In recent years, the popularity of memory foam has grown rapidly, with consumers getting used to their soft, plush response and subsequent pressure relief. At the same time, a number of complains have also risen, with users reporting heat buildups, poor edge support and lack of responsiveness. In order to tackle these issues, manufacturers have turned towards modified memory foam types and/or incorporation of multiple layers.
The Casper Original vs. Leesa comparison is about two such products that feature modified viscoelastic layers in conjunction with special or proprietary foams. Both mattresses are all-foam products, with the prime goal of maximizing user comfort. Due to their modified design, the response they generate is different than that compared to a typical memory foam mattress, which has been explained in detail below.
Casper Original Breakdown
The Casper Original is an all-foam mattress available in one firmness option, i.e. medium-firm. It tackles the conventional problems associated with memory foam through a layer of special open-cell foam.
Construction
Cover
The cover is made of pure polyester, tightly spread over the mattress’ layers. It is soft upon touch and also breathable, keeping the surface cool to sleep on. Moreover, it is removable that allows easy washing in case it gets dirty/sweaty.
First Layer
1.5 inches of special open-cell foam forms the first layer of the mattress, which navigates the entire response generated by the mattress. As your body makes contact with the open-cell foam, it contours according to your posture – just like memory foam – but at a slower pace, along with a certain degree of responsiveness. The latter prevents feelings of uneasiness due to excessive sinkage while allowing you to move around the mattress or change positions effortlessly. This is something that can’t be expected from a layer of memory foam. Lastly, the open cell structure makes the layer breathable, transferring any hot air away from the surface.
Second Layer
The layer generates the typical plush response so many memory-foam-lovers long for. It embeds itself into the response generated by the open-cell foam layer, sinking according to the body’s posture. Usually, a viscoelastic foam is employed as the top-most layer, however, this has been avoided by Casper Original to tackle issues of poor heat retention and non-responsiveness. This placement order allows you to enjoy the soft response of memory foam while giving the mattress a slightly latex-like bounce. Furthermore, any heat buildups in this layer are isolated from the surface through the breathable layer of open-cell foam.
Third Layer
This is a buffer layer of the mattress made of transition foam that has a medium level of firmness, slowing down any sinkage while keeping the body cushioned from the hard polyfoam base. The transition foam used in this layer has a zoned design, meaning it provides greater support at high-pressure points such as the lower back, and lesser support at low-pressure points such as the shoulders. This helps keep the spine aligned, providing targeted pressure relief to each major part of the body.
Fourth Layer
The final layer of the mattress; it is made of 5.5 inches of high-density polyurethane foam and acts as the support core of the mattress. It stops any further sinkage, keeping the body’s posture aligned, while at the same time supporting the upper layers of the mattress.
Firmness and Feel
Comfort and Support
As stated earlier, the mattress is offered only in one firmness level: medium-firm. The manufacturer hasn’t made the ILD ratings of the mattress public to prevent imitation but has clearly stated that the product is fit for a variety of users. This is largely true as the uppermost open-cell foam layer brings much-needed responsiveness to the mattress, even though its prime response is similar to that of memory foam. This is followed by deep compressive support by the polyfoam base that prevents excessive sinkage from taking place. Conclusively, the mattress provides plush comfort as well as a certain degree of bounce that makes it suitable for individuals with varying weight profiles, as long as they aren’t extremely under/overweight.
Edge Support
When a consumer makes an investment, he/she expects to make the most out of it. However, with memory foam mattresses, the edges are of little use as they turn into slopes as soon as pressure is applied. This isn’t true for Casper Original thanks to the open-cell foam layer that gives it ample responsiveness to resist instant compression upon addition of load. In addition, the stiff polyurethane base also brings in stiff resistance and keeps the layers above in an upright position.
Cooling
As the memory foam layer is located below the open-cell foam, any heat buildups are far away from the body. If hot air does make its way to the surface, it is driven away by the airflow set up in the open cell structure of the first layer. Moreover, the polyester cover also holds breathability, keeping the surface as cool as possible. This makes the Casper Original a viable option for enjoying the comfort of a viscoelastic foam in hot and humid climates.
