Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress: Luxurious With An Attractive Price Tag

Forbes

10-07-2025

We recommend the Bear Elite Hybrid as a high-performing mattress for most sleepers thanks to its multiple firmness options, pressure-relieving feel and strong ease of movement. Our team of Forbes Vetted mattress editors and testers—who all range in body type and sleeping position preference—tested Bear's most premium mattress against 25-plus competing picks, and it stood out as a group favorite. Our Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress review details our testers' experience with important factors like firmness, support, motion isolation and edge support, and explores more of the brand's background.
Our Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress review summarizes our testers' different experiences with firmness, ... More feel, motion isolation and more. ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILER
In addition to our group testing, a tester slept on the mattress in her own home for 30 nights so we could see how it performed over the long term. If you're looking for a mattress that rivals top-rated competitors from veteran brands like Beautyrest and Sealy but has a more affordable price tag, you may find the Elite model a suitable choice for your needs. Learn more about all of its features below.
Forbes Vetted
Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.
Type: Hybrid | Brand firmness rating: Soft (5), medium (6) or firm (7) | Trial period: 120 nights | Warranty: Lifetime limited
Best for: Those interested in a cushioned, plush feel like a supportive marshmallow
Combination sleepers or those who value good ease of movement
Athletes or people who live an active lifestyle (optional upgrades for these folks)
Most body types and sleeping positions
Skip if: You prefer an ultra-soft feel (like side sleepers under 150 pounds)
You'd like a bed with great edge support
You don't want a tall mattress (14 inches)
Sometimes a mattress takes some warming up to, but our testers unanimously found the Bear Elite Hybrid in the medium firmness level very comfortable off the bat. 'It's perfectly cushiony without any uncomfortable sinkage and has a medium firmness that I'd think would be pretty crowd-pleasing,' says one tester who weighs under 150 pounds. It's also suitable for sleepers over 250 pounds, as another tester in this weight class adds, 'This bed is very soft and feels great all around. There is not much sinkage, but lots of support.' In a nutshell, the bed is just as comfortable and snuggly as it looks.
The Bear Elite Hybrid stands at 14 inches tall, making it thicker than your average bed and one that requires deep-pocket sheets to properly fit. It comes in three different firmness levels: soft, medium and firm. Here's a breakdown of its different layers and materials: Cover: A soft and breathable knit fabric infused with a phase change material (PCM) that helps draw away body heat. You also have the option to add a Celliant-infused cover, which is a performance fabric that helps boost recovery and sleep, according to the brand.
A soft and breathable knit fabric infused with a phase change material (PCM) that helps draw away body heat. You also have the option to add a Celliant-infused cover, which is a performance fabric that helps boost recovery and sleep, according to the brand. Comfort layer: Underneath the cover is a layer of copper-infused memory foam, which is better at regulating temperature than your average memory foam material since it's designed to pull heat away from the body.
Underneath the cover is a layer of copper-infused memory foam, which is better at regulating temperature than your average memory foam material since it's designed to pull heat away from the body. Transition layer: The third layer from the top is called Dynamic Transition Foam; it helps neutralize the firm springs below and adds support under the cushy comfort layer.
The third layer from the top is called Dynamic Transition Foam; it helps neutralize the firm springs below and adds support under the cushy comfort layer. Support layer: A system of pocketed coils sits near the base of the mattress that are reinforced along the edges for better perimeter support and thicker in the center for better lumbar support.
A system of pocketed coils sits near the base of the mattress that are reinforced along the edges for better perimeter support and thicker in the center for better lumbar support. Support layer: A thin-but-dense slab of foam sits at the very bottom as a foundation for the coils and foams above.
The Bear Elite Hybrid mattress contains thick pocketed coils, multiple comfort layers and a ... More feature-rich cover. FORBES
Bear lets you choose between a soft, medium or firm mattress profile, which gives different sleep postures a chance to better cater to their specific needs. Our long-term and group testers all tried the medium model and agreed with the brand's firmness rating, a 6 out of 10 on the scale. Because of its middle-of-the-road firmness, we found it's accommodating for most sleeping positions. We rated it a 9.5 for side sleepers, 10 for back sleepers and 8 for stomach sleepers.
