Bedgear M3 Performance Mattress Review: An Innovative Sleep Solution For Couples Who Can't Agree On Firmness

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The Bedgear M3 Performance features interchangeable "independent suspension" coils that allow you to choose what firmness you want.

Erin Brains; James Brains/Business Insider

Founded in 2009, Bedgear makes innovative sleep products for active people. The brand seeks to position itself as a sustainable option by offering mattresses in various firmnesses to suit your specific sleep style.

A prime example is the Bedgear M3 Performance mattress, which stands out with its innovative modular design. Unlike traditional mattresses that come as a single unit, the M3 has a modular design, allowing users to customize firmness levels on each side using interchangeable coil sets. I found the M3's customizability compelling, appealing to couples with varying sleep needs.

I have six years of experience testing over 100 mattresses for our best mattress guide. Based on sleeping on it for three weeks, it has some limitations regarding temperature regulation and edge support, but overall, I think couples with differing comfort preferences will appreciate its split-comfort design.

Construction

The Bedgear M3 is a hybrid with pocket springs and ventilated foam layers.

Bedgear

The Bedgear M3 Performance Mattress is a 12-inch-thick hybrid, incorporating foam layers and pocket coils. The removable machine-washable top cover uses Bedgear's "Ver-Tex" material, a blend of polyester, polyethylene, elastane, and metallic fibers designed to feel cool and silky.

The interior construction features three ventilated foam comfort layers that work together to provide body contouring and reduce motion transfer between sleep partners. Below these sits the main support system of modular pocket coils, termed the "independent suspension." These coils come in four firmness options (firm, medium firm, medium plush, and plush) and can be configured differently on each side of the bed. The coils are individually wrapped in breathable fabric to promote air circulation.

A foam chassis surrounds and stabilizes the independent suspension, featuring built-in vents for additional airflow. The mattress is available in eight sizes, ranging from twin XL to California king, including options with split head designs for adjustable bases. There is no twin or full-size configuration.

I tested the queen-sized M3, with one side medium firm and the other plush.

Our review of the Bedgear M3 Performance Mattress

Setup

The M3 Performance mattress's custom firmness comes from the "independent suspension" coils you install in the chassis.

James Brains/Business Insider

The Bedgear M3 Performance Mattress arrives in an unconventional format: four separate vacuum-sealed boxes containing the chassis, two sets of coils, and the comfort layer with cover. First, I placed the foam chassis on the bed frame. Then comes the most challenging step — inserting the independent suspension coils into the chassis. I had to squeeze the coils into place, which required some patience and extra effort due to the tight fit.

Once the coils are positioned, they're secured with a zipper, followed by zipping in the comfort layer and the cover. The entire process took me 30 minutes, and I needed an instructional video for guidance.

While the mattress initially releases a noticeable odor, this off-gassing dissipates within hours. In-home setup service is only available with the purchase of an adjustable base, at an additional cost of $200.

Comfort

Over three weeks, my experience with the M3 Performance mattress was mixed. While I generally fell asleep quickly and could return to sleep after waking, I consistently awoke several times.

As a side sleeper, I generally like a soft bed. Yet, the plush side — a 3 out of 10 on the firmness scale — was too soft. I experienced significant sinking, which was uncomfortable. The medium firm side — 7 out of 10 — felt too rigid for side sleeping. I experienced occasional neck pain and soreness on both sides, suggesting the mattress might not provide optimal support for me, a bigger person at six-feet-tall and 230 pounds.

Despite these issues, I managed to get adequate sleep most nights. Regardless of which side I was on, I had better-than-average sleep quality as measured by my Garmin smartwatch. On average, my sleep score is 63 out of 100, but on the Bedgear mattress, I averaged 68.

Overall, I'd recommend the plush option to lightweight side sleepers and the medium firm to stomach sleepers and heavier individuals. If I could do it over again, I'd test out the medium plush feel. Fortunately, Bedgear lets you switch out the coils for a different feel within 30 days of delivery. After that, they sell replacement independent suspension units for $180.

Heat dissipation

I conducted systematic measurements using a laser thermometer to evaluate the Bedgear M3 Performance's temperature regulation. I recorded the surface temperature before bed, immediately upon rising, and two minutes after getting up to assess heat retention and dissipation.

The data revealed significant heat retention. The mattress averaged over 91 degrees Fahrenheit when I got up — two degrees higher than the mean temperature of other beds I've tested. Fortunately, the heat dissipated quickly. The surface temperature decreased by 15 degrees after two minutes, compared to the typical 12-degree drop observed in other mattresses. Subjectively, the temperature regulation was inconsistent, with some nights feeling too warm.

While the bed is advertised as breathable, I think it would do a better job staying cool if it had coils that went to the edges, rather than the foam border found in the M3. Air flows more easily through coils than solid foam.

So, what does that mean for folks who sleep too hot or too cold? If you tend to get cold at night, the Bedgear mattress should provide you with some warmth. On the other hand, hot sleepers may want a fan running to allow air to circulate.

Edge support

The edge support was poor, which is common in beds that have foam borders instead of coils that go to the edges.

