
Bear vs Novosbed Mattress Review (2023)
Disclaimer: We are owned and operated by GoodMorning.com. We hire 3rd-party engineers and use public data to rate mattresses on over 30 criteria that we believe are important. Brands we own – Apollo, Brunswick, Cherry, Douglas, Juno, Logan & Cove, Novosbed, Podium, and Recore – are reviewed and advertised where indicated. Views expressed here are our opinions only. Full details.
Comparison Summary
Bear
Layers
4
Firmness
5.1 / 10
Sleep Trial
100 Nights
Warranty
10 Years
Made In
USA
Price (Queen)
$998 USD
Does this company guarantee that today’s mattress prices are the lowest they will be over the next 365 days?
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Information not available
Novosbed
Layers
4
Firmness
SOFT
3.2 / 10
MEDIUM
3.7 / 10
FIRM
5.1 / 10
Sleep Trial
120 Nights
Warranty
15 Years
Made In
USA, Canada
Price (Queen)
$999 USD
$1,399 CAD
Does this company guarantee that today’s mattress prices are the lowest they will be over the next 365 days?
~
Table of Contents
Jump to any section by clicking the links below:
Bear

Novosbed

How We Compared Bear and Novosbed
As with all mattress reviews and comparisons on Mattress-Reviews.com, GoodMorning.com Inc. tests major online mattress brands in order to continually update and improve its own products. Analyzing the builds, brands, and specifications of competitor mattresses ensures GoodMorning.com always offers the best possible value to its customers.
To provide a consistent benchmark for our tests, we commission third-party engineers to test every mattress in the exact same way. You can view the methodology of testing and the APEGA-stamped results document here.
Without further ado, our Bear vs Novosbed Mattress Review:
Bear vs Novosbed: Company Overview
Bear

Novosbed

Company Overview | Bear | Novosbed |
---|---|---|
Launched: | 2014 | 2009 |
Price (Queen): | $998 USD | $999 USD $1,399 CAD |
Available in: | USA, Canada | USA, Canada |
Made in: | USA | USA, Canada |
Trial length: | 100 nights | 120 nights |
Warranty: | 10 years | 15 years |
Year-Round Price Guarantee: | No | CLICK HERE |
Bear and Novosbed are two of the most well-known mattress brands in Canada, and both brands have built up a loyal Canadian customer base. So, what are the backgrounds behind these two mattress companies?
Bear
Launched in 2014, Bear joined the the increasingly popular and highly competitive online mattress industry. Bear markets their mattress as a great supplement to any active lifestyle, boasting “recovery from your day, every night” on their site.
Novosbed
GoodMorning.com released their first memory foam mattress, Novosbed, in 2009, making them one of the pioneers of the bed-in-a-box mattress industry. Their innovative culture soon went on to create the now universal idea of the ‘Sleep Trial,’ giving online mattress shoppers a way to bypass the traditional mattress store shopping experience and test out their new bed at home for as long as it actually takes to evaluate a mattress properly. With their flagship product, Novosbed, the company later introduced another new concept with Comfort+. This adjustable firmness system helps customers adjust the feel and comfort level of their mattress by adding an additional foam layer, free of charge.
Bear vs Novosbed: Delivery, Sleep Trial, Returns
Bear

