Gelee H4 Mattress Review

Is the Gelee H4 Mattress for You?

Who’s Going to Love the Gelee H4 Mattress

• Side and back sleepers
• Hot sleepers
• Those with joint pain
• Shoppers who want a Purple mattress alternative

Who Should Steer Clear of the Gelee H4 Mattress

• Stomach sleepers—instead, opt for a firmer mattress, like the Brooklyn Bedding Plank.
• Budget shoppers—instead, consider the Gelee H2 mattress or one of our favorite value mattresses—the Helix Midnight. 
• Combination Sleepers—instead, consider the Purple Hybrid mattress, which earned a perfect score for ease of movement.

Gelee H4 Mattress Firmness and Feel 

Gelee Mattress Firmness

We tested the Gelee H4 mattress, which is Gelee’s tallest and most luxurious mattress model. On the 1–10 firmness scale, we put it at 5/10—right smack dab in the middle. I usually recommend mattresses with a medium firmness level to side sleepers and back sleepers who like a softer mattress.  

What Does the Gelee Feel Like? 

The Gelee H4 is topped with soft memory foam that feels doughy and immediately contours to your body. I still felt supported and elevated on the mattress surface, but my hips, shoulders, and toosh felt pretty engulfed by the foam. The coils give the mattress much needed bounce, but you’ll feel the effect of the foam and gel more than the coils. 

What Sleeping Position Is Gelee Mattress Best For?

Body Type:	BACK SLEEPERS	STOMACH SLEEPERS	SIDE SLEEPERS
Lightweight (< 130 lbs):	5	2	5
Average weight (130–230 lbs):	5	2	4.5
Heavyweight (> 230 lbs):	5	2	4.5

1 = Very poor, 2 = Not good, 3 = Fair, 4 = Good, 5 = Excellent

Back Sleepers

Back sleepers should have a cozy experience on the Gelee, thanks to excellent pressure relief and deep cushioning. We recommend it to back sleepers of all body types, though it’s the best fit for those who like the plush feel of a soft mattress. If you prefer a firm mattress, see our roundup of the best mattresses for back sleepers.

Side Sleepers

Side sleepers will sink deep into the Gelee’s comfort layers without losing support under their inverted curves. During our testing process, we saw the best pressure relief with our lightweight side sleeper. There was a tiny bit of pressure near the hips and shoulders of average-weight and heavyweight side sleepers, but not enough to deter us from calling this an excellent mattress for side sleepers of all body types.

Stomach Sleepers 

The Gelee isn’t the best mattress for stomach sleepers, regardless of body type. Lightweight, average-weight, and heavyweight stomach sleepers alike will experience too much sinkage under their hips, which causes the lower back to arc out of alignment with the rest of the spine.

Combination Sleepers 

When recommending a mattress for combination sleepers, we like to see easy mobility when changing positions. Since you sink so deep into the comfort layers of the mattress, changing positions requires some effort. Lightweight combination sleepers should have an easier time moving around on the Gelee, since they won’t sink as far into the foam and gel grid. Average-weight and heavyweight sleepers should look for a more responsive mattress.

Gelee H4 Mattress Performance

Is the Gelee Mattress Cooling? 

The Gelee has a lot going for it in the cooling category: it’s a hybrid mattress, so it has the benefit of a breathable coil base layer; phase change cooling fabric in the cover improves temperature regulation; and the gel grid is naturally cooling and breathable. 

The Gelee isn’t cool on first contact, and the memory foam topper retains some body heat, but I can feel a cooling sensation from the gel grid the deeper I sink into the mattress. The cooler, more breathable transition and base layers of the mattress balance out the heat retention from the memory foam layer, so I gave the Gelee a 4/5 for cooling. 

If you’re a hot sleeper or live in a warm climate, check out our list of the best cooling mattresses.

Edge Support 

The Gelee has edges that are reinforced with thick, firm foam that enabled me to securely lie along the edges of the bed. The edge support while sitting is also good, but if you sit back too far (off of the foam and onto the gel grid) you’ll sink down.

