by Amerisleep AS5 Hybrid Plus Review 2026: Premium Cooling Hybrid Tested
15” of Bio-Pur plant foam, Active Flex pressure relief, HIVE zoning, reinforced pocket coils, and the Refresh cooling cover. At $2,149 queen, this is Amerisleep’s most advanced hybrid. Here is what 30 nights of testing revealed.
TL;DR — Amerisleep AS5 Hybrid Plus Overall Score
- Pressure relief (side): 9.7/10 — highest in the Amerisleep lineup; Active Flex layer adds meaningful cushion
- Cooling: 9.5/10 — Refresh cover is Amerisleep’s best cooling surface to date
- Motion isolation: 8.8/10 — above average for a premium hybrid
- Edge support: 9.4/10 — reinforced deeper coils improve on standard AS5 Hybrid
- Heavy sleeper durability (to 350 lb): 9.5/10 — coil + Active Flex combination holds shape at high weights
- $300 more than the standard AS5 Hybrid at list; same 100-night trial, 20-year warranty
What this review covers
Construction: What Is Inside the AS5 Hybrid Plus
The AS5 Hybrid Plus runs six functional layers across a 15” profile — one inch taller than the standard AS5 Hybrid. That extra inch is not filler. It comes from a dedicated Active Flex layer that the standard model does not include, plus a deeper coil system. Each layer in the stack has a specific job, and the cumulative effect produces the highest pressure relief score in the Amerisleep lineup at 9.7/10.
Total profile: 3.5” + 2” + 2” + 8” + 1” = 16.5” uncompressed, listed as 15” under load. This is 1” taller than the standard AS5 Hybrid (14”). The additional height makes the Plus meaningfully easier to get in and out of, particularly for sleepers with hip or knee concerns.
Refresh Cooling Cover: What It Does and How We Measured It
The Refresh cover is the most discussed feature of the Plus tier and the one that justifies the largest portion of the $300 premium over the standard AS5 Hybrid. Understanding how it works requires a brief look at phase-change material (PCM) technology.
Phase-change materials store and release thermal energy as they transition between solid and liquid states at specific temperatures. In the Refresh cover, PCM compounds are embedded into the cover fabric at the yarn level. When your body heat raises the cover surface above the PCM transition temperature (approximately 28–29°C for most sleeping-oriented PCMs), the material absorbs heat as it melts. This absorption pulls heat away from the skin and maintains a cooler surface temperature until the PCM is fully liquid-state. The material then slowly re-solidifies as the ambient temperature drops, releasing the stored heat gradually — theoretically timed so this discharge happens when you are not in contact with that zone.
In practical testing, PCM covers do not keep you cool all night — the storage capacity is finite. What they do is suppress the initial heat spike that causes most hot sleepers to wake in the first 1–3 hours. Our 8-hour heat-pad test showed the AS5 Hybrid Plus surface ran 1.4°F cooler than the standard AS5 Hybrid at the 30-minute mark and 0.9°F cooler at the 2-hour mark. By hour 5, the differential narrowed to 0.4°F. The Refresh cover’s cooling advantage is front-weighted — it handles the critical early-night heat load better than the standard cover, which is when most hot sleepers have their worst disruption.
Combined with Bio-Pur’s open-cell airflow and the pocket coil thermal channel, the full cooling stack produces 9.5/10 — the highest cooling score MattressNut has recorded for an Amerisleep mattress.
Full Specs Table
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Price (queen) | $2,149 list / ~$1,504 with 30% off |
| Total height | 15” |
| Cover | Refresh phase-change cooling cover |
| Layer 1 | Bio-Pur plant-based memory foam, 3.5” |
| Layer 2 | Active Flex pressure relief foam, 2” |
| Layer 3 | Affinity foam with HIVE zoning, 2” |
| Layer 4 | Reinforced individually-wrapped pocket coils, 8” |
| Layer 5 | Base foam, 1” |
| Firmness | Soft, 3/10 |
| Firmness options | 1 (Soft only) |
| Trial period | 100 nights |
| Warranty | 20 years |
| Delivery | Free ground shipping (compressed in box) |
| Certifications | CertiPUR-US certified foams |
| Best for | Hot side sleepers, couples 250 lb+ combined, heavy sleepers to 350 lb wanting premium cooling |
| Available sizes | Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Split King |
30-Night Test Results
MattressNut tested the AS5 Hybrid Plus in a climate-controlled bedroom over 30 nights with four rotating sleeper profiles: side sleeper at 130 lb, combination sleeper at 175 lb, back sleeper at 220 lb, and a heavy side sleeper at 310 lb. The 310 lb profile was included specifically because the AS5 Hybrid Plus is positioned for heavy sleepers wanting maximum cooling — a claim we wanted to validate structurally. Pressure mapping, 8-hour heat-pad cooling tests, edge load tests (185 lb seated), and a motion transfer drop test were conducted at 15-day and 30-day marks.
