Casper's lineup of hybrid mattresses includes four distinct feels. There's the responsive Dream and its cooling counterpart, the Snow. At the next tier, you've got the plusher Dream Max, with deep pressure relief and premium Zoned Support, and the Snow Max with a cool-to-the-touch feel.
This comprehensive guide compares Casper Dream vs Snow mattresses, including what makes each unique, who they're best for, and how to choose one for yourself.
Quick Take—How They Differ
Here's a quick snapshot of the support level, pressure relief, temperature-regulating technology, and overall feel of each hybrid mattress.
Dream (Hybrid)
The Casper Dream mattress has medium support (not too soft or overly firm), with ergonomic zones. It's got a responsive, lively feel and breathable airflow.
Snow (Cooling Hybrid)
Like the Dream, the Casper Snow Mattress is an ergonomic hybrid with a body-conforming, medium feel. True to its name, this temperature-regulating model has cooling layers and HeatDelete® technology that keeps excess warmth out while you sleep.
Dream Max
The Dream Max is our most supportive mattress. This plush, premium model boasts a medium-soft feel and deeper pressure relief with upgraded zoning. It gives body-cradling comfort without sacrificing high-quality hybrid lift.
Snow Max
The medium-soft Casper Snow Max mattress has all the pressure-relieving foams, supportive encased springs, and deep zoning as the Dream Max. But with HeatDelete® bands and our Snow cooling cover, it has a cool-to-the-touch feel and heat dissipation that keeps you at a comfy temperature all night.
Construction and Materials
Though each hybrid mattress is made with a combination of foam layers and innerspring coils, they have notable differences.
Dream
At the base of the Dream are responsive pocketed coils. Just above is alignment-promoting memory foam, followed by a breathable open-cell foam. Wrapped around the mattress is a buttery-soft knitted cover, and there's an extra layer of loft on top.
Snow
The Snow is similar to the Dream, with flex coils at the base and two layers of pro-alignment and pressure-relieving foam. But this mattress also has three HeatDelete® bands between the foam layers, plus Casper's proprietary Snow cover. The cover is made with phase-change material (PCM), which absorbs heat and disperses it away from the mattress to keep it continuously cool.1
Dream Max
The Dream Max starts with responsive flex coils at the base and a perimeter with edge support. Then there's a layer of memory foam with precisely cut channels to cradle your body's natural curvature. Above that is flex foam with varying support and pressure relief exactly where you need it (that's the Zoned Support we mentioned). There's another layer of open-cell foam to encourage airflow, and on top is an ultra-soft knitted cover.
Snow Max
The Snow Max has flex coils and edge support at the base, followed by the alignment-promoting layer of memory foam with precision-cut channels. The next layer is foam with Zoned Support—firmer and softer in the areas where you need it—with HeatDelete® bands. Then you've got a plush layer of memory foam that conforms to your body, topped with a breathable cover made with PE (polyethylene) yarns for a cool-to-the-touch feel. The PCM is roll-coated onto the top layer of foam beneath the cover to help absorb and dissipate excess heat.
Support and Feel
Let's take a look at how the support and feel of each hybrid mattress balances contouring and buoyant lift.
Dream
The Dream offers medium support, balancing a plush feel with supportive firmness. This mattress is quick-responding with a lively surface that's easy to move around on—you can change sleeping positions without feeling sunken-in or stuck.
Snow
The Snow has medium support like the Dream, but with a memory foam top layer that gives it a deeper, more “sinky” hug. You’ll still get that body-conforming, cradle-like feel, along with a cooler hand feel on the surface for hot sleepers.
Dream Max
The Dream Max is a medium-soft mattress with a plush overall feel. It delivers deeper contouring and responsiveness without losing any underlying support.
Snow Max
The Snow Max is medium-soft and extra-plush like the Dream Max. Its body-conforming layers feel like a hug, cradling your curves and soothing you while you sleep. And, of course, the cooling bands and Snow cover keep you feeling comfortably cool throughout the night.
Cooling Performance
If you sleep hot, your mattress's cooling performance matters. Here's what to know about the temperature regulation of each model:
- Dream – Casper's Dream mattress is made with airy foams and pocketed coils that encourage airflow for passive cooling while you doze.
- Snow – The Snow combines a cool-to-the-touch PE (polyethylene) cover with HeatDelete® bands and PCM roll-coated onto the top layer of foam to help draw heat away from you as you sleep.
- Dream Max – The Dream Max has encased coils, a layer of open-cell foam, and a breathable knit cover to allow for natural airflow.
- Snow Max – The Snow Max takes it up a notch by pairing pocketed coils and breathable, open-cell foam with HeatDelete® bands, PCM roll-coated onto the top layer of foam, and a cool-to-the-touch PE (polyethylene) cover for Casper’s strongest cooling feel.
