Written by Olivera Jancikin, Content Writer
Editor’s note: The Emma Original has been discontinued. Please visit our list of the top memory foam mattresses for more comparable options.
If you’re after a quality all-foam mattress, you’ve probably heard of the bed-in-a-box brands Casper and Emma.
Casper’s Original mattress has long been one of the most popular bed-in-a-box options. On the other hand, the Emma mattress is only recently available in the USA, so we decided to compare the two. Although they may seem similar, there are notable differences that can help you make up your mind.
In this Casper vs Emma comparison, we discuss their similarities and differences by comparing how each bed feels, what it’s made of, and more.
Product
Type
Score
Who I’d Recommend the Casper For
- Hot sleepers – People who love memory foam but tend to sleep hot should like the Casper Original as it has perforated AirScape™ that allows plenty of airflow.
- People looking for classic memory foam – The 2-inch middle layer gives the traditional memory foam mattress feel as it allows gentle cradling and has excellent motion isolation.
- Couples – Couples and co-sleepers should like how Casper isolates motion so that partners don’t feel each other tossing and turning on the opposite side of the bed.
Who I’d Recommend the Emma For
- Side sleepers – The Emma is on the softer side, so side sleepers should find it comfortable around pressure points like the shoulders, hips, and knees.
- Lightweight people – This bed’s medium-plush feel should appeal to lightweight people who often don’t weigh enough to activate the upper layers of a mattress. The Emma bed should provide gentle cradling even to those weighing under 130 pounds.
- Indecisive shoppers – The Emma mattress comes with a 365-night trial, giving indecisive shoppers enough time to decide whether this bed is the right choice for them.
Comparing Casper vs. Emma: Top Similarities
- Memory foam construction – Both Casper and Emma have memory foam in their constructions, so you can expect to experience the classic, slow-responding, hugging sensation.
- Zoned support – Casper and Emma have zoned support, offering an excellent balance of pressure relief and support in various areas where most needed.
- Mid-range firmness – Although some people may experience the Casper mattress as slightly firmer than the Emma, both beds have mid-range firmness that should appeal to most sleepers, especially those who enjoy sleeping on their side and back.
Comparing Casper vs. Emma: Key Differences
- The price – The price is different for nearly every bed size you go for. In some cases, Casper is cheaper, while in others, it’s more expensive, so it’s difficult to say which model would be better for budget shoppers.
- Shipping – It may take longer for you to receive your Emma mattress because it’s made in Europe, while the Casper bed is made in the USA, so shipping should take three to five days, depending on where you live.
- Trial period – Emma comes with a 365-night trial, whereas Casper gives you no more than 100 nights to test the Original before deciding if it’s the right choice for you.
Comparing Firmness, Support & Feel
Firmness
Both the Casper and the Emma have mid–range firmness, although the Emma mattress may feel slightly softer for some people. We rate mattresses on a firmness scale of 1 to 10, where 10 is the firmest and 1 is the softest. After testing both beds, we’d say Emma is a 5 out of 10, while Casper is a 6 out of 10.
Casper feels a bit more supportive for sleeping on the back, while Emma may be better for side sleeping as it allows a bit of a deeper contour.
Explore the best firm mattresses.
Support
What makes both of these beds stand out is zoned support. The Casper mattress has a memory foam layer with three zones of support for a firmer feel around the lower back, waist, and hips and a softer feel under the shoulders. This ensures proper spine alignment and helps the bed adapt to your body in various sleeping positions.
The Emma mattress also has three support zones that combine a firmer and softer feel where needed. The bed is softer around the hips but firmer where your hips and lower back are.
Feel
The Emma mattress feels a bit more responsive than the Casper, although both beds are made entirely out of foam. Both mattresses have memory foam deeper into the construction, so there is still enough bounce on the surface.
When you first lie on the Emma bed, you should feel slow sinking and then zoned support keeping the hips and shoulders aligned. Similarly, the Casper bed allows some sinkage with foams slowing conforming your curves for immediate pressure relief.
Comparing Sinkage and Bounce
As said, neither the Emma nor Casper mattresses are bouncy. These beds are made from foam, so they’re not as bouncy as innerspring, hybrid, or even latex mattresses. However, Emma feels slightly more responsive thanks to the Airgocell® layer, but you will still feel more pushback support deeper inside the bed.
The Casper feels slightly firmer but is faster to let you sink into the upper layer, contouring the curves for immediate pressure relief. All the bounce you may feel comes from the base, so you’re unlikely to feel stuck when trying to switch positions.
Comparing Motion Transfer
All-foam mattresses do a good job of isolating motion, so you can expect excellent motion isolation from both Casper and Emma. Although there are only a few inches of memory foam in both mattresses, the rest is also made from foam that helps isolate motion. Plus, neither mattress is particularly bouncy, so partners are unlikely to feel one another tossing and turning.
If you share your mattress with a partner, child, or pet, and if motion isolation is your primary concern, you’re likely to do well with either Casper or Emma.
