Nomad is a digital eSIM marketplace that provides affordable prepaid data plans for travelers in over 170 countries worldwide.
Founded in 2020, Nomad has quickly become a popular eSIM provider thanks to its easy-to-use app, wide coverage, and competitive pricing.
Users praise the simplicity of purchasing and activating eSIMs through the Nomad app, the variety of data plans available for different countries and regions, and the affordable prices compared to roaming with domestic carriers. However, a few customers complain of occasional speed and setup issues.
Nomad: Plans and pricing
Nomad’s pricing structure is based on the amount of data and duration of the plan, with rates starting from as low as $1.20/GB in some regions. Here’s an overview of the most popular ones:
A wide range of country-specific and regional plans caters to various travel needs and budgets. However, purchasing a local SIM can sometimes be a cheaper solution than Nomad for some regions.
Nomad: Features
Our experience with Nomad eSIM has been largely positive, with several standout features that set it apart from other providers.
Nomad Passport
Nomad's Passport feature allows users to purchase a bundle of eSIMs for multiple countries at a discounted price. This is useful for travelers visiting several destinations on a single trip, as it eliminates the need to purchase individual plans for each country.
Multi-device Support
Nomad enables users to share their eSIM data plans across multiple devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops. This feature is especially convenient for travelers who rely on various devices to stay connected and productive on the go.
Nomad Perks
Nomad offers exclusive perks and discounts to its users, including deals on travel services, accommodation, and tours. These perks add value to the eSIM plans, enhancing the overall travel experience for customers.
Nomad: Installation
(Image credit: Nomad)
Purchasing and activating a Nomad eSIM is a straightforward process. Users can buy eSIM plans directly from Nomad's website or through their user-friendly iOS and Android apps. Upon purchase, an email containing a QR code with installation details is sent to the user.
Users scan the provided QR code with their eSIM-compatible device, which automatically downloads and installs the carrier profile. Once installed, eSIMs can be activated with a few taps in the device's settings.
Once the eSIM has been installed, you can activate the data plan whenever you’re ready to begin using the eSIM, which is usually after you’ve entered the region which you purchased the data plan for. Note that premature activation can cause data loss, so it’s best to activate the plan very close to the travel date.
First-time users will appreciate the step-by-step onboarding guidance provided by Nomad. Plus, the company's responsive customer support is available round the clock to assist with any issues.
Nomad: Coverage and speed
Nomad eSIMs offer extensive coverage in over 170 countries worldwide, making them a reliable choice for frequent travelers. Users report generally good connectivity and network reliability across various regions, including Asia, Europe, and North America. A few popular travel destinations it covers include:
United States
Canada
United Kingdom
Germany
Italy
Australia
Japan
China
Thailand
Singapore
South Korea
In terms of data speeds, Nomad typically provides 4G/LTE or even 5G speeds, depending on the destination and local network conditions. However, some users have reported occasional slowdowns or throttling issues in certain areas, such as during peak hours in Tokyo. However, these instances seem to be relatively rare, with most users experiencing satisfactory speeds throughout.
Overall, Nomad stacks up well against competitors, offering a balance of coverage, speed, and affordability that caters to the needs of international travelers.
Nomad: Support
(Image credit: Nomad)
Nomad offers customer support primarily through emails, plus a ticketing system accessible via their website and mobile app.
While there’s no phone support, users can submit detailed requests and receive prompt assistance from the support team. Nomad's customer support is generally responsive and helpful. Many users praise the quick response times, often within minutes, especially when using their ticketing platform.
Even the few negative reviews we found mention that despite the technical hiccups, Nomad's customer service was prompt and accommodating in finding a solution. It's also worth noting that Nomad's support is available 24/7 across all time zones.
Based on our own experience and user reviews, the support team seems to know the product well, with enough experience to guide users through setup, troubleshooting, and pricing queries.
Nomad: Final verdict
After thoroughly analyzing its offerings, coverage, pricing, and user reviews, we can confidently say that Nomad is a strong contender in the eSIM market.
Nomad's eSIM plans are particularly well-suited for frequent travelers, digital nomads, and those visiting multiple countries on a single trip. The Nomad Passport, which allows users to purchase a bundle of eSIMs for different countries at a discounted price, is a highlight we loved.
While some users have reported occasional issues with speeds or connectivity, these are relatively infrequent and often resolved quickly by the support team.
Nomad: FAQs
Is Nomad eSIM good for USA?
Yes, Nomad is a good option for travelers visiting the US. It offers affordable data plans for the US starting at $1.40/GB. Plus, it operates on the AT&T and T-Mobile networks, which offer reliable coverage throughout the United States.
Is Nomad better than Airalo?
Nomad and Airalo both offer eSIM plans for a wide range of countries worldwide. Nomad provides better individual country plans compared to Airalo, but the price differences are usually negligible. Since experiences can differ by region, there’s no one answer for whether one provider is better than the other.
Who is behind Nomad eSIM?
Nomad has been developed by a company called LotusFlare. In fact, the entire eSIM marketplace rests on the SaaS component of the LotusFlare DNO Cloud.
My first thought when I saw the Saatva RX mattress was, "Wow, this sounds like a mattress made just for me!" Well, people like me, anyway. This luxury innerspring hybrid is designed for sleepers who have chronic back or joint issues. I have mild scoliosis and for the last several years I've struggled with recurring lower back pain. In other words: I fit well within the RX's target demographic.
