The Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress Review

The Bear Elite Hybrid consists of foam and coils. It's not the cheapest option on the market, but, as its name suggests, it's Bear's top-of-the-line mattress offering sleepers virtually the best of everything, especially when it comes to comfort, body recovering, pressure relieving contouring, advanced orthopedic support and temperature regulation. Most importantly, the mattress is available in three firmness levels of soft, medium and firm, and so it fits a wide range of sleeper types and weights.

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Pros & Cons

Mattress Construction

The Elite Hybrid is 14'' thick. It's built from different types of foam and two parallel sets of coils in the mattress' main bulk and around the exterior. The three firmness models share the same construction. The firm and the medium firmness models have denser foam in their transition layer and thicker and stronger lower gauge coils compared to the soft model.

Cover: A blend of soft PCM polyester fabric and Celliant fiber. These materials reduce heat retention and expedite body recovery.

Comfort Layer: Copper-infused memory foam, which alleviates pressure by adjusting to the shape of the body. The copper assists in dissipating excess heat.

Transition Layer: Low-medium density (depending on the specific firmness level) elastic poly foam which provides both contouring and moderate bounce.

Support layer: Individually encased coils generating lift and countering sinkage. The coils are reinforced in the center delivering improved zoned support. A second set of sturdier lower gauge coils encircles the mattress' perimeter strengthening the edges.

Base Layer: High density poly foam supporting the coils as they compress and adding durability to the mattress as a whole.

Feel

The PCM (phase-change material) fabric in the cover absorbs body heat and dissipates it. The Celliant fiber converts body heat into infrared energy further reducing heat retention. The combined effect of these two materials keeps the surface of the mattress cool and dry even after long hours of sleep. Converting heat into infrared energy and reflecting it back to the body stimulates blood flow and increases oxygen levels, which soothe the muscles and relieve pain.

The way sleepers will experience the mattress depends on its firmness level. The soft model is highly contouring. The Firm model is stiffer and highly supportive. The medium firmness model provides an intermediate feel which combines contouring and support.

Generally speaking, the conforming memory foam in the Elite Hybrid's comfort layer wraps the body giving a melting-into-the-bed sensation. The poly foam in the transition layer below is more responsive and bouncy, and, so, it counters the sinkage caused by the memory foam preventing a quicksand effect. Finally, the coils in the support layer elevate the body increasing sleepers' stability while lying on the mattress.

Pressure Relief

The Elite Hybrid's soft model is ideal for lightweight sleepers. The soft cover fabric and the conforming memory foam will contour their hips and shoulder mitigating pressure. The supple poly foam in the transition layers and the coils in the support layer will provide them with the support they need.

Average as well as heavyweight side sleepers will get along well with the mattress' medium firmness model. It'll contour the sensitive areas in their body which are susceptible to pressure, the hips and shoulders in particular. At the same time, it'll generate enough lift and bounce to prevent their spine from being thrown out of its natural alignment.

Back sleepers who weigh up to 250 pounds will also like the Elite Hybrid's medium firmness model. Its malleable memory form will mold to their body targeting their lumbar and thoracic back preventing pressure build-up in the course of the night. The medium density and elastic poly foam in the transition layer will add some bounce to the sinkage cause by the memory foam further reducing pressure. The strong center support delivered by the coils will keep their spine properly aligned.

XL back sleepers will plunge too deeply into the mattress lying on the medium firmness model. They'll require the more supportive firm model to remain 'on' the mattress instead of 'in' it.

Low and average weight stomach sleepers will feel comfortable lying on the Elite Hybrid's medium firmness model. The plush cover fabric and the contouring memory foam comfort layer will envelop their abdomen relieving pressure in their lumbar back. The responsive poly foam in the transition layer will add some supportive bounce. The coils will lift the area under their rib cage curbing excess sinkage and enabling them to maintain a healthy sleeping position.

Stomach sleepers whose weight exceeds 250 pounds should opt for the Elite Hybrid's firm model since only this model is robust enough to support their massive body and avert over-sinking in their waistline and hips and consequent discomfort and pain.

Motion Isolation

The Elite Hybrid's soft model isolates motion better than the medium firmness model, which in itself isolates motion better than the firm model due to being more sinkable.

By and large, the mattress has mediocre capacity for motion isolation. The memory foam in its comfort layer absorbs sleepers' movements quite well. However, not all these movements are absorbed. Those which weren't absorbed reach the responsive poly foam in the transition layer and the coils in the support layer. The coils are individually encased and so tend to transfer less motion compared to traditional spring systems, but, together with the poly foam, they still transfer a considerable amount of kinetic energy which vibrates throughout the mattress.

Making a long story short, if your partner is a restless sleepers or if you're a light sleeper who wakes up in response to small disturbances, you may need a mattress which can better isolate motion.

Repositioning

The Elite Hybrids scores high when it comes to ease of movement. The elastic poly foam in the transition layer and the coils below effectively counter the sinkage caused by the memory foam preventing sleepers from being trapped in bed and allowing them to maneuver on the surface of the mattress with relative ease. The coils enable greater ease of movements in the center of the mattress and close to the perimeter where they're reinforced and, consequently, generate stronger lift.

Naturally, changing sleeping positions is going to require less effort lying on the Elite Hybrid's firm and medium firm models in comparison to the soft model as the latter is more contouring and creates greater sinkage.