Motion Transfer
Motion reduction is a vital parameter against which a mattress is judged, especially by couples with varying sleeping schedules. While excessive sinkage and lack of responsiveness are effectively deal by the addition of open-cell foam, motion isolation is also tackled effectively as the response of the upper layers is largely contouring. The inner bounce of the initial layer has only a tiny effect, which would be hardly noticeable while you’re asleep.
Unique Features
Plush Comfort with characteristic bounce
The Casper Original is an all-foam mattress with the response being similar to that of a memory foam product; however, it also possesses slightly latex-like properties, which generates some bounce. Thus, the mattress lets your body enjoy the contouring response but prevents excessive sinkage from taking place, which is otherwise annoying and causes discomfort.
Motion Isolation
Both Casper Original and Leesa have an upper layer that has firm, bouncy responses. However, the former also holds a contouring response, making it better at handling unnecessary movements. The Casper Original is able to isolate such motions and absorb them vertically, rather than letting them travel unimpeded, disturbing your partner.
Targeted Support
The mattress’ transition layer holds different levels of firmness along its surface, giving your body targeted support and ensuring proper spinal alignment.
Leesa Breakdown
The Leesa is also an all-foam mattress, generating plush comfort but has a more pronounced bounce compared to Casper, very similar to that of natural latex rubber.
Construction
Cover
A blend of polyester and Lycra constitutes the cover of the mattress. Tightly stretched over all the layers, the cover has a velvety feeling and appealing four-stripe color scheme. It is also removable in case it needs to be cleaned.
First Layer
The initial layer of the mattress consists of proprietary Avena® foam. A product of Carpenter Co., it has properties similar to that of natural latex rubber. It has a characteristic bounce that brings firmness to the mattress’ response, followed by excellent thermal regulation which is a trademark of latex rubber. Furthermore, it adds durability to the mattress and prevents deformations from taking place within the lower layers.
Second Layer
This layer is composed of 2 inches of memory foam, issuing a contouring response according to the body’s pressure profile. The response is combined with the bounciness of the upper layer resulting in unique plush-conformity, meaning your body sinks into the mattress but at the same time feels in an outward push.
Third Layer
6 inches of high-density polyfoam form this layer, providing solid support to the mattress’ layers while keeping the back aligned. Due to its high-density build, it also adds durability to the mattress, improving its lifespan.
Firmness and Feel
The mattress is available in one firmness level only.
Comfort and Support
The Casper also features a bouncy upper layer, but its prime response is still like that of memory foam. In contrast, the Avena® foam has properties identical to latex rubber, apart from the fact that it is a synthetic product. This makes the response of both mattresses different. If you’re looking for a mattress that adjusts according to your body’s profile but at the same time features an inner push, then Leesa is the way to go. The pressure relief provided by this mattress is sourced from a mixture of softness and bounciness. You will still enjoy memory foam’s signature sinkage, but with more pronounced conformity.
Edge Support
The bounciness of the Avena® foam and its placement above the memory foam means you can enjoy the entire area of the mattress without worrying about compression occurring at the edges of the mattress. This is combined with unyielding support of the high-density polyfoam base that aids in keeping the edges aligned.
In comparison, Casper’s upper layer produces less bounce and is, therefore, more prone to formation of slopes as the body moves along the sides.
Cooling
The Leesa fares better in comparison with Casper thanks to Avena® foam that has breathability characteristics similar to that of latex rubber. Any heat that may accumulate in the viscoelastic layer is dissipated with ease to the surroundings, keeping the surface cool to sleep on.
Motion Transfer
The placement of Avena® foam at the top of the mattress means the dead response of the memory foam doesn’t fully come into effect. This makes the Casper better suited at handling excessive movements compared to the Leesa.
Unique Features
Contouring Response with highlighted conformity
Both Casper and Leesa have deviated from original memory foam response but the latter has added greater firmness due to the inclusion of latex-like Avena® foam. Nonetheless, this suits the need of individuals who prefer greater conformity in their mattress while still wanting their mattress to contour according to their body’s posture. Furthermore, as the Leesa possesses bounciness, it is more suitable for heavier individuals looking to enjoy the plushness of memory foam.