Novosbed

Delivery, Trial, Returns | Bear | Novosbed |
---|---|---|
Shipping cost: | Free in USA and Canada; $100 in Hawaii and Alaska | Free shipping |
Shipping time: | 7–10 days | 3–10 days |
Sleep trial length: | 100 nights | 120 nights with Free Comfort+ |
Return ease: | Company picks up | Company picks up |
Refund: | Yes, full refund | Yes, full refund |
Additional fees: | No | No |
Thanks to modern compression methods and the rising popularity of the bed-in-a-box, mattresses can now be shipped far more efficiently and conveniently than ever before. Customers no longer need to take a day off work to accept a delivery. Boxed beds are now delivered with the same convenience as most Amazon orders. Some bed-in-a-box companies even offer same-day delivery to certain areas.
Both Bear and Novosbed use FedEx to deliver their mattresses. Both mattresses are delivered directly to customers’ doors throughout most parts of Canada. In some cases, the mattresses can even be left on a porch or deck while the customer is away from home. Novosbed offers free shipping throughout Canada and the United States; however, Bear adds a $100 USD shipping fee for deliveries to Alaska or Hawaii.
Like many bed-in-a-box companies, Bear and Novosbed both heavily promote their sleep trials. With a 120-night sleep trial, Novosbed has one of the longest sleep trials of all mattress brands, while Bear allows their customers 100 days to decide.
However, if a customer wishes to return their Bear or Novosbed mattress within the sleep trial period, each company will arrange to pick up their respective mattress and issue a full refund. There are no additional return or restocking fees for either the Bear or Novosbed mattress.
Bear vs Novosbed: Out of the Box
Bear

Novosbed

Out of the Box | Bear | Novosbed |
---|---|---|
Delivered in a box: | Yes | Yes |
Box dimensions: | 42” x 19” x 19” | 19" x 19" x 44" |
Box opening: | Scissors required | Scissors required |
Box/mattress fitting: | Loose | Tight |
Protection layers: | 2 | 2 |
Expansion time: | 2 minutes | 3 minutes |
Both the Bear and Novosbed mattresses were delivered to us within the expected delivery time frames. Each product was well-protected within the box by heavy-duty plastic to keep the mattress in good condition during shipping.
Each mattress box was sealed with heavy-duty tape. Customers will definitely need scissors or a knife to open the box. To prevent potential harm to your new mattress, remember to be extra careful when using sharp objects to remove any packaging.
Once opened, each compressed mattress is easy to remove from the box. We recommend a ‘tip-and-pull’ motion to slowly slide the mattress out from its cardboard container. Simply tip the box from a vertical position down onto its side, and then pull the lightweight box away from the bundled mattress. It’s most efficient to do this process in the room where you intend to use the mattress.
Both mattresses are protected with two layers of heavy-duty plastic – one to compress it in a vacuum seal, and another to roll it tightly into a cylinder shape.
Customers will need to unwrap the first layer in order to unroll the mattress, which will still be in its compressed form. Some helpful advice at this stage is to place the rolled up mattress onto the designated bed frame. Next, like the end of a roll of tape, find and peel back the outer layer of plastic. You can use the momentum of unrolling the compressed mattress along the bed frame to help remove the rest of this layer, which could be up to a few meters long. After completing this process, the mattress will be lying unrolled before you.
Next, cut the final layer of plastic. The vacuum seal now broken, the mattress will quickly begin to decompress. Remove this final layer of plastic as the mattress expands to its full height. With the Bear mattress, full expansion took 2 minutes. With Novosbed, it took 1 to 3 minutes depending on the firmness level.
Bear vs Novosbed: Mattress Construction
Bear

Novosbed

Mattress Construction | Bear | Novosbed Soft | Novosbed Medium | Novosbed Firm |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mattress height: | 10" | 11" | 11" | 11" |
Number of layers: | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Comfort layer: | 1” Cooling graphite-gel memory foam; 1.5” responsive comfort foam | 1" High-density gel-infused memory foam; 1" Premium airflow foam | 1" Premium airflow foam; 1" High-density memory foam | 2" Open-cell pneumatic memory foam |
Transition layer: | 1” Transitional performance foam | 2" Open-cell pneumatic memory foam | 2" High-density memory foam | 1" Open-cell pneumatic memory foam; 1" High-density memory foam |
Support layer: | 6.5” High-density support foam | 7" Premium support foam | 7" Premium support foam | 7" Premium support foam |
Cover materials: | Polyester | Polyester, Tencel® | Polyester, Tencel® | Polyester, Tencel® |
Machine washable: | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Made in: | USA | USA, Canada | USA, Canada | USA, Canada |
The Bear and Novosbed are both combination foam mattresses. Only the Novosbed is available in multiple firmness options.
Some of the major differences between the Bear mattress and the Novosbed are the different types of foam used for comfort and support. Each mattress contains comfort, transition, and support layers, and these layers vary slightly in height and density.
Also, each mattress has a unique top cover which showcases the brand’s personality and design aesthetic. Top covers are sometimes washable, and of the two mattresses in this review, only the Novosbed has a machine-washable cover.
Bear vs Novosbed Mattress Layers
Bear

