Casper is one of the biggest names in the growing bed-in-a-box industry. The company started out producing just one mattress, but it has since expanded to produce a line of sleep products, including four mattresses: the Casper, the Casper Hybrid, the Wave Hybrid, and the Element.
The Casper is the company’s flagship all-foam model, while the Casper Hybrid and the Wave Hybrid have a similar design as their all-foam counterparts but use a coil core instead of polyfoam. The Casper Element is the company’s most affordable model, using a streamlined all-foam construction.
While other reviews on this site will cover the remaining Casper models, this review will focus exclusively on the Casper Element, previously called the Casper Essential. We’ll explore the details in terms of its construction, sizing, pricing, performance, customer reviews, and more to help you decide if the Casper Element is a good fit for you.
The Casper Element is an all-foam model constructed of polyfoam and memory foam.
A knit polyester cover has a zipper, allowing the owner to remove it for easier spot cleaning. However, Casper does not recommend machine washing or drying the cover since it may shrink.
The comfort layer consists of 2 inches of polyfoam. This material conforms to the sleeper’s body without as much hug as most memory foam, giving it a slightly springier feel. Since the material also has a lower density than memory foam, it allows more air circulation, which can help the bed sleep cooler. A transition layer of 1.5 inches of memory foam cradles the sleeper for extra pressure relief. It also prevents the sleeper from sinking in against the firmer core. The support layer uses 7.5 inches of polyfoam to stabilize the mattress’s surface.
The Element has a medium firm feel, rating around 6 on the 10-point firmness scale. This is within the range most sleepers tend to prefer. At 11 inches thick, the Element is close to the average mattress height.
The Casper Element is constructed of three layers of foam: a polyfoam comfort layer, a memory foam transition layer, and a polyfoam core.
100% Polyester (Knit)
2″ Polyfoam
1.5″ Memory Foam
7.5″ Polyfoam
The Element is Casper’s lowest-priced model, making it popular with mattress shoppers on a budget. The Element comes in at a lower price point than most similarly constructed all-foam mattresses. It is available in all the standard mattress sizes.
| Sizes | Dimensions | Height | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Twin | 38" x 75" | 11" | 51 lbs. | $395 |
| Twin XL | 38" x 80" | 11" | 54 lbs. | $445 |
| Full | 53" x 75" | 11" | 66 lbs. | $545 |
| Queen | 60" x 80" | 11" | 75 lbs. | $595 |
| King | 76" x 80" | 11" | 92 lbs. | $795 |
| California King | 72" x 84" | 11" | 92 lbs. | $795 |
Like most all-foam mattresses, the Casper Element excels at isolating motion. The Element’s 2-inch polyfoam comfort layer absorbs a significant amount of motion, and the 1.5-inch memory foam transition layer adds to this effect.
This motion isolation limits the amount of motion transfer that is felt across the surface of the mattress. Sleepers who awaken easily during the night when their partner changes position may enjoy a more restful night’s sleep thanks to the Element’s strong motion isolation.
Foam mattresses tend to cradle the sleeper’s body and redistribute their body weight, which can help relieve aches and pains from areas that put more force on the mattress. The Element has similar pressure-relieving qualities to most all-foam beds.
A polyfoam comfort layer adds some softness and gentle contouring, while a memory foam transition layer gives deeper contouring. This provides cradling without the close hug often associated with memory foam.
The Element is more breathable than many all-foam models on the market, which often retain heat.
The polyfoam comfort layer is a lower density than memory foam, so it is less prone to trapping heat. This mattress is also slightly firmer than some all-foam models, which leads to less sinkage and permits more air circulation around the sleeper’s body.
Most foam mattresses suffer from weak edges, but the Loom & Leaf stands up well to people sleeping near the edge of the bed. This allows couples to spread out right to the edges when sharing the bed, giving each person more space.
The edges will compress more with added pressure, meaning some people may experience feelings of roll-off when sitting on the edge of the bed. The Firm model has a slightly firmer surface that may feel more stable to people over 230 pounds.
The Element’s comfort layer is 2 inches thick, which is thinner than the comfort layers used in many all-foam models. With a thinner comfort layer, there is less foam that must compress before an individual reaches the firmer support core. Because of this, the Element’s edge may feel sturdier than some all-foam models.
This should feel secure enough for most individuals to use the full mattress surface without restriction. However, individuals over 230 pounds are likely to notice more edge sinkage than their lighter-weight counterparts.
The Element may be more conducive to sex than some all-foam models on the market.
While the Element doesn’t have the same springiness as a mattress with coils, it has more bounce than some foam models, and many couples enjoy that extra bounce for sex. The medium firm feel also permits less sinkage, which may make it easier to change position. Conforming from the comfort layer and the transition layer can also help provide traction.
Since the Element is constructed of foam, it is virtually silent, making it more discreet for intimate activities.
