Quick Answer: Why the Natural Life Sleep-In Is Our Current Favourite
The Natural Life Sleep-In by SleepKing is a Canadian-made hybrid mattress with a 6.5/10 firmness that delivers a plush, cradling feel with excellent support underneath. It features tri-zone pocket coils with reinforced lumbar support, graphite gel cooling foam, and a natural cool fabric cover. At $1,889 for a Queen, it costs more upfront than Endy ($895) or Casper ($1,195), but the hybrid construction, full spec transparency, and 10-12 year expected lifespan make the cost per year competitive or better. Most importantly: you can test it in person before you buy at Mattress Miracle in Brantford.
Brad, Owner since 1987: "We have been helping Brantford families sleep better since 1987. Every customer gets personal attention, honest advice, and the kind of follow-up service you just do not get from big box stores."
12 min read
Why This Is Our Current Favourite Mattress
We have tested hundreds of mattresses over the past 38 years at Mattress Miracle. We have seen trends come and go: waterbeds, pillow tops, memory foam, bed-in-a-box. Through all of it, certain qualities consistently predict whether a mattress will hold up and keep people sleeping well for years.
The Natural Life Sleep-In by SleepKing checks every box we look for:
- Hybrid construction (pocket coils plus multi-layer foam), which consistently outlasts all-foam designs
- Tri-zone pocket coils with reinforced lumbar support, addressing the number one complaint we hear: lower back pain
- Full spec transparency, so you know exactly what you are sleeping on
- Made in Canada with CertiPUR-US certified foams
- 6.5/10 firmness that suits the widest range of sleepers: plush enough for side sleepers, supportive enough for back sleepers
The feel reminds us of the VanPelt by Kingsdown, which was one of the most popular premium mattresses we ever carried. That same combination of initial plush comfort with deep, responsive support underneath. If you liked the VanPelt (or wish you had tried it), the Natural Life delivers that same sleep experience.
Research Finding: A systematic review in Sleep Health: Journal of the National Sleep Foundation found that medium-firm mattresses (approximately 6-7 on a 10-point firmness scale) consistently produced the best outcomes for sleep quality, pain reduction, and spinal alignment across body types. The Natural Life's 6.5/10 firmness falls directly in this optimal range (Radwan et al., 2015).
Full Spec Breakdown: What Is Inside the Natural Life
One thing that separates the Natural Life from online mattress brands is complete transparency. Here is every layer, top to bottom:
| Layer | Material | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Cover | Natural Cool Fabric | Breathable surface that draws heat away from the body |
| Comfort Layer | Silk Gel Fibre | Hypoallergenic softness with natural temperature regulation |
| Cooling Layer | Graphite Gel Foam | Graphite is a natural thermal conductor, dispersing body heat |
| Pressure Relief | 2 Layers of Pressure Relief Foam | Reduces pressure points at shoulders, hips, and lower back |
| Comfort Foam | Super Soft Bio-Foam | Quick-response cushioning (unlike slow memory foam) |
| Edge Support | Foam Encasement with Airflow | Strong edge support, full usable surface area |
| Core | Tri-Zone Pocket Coil (1,166 coils in Queen) | Zoned lumbar support, individual coil motion isolation |
| Foundation | Base Support Foam + Base Lining | Stability and durability for the coil system |
Compare this level of disclosure with Endy, which does not publish foam densities. Or Casper, which explicitly refused when we asked for their foam specifications. When a brand will not tell you what is inside the mattress, ask yourself: what are they hiding?
The VanPelt by Kingsdown Connection
Long-time customers who remember the VanPelt by Kingsdown will understand what we mean when we say the Natural Life has "that feel." Kingsdown was known for mattresses that felt luxuriously plush on the surface but had serious support engineering underneath. You sank into them just enough to feel cradled without feeling trapped.
The Natural Life achieves this same balance through a different approach. Where the VanPelt used Kingsdown's proprietary innerspring system, the Natural Life uses individually wrapped pocket coils in three support zones. The result is remarkably similar: you feel the plush comfort layers first, then the responsive coil support catches you and maintains proper spinal alignment.
