GhostBed Flex Review

• Review
• Specs
• Comments

This Mattress Could be for You If:

• You’re a back or side sleeper.
• You like memory foam but are scared you’ll sleep too hot if you buy a memory foam mattress.
• You have a sleep partner and appreciate bounce but not the motion transfer that’s often associated with it.
• You have mobility issues and need a bed that’s easy to move around in and get in and out of.

About three months ago, we took a look at GhostBed. It’s an American-made latex/memory foam blend that’s great for stomach sleeping and for those who have mobility issues. While it offered excellent contour, its all-foam construction can make it difficult to move around or get in and out of bed. That’s why GhostBed created its new Flex model. This hybrid mattress incorporates the use of an innerspring unit to give you that extra bounce you need for mobility. A few other features that set it apart from GhostBed’s flagship product include:

• There’s no latex.
• It’s thicker.
• It costs a little more, but it can be well worth it for the right shopper.

If you sleep on your side or back and have struggled with painful pressure points that cause you to toss and turn, this 13-inch mattress is composed in such a way that makes it supportive yet soft through a combination of memory foam and coils.

About GhostBed

GhostBed is made in the USA, and it’s the company’s mission to “produce and deliver the highest possible quality for a bigger, better, and more affordable mattress”. If you’re hesitant to do business with one of the many new mattress companies in the market, you can rest assured that GhostBed is built by Nature’s Sleep, a company that has 18 years under its belt selling over a million sleep products.

The name GhostBed has kind of a cute background. Evidently, the CEO had a fear of a ghost living under his bed as a kid, hence the name. His Sunfish sailboat was even named “Ghost”, so the name has a long history with the owner. You can read a full writeup in the Sun-Sentinel for more information on Marc Werner and his mission to market his sleep products online.

Innovation in the Blood

The spirit of innovation wasn’t new in the Werner family. GhostBed’s CEO came from a long line of businessmen and women. In fact, if you’ve heard of the world’s number one ladder company, Werner Ladder Company, there is a connection.

The Werner family has been putting their entrepreneurial skills to the test for the past century with five generations making successful strides. So, when experience counts in a relatively new online mattress market, you can count on GhostBed.

GhostBed Flex: What’s It Feel Like?

This particular layer lineup can be a good fit for side sleepers who sleep hot. When you sleep on your side, your body weight is confined to a reduced surface area. This can lead to the development of pressure points, especially in areas that typically carry more weight like the shoulders and hips. Considering the great bounce offered by the innersprings, I think it’s also a good fit for combination sleepers since it’s relatively easy to move from one position to the next.

Great for Lumbar Contour, Not Ideal for the Stomach

If you’ve struggled in the past with memory foam but do like how it feels, I think you’ll find the innerspring unit really aids the comfort layers well in preventing that excessive sinkage. When back sleeping, the memory foam fills in the lumbar area well, and my weight distribution was even across the surface.

I don’t typically recommend this type of layer lineup for people who are primarily stomach sleepers, and this is because the contour of the multiple layers of memory foam can cause the hips and shoulders to fall out of proper alignment. If this describes you, I think these products will be more up your alley.

GhostBed Flex Firmness and Contour

Mattress firmness is a huge contributor to overall feel, and the GhostBed Flex is advertised as a 5.5-6.5 with 10 being very firm and one being very plush. This is basically a medium firm intended to allow for the softness the average person needs for proper contour without

compromising the support needed for proper spinal alignment.

If you’re a frequent visitor of The Sleep Judge, though, you know that we don’t just take the manufacturer’s word for it. We evaluated firmness with our proprietary testing tool to see more precisely the type of firmness and contour you can expect. Our measurements put this mattress on the firmer end of the spectrum compared with many other top contenders on the market.

Analyzing the Results

• You can see the blue line is a bit smaller than the red and yellow, and this represents that the comfort layer provides less hug than what you’d experience with many of the competitors.
• The similarity in the length of the red and yellow lines demonstrates a very steady progression from soft to firm as we make our way from the foams to the innerspring unit, and I think the Ghost Flex foam is largely responsible as it bridges that gap between soft comfort and solid support.

Overall, this lineup is one that’s compatible with folks who need that added contour for side sleeping without compromising on the strong support needed to keep your spine in alignment. Ergo, back and side sleepers should strongly consider the GhostBed Flex mattress as well as men with triangle, rhomboid, or inverted triangle body shapes and pear and apple-shaped women.

GhostBed Flex Layer Lineup

Now that you have an idea of what it feels like, let’s take a look at what’s inside the GhostBed Flex mattress so you know how it works to offer support and comfort.

The Cover

When you unbox, you’re going to be surprised when you feel the cooling cover. It’s noticeably cool to the touch, and this is because it contains advanced technology. The smooth viscose polyester blend is so silky that you’ll want to sleep on it without a cover. (However tempting that maybe, you should definitely use a sheet and mattress protector!)

