by 
Casper Essential (now: Casper One)
7.1/10
- Budget price point for an all-foam bed from a well-known brand
- CertiPUR-US certified foam, no fiberglass cover
- Solid motion isolation for couples, all-foam construction absorbs movement well
- Ships compressed in a box, easy setup
- No trial period refund on some sales channels (Final Sale policy); check at purchase
- Only 10-year limited warranty, shorter than most competitors
- No zoned support layer, simpler two-layer build than most mid-range foam beds
- Can run warm for hot sleepers; no active cooling tech
The Casper Essential is a straightforward budget all-foam mattress from a recognizable brand. It suits average-weight back, combo, and stomach sleepers who want pressure relief on a tight budget. Side sleepers and anyone above 230 lb will want more support depth than this 9-inch build provides.
Who the Casper Essential fits
In our testing, the Casper Essential works best for average-weight back, stomach, and combo sleepers who prioritize brand familiarity and a low entry price over feature depth. At 9 inches, with a two-layer foam build (AirScape comfort layer over a durable poly base), it delivers what it promises: a quiet, decent-pressure-relief bed that ships in a box.
The mattress fits side sleepers of light weight reasonably well, but heavier side sleepers will notice the hips sinking too far, losing spinal alignment. If you share a bed, the all-foam design absorbs movement effectively, so a restless partner is less disruptive than on a coil bed.
Who should look elsewhere
- Hot sleepers: the Casper Essential uses a basic open-cell foam, not copper or gel infusions. It sleeps neutrally, not cool. If temperature is your main concern, a hybrid with coil airflow is a better fit.
- Heavier sleepers (230 lb+): the two-layer construction lacks the support depth needed. Expect premature sagging and reduced edge support over time.
- Side sleepers with hip or shoulder pain: there is no dedicated pressure-relief layer for these pain points. A memory-foam bed with a thicker comfort system will do a better job.
- Anyone wanting a long trial or warranty: 10-year limited coverage and Final Sale restrictions on some channels are below the market standard. Most comparable beds offer 100+ night trials and lifetime guarantees.
Construction and materials
The Casper Essential is a 9-inch, two-layer all-foam mattress:
- Cover: soft knit blend with upcycled cotton and recycled polyester
- Comfort layer: AirScape perforated foam, designed for breathability and mild pressure relief
- Support layer: dense base poly foam for shape retention and some sagging resistance
Casper removed the zoned support layer that appears in the Original and Dream models to keep costs down. That means no independent lumbar reinforcement. CertiPUR-US certified foams are used throughout, which covers emissions, content, and durability testing. The cover contains no fiberglass fire barrier, which is the right call.
Firmness and feel
The Essential lands at a true medium, around 5.5 out of 10 on our scale. It is not the type of slow-hug memory foam that cradles you deeply. The AirScape foam is more responsive, with a light bounce that makes moving around in bed easy. You sit on the mattress rather than sinking into it, which back and stomach sleepers prefer.
For back sleepers of average weight (130 to 220 lb), the feel is genuinely comfortable. The foam keeps the spine in a workable neutral position through the night. Stomach sleepers in the same weight range fare similarly, with good spine support and no excessive sinkage at the hips.
Performance
Motion isolation
One of the stronger points for the Essential. All-foam absorbs movement rather than bouncing it across the mattress. If one partner rolls over or gets up, the other is less likely to notice. This is a genuine advantage over innerspring or coil-hybrid beds at this price.
Edge support
Edge support is average for an all-foam mattress at this profile. You will notice compression sitting on the edge, and sleeping near the perimeter feels slightly less supported than the center. Not a dealbreaker for solo sleepers; couples who use the full mattress surface may find it limits usable area.
Cooling
The open-cell design and perforated AirScape foam move some air, but there is no active cooling tech here. The Essential sleeps neutrally. Warm or hot sleepers will likely want a mattress with a more aggressive cooling system.
Durability and warranty
Casper backs the Essential with a 10-year limited warranty. That covers manufacturing defects and sagging beyond 1 inch. It is a fairly standard window for a budget foam mattress, but shorter than the lifetime warranties you get from Saatva, Nectar, or DreamCloud. Trial policy varies by channel, some Casper Essential purchases are Final Sale (no returns). Confirm the return terms before buying.
Price and sizes
The Casper Essential (Casper One) is Casper's most affordable model, typically priced from around $695 for queen size. Pricing fluctuates with sales. It ships compressed and ships free to the contiguous US via UPS.
| Size | Dimensions | Approx. price |
|---|---|---|
| Twin XL | 38" x 80" | ~$378 |
| Full | 53" x 75" | ~$463 |
| Queen | 60" x 80" | ~$695-895 |
| King | 76" x 80" | ~$675-800 |
| Cal King | 72" x 84" | ~$675-800 |
Casper Essential vs Casper Original
If you are weighing the Essential against the Casper Original (now called Casper), here is the practical difference: the Original adds a third zoned support layer that targets independent pressure at shoulders, hips, and the lumbar. That layer matters for side sleepers and for anyone with lower back pain. The Original costs about $200 to $300 more at queen; for most buyers, that extra money is worth it. If your budget truly ends at the Essential's price point, it is a reasonable entry-level option.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Casper Essential the same as the Casper One?
Yes. Casper rebranded the Essential as the Casper One. The core build, a 9-inch two-layer all-foam design, is the same. The naming changed, not the mattress.
Is the Casper Essential good for back pain?
For mild, non-specific back pain, the medium firmness is not harmful. But the Essential has no zoned lumbar support, which is the feature that most consistently helps with back pain. If back pain is your main concern, a bed with active lumbar zoning will serve you better.
Does the Casper Essential come in a box?
Yes. It ships compressed in a roll-pack box via UPS and expands to full height within a few hours. Plan for light off-gassing for 24 to 48 hours after unpacking.
Can the Casper Essential be used on an adjustable base?
Yes. The all-foam construction is compatible with adjustable beds. Check that the base's weight rating fits the mattress and that the frame supports the size you order.
Is the Casper Essential made in the USA?
Casper is headquartered in New York, but the foam materials are sourced internationally, including from China, India, Vietnam, and Portugal. The mattress is assembled and packaged for the North American market.
The Casper Essential is a budget-tier all-foam mattress from a known brand. It suits average-weight back and combo sleepers on a tight budget, and the motion isolation is solid for a bed at this price. But the short warranty, limited trial policy, absence of zoned support, and basic cooling put it behind most same-price competitors. If you can stretch the budget by a few hundred dollars, a better-spec'd mattress is worth it.