Novosbed

Bear Mattress Layers
The Bear mattress contains four layers of foam:
- The first layer of the Bear mattress has been designed to offer comfort and combat warm sleeping. With cooling memory foam, the top layer helps regulate your body temperature.
- The second layer of the Bear mattress is a responsive comfort foam. The bounce provided in this foam combined with the third transitional layer of performance foam offers optimal pressure-point relief and comfort.
- The final layer is made of high-density foam. Due to the high density, this foam adds to the durability and long-lasting support of this mattress.
Novosbed Mattress Layers
Each Novosbed mattress contains four layers of foam. The soft, medium, and firm options all have different constructions and foam densities to customize the firmness level of the mattress.
Novosbed Soft Mattress:
- The first layer of the Novosbed mattress is 1” of high-density gel-infused memory foam. The ultra-durable top layer delivers responsive cooling and conforms to the body for a medium-soft feel. Foam density: 3.7 lbs/ft3.
- The second layer of the Novosbed mattress is 1” of premium airflow foam. This breathable layer allows heat to dissipate effectively while suppressing odor build-up. Foam density: 2 lbs/ft3.
- The third layer of the Novosbed mattress is 2” of open-cell pneumatic memory foam. This transition layer reduces motion transfer while providing further airflow. Foam density: 2.5 lbs/ft3.
- The final layer of foam in the Novosbed mattress is 7” of premium support foam. This durable bottom layer further eliminates motion transfer by distributing bodyweight and also helps the mattress maintain its structural integrity. Foam density: 1.8 lbs/ft3.
- The first layer of the Novosbed mattress is 1″ of premium airflow foam. This top layer allows for additional airflow, keeping heat from getting trapped near the surface. Foam density: 2 lbs/ft3.
- The second layer of the Novosbed mattress is 1” of high-density memory foam. This additional comfort layer provides pressure-point relief. Foam density: 4 lbs/ft3.
- The third layer of the Novosbed mattress is 2” of high-density memory foam. This ultra-durable transition layer further reduces motion transfer. Foam density: 4 lbs/ft3.
- The final layer of foam in the Novosbed mattress is 7” of premium support foam. This durable bottom layer further eliminates motion transfer by distributing bodyweight and also helps the mattress maintain its structural integrity. Foam density: 1.8 lbs/ft3.
- The first layer of the Novosbed mattress is 2″ of open-cell pneumatic memory foam. The top layer enhances cooling and breathability while giving the surface a firm feel. Foam density: 2.5 lbs/ft3.
- The second layer of the Novosbed mattress is 1” of open-cell pneumatic memory foam. In combination with the first layer, this transition foam provides pressure-point relief. Foam density: 2.5 lbs/ft3.
- The third layer of the Novosbed mattress is 1” of high-density memory foam. This responsive transition layer provides additional body contouring. Foam density: 4 lbs/ft3.
- The final layer of foam in the Novosbed mattress is 7” of premium support foam. This durable bottom layer further eliminates motion transfer by distributing bodyweight and also helps the mattress maintain its structural integrity. Foam density: 1.8 lbs/ft3.
Bear vs Novosbed Mattress Cover
Bear

