by In a direct head-to-head, Amerisleep AS3 wins on pressure relief, cooling, and motion isolation. Its Bio-Pur open-cell foam runs cooler than Bear's petroleum memory foam, and HIVE 5-zone support targets hip and shoulder pressure directly. Bear Original counters with a Celliant infrared cover built for athlete recovery and a 120-night trial. For most sleepers, the AS3 is the better buy.
Amerisleep AS3
9.1/10
- HIVE 5-zone support firms under the lumbar and softens under shoulders and hips
- Bio-Pur plant-based open-cell foam runs cooler than conventional petroleum memory foam
- 9.0/10 motion isolation, strong for couples
- CertiPUR-US certified, made in the USA, 20-year warranty
- Softer edges than a hybrid with reinforced coil perimeter
- One firmness option, not ideal for stomach sleepers over 160 lb
The AS3 wins four performance categories against Bear Original: pressure relief, cooling, motion isolation, and edge support. At current sale pricing it costs $51 more than the $1,098 Bear Original shown here. For side sleepers, hot sleepers, and couples, it is the stronger pick by a clear margin.
Amerisleep AS3 vs Bear Original: side-by-side specs
Both mattresses are all-foam and price within a few hundred dollars of each other at queen. The structural differences are sharper than the price gap: Amerisleep uses Bio-Pur plant-based memory foam and a HIVE zoned transition layer to target pressure relief, while Bear uses conventional memory foam under a Celliant infrared-converting cover aimed at athlete recovery. That philosophy gap drives every category result below.
| Mattress | Type | Firmness | Trial | Warranty | Queen price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amerisleep AS3 | All-foam (Bio-Pur) | Medium 5/10 | 365 nights | 20 years | $1,149 (queen) |
| Bear Original | All-foam (Celliant cover) | Medium-firm 6/10 | 120 nights | Lifetime | ~$1,098 |
Construction breakdown
Amerisleep AS3 runs 12 inches tall with three layers: Bio-Pur plant-based memory foam on top, a HIVE transition layer in the middle, and Bio-Core high-density foam at the base. The HIVE layer uses hexagonal cutouts to create five firmness zones without physically separated sections. It runs softer under the shoulders and hips, firmer under the lumbar and legs. That geometry is why we rate its pressure relief 9.2/10, and NapLab gives it 10/10.
Bear Original sits at 10 inches with graphite-infused memory foam over a responsive transition layer over a high-density base. The differentiator is the cover: Celliant fiber converts body heat to far-infrared energy, which Bear markets as promoting circulation and post-training recovery. Celliant is FDA-registered as a general wellness product. Its actual effect on sleep-period recovery remains brand-supported rather than independently replicated. What is verifiable: medium-firm 6/10 suits back sleepers over 150 lb better than dedicated side sleepers at lighter weights.
Head-to-head ratings
These are MattressNut's editorial ratings, based on construction, brand specifications and independent lab data where available (NapLab rates the all-foam AS3 10/10 for pressure relief and motion isolation and 9/10 for cooling). They are not results from our own lab tests.
| Category | Amerisleep AS3 | Bear Original | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure relief (side sleepers) | 9.2 / 10 | 8.5 / 10 | Amerisleep AS3 |
| Cooling | 9.0 / 10 | 8.5 / 10 | Amerisleep AS3 |
| Motion isolation | 9.0 / 10 | 8.5 / 10 | Amerisleep AS3 |
| Edge support | 8.0 / 10 | 7.5 / 10 | Amerisleep AS3 |
| Athlete recovery | Standard foam | Celliant infrared cover | Bear Original |
| Trial period | 365 nights | 120 nights | Amerisleep AS3 |
| Value at sale pricing | ~$1,149 queen | $1,098 queen | Amerisleep AS3 |
Pressure relief: AS3 wins (9.2 vs 8.5)
HIVE's hexagonal cutout geometry is softer under the shoulder and hip zones where side sleepers generate peak pressure loads, and firmer under the lumbar and legs. NapLab gives the AS3 10/10 for pressure relief. Bear Original's graphite memory foam genuinely contours, and 8.5/10 is a solid score, but the standard layer construction does not produce the zone-level differentiation that pushes AS3 to 9.2/10. For side sleepers with hip pain or recurring shoulder discomfort, that 0.7-point gap matters.
Cooling: AS3 wins (9.0 vs 8.5)
Bio-Pur's open-cell foam structure disperses heat more freely than conventional dense memory foam, and NapLab rates the all-foam AS3 9/10 for cooling. Bear Original is not a hot mattress. Graphite-infused memory foam conducts heat away from the surface, and the Celliant cover converts some body heat to far-infrared rather than retaining it as warmth. Both mechanisms work, producing Bear's 8.5/10. The gap reflects Bio-Pur's foam-level thermal advantage before any cover contribution. Hot sleepers will find both adequate; those for whom cooling is the primary concern should pick AS3.
Motion isolation: AS3 wins (9.0 vs 8.5)
Both all-foam mattresses dampen motion well compared to hybrids or innersprings. AS3's HIVE geometry and denser Bio-Pur layer provide slightly better vibration absorption at the impact zone before it propagates laterally. NapLab gives the AS3 10/10 for motion isolation. For couples with a restless partner, AS3 damps more disturbance. Bear Original at 8.5/10 is above average and fine for mostly-still sleepers.