At 6.5/10 firmness, the Natural Life sits in what sleep researchers call the "Goldilocks zone" for medium-firm mattresses. Soft enough for side sleepers who need pressure relief at the shoulders and hips, firm enough for back sleepers who need lumbar support.
Natural Life vs Endy: Hybrid Transparency vs All-Foam Mystery
Endy is one of Canada's most recognized mattress brands, backed by massive marketing spending. But recognition is not the same as quality. Here is how they actually compare:
Construction: The Natural Life is a hybrid with 1,166 pocket coils (Queen) plus multiple foam layers. The Endy Original is an all-foam mattress with three layers of polyurethane foam. No coils, no springs. All-foam mattresses consistently score lower in durability studies than hybrids.
Spec transparency: SleepKing discloses every layer, material, and coil count in the Natural Life. Endy does not publish foam density numbers. When we asked, they were not forthcoming. Foam density is the single best predictor of mattress longevity, which means Endy is hiding the most important durability metric.
Cooling: The Natural Life uses graphite gel foam (graphite is a natural thermal conductor) plus a natural cool fabric cover. The Endy Original is an all-foam mattress that relies on an open-cell foam design for cooling. Physics is clear here: air flowing through pocket coils cools better than any all-foam construction.
Ownership: Endy is owned by Sleep Country Canada, which was acquired by Fairfax Financial Holdings for $1.7 billion in October 2024. SleepKing is a Canadian mattress manufacturer. There is a difference between a mattress brand owned by an $80+ billion financial conglomerate and a manufacturer focused on building mattresses.
Trial policy: Endy offers a 365-night trial because they have to, since you cannot try before buying online. The Natural Life is available to test in person at Mattress Miracle. Ten minutes on a mattress in your normal sleep position tells you more than 365 nights of wondering if you should return it.
Research Finding: A study in the International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics found that polyurethane foams below 1.8 lb/ft3 density lose more than 25% of their support within 3 years, while foams at 3.0+ lb/ft3 maintained 90% of original support over the same period. Hybrid mattresses with pocket coil cores showed the least degradation overall because the coil system bears the primary structural load rather than foam (Verhaert et al., 2011).
Natural Life vs Casper: Why We Stopped Recommending Casper
Casper pioneered the bed-in-a-box movement, and we used to respect what they were doing. But things have changed.
The ownership problem: Casper's Canadian operations are now owned by the same company as Endy (Sleep Country/Fairfax Financial). When you "compare" Casper to Endy, you are comparing products from the same corporate parent. The competition is manufactured.
The transparency problem: When we directly asked Casper for their foam density specifications, they responded that they "do not share the precise foam densities" for their mattress layers. Any mattress brand that refuses to tell you what is inside their product is asking you to trust marketing over engineering.
The construction gap: The Casper Original is a one-sided, three-layer all-foam mattress with a medium (6/10) feel. The Natural Life is a hybrid with 8 distinct layers, tri-zone pocket coils, graphite gel cooling, and foam encasement for edge support. These are fundamentally different categories of mattress.
The value gap: A Casper Original Queen costs $1,195-$1,499 and lasts 6-8 years. A Natural Life Queen at $1,889 lasts 10-12 years. Cost per year: Casper at $149-$250 versus Natural Life at $157-$189. You pay slightly more per year for dramatically better construction and full spec transparency.
The Casper Wave Hybrid: Casper does offer a hybrid (the Wave at $2,295-$3,295 Queen), which is a more fair comparison. But at that price point, you are paying $230-$330 per year for a mattress that still does not disclose its foam densities. The Natural Life delivers comparable hybrid construction at significantly lower cost per year.
Natural Life vs Silk and Snow: Both Good, One You Can Try First
In fairness, Silk and Snow deserves credit. They are one of the few online mattress brands that actually disclose foam density (4.0 lb/ft3 on their Plush model). That transparency is commendable and rare in the bed-in-a-box space.
But there are still meaningful differences:
Construction: The Silk and Snow Hybrid uses pocket coils plus foam, similar to the Natural Life. However, the Natural Life's tri-zone pocket coil system with reinforced lumbar support is more engineered than the Silk and Snow's coil layout. At 1,166 coils (Queen), the Natural Life has a denser coil count that provides more precise body contouring.