Novosbed

Bear Mattress Cover
The Bear mattress has a very neat, simple cover design. The top cover is white polyester with simple textured designs. The white continues down the side of the mattress but is soon replaced by a very dark grey, which is a notable yet pleasing contrast in design. The cover is not removable and is spot clean only; it is suggested that this is done with a small amount of warm water and mild detergent.
Novosbed Mattress Cover
This distinctive Novosbed cover is an expression of the luxury that lies beneath. The soft sleep surface is woven from a blend of stretch-knit polyester and Tencel®, while the lower side walls are covered with furniture-grade upholstery. This white and chambray-blue exterior is designed not only for an attractive, signature look, but also for functionality.
The top cover is machine washable, with simple cleaning instructions:
- Zip off the upper portion of the cover;
- Put in the washing machine on a gentle cycle;
- Tumble-dry on low, or air dry.
Bear vs Novosbed: Environmental Sustainability
Eco-Consciousness | Bear | Novosbed |
---|---|---|
Green policies: | Eco-conscious materials | Zero-waste manufacturing; Tencel® textiles |
Social responsibility: | Returned mattresses are donated to charity | Returned mattresses are donated to charity |
Box materials: | Bleached cardboard; Blue ink | Bleached cardboard with blue ink |
Foam materials: | Polyurethane | Polyurethane |
Cover materials: | Polyester | Polyester, Tencel® |
CertiPUR-US®: | Yes | Yes |
Green manufacturing: | No mention on the website | Zero-waste manufacturing |
Bear vs Novosbed: Feel and Firmness
Feel & Firmness | Bear | Novosbed |
---|---|---|
Firmness: | 5.1 / 10 | Soft: 3.2 / 10 Medium: 3.7 / 10 Firm: 5.1 / 10 |
Edge Support: | 5.4 / 10 | Soft: 4.7 / 10 Medium: 3.8 / 10 Firm: 5.8 / 10 |
Motion Isolation: | 6.9 / 10 | Soft: 7.3 / 10 Medium: 6.8 / 10 Firm: 6.8 / 10 |
Bounce: | 3.3 / 10 | Soft: 2.0 / 10 Medium: 2.3 / 10 Firm: 2.9 / 10 |
Bear

Novosbed

Feel & Firmness
According to the testing conducted by third-party engineers (commissioned by us), the firmness and feel of the Bear mattress and Novosbed mattresses are very different:
- The Bear mattress has a medium-firm feel. It is rated at 5.1 / 10 on the firmness scale, meaning it does not have excessive ‘hug.’
- The Novosbed soft mattress is rated at 3.2 / 10 on the firmness scale. The Novosbed soft mattress does have ‘hug.’
- The Novosbed medium mattress is rated at 3.7 / 10 on the firmness scale. The Novosbed medium mattress does have some ‘hug.’
- The Novosbed firm mattress is rated at 5.1 / 10 on the firmness scale. The Novosbed firm mattress does not have ‘hug.’
Bear

Novosbed

Edge Support
Foam mattresses are not known for their edge support; in fact, it is often one of the main issues customers have when moving from innerspring mattresses to foam. According to the testing conducted by third-party engineers (commissioned by us), the Bear mattress and the three Novosbeds have very different edge support ratings:
- The Bear mattress has average edge support. It is rated at 5.4 / 10 on the edge support scale.
- The Novosbed soft mattress has average edge support. It is rated at 4.7 / 10 on the edge support scale.
- The Novosbed medium mattress has below average edge support. It is rated at 3.8 / 10 on the edge support scale.
- The Novosbed firm mattress has above average edge support. It is rated at 5.8 / 10 on the edge support scale.
Bear

Novosbed

Motion Isolation
Motion isolation in foam mattresses is usually very good and one of the main reasons couples make the switch from innerspring to memory foam. According to the testing conducted by third-party engineers (commissioned by us), motion isolation scores for the Bear mattress and Novosbed mattresses are all above average:
- The Bear mattress has above-average motion isolation. It is rated at 6.9 / 10 on the motion isolation scale.
- The Novosbed soft mattress has above-average motion isolation. It is rated at 7.3 / 10 on the motion isolation scale.
- The Novosbed medium mattress has above-average motion isolation. It is rated at 6.8 / 10 on the motion isolation scale.
- The Novosbed firm mattress has above-average motion isolation. It is rated at 6.8 / 10 on the motion isolation scale.
Bear