Saatva produces what's regarded as the best mattress in the country, the Saatva Classic. The Saatva RX is very similar in construction to the Classic, but uses more materials and therefore comes at a much higher cost. A queen retails for $3,295, which is a lot to spend for a mattress, even one as luxe and comfy as this one claims to be. Is it worth the cost? I slept on a Saatva RX mattress for one month to find out
The Saatva RX is 15 inches tall and packed with 8-inch coils, 2-inch foam modules, 1-inch micro-coils, two three-quarter-inch layers of high-density foam, and a thin strip of gel-infused memory foam across the middle. Like all of its mattresses, Saatva handcrafts the RX to order and delivers it flat via complimentary white glove delivery.
Within the first week of sleeping on the Saatva RX, I noticed that I was no longer waking up with stiffness in my lower back – a carryover from a less accommodating mattress. Whether I slept on my side or front, I was well supported. That said, most of my fellow testers and I were most comfortable resting on our backs. The Saatva RX nicely redistributed our weight in this position.
Saatva calls the RX 'supportive plush;' I call it 'medium-firm.' Either way, it may not be comfortable enough for lightweight side sleepers with back or joint pain. One of my smallest testers, who also deals with chronic pain, felt pressure buildup in her hips when on her side (yet she was fine on her back).
The firmer caliper coils that surround the Saatva RX yield exceptional edge support, and the mattress will sleep cool enough for most people thanks to its organic cotton cover, cooling foam, and a dual layer of springs. There's plenty of bounce, but its motion isolation won't be enough to dampen moderate to strong movement.
Is this Saatva's best mattress for back pain? I think so – but you can't control the feel of the RX. The Saatva Loom & Leaf mattress comes in two levels of firmness while the Saatva Classic mattress includes three choices, along with two height profiles. If you want a more customized approach, go with either of those (cheaper) options.
That $3,295 MSRP for a queen may make your eyes water, but Saatva is a frequent participant in year-long mattress sales, so you'll always be able to save money. You'll get a 365-night trial and a lifetime warranty, along with free white glove delivery and mattress removal. If money is no object when it comes to soothing your nightly aches and pains, go for the Saatva RX. You'll get a lot in return for your investment.
Saatva RX mattress review: Design & materials
A 15-inch hybrid with high density foam and two layers of coils
Specialized lower back crown for pain relief
Fiberglass-free and handcrafted in the USA
The 15-inch Saatva RX is designed to provide relief from the discomfort of chronic conditions and serious injuries. At its core is a series of 8-inch, triple-tempered recycled steel coils set on a non-woven base layer. Firmer caliper spring coils line the perimeter for stable edges, making it easier to push off when you're getting in or out of bed. Each coil is topped with a 2-inch module of open-cell foam infused with graphite and phase-change material for contouring and cooling.
Following that are two layers of three-quarter-inch high-density foam, separated by a layer of 1-inch micro-coils. This combo offers pressure relief, enhanced support, and adaptability to all of your movements. A 1-inch strip of gel-infused memory foam races across the center for lower back relief, and is complemented by specialized quilting in the RX's organic cotton cover, which is treated with a botanical antimicrobial agent for hygienic sleep, though not removable.
(Image credit: Saatva)
This structurally sound mattress prioritizes safe, sleep-friendly materials. It's handcrafted in the USA using CertiPUR-US certified foams free from harmful chemicals and high levels of VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions. The Saatva RX is also a fiberglass-free mattress, instead using plant-based thistle pulp as a flame retardant.
Design score: 5 out of 5
Saatva RX mattress review: Price & value for money
Saatva's second-most expensive mattress
Regularly discounted, up to $400 off
Comes with a 1-year trial, forever warranty, white-glove delivery
The Saatva RX is a premium-priced mattress in the wider market; a queen retails for $3,295 while a twin goes for $1,995. The RX is Saatva's most expensive model behind the adjustable Solaire.
Here are the official MSRPs for the Saatva RX mattress:
Are there good mattresses for back pain you can find for less than the Saatva RX? Absolutely. Just take a look at the Saatva Classic mattress. It's still a premium mattress, but much closer to the upper-mid border than the RX is, and offers a broader range of customizable features, along with targeted back support. If you'd rather have more control over the feel of your bed, this is the way for you to go.
(Image credit: Future / Alison Barretta)
You not only get 365 nights to try the Saatva RX at home, but you also get a warranty for life – those are industry-best amenities, especially compared to luxury rivals Tempur-Pedic and Stearns & Foster. Free white glove delivery is standard and optional mattress removal is included.
Not to mention – the Saatva RX is a gorgeous luxury mattress. But it's more than just its good looks. It's specially designed for sleepers who want relief from their back pain. If money is no object and you want a hotel-quality mattress that'll ease your aches in the process, the RX is worth the investment.
Value for money score: 4 out of 5
Saatva RX mattress review: Comfort & support
A 'supportive plush' (or medium-firm) mattress
Most of the pressure relief is situated in the middle
May be too firm for smaller side sleepers with pain
Saatva classifies the RX as 'supportive plush' – which you could perhaps argue is another way of saying 'medium-firm.' However you phrase it, my fellow testers and I rate it a 7.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale, although several of us found it a hair firmer (closer to an 8).
To objectively measure the Saatva RX's pressure relief, I dropped a 50lb weight in the center of the mattress (where the lumbar crown is) and it sank 3.5 inches. I also wanted to observe any differences in pressure relief outside of the targeted lumbar zone. Placing the weight at the lower third of the bed showed a more shallow drop (2.5"). That's still quite plush but a subtler hug than what you'll find in the middle.
(Image credit: Future / Alison Barretta)
According to Saatva, side, back, and combination sleepers will find the RX most comfortable – and my experience corroborates this. I'm a side/front sleeper, and I was comfortable no matter how I lay. I had sufficient support with just enough pressure relief in my knees, lower back, and shoulders. The responsive surface made it easy to switch positions, and the coils were nice and quiet.
