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Overall Rating
8.4
Price Range:
$1,495 – $2,395
Mattress Type: Hybrid
Firmness Options: Medium (5)
Pros & Cons:
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Foam layers conform closely for pressure relief
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Multiple cooling features help minimize heat retention
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Foam surface reduces motion transfer
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May lack support for stomach sleepers over 230 pounds
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Below-average edge support compared to other hybrids
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Price might be too high for people on a budget
Since its launch in 2014, Casper has cemented its reputation as one of the leading direct-to-consumer mattress companies. The company has since expanded to offer a wide range of hybrid and all-foam mattresses for various sleeper types. New in 2021, the Casper Nova Hybrid Snow and the Casper Wave Hybrid Snow are specifically designed to keep sleepers cool at night.
These two cooler beds are upgraded versions of two of Casper’s existing mattresses, the Nova Hybrid and the Wave Hybrid. The Nova Hybrid is a 12-inch mattress with a triple-layer zoned comfort system and a pocketed coil core. The Wave Hybrid is similarly built, with an additional comfort layer and a total height of 13 inches. The upgraded Snow models feature advanced airflow, proprietary HeatDelete bands, and phase change material coating the top comfort layer and cover.
Casper’s Snow collection has appeal for sleepers who live in warm climates, or for those who tend to wake up at night feeling hot and sweaty. We’ll examine the materials and construction, performance ratings, pricing, and related policies of the Casper Snow Mattresses to help you determine if one of these is a good option for you.
Casper Nova and Wave Hybrid Snow Video Reviews
Watch the video below to see how the Casper Nova Hybrid Snow and Wave Hybrid Snow performed when put to the test in our lab.
Sleeping Style and Body Weight
Side Sleepers
The Nova Hybrid Snow performs well for side sleepers. With two zoned comfort layers, the Nova Hybrid Snow alleviates pressure points in the hips and shoulders and provides targeted support for the lumbar spine.
The mattress is especially suitable for side sleepers weighing between 130 and 230 pounds. The bed’s medium firmness works well for side sleepers in this weight range, allowing the right balance of cushioning and support. Side sleepers weighing less than 130 pounds and more than 230 pounds should also find the bed comfortable, although those under 130 pounds might find the mattress a little firm, and those over 230 pounds might experience some sinkage in the hips.
Back Sleepers
The Nova Hybrid Snow Mattress is particularly suitable for back sleepers under 130 pounds. For these sleepers, the mattress provides strong lumbar support and promotes healthy spinal alignment.
Back sleepers require a supportive mattress to keep the spine aligned, yet one that also contours sufficiently to prevent pressure buildup in the lower back. Sleepers who weigh more than 130 pounds, and especially those who weigh more than 230 pounds, may find the Nova Hybrid Snow Mattress a little too soft. These sleepers sink further into the mattress and may experience excessive sagging in the midsection.
Stomach Sleepers
Stomach sleepers tend to require the firmest beds in order to maintain spinal alignment. Since the Nova Hybrid Snow Mattress has a medium firmness, it performs very well for stomach sleepers weighing less than 130 pounds. These sleepers receive sufficient spinal support to keep the spine on an even plane.
Stomach sleepers weighing more than 130 pounds typically benefit from a firmer mattress When sleeping on the Nova Hybrid Snow Mattress, these individuals may sink in too deeply, causing added pressure to the back and neck.
Side Sleepers
The Casper Wave Hybrid Snow is suitable for side sleepers of all body weights. The three-zone Airscape polyfoam layer and the polyfoam with targeted gel pods help cradle the waist and lower back, allowing the hips and shoulders to settle a little lower than the waist and encouraging natural spinal alignment.
The medium firmness of this mattress works best for side sleepers weighing between 130 and 230 pounds. Individuals who weigh less than 130 pounds might experience some slight pressure in the hips and shoulders, while those over 230 pounds may need a little more support to keep the spine aligned.
Back Sleepers
Most back sleepers receive adequate support from the Casper Wave Hybrid Snow. The mattress is sufficiently firm to maintain healthy spinal alignment, especially for those who weigh less than 130 pounds, and the conforming polyfoam layers help prevent discomfort in the lower back.
