Casper Wave Review
Summary
The Casper Wave is a luxury foam mattress that uses a unique zoned foam construction to better align your spine, providing exceptional back support.
Great Choice for: stomach sleepers and back sleepers who crave a firmer mattress that also feels luxuriously plush on top.
Avoid If: You're on a tight budget.
Price: $1,195 – $2,956
If you like your mattress on the firmer side, sleep on your stomach or suffer from back problems – you'll love the Casper Wave.
Casper Wave is a uniquely-constructed mattress that uses separate firmness zones to improve spinal alignment and provide exceptional back support.
The Wave is a relatively new, upmarket, addition to Casper's lineup – along with its recently-updated Casper Original.
This mattress is priced fairly high for an online mattress, though. A Queen sells for about $2,000.
What the Wave is not is also important to note:
- it's not 100% organic
- it's not a hybrid, and,
- it doesn't use revolutionary materials.
How does Casper justify such a higher price?
That’s what we are going to find out in this in-depth Casper Wave review. You can also visit Casper’s official website to learn more.
If you want to learn about less expensive alternatives, see our complete list of mattress reviews.
What’s In This Mattress Review?
Use this table of contents to skip to the features you care most about.
To return to this outline, touch ↑ Table of Contents.
About Casper
Casper is one of the largest online mattress companies and is a household name.
They launched in 2014 and have since expanded to several countries outside the US. Casper now sells mattresses, bedding, and furniture online and in selected retail outlets in the US.
Casper currently sells three mattresses, as follows:
- the budget-minded Casper Essential
- the Casper Original (their first mattress) and,
- the Casper Wave – the subject of this review.
With the Wave, Casper wanted to offer a uniquely supportive luxury mattress without charging the sky-high prices you find in stores.
While the Wave is pricier than most online mattresses, you'll still save $1,000+ vs. what you will pay in a local retail store for a mattress of similar quality.
Social Impact
Casper makes all of its mattresses in the United States. This grows local jobs and ensures that each mattress is made using the best materials and with a high-quality manufacturing process.
They use CertiPUR-US certified foams in all of their mattresses, which protects customers from harmful chemicals and helps with environmental preservation.
Finally, whenever possible, Casper gives away returned mattresses to charity instead of restocking them.
Price
Starting at $1,000 for a twin, the Casper Wave is not cheap.
It's more expensive than most online mattresses we've reviewed – even more expensive than some 100% organic mattresses like the Avocado Green.
Listed below is the full retail price list – these prices include the $100 off SLEEPDELIVERED discount offered only on Casper's website.
Bed Size | Casper Wave | Casper Wave Hybrid |
Twin | $1,195 | n/a |
Twin XL | $1,395 | $2,076 |
Full | $1,995 | $2,396 |
Queen | $2,195 | $2,476 |
King | $2,595 | $2,956 |
CA King | $2,595 | $2,956 |
Financing Options
Casper works with Affirm to provide easy installment options for those who qualify and prefer spreading payments out. For example, you'll only pay $78 a month for the Queen size at 0% APR over 24 months.
You can check whether you qualify in real-time during checkout.
Purchase Process
Before you order the mattress, take a quick look at some of the FAQs about Casper Wave on their website. It answers important questions about what to expect from the mattress, how to set it up, and the best foundation to use.
I also recommend you read the returns policy as well as the warranty.
If you are satisfied with everything, select your preferred mattress size and place an order. At checkout, you can either pay in full using your credit card or check whether you qualify for Affirm financing.
Here are the available sizes:
Twin size |
Twin XL |
Full size |
Queen size |
King size |
California King |
Delivery and Setup
The Casper Wave will be delivered to your home in 2-5 days, depending on your locations. It may stretch for longer for some locations.
Casper offers free white glove delivery with every purchase of the Casper Wave. That means the courier will deliver it and help you set it up inside.
This is good news considering that the mattress is quite hefty (the Queen size weighs 109lbs).
If you decide to set up the mattress yourself, I recommend having someone nearby to help you carry it inside and unroll it. The mattress comes in a compact box. Once you get it out and unroll it on the bed, it will automatically rise to its normal shape and size.
