This edition of Bed to Bed looks at two mid-range online memory foam mattress brands, BedInABox and Amerisleep. Comparing mattresses is one of the most important parts of buying a new bed but comparing brands in depth with little prior knowledge can prove to be quite a challenge. Buying a new bed is not an easy decision; after all a mattress is one of the more expensive home purchases and you will be using it every night. Starting the process with an overview of the basic pros and cons of different brands based on product specifications and owner reviews can help highlight which options might be best for your particular needs.
The Brands
Both companies are online-only retailers, which translates into savings for the consumer. They each offer memory foam mattresses, toppers, foundations, adjustable bases and other bed accessories. But, while BedInABox and Amerisleep both promote value, a few significant differences exist in their products. By remaining objective in the search, you can find the best mattress to suit your needs. In this article, we begin by introducing the two companies and their product lines, then compare the brands on factors that can influence comfort, value, and satisfaction.
BedInABox
Since 2004, BedInABox has been providing consumers with US manufactured memory foam mattress, shipped compressed and primarily sold online. They are made from regular and/or gel-infused memory foam, and available in various sizes and with different covers. A queen size bed starts at $649, with mattresses ranging from 9″ to 15″ thick.
The BedInABox lineup includes six models:
| Name | Profile Height | Memory Foam Layers | Price/Queen |
|---|---|---|---|
| PacBed | 9" | 3" 3.0 lb memory foam | $649 |
| PacBamboo | 13" | 3" 3.0 lb memory foam | $1149 |
| Tranquility Gel | 11" | 3" 3.0 lb gel memory foam | $1299 |
| Natural Silk Elegance | 13" | 3" 3.0 lb gel memory foam | $1249 |
| Serenity Gel | 13" | 3" 3.0 lb gel memory foam | $1899 |
| Natural Silk Elegance Comfort Adjust | 15" | 3" 3.0 lb gel memory foam 3" 3.0 lb memory foam topper | $2099 |
Amerisleep
Amerisleep also sells their mattresses online and ships beds compressed. They have been retailing their plant-based memory foam mattresses since 2007, with all mattresses manufactured in the U.S. The unique plant-based formula is what differentiates the brand, which features five different models varying in profile height from 8″ to 14″, starting with queen sizes for $849.
The Amerisleep lineup includes five models:
| Name | Profile Height | Memory Foam Layers | Price/Queen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | 8" | 2" 4.5 lb memory foam | $849 |
| Americana | 10" | 3" 4.5 lb memory foam | $999 |
| Liberty | 12" | 3" 4.5 lb memory foam | $1199 |
| Revere | 12" | 3" 4.5 lb memory foam | $1299 |
| Colonial | 14" | 2.5" 5.3 lb memory foam 3.5" 4.5 lb memory foam | $1899 |
Comparing BedInABox and Amerisleep Mattresses
To expand on the charts above, the rest of the article will offer an in depth comparison of BedInABox versus Amerisleep, breaking down key factors to explain their relevance to shoppers and each brand’s’ performance.
| BedInABox | Amerisleep | |
|---|---|---|
| Costs | $649-2099 | $849-1899 |
| Memory Foam Type | Traditional & Gel | Plant-Based |
| Foam Density | 3.0 lb | 4.5 - 5.3 lb |
| Covers | Knit, Bamboo Blend, Silk Blend, Tencel or Outlast | Bamboo/Cotton Blend |
| Sleeping Hot | 6% | 2% |
| Odor | 15% | 3% |
| Sagging | 5% | 2% |
| Lifespan | 6-8 Years | 7-10 Years |
| Trial Period | 120 Days | 90 Days |
| Warranty | 20 Years | 20 Years |
| Origin | USA | USA |
| Owner Satisfaction | 86% | 92% |
Quality and Density
Quality of memory foam mattresses is most closely associated with foam density. The issue of quality is a top concern for mattress buyers, so foam density remains a hot topic. This term refers to the weight of one cubic foot of material, with heavier foams having more polymer material versus air. Low density foams, those under 3.5 lbs, tend to have less odor and heat retention, but are prone to excess softening, impressions and may not offer enough support. High density foams, those over 5.0 lbs, are more durable and offer excellent pressure relief, but are more expensive and more prone to heat retention and odor. Medium density foams, between 3.5-5.0 lbs, fall in between high and low density on performance and cost.