Back sleepers who weigh more than 130 pounds also receive generally strong support from the Casper Wave Hybrid. However, these sleepers may experience some discomfort over time in the back and neck, as the mattress is a little on the plush side.
Stomach Sleepers
The Casper Wave Hybrid Snow can provide comfort and support to most stomach sleepers. The mattress is best for stomach sleepers who weigh less than 230 pounds. As these sleepers exert less pressure on the mattress, they are more likely to sleep on, as opposed to in, the bed and experience healthy spinal alignment.
Stomach sleepers weighing more than 230 pounds may experience a lack of support from the Casper Wave Hybrid Snow. These individuals sink further into the mattress, which can push the spine into a U-shape and cause discomfort.
Sleep Foundation Special Offer
Up to 60% off
In addition to the hands-on feedback from our team, we conduct a number of quantitative tests in our Test Lab. The below ratings are based on the experience of our testers.
Casper Nova Hybrid Snow
The Nova Hybrid Snow isolates motion well, making it an attractive option for people who share a bed with a partner, child, or pet. When a mattress isolates motion well, movement on one part of the bed stays put instead of transferring across the bed’s surface and potentially disturbing others.
Hybrid beds with pocketed coil support cores often isolate motion better than traditional innerspring mattresses. Pocketed coils are individually encased, so putting weight on one doesn’t automatically affect those surrounding it, as it does with traditional innersprings. The polyfoam and memory foam comfort layers in this bed also absorb motion to reduce nighttime disruptions.
Pressure relief is another area in which the Nova Hybrid Snow excels. Pressure relief benefits all sleepers, but is especially important to those who tend to experience pain or discomfort while they sleep.
The multiple comfort layers, and the seven-zoned memory foam comfort layer, in particular, contour to the body’s curves and contribute to the pressure-relieving capabilities of the Nova Hybrid. The zoned construction and the pocketed coils allow heavier parts of the body to sink in a little further, improving spinal alignment and reducing pressure buildup in the lumbar area.
Thanks to its additional cooling features, the Nova Hybrid Snow excels at regulating temperature so sleepers don’t become overheated at night.
The cover with phase change material feels cool to the touch, and the HeatDelete Bands help draw heat away from the body. The Airscape foam comfort layers found in the Nova Hybrid Snow are more breathable than most foam comfort layers thanks to the tiny perforated holes.
The uppermost layer is coated with additional phase change material, adding to its cooling power. Finally, the coil support core allows for more cooling airflow compared with a foam support core.
When it comes to edge support, the Nova Hybrid Snow rates positively, but not as highly as some comparable mattresses. Edge support is important because it impacts how much of the mattress surface is usable. When a bed has strong edges, people can sleep near the edge of the bed without worrying about feelings of roll-off.
Generally, hybrid beds tend to have better edge support than all-foam beds because of the firmer coil base. In the Nova Hybrid Snow, the pocketed coils are reinforced with additional polyfoam encasement, which helps limit potential sinkage around the perimeter. However, because the comfort system is relatively plush, some sleepers might notice excessive compression when sitting on or lying near the edge of the bed.
The Nova Hybrid Snow is fairly responsive, which facilitates movement on top of the bed. Ease of movement can affect a sleeper’s ability to change sleep positions during the night. Generally, more responsive beds are easier to move on, while closer-conforming memory foam beds hug the body and may inhibit movement.
Although the Nova Hybrid Snow does contain a memory foam layer, it’s not an ultra-conforming mattress. As with most hybrid mattresses, sleepers do sink into the bed somewhat, but the pocketed coil core provides adequate pushback to prevent the feeling of being stuck in the bed.
The Nova Hybrid Snow Mattress off-gasses about an average amount for a hybrid bed. Off-gassing is a normal process that occurs with most newly manufactured products when volatile organic compounds (VOCs) come into contact with the air. Mattresses that contain synthetic foams tend to off-gas more than those that do not.
Sleepers can expect a slight odor when they first unbox the Nova Hybrid Snow, but most people don’t find the odor particularly bothersome. The odor should begin fading within hours and disappear within a day or two. Those who are sensitive to smells might want to let the mattress air out before sleeping on it.
Casper Wave Hybrid Snow
Sleepers who share a bed with others should experience minimal disruption when sleeping on the Casper Wave Hybrid Snow.
