The Showdown: Bear vs. Leesa Mattress Comparison 2023

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With the rapid growth of the online mattress industry, certain brands have emerged as leaders in both recognition and popularity. Among these brands are Bear and Leesa, both of which started with just one mattress, gained the trust of customers, and continued to innovate by expanding their product lines. This has positioned them as top contenders in the online mattress market.

To put it simply, if you are considering a mattress from either Leesa or Bear, you can expect to be a satisfied customer. However, choosing the best mattress for your needs among the various models offered by these brands requires a closer examination of what each one brings to the table.

Both companies offer a range of mattresses, each with its own unique features such as mattress type, design, materials used, and price points. Our comprehensive comparison of Bear and Leesa starts with an overview of these offerings and then delves deeper into their performance and standout features.

We have put in extensive effort to provide you with the most suitable mattress options. Take a look at our complete list of mattress guides below!

Price Range (Queen):

– For Bear: Prices fall within the medium firmness range (6) and firmness range (7).

– For Leesa: Prices fall within the medium (5) and medium firmness range (6).

Standout Features:

Bear:

– Specialty Celliant cover that utilizes infrared energy to enhance recovery during sleep.

– Meticulously layered materials that deliver dynamic performance in both foam and hybrid options.

– Quality mattresses available at affordable prices.

Leesa:

– Combination of contouring and bounce for well-balanced performance.

– Multi-layered comfort systems that provide improved pressure relief.

– Eco-friendly cover made from recycled plastics for the Leesa Legend model.

– B-Corporation status, demonstrating a commitment to social causes.

Models:

Sleep Trial & Warranty:

– Unfortunately, the text does not provide information about the models, sleep trials, or warranties.

  • 120 nights (30-night adjustment period)
  • Lifetime guarantee
  • 100 nights (30-night requirement)
  • 10-year, Limited warranty

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Before making a mattress purchase, it is important to familiarize yourself with its dimensions. This involves carefully examining its size, height, and weight.

The size of the mattress determines the amount of sleeping surface it offers. If you have a larger body size, prefer stretching out, or share the bed with someone else, you will need a larger bed. Additionally, take into consideration the space in your bedroom and whether a certain mattress size will fit comfortably.

The height of a mattress, especially when combined with the bed frame, can affect how easy it is to get in and out of bed. This is particularly important for individuals with chronic conditions like arthritis. The height of the mattress can also determine whether you need fitted sheets with extra-deep pockets.

While mattress weight may not be a significant consideration on most occasions, it can be important if you need to move the bed. A heavier mattress may also require a sturdier bed frame.

Options for Sizes

Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King

Options for Sizes

Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King

Bear Pro

Options for Sizes

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Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King

Options for Sizes

Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Split King

Options for Sizes

Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King

Studio by Leesa

Options for Sizes

Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King

The available mattress sizes from Bear and Leesa are almost identical. Both companies offer their mattresses in all six standard sizes, with one exception: the Leesa Legend is not available in Twin size.

All of the Bear and Leesa mattresses fall within the height range of 10 to 14 inches, meaning they can all be paired with fitted sheets that have a standard pocket depth. The tallest mattress is the Bear Star Hybrid, which is two inches taller than the Leesa Sapira Hybrid and two inches taller than the Leesa Legend.

In terms of weight, the all-foam models are very similar. The Bear Original and Leesa Original, both 10 inches tall, have almost the same weight, while the Bear Pro, which is two inches thicker, weighs approximately 10 pounds more.

Similarly, the hybrid models have equivalent weight, with all falling in the range of 110 to 119 pounds. Surprisingly, despite its shorter height, the Leesa Legend is the heaviest among them.

Considering these similarities, the size of the mattress is unlikely to be the decisive factor for shoppers choosing between a Leesa or Bear mattress. However, being aware of the available dimensions can still be helpful in selecting the perfect bed for your home.

A comprehensive comparison of the Bear and Leesa mattresses must involve a detailed examination of their construction. The way a mattress is built, including the materials used and how they are layered together, provides strong evidence of its performance and long-term durability.

Certain standard terms are used to describe mattress construction. The support core, which is the thickest and sturdiest layer, lies at the base of the mattress. The comfort system, consisting of one or more layers above the support core, shapes the characteristics that sleepers directly experience, such as contouring and firmness.

In a hybrid mattress, the support core is composed of coils, while the comfort system can consist of foam, latex, micro-coils, and fabrics like cotton. In an all-foam mattress, the support core is made of polyfoam, and the comfort system is created using foam, latex, and/or fabrics. Bear and Leesa both offer all-foam and hybrid options in their product lines.