Like most mattresses, the Casper Element may emit an odor at first. The Casper Element contains synthetic foams and ships compressed, both of which can increase off-gassing odors.
Off-gassing odors are usually not considered harmful. Most of the smell dissipates within a few hours to a few days if you leave the mattress in a well-ventilated room. We would expect the same from the Casper Element.
Side Sleepers:
The Casper Element can provide an excellent blend of contouring and support for side sleepers who weigh under 230 pounds.
A 2-inch polyfoam comfort layer cradles the side sleeper’s curves, while the 1.5-inch memory foam transition layer gives deeper contouring. For side sleepers who weigh less than 230 pounds, this can help relieve pressure points around their hips and shoulders while promoting proper spinal alignment.
While the Element is firmer than many all-foam models, it may still have too much give for some side sleepers who weigh over 230 pounds. Those in this weight group may sink too deeply, which could make it more difficult to maintain proper spinal alignment. It may also put more pressure on the hips and shoulders.
Back Sleepers:
The Element may be best suited to back sleepers who weigh under 130 pounds. While individuals who weigh more might also find the mattress comfortable, it might not be supportive enough to keep their spines aligned.
Back sleepers usually rely on their mattress to provide even support without sagging in order to promote proper spinal alignment. The Element’s 7.5-inch polyfoam core is thicker than many support layers, which can help create a more even plane that’s well-suited for back sleeping.
Individuals who weigh under 130 pounds will likely experience excellent support and comfortable cushioning. Those who weigh between 130 and 230 pounds may experience some slight sagging. Some individuals who weigh more than 230 pounds may sink in more deeply than ideal.
Stomach Sleepers:
Stomach sleeping can put a strain on an individual’s neck, back, shoulders, and hips, especially if the sleeper doesn’t have a supportive enough mattress. Many individuals carry extra weight around their midsections, so stomach sleepers often prefer a mattress with enough support to prevent their hips from sinking in too deeply.
The Casper Element is more supportive than many all-foam models. However, some stomach sleepers may need more support around their hips to promote better spinal alignment. Most stomach sleepers who weigh under 130 pounds are likely to find the Element supportive enough to prevent their midsections from sinking in too much. Stomach sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds may notice somewhat more sinkage around their midsections. Individuals over 230 pounds are likely to experience the most significant sinkage of any weight group.
| Under 130 lbs. | 130-230 lbs. | Above 230 lbs. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side Sleepers | Excellent | Excellent | Fair |
| Back Sleepers | Excellent | Good | Fair |
| Stomach Sleepers | Good | Fair | Poor |
The Casper Element garners primarily positive reviews from customers. Reading these reviews can paint a clearer picture of how the Casper Element might work out for you. Reviews are subjective, and individual experiences vary. However, noting common themes between reviews can give you insight into how the product generally performs.
Owners who liked their Casper Element Mattress often report experiencing less back pain than they did with their old mattress. They also frequently note how easy the mattress was to unbox and how minimal the off-gassing odor was.
Those who were less satisfied with their Element Mattress frequently say the mattress was either too soft or too firm for them. Some also claim they experienced more aches and pains when sleeping on the mattress. Other customers report lingering off-gassing odors.
| Website | Reviews |
|---|---|
| Casper.com | 4.5/5 (2,660 reviews) |
| Amazon.com | 4.3/5 (544 reviews) |
The Casper Element is available online through the Casper website and through Amazon. It is also sold at brick-and-mortar locations, including Casper Sleep Shops across the United States and at Casper’s retail partners.
Casper can ship to the United States, Canada, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Free shipping is available in the 48 contiguous United States and most parts of Canada. Casper also ships to Alaska, Hawaii, Northern Canada, and several other international destinations, but shipping fees may apply.
The Casper Element ships via either FedEx or UPS. The mattress ships compressed in plastic and packaged in a box. The purchaser is responsible for moving the mattress to the room of their choice, unpacking it, and setting it up.
Mattresses generally ship within one to two business days once an order is placed, but there may be delays during the holidays or inclement weather. Once an order ships, customers will receive a tracking number.
In-home delivery and setup are available for an extra charge within the contiguous United States and in some parts of Canada. For this $149 fee, Casper’s delivery partner will move the mattress to the room of your choice, unpackage it, remove the packaging, and remove your old mattress.
Customers in parts of New York and Los Angeles may also be eligible for same-day delivery.
The Element comes with a 100-night sleep trial. Eligible mattresses can be returned during this window for a full refund of the original purchase price. To return a mattress, contact Casper’s customer service team. Casper will arrange for mattress removal.
The Element comes with a 10-year limited warranty, which covers certain qualifying defects, like indentations over 1 inch, splitting or cracking of the foam, and issues with the zipper. This warranty applies to the original mattress owner when purchased from an authorized seller. To be eligible, the mattress must be used for its intended purposes, be used with a proper foundation, and be free from misuse. Additional terms and conditions apply.
