Choosing the right mattress is a big decision, and two popular online brands you’ve likely come across are Zinus and Amerisleep. If you’re trying to decide between them, you’re in the right place. This detailed comparison of Zinus vs Amerisleep will break down everything you need to know. We’ll look at materials, feel, price, and who each bed is best for, so you can make a confident choice.
Zinus vs Amerisleep
At first glance, Zinus and Amerisleep seem to serve different parts of the market. Zinus is famous for its incredible value and wide range of budget-friendly options. Amerisleep positions itself as a premium brand focused on innovative, plant-based foam and sleep science. But which one actually offers the better sleep for your money? Let’s get into the specifics.
Brand Overview and Reputation
Zinus is a giant in the online mattress space, known for making sleep products accessible. They operate on a high-volume model, offering dozens of mattress models, bed frames, and toppers. Their strength is providing solid quality at a very low price point. You’ll find them everywhere from their own site to major retailers like Amazon and Wayfair.
Amerisleep, on the other hand, is a family-run business that focuses solely on mattresses. They’ve built their reputation around their proprietary Bio-Pur® foam, which is a more breathable, plant-based alternative to traditional memory foam. They market heavily towards health-conscious and eco-aware shoppers, emphasizing cooler sleep and better support.
Construction and Materials Compared
This is where the two brands diverge significantly. The materials they use define the feel, durability, and price of their beds.
Zinus Mattress Construction
Zinus primarily uses classic memory foam and polyfoam in their beds. Their constructions are straightforward and cost-effective:
- Comfort Layer: Often a gel-infused memory foam or a “green tea” infused foam, aimed at cooling and pressure relief.
- Transition Layer: A softer polyfoam that prevents you from sinking too deeply.
- Support Core: A high-density base foam that provides the overall structure and longevity.
They also offer hybrid models with pocketed coils for more bounce. It’s simple, proven, and keeps costs way down. However, some users report a slight off-gassing smell initially due to the synthetic foams.
Amerisleep Mattress Construction
Amerisleep uses more specialized, proprietary materials. Their five-model lineup (AS1 to AS5) offers a firmness scale from very firm to plush.
- Comfort Layer: Their signature Bio-Pur® foam. It’s an open-cell foam that’s more responsive than traditional memory foam, so it doesn’t have as much of a “sinking” feel. It’s also certified plant-based and aims to be more breathable.
- Transition/Support Layers: They use a layer called Affinity foam with HIVE® technology for zoned support (more support for your hips, less for your shoulders). Their base is often a durable Bio-Core® foam.
- Hybrid Options: Most models come in an all-foam or a hybrid version with pocketed coils.
The focus here is on modern foam technology, targeted support, and eco-friendly materials, which comes at a higher cost.
Feel, Firmness, and Sleeping Positions
How a mattress feels is personal. Here’s a general guide to help you match a bed to your preferred sleep style.
Best for Side Sleepers
Side sleepers need cushion for their shoulders and hips. The Amerisleep AS5 (plush) or AS4 (medium-soft) are excellent choices, offering deep pressure relief with their responsive Bio-Pur foam. For Zinus, look at their softer gel memory foam models or the “Cloud” series, which provide a good contour for side sleeping on a budget.
Best for Back and Stomach Sleepers
These sleepers need firmer support to keep their spine aligned. The Amerisleep AS2 (medium-firm) or AS1 (firm) are ideal. Zinus offers several “firm” or “extra firm” options in their green tea memory foam line that provide the necessary support without a high price tag.
Best for Combination Sleepers
If you move around a lot, you need a responsive surface. Amerisleep’s Bio-Pur foam is naturally more bouncy than traditional memory foam, making it easier to switch positions. The Zinus hybrid models with coils are your best bet from their lineup, as the coils add significant bounce and ease of movement.
Motion Isolation and Edge Support
Do you share the bed? These factors matter.
Motion isolation refers to how well movement on one side is felt on the other. Both brands do well here, as foam is naturally good at absorbing motion. Amerisleep’s responsive foam might transfer a tiny bit more than Zinus’s slower-moving memory foam, but it’s still very good.
Edge support is about how stable the mattress feels when you sit or sleep near the edge. This is a common weakness for all-foam beds. Amerisleep’s zoned support layers often improve edge stability. Zinus’s all-foam beds can have significant sinkage at the edges, but their hybrid models with a reinforced coil perimeter perform much better.
Temperature Regulation and Cooling
If you sleep hot, this is a critical category.