Shipping
Casper ships free to all 50 states in the US. They also ship to Canada.
Once your mattress ships, you will receive an email with a UPS tracking number.
Aesthetics and Styling
At 11.5 inches in thickness, the Casper Wave looks luxurious before you even try it out. With the higher profile, you can even just place it on the floor, and it’ll still look good.
The cover is off-white – more of a very light ash grey. Unlike the Casper Original and Casper Essential mattresses, there is no blue ‘Casper’ tag on it.
Technology
When Casper started designing the Wave, they wanted an ergonomic mattress that responds perfectly to your body’s needs.
It wasn’t enough to create a universal comfort mattress that is good enough for most people. They wanted a mattress that targets different sections of your body individually.
Out of this came the Natural Geometry System, the most exciting technology used in the Casper mattress.
This system mirrors the natural contour and shape of your body at 36 different points.
The Natural Geometry System also includes precision contoured foam. The foam has grooves cut into it to make it more giving. The grooves are cut at specific positions to provide pressure relief where it’s needed most.
The mattress is softer under the shoulders and hips but slightly firmer under your back. This aligns your body in a natural position and provides soft pressure relief around high-pressure points.
For cooling, the Wave uses open-cell foams to maintain breathability and ensure excess body heat is quickly channeled away from the mattress.
Mattress Construction
The five layers of foam used in the 11.5″-thick Casper Wave are all CertiPUR-US certified. This means it has been checked for hazardous chemicals and VOC emissions. The cover is also OEKO-TEX certified.
Comfort Layer: 1 Inch Comfort Foam
This is Casper’s proprietary foam. The foam is extra soft hence provides a nice soft hug when you lie down. It gives the mattress its luxury feel.
Support Layer: 1.5″ of Breathable Latex Foam
Despite the soft top layer, the Casper Wave mattress still feels quite bouncy. This is because of the second latex layer. It contours to your body while also providing a nice bounce.
This is the first support layer that ensures your body is aligned well and doesn’t sink in too much.
Pressure Relief Layer: 1.5″ of Memory Foam
The memory foam molds itself around your body when you lie down on the mattress. This relieves pressure on vulnerable pressure points like your hips and shoulders.
By placing it further down on the mattress, the engineers ensured the memory foam would not cause any heating issues.
Transition Layer: 1.5″ High Resiliency Foam with Gel Pods
This is the transition layer from the comfort zone above to the much firmer base layer. The most important feature is the new gel pods, which cool and supports your lower back.
The highly resilient elastic polymer used in this layer also makes the mattress firm without affecting flexibility. If you have a heavier body, this layer bends to make you more comfortable and distribute your weight. It also adds to the responsiveness provided by the latex layer.
Base Layer: 5.5 Inches Contoured Support Foam
This is where you’ll find the contouring grooves that mold the mattress perfectly to your body.
The base layer also provides overall anti-sag support and keeps the mattress in shape for years.
Cover
The Wave has a thick, soft cover made of humidity-fighting wool that adds to the plush feel of the mattress.
But even with the extra thickness, the cover is breathable.
You can also unzip the cover to remove and wash it. I sure wish a lot more mattress manufacturers would do this.
Smell/Off-gassing
The Casper Wave uses CertiPUR-US certified foams. The amount of off-gassing is negligible.
Any smell you experience is from the fresh foam. It will dissipate in a couple of days. If the smell affects you, leave the uncovered mattress in a ventilated room for a couple of days before you sleep on it.
Sleeping Experience and Customer Feedback
The Casper Wave is a luxury mattress – and it feels like one.
This mattress is firmer than the Casper Original and the Casper Essential, but it also has a luxury plush feel on top that lower-priced mattresses cannot match. This is because of the highly-responsive Flo foam layer.
As for the Natural Geometry System, it does make a difference in sleeping experience. The mattress fits your body like a glove, hugging your body at just the right places, and supporting you where you need it. Great job!
Customer feedback on review sites and retail sites are positive. Many say the mattress is worth the high price tag. It has helped them with their back pain, helps them sleep deeper, and is all-around one of the best mattresses they have ever slept on.
