If you’ve been poking around the Internet for a new mattress, chances are you’ve come across Casper and Tuft & Needle, two of the most popular bed-in-a-box brands on the market. While both of these companies make fantastic beds, only one of them can be right for you. So… which is it?
Could it be the Casper, with its balanced foam approach, gentle Zoned Support, and hearty bounce? Or mayhaps the Tuft & Needle, a mattress as well-known for its simplicity as for its affordability? Only time (and a quick pass through this comparison) will tell.
So let us be off to figure out which will reign supreme! Continue reading our Tuft and Needle vs Casper review below to find out.
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Similarities
Before we dig into the differences between these two mattresses, let’s take a second to reflect on their similarities. Though it may seem like an odd place to start, I actually think taking stock of shared attributes will better amplify the distinct personalities of each bed.
- All-foam – Both the Casper and Tuft & Needle mattresses feature all-foam constructions. However, this doesn’t mean they feel the same. As we’ll see later on, one of the most interesting differences between these two brands is how they use foam materials to achieve totally unique vibes.
- Bounce – Another unifying characteristic of these two beds is their bounce. Though they’re made entirely of foam, they both implement layers that bring some nice, lively lift to the structure.
- Multiple Models – Okay, so this one isn’t actually about the mattresses themselves, but it’s worth pointing out that both brands sell multiple mattresses. In this way, they’re able to endear themselves to a wide range of sleepers with diverse sleeping preferences and needs.
Construction
Now that we’ve gone over some similarities, let’s get into how these mattresses are made! To do that, I’ll be giving a brief synopsis of each bed’s construction, though I do encourage you to read my full Casper and Tuft & Needle reviews.
Casper
Cover – The cover is made of a soft polyester blend. It’s also removable by zipper, so you’ll be able to clean it with the rest of your bedding.
Comfort – Constructed of a latex-like foam, the comfort layer gives the bed some immediate bounce. While this section is quick to respond to pressure, it also allows the sleeper to sink in for some nice pressure relief. Like latex, this proprietary foam is also excellent at cooling, ensuring the bed won’t sleep too hot.
Contour – Below the comfort layer, you’ll find a section of memory foam. This material has a slower response to pressure, resulting in some deep body-contouring and pressure relief.
Transition – The third layer down is where you’ll find a transition layer of Zoned Support. This section’s built with two types of durable poly foam, the softer of which is located at the ends of the bed with the firmer situated in the center. This placement is meant to bring some lift to the hips and cushiony relief to the shoulders.
Base – The base of the bed is made up of heavy-duty poly foam and gives the mattress its structure.
Tuft & Needle
Cover – The cover of the T&N is made of polyester, a thin material that’s great for breathability and temperature regulation.
Comfort – The comfort layer is comprised of 3” of the brand’s proprietary poly foam, which has a quick response to pressure for excellent mobility and bounce. Kicking things off with such a lively layer will ensure that you stay more “on top” of the bed than in it. I should also add that there’s a bit of cooling gel inside this section to prevent overheating.
Support – Rounding things out is a 7” base layer of high-density poly foam. This section is meant to give the mattress its shape and to help keep the sleeper positioned on top of the structure. A major difference between the T&N and Casper mattresses is the absence of a transition layer in the former, so heavier folks might be susceptible to sinking straight through its comfort layer and into this super firm base.
Casper vs. Tuft & Needle
I don’t know about y’all, but I’m pretty struck by how different these mattresses are! Though they both employ all-foam constructions, it’s clear, once you do a bit of digging, that their feels are quite dissimilar.
One of the most noticeable differences is the number of layers in each bed — where the Casper boasts four, the Tuft & Needle features just two. While this may not seem like a big deal, it actually produces two distinct vibes, with the Casper having a more balanced feel than the Tuft & Needle.
