Quick Answer: Novosbed costs $296 less than Casper, publishes premium foam densities up to 5.0 lb/ft³ (Casper does not disclose theirs), and offers three firmness options versus Casper's one. The Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy recommends selecting mattress firmness based on individual body mechanics, and Novosbed is the only one of these two brands that lets you make that choice.
- Choose Novosbed if you want firmness options, premium foam, and better value
- Choose Casper if you want the convenience of trying it at Sleep Country first
- For either, test your preferred firmness in a store before ordering online
7 min read
The Transparency Test: Published Specs vs Marketing Language
Here is the simplest way to evaluate these two mattresses: one tells you exactly what is inside it, and the other does not.
Novosbed publishes their foam density specifications. The comfort layer ranges from 3.7 to 5.0 lb/ft³, the transition layer from 2.5 to 4.0 lb/ft³, and all foams are CertiPUR-US certified. You can look at these numbers and make a reasonable assessment of how long the mattress will last and how it compares to competitors.
Casper states they "do not share the precise foam densities" for their mattress layers. They use proprietary names like "AirScape" and "ProSupport" instead. The foams are also CertiPUR-US certified, but without density numbers, you are trusting marketing language rather than verifiable specifications.
Foam density is the best publicly available predictor of mattress longevity. Higher density means the foam resists body impressions longer and maintains its comfort characteristics over more years. When a company publishes high numbers, they are proving their product quality. When a company withholds them, there is usually a reason.
At $1,295, we think you have a right to know what you are buying.
Three Firmness Options vs One: Why It Matters
The Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy published findings showing that mattress firmness significantly impacts spinal alignment during sleep, with optimal firmness varying by body mass index, sleep position, and existing musculoskeletal conditions. Side sleepers benefit from softer surfaces that allow shoulder and hip contouring, while back sleepers need firmer support to maintain lumbar curvature.
These findings reinforce that "medium-firm works for most people" is a reasonable starting point, but not a universal truth. Having the option to select your specific firmness level rather than accepting whatever firmness the manufacturer chose is a meaningful advantage for anyone who knows their body's preferences.
Novosbed offers Soft, Medium, and Firm configurations across the same 11-inch, all-foam platform. Each uses different density and ILD configurations in the comfort layers to achieve its target feel. If you are a 130 lb side sleeper, you can choose Soft. If you are a 200 lb back sleeper, you can choose Firm. The mattress adapts to you.
Casper sells one firmness at approximately 7/10 (medium-firm). It works for many sleepers, but not all. If you weigh under 150 lbs and sleep on your side, a 7/10 mattress may feel uncomfortably firm at your pressure points. If you need something softer, Casper does not offer it in this model.
Full Comparison Table
Casper Original vs Novosbed side-by-side comparison Canada" loading="lazy" style="max-width:100%;height:auto;display:block;margin:24px auto;">
| Feature | Novosbed | Casper Original |
|---|---|---|
| Queen Price | $999 | ~$1,295 |
| Height | 11" | 10" (tested ~9") |
| Type | All-foam (memory foam) | All-foam |
| Firmness Options | 3 (Soft, Medium, Firm) | 1 (Medium-Firm, ~7/10) |
| Comfort Foam Density | 3.7-5.0 lb/ft³ (published) | Not disclosed |
| Cover | Tencel fibre, washable | Non-removable |
| Trial Period | 120 nights | 365 nights |
| Warranty | 15 years | 15 years (with registration; 10 years otherwise) |
| Expected Lifespan | 7-10 years | 5-7 years |
| Parent Company | GoodMorning.com (independent) | Sleep Country Canada |
| In-Store Testing | No (online only) | Yes (Sleep Country stores) |
| Certifications | CertiPUR-US | CertiPUR-US |
What the $296 Difference Actually Gets You
The Casper costs $296 more than the Novosbed at the queen size. What does that extra money buy?
What Casper charges more for:
- The Casper brand name and marketing ecosystem
- Access to Sleep Country retail locations for in-person testing
- A firmer-than-average feel if that happens to be what you want
What Novosbed delivers for less:
- Three firmness options instead of one
- Published premium foam densities (3.7-5.0 lb/ft³)
- An additional inch of mattress height (11" vs 10")
- A Tencel fibre washable cover (vs non-removable)
- Five extra years of warranty (15 vs 10)
- Two to three extra years of expected lifespan
- Twenty additional nights in the trial period (120 vs 100)
By almost every measurable specification, the Novosbed offers more mattress for less money. The Casper's advantage is retail accessibility. If you live near a Sleep Country and want to try before you buy, that is a real benefit. But it is the only objective metric where Casper leads.