Comparing Cooling
Casper and Emma have cooling features that make them suitable for those who sleep hot.
Emma features visco-elastic memory foam with Airgocell® technology that ensures maximum breathability. The convoluted design helps keep the air moving through the rest of the construction to prevent it from overheating. Similarly, the Casper Original mattress features the brand’s proprietary AirScape® layer of perforated foam that allows plenty of airflow to keep the bed cool. Now, although these beds don’t sleep as hot as classic memory foam mattresses, they may not be cool enough for extremely hot sleepers.
Do you sleep hot? Explore our top picks for the best cooling mattresses.
Comparing Construction (Materials & Quality)
Casper Construction
The Casper Original is an all-foam mattress that stands 11 inches tall. The bed has a polyester cover that feels durable, although not as stretchy. You can choose between six sizes, weighing 46 to 101 pounds, all of which are shipped in a box.
- The comfort layer is made from perforated foam called AirScape™. This gives the mattress breathability, helping make the surface cooler for those who sleep hot.
- The transition layer is made from 2-inch memory foam with zoned support. The foam is firmer in the center and softer around the knees and shoulders to provide a balance of support and pressure relief while keeping the spine aligned. In addition, this layer also helps to isolate motion.
- The base layer has dense foam that has more bounce and gives the upper layers extra durability, structure, and support. This foam prevents sinking and sagging, ensuring all the upper layers perform at their peak.
Emma Construction
Emma has a polyester and spandex cover that helps with temperature regulation and airflow. The cover is durable and feels well-made, but what makes it stand out the most is the fact that you can remove it for washing. The material is safe to wash in a washing machine. This bed is 10 inches tall, has three foam layers, and a reinforced perimeter.
- The comfort layer is made from Airgocell® foam that feels responsive and contouring. This is what helps you reposition on the Emma mattresses. In addition, its structure helps with cooling.
- The transition layer is made from visco-elastic memory foam. This allows cradling and pressure relief, making Emma feel like a classic memory foam bed. Memory foam in this layer also acts as a slow transition to the firmer base layer.
- The base layer features HRX material that offers targeted support without taking away from the bed’s pressure-relieving capabilities. The zones in this layer help keep your body aligned without creating any pressure points.
Comparing Company Policies & Price
- Warranty – Both beds come with a 10-year warranty.
- Shipping – The Emma mattress is made in Europe, so it ships to both Europe and the US. The Casper Original is only available in the US and Canada. Shipping is free, but some fees may apply depending on where exactly you live. Both companies offer the in-home setup, but with the Emma mattress, this is for a fee of 69 to 129 dollars.
- Trial Period – Casper comes with a 100-night trial, while Emma offers an industry-leading trial that lasts 365 nights.
- Returns – Returns are free with both companies, but only within the trial period. Casper requires you to keep the mattress for at least 30 days before returning it, whereas you should keep the Emma mattress for at least 21 days.
- Price – These mattresses are pretty similar as far as pricing goes. They only differ about 100 dollars across different sizes. We’d consider either bed an affordable option, although for folks on a strict budget, you may want an even more budget-friendly mattress.
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Casper vs. Emma Compared Side-by-Side
| Features | Casper | Emma |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 11” | 10” |
| Cover | Polyester fabric | Polyester and spandex |
| Materials | AirScape™ foam, memory foam, foam | Airgocell® foam, visco-elastic memory foam, and HRX material |
| Cooling | Perforated AirScape™ foam | Airgocell® foam |
| Firmness | 6/10 | 5/10 |
| Support | Zoned support | Zoned support |
| Motion Transfer | Minimal | Minimal |
| Edge Support | Good | Exceptional |
| Sinkage | Deep cradle | Deep cradle |
| Bounce | No | No |
| Warranty | 10 years | 10 years |
| Trial Period | 100 nights | 365 nights |
| Certifications | CertiPUR-US® | CertiPUR-US® |
| Adjustable Base Compatible | Yes | Yes |
| Shipping | Ships to U.S and Canada, optional white glove delivery | Ships to the United States and Europe, optional white glove delivery |
| Made in the USA | Yes | No |
| Read Full Review | Casper Mattress Review | Emma Mattress Review |
| Shop Now | Casper Mattress | Emma Mattress |
Final Thoughts
Do you think the Casper Original is more suitable for your needs or is the Emma mattress? You have the final word, so it’s up to you to decide which one of these would be more comfortable. Our thoughts? Although they have quite a few similarities, the Emma mattress may be better for side sleepers, while the Casper bed is better for back sleepers.
There’s a price difference, but none of the brands is particularly more expensive than the other. Instead, it depends on the size you choose. Luckily, both beds are delivered in a box and should be easy to set up even if you don’t take advantage of the optional white glove delivery.
Product
Type
Score
More Casper Comparisons:
Olivera Jancikin
Content Writer
About Author
Olivera is a content writer for Sleep Advisor and is enthusiastic about sleep. She firmly believes in the benefits of daytime naps on top of getting a full 8-hour sleep at night.
Combination Sleeper