Amerisleep markets itself as a cooling brand. The Bio-Pur foam is more breathable than traditional memory foam, and many models include a phase-change cover or ventilated design. Their hybrid options are even cooler due to the air flow through the coils.
Zinus uses infusions like gel or green tea extract to combat heat retention. While these help, the underlying traditional memory foam can still trap some heat. Their hybrid models are, again, the cooler choice within the Zinus lineup. For very hot sleepers, Amerisleep generally has the technological edge.
Price and Value Breakdown
This is the most stark difference between the two brands.
- Zinus: You can find a queen-size Zinus mattress for anywhere from $250 to $600. They are arguably the best value in the budget mattress category. The low price makes them a fantastic option for guest rooms, kids’ beds, or anyone on a tight budget.
- Amerisleep: Their queen mattresses range from about $1,200 to $2,400, putting them firmly in the mid-to-high price range. You are paying for their specialized materials, research, and eco-friendly focus.
Is Amerisleep 3-4 times “better” than a Zinus? Not necessarily. It’s about what you value. If budget is the primary concern, Zinus offers incredible utility. If you prioritize advanced materials and are willing to invest, Amerisleep justifies its cost.
Shipping, Trial, and Warranty
Both companies use the standard bed-in-a-box model.
Shipping is free for both brands. Your mattress will arrive compressed in a box, and you’ll need to let it expand for 24-48 hours.
Sleep Trial: Amerisleep offers a 100-night risk-free trial. Zinus typically offers a 100-night trial as well, but their policy can vary depending on the retailer (like Amazon), so always double-check.
Warranty: Amerisleep backs its beds with a 20-year warranty. Zinus offers a 10-year limited warranty. The longer warranty period from Amerisleep reflects their confidence in the durability of their higher-density foams.
Who Should Choose Zinus?
- Shoppers on a strict budget.
- Anyone needing a reliable mattress for a spare room or vacation home.
- College students or first-time apartment renters.
- People who prefer the classic, slow-moving memory foam hug.
- Shoppers who want the convenience of buying from Amazon.
Who Should Choose Amerisleep?
- Those willing to invest more for potentially higher-quality materials.
- Hot sleepers who prioritize temperature regulation.
- Eco-conscious consumers looking for plant-based foams.
- Sleepers who want a more responsive, bouncy foam feel.
- People with back pain who may benefit from zoned support technology.
Final Verdict: Making Your Decision
Choosing between Zinus and Amerisleep ultimately comes down to your priorities and budget.
Pick Zinus if your main goal is to get a decent, comfortable mattress for the lowest possible price. You’re sacrificing some high-end features and potentially long-term durability, but for the cost, it’s hard to beat. It’s a practical, no-frills choice.
Choose Amerisleep if you view a mattress as a long-term health investment. If you value advanced cooling, eco-friendly materials, and targeted support, and your budget allows for it, Amerisleep is the superior product. It’s designed for performance over many years.
Think about how long you plan to keep the mattress and what specific sleep issues you’re trying to solve. That will point you in the right direction.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Amerisleep really better than Zinus?
“Better” is subjective. Amerisleep uses higher-end, proprietary materials and offers more advanced features like zoned support. For many sleepers, this justifies the higher price. However, Zinus provides exceptional value for its low cost, making it “better” for budget-focused shoppers.
Which brand is better for back pain?
Both can work, but for chronic back pain, Amerisleep’s models with HIVE zoned support (like the AS2 or AS3) are specifically designed to promote spinal alignment. Zinus’s firmer options can provide good support, but they lack this targeted technology.
Do Zinus mattresses have fiberglass?
Some older Zinus models used a fiberglass sock as a fire barrier. While covered, if the outer cover is removed, it can pose a problem. Recent models are transitioning to alternative materials. Always check the law label and product description carefully, and never remove the cover.
How long do these mattresses typically last?
With proper care, an Amerisleep mattress can easily last 7-10 years or more due to its high-density foams. A Zinus mattress, using lower-density foams, may show signs of sagging sooner, often around the 5-7 year mark, which aligns with its warranty and price point.
Can you try an Amerisleep or Zinus mattress before buying?
As online brands, you can’t try them in a traditional store. However, both offer sleep trials (around 100 nights). This is your chance to test it at home. Amerisleep also has a limited number of showrooms in some cities, and Zinus mattresses are sometimes on display at retailers like Home Depot.
Which brand has better customer service?
Amerisleep, as a smaller direct-to-consumer brand, generally receives positive marks for its customer service. Zinus handles a massive volume, and while many transactions are smooth, some customers report slower service when dealing with warranty claims, especially through third-party retailers.