GhostBed Flex Mattress Review

Is the GhostBed Flex Mattress for You? 

Who’s Going to Love the GhostBed Flex Mattress

• Side Sleepers: Side sleepers—particularly those over 130 lbs—will experience much-needed cushion on the Flex, thanks to 3” of comfort foam at the very top of the mattress. 
• Hot Sleepers: With a cooling cover, gel memory foam, and breathable innerspring coils, the Flex has all of the cooling technologies necessary to sleep comfortably without overheating.
• Back Sleepers: Most back sleepers will appreciate the balanced feel of the Flex. The support coils at the base of the bed keep your body lifted, while the memory foam layers cushion your pressure points and curvier bits.

Who Should Steer Clear of the GhostBed Flex Mattress

• Stomach Sleepers: The majority of stomach sleepers will likely need a firmer mattress to keep their spine adequately supported. Without proper support, you’ll experience too much sinkage around your hips, which can eventually lead to lower back pain. Instead, consider the Brooklyn Bedding Plank.
• Firm Mattress Fans: The GhostBed Flex is a medium-firm mattress with relatively plush comfort layers. It probably won’t appeal to firm mattress fans who like to feel completely lifted on top of their mattress. Instead, try the firm version of the Saatva Classic mattress.
• Budget Shoppers: With a Queen size mattress costing over $2,000, we consider the GhostBed Flex to be a luxury online mattress. You can finance your purchase and pay in monthly increments, but if you’d rather pay cash, the Flex may be out of your budget. Instead, check out the Helix Midnight mattress.

GhostBed Flex Mattress Firmness and Feel

GhostBed Flex Mattress Firmness

Mattress firmness is somewhat subjective, but we use a firmness scale ranging from 1–10 to give shoppers an idea of how firm a mattress will feel for the average sleeper (those with a body weight between 130–230 lbs). 

If you weigh under 130 lbs (considered lightweight), mattresses typically feel firmer since you don’t sink as deep into the top layers. If you weigh more than 230 lbs (heavyweight), you may find beds to be firmer or softer than advertised.

We give the GhostBed Flex a firmness rating of 6.5/10, meaning it’s a medium-firm mattress. The memory foam layers on top provide some nice cushioning, and the firmer transition foam and support coils below prevent you from sinking too far down into the mattress.

What Does The GhostBed Flex Feel Like? 

As a hybrid mattress, the GhostBed Flex combines the benefits of an innerspring bed and memory foam bed. At first touch, the mattress cover is cool and soft, thanks to 1” of cooling fibers woven right into the fabric. When you lie down, you’ll notice the memory foam conforming to your body. 

The transition layer should keep all but the most heavyweight sleepers from sinking to the firm support coils. For this reason, the Flex will probably feel a bit firmer to heavyweight sleepers, since they’ll sink further into the foam layers and closer to the coils.

What Sleeping Position Is the GhostBed Flex Best For?

Body Type:	BACK SLEEPERS	STOMACH SLEEPERS	SIDE SLEEPERS
Lightweight (< 130 lbs):	4	3	3
Average-weight (130–230 lbs):	4	2	4
Heavyweight (> 230 lbs):	4	2	3

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

Back Sleepers

Back sleepers require proper support for their lumbar region (lower back) to keep the spine aligned. Spine alignment is important for promoting a healthy posture and preventing back pain. 

The GhostBed Flex’s firm coils provide excellent spine alignment, and the memory foam offers extra comfort for shoulders and hips, so it’s a smart choice for back sleepers of all body types—lightweight, average-weight, and heavyweight. For the more supportive options, see the best mattresses for back sleepers.

Side Sleepers

The GhostBed Flex has many qualities that side sleepers need for a rejuvenating night’s sleep. A soft memory foam top layer provides pressure relief for areas of tension and helps to distribute weight evenly, which lifts weight off of your hips and shoulders. The support coils keep the spine lifted in alignment.