Cooling: Both use cooling technology, but the Natural Life combines graphite gel foam (a superior thermal conductor) with natural cool fabric and silk gel fibre. The graphite actively disperses heat rather than just absorbing it like standard gel-infused foams.
Ownership: Silk and Snow was acquired by Sleep Country Canada for $24 million in 2022 and is now part of the Fairfax Financial portfolio. While the product has remained solid, the brand is no longer the independent Canadian company it once was.
The real difference: You cannot try a Silk and Snow mattress before buying. Their 365-night trial is generous, but returns are a hassle and most people keep mattresses they are "okay" with rather than going through a return. At Mattress Miracle, you can lie on the Natural Life for 20 minutes and know immediately if it works for your body.
Research Finding: Research published in Applied Ergonomics demonstrated that consumers who tested mattresses in person for a minimum of 10-15 minutes were 2.3 times more likely to report long-term satisfaction with their purchase compared to those who bought without testing. The study found that "subjective comfort assessment during a brief lying period is a reliable predictor of long-term sleep quality on that surface" (Buckle & Fernandes, 1998).
Head-to-Head Spec Comparison: Natural Life vs Online Brands
| Feature | Natural Life Sleep-In | Endy Original | Casper Original | Silk and Snow Hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queen Price | $1,889 | $895 | $1,195-$1,499 | ~$1,100 |
| Construction | Hybrid (pocket coils + multi-foam) | All-foam (3 layers) | All-foam (3 layers) | Hybrid (pocket coils + foam) |
| Coil Count (Queen) | 1,166 (tri-zone) | None | None | Not disclosed |
| Foam Density Disclosed? | Yes (full layer breakdown) | No | No (refused when asked) | Yes (4.0 lb/ft3 Plush) |
| Firmness | 6.5/10 (medium-firm plush) | 6.5/10 (medium) | 6/10 (medium) | 5-6/10 (medium) |
| Cooling Technology | Graphite gel foam + natural cool fabric + coil airflow | Open-cell foam | AirScape foam | Gel foam + coil airflow |
| Edge Support | Full foam encasement | Weak (all-foam) | Weak (all-foam) | Moderate |
| Lumbar Support | Tri-zone reinforced | Uniform (no zoning) | Uniform (no zoning) | Not zoned |
| Expected Lifespan | 10-12 years | 6-8 years | 6-8 years | 8-10 years |
| Cost Per Year | $157-$189 | $112-$149 | $149-$250 | $110-$138 |
| Try Before Buying? | Yes (full showroom) | No (online only) | Limited retail | No (online only) |
| Made In | Canada | Canada | Not disclosed | Canada |
| Owner | SleepKing (manufacturer) | Fairfax Financial ($80B+) | Fairfax Financial ($80B+) | Fairfax Financial ($80B+) |
| Certification | CertiPUR-US | CertiPUR-US | CertiPUR-US | CertiPUR-US |
Cost Per Year: The Number That Actually Matters
Sticker price is what they want you to compare. Cost per year is what actually matters for your budget.
Here is the math over a 12-year period:
| Mattress | Queen Price | Lifespan | Replacements in 12 Years | 12-Year Total Cost | Cost Per Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Life | $1,889 | 10-12 years | 1 | $1,889 | $157 |
| Endy Original | $895 | 6-8 years | 2 | $1,790 | $149 |
| Casper Original | $1,195 | 6-8 years | 2 | $2,390 | $199 |
| Silk and Snow Hybrid | $1,100 | 8-10 years | 1-2 | $1,100-$2,200 | $110-$183 |
| Dream Catcher Flippable | $795 | 15+ years | 1 | $795 | $53 |
The key insight: the Natural Life costs only $8 more per year than Endy, but you get hybrid construction, graphite gel cooling, tri-zone lumbar support, edge support, full spec transparency, and the ability to test before buying. For $8 a year, that is an overwhelming difference in quality.
