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See Saatva Classic →Casper has marketed AirScape foam as a key cooling technology since the brand's early years. The claim is that AirScape's perforated design moves heat away from the sleeper more effectively than standard memory foam. Here is what AirScape actually is, how it physically works, and whether the cooling benefit justifies choosing Casper over a coil-based alternative.
What Is AirScape Foam?
AirScape is Casper's branded name for a specific type of perforated polyurethane foam. The foam has small vertical channels — holes punched or formed through the material — that run from the top surface partway through the layer. These channels serve two purposes:
- Air circulation: As the sleeper moves, the compression of the foam pumps air through the channels, creating a passive ventilation effect.
- Reduced heat retention: Standard closed-cell foam traps body heat in the foam material itself. The perforations reduce the total foam mass in contact with the sleeper, which reduces the insulating effect.
AirScape is used in the middle and upper layers of the Casper Original and Casper Element mattresses. It is distinct from the zoned support layer in Casper's Wave models, though some Wave configurations also use AirScape.
Pros and Cons
What We Like
- Ergonomic zoned support
- Good all-around medium feel
- Strong retail presence
- AirScape foam cooling
What Could Be Better
- Higher price than comparable DTC
- Limited firmness options
- Not best for heavy sleepers
- Foam density could be higher
How AirScape Compares to Standard Foam Cooling
To understand AirScape's performance, it helps to understand why memory foam sleeps hot in the first place. Standard memory foam is a viscoelastic, closed-cell material. The cells trap air but do not allow air to circulate. Body heat cannot dissipate through the foam — it accumulates at the foam-skin interface, which many sleepers perceive as sleeping hot.
AirScape addresses this through physical perforations. The effect is real, but modest. Independent thermal testing of AirScape vs. standard foam consistently shows AirScape running slightly cooler — but the delta is small (1–2°F in most lab tests). The improvement is noticeable if you are sensitive to foam heat retention, but it does not eliminate the fundamental insulating property of foam as a material class.
AirScape vs. Coil Systems: The Bigger Gap
The more significant comparison is AirScape foam vs. a pocketed coil support system. Innerspring and hybrid mattresses with coil support layers have a fundamentally different thermal profile because the coil layer is 6–8 inches of open space. Air circulates freely through the entire support structure.
Thermal testing comparing all-foam mattresses (including perforated AirScape models) vs. hybrids consistently shows hybrids running cooler. The advantage is not marginal — it is a structural difference. For hot sleepers, no amount of foam perforation fully replicates the airflow of a coil layer.
Casper acknowledges this implicitly in their product lineup. Their premium Wave Hybrid and Snow Hybrid models use both AirScape foam and coil layers — because foam alone was insufficient for their premium cooling tier.
Does AirScape Justify the Casper Premium?
The Casper Original starts at around $1,095 for a queen. A standard queen foam mattress without AirScape from a competitor is often $400–$700 less. Is the cooling improvement worth the price difference?
For average-temperature sleepers who want an all-foam feel: the AirScape benefit is measurable but minor. The additional cost is harder to justify on cooling alone. The Casper Original's value case rests more on overall construction quality, brand warranty, and trial period than on AirScape specifically.
For hot sleepers: AirScape is not sufficient. If temperature is your primary concern, a hybrid or a mattress with a copper-infused or phase-change comfort layer (found in some premium Saatva and Tempur-Pedic models) will outperform AirScape foam. See our Casper mattress review and hybrid mattress reviews for temperature comparison data.
AirScape in the Context of Casper's Full Lineup
Casper's lineup includes four main tiers: Element (budget, no AirScape), Original (mid-range, AirScape), Wave Hybrid (premium, AirScape + coils + zoned support), and Snow Hybrid (premium cooling-focused). The cooling performance tracks closely with this hierarchy — but so does the price.
If you're evaluating Casper specifically for cooling: the Original with AirScape is a moderate step up from standard foam. The Wave Hybrid is a significant step up. The Snow Hybrid represents Casper's best cooling performance, with a phase-change cover layer added to the hybrid construction.
For a broader cooling comparison, see our memory foam reviews and overall mattress reviews.
Looking for a white-glove alternative?
The Saatva Classic includes free white-glove delivery, in-room setup, and old mattress removal on every order — no upgrade fees.
See Saatva Classic →Frequently Asked Questions
What is AirScape foam made of?
AirScape is Casper's branded name for perforated polyurethane foam. It is standard foam with channels or perforations formed through the material to promote air circulation. It is not a distinct foam chemistry — it is a foam processing approach.
Does AirScape foam actually keep you cooler?
Yes, compared to standard closed-cell foam. Thermal tests show AirScape running slightly cooler due to reduced foam mass contact and passive air circulation. However, the improvement is modest — roughly 1–2°F — and not as significant as the cooling benefit from a hybrid's coil layer.
Which Casper mattresses use AirScape?
The Casper Original and Casper Wave Hybrid use AirScape foam. The budget Casper Element does not. The Snow Hybrid uses AirScape plus additional phase-change cover technology for maximum cooling performance.
Is AirScape better than gel-infused foam for cooling?
They address cooling differently. Gel-infused foam absorbs heat initially (the gel acts as a heat sink) but can saturate over the night. AirScape allows passive airflow continuously. For sustained cooling throughout the night, AirScape's airflow approach is generally more consistent than gel infusion alone.
Is Casper a good mattress for hot sleepers?
The Casper Original with AirScape is a moderate improvement over standard foam but is not the best choice for serious hot sleepers. For maximum cooling, consider the Casper Wave Hybrid or Snow Hybrid — or a competing hybrid mattress with an open coil support layer.
The Verdict
Choose Casper Cooling Technology: AirScape if: You value what Casper Cooling Technology: AirScape offers in construction, materials, and sleep technology.
Choose Standard Foam Explained if: You prefer Standard Foam Explained's design philosophy and material choices. Compare pricing and trial periods.
Both serve different sleep needs. Choose based on your body type, sleep position, and comfort preferences.