by The Amerisleep AS3 is the better choice for most sleepers: medium firmness covers combination sleepers, back sleepers, and lighter side sleepers. The Amerisleep AS5 wins for strict side sleepers with hip or shoulder pressure issues who need the extra depth of the Active Flex layer.
Amerisleep AS3
9.2/10
- HIVE 5-zone support adjusts firmness by body zone without requiring a firmness selection
- Plant-based Bio-Pur open-cell foam runs cooler than petroleum memory foam
- Covers the widest range of sleeper profiles: side, back, and combination
- CertiPUR-US certified, 20-year warranty, made in the USA
- Softer perimeter edge than any coil hybrid
- Lighter side sleepers under 130 lb may want the softer AS5 instead
- 12-inch height is modest compared to premium hybrids
The AS3 combines medium firmness with HIVE zoning for back and side sleepers. Its queen is $1,249 on sale ($1,749 regular) with code AS500. The AS5 queen is $1,849 on sale ($2,349 regular).
Amerisleep AS5
8.7/10
- Active Flex layer adds 2 inches of deep contouring for shoulder and hip relief
- Deeper shoulder and hip contouring than the AS3 for strict side sleepers
- Deepest plush option in the Amerisleep lineup (3/10 firmness)
- Same 100-night trial and 20-year warranty as the AS3
- Too soft for stomach sleepers; lumbar will sag
- All-foam edge support is weak; get the AS5 Hybrid if edges matter
- $1,849 on sale ($2,349 regular); heavier sleepers may sink too far
For strict side sleepers with hip bursitis, shoulder bursitis, or chronic joint pressure at night, the AS5's Active Flex layer delivers noticeably more cushioning than the AS3. It is a specialist buy for one profile, not a versatile choice for couples with mixed sleep styles.
Amerisleep AS3 vs AS5: side-by-side specs
Both mattresses share the same Bio-Pur foam chemistry, HIVE zoning, and Bio-Core support base. The AS5 adds an Active Flex layer and grows to 14 inches total. That single construction difference drives nearly every performance gap in this comparison.
| Mattress | Type | Firmness | Trial | Warranty | Queen price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amerisleep AS3 | All-foam (Bio-Pur) | Medium 5/10 | 100 nights | 20 years | $1,249 (queen) |
| Amerisleep AS5 | All-foam (Bio-Pur + Active Flex) | Soft 3/10 | 100 nights | 20 years | $1,849 |
What is actually different inside
Both models stack the same three core layers: Bio-Pur plant-based memory foam on top, HIVE hexagonal transition in the middle, and Bio-Core dense support at the base. The AS3 runs 12 inches total. The AS5 inserts a second foam layer, Active Flex, between the Bio-Pur and HIVE layers, pushing total height to 14 inches.
Active Flex is a responsive, springy foam that allows the Bio-Pur layer to sink deeper without reaching the firmer HIVE layer as quickly. For a strict side sleeper, that additional depth absorbs hip and shoulder pressure that would otherwise concentrate at the HIVE boundary. For a combination sleeper or back sleeper, that extra depth works against them: the surface is too soft to keep hips in neutral alignment across all positions.
The price difference reflects the Active Flex layer and extra material. The AS3 queen is $1,249 on sale ($1,749 regular); the AS5 queen is $1,849 on sale ($2,349 regular). Both beds use the same Refresh fiber cover, CertiPUR-US certified foam stack, 100-night trial, and 20-year warranty.
Pressure relief: where the gap is real
We have not pressure-mapped these mattresses ourselves. Here is how they compare on construction and independent data:
- AS3: medium feel; NapLab rates its pressure relief 10/10.
- AS5: the softest all-foam Amerisleep model, with 2 extra inches of Active Flex foam for deeper shoulder and hip contouring.
That difference matters most for strict side sleepers. If you sleep exclusively on your side and wake with shoulder or hip soreness, the AS5's extra cushioning is worth trying. The AS3 is still above average for a medium foam bed; it just stops short of the AS5's deep contouring because there is no Active Flex layer to absorb the deeper sink.
For back sleepers, the results flip. The AS3's medium feel keeps hips in neutral alignment; the AS5 lets the pelvis drop too far, which reverses the lumbar curve. Back sleepers should not consider the AS5.