Erin Brains

Using two standardized tests, I evaluated edge support, which is helpful for couples sharing a bed and for ease of getting into and out of bed. First, to measure edge sinkage, I placed a yardstick on the mattress's side and recorded how far it compressed when I sat on the edge. Second, I tested stability by lying on the edge and gradually rolling outward, considering edge support "good" if I could reach beyond a 45-degree angle before falling.

The Bedgear M3 exhibited some of the worst edge support I've experienced. When sitting, the edge compressed 4.5 inches — more than the typical 3-inch compression in other mattresses. Laying on the edge and rolling over until I was about to fall, was just as bad.

I chalk this up to the soft foam used around the edges of the chassis. I've noticed hybrid mattresses with coils that go all the way to the edge tend to have better edge support. The M3's coils stop well short of the edge. Couples may opt for larger sizes to compensate for the unsupportive edges.

Motion isolation

I drop a bowling ball on one side of the mattress and use a vibrometer to measure the vibrations on the other side to assess motion isolation.

Erin Brains

I placed a vibrometer on one side of the mattress to assess motion isolation — an important feature for couples who don't want to jostle their partner at night. I dropped a bowling ball from a standardized height on the other, simulating a partner's position. The vibrometer's readings were a little better than average.

Combined with my subjective experience — I barely felt my wife's movements when I had her toss and turn on the bed — I'd rate the Bedgear M3's motion isolation slightly better than most mattresses, good enough for most couples.

Trial period and warranty

Bedgear's return policy is among the least generous I've seen. Most of the brands in our best mattress guide have 100-night return policies, meaning you can sleep on the mattress for up to 100 nights and get a full refund if it isn't for you. Bedgear only allows returns up to 100 days if you don't open the box. Otherwise, you have 30 days to return your opened mattress. Even then, a $199 return fee is deducted from your refund.

Bedgear offers a 10-year limited warranty, which has some interesting fine print. Even if the mattress is defective, the warranty is invalidated if the bed is soiled, infested, or abused. So, make sure you protect it with a mattress protector. Also, Bedgear can decide whether to repair or replace the mattress. After receiving your mattress, it may take up to a year to repair or replace it. I can't recall ever seeing such a long turnaround. Like, what do you sleep on in the meantime?

Cons to consider

The Bedgear M3 Performance mattress has several significant drawbacks. Most notably, it exhibits poor edge support. This may not be a problem if you sleep alone. However, if you share a bed, consider going larger than you originally planned.

The mattress also showed heat retention. This is a plus for cold sleepers, but hot sleepers may want to keep a fan blowing nearby to help with the bed's airflow.

As I mentioned above, the return policy is particularly restrictive. Fortunately, Bedgear mattresses are available in stores nationwide, so you can try them out before you buy.

Lastly, the setup process was more involved than other mattresses. Of course, you will probably only have to assemble it once. Plus, its modular design allows you to change the feel as your preferences change over the years. For instance, if you want a firmer bed, just buy a firmer independent suspension from Bedgear at a fraction of a new bed's price.

What are your alternatives?

At $2,499 for a queen, the M3 Performance is Bedgear's most expensive mattress, but it's the only one with the customization option. The H Performance hybrid mattress ($1,999) is designed to be more breathable and cooling. It's available in medium plush and medium firm feels. The S Performance ($799) is the brand's budget bed. It's all foam and available in plush, medium, and firm.

What makes the M3 Performance unique is that it offers mixed firmness levels on each side of the bed. This is also available with adjustable air beds. Our mattress guide's top adjustable bed pick is the Sleep Number i8. It retails for $3,999 but is often marked down to $2,999. You can choose from 20 firmness options on each side of the mattress, and rather than having to switch out coils, you just use the app on your phone to adjust the firmness. However, it has poor motion isolation and heat dissipation. Read our full Sleep Number i8 Smart Bed review.

Aside from adjustable air beds, the only dual-sided mattress I've tested is the Naturepedic EOS Classic Organic Mattress. It has much better edge support than the Bedgear M3 (the coils go all the way to the edge), five firmness options for each side, a 100-night home trial, 25-year warranty, and is certified organic, including a latex layer. Also, the Naturepedic EOS relies on the coils and latex for its custom firmness, rather than just the coils, as is the case with the M3. The Naturepedic costs about $1,000 more than the Bedgear and sleeps just as hot.

For more recommendations, check out our guides to the best mattresses and the best mattresses for couples.

The bottom line

While it has its drawbacks, the M3 Performance Mattress is a smart option for couples with different comfort preferences.

Erin Brains

Based on my experience, what sets the Bedgear M3 Performance mattress apart is its modular design that allows different firmness levels on each side and replaceable coils for changing preferences. The mattress dissipates heat quickly and offers decent motion isolation for couples. Since it heats up while lying on it, the M3 is best suited for cold sleepers and those who want customization options. Lightweight side sleepers should choose the plush option, while stomach sleepers and heavier individuals will benefit from the medium-firm. However, hot sleepers and those prioritizing edge support may want to look elsewhere.