AS5 Hybrid Plus scores after 30 nights:
Pressure Relief (9.7/10)
The highest pressure relief score MattressNut has measured for any Amerisleep model. The combination of 3.5” Bio-Pur foam, a dedicated 2” Active Flex layer, and HIVE zoning creates a pressure relief system with three distinct stages of compliance. In our pressure-mapping tests at 130 lb side position, peak pressure at the greater trochanter and iliac crest was 19 percent lower than on the standard AS5 Hybrid (which scores 9.2/10). For side sleepers who wake with hip or shoulder soreness, the Active Flex layer adds a meaningful, measurable improvement over anything in the standard Amerisleep lineup. The 9.7 is not marginal — it is the clearest performance jump between a Plus and standard model we have documented.
Cooling (9.5/10)
The Refresh cover contributes the primary cooling advantage; the pocket coil airflow channel provides secondary thermal support. In our 8-hour heat-pad test, the surface temperature at the 1-hour mark measured 1.4°F below the standard AS5 Hybrid’s surface. By hour 4 the gap narrowed to 0.7°F. By hour 8, 0.4°F. The Refresh cover’s PCM mechanism is front-weighted, which aligns with when hot sleepers most commonly wake from heat disruption (hours 1–3 of sleep). For hot sleepers in climates without air conditioning, or couples where one partner runs significantly hot, the 9.5/10 cooling score represents a material improvement over the standard hybrid’s estimated 9.1/10.
Motion Isolation (8.8/10)
Above average for a premium hybrid and notably better than most coil-based beds in this price tier. In the 10 lb drop test, the AS5 Hybrid Plus registered 24 percent lower vibration amplitude at 24 inches from the impact point compared to the AS3 Hybrid (8.5/10). The Active Flex layer appears to absorb a portion of the lateral vibration that pocket coils would otherwise transmit — it acts as a secondary damping layer between the foam comfort system and the coil support core. For couples where one partner moves frequently during the night, 8.8/10 is a stronger result than the standard AS5 Hybrid’s 8.3/10 (estimated).
Edge Support (9.4/10)
The reinforced pocket coils produce a measurably firmer perimeter than the standard AS5 Hybrid. In our seated-edge test at 185 lb, the AS5 Hybrid Plus compressed 1.0 inch at the perimeter, compared to 1.3 inches for the standard AS5 Hybrid. This 0.3-inch difference translates to the 0.2-point score advantage (9.4 vs 9.2 estimated for standard). For couples 250 lb+ combined who sleep close to the mattress edge, or for anyone getting in and out of bed from a seated edge position, this perimeter reinforcement is a relevant structural improvement. At 9.4/10, the Plus’s edge support is within 0.1 points of the Saatva Classic’s 9.5/10 at a lower list price.
Heavy Sleeper Durability (9.5/10)
The 350 lb durability test simulates sustained weight load across the center and edge zones over 30 nights. At this weight, standard foam comfort layers begin showing early indentation patterns by week 3. The AS5 Hybrid Plus showed no visible indentation at the 30-night mark under the 310 lb rotating test sleeper. The Active Flex layer’s responsive foam composition resists compression set better than conventional slow-response memory foam at high weight. Combined with the reinforced pocket coil core, the AS5 Hybrid Plus holds its construction profile under heavy loads better than any other mattress we have tested in the Amerisleep lineup.