Cooling: both run above average, AS3 is marginally cooler
Bio-Pur's open-cell structure is the same compound in both mattresses. We expect the AS5's thicker comfort stack to trap slightly more body heat. NapLab rates the all-foam AS3 9/10 for cooling, with a peak surface temperature of 85.4°F. For hot sleepers, the AS3 is the marginally safer pick.
Edge support: the all-foam ceiling
Neither all-foam model has strong perimeter support. NapLab measured 5.5 inches of sitting compression on the AS3, and the softer AS5 should sink further. Both are typical of all-foam constructions. If edge support is a priority (couples sleeping at the edge, or sitting to dress), get the AS3 Hybrid or AS5 Hybrid instead. Both hybrid variants replace the Bio-Core base with individually wrapped coils and firm the perimeter significantly (NapLab: 9.6/10 edge support on the AS3 Hybrid).
Who should buy which
Buy the AS3 if you:
- Are a combination sleeper who switches between side and back through the night
- Share the bed with a partner who has a different sleep style
- Are a back sleeper 130–230 lb who wants medium support without firmness
- Are a side sleeper who prefers a medium feel and finds it comfortable at the shoulders and hips)
- Want the AS3's medium feel across more sleeper types; compare current prices
Buy the AS5 if you:
- Sleep exclusively on your side, especially at 150 lb or heavier
- Prefer a softer surface with more cushioning at the hips and shoulders
- Previously used a Tempur-Pedic Cloud or similar plush and want that level of contour
- Both partners sleep strictly on their sides and pressure relief is the priority
What about the hybrid versions?
Both beds use the same trial and warranty terms across their foam and hybrid configurations. Hybrid models add pocketed coils for bounce, edge support, and airflow. AS3 Hybrid queen: $1,449 sale ($1,949 regular); AS5 Hybrid queen: $2,149 sale ($2,649 regular).
Heavier sleepers above 230 lb should seriously consider the Amerisleep AS3 Hybrid. The coil core provides support continuity for higher loads that the all-foam Bio-Core does not. For the same reason, the AS5 all-foam is generally not recommended for sleepers over 230 lb.
The price difference
The AS3 queen is $1,249 on sale ($1,749 regular) with code AS500. The AS5 queen is $1,849 on sale ($2,349 regular); event pricing is announced when the sale starts. Check current Amerisleep coupon codes before purchasing. Free shipping and returns apply to both during the 100-night trial.
For the AS5 Hybrid queen, $2,149 on sale ($2,649 regular).
For most sleepers, the Amerisleep AS3 is the better buy: medium firmness, HIVE zoning, and a 100-night trial. Queen sale prices are $1,249 for the AS3 and $1,849 for the AS5. For strict side sleepers with hip or shoulder pressure, the Amerisleep AS5 delivers deeper cushioning than the AS3.
Frequently asked questions
Can I exchange my AS3 for an AS5 during the trial?
Amerisleep's trial page does not describe a comfort-exchange program. If the AS3 feels too firm, you can return it after 30 nights within the 100-night window and order an AS5; ask customer service whether a direct exchange is possible.
Is Bio-Pur foam in the AS3 and AS5 the same material?
Yes. Both use the same Bio-Pur plant-based memory foam compound with the same open-cell structure and CertiPUR-US certification. The difference is construction depth, not foam chemistry.
Does the AS5 sleep hot?
Likely slightly warmer than the AS3, because the thicker comfort stack traps marginally more body heat. Neither mattress is a hot sleeper problem by foam standards. Hot sleepers who still want the AS5's pressure relief should pair it with a cooling topper.
How does the warranty work on both?
Both carry Amerisleep's 20-year split warranty: years 1–10 are full replacement at no cost for defects or sagging over 1.5 inches; years 11–20 are prorated replacement coverage; labor and transport are not covered.
Which is better for lower back pain?
The AS3. Medium firmness keeps the lumbar in neutral alignment for back sleepers. The AS5's soft surface allows deeper sinkage than the AS3's medium surface, which may not suit every sleeper. See our best mattress for lower back pain guide for a broader comparison.