Zoned Support and Pressure Relief
As hybrids, these mattresses are all designed to offer pressure relief and whole-body support. Let's explore the differences between Casper's standard and Max zoning.
Dream and Snow (Zoned Support)
Both the Dream and Snow provide ergonomic spinal alignment with three support zones. These mattresses are slightly firmer under the hips and waist to prevent sinking, with softer pressure relief at the head and feet.
Dream Max and Snow Max (Zoned Support Max)
The Dream Max and Snow Max both have seven support zones to offer elevated pressure relief and spinal alignment. These supportive mattresses are firmer under the hips and lower back and softer at the head and feet. Then the center foam layer's precisely cut channels add extra ergonomic cradling and deeper contouring exactly where you need it from head to toe.
Motion Isolation and Edge Support
Casper's hybrid mattresses feature stabilizing pocketed coils and firm perimeters to keep shaking and dipping at a minimum when changing positions, getting into bed, or sitting on the side. This is crucial for couples and heavier sleepers.
Dream and Snow
The Dream and Snow mattresses have strong everyday motion control and supportive edges, thanks to the encased coils, sturdy base, and transfer-resistant foams.
Dream Max and Snow Max
The Dream Max and Snow Max have taller profiles for a more substantial perimeter that provides maximum edge support. Extra foam depth and premium pocketed coils further dampen motion when you move around the surface or sit on the edge while your partner is lying down.
Profile Heights and Specs
Casper's hybrid mattresses have substantial construction that combines pocketed spring coils with multiple layers of foam. However, they have small but meaningful differences in stack height. Here's how the specs look for each mattress:
- Dream – The Dream is 12 inches tall, and the queen size of this mattress is 99 pounds.
- Snow – The Snow has a 12-inch profile, and the queen size is 81 pounds.
- Dream Max – The Dream Max is 13.5 inches thick. A queen size of this mattress is 102 pounds.
- Snow Max – The Snow Max has a 14-inch profile, and the queen size weighs 111 pounds.
Who Each Model Is Best For
All four mattresses offer ample support to promote good-quality rest. That said, each model might be slightly better for a specific sleeper profile. When considering your options, match the model to your temperature needs and preferred feel.
Dream
The Dream mattress is ideal for people who sleep cold (or at a neutral temperature) and want medium support that feels lively and responsive.
Snow
The Snow is best for mixed-position sleepers who switch from their side to back to stomach throughout the night. This mattress caters to those who want medium support but sleep hot and need a cooling feel.
Dream Max
The Dream Max mattress is an excellent choice for side sleepers (the most common sleeping position among adults) who seek pressure relief and prefer a plusher, deeper contour.2
Snow Max
The cooling, heat-dispursing Snow Max is just the thing for side sleepers and those looking for maximum mattress comfort who run hot or get night sweats.
Price and Value Hierarchy
Consider your budget for a mattress, what features you want, and whether you're open to investing in a premium option to meet your needs.
Dream → Snow
The Dream and Snow have similar hybrid construction. If you opt for the Snow, you'll pay a little more for the active cooling features.
Dream Max → Snow Max
The Dream Max and Snow Max mattresses have similar designs, both with seven support zones and extra foam layers. But the Snow Max is priced higher on account of its premium cooling features.
Foundations and Setup
What about a mattress foundation and setting up your mattress for lasting performance? Here's what to know when buying a hybrid mattress from Casper.
Compatibility
All four hybrid mattresses are compatible with most modern bed frames. We recommend a solid platform with sturdy wooden or metal slats. Each model is also adjustable base-friendly. Do not use a box spring with your Casper mattress. Doing so will void your mattress warranty.
Break-In and Rotation
You can sleep on your Casper mattress the first night, though it might take two or three days to fully expand after unboxing. Beyond that, you can expect a break-in period of a month or so while your body adjusts to the feel.
We recommend rotating your mattress every three to six months to even out the wear. But never flip it.
Quick Decision Guide
Need to choose fast? We'll help you pick a mattress in 30 seconds. If you:
- Prefer a lively, responsive medium feel – Choose Dream.
- Prefer a conforming, cooler medium feel – Go with the Snow.
- Need plush, deep pressure relief – Get the Dream Max.
- Need pressure relief and sleep hot – Snow Max is the one.
Explore Casper Mattresses
For more detailed information about the benefits of each hybrid model, explore Casper's Dream, Snow, Dream Max, and Snow Max mattresses.
We also have soft, cooling bed sheets and pillows for every sleeping style.
Sources:
- Progress in Materials Science. Next generation phase change materials: State-of-the-art towards sustainable future. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S007964252400149X
- Nature and Science of Sleep. Sleep positions and nocturnal body movements based on free-living accelerometer recordings: association with demographics, lifestyle, and insomnia symptoms. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29138608/