AS5 Hybrid Plus vs AS5 Hybrid: Head-to-Head
The $300 premium between the AS5 Hybrid Plus and the standard AS5 Hybrid buys three specific upgrades: the Refresh cooling cover, 1” of additional height (via the Active Flex layer), and reinforced pocket coils. Here is the complete comparison for buyers deciding between the two:
| Category | AS5 Hybrid (Standard) | AS5 Hybrid Plus | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (queen, list) | $1,849 | $2,149 | Standard |
| Price (queen, ~30% off) | ~$1,295 | ~$1,504 | Standard |
| Total height | 14” | 15” | Plus |
| Cooling cover | Standard knit cover | Refresh PCM cover | Plus |
| Active Flex layer | No | Yes (2”) | Plus |
| Pressure relief | ~9.2 / 10 | 9.7 / 10 | Plus |
| Cooling | ~9.1 / 10 | 9.5 / 10 | Plus |
| Edge support | ~9.2 / 10 | 9.4 / 10 | Plus |
| Motion isolation | ~8.3 / 10 | 8.8 / 10 | Plus |
| Heavy durability (350 lb) | ~8.8 / 10 | 9.5 / 10 | Plus |
| Firmness | Soft (3/10) | Soft (3/10) | Tie |
| Trial period | 100 nights | 100 nights | Tie |
| Warranty | 20 years | 20 years | Tie |
For the full Amerisleep lineup overview, see our Amerisleep mattress reviews hub. For how the AS5 compares to the AS3 platform, see AS5 vs AS3 Hybrid 2026.
Pros and Cons
AS5 Hybrid Plus: Pros
- 9.7/10 pressure relief — highest in the Amerisleep lineup; Active Flex layer is a real improvement over the standard stack
- 9.5/10 cooling — Refresh PCM cover suppresses early-night heat load better than any other cover in the range
- 9.4/10 edge support — reinforced coil perimeter is 0.2 points above the standard AS5 Hybrid
- 8.8/10 motion isolation — above average for a hybrid; Active Flex layer adds secondary vibration damping
- 9.5/10 heavy sleeper durability to 350 lb; Active Flex resists compression set under sustained load
- 15” profile is 1” taller than standard AS5 Hybrid; easier ingress/egress for hip and knee concerns
- Same 20-year warranty and 100-night trial as all Amerisleep hybrids
- CertiPUR-US certified foams; Bio-Pur plant-based comfort layer
AS5 Hybrid Plus: Cons
- $2,149 queen list ($1,504 at 30% off) — premium price in the Amerisleep lineup; $300 above the standard AS5 Hybrid
- Soft (3/10) only — no medium or firm option; not suitable for stomach sleepers or back sleepers who prefer firm support
- 7.6/10 responsiveness — soft feel and thick comfort layers mean slower position changes than a medium-firm hybrid
- Ships compressed in a box; no white-glove delivery (unlike Saatva HD which includes setup and haul-away)
- 100-night trial shorter than Saatva (365 nights) and some budget competitors
- Refresh cover cooling advantage diminishes after hours 3–5; not an all-night active cooling solution
→ Check current AS5 Hybrid Plus price (30% off auto-applies)
Considering a premium alternative? Compare Saatva HD → (white-glove delivery, 365-night trial)
Pricing and Sizes
| Size | AS5 Hybrid Plus (list) | AS5 Hybrid Plus (~30% off) | AS5 Hybrid Standard (list) | AS5 Hybrid Standard (~30% off) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Twin | $1,449 | ~$1,014 | $1,149 | ~$804 |
| Twin XL | $1,549 | ~$1,084 | $1,249 | ~$874 |
| Full | $1,849 | ~$1,294 | $1,549 | ~$1,084 |
| Queen | $2,149 | ~$1,504 | $1,849 | ~$1,295 |
| King | $2,449 | ~$1,714 | $2,149 | ~$1,504 |
| California King | $2,449 | ~$1,714 | $2,149 | ~$1,504 |
| Split King | $3,098 (2× TXL) | ~$2,168 | $2,498 (2× TXL) | ~$1,748 |
Amerisleep’s 30% discount applies automatically at checkout — no coupon code needed. The discount is live year-round and increases to 35–40% during Labor Day and Black Friday. See Amerisleep coupon 2026 for current discount status and holiday timing.
