Amerisleep AS2 Mattress Review (2024): Dr. Jennifer Miller’s Thoughts

Dr. Jennifer Miller is a dedicated and compassionate outpatient physical therapist with nine years of experience. You can view her full bio here. 

Having spent nine years as an outpatient physical therapist specializing in Neurological, Geriatric, and Vestibular Physical Therapy, I understand the importance of quality sleep for overall well-being. The AS2’s balanced support and medium-firm feel particularly caught my attention, aligning well with the needs of my patients seeking optimal sleep conditions.

When I had the opportunity to test the Amerisleep AS2 mattress for a month, I approached it with a keen awareness of how proper sleep can impact health. The Amerisleep AS2, with its medium-firm feel, aligns perfectly with the needs of my patients. Later, I was also given the chance to review the Amerisleep AS5 Hybrid.

I am a mother and wife, and an active individual outside of these roles as well. I know firsthand jut how much that sleep plays a crucial role in our lives. Through my extensive experience in healthcare, I recognize that investing in a mattress that promotes proper spinal alignment and comfortable sleep can contribute significantly to overall health and vitality.

As an experienced outpatient physical therapist, my focus is on the critical role of sleep in overall well-being. In this review, I will integrate insights from Dr. Jordan Burns, a chiropractor and certified sleep coach, who brings a unique perspective on spinal alignment and sleep health.

Suitability of the Amerisleep AS2 mattress for various types of sleepers, as detailed by Dr. Jennifer Miller, PT, DPT.

Unboxing, Setup and First Impressions

Amerisleep sent me their AS2 model compressed, sealed and wrapped up in a compact, white box. I unboxed it and set it up for testing, and after I freed it from its plastic wrapping the mattress rose before my eyes.

The off-gassing smell lingered for a spell, and I give it a 2 out of 5 (with 5 being no smell and 1 being a strong smell). But overall, it was only mildly noticeable for a brief period after the initial setup and didn’t distract me from the comfort potential that the Amerisleep AS2 offered.

Dr. Burns, in his video above, remarks on the absence of a significant off-gassing smell, highlighting that this initial smell sensitivity can vary among sleepers. In my case, upon unboxing the Amerisleep AS2, I noticed a mild off-gassing smell, which dissipated fairly quickly.

Durable Mattress Construction for Thorough Comfort and Support

Amerisleep informed me about the construction of its AS2 mattress, and I remembered its details as I took in the mattress’s design. While a firmer bed, the Amerisleep AS2 features a plush and breathable cover crafted from a unique fiber blend that shares qualities with Celliant, which a material known for its exceptional energy transfer properties. Their Refresh cover fabrics works extra hard to ensure you stay cool at night, a necessity for hot summer nights.

Directly beneath lies a remarkable 2-inch layer of Bio-Pur memory foam, skillfully designed to cradle pressure points while maintaining its resilient nature. Amerisleep’s innovative approach has truly transformed traditional memory foam, giving it a stay-cool bounce I appreciated.

Adding to this, a 3-inch Affinity transition layer is thoughtfully zoned, incorporating softer foam beneath the shoulders and sturdier foam under the hips. This zoning played a crucial role in maintaining the alignment of my spine during sleep. Lastly, the substantial 7-inch base foam provides robust reinforcement to the entire mattress, ensuring its lasting stability and unwavering support night after night.

I stretched out and gave the mattress a thorough test drive during its first month, sleeping and lounging about on it. I was impressed by the mattress’s durability, watching the surface snap back into place within seconds of me moving across it or pressing a hand down.

Comfort, Support and Firmness for that Great Feel

As a mattress built to be firm but not too much, the AS2 impressed me with its feel, and I give it a 4 out of 5 stars for firmness. Not the hardest bed around, but few want to sleep on a rock and the AS2 has that needed bit of give for the torso to lightly sink in.  I would say the firmness is more firm than medium. Just what you want without too much soft cushion.