Although I'm not a habitual back sleeper, I found the Saatva RX most comfortable in this position. My fellow testers agree. Our weight was well-distributed and we felt the tension in our joints just melt away. One of my testers likened it to lying on a pool float.
(Image credit: Future / Alison Barretta)
Several of us deal with the conditions that the RX targets. I have mild scoliosis and recurring lower back pain and was no longer waking up with stiffness. Another tester who's roughly the same size as me has arthritis and marveled at the RX's pressure relief. However, one of the smallest testers, who has RSD and several herniated discs, felt better resting on her back than her preferred side, as the latter resulted in mild hip pain.
Firmness and comfort are subjective. That said, the Saatva is a lofty mattress that skews a little firmer. If you're a smaller side sleeper seeking relief from back pain, consider taking a look at my Saatva Loom & Leaf mattress review for a memory foam bed with two levels of sink-in comfort.
Saatva RX mattress review: Performance
Motion isolation is lacking – this is one bouncy bed
Will keep most sleepers cool at night
Sturdy edges, particularly along the middle
I slept on a twin Saatva RX for one month. Naturally, I can only speak from my own experience as a 5-foot-4, 145lb side/front sleeper with mild scoliosis and lower back pain, so I asked six other adults to nap on it for at least 15 minutes. Though this is still quite a small sample size, my group consists of diverse body types and sleep preferences, and several participants struggle with regular aches and pains.
In addition to my personal experiences regarding overall comfort, I also ran several objective tests to measure its motion isolation and edge support. Here's what I found out...
Temperature regulation
A lot of the Saatva RX's materials focus on maintaining a reasonable sleeping temperature. Two layers of coils aid airflow, while the foam modules are infused with graphite and phase-change material to help wick away heat. The cover is made from organic cotton, a breathable fiber.
I'm prone to occasional overheating, and at the time I tested the Saatva RX (October 2023), there were still a few warm evenings interspersed with more season-appropriate temperatures. Either way, I didn't break a sweat or feel the need to kick off my covers and comforter.
For sleepers with back pain, temperature regulation is crucial as you risk torquing your back the more you toss and turn in a futile attempt to cool off. The Saatva RX isn't quite on the level of the best cooling mattresses but it comes really close. It'll be comfortable enough for most sleepers who don't have excessive night sweats.
Temperature regulation score: 4.5 out of 5
Motion isolation
One of the first things I noticed about the Saatva RX was its bounciness. This was fine for me, a solo sleeper who switches positions at night, but I wondered how it could potentially affect couples or families who share a bed.
I have a twin, so the best way for me to test the Saatva RX's level of motion isolation was to place an empty wine glass at the center of the bed and drop a 10lb weight from six inches above the surface.
I dropped the weight from four, 12, and 25 inches away from the base of the glass. From four inches away, the empty glass toppled over – twice. (I ran a re-test to be sure.) The glass remained more upright when I dropped it 12 and 25 inches away but still noticeably wobbled. What really struck me was how much the weight bounced before it settled after every drop.
Would I recommend the Saatva RX for couples, based on these results? Not if one or either of you are light sleepers who wake up the moment you feel even the slightest movement. Memory foam mattresses are often your best bet if you want something to effectively isolate motion. Read my Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress review for one such example.
There is one potential workaround – the Saatva RX comes in split king and split California king. This will separate the overall sleep surface so each person essentially has their own bed without being apart.
Motion isolation score: 3 out of 5
Edge support
The Saatva RX has firmer caliper coils along the perimeter. This reinforces the edges so you can sit on them comfortably without fear of falling over. It'll prevent the mattress from sagging prematurely, as well.
(Image credit: Future / Alison Barretta)
In my objective edge support test, I put a 50lb weight in the middle perimeter and it sank roughly three inches. (However, this was a bit tricky to measure as the outer material bunched up considerably.) The most important thing was that it didn't exceed the amount of pressure relief I observed at the exact center of the mattress.
But what are the edges of the Saatva RX like to sit on? Overall, my fellow testers found the middle perimeter comfortable, with just enough sinkage and plenty of support. I often sit at the edge of my bed before waking up and with the RX, I didn't feel like I'd topple over. Plus, whenever I rolled toward the edges as I slept, I didn't suddenly wake up in fear.
If you have mobility issues that require you to sit at the edge of the bed to get up or down, you'll have loads of support with the Saatva RX. The one potential issue here could be its height – at 15", this could be difficult for shorter sleepers to maneuver. Unlike the Saatva Classic, the RX doesn't come in multiple height levels.
Edge support score: 4 out of 5
Saatva RX mattress review: Customer service
Free in-home delivery to a room of your choice
Optional mattress removal is also included
The Saatva RX is one heavy mattress. Saatva doesn't disclose any exact weights but trust me when I say it's one solid bed. Fortunately, I didn't have to deal with setting it up as it arrived flat courtesy of free white glove delivery. All I had to do was schedule a time for a local logistics company to come to my house and clear a path for the delivery crew.
It took less than five minutes for a two-person crew to drop a twin Saatva mattress onto my platform bed and haul away my previous mattress. (Yes, mattress removal is included if you need it, but you'll have to let Saatva know ahead of time that you'd like to request this service.) I didn't have to wait for the mattress to inflate, nor did I detect any obvious off-gassing. Per the tag on my test unit, it was manufactured in September 2023 – all of Saatva's mattresses are handmade to order in the USA.
(Image credit: Future / Alison Barretta)
Once the mattress is in your home, you get 365 nights to test it out. If you don't get on with it, you can return it for a full refund, minus a $99 returns fee. Otherwise, your purchase will be backed by a lifetime warranty, though you'll need to pay for a percentage of any replacement costs starting in year three. (Repairs on your original mattress will remain free outside of a $149 processing fee starting in year three.)
