Douglas Original vs. Douglas Alpine vs. Douglas Summit Mattress Comparison

Douglas has been manufacturing mattresses in Canada for the last seven years and is focused on making quality all-foam mattresses. While it may still be a young company, it has already found many fans and carved itself a firm position within the Canadian mattress market. 

If your search for a new mattress has led you to Douglas and you are now stuck deciding between the Douglas mattresses, we want to help you make that important decision. At Slumber we use a range of tests to rate the mattresses’ various performance features and we can use the ratings to compare different mattresses. 

So continue reading to find out how the Original, Alpine, and Summit performed in the tests and how they compare against each other. 

Comparison At A Glance

Summary
Douglas Summit is the fully upgraded version of the Douglas mattress, so the improved performance scores don't come as a surprise. In most cases, the Original and Alpine perform nearly as well, with no large performance gaps among the three mattresses.

Overview of the Company

Douglas is one of the Canadian mattress companies operating under the GoodMorning.com umbrella. GoodMorning.com has been helping Canadians find the right mattress and other bedding essentials since 2009 while Douglas sold its first mattresses in 2017. Other GoodMorning.com brands include Juno, Logan & Cove, and Novosbed. 

All Douglas mattresses are made in Canada and the company uses only Canadian fabrics and foams to ensure quality. By keeping the materials and production Canadian, the company is reducing its carbon footprint and supporting the Canadian economy. 

Douglas only sells its mattresses online, which helps them to reduce their costs; a saving that they pass on to their customers. The company has built itself a reputation for innovation, for example, reducing heat retention, which is a common problem with many foam mattresses, and is one of the most popular bed-in-a-box mattresses in Canada.

Check Price – Douglas Original

Check Price – Douglas Alpine

Check Price – Douglas Summit

Douglas Original Vs. Alpine Vs. Summit Price Comparison

The Original is the lowest-priced mattress from Douglas and with even the king-size mattress available for less than a thousand dollars, it is a great option for anyone looking for a budget-friendly mattress. The Alpine sits in the middle and is a slightly upgraded version of the Original and the Summit is the most luxurious mattress available from Douglas. 

If you are concerned about the quality of the Original, you don’t need to be. Yes, it is true that cheaper mattresses can be made with lower-quality materials and craftsmanship, but that is not the case here. All three Douglas mattresses performed well in our tests as you will see a little later in the article. 

Mattress Sizes

Unsurprisingly, having been made by the same company, the Douglass mattresses have identical widths and lengths. The difference is in the height of the mattress with the Original being the thinnest and the Summit the thickest option. The mattresses are designed to fit regular-sized bed frames and the sizes range from twin to split king (which is actually two twin XL mattresses put together). 

For RV enthusiasts, the mattresses also come in regular RV bed dimensions. There are three RV mattress options: RV bunk small, RV three-quarter, and RV short queen. With the RV options, you can sleep as comfortably on the road as you do at home. 

Mattress Construction and Performance

There are many similarities in how the Original, Alpine, and Summit mattresses are constructed. For example, they are all full-foam mattresses made with three separate layers of foam. However, there are also differences that affect how the mattresses feel and perform. 

Below, you will find how the three Douglas mattresses are constructed, followed by how they performed in our tests.

Differences in the Construction of Original, Alpine, and Summit Mattresses from Douglas

All three of the mattresses are made with three layers of foam, so what are the differences? Let’s look at each mattress in turn. 

The Original has CoolSense to wick away heat and moisture while you sleep. It is a removable cover made with sustainable and biodegradable Infinitex™ thread that can be washed to keep your mattress feeling fresher. The top foam layer of the Original is ecoLight cooling gel foam and it is two inches thick. It is followed by a two-inch layer of Elastex® foam and finished with a six-inch layer of high-density foam. 

The Alpine also has a CoolSense cover and ecoLight and Elastex® foam layers. It is here we can notice the first difference, which is that the top layer includes Polar, a phase-changing material that enhances the mattress’s cooling abilities. It is also thicker, at 2.25 inches. The middle layer is also 2.25 inches thick, and the final layer, made with motion isolation support foam, is 6.5 inches totaling 11 inches in height. 

The differences between the Summit and the other two mattresses begin with the cover, which is made using cooling nanofibres. The first foam layer, 2.5 inches thick, has Polar phase-changing materials and the second layer is 2.5 inches thick Elastex® foam. The final layer of high-density foam adds height to the mattress and eliminates vibrations.  

Temperature Control 

Foam mattresses are known to trap heat and make you sleep hot so we were positively surprised with the scores for all three Douglas mattresses. They all scored significantly better than many other foam mattresses and most people, unless you tend to sleep very hot, would be comfortable with any of these mattresses. 

If you are a very hot sleeper, the Original is the best for cooling effects. It got an extremely high score from us considering its all foam construction and lack of phase-changing technology. However, the Alpine and Summit also perform extremely well. All mattresses from Douglas scored above a 9.0, which is considered extremely cool for hot sleepers. No matter which one you choose, you won’t overheat.

Motion Isolation 

Motion isolation is an important factor for anyone who shares their bed. The higher the motion isolation score, the better the mattress prevents vibrations from traveling from one part of the mattress to another. 