Bear offers three different mattress options. The Bear Original and Bear Pro are designed entirely with foam, while the Bear Star Hybrid has a support core based on coils.

Although the interior construction varies, the cover remains the same for all three Bear mattresses and is one of the standout features of the brand. The cover is made of a special textile called Celliant, which possesses unique properties that allow it to reflect body heat as infrared energy. This helps in maintaining a neutral temperature by drawing heat away from the skin. Furthermore, scientific research suggests that the infrared energy produced by Celliant can enhance the overnight recovery of muscles and other tissues.

The Bear Original was the mattress that propelled the company’s success. It is a 10-inch mattress with a firm feel (rated 7) and consists of three foam layers beneath the Celliant cover:

– 2 inches of memory foam infused with graphite-gel

– 2 inches of transition polyfoam

– 6 inches of base polyfoam

Though its construction is not complex, this original model has won over customers primarily due to the top layer’s ability to soften pressure points and isolate motion on each side of the bed. The gel infusion, in collaboration with the cover, reduces heat retention, while the transition and base polyfoam layers prevent excessive sinkage for most individuals.

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The Bear Pro, which is 12 inches tall, is another all-foam option and comprises four distinct internal layers:

– 1 inch of copper-infused polyfoam

– 1.5 inches of gel-infused memory foam

– 2.5 inches of transition polyfoam

– 7 inches of base polyfoam

The top two layers of this mattress work together to provide noticeable contouring, despite having a medium-firm feel (rated 6). Copper, known for its antibacterial properties, also helps dissipate heat build-up. The bottom two layers of polyfoam give the mattress a solid foundation and enhance the body-conforming properties of the top layers.

In contrast to the Bear Original and Bear Pro, the Bear Star Hybrid utilizes an innerspring support core. Although Bear provides less detailed information about its construction, we do know that it consists of four layers:

– Copper-infused memory foam

– Transition polyfoam

– Pocketed innerspring coils

– Base polyfoam

The combination of memory foam and polyfoam in the comfort system creates a medium-firm feel (rated 6) that provides both pressure relief and responsiveness. The memory foam layer offers excellent contouring, while the coils contribute to a bouncy feel. The support core’s reinforced perimeter enhances edge support. The Celliant cover, copper-infused memory foam, and coils work together to minimize the likelihood of sleeping hot on the Bear Star Hybrid.

Like Bear, Leesa offers a range of all-foam and hybrid mattresses. The Leesa Original is the company’s flagship product, which played a pivotal role in its early success.

The Leesa Original features a plush cover crafted from a blend of polyester that is known for its softness. The material has a moderate moisture-wicking capability, making it average in this regard. Beneath the cover, you’ll find three interior layers:

– A 2-inch layer of polyfoam,

– A 2-inch layer of memory foam,

– A 6-inch layer of base polyfoam.

Together, these four inches of foam create a medium firmness level, scoring a 5 on the scale. The top layer of polyfoam offers a mild contouring effect and excellent responsiveness, while the memory foam provides deep conforming properties with minimal bounce. The combination results in a well-balanced feel that relieves pressure and isolates motion without excessive sinking.

Moving on to the Leesa Sapira Hybrid, this mattress boasts a cover made from a blend of cotton, which offers superior breathability compared to polyester. The cotton cover excels at moisture-wicking, providing better comfort cooling. Inside the mattress, you’ll find five layers:

– A 1.5-inch layer of polyfoam,

– A 1.5-inch layer of memory foam,

– A 1-inch layer of transition polyfoam,

– A 6-inch layer of pocketed innerspring coils with reinforced edges,

– A 1-inch layer of base polyfoam.

This classic hybrid design delivers excellent responsiveness, thanks to the coils and the top polyfoam layer that quickly springs back. The memory foam helps customize the level of cushioning to match the body’s weight and promote spinal alignment. The polyfoam surrounding the coils ensures stability, especially around the reinforced edge.

Now let’s explore the Leesa Legend, which is considered the company’s luxury mattress and features a sophisticated coil-on-coil design. The cover of the Leesa Legend combines various materials, including polyester, recycled PES, organic cotton, merino wool, rayon, and spandex. The inclusion of recycled PES helps reduce plastic waste by recycling approximately 60 plastic bottles for each queen mattress. This eco-friendly cover is breathable, stretchy, and soft, thanks to the combination of these fabrics.

Underneath the cover, the Leesa Legend consists of six layers:

– A 1-inch layer of aerated polyfoam,

– A 1-inch layer of memory foam,

– A 1.5-inch mixed-material layer with micro-coils at the head and foot, and polyfoam in the center,

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– A 1-inch layer of transition polyfoam,

– A 6-inch layer of pocketed innerspring coils with reinforced edges,

– Another 1-inch layer of transition polyfoam.