Saatva arguably offers the best assortment of extras in the industry. It's not very often we see free in-home delivery bundled with a 1-year sleep trial and a lifetime warranty. Luxury beds tend to be stingy with their trial and warranty periods, while bed-in-a-box brands seldom offer white glove service (and if they do, it costs extra).
Customer service score: 4.5 out of 5
Saatva RX mattress review: Specs
Saatva RX mattress review: Other reviews
As of November 2023, the Saatva RX has fewer than 30 reviews and a 4.8 out of 5-star rating at Saatva.com. The lone 2-star review is related to a delivery issue, but most sleepers with aches and pains absolutely enjoy sleeping on this mattress.
Considering the RX just came out in summer 2023, it'll be a while before the reviews begin to accumulate.
Should you buy the Saatva RX mattress?
Buy it if...
✅ Your back always hurts: Saatva sought to create a mattress that's the perfect blend of support and comfort for sleepers with chronic or serious back pain. The RX eliminated the stiffness in my lower back that developed after I spent weeks on a less comfortable bed.
✅ You're willing to splurge for a luxe hotel-style bed: The Saatva RX wouldn't seem out of place in a ritzy 5-star suite. This is likely the closest you'll get to achieving that luxury feel at home, outside of ordering an actual hotel mattress that comes with less attractive amenities.
✅ You're a combi sleeper: The responsive surface of the Saatva RX made it comfortable for me to shift from my side to my stomach during the night. Though it has two layers of springs, I didn't hear a single squeak.
Don't buy it if...
❌ You're a shorter, lighter side sleeper: The Saatva RX may be too firm for lightweight side sleepers with back pain to get truly comfortable. Plus, at 15 inches tall, it could make getting in or out of bed more of a challenge for shorter people with mobility issues.
❌ Every movement your partner makes wakes you up: If you're on the brink of sleep divorce, the Saatva RX won't do much to mend those fences. Look for a mattress with better motion isolation, namely one made exclusively of foam.
❌ You want some control over the feel of the mattress: The Saatva RX comes in one firmness level, which I already noted may be off-putting for smaller side sleepers. The Saatva Classic has a similar build but comes in three firmness levels and two height profiles – all for hundreds of dollars less than the RX.
Saatva RX mattress review: Also consider
Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt Mattress Tempur Material is known for its outstanding pressure relief, and heralded by sleepers with back pain. The Tempur-Adapt is among the most affordable Tempur beds out there – it's comfortably supportive and boasts excellent motion isolation. However, it does trap heat easily. Though it's less than the RX outright, Tempur-Pedic's extras are comparatively underwhelming (90-night trial, 10-year warranty.) Read more: Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress reviewView Deal
Helix Midnight Mattress For smaller side sleepers, the medium feel of the Helix Midnight may be more welcoming. This hybrid is roughly a third of the cost of the Saatva RX and boasts exceptional pressure relief. It's also a more manageable height (12 inches). On the flip side, edge support is weak, and unless you're a dedicated side sleeper you might have a harder time getting comfortable. Read more: Helix Midnight mattress reviewView Deal
Saatva Classic Mattress The Saatva Classic and Saatva RX have similar builds, including dual layers of coils and targeted lower back support. If you can't quite justify the extravagant cost of Saatva's top-of-the-line innerspring, the Classic is an excellent alternative at hundreds of dollars less. You'll still get all of Saatva's industry-leading perks and also have the ability to make the mattress as tall or firm as you like it. (You can't customize the RX at all.) Read more: Saatva Classic mattress reviewView Deal
How I tested the Saatva RX mattress
As someone with mild scoliosis and recurring lower back pain, I was especially intrigued to try the Saatva RX, a mattress made for individuals with issues similar to mine. Throughout October 2023, I slept on a twin Saatva RX every night and also performed a series of tests to objectively test its pressure relief, edge support, and level of motion transfer.
I'm the type of sleeper who can't sleep without being covered up, regardless of the temperature. I slept with cotton sheets and a mid-weight polyester blend comforter, and kept my bedroom temperature around 71 degrees F.
To add to my experience, I also asked six adult volunteers to nap on the Saatva RX for at least 15 minutes in their usual positions, then sit on the edges as they got in and out of bed. Our testers ranged in size from 5ft 4 and 125lbs to 6ft and 185lbs, and several of them deal with chronic pain in their everyday lives.
Particularly suited to side sleepers, the Amerisleep AS3 Hybrid is a medium firmness hybrid mattress that’s similar in style to many of our best mattress picks. The AS3 Hybrid is made from a combination of the brand’s proprietary Bio-Pur foam and pocketed steel coils, and the foam does a particularly good job of keeping sleepers cool at night. Hot sleepers should enjoy this mattress, which feels cool to the touch thanks to its ‘Refresh Cover’ that Amerisleep says can help them sleep up to 7 degrees cooler at night.
I tested the mattress alongside my husband for a month, asking friends of different builds to also come and try out the mattress for different opinions. We are both primarily back sleepers, although we do sometimes sleep on our sides. Both of us thought the mattress was extremely comfortable for side sleepers of light and average weights as we are, providing enough sinkage to keep the shoulders and hips cushioned. Although the foam initially feels quite soft when you sit on it, the layer of coils underneath helps to keep pressure points and the spine supported – I felt this was one of the best mattresses for side sleepers that I’d tested.