Douglas has mastered the art of isolating motion as all of their mattresses scored near perfect scores in our tests. The Douglas Summit got a perfect motion isolation score from us, and it is one of the only mattresses to ever receive that rating. Our testers reported feeling very little, if any, disturbance when another person moved on the mattress. Any of these mattresses would suit couples, even if your partner is a restless sleeper. 

Edge Support

Original 6/10; Alpine 9.6/10; Summit 6.5/10

Foam mattresses usually do not have strong edges, which is why the Alpine surprised us in our tests. It has a very strong edge that is resistant to sagging and sinking. The surprises didn’t stop there, as the Summit received an even higher score from our test results. The increased performance with each upgraded model showcases that Douglas put a lot of thought into the design and performance of each mattress model.

Most sleepers will be happy with any of these mattresses, no matter where they sleep on top of the mattress. However, the Douglas Summit still performed ever-so-slightly better in this test than the Original and the Alpine.

Firmness and Comfort

When we test a mattress for firmness and comfort, we give it a score out of ten. The lower the score, the softer the mattress is. Most Canadians need a mattress that has a firmness level between 4 and 7 because a softer/firmer mattress will not offer the right balance of support and contouring for most people. 

All three Douglas mattresses are suitable for most Canadians regardless of their preferred sleeping position because they are medium-firm mattresses. For most people, they will offer the right amount of support and contouring, keeping your spine in alignment and preventing pressure points from forming.

Which Mattress is Right for You?

What Are Customers Saying?

Canadians who purchased the Douglas Original said they were surprised that quality like this came at such a low price.

“This mattress easily performs just as well as some of the more expensive mattresses we’ve owned. We love the feel of the Douglas mattress.”

— Slumber.ca Verified Mattress Review (Douglas Original)

Alpine owners are happy with their upgrade, citing better pressure relief and a noticeable, pillow-y feel.

“Alpine was a compromise for us, but we ended up loving it. The pressure relief alone is so luxurious!” 

— Slumber.ca Verified Mattress Review (Douglas Alpine)

Customers who purchased the Douglas Summit fell in love with its extreme performance. 

“Kudos to Douglas for making us fall in love with an all-foam mattress. We wouldn’t change a thing about the Summit.”

— Slumber.ca Verified Mattress Review (Douglas Summit)

Sleep Trials, Warranty, and Delivery

The sleep market in Canada is very competitive and many companies offer sleep trials and free deliveries to attract customers. Below, you will find the details on the sleep trial and delivery from Douglas together with warranty information. 

Sleep Trial

Traditionally, when people would research a new mattress, they would visit brick-and-mortar stores and try the mattresses by lying on top of them. With online mattress stores, you can only base your decision on the information and reviews you can read about the mattresses. Buying a mattress without being able to physically try how it feels, is a daunting idea. Or would be, if it weren’t for sleep trials. 

A sleep trial means you can try the mattress at home for a set period. With Douglas, it is 365 nights. If you decide before the time is up that the mattress is not right for you, Douglas will arrange a free pickup and refund your money. Note that you cannot return the mattress within the first 21 days of delivery. This is because it will take some time before your body becomes used to the new mattress. After 21 days, you can speak to customer service and they will arrange the rest. 

Delivery

Douglas has two warehouses in Canada: Ontario and Alberta, and your mattress will be shipped out from the facility nearest to you. Mattresses are shipped by FedEx and generally delivered within a week. You will get a delivery estimate when you order. Note that you will have to pay for delivery if you live in some of the more remote areas of Canada. You can find the full list of areas where shipping fees apply on the company’s website. Currently, the shipping fee for the listed areas is $250. 

Warranty

All Douglas mattresses come with a 20-year warranty which demonstrates the trust the company has in their materials and craftsmanship. Considering that the average lifespan of a foam mattress is around 10 years in every night use, the warranty will cover you against material or manufacturing-related defects for as long as you are likely to have the mattress. 

Final Verdict: Original, Alpine, or Summit?

All the Douglas mattresses are innovative, Canadian-made mattresses that have a lot to offer. The biggest deciding factors will be the level of firmness, edge support, and cooling properties. The Summit is firmer than the Original or the Alpine and has the most effective cooling properties. 

On the other hand, if edge support is very important to you, then the Alpine is the best choice, while the Original is a great budget-friendly mattress that does not compromise on quality. When making your final decision, consider what is important to you and what your sleeping requirements are. The bottom line with the Douglas mattress is, whichever you choose, you will get a comfortable mattress that is likely to help you sleep well for years to come. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Douglas should I buy if I need strong motion isolation?

The Summit offers the strongest motion isolation among these mattresses. However, it’s important to mention that the Original and Alpine only score a bit lower.

Where are Douglas mattresses made?

All of Douglas’s mattresses are made right here in Canada. They use Canadian materials when possible to make their mattresses, too.

How much is the shipping on Douglas mattresses?

Shipping is free to most locations in Canada, barring some remote locations that may require a delivery fee. Make sure to check with customer service if you think your area might require a fee.

Are the upgraded Alpine and Summit worth it, or should I just buy the Original?

There are some advantages to choosing the Alpine or the Summit, and the upgrades each show a level of increased performance that you won’t get with the Original. However, if you are on a budget, the Original won’t disappoint you.

What is the sleep trial like?

Douglas offers a 365-night sleep trial with all of its mattresses. That means you get a full year to test the mattress. If it isn’t for you, you can return it within the trial period for a full refund.