The coil-on-coil design gives the Leesa Legend plenty of bounce, and the reinforced perimeter in the support core and the mixed-material layer in the comfort system contribute to excellent edge support. Additionally, the top layers of memory foam and aerated polyfoam provide quality pressure relief and motion isolation. Overall, this mattress offers a medium-firm feel, scoring a 6 on the firmness scale, providing a supportive and comfortable sleeping surface for most individuals.

Lastly, we have the Studio by Leesa, which is the brand’s newest and most affordable mattress. This all-foam model closely resembles the Leesa Original and consists of three layers within the cover:

– A 1.5-inch layer of memory foam,

– A 1.5-inch layer of transitional polyfoam,

– A 7-inch layer of high-density polyfoam.

Thanks to its mixed-foam construction, the Studio by Leesa offers a contouring yet responsive surface. This mattress falls into the medium-firm category, scoring a 6 on the firmness scale.

When it comes to shopping for a mattress, smart buyers have the ability to filter out unnecessary information and focus on what truly matters for making a quality purchase. They have the skill to identify their priorities, navigate through marketing tactics, and find the best match for their needs.

For mattress shoppers, there are several crucial aspects of design and performance that deserve close attention:

– Durability: A mattress’s ability to maintain its performance, such as pressure relief, bounce, and edge support, diminishes as it wears out. Durable mattresses not only provide long-lasting comfort, but they also save you money by delaying the need for a replacement. Mattresses with robust designs and high-quality materials tend to have the longest lifespan.

  • Motion Isolation: A key consideration for couples, motion isolation refers to a bed’s ability to prevent movement on one part of the mattress from being felt on other parts. This means that if your bed partner moves around, you won’t be disturbed by the ripple effect of their movements. Memory foam is known for its excellent motion isolation, and other foam materials can also perform well in this area.
  • Intimacy: For those with an active sex life, mattresses serve a purpose beyond sleep. However, not all mattresses are suitable for intimate activities. Mattresses with springiness are more conducive to the types of movements typically involved during sex. Conversely, mattresses with deep contouring and limited bounce can be a hindrance to certain sexual activities as they slow down or restrict movement.
  • Temperature Control: A mattress that maintains a consistent temperature throughout the night can prevent you from waking up feeling hot and sweaty. Most overheating issues are caused by mattresses that cling tightly to the body, not allowing the skin to breathe. It can also be related to materials that retain more heat. Hybrid mattresses generally have a better reputation for temperature regulation compared to all-foam beds, but specific design elements can also be found in mattresses aimed at promoting cooler sleep.
  • Pressure Relief: Pressure points are areas of the body that are more prone to discomfort, twisting, bending, or impact with the mattress. These areas need to be properly supported to prevent waking up in pain. Pressure relief often comes from materials that can adapt their cushioning to match the body’s weight distribution on the mattress surface. While various materials can achieve this goal, many consider memory foam to be a leader in providing exceptional pressure relief.
  • Off-gassing: When unpacking a mattress-in-a-box, it is normal to notice a slight odor. This odor is caused by off-gassing, which is the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that occur during the manufacturing process. VOCs are not harmful to health, but the smell may be unpleasant or irritating for some people. All-foam mattresses tend to have the strongest off-gassing, but the smell typically dissipates within a few hours to a few days.
  • Ease of Movement: The ability to move effortlessly on a mattress is important for combination sleepers who frequently change positions during the night. It is also desirable for anyone who wants to avoid feeling trapped or “stuck” in a mattress. To maintain ease of movement, a mattress needs to have at least moderate bounce, providing light support as the body transitions to a new position.
  • Edge Support: The weakest point of many mattresses is their edges, where softness or deep compression can be exaggerated. If the structural integrity is low, it may even feel like the mattress will collapse when sleeping or sitting near the edge. Hybrids typically offer above-average edge support, while all-foam beds tend to have poorer performance in this area.
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    Perceptions of comfort and performance may vary among individuals, but a detailed examination of the ratings for the Bear and Leesa mattresses can help you choose the option that best aligns with your preferences for a new bed.

    For most mattress shoppers, price is a crucial factor that influences their purchasing decision. Even if you have an unlimited budget, it is natural to seek the best value and make the most of your money.