When I say balanced, I mean the diverse array of foams (including a special section of Zoned Support) in the Casper work together to hit a real sweet spot between pressure relief and support, gradually easing the sleeper into the bed. On the other hand, the Tuft & Needle has a more abrupt feel, where you’ll pretty quickly sink through the comfort layer into the firm base. Neither experience is necessarily better than the other, but it is something to think about, especially if you’re a heavier individual who needs to feel a bit more supported as you sink into your mattress.
Given this material difference, I have a hunch the Casper is going to work wonders for combo sleepers whereas the Tuft & Needle will be best for back and stomach sleepers. To see if this hypothesis holds up, let’s keep on checking out these beds!
FAQ
Q: Which is better Casper vs. Tuft and Needle? A: It really depends on your sleep preferences! If you’re looking for a nice balance between pressure relief and bounce, you’ll likely enjoy the Casper. On the other hand, if you want some firm support, I’d suggest going with the Tuft & NeedleFirmness and Feel
Now that we’ve spent a little time assessing their material make-ups, let’s see how these designs impact each bed’s feel. Since feel is such a subjective ol’ thang, I’m going to try my best to capture it with a combo platter of personal experience, outside input, and objective tests.
First, let’s consider firmness. Since every sleeper is going to experience firmness differently (because of body shape, size, and weight), I always like to invite a few of my pals at Sleepopolis HQ to test the bed out along with me. Once we’ve each given it a look, we share our personal firmness ratings with one another, and then average them out together for the scores you see below.
Casper
My testers and I were pretty much in agreement about the firmness of the Casper, landing on an average rating of 7. When compared to the industry standard of 6.5 for medium firmness, it seems this bed is just a touch on the firmer side.
I personally gave the Casper a 7 as I found its combination of foams helped lift me up and out of the structure. While you do get some nice sinkage through the comfort and contour layers, once you hit the Zoned Support and high-density poly foam base, you’re likely to feel some nice, firm support. All of this to say, you shouldn’t feel too stuck in the bed, which could be a great thing for combo sleepers who need to move around and change positions in the night.
I’d also add that I felt pretty well supported as I rolled around the bed, which I attribute to the layer of Zoned Support. Even though some positions were more comfortable than others, I think most folks will be able to find a great deal of coziness and pressure relief from this mattress. In particular, side sleepers could really benefit from the layer of Zoned support.
The memory foam, latex, and heavy-duty poly foam work together to offer sleepers a beautifully balanced feel! US customers can use code SLEEPOPOLIS to save $100 on your purchase!
Tuft & Needle
Our general thoughts on the Tuft & Needle were that it was quite a bit firmer than the Casper, with our average rounding out to 7.5. This is definitely on the firm side of things and marks another important difference between the two mattresses.
I personally gave the bed a 7.5 as I found its lack of a transition layer to produce an overall firmer feel. Since you’re likely to sink pretty quickly through the comfort layer, you’ll mostly be interacting with the foundation, which is where that sturdy vibe comes from. That being said, I’d recommend this bed for back or stomach sleepers who need firm support at the lumbar region for even spinal alignment.
While I experienced a lot of fantastic pressure relief on my back and stomach, I can’t say the same thing translated to my side. As I stretched out in this position, I could feel the firm foundational foam pressing uncomfortably against my shoulders and hips, typical sensitive spots for side sleepers. For this reason, I’d suggest these sleepers check out the brand’s much softer Tuft & Needle Mint (discussed below).
The Tuft & Needle mattress offers sleepers a medium-firm feel, and that floating-on-foam experience!
Other Models
As I mentioned up top, the original Casper and Tuft & Needle mattresses aren’t the only models these brands produce. Below, I’ll briefly breakdown a few of the other beds in each company’s portfolio.
Casper Essential
- The Essential is Casper’s simplest model, featuring just three layers of foam.
- Without any of the Original’s Zoned Support, the bed has more of a medium firm feel appropriate for back or combo sleepers.
- Pricewise, it’s less expensive than the other Casper mattresses, coming in at $795 for a Queen.
- For more on the Essential, check out my full review.