Average-weight side sleepers should feel comfortable on the Flex, but lightweight side sleepers may prefer a more plush bed, and heavyweight sleepers will probably want a bed with thicker comfort layers so they don’t bump up against the firmer base layers. For more pressure-relieving options, see our best mattresses for side sleepers.

Stomach Sleepers 

If you are a strict stomach sleeper, you must consider the firmness level of your mattress. A softer bed will run the risk of causing your spine to curve inwards, which can put stress on your lower back. 

The GhostBed Flex uses a nice blend of foam and coils to smoothly contour to your curves, and the bed’s medium-firm feel provides great support; however, it’s a little too soft for most stomach sleepers, particularly those with average-weight and heavyweight body types. Lightweight sleepers might find enough support in the GhostBed flex to keep the hips elevated, but we don’t include the Flex in our roundup of best mattresses for stomach sleepers. 

Combination Sleepers 

Most lightweight, average-weight, and heavyweight combination sleepers will enjoy the Flex, thanks to its quick responsiveness and ability to minimize motion transfer. 

The responsive innerspring coil layer moves with your body as you shift throughout the night, and the memory foam layers work to isolate motion. As long as you’re not a lightweight sleeper who spends a lot of time on your side or an average-weight or heavyweight sleeper who favors stomach sleeping, the bed should work well. If you change positions frequently, check out the best mattresses for combination sleepers.

GhostBed Flex Mattress Performance

Is The GhostBed Flex Mattress Cooling? 

The GhostBed Flex utilizes cooling technologies in almost every layer. To start, cooling fibers are quilted right into the cover, making the mattress cool on contact. Next, gel-infused memory foams absorb and dissipate body heat, and, finally, the coil layer maximizes airflow throughout the mattress. 

Even though the Flex isn’t billed as GhostBed’s “coolest mattress” (see our GhostBed Luxe mattress review for that title), it’s still a relatively cool mattress, especially considering the memory foam layers. For more mattresses packed with temperature-regulating features, see our best cooling mattresses roundup.

Edge Support 

Edge support is important if you sleep with a partner and need to utilize the entire mattress surface. It’s also helpful if you frequently sit on the edges of your bed.

The GhostBed Flex has firmer, sturdier coils around its perimeter, which go a long way towards enhancing the bed’s edge support. Most sleepers will be able to sit on the edges of the Flex without feeling as though they’ll slip off. The same is true for lying along the sides of the bed.

Responsiveness

If you’re a combination sleeper who likes to move around in your sleep, you’re going to want a bed with materials that quickly respond to changes in position and keep you lifted somewhat on top of the mattress. 

The GhostBed fits that bill, due in part to the individually wrapped coils at its core. It also has a “Ghost Bounce” layer that mimics the buoyancy of latex foam. Even with memory foam top layers, we think most sleepers will have good mobility across the mattress surface. 

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

Couples—or people who sleep with their children or pets—should pay close attention to how well a mattress stops motion from traveling from one side of the bed to the other. Foam mattresses usually do an amazing job of this; bouncy innerspring coil mattresses, less so. 

The GhostBed Flex is a hybrid mattress, so both factors are at play. The memory foam does a great job of dampening small movements, and the coils are individually wrapped (rather than interconnected), so they’re less likely to increase motion transfer. If you’re an extra light sleeper, consider one of the best mattresses for couples.

Noise

The Flex is a very quiet mattress, despite having a base layer of coils. Each of the coils is wrapped individually. This keeps them from rubbing against one another, which is usually where the squeaking sound comes from. 

Pain Relief

The Flex is the best for back sleepers with back pain, since the foam comfort layers cushion pressure points, while the coils keep the spine lifted in alignment. Stomach sleepers should look for a firmer mattress. Some side sleepers with back pain will get a good blend of pressure point contouring and spinal alignment—specifically those with average-weight body types.