    Many customers wonder why there is such a wide range of prices for mattresses. While there is no simple formula to determine the cost of a new bed, several key factors significantly impact pricing:

    • Mattress Type
    • Total Height and Number of Layers
    • Materials Used in Each Layer
    • Thickness of Each Layer
    • Use of Specialty Materials, including environmentally friendly or organic components
    • Incorporation of Unique Design Features
    • Manufacturing Location

    The retail prices for all sizes of the Bear and Leesa mattresses are provided in the tables below, but shoppers should be aware that the listed retail price is not the final price most customers pay. Discounts are common, and it is usually easy to find coupons or other promotions when shopping online.

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    Enjoy a massive 35% discount on all items, plus receive an incredible $400 worth of free accessories.

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    Out of all the options available from Bear and Leesa, the most budget-friendly choices, ranked in order, are the Studio by Leesa, Bear Original, and Leesa Original. These three mattresses offer great value for money, especially the Bear Original, which is particularly affordable. While the Bear Pro is the priciest all-foam mattress from these brands, it still competes well with similar products on the market.

    In terms of hybrid models, the Bear StarHybrid offers the lowest price, while the Leesa Legend is the most expensive. This is not surprising since the Leesa Legend is designed as a luxury mattress. Budget-conscious shoppers will find the Bear StarHybrid to be an appealing option, although the Leesa Sapira Hybrid also delivers excellent quality for the price.

    When considering everything, Bear tends to have an edge over Leesa when it comes to pricing. However, Leesa mattresses are still reasonably priced and provide great value for shoppers who are attracted to Leesa’s design and features.

    Customers have 120 nights to try out the mattress (with a 30-night break-in period).

    Customers have 100 nights to try out the mattress (with a minimum requirement of 30 nights).

    Another important aspect to consider when comparing Bear and Leesa mattresses is their shipping, returns, and warranty policies. These policies often differ between online mattress companies and physical stores. It is crucial to be well-informed about these policies before deciding which brand is the best fit for you, as they can greatly impact customer satisfaction and convenience.

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    For online mattress shopping, free standard shipping is almost always included with your purchase. Within approximately 7 days of placing your order, a large cardboard box will arrive at your doorstep. Inside that box, you’ll find your mattress, compressed and sealed in plastic. To set it up, bring the box to your bedroom, take out the mattress, and carefully remove the plastic to allow the bed to regain its full size. Although the installation process is simple, it typically requires two or more people to carry the box and lift the mattress.

    Both Bear and Leesa offer an optional in-home setup service, known as White Glove delivery. With this service, a team of technicians will install the new mattress in your bedroom and, if necessary, remove your old mattress. Please note that this service might not be available in all areas and often comes with an additional cost.

    Customers in the 48 contiguous U.S. states receive free standard shipping for all three Bear mattresses. Shipping to Alaska and Hawaii for mattress-in-a-box orders incurs an extra charge.

    Bear’s White Glove delivery service is available in the contiguous United States and costs $100 for installation only or $150 for installation and old mattress removal.

    Leesa mattresses come with free standard shipping to addresses in the 50 U.S. states. Some international shipping, including to Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany, is available for an additional fee.

    Leesa’s White Glove delivery includes mattress setup and old mattress removal. This service costs $150 but is not available in all areas.

    Many customers are used to testing out a mattress in a physical store before making a purchase. However, online mattress companies take a different approach. Instead of relying on a few minutes in a store, these companies allow customers to use the mattress in the comfort of their own home and return it for a full refund if it doesn’t meet their expectations.

    This trial period is known as a sleep trial, and many shoppers find it to be the most effective way to determine if a mattress is right for them. The standard sleep trial period is 100 nights. If the customer decides to return the mattress, the company will either arrange for the mattress to be picked up or help find a local donation site.

    Bear offers its customers a 120-night sleep trial. Full refunds are provided for customers who choose to return the mattress, although Bear requires an initial 30-night break-in period. White Glove delivery charges are non-refundable.

    Leesa provides a 100-night sleep trial for its mattresses, with a 30-night minimum requirement before a return can be initiated. If you decide to return the mattress, you will receive a full refund. White Glove delivery fees are non-refundable, and customers from Alaska and Hawaii must pay $100 for return shipping.

    To ensure long-term customer protection, almost every mattress comes with a warranty that covers defects in materials or workmanship. It’s essential to consider the duration of the warranty and the company’s obligations in case of a defect. The best warranties are long-lasting and require little or no financial commitment from customers for repairs or replacements for a flawed product.

    Bear mattresses come with a lifetime warranty. If a defect occurs, Bear will replace the mattress free of charge.

    For all their mattresses, Leesa offers a 10-year warranty. During this time, Leesa will repair or replace a defective mattress, but the customer is responsible for transportation costs.