Now, I’m a regular side sleeper, but the AS2 is a model built for back and stomach sleepers. This model is overall not quite the right fit for me, but I could see if I was the type to drift off on my back it would be supportive and just conforming enough to mold to my back’s muscles and spine. Still, I was surprised by how comfy a mattress not quite suited to my sleep style felt, leading me to giving it a 4 out of 5 for support and comfort.

Moving About and Lying Down for Pressure Relief

I tested the Amerisleep AS2 in my preferred side sleeping position, and even though the mattress was a touch too firm for my tastes, I was still impressed by the pressure relief the bed offered. It did a good job of hugging my shoulders and hips so I wasn’t too uncomfortable, and I give it a 3 out of 5 since I didn’t wake up with major aches and pains.

Moving about on the AS2 was a simple enough matter. It wasn’t a mattress that unnecessarily gave way as I tried to move, trapping me with a surface too slow to react to my movements. However, its foamy structure still isn’t the easiest to move about on, simply due to its material construction. So I give it a 4 out of 5 for its ease of movement.

However, the AS2 thoroughly impressed me with its motion isolation capabilities. It adapted quickly, swallowing my movements so that anyone lying down with me wouldn’t stir and wake up. I give this aspect of the AS2 a 5 out of 5 score, and would recommend it to people who intend on sharing a couples’ mattress.

I was also quite pleased with the edge support that the AS2 offered. I could sit on the edge comfortably, letting my feet rest on the floor, and it was easy to just put my hands down on the side and push myself out of bed. I can see this feature being a big help for my patients who have stiffness or debilitating pain in the morning, and I give the AS2’s edge score a 5 out of 5.

Beating the Heat & Staying Cool at Night

The AS2 is quick to feel cool as I lie down, and I give it a 5 out of 5 for its temperature-neutral feel as I stretched out. Its feel was gently icy, more like sinking into a cool bath than a cold slab of foam.

Having just experienced one of the hottest summers on record, it was important for this mattress to stay cool for me as I slept, and the AS2 succeeded quite well at that, helping me to sleep without interruptions or any icky sweating. I am giving it a 2 out of 5 as my sleep temperature score  (measuring if I stayed cool overnight or slept hot, 1 being cool, 5 being hot).

Affordable Firmer Comfort

These days I know money is tight for a lot of my patients, just as it is for many others. Buying a new mattress can be a big step for many, and it helps to know that what you’re getting is reasonably priced with high expected value. Drawing upon what I have seen of the AS2’s durability, I can say it met and exceeded my expectations for its value.

Amerisleep AS2 Mattress Sizes and Prices

What Other Customers Thought

Obviously, I’m not the first person to sleep on the AS2 mattress and I wanted to see what other people who were satisfied customers thought of the experience. Here are some of the highlights I found while shifting through top-rated reviews.

• AliD is another side sleeper sleeping on the AS2 as a primary bed, saying it’s the only one that doesn’t hurt their hips. “I love my bed,” they note, but do note there seems to be a nutty smell to the bed.
• Gary said the AS2 he’s sleeping on is his second Amerisleep mattress over the years, and he praises the product’s quality and comfort. Having experienced back issues, Gary notes that his previous painful back aches have been relieved with the Amerisleep AS2. He appreciates its stability and lack of noise, which allows him to sleep soundly even if his wife gets in and out of bed during the night.
• An anonymous reviewer shares their positive experience after purchasing two AS2 mattresses and planning to acquire a third for their guest room. With their major back surgery and their husband’s hip surgery, they loved how mattresses provide excellent comfort and support without being overly firm. They also appreciate the absence of pressure points and note that the mattresses strike the right balance of softness.

Dr. Jennifer Miller’s Final Thoughts

Overall, my thorough evaluation of the Amerisleep AS2 mattress draws upon my years of experience in healthcare, emphasizing the importance of selecting a mattress that aligns with both individual preferences and broader health considerations.