The cooling effect is further aided with an inch of Cooling Fiber woven directly into the cover to help create airflow. Since the cover is quilted with an inch of memory foam, you’ll get to enjoy some immediate contour that helps reduce pressure points.

The Comfort Zone

The hug from the cover continues in the next inch of gel-infused memory foam. It works to absorb body heat and keep you sleeping cool, something that can sometimes be difficult to achieve in a product featuring memory foam so close to the surface.

We begin to transition into the support zone in the next inch of Ghost Flex foam. It’s designed to bridge the comfort/support barrier to reduce pressure points that can occur when support kicks in too suddenly.

The Support Zone

For the bulk of the mattress, we draw our attention to the 8 ½ inches innerspring unit. The coils are wrapped individually, and this serves to reduce motion transfer and add to the durability of the mattress. In a mattress containing this much memory foam, it’s critical that adequate support exists to prevent excessive sinkage.

I think the decision to dedicate 65% of the total mattress thickness to support was smart, and we’ll talk about how it feels next. The innersprings also work to aid in mobility as memory foam can often make it difficult to move around or get in and out of bed.

The layer lineup ends with a final inch of high-density support foam to add to the overall support and durability of the mattress.

GhostBed Flex: Does It Sleep Cool?

When it comes to thermoregulation, many people avoid memory foam at all costs. That’s because the original version of this material was notorious for hot sleeping. I bought one over a decade ago, and it did a horrible job keeping me sleeping cool.

The great news is that there have been a number of advancements that have allowed consumers to enjoy the memory foam feel without all the heat. In the GhostBed Flex mattress, we find numerous efforts to keep you sleeping cool:

• The advanced technology in the cooling cover gets us off to a great start, and, even when the room is warm, you’ll notice the mattress surface is cool to the touch.
• The Cooling Fiber promotes airflow near the mattress surface.
• The gel-infused memory foam works to absorb body heat and promote a cool night’s sleep.
• Most of the mattress is composed of the innerspring unit, and they naturally promote good airflow.

Our Test Results

In total, there are four separate components at work helping you sleep cool. To test out these measures and compare them with the other mattresses we’ve tested here at The Sleep Judge, I lied on the GhostBed Flex for a half-hour at a room temperature of 64 degrees Fahrenheit and proceeded to monitor the cooldown process to compare with other mattresses I’ve tested.

The GhostBed Flex performed about 20% better than average, and the multiple efforts made from top to bottom in the layer lineup certainly played a role in these results. Based on this, GhostBed Flex is an excellent option for hot sleepers.

More Mattress Testing

Edge Support

Edge support can be easy to overlook, but it becomes a daily issue when lacking as it can lead to mobility issues as well as safety concerns. In some cases, you can fall out of bed when not adequately supported, so let’s take a look at how the Flex by GhostBed holds up.

Innerspring products usually perform very well, and I think this is demonstrated when I place myself on various areas of the edge. The ultimate test is when we sit on the corner, a place where we can sometimes see complete sinkage into the support layers. However, I am supported quite well.

Spirited Edge™ Support Design

Not only do the innersprings aid in this, but this product is further reinforced with patented Spirited Edge™ support design. Along the edge of the innerspring unit are two special rows that offer additional support to keep you from slipping off the edge.

Motion Isolation

Motion transfer reduction in innerspring products can be a challenge. However, the use of memory foam helps absorb a lot of this transfer, and the individually wrapped coils work to keep energy focused at the point of impact. If you have a sleep partner or a pet who joins you in bed, these features make a big difference.

During my testing, I dropped a twenty-pound medicine ball next to another of equal weight. In the video above, you can see how well the memory foam does at reducing motion transfer as the resting ball is minimally disturbed. If you have a sleep partner and are interested in the benefits of a hybrid mattress, I’d definitely recommend GhostBed Flex.

Durability Expectations

When you spend over $1,000, you’re making a sizable investment. That’s why it’s so important to take a little time to consider quality. There are some things we can look at in mattresses that give us an idea of what you can expect.

The Foam

For starters, there’s the foam, and we can check its density to determine quality and durability expectations. These measurements weren’t provided, so I extracted square inch chunks and took them to the lab so I could make the calculations for myself.

Using the formula for foam density, I calculated the following results:

• Pillow Top memory foam layer-
  • 0.00184108035 lbs / 5.78703 ft3 = 3 pcf

• Gel-Infused memory foam-
  • 0.00242155749 lbs / 5.78703 ft3 = 4 pcf

• Ghost Flex foam-
  • 0.001022945 lbs / 5.78703 ft3 = 2.70 pcf

• Base foam-
  • 0.0010046465 lbs / 5.78703 ft3 = 1.8 pcf

We’ll start by examining the two memory foams in the comfort layer. In this foam type, we want a density of no less than three pounds per cubic foot. In the pillow top foam, we find a measurement of three pcf, and this increases to four pcf in the gel-infused memory foam.

