable and provides pressure-relief through conformity. It acts as a cushion for your pressure points such as hips and shoulders, providing you freedom of movement as you sleep instead of keeping you trapped in one place.
3-Zoned Spring System
Avocado features an 8-inch spring system that has been split into three-strategic zones to ensure maximum benefit to each major portion of the body, namely, the pelvic, shoulder and lumbar area. Each spring floats independently that adds to the motion isolation of the mattress. Furthermore, the system also adds to the overall thermal regulation of the mattress by improving airflow.
Smell and Off-gassing
Almost every product that has been manufactured through chemicals has some sort of off-gassing period. The smell is noticeable as you unpack the product. This does not hold for Avocado due to the chemical-free build of the mattress. From the pure Joma® wool to the 100% latex rubber, the product is free from odors, and can be used just hours after unpacking.
Caring for the Environment
Avocado gives back to the environment not only through its sustainable practices but monetarily as well. 1% of all revenues are given to like-minded nonprofits that work towards the betterment of our planet.
Casper Original Breakdown
Casper Original is an all-foam mattress composed of a layer of memory foam sliced in between polyfoam layers. With a total thickness of 10 inches, the mattress isn’t your everyday memory foam mattress and encompasses some unique features that work against negative perceptions such as too much sinkage.
A complete breakdown is as follows:
Construction
Cover
The cover is made from a soft polyester blend, that’s thick, tough and snaps into place upon stretching. It can be removed through the zipper and if required, can be cleaned as well. A simple dotted pattern with grey edges is embedded within the cover which makes it aesthetic in any setting.
First Layer
The first layer is composed of 1 ½ inches of open-cell comfort foam. It works similar to a memory foam, contouring according to your body, while issuing responses based on the body’s change in posture. This neutralizes the entrapment that is usually associated with memory foams. The open-cellular design also promotes dissipation of heat and allows air to pass through, keeping you cool as you sleep. In a way, the response can be associated to that of Latex and is thus similar to that generated by Avocado.
Second Layer
The second layer is also 1 ½ inches thick and is made up of response memory foam. The prime goal of this layer is to aid in pressure relief and generates a slower response of pressure. The placement of the response foam on top of this layer prevents excessive sinkage and keeps you away from the heat buildup within the memory foam.
Third Layer
Next, there’s a layer of transition foam with a density of 2.5 lbs./cu.ft with a thickness of 1 ½ inches. This creates a smooth connection between the plusher upper layers and the harder layers that follow. This stops the body from sinking further into the mattress, creating a blend of comfort and firmness. Casper has given this layer a zoned design. The response is softer at pressure points such as the shoulder, while firmer at the hips and lower back, i.e. where the weight is concentrated. This results in greater spinal alignment and targeted pressure relief. The layer’s function can be attributed to that of Avocado’s spring system. The response isn’t the same as Avocado’s due to the more sophisticated design of the latter, however, this has been Casper’s take on it.
Fourth Layer
Finally, there’s a 5 ½ inches layer of durable support foam, acting as a foundation for the mattress, supporting the layer above and acting as a heat outlet. The layer is rigid and as supportive as possible for the entire mattress. It also ensures that the body’s posture is accommodated and that your joints don’t get exposed to strain as you sleep.
Firmness and Feel
Comfort and Support
Unlike Avocado, which is available in two options, the Casper Original is available in one firmness level, i.e. medium. ILD ratings of the layers haven’t been made public by the manufacturer, however, it would be fair to say that the mattress is accommodating for all types of sleepers. The mattress generates a balanced level of plushness and firm support. The upper two layers relieve pressure while the intermediate layer preserves the body’s contours, transferring load to the base layer which ultimately provides compressive support. The zoned design adds spinal alignment to the equation by generating a balanced response to each of the body’s pressure points. Comparing the two mattresses, the Avocado is firmer and bouncier while Casper Original is more slow-moving due to the memory foam layer.
Edge Support
From an edge-support point of view, you’ll sink into the comfort layers quickly, but both the support layers will keep you from falling over. For an all-foam mattress, this is an impressive feat. However, if you carry a lot of weight, the mattress might not be the best option for you and choosing Avocado may be a better option due to the innerspring unit.
Cooling
Casper Original has an open-celled structure that does a good job at dissipating heat, transferring heat to the surroundings and ensuring you sleep cool. Since, the layer of memory foam comes after the first layer, your body is shielded from the heat build-up, reducing the thermal impact. The polyester cover also plays its part and promotes breathability, however, not as good as the Joma® wool and cotton cover of the Avocado.