During my one-month trial of the Amerisleep AS2 mattress, I evaluated its unboxing, setup, and initial impressions. Its durable construction and exceptional materials demonstrated exceptional resilience and support. The AS2’s firmness and support surpassed my expectations, even though it is tailored more toward back and stomach sleepers than my preferred side sleeping style.

Moreover, I assessed the mattress’s performance in terms of pressure relief, ease of movement, motion isolation, and edge support. These factors contributed to the mattress’s ability to provide comfort and support throughout various sleeping positions.

Affordability and value were also critical aspects, particularly in a challenging economic context. Lastly, the AS2’s effective temperature regulation, offering a pleasantly cool sleep experience, further demonstrated its suitability for providing quality sleep in various conditions.

When it came to observing any changes in sleep quality, duration, or any other sleep-related factors during the 30-day testing period, I have to say that though I do not feel this was the best mattress for my needs, I still saw a marked improvement in comfort and sleep quality. I give the Amerisleep AS2 a 4 out of 5 for this, and consider it a glowing testament to Amerisleep’s craftmanship that I slept so well.

Dr. Jennifer Miller’s Final Score Tally

Dr. Jordan Burns Final Score Tally

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is the Amerisleep AS2 suitable for side sleepers?

While the AS2 is designed primarily for back and stomach sleepers, it can still provide a decent level of comfort for side sleepers. Dr. Miller, a side sleeper herself, found that the mattress did a good job of hugging her shoulders and hips, preventing major aches and pains.

However, side sleepers who prefer a softer mattress might find the AS2 a touch too firm for their liking.

How well does the Amerisleep AS2 isolate motion?

The Amerisleep AS2 mattress excels in motion isolation. During her testing, Dr. Miller found that the mattress adapted quickly, absorbing her movements and preventing disturbances to anyone else lying on the bed. She gave the AS2 a perfect 5 out of 5 score for motion isolation and recommends it for couples sharing a mattress.

Does the Amerisleep AS2 have a strong off-gassing smell?

Upon unboxing the Amerisleep AS2, Dr. Miller noticed a mild off-gassing smell that dissipated fairly quickly. She rated the smell a 2 out of 5, with 5 being no smell and 1 being a strong smell. The odor was only mildly noticeable for a brief period after the initial setup and did not detract from the overall comfort of the mattress.

How well does the Amerisleep AS2 regulate temperature?

The Amerisleep AS2 mattress performs exceptionally well in terms of temperature regulation. Dr. Miller found the mattress to have a temperature-neutral feel upon lying down, rating it a perfect 5 out of 5 in this category.

Throughout her testing during a hot summer, the AS2 helped her sleep without interruptions or excessive sweating, maintaining a cool sleep temperature (rated 2 out of 5, with 1 being cool and 5 being hot).

Is the Amerisleep AS2 durable?

The Amerisleep AS2 mattress is built to last, with a sturdy construction that impressed Dr. Miller during her testing. She observed the mattress’s surface snapping back into place within seconds of moving across it or pressing a hand down, demonstrating its resilience.

Based on her assessment of the AS2’s durability, Dr. Miller gave it a perfect 5 out of 5 score.

How firm is the Amerisleep AS2?

The Amerisleep AS2 mattress is designed to be firm but not excessively so. Dr. Miller rated its firmness a 4 out of 5, describing it as more firm than medium. While it provides a bit of give for the torso to lightly sink in, it offers the support and comfort that back and stomach sleepers need without being too soft.

Can the Amerisleep AS2 help with back pain?

According to customer reviews, the Amerisleep AS2 mattress has helped alleviate back pain for some users. One reviewer, Gary, noted that his previous painful back aches were relieved with the Amerisleep AS2.

The mattress’s zoned transition layer, which incorporates softer foam beneath the shoulders and sturdier foam under the hips, plays a crucial role in maintaining proper spinal alignment during sleep, potentially contributing to reduced back pain.