Edge Support

The Elite Hybrid provides improved edge support. The additional set of reinforced coils placed around the mattress' exterior makes the perimeter highly stable. The dense poly foam in the base layer further strengthens the edges making them even more stable. As a result, sleepers will enjoy a larger sleep surface as they can lie away from the center of the mattress and still feel secure.

Heat Retention

The Elite Hybrid is engineered to effectively regulate temperature. As mentioned above, the PCM fabric in its cover absorbs heat and disperses it. By turning body heat into infrared rays, the Celliant fabric also contributes to reducing heat retention. The copper in the memory foam conducts trapped heat and dissipates it. Finally, the coils enable free circulation of air aiding in cooling the entire mattress.

Simply put, the Elite Hybrid is a great choice for people who tend to sleep hot or who live in the hotter and more humid southern regions of the United States.

Frame & Foundation

The Elite Hybrid can be placed on almost all the foundations, frames and adjustable bases available on the market on condition that they're strong enough to carry its weight. You should avoid using a traditional coil box spring since it doesn't provide the evenly distributed surface area necessary for adequate support. Bear puts at its customers' disposal its own sleep platforms.

The Bear Frame is an affordable robust construct crafted from fiberglass-infused resins. It can be assembled fast and easily and can carry a maximum weight of 2,500 pounds. The frame comes with a 10-year limited warranty and is shipped for free. Its prices vary from $98 for a Twin mattress to $147 for a California King mattress.

The Bear Foundation is made of solid wood. Its sides are upholstered in gray fabric. It's shipped at no additional cost and is backed up by a 1-year limited warranty. A foundation for a Twin mattress costs $300. For a California King mattress, you'll pay $500.

The Platform Bed consists of 100% pine wood fastened by water-based glue and finished with formaldehyde-free stain. Its slats are placed no more than 3'' from one another to maximize support. The Platform Bed is easy to assemble and can carry a maximum weight of 900 pounds. It's shipped for free and sold with a 1-year limited warranty. Its prices are $795 for a Queen mattress and $995 for a King and California King mattresses. It doesn't fit other mattress sizes.

The Adjustable Flex Bed has head and foot tilt. It offers one touch flat preset, zero-G preset, two customizable presets and remote flashlight. It's operated by silent drive motors and can support up to 750 pounds. Each of the base's sides can move independently, which makes it ideal for split mattresses. The Adjustable Flex Bed is shipped for free and is backed by a 10-year limited warranty. It's prices range from $1,225 for a Twin XL mattress to $2,250 for a Split King mattress.

Additional Details

Bear has been selling mattresses and related bed room accessories for more than 25 years. All these products are 100% American made. The company's headquarters are placed in Hoboken, NJ.

The foam the Elite Hybrid and all other Bear's mattresses contain is CertiPUR-US certified guaranteeing it's free of materials which may risk sleepers health or seriously pollute the environment, for example ozone depleters, PBDEs, TDCPP or TCEP (“Tris”) flame retardants, formaldehyde, phthalates and heavy metals. What is more, Bear is GREENGUARD-certified, which indicates its commitment to reducing the emissions of volatile organic compounds.

Shipping & Delivery

The Elite Hybrid will reach your doorstep wrapped in plastic, compressed and packed in a box in 7-10 business days. You'll need set it up by yourself since the company doesn't include white glove delivery on its list of services.

The Bear Hybrid is shipped anywhere within the 48 adjoining U.S. states at no cost. Shipping to Alaska and Hawaii requires an additional fee of approximately $300. Shipping to Canada is unavailable.

Returns & Warranty

The Elite Hybrid comes with a 120-night trial and a break-in period of 30 nights. What it practically means is that in case you're not satisfied with the mattress, you have the option to return it for a full refund 30 nights after you got it and no later then 120 nights. Returned mattresses are donated to charity.

The mattress is backed by a limited lifetime warranty. This warranty is non-transferable, that is, it applies to the original buyer only. It covers indentation on the surface deeper than 1.5'' and manufacturing defects attributable to the premature erosion of the foam, which led to splits or cracks in spite of normal and proper handling of the mattress.

The warranty doesn't cover normal wear and tear, an increase in softness on account of normal usage, changing comfort preferences, mold, odors, and/or discoloration caused abnormal care including liquid spills, improper ventilation and prolonged exposure to water or humidity, minor imperfections and small cosmetic flaws, naturally occurring aromas and accidental damage, which is the result of tearing, stains and burning marks.

The warranty may be invalidated by the manufacturer if the mattress is inappropriately treated or placed on a foundation which is insufficiently supportive. To be considered supportive, a foundation must have strong central support and a non-flexible surface.

Buyers may choose to extend the warranty to include accident protection against cuts, punctures and stains from food, drink and bodily fluids. This extension costs $49.99, $69.99 and $89.99 for three, five and ten years respectively.

The Bottom Line

The Elite Hybrid will most probably meet your needs and will provide you with an upgraded sleep experience. It offers a sound balance of contouring and support. The materials included in its cover will rejuvenate your body. You'll feel highly stable lying either on its center or close to the edges. You won't have a problem changing your positions at night and you'll enjoy a cool sleep environment. Finally, the availability of three firmness level guarantees that you'll find the exact type of mattress which will optimally fit your sleeping style and body weight.

The Elite Hybrid doesn't come cheap. But taking into account all these benefits, the mattress is worth every penny you're going to spend on it.

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