Bear Mattress Elite Hybrid Detailed Mattress Review & Best Coupon

Scott Paladini founded Bear Mattress in 2014 with the goal of providing high-quality, affordable mattresses that would improve people’s sleep and overall health. Bear quickly gained popularity due to its focus on using advanced materials and technology to aid athlete recovery.  

One key feature of all Bear Mattresses is the use of Celliant, a special mineral based material that is woven into the mattress cover. Celliant has been scientifically shown to improve circulation and reduce pain and discomfort. The company has also established partnerships with organizations such as the American Heart Association, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, and the National Sleep Foundation, further emphasizing its commitment to promoting healthy sleep. Bear Mattresses are 100% made in the USA and have achieved the stringent GreenGuard Gold certification, ensuring that their mattresses have met some of the world’s most rigorous and comprehensive standards for low emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into indoor air. 

In 2022, Bear joined the growing Z3 Brands family which includes world class brands such as Brooklyn Bedding, Helix Sleep and Birch.  They have earned a reputation not only for making the leading mattresses in the industry, but for quick delivery, superior customer support and one of the best trial and warranties in the industry.  Bear joining the team seems like a perfect fit.

Before we dive into the Elite Hybrid’s comfort levels, let’s have a look at the reason the Bear Mattress Elite Hybrid is ideal for recovery and ranked as one of the most comfortable and supportive hybrid mattresses on the market.

The Unique Cover

The Elite Hybrid begins with an ultra breathable, highly wicking, hand woven quilted cover that combines two unique cooling and recovery components to provide an incredible sleep experience.   

Cooling Gel Coating – First is a coating of cool-to-the-touch phase change material (PCM).  PCM are heat activated gel microbeads.  Generally, our skin is 91 degrees, however our ideal sleeping skin temperature is 88 degrees. When they come into contact with a temperature greater than 88 degrees they liquify and activate.  Gel absorbs heat, so you get that cool-to-the touch feeling.  When the temperature reaches 88 degrees, the beads solidify and lessen the heat draw.  This helps the Elite mattress regulate your skin temperature at the optimal level – making it very popular with hot sleepers.

Harnessing Far-Infrared Technology – The second component is the hallmark of Bear’s sleep-recovery reputation.  Bear harnesses the power of far infrared waves to aid in sleep recovery by weaving the mineral compound, Celliant, into every cover.  Far infrared is a type of light energy on the electromagnetic spectrum that has several benefits for the body. The “Far” part refers to where the wavelengths fall on the light spectrum. Celliant captures body heat and reflects it back as far-infrared.  Studies have shown that far infrared reduces inflammation and increases blood flow, thereby aiding in recovery.  

Celliant® fibers have been determined as a medical device and general wellness product by the FDA.The FDA has determined that Celliant products are medical devices as defined in section 201(h) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and are general wellness products. Celliant is a registered trademark of Hologenix LLC

Comfort Layer

Alright, there’s a lot of cooling tech in the comfort layer and zoned support in the transition foam, so we’re going to lay it out as detailed as possible.  

Copper Infused Memory Foam: Bear infused Copper into the top comfort layer of the Elite hybrid.  Why?  Two reasons.  First, copper is highly conductive so it works harder to draw heat away from the body.  Second, it is highly antimicrobial, 1,000 times more antimicrobial than stainless steel.  This bacteria killer will keep your bed feeling fresh and smelling clean longer.

Dynamic Transition Foam: Bear’s dynamic transition is a key component of both the comfort and support of the Elite Hybrid mattress.  Where the copper infused memory foam layer brings you in, the transition foam is more responsive and adds support.  The dynamic nature of the foam allows it to spring back so you do not get an overly sinky feeling when lying on the mattress.  In addition, the foam is zoned to provide additional support where it counts, in the lumber and hip region.  The result is exceptional pressure relief that can help reduce joint and muscle pain. Additionally, the cooling gel infused within the transition foam pulls heat away from the body, keeping you cool all night long.  The open cell structure and overall design enables it to have higher water absorption and greater moisture wicking. This engineering allows moisture to be released from the mattress more quickly, also contributing to a cooler, more comfortable sleep.  You’ll have 2 inches of ultra comfortable transition foam on the Elite Hybrid.

Support System

The Bear Elite Hybrid’s support system employs individually encased 8” coils directly underneath the transition layer.  These coils are individually wrapped to mitigate any motion transfer within the mattress.  This combination allows for exceptional reactivity and motion isolation, minimizing sleep disturbance.  Bear divided the spring support system into 5 zones to enable greater support where it counts (especially the lumbar region).  Additionally, Bear reinforces the edge with higher caliber perimeter coils to create greater edge support along the sides, head and foot of the bed.  The result?  A solid support system that will last for years  to come and everything you would expect from a luxury mattress.

