The Amerisleep AS3 wins this head-to-head on pressure relief, cooling, and edge support. Its Bio-Pur plant-based memory foam and HIVE 5-zone layer beat the Nolah Original for side sleepers and couples. The Nolah Original 10 also isolates motion well and offers a 120-night trial with a partially prorated lifetime warranty, making it a legitimate alternative for couples who prioritize partner movement deadening above everything else.
Amerisleep AS3
9.1/10
- HIVE 5-zone support differentiates firmness by body zone, softer under shoulders and hips, firmer under lumbar
- Plant-based Bio-Pur open-cell foam runs cooler than standard memory foam (NapLab: 9/10 for cooling)
- 10/10 pressure relief in NapLab's lab tests, highest in this comparison
- CertiPUR-US certified, made in the USA, 20-year warranty
- Only one firmness option (Medium); no soft or firm variant
- Softer perimeter edge than a hybrid mattress
In our ratings, the AS3 scores higher on pressure relief (9.2/10), cooling (9.0/10), and edge support (8.0/10). Bio-Pur construction and HIVE zoning make it the better call for side sleepers, hot sleepers, and couples dealing with hip or shoulder discomfort.
Nolah Original 10
8.0/10
- 8.5/10 motion isolation, nearly zero partner disturbance across independent testing
- Competitive price entry point compared to AS3
- 120-night trial, compared with Amerisleep's 365 nights
- Partially prorated lifetime warranty (full coverage for first 10 years)
- Below-average temperature regulation (6/10) for an all-foam mattress, runs warm for hot sleepers
- Edge support rated 6.5/10, compresses noticeably at the perimeter
- Below-average ease of movement (6/10), the foam-hugging feel slows repositioning
- $99 return processing fee during the trial period
Nolah Original is the right call for lighter side sleepers who share a bed with a restless partner and want the best possible motion deadening at a lower price. Its weaknesses, heat retention and below-average cooling, make it a poor fit for hot sleepers.
Amerisleep AS3 vs Nolah Original: side-by-side specs
Both mattresses are medium-firmness all-foam beds targeting side sleepers. The divergence is in the foam technology and the support architecture. Amerisleep uses Bio-Pur, a partially plant-based open-cell memory foam layered over the HIVE zoned support system. Nolah uses AirFoam, their proprietary copper-infused polyfoam designed to reduce heat retention and slow response compared to standard memory foam, though independent testing shows it still runs warm relative to competing all-foam options.
| Mattress | Type | Firmness | Trial | Warranty | Queen price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amerisleep AS3 | All-foam (Bio-Pur) | Medium 5/10 | 365 nights | 20 years | $1,149 (queen) |
| Nolah Original 10 | All-foam (AirFoam) | Medium 5/10 | 120 nights | Lifetime (prorated) | From ~$649 |
How they are built
The AS3 uses three layers: Bio-Pur plant-based open-cell memory foam on top, the HIVE hexagonal transition layer in the middle, and a Bio-Core high-density support base. Total height is 12 inches. The HIVE layer is the critical differentiator, hexagonal cutouts vary in density by zone, creating softer response under the shoulders and hips and firmer response under the lumbar and legs. Amerisleep's Refresh cover completes the stack.
The Nolah Original 10 uses a simpler three-layer architecture: a 1-inch copper-infused AirFoam ICE polyfoam on top, 1 inch of standard AirFoam beneath that, and an 8-inch high-density polyfoam support core. Total height is 10 inches. AirFoam is Nolah's proprietary polyfoam developed to avoid the slow-response and heat-retention characteristics of conventional memory foam. In independent lab testing, however, its temperature regulation scores at 6/10, below average for an all-foam mattress, and well below the 9/10 NapLab gives the all-foam AS3.
Our ratings: where each mattress wins
These are MattressNut's editorial ratings, based on construction, brand specifications and independent lab data (NapLab for the AS3, Sleep Foundation for the Nolah). They are not results from our own lab tests.