(Image credit: Jo Plumridge)
Like many of the best hybrid mattresses the AS3 Hybrid is also a good choice for back sleepers, with the coils doing an excellent job of keeping the spine aligned. I personally prefer a firm mattress for my back and did find the AS3 a little soft under the bottom of my spine, but my husband and other testers thought it was extremely comfortable. I wouldn’t recommend this mattress to stomach or heavier weight sleepers though, as the medium feel is unlikely to keep their spines supported and they could feel as if they’re sleeping on the coils themselves. Motion transfer and edge support were both excellent – we’ll explore those and other areas of performance throughout the article.
Amerisleep AS3 Hybrid Mattress Review: Price
The brand has regular sales and discounts on mattresses
The AS3 Hybrid sits at the lower end of the luxury mattress bracket
The AS3 is the middle of the range mattress from Amerisleep
The AS3 is a luxury mattress but priced at the lower end of the luxury bracket. It’s Amerisleep’s middle of the range mattress, sitting between the AS2 and AS5 and is available as an all-foam mattress or a hybrid mattress (as we’ve reviewed here). There’s also an organic mattress, which is featured in our round-up of the best organic mattresses.
Here’s the official MSRP pricing for the AS3 Hybrid Mattress:
Twin: $1,699
Twin XL: $1,749
Full: $1,899
Queen: $1,949
King: $2,149
Cal King: $2,149
Split King: $3,048
Amerisleep has sales and offers on its entire range at various points during the year. You’re likely to see higher discounts around the major sales (Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Labor Day etc.) – keep up to date with all the latest offers on TechRadar’s mattress sales page. There have been offers of up to $450 off the list price of all Amerisleep mattresses, which is an extremely generous discount. All the AS mattresses also come with a free Refresh cover, which Amerisleep says can help you sleep up to 7 degrees cooler at night.
Amerisleep AS3 Hybrid Mattress Review: Specs
Amerisleep AS3 Hybrid Mattress Review: Materials and design
Proprietary Bio-Pur foam and Refresh cover keep sleepers cool at night
Hybrid mattress with a combination of foam and coils
12” deep
Unlike many of its hybrid competitors the AS3 Hybrid doesn’t use traditional memory foam. Instead, Amerisleep has developed its own Bio-Pur foam, which makes up the first layer of the mattress. This is a plant-based material that’s far more breathable than conventional memory foam and is both contouring and responsive.
Next up, the main support layer of the mattress is made up of zoned and pocketed coils, which provide pressure relief and support. There’s also a foam encasement around the edge of the coils, which helps to improve the edge support on the mattress. A thin layer of transition foam leads into a base layer of high-density foam, giving the AS3 Hybrid structure and foundation. The mattress is covered with the Refresh cooling cover that’s designed to wick away heat from the body and aid with cooling. Amerisleep says that this can help sleepers stay up to 7 degrees cooler overnight.
(Image credit: Jo Plumridge)
All the foams in the mattress are CertiPUR-US certified, meaning the mattress is lower in volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Bio-Pur is also made partly from renewable plant-based oils and is made without formaldehyde, ozone depleters, prohibited phthalates, PBDEs, mercury, lead, and other heavy metals.
Score: 4.5 out of 5
Amerisleep AS3 Hybrid Mattress Review: Comfort
Particularly suited to side and back sleepers of light and average weights
A medium firmness mattress with a 6 out of 10 rating
Zoned coils to support the spine
A medium firmness mattress, the AS3 Hybrid should appeal to a variety of sleepers but I feel it’s particularly suited to side sleepers of a light or average build and is up there with some of the best mattresses for side sleepers on the market. Why do I think it’s so suited to side sleepers? It’s down to the combination of the brand’s proprietary Bio-Pur foam and the pocketed coils underneath.
The AS3 Hybrid initially feels soft when you sit on it and, as you lie on it, you can feel the foam contouring gently around the pressure points at the shoulders and hips. However, after this initial sinkage, the foam and coils underneath offer firmer support and keep the sleeper from sinking too far into the mattress.
My husband, who is of an average weight, enjoyed sleeping on his back on the AS3 and appreciated the contouring around the lower back. Despite being of a light build, I’m happiest on a firm bed and did find the contouring a little too soft for my sleeping habits. Amongst our other light and average testers though, the consensus was that this mattress is great for back sleepers as well as side. My heaviest testers all found the mattress too soft, and I would also suggest that the AS3 Hybrid is too soft for stomach sleepers, whose spines won’t be supported and will be out of alignment.
(Image credit: Jo Plumridge)
I also tested sinkage by placing a 44lb weight in the middle of the bed and measuring how far it sank in. The weight sank in by 5”, which is average for a medium firmness mattress.
Score: 4.5 out of 5
Amerisleep AS3 Hybrid Mattress Review: Temperature regulation
Great temperature regulation for a mattress with foam
Well-spaced coils to promote airflow
Refresh cooling cover to wick away heat
I slept on the AS3 Hybrid with a winter duvet (tog rating 10.5) in a bedroom at around 14C during late winter / early spring. I am quite reptilian and often feel cold at night, whereas my husband is always hot. He praised the mattress for its temperature regulation and its coolness to the touch when lying on it. This is down to the combination of materials used in the mattress.
(Image credit: Jo Plumridge)
Amerisleep’s Refresh cooling cover is designed to wick heat away from the body and can, according to the brand, help sleepers stay up to 7 degrees cooler overnight. The Bio-Pur foam sleeps cooler than traditional memory foam and stays cool to the touch, whilst the well-spaced coils help to promote airflow. You won’t feel hot in this mattress and the Bio-Pur’s ability to keep sleepers cool is impressive.
Bio-Pur foam does an excellent job of isolating motion
A great choice for those sharing their bed with a restless partner
Motion transfer is the measure of how much movement is felt from one part of the mattress to another, i.e., whether your partner rolling over or moving in bed will disturb you. If you’re a restless sleeper, a mattress with a lot of motion transfer is likely to make for a broken night’s sleep.