Responsiveness

When mattress testers talk about responsiveness, we’re referring to how quickly a mattress responds to your changes in position. Memory foam is notoriously slow to respond, while gel grids and coils are much springier and quick to adapt. 

Because the Gelee is so doughy, I had to work a bit to change positions and move around on the mattress—even as a lightweight sleeper. That tells me this isn’t a very responsive mattress.

Motion Isolation: Is it good for those who share a bed?

We gave the Gelee a 4/5 for motion isolation, which is important for couples or anyone who shares their bed. While testing the Gelee, I could feel movement from another tester changing positions and getting on and off the bed, but I don’t think it would wake me up. If you’re a light sleeper who’s especially concerned about motion transfer, see our best mattresses for couples.

Noise

The Gelee mattress was totally silent during testing, so we consider it a very quiet mattress.

Pain Relief

I was really impressed with how well the Gelee cushioned my pressure points, and think it could be a great mattress for shoulder pain or those with joint pain; however, it’s too soft to support spinal alignment for stomach sleepers and some back sleepers with lower back pain. For better options, see our favorite mattresses for back pain.

Sex

The Gelee probably won’t be a great mattress for sex, mainly because it’s not easy to move around on.

Off-Gassing

Off-gassing is a paint-like smell that’s sometimes released when you decompress foam. The odor is non-toxic and temporary—it should be gone within 24 hours in a well ventilated room. Our Gelee mattress only had a slight off-gassing smell that wasn’t overpowering and didn’t stick around very long.

Durability 

The Gelee mattress should last you at least seven years, possibly longer. Both gel and coils are durable mattress materials, and the 13” height reduces the chance that you’ll “bottom out” on the mattress over time.

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Gelee H4 Mattress Construction: What’s it made of?

The Gelee uses a gel grid that’s similar to the top layer of the Purple mattress; however, Gelee puts memory foam above the grid for extra cushion and a more traditional feel. The coil base layer keeps the bed springy, breathable, and supportive enough for all body types.

Layer #1—Mattress Cover: The Gelee is wrapped in a fabric cover that’s textured on top for added luxury. Beneath the cover, a fire retardant sock encases the foam and coil layers.

Layer #2—Memory Foam: The two top layers of the Gelee are made of ultra plush memory foam that conform closely to your body and hug your curves.

Layer #3—Gel Matrix: A 1.25” thick gel grid collapses under weight and stays lifted under areas of low pressure. This layer resembles a waffle, with hundreds of cube shaped pockets. When I dug into the layers of our Gelee mattress, the gel grid felt cool against my hand, so I’m confident it will contribute to great temperature regulation. 

Layer #4—High-Density Edge Foam: A thick layer of firm foam surrounds the perimeter of the mattress, which improves durability and edge support.

Layer #5—Coil System & Base Foam: An 8” tall coil system adds bounce and breathability to the mattress. A thin layer of high-density foam at the bottom of the mattress gives the coils a firm foundation to push off of.

How Much Does the Gelee H4 Mattress Cost?

Mattress Size	Price	Dimensions	Height
Twin XL	$2499.00	39" x 80"	13”
Full	$2699.00	54" x 74"	13”
Queen	$2799.00	60" x 80"	13”
King	$3299.00	76" x 80"	13”
California King	$3299.00	72" x 84"	13”

How Do the Policies Measure Up? 

Shipping & Unboxing

The Gelee H4 mattress is delivered to your doorstep within two weeks of placing your order. Unlike most other online mattress brands, Gelee charges for shipping—the starting cost is $269. If you want, Gelee will set up your new mattress when it arrives. Old mattress removal costs $99.

We decided to set up our Gelee by ourselves, which was a lot of work. You’ll need at least two people to set up. The mattress arrives uncompressed in its full size; it’s packaged into two bags and a cardboard box, which were a pain to cut away, but we appreciate the extra protection during shipping.

Warranty

Gelee covers their H4 mattress with a 10-year warranty that covers manufacturing defects. This is a standard warranty period in the mattress industry.