Moving on to the two poly foam layers, we look for a density of at least 1.8 pounds per cubic foot. In the Ghost Flex foam, the density weighs in at 2.7 pcf, and the base layer is 1.8 pcf.

I really like that GhostBed goes above and beyond with each and every layer, especially that second layer of memory foam. The comfort zone is where most wear and tear takes place, so this is good stuff. In terms of foam, we’re looking great.

The Coils

Since the coils make up the bulk of the GhostBed Flex, let’s take a look at what to expect. Off the get-go, they are independently wrapped, and this means the only ones that compress are those directly under pressure. This can help them last longer since lying on one side of the mattress won’t compress the springs on the other side.

The concern I have is in the coil count. In a queen mattress, we want to see 800 for great

quality, but the Flex only has 682. Serious durability concerns exist in queen products with under 400 coils, so we’re still well above that marker.

While the coil count is somewhat concerning, GhostBed has tested their product and deemed it capable of holding up at least eight years under normal wear and tear. I think the excellent foam densities give you overall good durability expectations well in line with the cost. You’re also protected with a 25-year warranty.

Maintenance, Protection, Care, and Warranty

It’s important that you do what you can to make your mattress last. Let’s take a look at a few maintenance tips to help yours stand the test of time:

• Rotating is always a good idea. Much like rotating your tires, this more evenly distributes wear. For example, if you have a sleep partner who weighs more or less than you, this evens things out and prevents the heavier person’s side from wearing out first.
• You can wash the cover, but GhostBed advises not to put it in the dryer, so air dry only.
• The GhostBed Flex is only capable of holding up to 750 pounds of combined weight.

Cost

If you think the GhostBed Flex is the right mattress for you, let’s take a look at the price:

Size	Price
Twin	$784
Twin XL	$938
Full	$1,031
Queen	$1,114
King	$1,339
California King	$1,369
Split King	$1,875

If you can’t cover the full cost upfront, GhostBed does offer financing through Affirm.

We like to give our visitors a little reward for doing their research when we can. When you enter promo code SLEEPJUDGEHYBRID, you can knock $200 off your mattress purchase! On king, California king, and split king sizes, it can save you even more if you qualify for one of the following special discounts offered by GhostBed:

• Veteran’s Discount
  • 15% off your order
  • Available to Active Duty, Retirees, Veterans, Military Spouses, and Military Family Members

• Academic Discount
  • 15% off your order
  • Available to Teachers and Students

• Government Employee Discount
  • 15% off your order
  • Available to Federal, State, and Local Government Employees

• First Responder Discount
  • 15% off your order
  • Available to Police, Firefighters, EMTs, and more

As a customer, GhostBed continues to give back when you tell your friends and family about their products. You receive $100 cash with no limits for GhostBed mattress purchases made through your referral. Keep in mind, this cannot be combined with any other deals or promotions.

Who We Recommend the GhostBed Flex For

The GhostBed Flex is certainly a different product than the original GhostBed, and it offers a number of solutions to common sleeping problems. I think it could be a great purchase for:

• Back and side sleepers
• Hot sleepers who would like to enjoy memory foam
• Sleep partners who want to enjoy innersprings without all the motion transfer
• Anyone who has trouble moving around or getting in and out of bed

On the other hand, this may not be the best option if you sleep primarily on your stomach as the firmness level may throw your spine out of proper alignment. Furthermore, if you carry a lot of weight, you may find the memory foam cushioning to be too soft.

GhostBed Flex: Our Final Verdict

We’ve taken a very thorough look at the GhostBed Flex, so let’s start wrapping things up. If you’re in the market for a product that offers great contour without compromising on a solid support, the layer lineup is one that does a great job at alleviating the pain in the back, neck, and joints common in unsupportive memory foam products. I think it could also be a great option if you’re switching from a traditional innerspring product.

If you aren’t used to innerspring support, it can take a bit of time to adjust, so it’s always a good idea to allow yourself at least 30 days to see if you like it. Also remember it can take up to five days for the mattress to fully decompress, so, while you can return the mattress during the 101-night sleep trial, they just ask that you first try it out for 30 days. Again, you’re also covered with that 25-year warranty.

Should you decide to return, GhostBed offers different options:

• If you have a problem with the mattress, they’ll work with you to get it right.
• They can also help you an exchange or upgrade.
• If all else fails, you can receive a refund.

White glove delivery is available if you don’t feel like unboxing, and they even remove all of the packaging materials and your old mattress. If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, it starts off at $199 and depends on the number and sizes of items purchased.

If you’re a back or side sleeper in the $1,000 budget range looking for great pressure relief on a product that sleeps cool, GhostBed Flex should make your list of top contenders.