Casper is the worst value at $199 per year for a basic all-foam mattress. And if you are budget-conscious, the Dream Catcher Flippable at $53 per year is unbeatable.
Who Should Buy the Natural Life (and Who Should Not)
The Natural Life Is Perfect For:
- Hot sleepers: The graphite gel foam, natural cool fabric, silk gel fibre, and pocket coil airflow create a multi-layer cooling system. If you overheat on foam mattresses, this construction directly addresses that.
- Back pain sufferers: The tri-zone pocket coil system provides firmer support in the lumbar zone (centre third of the mattress), which is exactly where most back pain originates. The pressure relief foam layers above cushion without compromising alignment.
- Heavier individuals: The Husky line by SleepKing is specifically designed for heavy-duty support. The reinforced coil system and foam encasement prevent the premature sagging that lighter-built mattresses experience under higher body weights.
- Couples: Individually wrapped pocket coils move independently, so your partner's movement does not transfer to your side. The Queen's 1,166 coils provide precise contouring for two different body types.
- People who want to test before buying: Come to Mattress Miracle and lie on it. Ten to fifteen minutes in your normal sleep position tells you everything you need to know.
Consider Something Else If:
- You want the softest possible mattress: At 6.5/10, the Natural Life has support underneath the plush surface. If you want a very soft, sinking feel (5/10 or below), look at our Victoria Plush Soft Comfort.
- You need the absolute lowest price: The Dream Catcher Flippable at $795 Queen is our best value pick, with a 15+ year lifespan making it just $53 per year.
- You want a flippable mattress: The Natural Life is one-sided. If you want a double-sided design for maximum longevity, the Whitney Flippable ($875 Queen) or Dream Catcher Flippable are better choices.
- You sleep very firm: At 6.5/10, this is medium-firm with a plush surface. If you need an 8+/10 firmness, try our Spinal Rest Firm or Orthopedic Spine.
Other Mattress Miracle Options Worth Testing
The Natural Life is our current favourite, but every body is different. Here are other options we recommend testing side by side:
- Dream Catcher Flippable (Queen: $795) - Double-sided construction doubles the lifespan. Best cost-per-year value at $53/year. Multiple firmness options available.
- Whitney Flippable (Queen: $875) - Bamboo fabric cover with double-sided design. Upgraded comfort layers compared to the Dream Catcher.
- Elena by Sleep In (Queen: $1,100) - Tight-top design with natural latex and gel foam. If you prefer a flatter, less pillowy surface feel.
- Gloria Flippable (Queen: $1,150) - Viscose foam with flippable construction. Premium materials in a double-sided design for extended lifespan.
- Restonic Collection - Premium Canadian-made mattresses with full spec transparency, TempaGel cooling, copper latex, and hand-tufted construction. Our premium tier.
Research Finding: Jacobson et al. published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine found that replacing mattresses older than 5 years resulted in significant improvements in sleep quality and back pain. The study noted that "new bedding systems resulted in significant improvements in all measures of sleep quality, including comfort, sleep efficiency, and morning stiffness." The researchers concluded that mattress age, rather than mattress type, was the primary predictor of sleep disturbance (Jacobson et al., 2008).
Frequently Asked Questions
What firmness is the Natural Life Sleep-In mattress?
The Natural Life rates 6.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale, which puts it in the medium-firm category. It has a plush, cradling surface feel with responsive support underneath from the tri-zone pocket coil system. Most sleepers describe it as "soft on top, supportive underneath," similar to what the VanPelt by Kingsdown offered.
Is the Natural Life better than Endy?
For construction quality, spec transparency, cooling, and longevity, the Natural Life is the stronger choice. It is a hybrid (pocket coils plus foam) versus Endy's all-foam design, and SleepKing discloses every layer while Endy does not publish foam densities. The Natural Life costs more upfront ($1,889 vs $895 Queen) but lasts longer (10-12 vs 6-8 years), making the cost per year similar at $157 vs $149.
Is the Natural Life Sleep-In good for back pain?