'As primarily a side sleeper, though I do rotate to my back at times, the Bear Elite Hybrid felt supportive and comfortable in both positions,' says our long-term tester. 'It wasn't too soft, and it wasn't so firm that it created pressure buildup.' While sleeping on her back, another tester adds, 'This is perhaps the comfiest bed yet for back sleeping for me. The pressure relief is noticeable, and the firmness level is perfect for my preferences.'
We also found it has a generally comfortable and luxurious feel. One tester who describes the Bear Elite Hybrid as cushioned and plush says, 'I feel as if the mattress was hugging my lower back and holding it up in a comfortable alignment.' My own first impression was that it's light, airy and cushiony all at the same time. With that said, it doesn't lack the proper support needed to promote alignment. Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress Features An Optional Celliant-Infused Cover
Bear mattresses, including the Elite Hybrid model, come with an optional Celliant-infused cover upgrade. The FDA determined that Celliant meets the criteria for a medical device and wellness product, as the material is meant to absorb your body heat and transform it into infrared energy, which is then transmitted back to you. According to the brand, this process is supposed to benefit muscle recovery, sleep quality and more, which can be beneficial for athletes or active individuals. Pressure Relief
Since the Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress falls near the center of the firmness spectrum, one of its greatest strengths is its ability to relieve pressure around the hips and shoulders. Our testers rated this category a strong 9 out of 10. 'During testing, I felt a number of beds decompress my spine while lying on my back,' says Alex Garrett , tester and Forbes Vetted updates writer. 'However, this is the first mattress that gave me that sensation while lying on my side.' Our long-term tester adds, 'I find that the medium Bear Elite Hybrid gives me good pressure relief for my hips and shoulders. I don't notice pressure buildup in the morning in the way I have with firmer mattresses .' Cooling
While the cover does have a phase change material to help regulate temperature by pulling heat away from the body, our testers found that it sleeps more neutral instead of hot or cold. Our long-term tester echoes this sentiment and says, 'I slept on it during hot summer nights with no air conditioning. It didn't keep me or the animals from overheating, but I did notice a difference from memory foam beds that I've slept on where I felt hotter than usual.' If you're prone to sleeping warm and want an actively cooling bed, see our editor-approved picks for the best cooling mattresses . Motion Transfer
In the mattress world, this term refers to how much a mattress deadens or absorbs movement so you aren't constantly disturbed by your partner's tossing or turning. Our testers rated this bed's motion-isolating abilities average for a hybrid mattress, as it has a slightly bouncy profile. Our long-term tester adds, 'The Bear Elite Hybrid doesn't absorb all motion, so I feel things more than I do on a solid memory foam mattress .' Beds made from memory foam are top-notch at stopping motion transfer because of their doughy, dense designs.
Whether you sleep with a partner or pet, the Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress is average at isolating ... More movement. RENA GOLDMAN FOR FORBES Support
The Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress contains a system of pocketed coils in the support layer, which makes it an accommodating choice for petite to plus-size sleepers. In terms of overall capacity, a brand rep says, 'We do not have weight limits, the most important thing is to make sure you a have a suitable base to support.' However, some heavyweight sleepers may want to consider an even more durable choice for better support, especially stomach sleepers over 250 pounds.
