Our overall winner
Amerisleep AS3
Our overall pick for this head-to-head comparison.


Quick answer
Amerisleep AS3 is the overall winner. Its medium feel is the more neutral starting point, and Amerisleep builds it with Bio-Pur foam plus HIVE zoned support. That gives it the more considered construction for shoppers who want balanced cushioning and targeted support from an all-foam mattress.
The BedInABox Original Memory Foam Mattress is still a sensible alternative for a specific shopper: someone who deliberately prefers a medium-firm surface and likes the straightforward logic of a two-layer foam design assembled and shipped from North Carolina. Amerisleep is the broader recommendation; BedInABox is the more focused medium-firm pick.
The Nut’s short take: Choose the AS3 for a medium all-foam bed with zoned support. Choose the BedInABox Original only if its firmer medium-firm direction and uncomplicated two-layer build are exactly what you want.
Amerisleep AS3 vs BedInABox Original at a glance
| Feature | Amerisleep AS3 | BedInABox Original Memory Foam Mattress |
|---|---|---|
| Overall verdict | Overall winner | Best for a deliberate medium-firm preference |
| Feel | Medium, according to Amerisleep | Medium-firm, according to BedInABox |
| Height | 12 inches, according to Amerisleep | 11 inches, according to BedInABox |
| Listed construction | Bio-Pur foam comfort layer and HIVE zoned support | 3-inch CoolRest gel memory foam over an 8-inch SureAlign support-foam base |
| Trial | 100 nights, according to Amerisleep | 120 nights, according to BedInABox |
| Warranty | 20 years, according to Amerisleep | 20 years, according to BedInABox |
| Origin note | Made in the USA with domestic and imported parts, according to Amerisleep | Assembled and shipped from North Carolina, according to BedInABox |
Both choices are foam mattresses, but the construction brief is not the same. The AS3 has a named comfort material and a zoned support system. The BedInABox Original names two foam layers, with a 3-inch memory-foam top over an 8-inch support base. That difference matters more than a one-inch difference in stated height.
Why the AS3 wins this comparison
The AS3 wins because its medium designation sits in the more versatile middle ground, while HIVE zoned support gives the support layer a defined job beyond simply being a foam base. Amerisleep also identifies Bio-Pur foam as the comfort layer. For buyers choosing without a strong preference for a firmer surface, that combination makes the AS3 the safer overall call.
BedInABox does not need to lose on quality to lose this matchup. Its Original is simply more specialized. BedInABox calls it medium-firm and lays out a clear two-layer recipe: 3 inches of CoolRest gel memory foam over 8 inches of SureAlign support foam. That can be a better match for a buyer who knows they do not want a neutral medium feel.
I would not turn the AS3’s win into a claim about universal comfort. Feel is personal, and the manufacturers use different labels. The useful distinction is straightforward: Amerisleep positions the AS3 as medium with zoned support, while BedInABox positions the Original as medium-firm with a simpler two-layer layout.
A medium-firm mattress is not a lesser choice. It is a better choice only when that firmer target is intentional.
Construction and feel: two different foam approaches
Amerisleep lists the AS3 at 12 inches and identifies two key construction elements: a Bio-Pur foam comfort layer and HIVE zoned support. The material names give shoppers a useful map of the mattress. The comfort layer is intended to be the first foam you encounter, while the zoned support system differentiates support across the bed rather than presenting the AS3 as one uniform block of foam.
The AS3 discussed here is the standard all-foam version. Amerisleep offers another construction option under the AS3 name, but that is outside this comparison. Keeping the focus on the all-foam AS3 makes this a cleaner apples-to-apples decision against the all-foam BedInABox Original.
BedInABox lists the Original at 11 inches and names exactly two foam layers. The top is 3 inches of CoolRest gel memory foam. Beneath it is an 8-inch SureAlign support-foam base. That is an easy build to understand: a substantial memory-foam comfort section over a deep base intended to carry the mattress structure.