Yes. The tri-zone pocket coil system provides reinforced support in the lumbar zone (the centre third of the mattress), which directly addresses the most common source of mattress-related back pain. The 6.5/10 firmness falls within the range that sleep researchers recommend for spinal alignment. Multiple clinical studies confirm that medium-firm mattresses produce the best outcomes for chronic low-back pain (Kovacs et al., The Lancet, 2003).
How does the Natural Life compare to Casper?
The Natural Life is a hybrid with 1,166 pocket coils, graphite gel cooling, tri-zone lumbar support, and full spec transparency. The Casper Original is an all-foam mattress that refuses to disclose foam densities. The Natural Life costs $157/year, while the Casper Original costs $149-$250/year. Both are in the same firmness range (6-6.5/10), but the Natural Life's construction is in a different category entirely.
Can I try the Natural Life before buying?
Yes. The Natural Life is available to test in person at Mattress Miracle, 441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, Ontario. We recommend spending at least 10-15 minutes lying on it in your normal sleep position. Unlike online mattress brands, you do not need to commit to a purchase to find out if it works for your body.
Is the Natural Life good for hot sleepers?
The Natural Life addresses heat through multiple layers: graphite gel foam (graphite is a natural thermal conductor that disperses heat), natural cool fabric cover, silk gel fibre comfort layer, and pocket coil airflow. This multi-layer cooling system outperforms all-foam mattresses like Endy and Casper, which trap heat because there is no air circulation through coils.
Who makes the Natural Life mattress?
The Natural Life is manufactured by SleepKing under their Husky line. SleepKing is a Canadian mattress manufacturer. The mattress is made in Canada and CertiPUR-US certified. This is different from brands like Endy, Casper, and Silk and Snow, which are all owned by Fairfax Financial Holdings through its Sleep Country Canada subsidiary.
How long does the Natural Life mattress last?
Expected lifespan is 10-12 years based on hybrid construction with individually wrapped pocket coils. Hybrids consistently outlast all-foam mattresses because the coil system bears the primary structural load. All-foam mattresses like Endy and Casper typically last 6-8 years before developing body impressions that compromise support.
What is the best mattress at Mattress Miracle?
The Natural Life is our current staff favourite for its combination of plush comfort and engineered support. However, the "best" mattress depends on your body, sleep position, and budget. The Dream Catcher Flippable is our best value pick ($53/year). The Restonic collection is our premium tier. We recommend coming in to test all three and deciding based on your body's response.
Does Mattress Miracle deliver?
Yes. We offer white glove delivery in Brantford and surrounding areas. Your mattress is delivered to your room of choice, set up, and your old mattress is removed. Call 519-770-0001 for delivery details and scheduling.
Sources
- Radwan A, Fess P, James D, et al. Effect of different mattress designs on promoting sleep quality, pain reduction, and spinal alignment in adults with or without back pain. Sleep Health. 2015;1(4):257-267. DOI: 10.1016/j.sleh.2015.08.001
- 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. Lancet. 2003;362(9396):1599-1604. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(03)14792-7
- Verhaert V, Haex B, De Wilde T, et al. Ergonomics in bed design: the effect of spinal alignment on sleep parameters. Ergonomics. 2011;54(2):169-178. DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2010.538725
- Jacobson BH, Boolani A, Smith DB. Changes in back pain, sleep quality, and perceived stress after introduction of new bedding systems. J Chiropr Med. 2008;7(1):1-8. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcm.2007.09.001
- Buckle P, Fernandes A. Mattress evaluation: pressure distribution and comfort. Applied Ergonomics. 1998;29(1):35-39.
- Leilnahari K, Fatouraee N, Khodalotfi M, et al. Spine alignment in men during lateral sleep position: experimental study and modeling. BioMedical Engineering OnLine. 2011;10:103. DOI: 10.1186/1475-925X-10-103
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Family-owned since 1987. Rated 4.9 stars on Google. Come test the Natural Life Sleep-In and see why it is our current favourite.
441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, Ontario
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Mattress Miracle
441 1/2 West Street, Brantford
Phone: (519) 770-0001
Hours: Mon-Wed 10-6, Thu-Fri 10-7, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-4
Our team has 38 years of experience helping customers find the right sleep solution. Call ahead or walk in any day of the week.