(Image credit: Jo Plumridge)
I tested the AS3 Hybrid with a simple drop test with a 13lb weight and an empty wine glass to see how well the mattress absorbed motion. Dropping the weight from around 4-5” above the mattress, I started at 25” from the wine glass. At this distance the wine glass didn’t move. It was also completely stable at 10” and only fell over at 5” from the weight dropping. Neither my husband and I were disturbed by the other moving through the night and motion isolation really is excellent.
Score: 5 out of 5
Amerisleep AS3 Hybrid Mattress Review: Edge support
Good edge support around the whole perimeter of the bed
Sinkage is the same at the edge of the bed as in the middle
Strong edge support is important in a mattress as it increases the sleeping area that’s available and helps us to get in and out of bed. It also provides a stable seating area and helps to prevent premature sagging around the perimeters.
I was really impressed with the edge support on the AS3 Hybrid, not least because on testing the sinkage with our largest weight it only sank 5”, which is exactly the same as the center. This shows how well designed the edge support is in this mattress, allowing sleepers to stretch out and utilize the full width. Amerisleep has added foam around the edges of the coil layer, which also helps to give a more stable feel.
Score: 5 out of 5
Amerisleep AS3 Hybrid Mattress Review: Setup
Free shipping to anywhere in the contiguous USA
Off-gassing is minimal
The AS3 Hybrid is delivered rolled, vacuum-packed and in a box
My mattress arrived in a box, with the mattress rolled and vacuum-packed within. All mattresses are delivered via FedEx, with curbside delivery. Expect this to take two weeks (or slightly less). FedEx will text or email to confirm a delivery day and delivery is free providing you live in the contiguous USA.
(Image credit: Jo Plumridge)
Unfortunately, there isn’t an option for White Glove delivery (where the mattress is delivered by a two-man team to a room of your choosing) and it’s important to be aware that moving the mattress upstairs really is a two-person job. To open the mattress, I simply placed it on the bed base facing the correct way, sliced the packaging carefully with a knife – taking care not to cut the actual mattress) and let the mattress expand.
Do be aware that the mattress will expand very quickly once it’s freed from its package. You can sleep on the mattress after five to six hours, but it’s worth bearing in mind that it could take up to 72 hours to expand fully.
(Image credit: Jo Plumridge)
Off-gassing, where organic chemicals and gasses are released from the foam as a mattress expands, is normal and to be expected when buying a mattress in a box. The chemical-like odor that’s produced can last several days with some mattresses. However, I found the AS3 Hybrid had very little smell and what there was dissipated within a few hours.
Customer reviews are on Amerisleep’s website and there are currently over 6,000 reviews with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5. However, these are for both the all-foam and hybrid versions of the mattress. Filtering the reviews does give plenty of reviews for the hybrid and brings up some recurring themes.
Customers praised the AS3 Hybrid for helping with aches and pains, and in particular back pain. Many sleepers said that they’d noticed their back pain had either improved or disappeared completely. Motion isolation was also praised, with many noticing how little they were disturbed by a restless partner at night. Customers noted how the Bio-Pur foam did a great job of absorbing motion, despite the bouncier springs underneath.
Most of the negative reviews on the site aren’t actually that negative, as they’re concerned with the firmness of the mattress and how it wasn’t quite right for that sleeper. The AS3 Hybrid really seems to divide opinion when it comes to its firmness rating. Some users said that the mattress was too soft; others felt it was too firm. And this was across both back and side sleepers. However, many customers found it just right. What people find comfortable in a mattress is, of course, somewhat subjective so the trial period of 100 nights is extremely useful here as it gives sleepers the chance to clarify if the AS3 Hybrid is right for them.
Should you buy the Amerisleep AS3 Hybrid?
(Image credit: Jo Plumridge)
The AS3 Hybrid should be on your shortlist if you’re a light or average weight side sleeper. The soft and supportive Bio-Pur foam, combined with bouncy springs offers fantastic pressure relief at the hips and shoulders, with some nice contouring and support. Back sleepers of similar builds should also find this mattress comfortable, providing they enjoy a slightly softer contour and hug along the spine.
I’d avoid this mattress if you’re a stomach sleeper or of a heavier build. The medium firmness means that the mattress is too soft to keep the spine aligned and supported, meaning you’re likely to build up some pressure points and discomfort.
Motion isolation and edge support are both great – the latter being impressive considering the slightly softer foam in this mattress. The Bio-Pur foam absorbs motion easily, making this a good choice if you share your bed with a restless sleeper, or are a particularly light sleeper yourself. Temperature regulation is great for a mattress containing foam but if you’re a particularly hot sleeper you may want to consider one of our picks in the best cooling mattress category. Overall, this is a comfortable and supportive mattress that’s well-made and a godsend for side sleepers.
Amerisleep AS3 Hybrid Mattress Review: also consider
How I tested the Amerisleep AS3 Hybrid mattress
I slept on the AS3 Hybrid for four weeks during late winter / early spring. My bedroom was around 14C overnight and I was using a 10.5 tog winter duvet. I shared the bed with my husband and he and I are of average and light builds respectively.
To gain a wider perspective and views on the mattress I asked friends of various builds and heights to either lie on the mattress in different positions or, in some cases, to sleep on the bed for a night or two. I also ran standardized tests to objectively assess softness, edge support and motion isolation.