Trial Period & Returns

Online mattress companies typically offer an at-home trial period, since you don’t get the chance to try out the bed in a showroom. Gelee offers a 90-day sleep trial, which is shorter than the 100-day average for other companies. 

They require you to try out the mattress for at least 30 nights before requesting a return—this is known as the “break-in” period, since it takes about as long for your body to adjust to a new mattress. If you return your Gelee mattress before 30 days, you’ll be required to pay for return shipping. Also, make sure you use a mattress protector during the first 90 days, or you could disqualify your mattress from being returned.

Gelee asks you take at least 30 days to try out the mattress and if you decide to return it before then, you’ll be responsible for the return shipping. The company also asks you to use a mattress protector in order for the mattress to be eligible to be returned.

Addressing Gelee Mattress Complaints

• Too Soft: A few customers complained that the Gelee H4 is too soft and enveloping. You should definitely like the feel of a soft mattress if you choose to buy the Gelee H4. It has a plushness that’s great for side sleepers, those with joint pain, and soft mattress fans, but it won’t satisfy sleepers who prefer a firm, supportive mattress.
• Expensive: It’s true that the Gelee H4 is priced as a luxury mattress, and Gelee doesn’t appear to offer any financing options. If you have the budget for a luxury mattress, the Gelee H4 is priced similarly to competitors like Purple.

Comparing Different Gelee Mattresses

Gelee H4 vs. Gelee H3

Gelee H4 Mattress is Best For	Gelee H3 Mattress is Best For:
Side Sleepers	Back Sleepers
Back Sleepers Who Prefer Soft Mattresses	Shoppers Looking For A Purple Mattress Alternative
Those With Joint Pain	Hot Sleepers

The Gelee H4 and H3 mattresses have very similar constructions that include memory foam, a gel grid, and a coil system. The biggest difference is that the H3 uses “plush” memory foam, while the H4 has “ultra-plush” memory foam. The H3 is also an inch shorter than the H4. If you want a more balanced firmness level or want to spend less, choose the H3. If you want a plush feel and are willing to spend over close to $3,000 for a Queen size, choose the H4.

Gelee H4 vs. Gelee H2

Gelee H4 Mattress is Best For	Gelee H2 Mattress is Best For:
Side Sleepers	Back Sleepers
Back Sleepers Who Prefer Soft Mattresses	Hot Sleepers
Those With Joint Pain	Budget-Conscious Shoppers

The Gelee H4 and H2 mattresses share the same basic construction, but the H2 is shorter (11” vs. 13”), has a 6” coil system (compared with 8”), and uses gel-infused memory foam instead of ultra plush or plush memory foam. Go with the H2 if you’re on a budget and like a medium-firm feel. Pick the H4 if money isn’t an issue and you want a plush mattress with excellent durability.

Comparing Gelee to the Competition

Gelee H4 vs. Purple Hybrid Premier 

Gelee H4 Mattress is Best For	Purple Hybrid Premier Mattress is Best For:
Side Sleepers	Combination Sleepers
Back Sleepers Who Prefer Soft Mattresses	All Sleeping Positions
Those With Joint Pain	Hot Sleepers

Gelee and Purple both use a gel grid layer in the construction of their mattresses. Purple calls theirs the Purple Smart Grid, and Gelee calls theirs the Gelee Matrix, but they’re effectively the same thing (in our opinion). 

The main difference is that the Gelee H4 positions the grid beneath memory foam, whereas the Purple Hybrid Premier places the grid right on top—and it’s an inch or two thicker than the Gelee Matrix (depending on whether you choose the Purple Hybrid Premier 3 or 4 model).

If you’re a combination sleeper, go with Purple, since the responsive Purple Smart Grid is right beneath the mattress cover. If you want the feel of a more traditional foam mattress, pick the Gelee H4. Both mattresses are great for side sleepers and back sleepers who like a softer feel, but the Purple keeps stomach sleepers’ spines aligned better. Lastly, the Gelee H4 and Purple Hybrid Premier 3 are priced similarly, but the Purple 4 is more expensive than either. 