Superior Edge Support
Mattresses that are composed of natural latex rubber are able to provide excellent edge support due to their inherent bounciness. Since Avena® foam can be thought of as synthetic latex, it displays the same properties and thus, impedes the formation of slopes as pressure is applied to the side of the mattress.
Excellent Cooling
The Leesa handles thermal regulation issues satisfactorily thanks to the breathable Avena® foam that transports heat away from the surface. This is combined with the moisture wicking capability of Lycra, making the mattress a top contender for hot climates.
Durability
The manufacturer has incorporated high-density materials within the construction of the mattress, be it Avena® foam or the polyfoam base. The former is particularly resourceful and extends the usable lifespan of the mattress as it absorbs the brunt of the body’s impact. This keeps the memory foam layer safe from deformations that may occur with the passage of time. Furthermore, the support core holds all the layer together, improving the overall durability of the mattress.
Less Expensive
The Leesa is less expensive compared to the Casper, especially when our coupon code is used. This means you get to enjoy both plush and bouncy response within a reasonably priced package.
Which One to Get?
Casper Original
Here are some reasons to consider Casper Original:
You want both plushness and conformity: The Casper Original’s upper layer supplements the response of the memory foam below, but at the same time generates an inner push that brings responsiveness to the mattress. This allows you to change positions and eliminates feelings of entrapment. Nonetheless, the overall response of the mattress features plushness, which means you get a memory foam-like product minus the risk of excessive sinkage.
You want a cool plush mattress: The Leesa is also an all-foam mattress, but the response has greater conformity to it. If you wish to enjoy a softer product in hot climatic conditions, then the Casper is a better choice.
You want better motion isolation: The open-cell foam generates only a tiny amount of bounce in response to irregular movements made by you or your partner. These are hardly noticeable while you are sleeping. In retrospect, the Leesa has a latex-like, bouncy upper layer that results in greater amplification of motion.
You want targeted support: The dynamic ILD rating of the mattress’ transition layer means each part of your body gets specialized comfort and pressure relief, fitting the needs of a variety of sleepers who have differing weight profiles.
Leesa
However, you might want to choose Leesa if:
You want greater conformity within a viscoelastic product: The incorporation of Avena® foam has brought about the greater amount of bounciness to the mattress’ response, making it more suitable for individuals who attain pressure relief through conformity rather than softness. In addition, individuals who carry a lot of weight can feel more relaxed as they won’t sink too deep into the mattress, which is otherwise the case with typical memory foam products.
You want better edge support: Thanks to the bouncy Avena® foam, the mattress is able to hold out against compression as a load is applied to the sides. This means you can use the entire surface area of the mattress, whether its for sharing with your partner, watching TV or reading a book.
You want better cooling: When Casper Original and Leesa are put head to head, the latex-like properties of Avena® foam stand out, keeping the surface cooler to sleep on. Moreover, the moisture wicking Lycra makes the product a good choice for hot sleepers.
You want an affordable product: Combined with our coupon code, you can get the mattress at an affordable price and enjoy both plush comfort and bounciness of latex rubber.
You want greater durability: Natural latex is inherently a highly durable material. The Avena® foam holds identical properties, helping it improve the longevity of the mattress. It acts as a shock absorber, damping down impacts that would adversely affect the memory foam layer. This is supplemented by the high-density support core that keeps the layers upright and held together.
Casper Original vs. Leesa Comparison
| Casper Original | Leesa | |
|---|---|---|
| Layers Used |
|
|
| Height | ~ 9.5” | 10 inches |
| Firmness | Medium | Medium Firm |
| Motion Transfer | Minimal | Small |
| Breathability | Above average | Above average |
| Trial Period | 100-day | 100-nights |
| Warranty | 10-year | 10-years |
| Pricing (Queen) | $1,095 | $940 |
| Shipping | n/a | Free |
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