• Original review date: August 2019 • No refresh on the horizon
• Launch price: $249 / £229 / AU$399
• Now with limited availability
Updated: January 2024. One of the most expensive Kindle devices around, the Amazon Kindle Oasis remains one of the best premium ereaders around. It's a little long in the tooth now, having been released way back in 2019. But with no refresh on the horizon, likely due the the Kindle Paperwhite offering a great ereader experience, the Oasis is still relevant in 2024. It's availability appears to be limited however, so you may have to go hunting to find it in some regions. Nevertheless, the Kindle Oasis is still worth your consideration, though for most people the Paperwhite may be the better bet. The rest of this review remains as previously published.
Amazon Kindle Oasis: One-minute review
The Kindle Oasis devices are Amazon's top-of-the-line ereaders, and the most recent one is this 2019 model. If you want a luxury reading experience (and don’t want those large, expensive, lumps of dead tree known as a ‘book’), the Amazon Kindle Oasis (2019) is where you should look.
In Amazon's hierarchy, the base Amazon Kindle sits as the most affordable device, with its basic screen, limited storage space and few features, and the Kindle Paperwhite bumps up the screen resolution and storage space and adding a few tricks like waterproofing. This Oasis is technically the top Kindle, though the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition has lots of its features and is two years newer.
The Oasis has a range of features you won’t find in lesser ereaders, like its high-quality display and the range of customization options for screen color and brightness. The fact that you’re plugged into the Amazon Store doesn’t hurt either.
But how much value do you put on this experience? Are you willing to splash out on such an expensive device when you’re going to have to buy the books on top? We think for many people the Kindle Oasis is going to be prohibitively expensive.
Amazon Kindle Oasis review: Price and availability
(Image credit: Amazon)
Given the status of the Amazon Kindle Oasis (2019) as Amazon’s most premium ereader, you should be prepared to wince at its $249.99 / £229.99 / AU$399 / AED 999 price tag. That’s for 8GB onboard memory; if you want 32GB storage the price goes up to $279.99 / £259.99 / AU$449 / AED 1,099.
There’s also a version with 32GB memory and free 4G for downloading books on the go in limited markets, which will set you back $349.99 / £319.99 / AU$559.
In comparison, the base Kindle costs $89.99 / £69.99 / AU$139 / AED359 for 4GB storage, and the Kindle Paperwhite will set you back $129.99 / £119.99 / AU$199 / AED649 for 8GB memory, so even the cheapest Oasis is still a big step up from the Paperwhite.
DEAL: try Kindle Unlimited for FREE in USA | UK | Australia
Amazon Kindle Oasis review: Design
The Amazon Kindle Oasis (2019) doesn’t follow the mini-tablet design of most ereaders – one half of the device is noticeable thicker than the other, which gives you a ridge down the back so that it’s easier to hold (in theory).
In practice, we found the ridge wasn’t quite thick enough to offer a comfortable hold – at 8.4mm thick, it’s only 5mm thicker than the 3.4mm of the main body, which doesn’t provide a deep enough ridge to really get your fingers into. We found the Kindle Oasis a little hard to hold when only using this ridge, so we wouldn’t recommend it depending on what position you like to sit in to read.
The Kindle Oasis (2019)’s other dimensions are 159 x 141mm, so it wouldn’t be big compared to a tablet, but its display is bigger than those of the other Kindles – more on the display later.
(Image credit: TechRadar)
One of the more ‘premium’ features of the device is the metal build, which you won’t find in other Kindles. This makes it feel more hardy, which offsets the fact the 3.4mm part of the device, and its relatively lightweight of 188g, can make it feel a little delicate – the overall effect is a device the looks and feels sleek.
The device is also water resistant, with its IPX8 rating meaning that in theory it can survive being immersed in two metres of water for a whole hour. We can’t imagine that you’d want to take it underwater for that long, but it’ll certainly be fine if you accidentally drop it in the bath while reading, or get it splashed here and there.
Something a little less premium is the micro USB charging port, as most tablets and smartphones have done away with it in favor of USB-C, which is faster for charging. You’re not going to be using that much power with an ereader, so it’s not a huge issue, but we could do without the inconvenience of swapping out the charging cables we use for the rest of our devices.
There’s no 3.5mm headphone jack either, nor loudspeakers, so if you want to listen to audiobooks you’re going to need to use Bluetooth headphones or speakers.
(Image credit: TechRadar)
There are two buttons on the right of the Kindle Oasis, used for skipping forward or backwards through pages. It felt a lot more snappy using these to turn pages than touching the screen, due both to the fact they’re in positions that fall naturally under the fingers, and also because pages turned quicker when we pressed the buttons than when we touched the screen.
There were occasions, however, when the buttons didn’t register our touch, and other times they did but the device stuttered before the next page loaded, prompting us to press again then accidentally skip pages. This often happened when reading books that were complicated in terms of their layout and design, like comic books and our own PDFs, and we didn’t notice it as much for text-based books.
It’s worth noting that for the most part, the design is exactly the same as the previous generation of Kindle Oasis, and that ereader costs quite a bit less now.
Amazon Kindle Oasis review: Display
The display is where you’re seeing the main improvements on the Amazon Kindle Oasis (2019), as there are quite a few additions and changes that improve its quality, and the reading experience.
The display is 7 inches diagonally, which is bigger than the 6-inch screens in the Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite, so you can fit more words or comic book frames on the screen at once, and it’s also higher quality, with 300 pixels per inch, so content looks good too.
This screen is backlit by 25 LEDs, a big jump over the 12 LEDs in the 2017 Kindle Oasis, and you can see the different – max brightness is really high, so you can read in a variety of situations, and there’s better contrast between light and dark, which makes comic books in particular more vivid.
(Image credit: TechRadar)
The brightness can be changed through the easily-accessible settings menu, but there’s also the option to have it automatically change depending on your environment, as on many smartphones.