Bottom Support Layer

Underneath the coil support system, Bear lays .75 inches of highly responsive foam to add further compression support to the mattress and absorb any additional motion.

Tufting

Tufting is the process where the individual parts of the mattress are either sewn or glued together to prevent slippage.  In the Elite Hybrid’s case, Bear chose top tufting where the top cover is sewn by hand into the foam layers underneath.  The Elite Hybrid is not a perfectly flat bed; there are minor tufts on the top.  

Does The Elite Hybrid Sleep Cool?

YES!  We found Elite Hybrid to offer a cool, comfortable temperature control.  Being cool at night is all about being dry.  Elite Hybrid accomplishes this through the PCM, multiple gel layers and finally the breathability offered by the spring base:

1. The cover wicks away moisture and enables you to directly feel the cooling properties.
2. The gel infused and responsive copper memory foam comfort layer pulls heat from the body (and doesn’t return it!)
3. As the mattress is a hybrid, air is able to flow and circulate in-between the coil system

Final result – Elite Hybrid will keep you cool and dry throughout the night allowing your body to get the rest it deserves.

How about Edge Support?

Much Improved with the latest release!

Bear recently redesigned the Elite Hybrid to significantly improve its edge support.  They added reinforced perimeter springs to strengthen the corners and edges.   This improved the rating from good to very good across the board.  Even though the Elite Hybrid has several inches of memory foam comfort layer, you will be able to sleep comfortably all the way to the edge of the mattress without worry of “slipping off”!

Will the Elite Hybrid Stand the Test of Time?

Elite Hybrid is a very high quality mattress and  Bear spends a tremendous amount of time stress testing the materials to get the most out of the springs and foam. The dense transition foam is more durable than regular gel-foams. The result?  A long lasting bed that can support well over 1,000lbs.  

While the Star Hybrid comes in the most popular Luxury Firm category, Bear recognizes that that does not work for every sleeper.  The Elite comes in 3 comfort styles so you may choose the perfect sleep system for your personal sleeping style. 

No matter which style you choose, just by the traditional look of the Bear Elite Hybrid, you know you’ll be sleeping on a luxurious yet very supportive mattress for many years to come.  As we’ve said before, in the luxury category, it is difficult to find a cooler, more supportive or comfortable mattress.  Because of the naturally supportive nature of the Elite Hybrid, there is a tight range between the soft and the firm that we’ll detail as we take a closer look at the different styles.

Elite Hybrid Soft (5 on the firmness scale)

Exclusive side sleepers that like some sink in their mattress will love the Elite Hybrid Soft.  Generally, the more the sink, the warmer the experience.  However, with Elite Hybrid’s PCM cooling layer and copper infused memory foam, you will have a cool comfortable sleep all night long.  Even with soft gels, the transition layer is quick responding, meaning it will go back to its original shape quickly as you move about.  But this bed is a hybrid and right away you feel the support of the coils keeping you upright with proper spinal alignment combined with cradling where it counts – in the hip and shoulder regions.  You will definitely feel more “in” the mattress as opposed to “on” it, but without sacrificing the support.  

 The sweet spot for weight is up to 225lbs (especially for side sleepers).  Above that weight, you’ll start to lose the benefit of the pressure relief from the gel as your body rests more on the springs.  At that size, you might consider the Medium model as the comfort layer provides additional support and comfort relief.  

 On Sandman’s Firmness Scale, we rate Soft a 5 out of 10.

• Primarily designed for side sleepers.  Side/stomach or side/back sleepers might feel more support on the Medium.  
• The Elite Hybrid is all about cool and recovery.  Absolutely no overheating here which will keep you cool and dry all night long. 
• Edge support is very good – soft yet responsive foam is reinforced by stronger springs around the perimeter.  

Elite Hybrid Medium (6 on the firmness scale)

The Elite Hybrid Medium is a true Multi Sleeper designed to support all sleeping styles, side, stomach, back and any combination therein.   The Medium feels more like a Luxury Firm as the significant support skews it closer to the firmer side.  As soon as you lay on the medium, you feel the silky texture of the cover and the cooling PCM make your skin temperature drop.  You’ll be more on-top of the mattress as opposed to sinking “in” the mattress.  And, the dynamic nature of the foams will respond quickly as you move filling to their original form.  You won’t have that “stuck-in-the-sand” feeling of many memory foam mattresses.  

Almost immediately you will feel the support of the zoned transition foam on your lumbar and the coil system begins to push back and cradle your body no matter which position you sleep.  You will feel pressure relief, but you do not sacrifice the support that you need to keep spinal alignment.  

The sweet spot for weight is up to 250lbs.  Above that weight, you’ll start to lose the benefit of the pressure relief from the gel as your body rests more on the springs.  At that size, you might consider the Firm model as the comfort layer provides additional support and comfort relief. Finally, no matter your sleeping style, this bed will keep you cool and dry and the price is worth every penny.

