Amerisleep AS1 vs Zoma Start: Which Firm Mattress Fits You?

Which one should you buy?

• Choose the AS1 if you prefer a firm, close-to-the-bed feel, sleep on your back or stomach, and don’t want a coil unit.
• Choose the Zoma Start if you want a hybrid’s coil support, a more responsive surface, and a Queen you can currently order at the sale price shown.
• Skip both for now if you sleep mostly on your side and know firm beds create pressure at your shoulder or hip. The AS1 is Amerisleep’s firmest option; Zoma labels the Start Firm, too.

Both mattresses stand 10 inches tall and both brands advertise a 100-night trial, free shipping and returns, and fiberglass-free construction. The AS1’s main distinction is its simple two-foam-layer build; the Start’s is a hybrid core with individually pocketed coils. That difference is more useful than broad promises about cooling or recovery: ask yourself whether you want foam-only support or the pushback of springs.

How do the AS1 and Zoma Start compare?

Price comparison is not apples-to-apples today. The Zoma Start Queen was selectable at $674.25, reduced from $899, with a 25% sale displayed. Amerisleep showed a Queen sale price of $849 against $1,349, but marked that size out of stock. Taxes, any checkout changes, and future promotions can change the total; check the cart before you decide.

Size options are not identical. The AS1 page lists Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, and Split King; the Zoma Start lists Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, and Split King. The widths and lengths follow familiar mattress sizing, but do confirm the selected size and any split-base requirements before ordering.

What does each mattress feel like?

AS1: firm foam with less give

Amerisleep positions the AS1 as its firmest mattress and recommends it for back and stomach sleepers. Its top layer is 2 inches of Bio-Pur memory foam, above an 8-inch Bio-Core support layer. You get a foam surface that contours, but the firm design is intended to limit deep sinkage rather than let you settle far into the mattress.

Back sleepers: if you like a flatter, more stable surface and dislike a plush cradle, the AS1 is the more natural fit. Stomach sleepers: its firm profile is the more relevant of the two if you want less give around your midsection. These are fit recommendations based on the brands’ stated firmness and intended sleep positions—not a promise that your body will respond the same way.

Side sleepers should be cautious. A firm surface can feel unforgiving at the shoulder and hip, especially if you have a narrow frame or want noticeable pressure cushioning. If you sleep on your side for most of the night, compare the AS1 with a softer option rather than buying it just because the product page mentions support.

Zoma Start: firm hybrid pushback

The Zoma Start pairs 1 inch of gel memory foam with 1 inch of Reactiv responsive foam and an 8-inch pocket-coil core. Zoma describes the Start as Firm (7/10). That hybrid setup gives you a different kind of support from the AS1: foam cushions at the surface, while coils add spring and make the bed feel less like one solid slab of foam.

If you shift positions or dislike the slower, hugging sensation some memory foam creates, the Start’s Reactiv layer and pocket coils may sound more appealing. Its firmness still matters: don’t assume “hybrid” means soft. Zoma rates this mattress firm, so side sleepers who need a plush pressure-relieving surface should test their preferences carefully during the trial.

Neither company’s firmness number is a universal measurement. A 7/10 label is a useful starting point, not a guarantee of identical feel across body types, bed frames, or sleeping positions.

Foam-only or coils: which construction makes sense?

The AS1 keeps its construction straightforward: a memory-foam comfort layer over a foam support base. The Bio-Pur name refers to Amerisleep’s foam; the company describes it as plant-based and more responsive than traditional memory foam. The important practical distinction is still that the AS1 has no coil unit.

The Zoma Start has a breathable mesh cover made from polyester and spandex, then the two foam layers above its pocketed-coil core. Zoma specifies different coil gauges in the center and perimeter. For you, the simple takeaway is a spring-supported hybrid design rather than an all-foam mattress. A coil core can feel more buoyant, but that alone does not prove it will sleep cooler or last longer for every person.

• Pick AS1’s all-foam build if you want a simpler layer stack and prefer foam’s closer, quieter feel.
• Pick Zoma’s hybrid build if you want coils under the foam and a more responsive surface.
• Check your foundation. Amerisleep says foam mattresses need a solid or appropriately slatted base and advises against box springs. Zoma says the Start can work with a variety of setups, including a foundation or adjustable base.

How much could the trial really cost you?

On their product pages, both brands advertise a 100-night home trial and free returns. Those headlines are helpful, but read the return rules before checkout: an advertised free return is not the same as an unconditional return on any day, and accessory or foundation purchases may have separate terms.

Amerisleep says you should keep the mattress for the first 30 nights before asking for a return; the product page says its team will provide a full refund if you don’t love it after that period. So the practical no-go point is not night one: allow the adjustment window, then contact support within the trial if the AS1 is not working for you.

Zoma advertises a 100-night trial and free returns on the Start product page. Its published product details say shipping is free in the lower 48 states; the mattress generally leaves its facility within 5–7 business days and then arrives by FedEx in 1–5 business days. Check the current trial terms for the minimum tryout period and return procedure before placing the order. Don’t count an unconfirmed fee or refund as a guaranteed $0 outcome.