It’s in the settings menu that you’ll find another of the Kindle Oasis’ big new features, in the form of the ‘warmness’ light setting. This gives the display an orange hue, which makes it more comfortable to look at during night-time reading, and protects your eyes over long reading binges.
The feature is primarily designed to make it more comfortable to read at night, but we also found that when we used it on a low setting we could read more easily in daylight. There’s not a huge range when you change the warmth, but it’s an appreciated upgrade anyway.
The refresh rate of the screen is appropriate – being an ereader display, you’re not seeing as snappy a refresh as on a smartphone screen, but it was far from slow. When zooming into parts of a document we could see the zoom increments, and this made it easier to zoom to the right part of the file.
Amazon Kindle Oasis review: Battery life
Amazon estimates that the battery in the Kindle Oasis (2019) will last you for six weeks, but that’s with a few caveats: to achieve that figure you’ll need to limit your reading to half an hour a day, keep Bluetooth turned off, and the brightness setting on 13, which is roughly half brightness.
While that might sound slightly limiting, in practice, if you’re going to be reading for an hour or so daily, and with the display a little brighter than Amazon recommends, your ereader is still going to take a fair few weeks to run flat, and this is exactly what we found in our testing.
We read for a good two-three hours daily, and it took about a week for the battery to drop down to 50% – that’s roughly the rate of battery consumption quoted by Amazon. In short, the battery life is pretty impressive – this thing will last you for ages.
(Image credit: TechRadar)
This is one of the perks of E Ink, as the tech uses barely any battery power to show content on the screen, and it’s certainly an eco-friendly alternative to reading books on your smartphone.
Charging via the micro USB port isn’t exactly snappy though – we found it took a few hours to charge the Oasis up to full power, but this doesn’t really matter too much if you’re only going to be powering up once in a blue moon.
Amazon Kindle Oasis review: Software
The Amazon Kindle Oasis (2019) runs on software that’s very tightly integrated with the Amazon Store – so much so that it can be easy to get confused between which books you own as part of your library, and which are suggestions from Amazon.
Once you get the hang of the software, though, it’s easy to find your way between the home page, your library, the settings, the store, and everything else you’ll need.
As is the case with ereaders in general, it’s not the snappiest device in the world, and it can often take quite a while to navigate through menus. This sluggishness can be particularly annoying when you’re trying to type, but it’s a price you pay for using a device that’s optimized for reading books rather than for smooth navigation of the user interface.
(Image credit: Amazon)
As on other Kindles, you there are a few useful features you’ll find in the Oasis that make it a useful reading tool. One of these is the ability to change text fonts for ebooks, so if you absolutely must read your books in a sans serif font, you’re set. You can also change the page spacing, margins, and orientation, to fully customize your reading experience.
Amazon Kindle Oasis review: Features
The Amazon Store is the biggest collection of ebooks around, so you’re almost certainly going to find the fiction or non-fiction book, comic book or audiobook with relative ease.
If you’re a keen reader you may be interested in Amazon Kindle Unlimited, a subscription service available in some parts of the world that lets you ‘rent’ ebooks. It costs $9.99 / £7.99 / AU$13.99 per month, and you can download and store up to 10 books or comics at any one time, so it’s perfect for quick readers.
(Image credit: TechRadar)
Kindle Unlimited is particularly good for fans of comic books and graphic novels, as those are typically quite quick to get through but the physical versions cost quite a bit; and the Kindle library has many of the classics, so you can use Kindle Unlimited to make your way through lots of titles quickly.
The selection of books on Kindle Unlimited is rather limited, certainly compared to the standard Kindle store, but it’s great for classic novels like War of the Worlds and 10,000 Leagues Under The Sea, as well as comic books, and a smattering of other titles you may not have heard of but might want to try.
Depending on your tastes and reading habits, Amazon Kindle Unlimited may or may not be worth the regular outlay for you, so do have a look at which titles are supported before you commit.
Alternatively, Amazon Prime members can use Prime Reading, which is like Prime Video in that it offers you free reading of certain ebooks as part of your Prime membership.
You can access both of these services from your Kindle or computer browser, as well as the standard library of books which you can buy, and overall we were able to find any book we wanted.
Should I buy the Amazon Kindle Oasis?
The Amazon Kindle Oasis is for people who value their reading experience above all else, and are willing to throw a good chunk of money at a device that will deliver that experience.
Should you buy it?
If you’re in the market for a premium ereader you could do worse than the Amazon Kindle Oasis (2019), but it’s not much of a jump in quality over the previous-gen Amazon Kindle Oasis, which has now had a price reduction thanks to there being an upgrade on the market.
If the upgraded screen quality appeals to you, and you’re willing to stump up the cash for it, buy the new Kindle Oasis – but if you can take or leave those features, the older version will serve you just as well.
First reviewed: August 2019
DEAL: try Kindle Unlimited for FREE in USA | UK | Australia
Competition
Kindle Paperwhite
(Image credit: Future)
If the high price tag of the Kindle Oasis puts you off somewhat, then you might want to take a step down in the Kindle range and look at the Paperwhite. It’s a simpler device in terms of build quality and screen customization options, but it has all the features and functions of the Kindle, so you’ll be able to read your books just as easily.
Kobo is one of the best-known competitors to Amazon, and the Forma is basically its equivalent of the Oasis. Kobo’s ebook store may not quite rival Amazon’s in terms of choice, but it’s a sturdy device with a very long battery life.
You don’t need to pay for an ereader at all if you have a smartphone, as the Google Play Books app, which is available on Android and iOS devices, is free, and gives you access to millions of cheap or affordable books. Of course, your smartphone doesn’t make for as great a reading experience as an ereader, but it’s certainly a more economical solution.