• On Sandman’s Firmness Scale, we rate Medium a 6 out of 10.
• This is a Multi-Sleeper, designed for all sleeping styles.   
• Cool Cool Cool, and dry all night long. . 
• Edge support is very good – soft yet responsive foam is reinforced by stronger springs around the perimeter.  

Elite Hybrid Firm (7 on the firmness scale)

It’s hard to believe that 3 inches of foam can produce a firm bed, but Bear made it happen with the Elite Hybrid.  And, still keeping with the ultra luxury feel!  The Elite Hybrid still offers the contouring of the copper foam, but Bear reinforced the foams with a denser transition layer before the spring layer.  The firm is made for average sized stomach and back sleepers in mind.  Average sized side sleepers may get away with side sleeping it but you’ll lose the softer luxury feel that’s in the soft and medium versions.  Larger side sleepers will enjoy the support.  You will definitely not sink as much as you sleep “on top” of this mattress.  The bed still packs in all of the same cooling features as the soft and medium so you will sleep cool and dry throughout the night.  If you do end up on your side, you won’t have as much pressure relief.  You will, however, have the same cooling factors and of course support. 

• On Sandman’s Firmness Scale, we rate Firmer a 7.0 out of 10.
• Stomach and back sleepers will get the most benefit out of the Firm version.  Any side sleepers will also benefit but should look more toward the Medium. 
• The firm comfort layer provides very little sink, but even so, the superior cooling technology design will keep you cool and dry all night long. 
• Edge support is good – the firm Copper Gel, transition layer and springs will enable you to get the full benefit of the mattress all the way out to the edge.

All Elite Hybrid comfort levels have very good motion isolation – it’s everything you would expect from a luxury mattress.  Simply put, you will rarely feel your partner move at night.  Whether they are a toss and turner, an early riser or using the facilities, it’s not the bed that will wake you.  However, there are slight differences among the styles due to their construction.  Soft and medium will have the least amount of motion transfer because gel foam by its very nature does not transfer motion.  It absorbs energy.  Any motion might come from the springs below, but the pocket coil system separates the springs further isolating any motion transfer.  The Firm has a higher density copper foam which is more responsive.  However, to counter the additional motion possibility, Elite Hybrid uses the transition gel foam to provide the extra absorption, mitigating motion transfer as much as possible.  If you need total motion isolation, then look more towards the all foam luxury mattresses.  However, the design and attention to detail of the luxury Elite Hybrid gets it very close to no motion.

All Bear mattresses come in a box. It’s crazy to think that a king size Elite Hybrid model with powerful springs and dense foams can be compressed, but it can.  And, with no sacrifice to quality and durability.  Some people ask if compressing the springs will hurt their integrity.  Nothing could be farther from the  truth.  Springs are actually shipped compressed all over the world (to conserve space).  The springs integrity is damaged if they are pulled excessively or bent out of position.  But, the way Bear compresses its mattresses, they keep their shape and strength.  The box arrives via Fedex from their Phoenix, AZ factory.  Simply unbox the mattress.  Rest it on the bed frame and remove the plastic wrapping and the bed will decompress before your eyes.  You can begin sleeping on the bed and enjoying a restful night sleep that same day.

Bear offers a 120 night trial period.  You may either return it for a 100% refund, or exchange it for a different mattress and pay/refund any price difference.  Here’s how the system works:

1. The trial begins when you RECEIVE the mattress (the FedEx delivery day).
2. You can sleep on it for 120 nights.  As there can be a slight break-in period, Bear asks that you not initiate a return during the first 30 days.  
3. If it’s not the mattress of your dreams, reach out Bear at [email protected], via phone (844-311-0035), email or chat (on their website), provide your name and order number and let them know if you wish to RETURN or EXCHANGE.  Either way, there are no questions asked!
4. Returns: In most cases, Bear will request that you have the mattress donated. Many of the charity foundations that are available offer a local pickup service. In the event that you are having trouble getting this coordinated, please let Bear know and they will offer additional assistance. Once donated, you will receive a full refund.  If you are having trouble, reach out to Bear and they will be happy to assist.
5. Full 100% refunds (no fees!!) are issued within 3-4 business days of the pick-up. 
6. Exchanges: For an exchange, Bear will send the new mattress to your home BEFORE the old one is removed so you’ll never be without a bed to sleep on. 

Bear doesn’t stop there!  After the trial period ends, Bear offers a Lifetime warranty.

Yes, Bear Mattress offers financing through Affirm.  Pay as low as 0% for 12-24 months with Affirm.  Click here to see if you qualify.

Bear has 14 showrooms located in the Phoenix and Scottsdale AZ area.   However, if you are in the Chicago or Columbus OH area, please visit to test out the Elite Hybrid.  We’ll (we’ll even help get it ordered for you!)