With four layers of polyfoam and memory foam, the Casper Wave Hybrid Snow absorbs most motion before it can travel across the surface of the bed. As the pocketed coils are individually encased, compressing one doesn’t automatically compress those surrounding it. This effectively limits movement to prevent it from reaching a sleeping partner.
The Wave Hybrid relieves pressure well, which makes it a good option for people who experience pain or discomfort at night.
In this mattress, two comfort layers in particular play a major role in pressure relief: the Airscape polyfoam layer with three zones, and the polyfoam layer with targeted gel pods. Both of these layers help provide support specifically customized to certain body parts, cushioning sensitive areas and supporting heavier parts of the body. The pocketed coil support core provides a deep cradle to ensure proper spinal alignment.
Multiple materials and construction elements keep the Casper Wave Hybrid Snow cool, making it an excellent choice for people who tend to sleep hot or wake up sweaty.
The bed’s hybrid construction is naturally cooling because of the airflow that occurs through the pocketed coil support core.The perforated Airscape foam comfort layers are also more breathable than the average foam comfort layer.
Additionally, this bed contains extra cooling gel, graphite HeatDelete Bands, and several layers of phase change material, all of which are intended to draw heat away from the body and promote coolness as you sleep.
The edge support provided by the Casper Wave Hybrid Snow Mattress is decent.
Pocketed coils and polyfoam encasement in the support core help strengthen the bed’s edges, but the softer foam comfort layers mean that the edges have a little give to them.
Most sleepers should be able to sleep near the edge of the bed, but the limited edge support may pose some difficulties for those who rely on the edges to get in and out of bed.
Switching positions on the Casper Wave Hybrid Snow is fairly easy thanks to its responsive surface. Although the mattress conforms somewhat closely, most sleepers should feel like they are sleeping on rather than in the mattress. As a result, changing sleep positions and getting in and out of bed doesn’t take much effort.
Some people may notice a faint off-gassing odor when they first unbox the Casper Wave Hybrid Snow. This odor is considered harmless, and the foams in this mattress are certified by CertiPUR-US, which means they have been found to have low VOC emissions.
Most sleepers won’t be terribly bothered by the odor. Those who are more sensitive to smells can allow the mattress to off-gas in another room for a day or two before moving it into the bedroom.
The Casper Snow Mattresses are both hybrids, with a foam comfort system and a pocketed coil support core. They are constructed similarly, but the Wave Hybrid Snow has a few extra features. The Nova Hybrid Snow measures 12 inches tall and the Wave Hybrid Snow measures 13 inches tall, which fit the average profile of a hybrid mattress.
The Nova Hybrid Snow has a top layer of polyfoam infused with phase change material, which strategically absorbs and releases heat with the aim of maintaining a neutral surface temperature. The polyfoam is aerated with tiny holes for better airflow. Beneath this is a second layer of aerated polyfoam with three zones, providing extra support for the hips. This layer contains thermal HeatDelete bands made of flexible graphite, designed to channel heat away from the sleeper’s body. A third layer of seven-zoned memory foam with grooved cutouts supplies targeted spinal support and additional airflow.
The first two layers of the Wave Hybrid Snow are identical to the Nova Hybrid Snow. However, instead of the seven-zone memory foam, the Wave Hybrid Snow contains a layer of perforated three-zone memory foam, followed by a zoned layer of polyfoam with strategically placed gel pods. These pods are engineered to reduce pressure in key spots and help improve spinal alignment.
Both the Casper Nova Hybrid and Wave Hybrid have the same support core, made up of pocketed coils encased in a foam base for added edge support. Each mattress also has a cover made from recycled bottles and coated with phase change material. In terms of firmness the mattresses rate medium, or 5 out of 10 on the firmness scale. This is on the plusher side, but still within the range that tends to appeal to the vast majority of sleepers.
Casper Nova Hybrid Snow
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Firmness
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Medium – 5
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Mattress Type
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Hybrid
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Construction
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The Casper Nova Hybrid Snow Mattress contains two layers of aerated polyfoam with phase-change material and graphite HeatDelete bands, a zoned memory foam layer, and a pocketed coil support core. The cover is infused
with phase-change material.
