Casper Essential vs Casper

Scott White
Chief Sleep Researcher
Updated 3 Days Ago

The Essential lacks the zoned support of Casper but costs much less. The original Casper contours closely to relieve pressure points while the Essential is firmer. The Essential works for back and stomach sleepers on a budget while the Casper suits all positions.

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Price

The Essential is Casper's budget option, while the original Casper is a step up in price and materials. Prices start at around $600 and $1,000 for a Queen, respectively.

Size
Casper
Casper
Twin
$545 - $1,095
$545 - $1,095
Twin XL
$595 - $1,295
$595 - $1,295
Full
$895 - $1,495
$895 - $1,495
Queen
$995 - $1,695
$995 - $1,695
King
$1,295 - $2,095
$1,295 - $2,095
California King
$1,325 - $2,125
$1,325 - $2,125

Casper Essential Vs Casper

Casper

Casper has made a mark with its innovative designs and exceptional comfort. Each mattress reflects a commitment to sleep science, offering the right blend of support and softness for deep rest.

Highlights

Offers an impressive range of comfort experiences, ensuring there's a perfect match for all sleep styles and preferences. This customization helps to accommodate pressure areas and cater to various sleeping positions, enhancing overall comfort.

Best for long term support needed by all sleep styles.

Infuses their mattresses with natural materialsl. These natural elements help eliminate harmful toxins and chemical flame retardants.

Casper

Casper has made a mark with its innovative designs and exceptional comfort. Each mattress reflects a commitment to sleep science, offering the right blend of support and softness for deep rest.

Highlights

Offers an impressive range of comfort experiences, ensuring there's a perfect match for all sleep styles and preferences. This customization helps to accommodate pressure areas and cater to various sleeping positions, enhancing overall comfort.

Provides a luxury firm feel, offering stable support for back sleepers. The right amount of give relieves pressure points, ensuring restful sleep.

Best for long term support needed by all sleep styles.

Compare What’s Inside

Casper is the brand you think of when you hear "bed in a box." The Casper Element (Formerly known as the Casper Essential)  is a quality mattress for people who seek comfort at a cozy price. We've compiled a side-by-side comparison of the Casper Element and all of Casper, to see which mattress is the right choice for you.

Casper Element (formerly Essential) & Casper at a glance

As Casper's most affordable mattress, the Casper Element combines Casper's signature Airscape perforated foam layer with a durable base to keep you and your wallet comfortable. While the Casper Element remains one of Casper's most popular and affordable options, is this mattress really worth the hype? Let's take a look at Casper's other mattresses to see which model reigns supreme.

Competitor #1: Casper Element

The Casper Element is so popular because not only does it unite affordability and comfort, it also ships directly to your door! The model features Casper's Airscape foam layer which keeps you cool and comfortable at night. The durable foam base layer provides pressure-relieving support and prevents sagging. We've provided a detailed breakdown of the Casper Element's construction below:

  • Sustainable Cover: The Casper Element's soft mattress cover is made with up to 9 recycled bottles, so this is a purchase you can feel good about.
  • Airscape Foam Top Layer: The Casper Element's top layer is made entirely of Casper's signature Airscape perforated breathable foam. This layer increases airflow and improves air circulation to keep you cool while you sleep. Plus, the premium foam top layer conforms to your body to relieve pressure.
  • Durable Base: This model has an ultra durable base engineered to prevent sagging. The durable base supports your whole body regardless of your sleep style.

Prices Start at $545 for a Twin to $945 for a California King.

Competitor #2: Other Casper Mattresses

Casper's 3 other models make mattress shopping as comfy as crawling into bed. They go through over 100 tests to perfect sleep temperatures, sleep ergonomics, and durability. Original

This model is for all sleepers who want support and cooling. It boasts 3 zones of support for all-night comfort, and it's available in all foam or hybrid models.

  • Prices start at $595 for a twin to $1295 for a California King.

Nova Hybrid

The Nova Hybrid is for sleepers who want a plush top layer without sacrificing support and cooling. It features 7 layers of support and combines springs and foam for added lift and airflow.

  • Prices start at $1095 for a twin to $2295 for a California King.

Wave Hybrid

This model is for aching sleepers and want maximum support with cooling features. It has continuous ergonomic zones with gel pods that relieve pain, 3 levels of breathable foam with cooling gel, and springs for added lift and airflow.

  • Prices start at $1495 for a twin to $2995 for a California King.

Side-By-Side Comparison

Both the Casper Element and other Casper models feature the brand's signature perforated, breathable Airscape foam layer that keep sleepers cool. All of Casper's models ship free to 48 states, have a 10-year warranty, and are available for financing. So, which should you choose?

We recommend the Casper Element if you're on a budget but still want a quality mattress. The Element is more affordable than any other Casper models, and it still features Casper's unique Airscape cooling technology which ensures a comfortable night's sleep.

Casper's other models feature more advanced sleep innovation technology that may be worth the higher price point if you're trying to target specific sleep needs. If you need proper spine alignment while sleeping on your back or an ultra-soft mattress that still provides ample support, go with any of the other Casper models.

How To Choose The Right Mattress

First off, if your current mattress is 7-10 years old and you're experiencing more body aches and pains, it's time to buy a new mattress. Getting a good night's sleep is essential in maintaining a healthy body and mind. Choosing the right mattress doesn't have to be a hassle, follow these guidelines to find the right one for you!

  • Choose a mattress based on your individual needs. If you're looking for plushier support that adapts to your body's shape, a memory foam mattress is the best choice. If you want a more firm, traditional, feel an innerspring mattress is what you want. For the best of both worlds, get a hybrid mattress.
  • Get proper lumbar support. The majority of your body weight is positioned in what is called the "center third" of the mattress. Find a mattress that has excellent lumbar support as it prevents and alleviates pain in the back and hips. If you're looking for extra support, Saatva's unique lumbar zone technology might be the best fit.
  • Find a mattress with a long in-home trial. You want to be able to test your mattress over an extended period of time to really make sure this is the right one for you. Look for a company that offers a risk-free in-home sleep trial. Nectar offers a 365-day trial. IDLE Sleep offers a full 18-month trial (the longest in the industry).

Where can I find a great, affordable mattress (in 2024)?

If you're searching for an affordable mattress that offers a wide range of comfort and pressure relief, we've compiled a list of mattresses for you to consider:

  1. Saatva Mattress - fantastic for all sleep positions, and is rated our Best Mattress of 2024.
  2. Puffy - feels like you're sleeping on a cool cloud (at a good price).
  3. Ghostbed - beautiful, plush cover w/ aerated latex and healthy spinal alignment.
  4. Winkbeds - 3-stage back relief with free shipping and returns.

Read our short, well-researched 10 Best Mattresses of 2024, here. Our ultimate goal is to help you pick your perfect mattress online, today!

What people are saying

Verdict

The Essential is a budget version of the original Casper, using fewer foam layers. The original Casper has more contouring and pressure relief, while the Essential is firmer with less hug. The Essential suits budget shoppers or those wanting minimal sinkage, while the original Casper accommodates side sleepers better.