Novosbed

Bounce
Due to the fact that motion isolation for foam mattresses is generally very good, bounce is generally very low. According to the testing conducted by third-party engineers (commissioned by us), the bounce ratings for the Bear mattress and Novosbed mattresses are all below average:
- The Bear mattress has below-average bounce. It is rated at 3.3 / 10 on the bounce scale.
- The Novosbed soft mattress has below-average bounce. It is rated at 2.0 / 10 on the bounce scale.
- The Novosbed medium mattress has below-average bounce. It is rated at 2.3 / 10 on the bounce scale.
- The Novosbed firm mattress has below-average bounce. It is rated at 2.9 / 10 on the bounce scale.
Bear vs Novosbed: Price
Twin

Bear
$748 USD
Novosbed
$799 USD
$999 CAD
Twin XL

Bear
$811 USD
Novosbed
$849 USD
$1,099 CAD
Double

Bear
$873 USD
Novosbed
$899 USD
$1,199 CAD
Queen

Bear
$998 USD
Novosbed
$999 USD
$1,399 CAD
King

Bear
$1,248 USD
Novosbed
$1,199 USD
$1,599 CAD
Cal King

Bear
$1,248 USD
Novosbed
$1,199 USD
$1,599 CAD
Bear vs Novosbed: Overview
Overview | Bear | Novosbed |
---|---|---|
Price (Queen): | $998 USD | $999 USD $1,399 CAD |
Available in: | USA, Canada | USA, Canada |
Made in: | USA | USA, Canada |
Trial length: | 100 nights | 120 nights with Free Comfort+ |
Warranty: | 10 years | 15 years |
Mattress height: | 10" | 11" |
Number of layers: | 4 | 4 |
Cover materials: | Polyester | Polyester, Tencel® |
Machine washable: | No | Yes |
Green policies: | No mention on the website | Zero-waste manufacturing; Tencel® textiles |
Firmness | 5.1 / 10 | Soft: 3.2 / 10 Medium: 3.7 / 10 Firm: 5.1 / 10 |
Edge support: | 5.4 / 10 | Soft: 4.7 / 10 Medium: 3.8 / 10 Firm: 5.8 / 10 |
Motion isolation: | 6.9 / 10 | Soft: 7.3 / 10 Medium: 6.8 / 10 Firm: 6.8 / 10 |
Bounce: | 3.3 / 10 | Soft: 2.0 / 10 Medium: 2.3 / 10 Firm: 2.9 / 10 |
Year-Round Price Guarantee: | No | CLICK HERE |
Should you buy Bear or Novosbed?
There are a few factors that immediately stand out after comparing the Bear mattress and three Novosbed mattresses. Each bed in this Bear vs Novosbed mattress review has similar features, especially with regards to comfort and support. The Bear mattress and Novosbed mattresses each have a distinctive firmness and feel, level of edge support, level of motion isolation, and bounce.
What really elevate one brand above the other are the multiple firmness options, sleep trial, and the adjustable firmness guarantee of Novosbed. Novosbed is Mattress-Reviews.com’s Top Pick for Premium Mattress under $1,500 CAD. Customers who choose to purchase a Novosbed over a Bear mattress will enjoy a lengthier sleep trial. They will also have the option to fine-tune the firmness of their mattress with the free Comfort+ firmness adjustment kit.
Buy Bear if you want:
- A medium firmness
- A 100-day sleep trial
- Made in the USA
- An attractive cover, easy to spot clean
Buy Novosbed if you want:
- Multiple firmness options
- High-density memory foam
- 120-night sleep trial with free adjustable firmness
- Machine-washable top cover
- A durable mattress with a lengthy warranty
- Made in the country of order (USA/CAN)