The stated feel labels point in different directions. A medium AS3 should appeal to shoppers who want to avoid beginning at the firmer end of foam comfort. A medium-firm Original should appeal to shoppers who want a more assertive surface description and do not need a zoned support design to make their decision.
Construction checkpoint
- AS3: 12 inches, Bio-Pur comfort foam, HIVE zoned support, medium feel.
- BedInABox Original: 11 inches, 3-inch CoolRest gel memory foam, 8-inch SureAlign support foam, medium-firm feel.
Neither brand’s facts here support claims about exact firmness scores, foam density for the AS3, or how far a sleeper will sink. BedInABox’s product page also shows inconsistent density information for the SureAlign base, so I would not use either density figure as a buying reason. The layer thicknesses and feel labels are the dependable comparison points.
Pressure relief and support
HIVE zoned support is the most meaningful support distinction in this matchup. Amerisleep names it as part of the AS3 construction, which means shoppers looking for a mattress with differentiated support zones have a direct reason to put the AS3 first. It also pairs that system with a medium feel and Bio-Pur foam comfort layer.
That does not let us calculate pressure relief or declare a winner for every sleep position. Neither brand fact set provides a body-weight range, positional recommendation, pressure-map result, or objective sink measurement. Those are gaps worth respecting, especially for buyers shopping with a very specific comfort need.
BedInABox’s support story is more conventional: its 8-inch SureAlign foam base sits under the 3-inch CoolRest gel memory-foam layer. A buyer who prefers a simple comfort-layer-over-base structure may find that clarity attractive. The medium-firm label is also a useful signal for someone who is purposely shopping for less plush-sounding foam comfort.
My practical read is to start with the feel you seek. If “medium” and a zoned support system sound right, the AS3 has the more targeted construction. If “medium-firm” is non-negotiable and you want two clearly described foam layers, the BedInABox Original has a coherent case.
Temperature and motion: what the materials tell us
BedInABox calls its 3-inch comfort layer CoolRest gel memory foam. The gel designation is the relevant temperature-oriented construction detail supplied for the Original. It identifies the type of comfort foam, but it does not prove a specific cooling result, so I would not promise how cool it sleeps for any individual.
Amerisleep identifies Bio-Pur foam and HIVE zoned support in the AS3, but the facts here do not provide a temperature rating or a quantified cooling claim. The sensible comparison is therefore limited: the Original explicitly names gel memory foam, while the AS3’s listed materials do not establish a like-for-like cooling comparison.
Both mattresses use foam construction, but neither set of facts provides a motion-isolation score, edge-support measurement, or a performance comparison for couples. Foam layers may matter to shoppers considering those topics, yet the named materials alone do not justify a guarantee about partner disturbance or usable edge space.
Don’t overread the labels: “gel memory foam” is a construction description, not a published cooling test result. Likewise, neither mattress includes a supplied motion or edge-performance metric here.
For temperature-sensitive shoppers, this is a category where personal preference and the rest of the sleep setup can matter. Based on the available construction details alone, the BedInABox Original has the more explicit gel-memory-foam note, while the AS3 should be chosen for its feel and support design rather than an unsupported cooling promise.
Trial, warranty, materials, and value
BedInABox offers the longer trial on paper: 120 nights for the Original, compared with 100 nights for the AS3 from Amerisleep. That extra 20 nights can matter to a cautious buyer who wants more time to decide whether a medium-firm foam mattress works at home.
The warranty is a tie. Amerisleep lists a 20-year warranty for the AS3, and BedInABox lists a 20-year warranty for the Original. A matching warranty length does not make the mattresses identical, but it removes one obvious reason to choose between them.
Amerisleep says shipping and returns are free under its published terms, and it says the AS3 is fiberglass-free. BedInABox says the Original’s foam is CertiPUR-US certified and that the mattress is assembled and shipped from North Carolina. These are different kinds of details, so they should not be treated as direct substitutes.
Value cannot be settled by a price comparison here, because no live price or promotion belongs in this decision. Instead, consider the kind of build you are paying for: the AS3 brings a medium feel and HIVE zoned support; the Original brings a medium-firm target, a two-layer layout, and a longer stated trial.