Trial Periods and Warranty: A Mixed Bag
Neither mattress offers an industry-leading trial period. Novosbed gives you 120 nights (with a 21-night minimum before returns). Casper gives you 365 nights. Both are adequate but shorter than the 365-night trials offered by Endy and Douglas.
On warranty, the gap is significant. Novosbed provides 15 years. Casper provides 10. That five-year difference costs you nothing extra and protects against manufacturing defects for half a decade longer.
Both brands offer free shipping and free returns within Canada, which is standard for the market and should not factor into your decision.
Real-World Advice From Our Showroom
At Mattress Miracle, we see this comparison play out every week. A customer walks in having heard of Casper from a podcast or advertisement, assumes it must be the best because they have heard the name, and is genuinely surprised when we show them what independent brands offer at the same or lower price points.
Our consistent advice: if you are spending $1,000 or more on a mattress, you should know what density foam you are sleeping on, and you should have a choice of firmness level. Novosbed delivers both. Casper delivers neither.
Better still, come try mattresses in person. We carry foam mattresses and hybrids across every firmness level, and we can help you compare soft, medium, and firm side by side. That 15 minutes of testing will give you more confidence than any online comparison article, including this one.
Foam density quick guide: Under 3.0 lb/ft³ is low-density (budget range, 3-5 year lifespan). Between 3.0-4.0 lb/ft³ is medium-density (mid-range, 5-7 years). Above 4.0 lb/ft³ is high-density (premium, 7-10+ years). Novosbed's published specs of 3.7-5.0 lb/ft³ put it in the premium category. Without Casper's numbers, you cannot make the same assessment.
Medical Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you are experiencing chronic pain, sleep disorders, or other health conditions, please consult a qualified healthcare professional. Your family doctor, chiropractor, or physiotherapist can provide guidance specific to your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Novosbed cost less than Casper when it has better specs?
Casper invests heavily in brand marketing, retail partnerships with Sleep Country, and a broad product ecosystem. These costs are built into the product price. Novosbed, made by the independent company GoodMorning.com, competes primarily on product quality and word-of-mouth rather than large advertising budgets. Lower marketing overhead allows them to offer premium materials at a lower price.
Which Novosbed firmness is most similar to the Casper?
The Novosbed Medium is the closest match. Casper sits at approximately 7/10, and the Novosbed Medium falls in the 6-7/10 range. If you want something very similar to the Casper feel but with better foam quality, start with Novosbed Medium. If you want something notably softer, go with Novosbed Soft.
Can I try a Novosbed before buying?
No. Novosbed is sold exclusively online through novosbed.com. There are no retail locations. You can use the 120-night home trial to test it, but if trying in person is essential, you will need to visit a mattress store to test similar firmness levels as a reference. Casper can be tested at Sleep Country stores.
Does foam density really predict mattress lifespan?
Yes. Foam density is the most reliable publicly available predictor of how long a foam mattress will maintain its comfort and support. Higher-density foams resist body impressions better and retain their structural properties longer. This is why Novosbed, at 3.7-5.0 lb/ft³, is expected to last 7-10 years compared to 5-7 years for mattresses with lower-density foams. It is also why some brands avoid publishing these numbers.
Is the Casper Tencel cover worth the price difference?
Actually, the Novosbed has the Tencel cover, not the Casper. The Novosbed includes a Tencel fibre cover that wicks moisture and is fully washable. The Casper cover is non-removable. This is another area where the less expensive mattress offers the better feature. A good mattress protector can supplement either cover, but having a washable Tencel cover built in is a practical advantage.
Shop This Topic at Mattress Miracle
Popular picks at Mattress Miracle:
Or browse all mattresses in our Brantford showroom.
Compare Foam Quality at Mattress Miracle
We are a family-owned mattress store in Brantford, helping our community sleep better since 1987. Come feel the difference that foam density makes and find your ideal firmness level without any pressure.
441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, Ontario
Call 519-770-0001Sources
- Kovacs FM, Abraira V, Pena A, et al. Effect of firmness of mattress on chronic non-specific low-back pain: randomised, double-blind, controlled, multicentre trial. The Lancet. 2003;362(9396):1599-1604.
- Radwan A, Fess P, James D, et al. Effect of different mattress designs on promoting sleep quality, pain reduction, and spinal alignment. Sleep Health. 2015;1(4):257-267.
- Caggiari G, Talesa GR, Toro G, et al. What type of mattress should be chosen to avoid back pain and improve sleep quality? Review of the literature. Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology. 2021;22(1):51.
- CertiPUR-US. What is Certified Foam? Consumer standards for foam emissions and chemistry.