Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe vs. Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress Comparison

Overall Rating

8.7

Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe

Bottom Line

A cooling hybrid mattress with zoned coil support that’s available in three firmness levels.

Check Price on BrooklynBedding.com

25% off sitewide

Full Mattress Review

VS

Overall Rating

8.5

Bear Elite Hybrid

Bottom Line

A foam-on-coil hybrid with plush comfort layers and a zoned support system.

Check Price on BearMattress.com

40% sitewide with code: SF40

Full Mattress Review

Our Testing Team’s Take

Our team conducts hands-on testing of each mattress we bring into our Seattle-based Test Lab. These tests integrate tools and technology, such as body-mapping sensors that visualize pressure point buildup, temperature trackers to measure how much body heat the mattress disperses, and vibration monitors to evaluate motion isolation on the surface.

After gathering scientific data on a mattress’s performance using our proprietary research methodology, we compile the results into our custom algorithm to determine overall ratings. 
Finally, we ask members of our testing team to take mattresses home with them for weeks at a time, then collect feedback about their experiences. Our testing team represents a variety of body weights and sleep position preferences, so their outlooks can help you pinpoint the best mattress for you.

Our Verdict

The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling and the Bear Elite Hybrid mattresses share similar materials, constructions, features, price-points, and customer policies. These beds excel at relieving pressure and motion isolation. As a result, we’ve found that both perform well for sleepers with back pain and couples who share a bed. Because they each come in three different firmness levels, sleepers across most body type and position preference groups can find a design that meets their needs.

Brad Nehring

Senior Product Analyst

Side sleeper

215 lbs.

Sleeps with a weighted blanket

“As a hot sleeper, I love how cool and breathable the Aurora Luxe feels. I’ve found a lot of foam hybrids uncomfortable because they retain heat. With this mattress, I never felt overly warm — the cooling cover and gel infusions work exactly as intended.”

Sleepers who are a good match for one of these mattresses will probably also enjoy the other, so the nitty-gritty details are important when deciding between them. The biggest differences relate to specific firmness. The firm (7) Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe feels slightly softer than the firm (8) Bear Elite Hybrid, so the latter may be a better match for back and stomach sleepers over 230 pounds who need extra support. We also found the medium soft (4) Aurora Luxe a bit plusher than the medium soft (4) Elite Hybrid, even though they share the same general firmness rating, so the Aurora Luxe may be more comfortable for side sleepers under 130 pounds.

Jeremy Klein

Senior Product Testing Manager

Side sleeper

160 lbs.

Nightly melatonin user

“While some mattresses with memory foam feel too soft to me, that wasn’t an issue with the Bear Elite Hybrid. It kept my lower back supported, letting me settle in for quality sleep.”

There are also some policy differences between brands. For example, Bear offers free returns, while Brooklyn Bedding charges a $99 fee. Brooklyn Bedding ships to Canada, but Bear does not. A careful examination of our performance ratings tables and the companies’ policy details will help you decide which model is ideal for your needs.

Construction and Materials

Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Breakdown

The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling mattress comes in three firmness levels, each of which ranks differently on our 10-point firmness scale: Soft (4), Medium (6), and Firm (7). Each model has a 13.25-inch profile and is covered with a Glaciotex cooling cover woven with phase change material and cooling gel beads. For a fee, the cover can be upgraded to the Cloud Pillowtop that features additional foam padding and cooling materials.

The standard version of this mattress contains six layers. Three layers make up the comfort system, beginning with foam quilted into the cover for surface-level cushioning. Copper-infused polyfoam and high-density memory foam provide additional contouring to promote even alignment and alleviate pressure along the spine.

A 1-inch polyfoam transition layer creates a cushy buffer between your body and the support core, which contains 8-inch pocketed coils and high-density base foam. The pocketed coils are zoned to keep the spine aligned and reinforced along the perimeter to protect the edges from sinkage when you get in and out of bed.

Bear Elite Hybrid Breakdown

The Bear Elite Hybrid also comes in three firmness levels: Soft (4), Medium (6), and Firm (8). The first two are comparable to the Aurora Luxe’s corresponding firmness options, while the firm design is noticeably less adaptive and more supportive than the Aurora Luxe’s firm model. All versions of the Elite Hybrid have a 14-inch profile and contain five layers. The cover is hand-quilted with HydroCool technology for cooling. An optional upgrade to a Celliant-infused cover is available for a fee. Celliant is engineered to sleep cool and promote healthy muscle recovery while you sleep.