Casper Wave
- Pretty much the opposite of the Essential in every way, the Casper Wave is a luxury model featuring five plush layers of foam.
- This combination of gentle materials makes it well-suited for those after deep pressure relief, particularly strict side sleepers.
- It’s also the most expensive Casper bed, starting at $2,295 for a Queen.
- Get the full scoop at my complete Casper Wave review.
FAQ
Q: Is Casper a good mattress? A: The Casper is a great mattress for those who want an all-foam bed that’ll support the spine while also bringing pressure relief to sensitive spots along the body, including the shoulders, hips, and lower back.Tuft & Needle Mint
- The mint is essentially a souped-up version of the original T&N, complete with an added transition layer for a bit more plushness.
- That being said, the bed is much softer than the original T&N, landing at about a 6/10 on the firmness scale.
- For this reason, I’d recommend it for any sleepers who doze on their side at night.
- Pricewise, it’s more expensive than the T&N, coming it at $895 for a Queen.
- Learn more by reading my full Tuft & Needle Mint mattress review.
FAQ
Q: How long does a Tuft & Needle mattress last? A: Since T&N mattresses are built with premium foams, they’re likely to last upwards of 10 years. However, a lot of this comes down to how well you take care of your bed, so make sure to rotate and spot clean frequently!Should You Buy the Casper or Tuft & Needle
Phew! Now that we’ve gone over the finer points of the Casper and Tuft & Needle mattresses, let’s take a beat to recap some of our most interesting findings.
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One of the things that surprised me was just how different these beds are! I say that because, from the outside at least, they seem like they’d be really similar. Not only are they both built entirely of foam, but they’re also super bouncy and feature a nice, medium firm to firm level of support. However, in spite of these shared characteristics, they exhibit refreshingly divergent vibes.
In my opinion, the Casper has a more balanced feel, thanks to its diverse material make-up, including a special layer of Zoned Support. This means the sleeper is likely to feel bolstered no matter the position they sleep in, finding pleasant comfort as they gradually ease into the structure. While a wide range of folks may enjoy this vibe, I think it could be particularly well-suited for combo sleepers or even side sleepers.
The Tuft & Needle, on the other hand, has a more abrupt feel, which I’d attribute to its simple, two-layer design. Since the sleeper is likely to sink straight through the comfort layer, they’ll be interacting primarily with the firm high-density poly foam base. This makes the T&N a firmer overall structure than the Casper, endearing it more to back and stomach sleepers.
When it comes to price, I think it’s well worth noting that the Tuft & Needle is considerably less expensive than the Casper:
| Size | Casper | Tuft & Needle |
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| Twin | $595 | $350 |
| Twin XL | $695 | $395 |
| Full | $995 | $495 |
| Queen | $1,095 | $595 |
| King | $1,295 | $750 |
| California King | $1,295 | $750 |
To get even more specific about my recommendations, I’m going to list my favorite aspects of both models.
Casper
- One of my favorite things about the Casper is its layer of Zoned Support. This helps to bring some much needed lift to the hips and deep pressure relief to the shoulders.
- I also like the bed’s balanced foam approach, which allows for maximized comfort no matter the position.
Tuft & Needle
- With its firm support, I think the Tuft & Needle could be a great pick for back and stomach sleepers.
- I also think the mattress could be good for anyone after a solid value buy.
FAQs
What makes the Tuft and Needle and Casper mattresses similar?
Both the Tuft and Needle mattress and the Casper mattress are all-foam mattresses. They also feature a very similar firmness level.
Do the Tuft and Needle mattress and Casper mattress sell for the same price?
The Tuft and Needle mattress costs considerably less than the Casper mattress. You can check their current pricing on the manufacturer’s website.
What is different in the materials used in the Tuft and Needle and the Casper mattresses?
The Casper mattress has four layers in its construction including latex-like foam, memory foam, poly foam and HD poly foam. The Tuft and Needle mattress has only three layers of support using a polyester cover, a 3″ T&N foam and a 7″ HD poly foam.
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