Related: Best Mattresses for Back Pain

Sex

The Flex is a good mattress for sex, primarily because the coil base layer is so springy. The breathable construction also helps to prevent overheating on the mattress surface.

Off-Gassing

Since the Flex has some foam layers, you’ll probably notice a little off-gassing after you unbox it, but that odor should be gone within a couple of days. If you find it to be problematic, try ventilating your bedroom and bringing in floor fans. You could also return the mattress during the trial period.

Durability

As a hybrid mattress, the Flex should last you at least seven years, possibly even a whole decade. Plus, it’s covered by a generous 25-year warranty.

GhostBed Flex Mattress Construction: What’s it made of?

The GhostBed Flex is 13” thick, has seven layers, and is made with a combination of CertiPUR-US certified memory foam, polyfoam, coils, and cooling materials. These layers blend the comfort of memory foam and the stability and durability of support coils.

Layer #1—Quilted Cover: The cover is quilted in a breathable pattern and includes 1” of cooling fibers. 

Layer #2—Gel Memory Foam: Two separate 1” layers of gel-infused memory foam lie directly under the cover. The gel absorbs excess body heat, and the foam gently contours around your body. 

Layer #3—Ghost Bounce Layer: Next is a 1” transition foam layer called Ghost Bounce foam. It’s slightly denser than the memory foam layers and keeps you lifted above the coil base layer. GhostBed compares it to latex foam.

Layer #4—Individually Wrapped Coils: The next layer is 8.5” of reinforced and individually wrapped coils. The coils make this mattress extremely durable. It will hold up sleepers of all weights and add to the mattress’ durability. It includes an additional 1.5” of reinforced coils around the perimeter of the bed to enhance edge support.

Layer #5—High-Density Support Layer: The final layer is 1” of high-density support foam, added for extra stability. 

How Much Does the GhostBed Flex Cost?

Mattress Size	Price	Dimensions	Height	Weight
Twin	$1,695	38” x 75”	13”	76 lbs
Twin XL	$1,850	38” x 80”	13”	81 lbs
Full	$1,975	54” x 75″	13”	100 lbs
Queen	$2,130	60” x 80”	13”	122 lbs
King	$2,445	76” x 80”	13”	138 lbs
California King	$2,465	72” x 84”	13”	141 lbs
Split King	$3,700	76” x 80”	13”	124 lbs

Check out our GhostBed Mattress Coupons for the best prices on a new GhostBed! For a more budget-friendly mattress, check out the Best Mattress under $1,000.

How Do the Policies Measure Up? 

Shipping & Unboxing

GhostBed commits to shipping your mattress within 24 hours of placing your order. Since GhostBed has multiple production plants in the USA, your mattress should arrive within three to five business days. GhostBed ships via FedEx for free, unless you live in Alaska or Hawaii, which cost an extra $600. White glove delivery and old mattress removal cost $199.

The GhostBed Flex is vacuum-compressed, rolled, and packaged for delivery. We call this bed-in-a-box delivery. The boxes can be quite heavy, so you’ll likely need someone to help you with setting up. After removing the mattress from its box, unroll it onto your box spring or bed frame and carefully cut away the plastic packaging. 

It will take up to 72 hours to inflate to its full thickness. You may notice a temporary off-gassing odor that’s common with memory foam mattresses. It’s normal and non-toxic—similar to a new car smell. 

Warranty

The GhostBed Flex mattress is backed by a 25-year warranty that’s prorated after year 10. In short, GhostBed will provide complimentary repairs or a replacement mattress (minus shipping and handling costs) before year 10, but during years 11–25, you’ll need to pay a percentage of the original cost for the same service. 

Defects covered by the warranty include splits in the foam and sagging or body impressions deeper than 1”. Make sure to read the full GhostBed mattress warranty to make sure you don’t void your warranty coverage. 

