I bought a bed from the Target-backed 'Warby Parker of mattresses' and I'll never buy one in stores again

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June 21, 2017 6:32 PM

Casper, the mattress startup behind the foldable beds that ship in a box, raised $170 million. Here's what it's like to buy one of their beds.

Of course, none of the technology really matters if it doesn't make for a good product. Thankfully, the Wave mattress delivers on all its promises.

Casper, the mattress startup behind the pricey, foldable beds that ship in a box the size of a mini-fridge, just raised $170 million in a round led by Target.

Founded in 2013, the " target="_blank"Warby Parker of mattresses" sells memory-foam mattresses online, delivers them to customers' doors, and offers a 100-night trial with free return pick-up. The company, which started selling at Target earlier this week, is valued at approximately $750 million and is planning an IPO, The New York Times reported.

In 2015, I bought a Casper mattress after moving cross-country. Two years later, I'm convinced I will never buy a mattress in stores again (even if it is available at Target). Here's what the buying experience was like.

The biggest pain about buying a new mattress is ... well, just about everything.

My shopping experience began online, and I finished in less than 10 minutes.

Casper sells just one type of mattress, named "The Casper Mattress," because the company prefers to put its energy into building the ideal bed "instead of confusing you with dozens (or hundreds) of choices" that all start to feel the same after a while, according to the website.

It combines four types of foam for support, cooling, and bounce. A hand-sewn, zip-off cover seals the layers. The company refines the mattress based on customer feedback.

I ordered a full-sized mattress for $750 (today it costs $800), comforted by the knowledge that I could return my Casper mattress for any reason within 100 days. Plus, it was free to ship.

It arrived less than one week later. My roommates wheeled the box on a cart into my room.

We turned it upright and cut open the box. Inside, a cloth bag held instructions and ...

... the most adorable little letter opener.

The box was heavy, weighing in at about 60 pounds, but it wasn't hard to maneuver. I held it at a 45-degree angle as my boyfriend shimmied the mattress out.

We cut the mattress free from its felt binding using the letter opener.

Then came time for the "unfurling." The 10-inch-thick mattress expanded and flattened as it filled with air.

It sprung to life! And in seconds, it was ready for sleeping.

It took a few night's sleep to get used to, even for an experienced Tempur-Pedic-sleeper like myself. The Casper Mattress absorbs and contours to my body like a sponge.

The sinkage is minimal. I don't feel like I'm climbing out of a manhole every time I get up.

Two years later, the Casper Mattress has held up. It's retained its shape and comfort, and there are no obvious depressions where me and my partner sleep. I highly recommend it.

I've even added a Casper pillow, though I think it's a little overly supportive. It's deeper than any pillow I've owned and it doesn't collapse much under the weight of my head.

And I'd be lying if I said I wasn't looking into buying a Casper mattress for my dog.

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