By Ben Trapskin · Yawnder mattress reviews
Nature’s Sleep Emerald Gel was a soft memory-foam mattress we unboxed and reviewed in 2015. This review documents that particular model and what we observed, so readers can distinguish it from the company’s newer mattresses.
Best for: sleepers seeking a pronounced foam hug and couples who prioritize motion isolation. Consider alternatives if: you dislike deep sinkage or need a firmer, more responsive surface.
Our original Emerald Gel test
We received and unboxed a 12-inch Emerald Gel mattress in 2015. It was among the softer mattresses we had reviewed at the time: the body sank noticeably into the surface, with very little bounce compared with springier beds. The foam’s slow response gave it a pronounced memory-foam hug.
In our original review we found motion transfer very low. That made the sample worth considering for partners who were disturbed by movement on bouncier beds. This is our observation of an earlier sample, not a current standardized test result.
The cover was thick and well finished, with additional cushioning. We opened the sample and photographed the foam layers beneath it. Do not open or remove the cover of a current mattress unless the manufacturer specifically permits it; covers and fire barriers differ.
Watch our 2015 unboxing video. Any price or promotion in the video is historical.
Watch our original Nature’s Sleep Emerald Gel unboxing
Our 2015 video shows the original mattress reviewed here; any old prices and offers are historical.
Construction of the mattress we tested
The earlier Emerald Gel was an all-foam design with gel memory foam above another memory-foam layer and a denser foam base. The foam and padded cover contributed to the soft surface we observed. Gel in foam is a design feature, not proof that every sleeper will feel cool; we do not have a standardized temperature test for this model.
Who might like this feel?
Side sleepers: a soft, contouring surface may be attractive to people looking for cushioning at the shoulder and hip. Back sleepers: preferences vary; some may enjoy the foam cradle, while others need a firmer surface for comfortable support.
Stomach sleepers: despite marketing in the original era, the very soft sample may allow the hips to sink too far for some people. A firmer mattress can be worth trying if you sleep mainly on your stomach. Combination sleepers: deep, slow-recovering foam can take more effort to move on than a springier hybrid or latex mattress.
Couples: our sample absorbed motion well, but minimal bounce is a preference, not an automatic benefit for everyone.
Current availability and alternatives
The observations and photos above refer to the older Emerald Gel, not a current product we have retested. We could not confirm a current manufacturer listing for that exact model. Nature’s Sleep now lists other beds, including the Meadow hybrid; it has a different coil-based construction and should not be assumed to feel like the Emerald Gel.
If you are comparing a current mattress, check the exact model, layer materials, firmness options, price and the seller’s trial, delivery and warranty terms. A gel label alone cannot tell you how soft or cool a mattress will feel.
Frequently asked questions
Was the Emerald Gel soft or firm?
Our 2015 sample was among the softer mattresses we had tested, with substantial sinkage and little bounce.
Was it good at isolating motion?
In our original test, motion transfer was very low. Results on a different model or a bed of a different age may differ.
Is the Emerald Gel still sold?
We could not verify a current manufacturer listing for the exact mattress we reviewed. Ask the seller to confirm the model and specifications.
Is the current Meadow the same mattress?
No. The manufacturer describes the Meadow as a hybrid, whereas the Emerald Gel sample we reviewed was an all-foam bed.
Disclosure: Yawnder may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. Our observations apply to the historical sample we tested.
Compare this mattress against 142 tested mattresses
Sort all 142 mattresses we have tested by pressure relief, support, cooling, motion isolation, edge support, price, trial and warranty, then filter by how you actually sleep. Of those, 84 hold a complete standardized record and 41 a partial standardized record.