Douglas Original vs. Silk & Snow

Choosing a mattress is among the important questions when it comes to your overall wellbeing. Sleeping on a mattress that supports your spine and reduces pressure points, means you sleep better and wake up more refreshed, which in turn affects your wellbeing. There are many excellent mattresses available on the Canadian market, so how do you find the best mattress for you?

In this article, we focus on two budget-friendly mattresses: the Silk & Snow and Douglas Original. These two all-foam mattresses are very similar in price and construction and we put them both to test to see how they compare. You can use this article to help you decide which of these mattresses is better suited for you.

Overview of Douglas and Silk & Snow

The similarities between Douglas and Silk & Snow begin with the year the companies first entered the Canadian mattress market. Both companies were founded in 2017, meaning they are both fairly new entrants in the market. Despite this, both companies have quickly found fans and established themselves as popular mattress and other bedding providers in Canada. 

Douglas and Silk & Snow make all their mattresses in Canada and use eco-conscious, responsibly sourced materials. Keeping mattress production in Canada supports the Canadian economy, creates jobs, and reduces the impact on the environment. The mattresses are sold mainly online but Silk & Snow has two showrooms (in Toronto and Ottawa) and they partner with EQ3 stores in Canada and the United States. 

Silk & Snow Vs Douglas Original Price Comparison

The similarities between these two mattress brands continue when we compare the prices of the all-foam mattresses from Douglas and Silk & Snow. They are both competitively priced and are good options for Canadians shopping on a lower budget. Yet, as you will see when we come to the test results a little later in the article, a lower price does not always mean lower quality. At least when we are talking about mattresses from Silk & Snow and Douglas. 

Mattress Sizes

When we compare the dimensions of the Douglas Original and Silk & Snow mattress, they are identical other than for one mattress size. The full (also referred to as double) mattress from Silk & Snow is an inch wider than the Douglas Original. 

Douglas and Silk & Snow offer a similar range of standard size mattress sizes with the exception of split king, which Silk & Snow does not price separately. However, you can create your own split king by combining two twin XL mattresses and doubling the price. 

Sleep Trials, Warranty, and Delivery

Finding out details such as the length of sleep trial and warranty and whether the company offers free delivery is important and can influence your decision. Having a sleep trial and a long warranty can give you peace of mind when shopping online while getting a free delivery can be a significant saving. Below you can find out how Douglas and Silk & Snow compare in this respect. 

Sleep Trial

When you purchase a mattress online, you can never be certain the mattress will feel right for you night after night. That is why choosing a company that offers a sleep trial is important. The lengths and terms of sleep trials vary from one mattress company to the next. 

Both Douglas and Silk & Snow have a very generous sleep trial: 365 nights. If you decide during this time that you are not satisfied with the mattress, the company will refund you and pick up the mattress. Douglas asks you to use the mattress for at least 21 nights before you decide, while Silk & Snow asks you to use it for 30 nights. They require this time before making a decision because it will take some time for your body to get used to the new mattress. 

Warranty

While both companies offer you a full year’s sleep trial, their warranty periods are different. The Silk & Snow mattress comes with a 15-year warranty, while the Douglas Original has a warranty of 20 years. Generally, the warranty covers manufacturing defects and defective materials and it is always recommended to check the terms when purchasing. 

Delivery

Depending on where in Canada you live, you can get free delivery from Silk & Snow and Douglas. If you live in a remote part of Canada, you may have to pay for the delivery, so always check with the company. All Douglas mattresses are shipped by FedEx, while Snow & Silk use various companies, depending on which company will get the mattress to you the fastest. 

Mattress Construction and Performance

Comparing the Silk & Snow and Douglas Original mattresses was one of the most interesting comparisons we have carried out because on paper, they look so similar. Below, you can find a brief description of their construction followed by how they performed in our tests. 

Differences in Silk & Snow And Douglas Original Construction

There are many similarities in the way the Silk & Snow and Douglas Original mattresses are constructed. For example, they both have removable covers, three layers of foam, and they are ten inches thick. However, the materials used for the cover and foam layers are different and you can find out how they differ below.  

In the Silk & Snow mattress, the cover is made with antimicrobial material designed to prevent and reduce bacteria growth. It also removes odours. The top layer is made with high-density gel memory foam, the middle with transition foam to relieve pressure points and provide motion isolation, and the bottom layer is a six-inch layer of high-density support foam. 

The CoolSense cover on the Douglas Original is designed to reduce overheating while you sleep. It wicks heat and moisture away so your body temperature stays at a comfortable level through the night. The three foam layers of the Original consist of an ecoLight cooling gel top layer, Elastex® foam middle layer, and a six-inch bottom layer made with high-density foam. 