As for edge support, our testers found that it doesn't perform as well as beds like the Saatva Classic innerspring hybrid. When I tested it myself, I found that it doesn't feel as supportive around the edges as it does in the center, and there's noticeable give when I lie on the edge. Ease Of Movement
Another one of the Bear Elite Hybrid's highlights, combination sleepers and those who have mobility issues can appreciate this bed's ease of movement. 'It's very easy to move from one position to another,' says one of our testers. 'It has a comfortable amount of bounce, minus any resistance to movement.' Our long-term tester adds that the bed is free of the dense 'stuck in the mud' feel that may put some people off. Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress Pricing
Bear is arguably one of the lesser-known brands under its parent company umbrella (3Z Brands), but the company produces quality bed-in-a-box mattresses that incorporate Celliant, a material that's not very common among bedding products but some studies show can increase blood flow and oxygen levels. As a result, there's an impressive list of professional athletes that endorse Bear and its products. The company's mattresses are CertiPUR-US certified, Greenguard Gold certified and fiberglass-free, so they aren't made with harmful chemicals. Shipping And Delivery
Bear mattresses ship directly from the 3Z factory in Arizona to your front door compressed inside of a cardboard box. You can upgrade to a white glove delivery service where the brand sends representatives to set up your new bed for you and remove your old mattress if you choose, but costs vary depending on your location and removal needs. Trial And Returns
The brand gives you 120 nights to decide whether or not you want to keep your mattress, but they ask that you wait at least 30 nights to let your body adjust before you try to make a return. If you do want to initiate a return, Bear gives you a full refund to your original payment method. Warranty
Those who bought a Bear mattress after January 1, 2022 are covered under the brand's limited lifetime warranty, which means the original purchaser is covered for as long as they own it. It covers defects and flaws that aren't because of incorrect use or improper handling, and you are limited to one replacement. Other Mattresses From Bear
The Bear Pro Hybrid has a supportive pocketed coil base and comfortable foam materials, and you can add a Celliant-infused cover for an additional fee. Our testers found it to have a medium-firm to firm feel.
The Bear Star is an upgrade from the Bear Pro Hybrid but not as expensive as the Bear Elite. It has a fluffy pillow top, strong hybrid construction and medium-firm feel that's supportive and cushy at the same time. Learn more in our full Bear Star Hybrid review.
A mattress is a significant purchase, but investing in your rest can make a big difference in your sleep quality, and in turn, mental and physical health. The Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress is a high-end bed that all of our testers put in the luxury category. However, if you catch it during a sale, you can get a queen size for under $1,600, a competitive price compared to similar top-tier options.
You can choose from three different firmness levels; our testers found that the medium model manages to be soft and supportive at the same time, accommodating a wide variety of sleep styles and body types whether you favor your side, back or stomach. We also think it's a good choice for athletes, runners, weight trainers and anyone who lives a very active lifestyle, as it's endorsed by reputable professional athletes who appreciate Bear's performance feature offerings.
On the other hand, it may not be an ideal choice for couples who value edge support and motion isolation or heavy stomach sleepers over 250 pounds who require more spinal support. Why Trust Forbes Vetted
Our editors and writers have extensive experience in the mattress and sleep space, and have create a robust library of mattress reviews, accessory roundups, product news and more. Author of this story McKenzie Dillon is a mattress and sleep editor at Forbes Vetted. She has been writing and researching sleep for over six years, has tested over 100 different mattresses and also has her sleep science certification.
Bridget Chapman is the senior mattress and sleep editor and oversees the category. She has nearly a half-decade of sleep experience under her belt and a sleep science coach certification. Together, she and Dillon have tested over 200 different beds. How We Tested The Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress
We approach mattress testing in two ways: in a group where multiple people test over 25 mattresses at once and compare their features to one another and with a long-term tester in their own home. This way, we are able to gather data on each bed from the perspective of multiple body types and sleep postures, in addition to a real-world setting. We lie on each mattress in every sleep position—side, back and stomach—and take note of spinal support and pressure buildup. We also analyze ease of movement and how easy it is to swap from one position to another.
We test for motion isolation by placing a water glass near the edge of a mattress and moving around it using different levels of pressure. We measure how much the water glass moves and shakes, which helps determine how well it absorbs motion.
Edge support is tested by lying and sitting on the edge of each bed and switching positions to see how much it buckles.
To learn more about our testing methods and processes, see our detailed guide on how we test mattresses .
How Does The Bear Elite Hybrid Feel To Sleep On?
The Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress has a balanced feel that's cushioned and supportive at the same time. It has three firmness levels to choose from so you can pick the profile that's most accommodating for your needs, but we found the medium model is generally comfortable for most bodies and sleep postures.
What Are The Negatives To A Hybrid Mattress?
Some hybrid mattresses may be very bouncy and responsive, which may not be ideal for co-sleepers who are sensitive to their partner's movements. Hybrid mattresses also tend to be more expensive than those made only with foam.
Do I Need A Box Spring With A Hybrid Mattress?
No. A box spring is an outdated piece of bedroom furniture that isn't necessary for most modern beds. Hybrid mattresses contain coils inside in the base layer for support, which serves the same purpose as a box spring.