“Cost of the trial” therefore depends on the exact order and the written policy that applies when you buy. The listed product pages advertise free returns, but they do not give enough detail here to calculate a guaranteed all-in return cost for every circumstance. Save the policy shown at checkout and confirm whether the mattress must be donated or collected, how the pickup is arranged, and whether a promotional price changes the refund amount.

Warranty and delivery: compare the fine print

Amerisleep offers a 20-year warranty. Its product page describes the first 10 years as replacement coverage for defects, including sagging greater than 1.5 inches, and the second 10 years as prorated replacement. The prorated years are not the same as full replacement coverage: review the complete warranty for eligibility, foundation requirements, transportation costs, and what counts as a defect.

Zoma offers a 10-year warranty. Its product details describe repair or replacement during that period for covered workmanship and structural defects. The warranty period alone does not tell you whether two plans are equal; check exclusions, proof-of-purchase rules, proper base requirements, and any shipping or handling charges in the complete terms.

Amerisleep describes free shipping within the continental United States and says its mattresses usually arrive in two weeks or less. Zoma advertises free shipping and returns in the lower 48; the Start is made to order and its product page gives a 5–7-business-day departure estimate followed by a 1–5-business-day FedEx transit estimate. If you need the mattress by a particular date, use the current delivery estimate at checkout rather than relying on a general range.

Who should not buy either mattress?

• Don’t buy the AS1 if you want a soft, plush bed. Amerisleep calls it its firmest option.
• Don’t buy the Zoma Start if you want a clearly soft feel. Zoma rates it firm at 7/10 even though it has foam over coils.
• Don’t choose the AS1 just to avoid coils if you sleep mostly on your side and need more cushioning at pressure points.
• Don’t choose the Start only because it is a hybrid if you dislike a firm surface; its construction does not change Zoma’s firm rating.
• Don’t order the AS1 Queen based on the displayed price alone. The product page marks Queen out of stock.

If you share a bed, discuss motion and feel preferences together. Both models use foam comfort layers, but only the Zoma Start adds a pocket-coil core. Your partner may value the AS1’s simpler, foam-only feel while you prefer hybrid bounce—or vice versa. A 100-night trial gives you time at home, but use the exact return conditions for your order.

What we checked

• Fit: each brand’s firmness description and recommended sleep positions.
• Build: mattress height, foam layers, and whether the support core uses foam or coils.
• Purchase terms: sizes, displayed Queen price and availability, trial, returns, warranty, and delivery.

How we compared the AS1 and Zoma Start

This head-to-head focuses on the details that change a purchase decision: mattress type, layer construction, stated firmness, recommended sleep positions, available sizes, displayed Queen pricing, trial terms, warranty length, and shipping. The comparison uses each brand’s product information for its own specifications and commercial promises. We did not sleep on or independently test either mattress, so comfort descriptions are tied to published construction and stated firmness rather than a hands-on score.

Price is a point-in-time listing, not a promise that the same promotion will remain available. We also separate trial, return policy, warranty, and delivery instead of treating them as interchangeable: a long warranty does not extend the sleep trial, and a free-shipping offer does not establish what a return will cost in every situation.

Also considered

If you want more context before you decide, read our Amerisleep AS1 review for a closer look at that all-foam model, and our Zoma mattress reviews for the broader lineup. The Zoma Start is not interchangeable with every Zoma mattress: this comparison is specifically about the Start Hybrid.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Amerisleep AS1 softer than the Zoma Start?

Amerisleep calls the AS1 its firmest mattress, while Zoma rates the Start Hybrid firm at 7/10. Those descriptions point to two firm options; they do not establish a precise head-to-head firmness ranking because the brands use their own labels.

Which is better for a back sleeper?

The AS1 is specifically positioned for back and stomach sleepers and is Amerisleep’s firmest all-foam option. The Zoma Start is also firm, but its pocket-coil hybrid design may appeal more if you want springier support. I’d start with the AS1 if you prefer foam and the Start if you prefer a hybrid feel.

Which one is better for side sleepers?

Neither is an obvious choice for someone who wants a soft, deeply cushioning surface: both brands describe their mattress as firm. If you sleep on your side, pay close attention to shoulder and hip pressure during the trial, and consider a softer model if firm beds usually feel uncomfortable to you.

Are both mattresses 10 inches tall?

Yes. Amerisleep lists the AS1 at 10 inches, and Zoma lists the Start Hybrid at 10 inches.

Which has the longer warranty?

Amerisleep advertises 20 years for the AS1, with the first 10 years described as replacement coverage and the next 10 as prorated replacement. Zoma advertises a 10-year warranty for the Start. Compare the written coverage and exclusions, not just the number of years.

Can I return either mattress if I change my mind?

Both brands advertise a 100-night trial and free returns on their product pages. Amerisleep says to keep the mattress for the first 30 nights. Review each brand’s complete current return terms before buying, including the return process and any conditions that apply to your specific order.

Is the AS1 Queen available?

The AS1 product page marks Queen out of stock while displaying a promotional price. Confirm availability directly before planning around that amount.

What is the main difference between the AS1 and Zoma Start?

The AS1 is all foam, with Bio-Pur over Bio-Core foam. The Zoma Start is a hybrid with gel memory foam and Reactiv foam over a pocket-coil core. Choose by the kind of support you want, not by the brand’s marketing language alone.