We're excited to highlight another major recognition for the Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress! The Strategist, New York Magazine's shopping and product-review publication, named the Bear Elite Hybrid its Best Hybrid Mattress Overall in its article, The Best Hybrid Mattresses.
The recognition highlights what we set out to achieve with the Elite Hybrid: a mattress that brings together cushioning comfort, reliable support, and a customizable feel to help sleepers get the rest they need.
Why The Strategist Chose the Bear Elite Hybrid as Its Best Hybrid Mattress Overall
For its hybrid mattress guide, The Strategist drew on hands-on testing by its editors, considering factors such as construction, firmness, support, and overall sleep experience. Each review also discusses the tester's sleeping habits and preferences, helping readers understand how a mattress might suit their individual needs.
The Bear Elite Hybrid earned the top overall spot for its balance of comfort and support, with three firmness options that accommodate different sleep preferences.
The Strategist summarized the Elite Hybrid as:
"An equally supportive and comfortable hybrid that comes in three firmness levels."
The review was based on firsthand experience from The Strategist senior editor Hilary Reid, a side and stomach-side sleeper who prefers softer to medium-firm mattresses. Reid tested the medium-firmness Elite Hybrid after spending more than a decade sleeping on a softer, plusher mattress.
What stood out most? The way the Elite Hybrid combines a cushioned surface with a supportive feel.
As Reid explained:
"This might sound like an oxymoron, but the mattress is a wonderful combination of feeling comfortable and a little cushy while still being firm and supportive."
What The Strategist's Review Revealed About the Elite Hybrid
Balanced Comfort and Support
One of the biggest takeaways from The Strategist's review was the Elite Hybrid's ability to deliver a comfortable, slightly cushioned feel without sacrificing firmness and support.
Reid reported experiencing less upper-back and neck pain after switching to the Elite Hybrid, although she also noted a brief adjustment period as she got used to the firmer surface.
The review also highlighted the mattress's comfort for side and back sleeping. Reid found side sleeping particularly comfortable, while her fiancé, who alternates between his back and side, also enjoyed the mattress.
After comparing their experience with their previous, much plusher mattress, Reid shared:
"We both feel we are sleeping better on the mattress than we were on our last mattress, which was much plusher."
Three Firmness Options for Personalized Comfort
Another advantage highlighted in The Strategist's review is the Elite Hybrid's availability in three firmness levels.
-
Soft (5/10): A more cushioned feel for sleepers who prefer additional softness.
-
Medium (6/10): A balance of cushioning and support for a versatile sleep surface.
-
Firm (7/10): A sturdier feel for sleepers who prefer greater firmness.
Reid tested the medium option and agreed with our 6-out-of-10 firmness rating.
With three options to choose from, shoppers can select the version of the Elite Hybrid that best matches their sleeping position, comfort preferences, and support needs.
Discover The Strategist's Best Hybrid Mattress Overall
With so many hybrid mattresses on the market, finding the right balance of comfort, firmness, and support can feel overwhelming. That's why we value independent, hands-on reviews like The Strategist's. They offer shoppers another perspective on how a mattress actually feels and performs beyond its product specifications.
We're proud to see the Bear Elite Hybrid recognized as The Strategist's Best Hybrid Mattress Overall, especially for the qualities we believe matter most: comfortable cushioning, dependable support, and options to suit different sleepers.
Disclaimer: Bear does not provide medical advice. All resources on the Bear blog, including this article, are informational only and do not replace professional medical counsel. Talk to your doctor about any health, mental health, or sleep-related issues.