Trial Period & Returns

The GhostBed Flex comes with a 101-night sleep trial that starts on the day your mattress ships. Per the GhostBed return policy, you’ll need to wait until after the 30 day break-in period to request a return. You’ll receive a full refund for a returned mattress during the trial period. Used mattresses are recycled or donated to charity.

Note: If you buy your mattress anywhere other than GhostBed.com (ex: Amazon.com), the trial period and return policy may be different.

Addressing GhostBed Flex Mattress Complaints

Too Warm

A handful of customers mentioned that the GhostBed Flex wasn’t as cooling as they expected. We think the Flex is one of the coolest GhostBed models, but that doesn’t mean it will work for every hot sleeper. 

If you’re particularly concerned about overheating, we recommend looking into the best cooling mattresses. Otherwise, we suggest giving the Flex a try and turning down the temperature in your room if you notice any heat retention. Most experts recommend a room temperature no higher than 68 degrees while sleeping.

Too Soft or Too Firm

Comfort preferences are subjective, so we weren’t surprised to see that some GhostBed mattress customers were dissatisfied with the firmness level of their new mattress. After reviewing hundreds of mattresses, we’ve found that the firmness advertised on a company’s website doesn’t always match the way real people experience the mattress.

We recommend doing lots of research about how a mattress feels for those with different body types and sleeping positions. Reading this review is a great start! Then, take advantage of the GhostBed sleep trial. If your mattress is too firm or too soft, you can return it or exchange it for a different firmness.

Delayed Communication

Some customers have had trouble getting a hold of a GhostBed customer service representative to answer their questions. The GhostBed Support Team is online 8AM–10PM EST and available via online chat, email, and phone. 

When we tried to reach out to a support team member via online chat, we were instructed to leave a message with our email. After a few hours, we still hadn’t received an answer to our question, but we did get an email letting us know that they had an increased amount of inquiries that had delayed their response times. The answer to our question came via email after about 24 hours.

If you’re trying to get an answer to a question about GhostBed products and policies, we suggest referencing their extensive FAQs page. If you have a question about a specific order, you may need to settle in and wait a day for your answer.

Comparing Different GhostBed Mattresses 

GhostBed Flex vs. Original GhostBed

GhostBed Flex Mattress is Best For:	Original GhostBed Mattress is Best For:
Back & Side Sleepers	Shoppers Looking For A Firmer Mattress
Hot Sleepers	Lightweight & Average-Weight Sleepers
Memory Foam Lovers	Stomach & Back Sleepers

The original GhostBed mattress has a relatively simple three-layer construction, compared with the Flex’s seven layers. The Classic is topped with soft, springy latex and gel memory foam, and is anchored by high-density support foam. 

Overall, it has a firmer feel than the Flex and is better suited to back sleepers, stomach sleepers, and those under 230 lbs. It’s also a more budget-friendly option. 

For more details, read our full GhostBed Mattress Review. 

GhostBed Flex vs. GhostBed Luxe

GhostBed Flex Mattress is Best For:	GhostBed Luxe Mattress is Best For:
Back & Side Sleepers	Shoppers Looking For A Softer Mattress
Hot Sleepers	Side Sleepers Of All Body Types
Memory Foam Lovers	Sleepers Who Toss & Turn All Night

The GhostBed Luxe shares similar cooling technologies with the Flex, except it has a base of support foam instead of coils. While GhostBed advertises the Luxe as “the coolest mattress in the world,” the breathability of the Flex makes it a top contender for that title. 

The Luxe is softer than the Flex, but equally lofty and supportive, which makes it a great option for side sleepers of all body types, as well as back sleepers under 230 lbs. Price-wise, the Luxe and Flex are pretty comparable, so if you’re choosing between the two, make your choice based on compatibility with your body type and sleeping position.

Read our full GhostBed Luxe Mattress Review for the full scoop.