Pressure relief: Amerisleep AS3 wins (9.2 vs 8.0)
The HIVE zoning creates softer zones under the hip and shoulder, the exact points where side sleepers exert the most concentrated pressure. NapLab gives the AS3 10/10 for pressure relief. The Nolah Original's foam layers provide solid pressure relief at 8.0/10, but the absence of a zoned support architecture means pressure relief is uniform across the surface rather than targeted at problem areas. For side sleepers dealing with hip or shoulder discomfort, that 1.2-point gap is not marginal.
Cooling: Amerisleep AS3 wins)
This is the largest performance gap in the comparison. Bio-Pur's open-cell structure vents heat more efficiently than AirFoam's polyfoam construction. NapLab rates the all-foam AS3 9/10 for cooling (peak 85.4°F). Sleep Foundation's independent testing rated the Nolah Original at 6/10 for temperature control, below average for an all-foam mattress. If you run warm at night, the Nolah Original is the wrong choice regardless of price. The AS3 delivers foam-level pressure relief and cooling performance simultaneously, which is the harder engineering problem.
Motion isolation: close call
Both all-foam mattresses absorb lateral motion effectively. The Nolah Original's foam construction scored 8.5/10 in Sleep Foundation's independent testing, its strongest performance category. NapLab gives the AS3 10/10 for motion isolation, though the two labs use different scales. Both are appropriate for couples with a restless partner; Neither has a clear edge here; if you run warm, the AS3's cooling advantage decides it.
Edge support: Amerisleep AS3 wins (8.0 vs 6.5)
The Nolah Original's edge support rated 6.5/10, adequate but with notable perimeter compression, especially for sleepers over 175 lb. Sleep Foundation flagged this as a bigger concern for heavier sleepers. The AS3's all-foam perimeter compresses more than a hybrid at 8.0/10, but it maintains a more stable edge for sleeping near the perimeter or getting in and out of bed. Neither mattress will match a hybrid on edge stability.
Trial and warranty: AS3 wins on trial length and warranty clarity
Amerisleep's 365-night trial is 245 nights longer than Nolah's 120 nights, with a 30-night minimum for Amerisleep. Nolah charges a $99 return processing fee; Amerisleep returns are free. On warranty, Amerisleep's 20-year limited warranty provides free repair or replacement in years 1-10 and prorated replacement coverage in years 11-20 for defects including sag over 1.5 inches; labor and transport are not covered. Nolah's lifetime warranty covers years 1-10 with full coverage, then prorates costs after year 10. Both are above average; the AS3's non-prorated first decade is more straightforward.
Who should choose each mattress
The AS3 is the right call for side sleepers under 200 lb who run warm at night, couples dealing with hip or shoulder pain, and anyone who wants the cooling benefit of Bio-Pur plant-based foam. At its current pricing it also wins on value for buyers who prioritize pressure relief, cooling, and a longer trial window.
The Nolah Original 10 is the better fit for budget-conscious shoppers who sleep cool and share a bed with a restless partner. If motion isolation is the single most important criterion and you are not a hot sleeper, Nolah's combination of deep motion deadening and a lower price point makes a legitimate case. Sleepers over 175 lb should note the below-average edge support and the 10-inch profile, which may not provide adequate long-term support at heavier body weights.
Hot sleepers should strongly favor the AS3. A 6/10 temperature regulation score on the Nolah Original is a real limitation that no other strength in its profile overcomes if you run warm.
On the price difference
The Nolah Original's entry price is significantly lower than the AS3 queen at $1,149 on sale ($1,749 regular) with code BFCM ($600 off the AS2, AS3, AS5 and Organica through December 9). Check current Amerisleep coupon codes before comparing prices. Nolah also runs regular promotions. At the prices shown here, the AS3 costs more but offers stronger cooling and pressure relief scores.
The Amerisleep AS3 wins on pressure relief, cooling, and edge support. It is the right choice for side sleepers, hot sleepers, and couples dealing with hip or shoulder discomfort. The Nolah Original 10 isolates motion well and costs less at standard pricing, the right choice for cool sleepers who share a bed with a restless partner and want the lowest possible price point.