Temperature Control 

Silk & Snow 8.0/10; Douglas Original 8.7/10

In the past, people often avoided foam mattresses because they were known to retain heat and make you feel too hot while sleeping. Both Silk & Snow and Douglas have worked hard to make their all-foam mattresses more breathable and cooling. 

While both mattresses scored well in our temperature regulation tests (most people will sleep comfortably when the score is at least 6), the Douglas Original performed better in this test. The CoolSense cover together with the ecoLight top foam layer, were more effective in removing heat away from the body than the Silk & Snow gel foam top layer. 

Motion Isolation 

Silk & Snow 9.4/10; Douglas Original 9.6/10

The score for motion isolation refers to the amount of motion that is transferred from one part of the mattress to another when one person moves. Foam mattresses often have better motion isolation than all-spring and even hybrid mattresses and this applies to both the Silk & Snow and Douglas Original mattresses. 

Both scored very high in our motion isolation tests, but once again, the Douglas performed better. However, it wasn’t a significant difference and most Canadians would be very happy with either mattress when it comes to motion isolation and be able to sleep comfortably even when sharing a bed with a restless sleeper. 

Edge Support

Silk & Snow 8.1/10; Douglas Original 6/10

One area where the Silk & Snow mattress performed considerably better than the Douglas Original was edge support. Many all-foam mattresses do not have great edge support, but Silk & Snow is one of the exceptions. The support layers provide good support throughout the mattress, including the edge, so if you like sleeping on the edge, you will feel more comfortable. 

Even though the Douglas scored lower than the Silk & Snow mattress in this category, it still offers better support than many other all-foam mattresses. But if you prefer to sleep on the edge or need a stronger edge for extra support when getting in and out of bed, the Silk & Snow is the better mattress out of these two. 

Firmness and Comfort

Silk & Snow 6/10; Douglas Original 6.5/10

Despite their very similar constrictions and equal thickness, the Douglas Original is a little firmer than the Silk & Snow mattresses. However, most people need a mattress rated between 4 and 7 for firmness and will find either of these mattress suitably supportive and comfortable 

Most Canadians will find that these mattresses provide enough sinkage to keep their spine in the right alignment and prevent pressure points from forming. However, it should be remembered that the firmness of a mattress is subjective and the same mattress can feel different to different individuals. This is where the sleep trial really comes into play because should the mattress prove to be too soft or hard for you, you can return it before the trial ends. 

Final Verdict: Which Mattress is Right for You?

There is very little that separates the Douglas Original and Silk & Snow mattress in terms of sleep trials and delivery costs, but there are differences in the length of the warranty as well as materials used to construct the materials and our test results. 

Overall, the Douglas Original performed better in our tests apart from the edge support tests. However, they are both comfortable mattresses sold at budget-friendly prices. If you need better temperature control or motion isolation, the Douglas Original is the better choice based on our test results, but if a firm edge is a key feature for you, then the Silk & Snow mattress will be better. 

Below is a key summary of the key details of the Douglas Original and the Silk & Snow mattress. 

Other Mattress Options from Douglas and Silk & Snow

The Douglas Original and Silk & Snow mattresses are the most “basic” mattresses these companies offer. They both have two additional mattresses with enhanced features you might like to check out before you make your final decision. 

The two alternatives to the Original from Douglas are the Alpine and the Summit. The Alpine is Douglas’s mid-range mattress. It is thicker than the Original and provides enhanced pressure relief and cooling. If you are looking for extra cooling properties and a luxurious sleeping experience, the Summit is the company’s top-of-the-range mattress with phase-changing materials to keep you cool all night long. 

In addition to the Silk & Snow mattress, the company does a hybrid and organic mattress. The hybrid offers better lumbar support and alignment and performs better than many other hybrid mattresses available in Canada. The final option, the organic mattress, is available in three firmness options and uses only organic materials such as latex and cotton. 

Frequently Asked Questions

In our tests, the Douglas Original scored higher for motion isolation and temperature regulation. The Silk & Snow mattress was better for edge support. If you often sleep hot or share your bed with someone who moves around a lot, then the Douglas mattress may be better for you. However, if you sleep on the edge of the bed or need a more supportive mattress when getting in and out of bed, the Silk & Snow has a stronger edge. 

The two mattresses have almost the same price range. Not including the split king size, the Silk & Snow prices range from $600 for a twin to $900 for a king-size bed. The Douglas Original starts from $599 for a twin and a king is $899. 

Heavier people generally need a firmer mattress. The Douglas Original is a little firmer scoring 6.5/10 white the Silk & Snow scored 6.0/10. 

Yes, both companies deliver their mattresses for free to most parts of Canada. Note that both companies state that if you live in a remote area, you may have to pay for the delivery. 

You can find additional bedding products from both companies. The product range includes items such as pillows, duvets, and mattress toppers.