GhostBed Flex vs. GhostBed 3D Matrix

GhostBed Flex Mattress is Best For:	GhostBed 3D Matrix Mattress is Best For:
Back & Side Sleepers	Very Hot Sleepers
Hot Sleepers	Average-Weight Side Sleepers
Memory Foam Lovers	Back Sleepers

The GhostBed 3D Matrix is essentially an upgraded version of the GhostBed Flex. The Matrix has a similar hybrid build to the Flex, plus a patented, cooling 3D Matrix Polymer layer. This layer is what sets the Matrix apart. It’s designed to attract and repel body heat, and thus keep you cooler. 

With so many cooling innovations, the Matrix may be even more temperature-regulating than the Flex, but those upgrades cost quite a bit: for a GhostBed 3D Matrix, you’ll pay upwards of $700 more than you will for a Flex.

Read our full GhostBed 3D Matrix Mattress Review for more details. 

Comparing GhostBed to the Competition 

GhostBed Flex vs. Casper Nova Hybrid

GhostBed Flex Mattress is Best For:	Casper Nova Hybrid Mattress is Best For:
Back & Side Sleepers	Shoppers Looking For A Plush Mattress
Hot Sleepers	Back Sleepers
Memory Foam Lovers	Sleepers Looking For A Mattress That “Hugs”

The Casper Nova Hybrid is considerably more plush than the GhostBed Flex, despite the two having a similar foam and coil hybrid construction. We think the Nova is a better fit than the Flex for side sleepers, though both are supportive options for back sleepers.

Also, the Nova has a Zoned Support system that works really well at balancing your body weight across the mattress surface. This includes a unique transition layer with seven zones and strategically placed cuts in the foam to improve contouring around your curves. 

For all of that ergonomic technology, the Nova has similar luxury pricing to the Flex, with a Queen size costing around the $2,100 mark. 

For more details, read our full Casper Nova Hybrid Mattress Review.

GhostBed Flex vs. Bear Pro

GhostBed Flex Mattress is Best For:	Bear Pro Mattress is Best For:
Back & Side Sleepers	Shoppers Looking For A Medium-Firm Mattress
Hot Sleepers	Memory Foam Lovers
Average-Weight & Heavyweight Sleepers	Athletes & Active People

Unlike the GhostBed Flex, the Bear Pro is an all-foam mattress that’s closer to medium than firm on the medium-firm spectrum. As such, it’s a great choice for side and back sleepers.

With a breathable, supportive coil base, the Flex is the better option for hot sleepers and those with heavyweight body types, but the Pro is much more affordable—a Queen size Pro costs around $900 less than a Flex of the same size.

Read our full Bear Pro Mattress Review for more details. 

GhostBed Flex vs. Nectar Premier

GhostBed Flex Mattress is Best For:	Nectar Premier Mattress is Best For:
Back & Side Sleepers	Shoppers Looking For A Softer Mattress
Hot Sleepers	Sleepers Looking For A Mattress That “Hugs”
Memory Foam Lovers	Side Sleepers

If you’ve been shopping for a memory foam mattress online, chances are that the Nectar brand has come up. The Nectar Premier mattress shares gel-infused memory foam comfort layers with the GhostBed Flex, but instead of a coil base, it has a 7” support foam layer.

The Flex is the cooler option, but if you aren’t concerned about temperature and love the “hug” of memory foam, the Premier is a lower-cost option by a few hundred dollars. The Premier is also softer than the Flex, so it’s better suited to side sleeping.

Read our full Nectar Premier Mattress Review for the full scoop. 

FAQs 

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

The GhostBed Flex pairs effective cooling features with contouring memory foam and supportive coils. This combination is a good fit for average-weight side sleepers, back sleepers of all body types, hot sleepers, and couples. Stomach sleepers should opt for a firmer mattress, and budget shoppers will want to look elsewhere.

The Nerd’s Scores for the GhostBed Flex Mattress

Performance Factor	Out of 5
Motion Isolation	4
Pressure Relief	4
Ease of Movement	4
Edge Support	4.5
Temperature Control	4.5
Durability	5

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