BedInABox uses 3 lb memory foam pounds in all of their mattresses, which is in the range of low-density. Amerisleep uses 4.5 lb medium-density foam in their mattress line, with the Colonial model also having a layer of high-density 5.3 lb memory foam. This difference is highlighted in the lower complaint rate of sagging and durability issues with Amerisleep reviews, and also in the warranty terms discussed later. Both mattresses have satisfied owners at an above-average rate but the longevity of lower density mattresses from BedInABox might be an issue. Gel foams also may have additional issues over time, since gels within the mattresses can deteriorate over time, compromising the memory foam structure.
Pricing and Costs
Mattress pricing includes the cost of the bed, shipping fees and taxes. Both brands offer free shipping. Amerisleep charges no tax outside of Arizona, while Bed In A Box charges no tax outside of Tennessee. Both position themselves as mid-range options, in the between the expensive big-name brands and the low-cost discount brands.
Comparing similar models shows that on the base model, BedInABox is less expensive, but in the middle and higher range models, pricing is similar. It is also important to consider what is inside the beds being compared to determine value, and in that respect, Amerisleep’s beds offer higher density memory foam comparable BedInABox models.
Entry Level
- BedInABox PacBed Original – $649. Features 3” 3lb memory foam with 9” profile.
- Amerisleep Columbus – $849. Features 2” 4.5 lb memory foam with 8” profile.
Mid Level
- BedInABox Tranquility Gel – $1299. Features 3” 3lb memory foam with 11” profile.
- Amerisleep Revere – $1299. Features 3” 4.5lb memory foam with 12” profile.
Top Level
- BedInABox Serenity Gel – $1899. Features 3” 3lb memory foam with 13” profile.
- Amerisleep Colonial – $1899. Features 2.5” 5.3lb memory foam and 3.5” 4.5lb memory foam with 12” profile.
Construction
BedInABox memory foam mattresses contain an inner core made of 2.4 pounds density foam of 6-8 inches in depth. Amerisleep beds have an inner core of 6-9 inches made of 2.0 lb density foam. Both brands’ core densities are within the median High-Resiliency range which is optimal for support and durability, and both use higher-grade cores than the major national manufacturers (which average 1.2-1.6 lbs).
Both feature a similar construction with memory foam layered over the core, however several of BedInABox’s mattresses also include fiber layers of silk or bamboo. These layers may affect the ability of the memory foam to conform to sleepers and can be compressed and lumpy quicker than memory foam-only mattresses. Both mattresses utilize fabric fire barriers rather than chemical flame retardants. As far as covers, all Amerisleep beds use a bamboo-cotton blend fabric with some models also having microsuede sides, while BedInABox covers vary from knit blends with silk and bamboo or have Tencel or Outlast fibers.
Responsiveness and Pain Relief
Responsiveness, or the length of time a memory foam mattress takes to return to its original shape, varies according to how it is produced and how dense the material is. Both companies carry memory foam with similar response time ranging from 4-8 seconds for BedInABox and 6-8 seconds for Amerisleep. Both claim temperature neutral properties which conform based on pressure rather than body heat, enabling the foams to recontour and respond to movements quicker, and few owners of either brand complain about difficulty moving or feeling stuck in a hole which can be more common with high-density, temperature sensitive beds.
The ability to provide pressure point and pain relief is another factor that relates to density. Memory foam mattresses typically provide better pain reduction than other mattress types, since the material excels at distributing weight and since there are no hard materials like springs to offer resistance. This ability is related to the support provided by foam density, with higher density foams offering more buoyant support. Both brands seem to receive fairly high scores with owners regarding pain and pressure point relief.