Read our full Purple Hybrid Premier Mattress Review for more information.

Gelee H4 vs. Saatva Classic 

Gelee H4 Mattress is Best For	Saatva Classic Mattress is Best For:
Side Sleepers	Back & Stomach Sleepers
Back Sleepers Who Prefer Soft Mattresses	Those Who Want Multiple Firmness Options
Those With Joint Pain	Combination Sleepers

The Saatva Classic is offered in three firmness options: Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm. It has two coil layers and a foam pillow top, giving it a more supportive, traditional mattress feel. In contrast, the Gelee H4 has a plush feel without compromising support for back and side sleepers. 

Stomach sleepers should definitely go with the Luxury Firm or Firm Saatva, whereas side sleepers will get much better pressure relief on the Gelee H4. The Saatva is more responsive, making it a better choice for combination sleepers, and the Gelee isolates motion better for couples. Finally, the Saatva is more affordable by around $1,000, and comes with a longer trial period (180 days) and warranty (15-years).

Read our full Saatva Classic Mattress Review for more information.

Gelee H4 vs. DreamCloud Premier Rest 

Gelee H4 Mattress is Best For	DreamCloud Premier Rest Mattress is Best For:
Side Sleepers	Back & Side Sleepers
Back Sleepers Who Prefer Soft Mattresses	Combination Sleepers
Those With Joint Pain	Budget-Conscious Shoppers

The DreamCloud Premier Rest is a luxury mattress standing a whopping 16” tall. It’s made with a Cashmere-blend cover, a pillow top, foam comfort layers, and a supportive coil base. Like the Gelee H4, the DreamCloud is best for back and side sleepers, though the Gelee offers better pressure point relief.

The DreamCloud is a bit more responsive, so we recommend it to combination sleepers. Both beds isolate motion pretty well, but the DreamCloud’s stature makes it the more durable choice for couples. The Gelee H4 is more expensive than the DreamCloud, and the DreamCloud has free shipping, a longer trial period (365 nights), and a longer warranty (Lifetime warranty).

Read our full DreamCloud Premier Rest Mattress Review for more information.

Gelee Mattress FAQs

Are gel mattresses any good?

Mattresses with gel often stay cooler because gel naturally absorbs and redistributes body heat. The Gelee mattresses have a gel grid that’s similar to Purple’s Hyper-Elastic Polymer Smart Grid. This gel grid in the Gelee is breathable, cooling, pressure-relieving and quick to respond to your changes in position. 

Which mattress brand is the most reliable?

The most reliable mattress brands have customer service teams that are easy to reach and a high rate of customer satisfaction. They also offer benefits like free shipping, trial periods, and warranties. Gelee’s benefits aren’t top tier (for example, they charge for shipping), but they make excellent, high-quality products.

Which brand makes the best mattress for the money?

When shopping for a value mattress, look for high-quality materials, a durable construction, and a generous warranty. We recommend hybrid mattresses, since coils typically last longer than foam. We’ve been impressed with brands like Brooklyn Bedding, Helix, and DreamCloud—they all offer high-quality mattresses at value price points.

The Nerd’s Take: What’s the Bottom Line?

The Gelee H4 is a hybrid mattress with a medium to medium-soft firmness level. Its combination of memory foam, gel, and coils offers excellent pressure relief to side sleepers and those with joint pain. It also works for back sleepers, but it’s not firm enough for stomach sleepers.

While it’s not the most affordable mattress on the market, the Gelee H4 should last you upwards of a decade and is backed by a 10-year warranty. If you’re a fan of the gel grid in the Purple mattress, but want a more traditional feeling mattress, the Gelee is perfect for you.

The Nerd’s Scores for the Gelee H4 Mattress

Performance Factor	Out of 5
Motion Isolation	4
Pressure Relief	4
Ease of Movement	3
Edge Support	4
Temperature Control	4
Durability	5