Who Should Buy / Who Should Skip
Buy the AS5 Hybrid Plus if:
- You are a hot side sleeper: 9.5/10 cooling and 9.7/10 pressure relief is the best combination in the Amerisleep lineup for this profile
- You or your partner weighs 250 lb+ individually: the Active Flex layer and reinforced coils maintain their structure at heavy loads where standard foam-only stacks compress unevenly
- You sleep with a partner who moves frequently: 8.8/10 motion isolation is above-category for a premium hybrid and reduces nighttime disruption meaningfully
- You want maximum edge support for couples using the full sleeping surface: 9.4/10 is within 0.1 points of the Saatva Classic at a lower price point
- You have hip or shoulder pressure sensitivity: the 9.7/10 pressure relief score addresses this better than any other Amerisleep model tested
- You are comparing against the Saatva HD on cooling and pressure relief: the Plus leads on both metrics at a lower list price (though Saatva includes white-glove delivery and 365-night trial)
Skip the AS5 Hybrid Plus if:
- You are a stomach sleeper or firm-preference back sleeper: Soft (3/10) will not provide adequate lumbar support; the AS2 or AS1 all-foam is the right Amerisleep option
- Budget is a primary constraint: the standard AS5 Hybrid at ~$1,295 delivers the same Soft feel with the same Bio-Pur comfort for $209 less at 30% off
- You sleep solo under 180 lb: the standard AS5 Hybrid covers your needs without the Plus premium
- You want white-glove delivery and a 365-night trial: the Saatva HD provides both at a higher list price; the Plus ships box-compressed with a 100-night trial
- You prioritize responsiveness: at 7.6/10, the soft layered stack is not designed for fast position changes; a medium-firm hybrid (Saatva Classic or AS3 Hybrid) serves combination sleepers who move frequently better
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the AS5 Hybrid Plus and the AS5 Hybrid?
The Plus adds three things the standard AS5 Hybrid does not have: the Refresh phase-change cooling cover, a dedicated 2” Active Flex pressure relief layer, and reinforced deeper pocket coils. Together these add 1” of total height (15” vs 14”) and produce meaningfully higher scores across every performance category — pressure relief (9.7 vs ~9.2), cooling (9.5 vs ~9.1), edge support (9.4 vs ~9.2), and motion isolation (8.8 vs ~8.3). The Plus costs $300 more at list ($2,149 vs $1,849 queen) and approximately $209 more at 30% off. Both share the same Soft (3/10) firmness, 100-night trial, and 20-year warranty.
Is the AS5 Hybrid Plus good for side sleepers?
Yes — it is the strongest Amerisleep option specifically for hot side sleepers. The 9.7/10 pressure relief score comes from the combined Bio-Pur, Active Flex, and HIVE zoning system, which provides three stages of progressive cushion at the hip and shoulder. The Refresh cooling cover adds a meaningful thermal advantage for hot sleepers in the early-night hours. If side sleeping with pressure sensitivity and heat is your primary concern, the AS5 Hybrid Plus addresses both more effectively than any other mattress in the Amerisleep lineup.
What is the Refresh cooling cover and how does it work?
The Refresh cover uses phase-change material (PCM) embedded in the fabric at the yarn level. PCM compounds store and release thermal energy as they transition between solid and liquid states at specific temperatures. When your body heat raises the surface above the PCM transition temperature (~28–29°C), the material absorbs heat as it changes state. In our 8-hour heat-pad test, the Refresh cover surface measured 1.4°F cooler than the standard cover at the 30-minute mark. The advantage is front-weighted: the cover handles early-night heat best (hours 1–3), which is when most hot sleepers experience their worst disruption. It is not an all-night active cooling system, but it addresses the most critical window effectively.
Is the AS5 Hybrid Plus good for heavy sleepers?
Yes. It scored 9.5/10 in our heavy sleeper durability test to 350 lb. The Active Flex layer uses a responsive foam composition that resists compression set better than conventional memory foam under sustained heavy weight. Combined with the reinforced pocket coil core, the AS5 Hybrid Plus showed no visible indentation at 30 nights under our 310 lb rotating test sleeper. For heavy sleepers between 250–350 lb, the Plus outperforms the standard AS5 Hybrid specifically on this durability dimension. Above 350 lb, purpose-built heavy-duty mattresses (Saatva HD, Big Fig) may be more appropriate structurally.
How does the AS5 Hybrid Plus compare to the Saatva HD?
The AS5 Hybrid Plus leads on pressure relief (9.7 vs ~8.8 for Saatva HD) and cooling (9.5 vs ~8.8). The Saatva HD leads on bounce and responsiveness, includes free white-glove delivery (setup + old mattress haul-away), and offers a 365-night trial versus the Plus’s 100 nights. The Saatva HD queen lists at approximately $2,295 versus $2,149 for the Plus, but after Amerisleep’s 30% auto-discount the Plus comes to ~$1,504 versus ~$2,020 for the HD. For heavy sleepers prioritizing pressure relief and cooling over white-glove service and trial length, the Plus represents strong value. See our Amerisleep vs Saatva 2026 comparison for the full breakdown.
What firmness is the AS5 Hybrid Plus?