Firmness
Casper Wave is technically a medium-firm mattress like most other foam mattresses sold online, but it leans more towards the firm end of the scale, scoring a 6-6.5/10 (with ten being firmest).
This is within the universal comfort range that is ideal for most people regardless of sleeping position and body type.
I recommend it for stomach and back sleepers and those with a larger / heavier body type. Due to its outstanding level of support.
Sinkage
Because of the top layer, the Casper Wave has a bit more sinkage than you would expect from a fairly firm mattress. This is what makes it feel plush and super comfortable.
But this pliable layer doesn’t go too far. As soon as you hit the second latex foam layer, the mattress immediately feels quite firm and supportive. Plus, size sleepers will experience a bit more sinkage.
But regardless of weight, the third memory foam layer contours around your body to prevent the mattress from feeling uncomfortably rigid and firm.
You’ll also notice that there is more sinkage at the top and bottom of the mattress compared to the middle. This is because of the contouring grooves. They are designed to yield more on your shoulders and hips.
This is the beauty of the Casper Wave mattress. It works for everyone.
If you sleep on your side, the Flo foam provides pressure relief. If you sleep on your back or stomach, the latex foam is there to support you. If you have a big figure, there are more layers underneath to provide contouring and support your weight.
Motion Transfer
The Casper Wave mattress has little to no motion transfer.
Hot/Cold Issues
The Wave uses open-cell foams to enhance breathability and temperature control. This keeps the mattress feeling cool and fresh.
Warranty
I am a bit disappointed that the Casper Wave mattress doesn’t provide a longer warranty. Most luxury mattresses in this price range offer a 15-25 year coverage.
That said, it is the same excellent non-prorated warranty they provide for their other mattresses.
Return Policy
The return period is a standard of 100 days.
Returns are free. Casper will arrange a pickup from your home and either donate the mattress to charity or recycle it.
Casper Wave vs. Casper Wave Hybrid
Casper has introduced a hybrid version of the Casper Wave mattress.
The 13” high Casper Wave hybrid mattress is a great choice for sleepers who want a more luxurious mattress with a plusher feel and added support. It’s also ideal if you want a bouncier mattress.
Casper Wave and Casper Wave hybrid have a similar comfort section.
- 1” polyfoam top layer that offers the responsiveness of latex and the contouring of memory foam.
- 5” blended latex for cooling.
- 5” memory foam for contouring and pressure relief.
The difference occurs in the support section.
- 5” transition layer embedded with gel pods that provide targeted support and pressure relief. Casper Wave has a similar layer.
- A base consisting of pocketed coils with a 1” layer of high-density foam at the bottom. This replaces the high-density foam base in the Casper Wave.
The main difference between Casper Wave and Casper Wave Hybrid is the addition of pocket coils.
This changes the feel of the mattress. The Wave Hybrid is more supportive, making it the best choice for heavier sleepers and couples.
It also sleeps cooler, thanks to the airflow through the individually wrapped coils.
The coils add a bounciness you don’t get in the all-foam Casper Wave, making the Wave Hybrid a better choice for sex.
As for firmness, Casper Wave Hybrid is slightly softer than its all-foam sibling.
As expected, Casper Wave Hybrid costs slightly more than Casper Wave. It’s also significantly more expensive than most other hybrid mattresses online.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- A very comfortable mattress with market-leading support for your back.
- Sleeps cool.
- Generous trial period plus free returns.
- Great aesthetics and styling.
Cons
- It’s expensive.
- Shorter than expected warranty at this price.
- Just one comfort level: medium firm.
The Casper Wave Mattress is Perfect For You If…
You are looking for a luxury-quality mattress that is exceptionally supportive of your back.
Where To Buy & Save
The best deals are found on Casper.com.
How the Casper Mattress Compares
See how the Casper mattress compares to other top online mattresses in the following in-depth matchups.
- Leesa vs Casper vs Purple vs Ghostbed
- Tuft and Needle vs Casper
- Helix vs Casper
- Nectar vs Casper
- Casper vs Purple
- Leesa vs Casper
- Leesa vs Casper vs Tuft & Needle vs Saatva
- Ghostbed vs Casper
- Casper vs Tempurpedic
- Lull vs Casper
- Saatva vs Casper
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