Cover Material:
QuickCool
Comfort Layer:
2″ Airscape Polyfoam, HeatDelete Bands, 3-Zoned Airscape Polyfoam, Seven-Zoned Memory Foam
Support Core:
Pocketed Coils with Perimeter Foam Encasement
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Casper Wave Hybrid Snow
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Firmness
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Medium – 5
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Mattress Type
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Latex Hybrid
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Construction
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The Casper Wave Hybrid Snow contains 2 layers of aerated polyfoam, a layer of zoned memory foam, and a layer of polyfoam with gel pods over a pocketed coil base. The cover is infused with phase-change material.
Cover Material:
QuickCool
Comfort Layer:
Airscape Gel-Infused Polyfoam, HeatDelete Bands, Airscape Polyfoam, 3-Zoned Memory Foam, Polyfoam with Targeted Gel Pods
Support Core:
Pocketed Coils with Perimeter Foam Encasement
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Mattress Prices and Sizing
The Casper Nova Hybrid Snow Mattress’ price is about average for a high-quality hybrid mattress. The Casper Wave Hybrid Snow is slightly more expensive due to the additional layer in the comfort section.
Generally, hybrid mattresses cost more than innerspring and memory foam beds due to the cost of the pocketed coils and the more complex construction. The addition of temperature-regulating technology, such as the QuickCool cover, phase change material, and HeatDelete Bands, is the reason why the Casper Snow Mattresses cost several hundred dollars more than the standard Nova Hybrid and Wave Hybrid.
Casper Nova Hybrid Snow
Casper Wave Hybrid Snow
Sleep Foundation Special Offer
Up to 60% off
Trial, Warranty, and Shipping Policies
Availability The Casper Nova Hybrid Snow and Wave Hybrid Snow are available online on the Casper website, as well as in Casper’s brick-and-mortar stores located in select U.S. states.
Casper ships mattresses for free to locations within the continental U.S. and Canada. Customers must pay an additional fee to have the mattress shipped to Alaska, Hawaii, and Northern Canada.
Shipping Casper ships its mattresses via UPS Ground. Customers may opt to have the delivery require a signature, in which case a person must be home to receive the package. Without this option, UPS may leave the mattress near the front door, regardless of if someone is home or not.
Mattresses are compressed, rolled, and put into a box for shipping. To set up the mattress, simply place it on the foundation, remove the packaging, and let it expand.
Additional Services Casper offers White Glove delivery in the continental U.S. for a flat rate of $149. With this option, a third-party company delivers the mattress and sets it up in the room of your choice.
For an additional fee, the deliverers can also remove an old mattress and box spring. They will only remove the number of items they are delivering. For example, if you have one mattress delivered, they will remove one old mattress. All items must be in sanitary condition in order to be removed. The delivery team will not remove old bed frames.
Sleep Trial Casper offers a 100-night sleep trial starting on the day of delivery. Customers who decide they don’t like the mattress can return it at any point during the sleep trial for a full refund. Casper will arrange for pickup and responsible disposal of the mattress in a recycling plant or local charity.
Returns are free during the sleep trial, and there’s no charge to have the returned mattress picked up. However, White Glove delivery and old mattress removal fees will not be refunded.
Warranty Casper mattresses come with a 10-year limited warranty. The warranty is only valid for the original purchaser of the mattress.
The warranty covers material and workmanship defects, including visible indentations in the mattress that measure more than 1 inch deep. The warranty also covers splits or cracks in foam layers and dysfunctional cover zippers.
The warranty doesn’t cover damage from burns, cuts, tears, liquid, or stains, or damage that results from using the mattress with an improper base.
In the event of a defect, Casper may replace the mattress with a comparable model, replace defective parts of the mattress only, or allow a customer to replace the mattress with a more expensive model by paying for the difference in price.
Still have questions?
Our product experts have extensive experience testing just about every sleep product on the market. Send an email to [email protected] or call us at (877) 672-8966 with your questions and we'll help you find exactly what you're looking for.
Written By
Daniel Noyed,
Senior Product Editor
Danny is a Certified Sleep Science Coach with an in-depth knowledge of sleep health. He has tested hundreds of mattresses and sleep products.
Learn more about our Editorial Team
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