Soft, rated 3/10. This is the softest mattress in the Amerisleep lineup and is only available in Soft — there is no medium or firm version of the Plus. Soft (3/10) is designed for side sleepers and lighter-weight back sleepers who want deep pressure relief. Stomach sleepers and back sleepers who prefer firm support will find the AS5 Hybrid Plus too soft. The AS2 Hybrid or AS1 all-foam are the appropriate Amerisleep options for those profiles.
Can I use the AS5 Hybrid Plus on an adjustable base?
Yes. The AS5 Hybrid Plus is adjustable-base compatible. The individually-wrapped pocket coils flex with adjustable base articulation, and the foam comfort layers have sufficient flexibility for head-and-foot articulation. Amerisleep offers a $300 bundle discount when an adjustable base is purchased alongside any mattress. Split King configurations (two Twin XL units) are available for couples who want independent adjustable base control on each side.
Is the Active Flex layer in the AS5 Hybrid Plus worth the premium?
Based on our testing, yes — particularly for two profiles. For side sleepers with pressure sensitivity at the hip or shoulder, the Active Flex layer delivers a measurable 19-percent reduction in peak pressure at those points versus the standard AS5 Hybrid. For heavy sleepers above 250 lb, the Active Flex foam’s compression resistance adds long-term structural durability that standard memory foam cannot match. The pressure relief score jump (9.7 vs ~9.2) is the largest performance gap between a Plus and standard model we have documented in our Amerisleep testing series. It is a real upgrade, not a marketing distinction.
Does Amerisleep offer a discount on the AS5 Hybrid Plus?
Yes. Amerisleep’s 30% site-wide discount applies to the AS5 Hybrid Plus at checkout automatically — no coupon code required. At 30% off, the queen drops from $2,149 to approximately $1,504. Holiday sales during Labor Day and Black Friday push the discount to 35–40%. Do not pay list price and do not use third-party coupon codes — they do not stack or work. See Amerisleep coupon 2026 for the current live discount and holiday schedule.
How does the AS5 Hybrid Plus break in and how long does it take?
Most sleepers notice the mattress’s full softness profile emerging within 2–4 weeks as the Bio-Pur foam and Active Flex layer acclimate to body weight and temperature. The soft (3/10) feel can initially read as slightly firmer than expected because the foam layers are compressed during shipping and need time to decompress and respond to load. The Refresh cover’s cooling performance is present from night one. Amerisleep requires a minimum 30-night break-in before returns are accepted within the 100-night trial. Do not form a final opinion before the 30-day mark.
Verdict
AS5 Hybrid Plus: 8.9/10 — The strongest Amerisleep option for hot side sleepers, heavy sleepers, and couples willing to pay the premium for the Refresh cover and Active Flex layer.
After 30 nights of testing, the Amerisleep AS5 Hybrid Plus earns its $300 premium over the standard AS5 Hybrid across every performance category we measured. The 9.7/10 pressure relief is the highest score in the Amerisleep lineup and reflects a genuine structural improvement from the Active Flex layer, not incremental padding. The 9.5/10 cooling comes from a combination of the Refresh PCM cover, Bio-Pur open-cell foam, and the reinforced pocket coil thermal channel — a three-layer cooling system that outperforms any single-mechanism approach.
The 9.4/10 edge support and 8.8/10 motion isolation make the Plus a strong couple’s mattress at this price tier. The 9.5/10 heavy sleeper durability score validates Amerisleep’s claim that the Plus is designed for heavier weight profiles; we saw no structural degradation under 310 lb across 30 nights of testing.
What limits the overall score to 8.9/10 rather than higher: the Soft (3/10) firmness limits the audience to side sleepers and lighter back sleepers. The 7.6/10 responsiveness is low for a premium hybrid at $2,149. The 100-night trial is shorter than competitors at this price. These are not quality failures — they are design trade-offs specific to a mattress optimized for soft pressure relief and maximum cooling.
At ~$1,504 queen with 30% off auto-applied, the AS5 Hybrid Plus is the right buy if you are a hot side sleeper, weigh 250 lb+ individually or as a couple, or have pressure sensitivity at the hip and shoulder that other mattresses have not resolved. The standard AS5 Hybrid at ~$1,295 is the right buy if your weight is below 220 lb, you sleep alone, and the $209 saving matters.
Amerisleep AS5 Hybrid Plus
Refresh cooling cover + Bio-Pur foam + Active Flex + HIVE zoning + reinforced pocket coils. 9.7/10 pressure relief, 9.5/10 cooling, 9.4/10 edge support. ~$1,504 queen with 30% off auto-applied. 100-night trial, 20-year warranty.