Beneath the cover, a copper-infused memory foam comfort layer makes the surface feel cushy without retaining too much heat. A transitional polyfoam layer conforms to your body while keeping you on an even plane. This layer is zoned to push back against heavier parts of the body.

Like the Aurora Luxe Cooling mattress, the Bear Elite Hybrid contains a support core with zoned pocketed coils sitting atop a layer of high-density polyfoam. The coils have been reinforced around the edges, and the high-density foam helps to stabilize the base.

Mattress Sizing and Weight

Both the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling and Bear Elite Hybrid mattresses are sold in twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king standard sizes. You can also choose a split king, which comes in two equally sized portions and is meant for couples to use with an adjustable bed. Split kings also cut down on motion transfer. The Aurora Luxe Cooling mattress comes in additional short queen and RV king sizes.

Both of these mattresses are thicker than the average mattress, so deep-pocket fitted sheets are recommended. Standard sheets may not fit on these beds, or they may slip off easily. These mattresses both weigh over 100 pounds in a queen size, so it’s safest to lift and move them with at least one other person.

Performance Ratings

Both of these mattresses excel at motion isolation. This means when one person rolls over or gets in or out of bed, their movement is less likely to bother a bed partner. Both mattresses also provide excellent pressure relief, which can be especially helpful for people who experience joint pain or discomfort at night. Sleepers can move more easily on the surfaces of the Medium and Firm models of both brands, but the Soft designs lack bounce and sink deeper. Soft models also do not regulate temperature as well as the firmer versions.

The performance of each mattress varies quite a bit depending on the selected firmness level. Side sleepers tend to prefer the Soft and Medium models of both, as people with lower body weights tend to feel more comfortable on plush, adaptive mattresses. Medium and Firm models perform best for back and stomach sleepers. The Bear Elite Hybrid’s Firm model (8) is firmer than the Aurora Luxe Cooling’s Firm model (7), so people who weigh more than 230 pounds are likely to prefer this design.

Full Reviews: Other Brooklyn Bedding and Bear Models

Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid

Overall Rating:

8.5 /10

Price Range:

$671 – $1,631

Mattress Type:

Hybrid

Firmness Options:

Medium Soft (4), Medium Firm (6), Firm (8)

Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Memory Foam

Overall Rating:

8.6 /10

Price Range:

$326 – $652

Mattress Type:

Foam

Firmness Options:

Medium Firm (6)

Bear Original

Overall Rating:

7.8 /10

Price Range:

$511 – $1,099

Mattress Type:

Foam

Firmness Options:

Firm (7)

Bear Natural

Overall Rating:

7.5 /10

Price Range:

$1,494 – $3,248

Mattress Type:

Latex Hybrid

Firmness Options:

Medium Firm (6)

Mattress Pricing

The full prices of the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe and Bear Elite Hybrid are nearly identical, though both companies frequently offer discounts. 

Both mattresses come with 120-night trial periods and lifetime warranties. The biggest differences pertain to shipping. Unlike Bear, Brooklyn Bedding doesn’t offer White Glove Delivery. However, Brooklyn Bedding delivers to Canada, whereas Bear does not. 

It should also be noted that Bear offers full refunds with returns, but Brooklyn Bedding charges a $99 return fee.

What Customers Are Saying

Online reviews for both the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling and the Bear Elite Hybrid mattresses are very positive. Most sleepers report being satisfied with their purchase and finding comfort on these beds. Both mattresses are frequently praised for their cooling properties and abilities to relieve pain and pressure. People also praise both for isolating motion well and, as a result, being a good option for couples who share a bed.

Negative reviews of these mattresses are few and far between, but they mostly relate to firmness levels. Some sleepers complain that the softest Aurora Luxe Cooling model is too soft and tends to sag. Others call the firmest Bear Elite Hybrid model too firm and uncomfortable. These complaints are a good reminder to pick out a firmness option based on your sleep position preference and body weight, and to take advantage of sleep trials and return or exchange mattresses that feel either too soft or too firm for your needs.

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