Best Overall Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress Having tested the original Bear mattress, which is a budget-friendly all-foam offering, I was unprepared for the Bear Elite Hybrid—it’s not just a different animal, but a whole new species. This five-layer hybrid mattress is a full 14 inches thick and firmer than most other side-sleeper mattresses. The top layer is a quilted pillowtop that gives the Bear Elite a luxury feel that’s surprising at this price.
The layer of copper-infused foam that keeps you cool during the night and the spring coils for support are also a nice touch. After a short break-in period—noticeable on all mattresses but especially important with hybrids—I found the Bear Elite in medium firmness gave just the right sag to my hips and elbows while supporting me on my side. Since it’s a hybrid, there’s airflow in the innerspring layer that makes it breathable.
It’s among the sturdiest mattresses in this guide, and the outer pillow top gets cooling benefits from Celliant fiber , a trademarked blend that has been studied for its benefits in athletic wear. I have periodic lower back pain, and I seek out medium-firm mattresses that offer the right amount of pressure relief without being so soft that I sink to a spot where my spine is out of alignment—the Bear Elite strikes the perfect balance. I've been using the Bear Elite for nearly a year anytime I'm not testing a different mattress—I test mattresses for a week at a time for review and usually test .