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 longer 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
- 100-night trial is 20 nights shorter than Bear's 120-night window
- One firmness option, not ideal for stomach sleepers over 160 lb
The AS3 wins four of seven categories against Bear Original: pressure relief, cooling, motion isolation, and edge support. At current sale pricing it also undercuts Bear on cost. 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 | 100 nights | 20 years | From $1,049 |
| 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 what drives the 9.2/10 pressure relief score in side-sleeping tests.
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 test results
MattressNut tested both mattresses over 30 nights each with three rotating sleeper profiles: side sleeper at 130 lb, combination sleeper at 175 lb, and back sleeper at 195 lb. Pressure mapping, 8-hour cooling tests, motion transfer, and edge compression were measured for each.
| Category | Amerisleep AS3 | Bear Original | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure relief (side, 130 lb) | 9.2 / 10 | 8.5 / 10 | Amerisleep AS3 |
| Cooling (8-hour heat test) | 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 | 100 nights | 120 nights | Bear Original |
| Value at sale pricing | ~$1,049 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. In 130 lb side-sleeping pressure mapping, AS3 recorded the lower peak-pressure readings of the two. 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 closed-cell petroleum memory foam. Over an 8-hour heat-pad test, AS3 ran a measurably lower surface temperature throughout. 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. In a 10 lb drop test at 24-inch separation, AS3 registered lower amplitude. 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 compress less under a 185 lb seated-edge load than Bear's 10-inch profile. 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 lands at or below Bear's standard price while winning four tested categories.
Choose Bear Original if you train regularly and want a recovery-focused mattress, sleep on your back or stomach at 150 to 230 lb, or want the extra 20 nights on the trial window. 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 runs frequent promotions; the current sale typically sits around 30 to 35 percent off list. Bear Original is more consistently priced without requiring a coupon.
| Size | Amerisleep AS3 (from) | Bear Original |
|---|---|---|
| Twin | From $649 | ~$648 |
| Full | From $799 | ~$898 |
| Queen | From $1,049 | ~$1,098 |
| King | From $1,249 | ~$1,298 |
| California King | From $1,249 | ~$1,298 |
AS3 at sale pricing beats Bear on cost and on four of seven tested categories. At list price, Bear Original undercuts AS3 by $300 to $400 queen. Check current Amerisleep pricing before buying at list.
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 50 percent cost replacement (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 longer 120-night trial and 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. 100-night trial, 20-year warranty. The stronger all-around pick versus Bear Original for side sleepers, hot sleepers, and couples in 2026.