Sleeping Hot
Concerns of sleeping hot or heat retention are common among memory foam shoppers, and about 10% of all memory foam owners say their beds do sleep hot. Both of these brands have lower than average complaints of heat in reviews. BedInABox’s lower density foam and breathable designs keep heat complaints to around 3-6% of reviews. Amerisleep’s open cell plant-based technology further minimizes the issue, with only 2-3% of reviewers mentioning heat.
Offgassing and Odor
Odor is another oft-cited concern for shoppers seeking this type of mattress. Overall about 15% of memory foam owners say their beds had or have strong odors. Though BedInABox beds are CertiPur certified, about 10-15% of reviewers still mention strong odors, which close to average. Amerisleep’s mattresses are claimed to be free of harmful chemicals, and have very minimal complaints of chemical odors, from less than 3% of reviewers. Unlike some other leading brands, few to no reviews mention strong reactions or problems with odors other than a minor annoyance.
Warranty
Warranties are an important part of any mattress purchase, as these are what protect consumers’ investments and offer an idea of the seller’s confidence in their product. Both brands offer 20 year limited warranties with 10 years of full coverage and 10 years of prorated coverage, however they differ in the fine print.
BedInABox offers 10 years of full coverage broken into two periods. For the first 5 years, they will cover sagging over 1 inch. For years 5-10, they cover sagging over 1.25 inches.
Amerisleep provides a better warranty overall, with sagging coverage at 0.75 inches for a full ten years. This is important, because sagging over 1” is correlated with increased pain and decreased satisfaction according to SleepLikeTheDead survey studies. This is also reflective of the differences in anticipated lifespan based on density specifications.
Also part of the guarantees, both brands offer an in-home trial period, which is essential when buying a mattress online. BedInABox offers 120 days to return, but requires customers to test their beds for 60 days. Amerisleep offers a 90 day trial, and asks customers to test beds at least 30 days. Neither charge restocking fees, and BedInABox also covers return shipping.
Durability and Longevity
This issue is directly related to density of foam materials. On average, a low density mattress will last 5-6 years, medium density averages 7-8, while high density mattresses average lifespans are 8-10 years. The low density memory foam used by BedInABox is inherently less resistant to impressions and softening which is why there are more complaints regarding their longevity, however the high density of their cores does give them an edge over most other low-density memory foam mattresses. Amerisleep’s medium and high density memory foam beds will likely outlast their lower-density counterparts by 1-5 years depending on model and owner use.
Overall Owner Satisfaction
Based on owner reviews on retailers’ websites and third party websites, about 86% of BedInABox’s customers are satisfied, compared to about 92% of Amerisleep’s customers (an average of 4.3 versus 4.6 stars out of 5 in rating terms, respectively) . Both brands boast excellent reviews compared to other industry memory foam brands, which average 80% satisfaction. On their websites and third party review websites like Reseller Ratings where each are Elite Merchants, both brands receive high scores from mostly happy owners expressing that they pleased with the value, service and products.
Overview of BedInABox vs. Amerisleep
Both companies offer USA-manufactured mattresses that are sold online, making them readily available to customers around the country. BedInABox also has a few retail dealers in select cities. Each company offers similar advantages like affordable pricing and good warranties, and performs better than average on most measures of quality and owner satisfaction.
The primary differences are reflected in the density of the foam used in the beds and in relative value. Although BedInABox offers a lower-priced starter model, their average mattress may offer less value compared to those from Amerisleep when factoring in the use of lower-density foam at similar price-points as shown above.
The ultimate decision of which might prove to be the best mattress for you will depend on personal comfort factors like firmness and depth needs, durability expectations and budget. Regardless of which you choose, it is likely you would come away happy since both BedInABox and Amerisleep have good records with reviewers, but it is always wise to compare information and options, utilizing reviews and other resources in order to make the best possible mattress decision.
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