For more model-specific context, see our Amerisleep AS3 review and BedInABox mattress review. Shoppers comparing foam constructions more broadly can also use our memory foam mattress reviews.
Who should buy each mattress?
Buy the Amerisleep AS3 if you want a medium all-foam mattress, prefer the idea of a Bio-Pur foam comfort layer, or see real value in HIVE zoned support. It is also the better fit if fiberglass-free construction and free shipping and returns under Amerisleep’s terms are important parts of your checklist.
Skip the AS3 if you know you prefer medium-firm over medium and want the most stripped-down two-layer design in this comparison. Its 100-night trial is also shorter than the 120 nights BedInABox lists for the Original.
Buy the BedInABox Original if you specifically want a medium-firm mattress with 3 inches of gel memory foam over an 8-inch foam base. It is also the better fit for someone who values a 120-night trial, CertiPUR-US certified foam, and a mattress assembled and shipped from North Carolina.
Skip the BedInABox Original if you want a neutral medium rather than medium-firm feel, or you would rather have a named zoned support system. Its two-layer structure is simple by design, but it does not offer the AS3’s listed HIVE zoned support.
Best-fit split: AS3 for the middle-ground shopper seeking zoned support. BedInABox Original for the buyer intentionally shopping medium-firm with a simple two-layer foam build.
Pros and cons
Amerisleep AS3
- Pros: Medium feel; Bio-Pur foam comfort layer; HIVE zoned support; 12-inch profile; fiberglass-free according to Amerisleep; free shipping and returns under Amerisleep’s published terms.
- Cons: Its 100-night trial is shorter than BedInABox’s 120-night trial; shoppers who clearly prefer medium-firm may prefer the competitor’s stated feel.
BedInABox Original Memory Foam Mattress
- Pros: Medium-firm feel; plainly described two-layer build; 3-inch CoolRest gel memory-foam comfort layer; 120-night trial; assembled and shipped from North Carolina.
- Cons: No listed zoned support system in this comparison; less suitable for shoppers looking for a neutral medium feel; its SureAlign base-density information is inconsistent on BedInABox’s product page.
Final verdict
Amerisleep AS3 is the better overall choice in this Amerisleep vs BedInABox comparison. Amerisleep’s medium feel, Bio-Pur comfort foam, and HIVE zoned support make it the more adaptable all-foam design for the average undecided shopper. Its 12-inch profile, fiberglass-free claim, 100-night trial, and 20-year warranty round out a strong package.
The BedInABox Original remains the right answer for a narrower but legitimate audience: buyers who want medium-firm comfort, a 3-inch gel memory-foam layer over an 8-inch foam base, a 120-night trial, and North Carolina assembly and shipping. If that description sounds like you, its simpler construction is a feature, not a compromise.
Frequently asked questions
Is Amerisleep AS3 softer than the BedInABox Original?
By the brands’ own feel labels, yes. Amerisleep describes the AS3 as medium, while BedInABox describes the Original as medium-firm. Those labels are the clearest supplied basis for comparing feel.
Which mattress has the longer sleep trial?
BedInABox lists a 120-night trial for the Original. Amerisleep lists a 100-night trial for the AS3.
Do both mattresses have the same warranty length?
Yes. Amerisleep lists a 20-year warranty for the AS3, and BedInABox lists a 20-year warranty for the Original.
Which mattress has zoned support?
Amerisleep lists HIVE zoned support in the AS3. BedInABox describes the Original with a CoolRest gel memory-foam layer and a SureAlign support-foam base, without a listed zoned support system here.
Is the BedInABox Original made in North Carolina?
BedInABox says the Original is assembled and shipped from North Carolina. Amerisleep says the AS3 is made in the USA with domestic and imported parts.
Final pick: Amerisleep AS3
The AS3 is our overall winner in this comparison.
BedInABox still makes sense for: Buyers who prefer a medium-firm feel and a two-layer, North Carolina-assembled foam mattress.