Edge support: AS3 wins (8.0 vs 7.5)
Neither all-foam mattress rivals a hybrid with reinforced perimeter coils, but AS3's thicker 12-inch stack and denser Bio-Core base should hold up better at the edge than Bear's 10-inch profile; NapLab rates the AS3's edge 8.0/10. The difference is practical rather than dramatic. For buyers who regularly sit on the edge or need the full mattress surface during sleep, AS3's extra 2 inches of foam depth produces the more reliable result.
Athlete recovery: Bear wins
Bear Original is purpose-built for active users. The Celliant fiber cover is an FDA-registered general wellness product; Bear markets it as converting body heat to far-infrared energy to promote circulation and recovery during sleep. The supporting research comes primarily from Celliant's own clinical program. Independent replication is limited. What is confirmed: Bear is the only mattress in this comparison built and positioned for athletic recovery. Medium-firm 6/10 also suits the back-sleeping position common among athletes post-training. For athletes who want a mattress whose brand identity matches their lifestyle, Bear Original makes sense here.
Who should buy each
Choose Amerisleep AS3 if you sleep primarily on your side, run hot at night, share a bed with a restless partner, or want the strongest all-foam pressure relief at this price point. The 20-year warranty exceeds the 10-year industry standard. At current sale pricing, AS3 costs $51 more than Bear while winning six rated categories: pressure relief, cooling, motion isolation, edge support, trial period, and value at sale pricing.
Choose Bear Original if you train regularly and want a recovery-focused mattress, or sleep on your back or stomach at 150 to 230 lb. Bear's lifetime warranty is the stronger long-term commitment. At list price without a sale active on Amerisleep, Bear is also the lower-cost option by a significant margin.
Pricing and sizes
Amerisleep currently offers $600 off the AS2, AS3, AS5 and Organica with code BFCM through December 9. The AS3 queen is $1,149 on sale ($1,749 regular). Bear Original is more consistently priced without requiring a coupon.
| Size | Amerisleep AS3 (from) | Bear Original |
|---|---|---|
| Twin | From $899 sale | ~$648 |
| Full | $1,099 | ~$898 |
| Queen | From $1,149 | ~$1,098 |
| King | $1,349 | ~$1,298 |
| California King | $1,349 | ~$1,298 |
The AS3 queen is $1,149 on sale ($1,749 regular), compared with the Bear Original queen at $1,098 shown here. The AS3 costs $51 more at these prices and wins four performance categories; the table also rates it higher on value.
Frequently asked questions
Is Amerisleep AS3 or Bear Original better for side sleepers?
Amerisleep AS3 is the stronger choice for side sleepers. It scored 9.2/10 on pressure relief versus Bear Original's 8.5/10. AS3's HIVE zoning creates softer zones under the hip and shoulder where side sleepers concentrate peak load. Bear Original at medium-firm 6/10 pushes back harder, which suits back and stomach sleepers but increases shoulder and hip pressure for lighter side sleepers.
Which is better for hot sleepers?
Amerisleep AS3 leads on cooling at 9.0/10 versus Bear's 8.5/10. Bio-Pur's open-cell structure disperses heat more effectively than conventional memory foam at the foam level. Bear's graphite foam and Celliant cover both help regulate temperature, and 8.5/10 is solid. For hot sleepers who also train regularly, Bear is a fair trade-off. For hot sleepers primarily, AS3 is the cleaner choice.
Is Bear Original actually good for athletes?
Bear positions itself specifically for athletes via the Celliant infrared cover, which is FDA-registered as a general wellness textile. The recovery benefit is brand-supported rather than independently replicated. What is concrete: Bear is the only mattress in this comparison built and marketed around recovery, and medium-firm 6/10 suits back sleepers well. If the recovery positioning matters to you, Bear is the right call in this pair.
Which has a better warranty?
Bear Original carries a lifetime warranty. Amerisleep AS3 carries a 20-year warranty split between full coverage (years 1 to 10) and prorated replacement coverage (years 11 to 20). Bear wins on headline terms. Both exceed the 10-year industry standard significantly. For a 10 to 15 year ownership horizon, the practical difference narrows.
How does AS3 compare to Bear for couples?
Amerisleep AS3 scores 9.0/10 on motion isolation versus Bear Original's 8.5/10. Both all-foam constructions absorb motion well. AS3's denser foam and HIVE geometry provide slightly better vibration damping at the impact zone. If one partner is a restless sleeper, AS3 is the better call. If both partners are still sleepers, the decision shifts to sleep position and recovery preference.
For most sleepers, Amerisleep AS3 wins this comparison: stronger pressure relief, better cooling, tighter motion isolation, and competitive pricing during sales. Bear Original is the right call for athletes who want recovery-specific positioning or sleepers who prioritize the lifetime warranty.
Amerisleep AS3
9.1/10
Bio-Pur plant-based foam, HIVE 5-zone pressure relief, 9.0/10 cooling, 9.0/10 motion isolation. 365-night trial, 20-year warranty. The stronger all-around pick versus Bear Original for side sleepers, hot sleepers, and couples in 2026.