Motion Transfer
Casper Original restricts the impact of sudden motion thanks to the contouring foam found in the upper two layers. The open-cell layer does lead to bounciness as found in latex but isn’t noticeable for someone who is sleeping. Avocado neutralizes the bouncy response associated with Latex through the 3-zoned innerspring unit. Therefore, both mattresses fare equally with respect to motion isolation.
Unique Features
Memory Foam Conformity combined with Latex-like response
Casper Original has followed a unique approach with its mattress design generating a response that is a cross between memory foam and latex rubber. The open-celled first layer along with a viscoelastic second layer allows it to bring both plushness and conformity to the sleeper. This means it yields to the body’s pressure while keeping your posture aligned as you sleep.
Cheap
Casper Original may rate lower than the Avocado in some respects, however, the memory foam/latex hybrid response comes at a lower price tag as well. The Casper costs $995 along with $50 discount coupon.
Temperature Regulation
Even though the Avocado has some sort of temperature regulation feature in all its layers, e.g. aerated latex, airflow through the innerspring system, etc. a test revealed that it took one minute longer than the Casper Original to get back to the room temperature.
Which One To Get?
Avocado
Here are some reasons to consider the Avocado:
- You want both responsiveness and firmness: Avocado is composed of latex layers along with a three-zoned spring system that allows it to generate a plush response combined with freedom of movement.
- You want zoned transition: Avocado’s signature 3-zoned transition layer gives each major part of the body its due share in relieving pressure. Casper Original also has a zoned layer however, it lacks the independently floating springs found in Avocado.
- You want a microbe free mattress: The mattress sports a layer of cotton below which a layer of Joma® wool is placed. This keeps the mattress free from moisture, promotes airflow and resistant to bug infestation. The all-natural antimicrobial properties also translate into lower occurrences of allergic-reactions.
- You want a pillow-top: Avocado is offered in two version, with or without the pillow-top, which adds 2 extra inches of medium-firm latex, an option suitable for people carrying more weight.
- A longer warranty is important for you: A warranty of 25 years means the company places a huge amount of trust in its product, even though mattresses are usually replaced by people after 10 – 15 years. In contrast, Casper offers only 10 years of warranty.
- You’re looking for an environment friendly product: Avocado follows a strict environmental code through all stages of production. All components used are free from chemicals or harmful pesticides. In addition, the company donates a small fraction of its revenue to non-profit organizations working to protect the environment as well.
Casper Original
However, you might want to go for the Casper Original if:
- You’re looking for a cheaper mattress: Casper Original strikes a balance between the plush response of a memory foam and the bounciness of latex rubber (even though it doesn’t contain a latex layer). For such a response, it charges you lesser than Avocado, something that makes it a contender for people on a budget.
- You want a responsiveness and viscoelastic behavior in your bed: Casper Original’s ability to generate plush conformity along with healthy responsiveness makes it suited for people who are interested in memory foams but not their excessive sinkage. This makes the mattress suitable for people who wish to experience the bounciness associated with Latex rubber within a memory foam mattress.
- You want a cooler bed: The Casper Original’s unique placement of foam layers isolates the heat collected within the memory foam, ensuring a cooler night’s sleep. The polyester cover also makes sure that heat is dissipated to the surroundings rather than building up in one hotspot.
I hope the comparison was informative and interesting for you. If you’re still deciding on whether to go for an all-foam mattress or a latex-spring one, I’m sure that the article would prove helpful. If you have a friend whose stuck in a similar dilemma, then please do your part, and pass on the word! Comments, questions or clarifications may be put up in the section below.
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Avocado vs Casper Original Comparison
| Avocado | Avocado (with pillow-top) | Casper Original | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Layers Used | 5 layers
|
6 layers
|
5 layers
|
| Height | 11 inches | 13 inches | 12 inches |
| Firmness | Slightly above Medium-Firm | Above Medium-Firm | Medium |
| Motion Transfer | Medium | Medium | Minimal |
| Breathability | Above Average | Above average | Above average |
| Trial Period | 100-day | 100-day | 100-day |
| Warranty | 25-year | 25-year | 10-year |
| Pricing (Queen) | $1399 | $1799 | $1,095 |
| Shipping | Free | Free | n/a |