Bedgear M5 vs. M5 Night Ice (2026): Which Bedgear Mattress Should You Buy?

The Bedgear M5 is one of the most custom mattresses you can buy. Each side of the bed gets its own firmness, and you can change it later. But Bedgear makes two versions: the Bedgear M5 Performance and the Bedgear M5 Night Ice Performance. They look almost the same on paper, and the Night Ice costs about $500 more.

So which one should you buy? In this guide, we break down what is the same, what is different, who each one is for, and what each one costs at Bedplanet in 2026.

Quick Verdict

Both mattresses share the same core: swappable Independent Suspension™ units, four firmness settings per side, a 14" profile, a washable cover, and a 10-year limited warranty. The real difference is cooling.

Buy the M5 Performance if you sleep at a normal temperature, want custom firmness for you and your partner, and want to save about $500 (about $1,000 in Split King).

Buy the M5 Night Ice if you wake up hot, sweat at night, or share a bed with someone who runs warm. It adds Bedgear's full 3X Cooling stack, and Bedgear calls it its coolest mattress yet.

Bedgear M5 vs. M5 Night Ice at a Glance

Specs are from Bedgear's published product information. *Prices at the time of writing.

What Is the Same

1. Firmness you can pick for each side

This is the big reason people buy an M5. Instead of one fixed feel, the mattress uses swappable coil units called Independent Suspension™ units. You pick one of four settings for your side: 0.0 Firm, 1.0 Medium Firm, 2.0 Medium Plush, or 3.0 Plush. Your partner picks their own. If your body or your sleep position changes later, you can swap the unit instead of buying a new mattress.

2. A cover you can wash

Both models have a Ver-Tex™ top cover that unzips and goes in the washing machine. That is a nice plus for allergy-conscious sleepers, pet owners, and anyone who likes a fresh bed.

3. Built to breathe

Both use Bedgear's Air-X® mesh chassis and air vents. These let air move through the sides of the mattress instead of trapping heat inside. The M5 is not a "hot" mattress, even without the Night Ice upgrade.

4. Works on an adjustable base

Both are 14" tall and fit standard frames and adjustable bases. Both also come in Split Head Queen, King, and Cal King. A Split Head mattress lets each person raise their own head section on an adjustable base, while the foot stays as one piece. That is a great middle ground for couples who want one mattress but different positions.

What Is Different: Cooling

Here is where your extra $500 goes. The Night Ice swaps the standard comfort layer for Bedgear's full 3X Cooling stack:

• Instant-cooling Ver-Tex™ cover that feels cool as soon as you lie down.
• Cooling Active Core™ that absorbs and spreads out body heat as it builds up during the night.
• Cooling React™ layer, a perforated foam that conforms to your body and has airflow channels.
• Cooling Boost® layer, a responsive perforated foam that helps pull heat away from your body.

The regular M5 has one comfort layer (Enhanced React™) and no listed cooling core. So the M5 gives you a cool first touch and good airflow. The Night Ice is built to keep cooling all night, which is when most hot sleepers wake up.

Where you live matters too. In hot climates like Las Vegas, where Bedplanet is based, even a cool bedroom can feel warm by 3 a.m. If that sounds like you, the Night Ice is usually worth it.

Who Should Buy Which?

Bedgear M5 vs. M5 Night Ice Price at Bedplanet (2026)

*Current Bedplanet pricing at the time of writing. Prices and offers can change, so check the M5 Performance and M5 Night Ice product pages for today's price.

Spread over a 10-year warranty, the Night Ice upgrade works out to about $50 a year in most sizes. If heat wakes you up even a few nights a month, that is a small price for better sleep.

Best Adjustable Base Pairings

The M5 is a great match for an adjustable base, because you can set both the firmness and the position for each sleeper.

• Ergomotion RIO 5.0: our best-selling head-and-foot base, with massage and Zero Gravity. Read our RIO 5.0 review.
• Ergo-Pedic iTilt: tilts the whole bed for incline sleeping on your side. Read our iTilt review.
• Ergomotion Ascend: a high-low bed that raises the whole bed to make getting in and out easier. Read our Ascend review.

Not sure whether to go Split King or Split Head? See Split King vs. King for adjustable beds and our split king mattress and base combos guide.

Buying Tips

• Not sure on firmness? Side sleepers usually like Medium Plush or Plush. Back and stomach sleepers usually like Medium Firm or Firm. The good news: with the M5, you can swap later.
• Returns: Per Bedgear's terms on our product pages, there is a 30-day return window on opened mattresses and a 100-day window on unopened mattresses. Ask our team for full details before you buy.
• HSA/FSA: You may be able to use pre-tax dollars. See can you buy a mattress with HSA or FSA funds.
• Financing: Break the cost into monthly payments. Learn more in financing explained.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Bedgear M5 and M5 Night Ice?

Cooling. Both have the same swappable firmness system, 14" height, washable cover, and 10-year warranty. The Night Ice adds a Cooling Active Core™ and Cooling React™ and Cooling Boost® layers for Bedgear's 3X Cooling.

Is the Bedgear M5 Night Ice worth the extra money?

If you sleep hot, yes. It costs about $500 more in most sizes. If you do not have heat problems, the regular M5 gives you the same custom firmness for less.

Can I change the firmness of a Bedgear M5 later?

Yes. Firmness comes from swappable Independent Suspension™ units. You can swap a unit to change the feel on one side without changing the other.

Does the Bedgear M5 work on an adjustable bed?

Yes. Both models fit adjustable bases and come in Split King, Split Cal King, and Split Head sizes for couples.

How tall is the Bedgear M5?

Both the M5 Performance and the M5 Night Ice are 14 inches tall.

What warranty comes with the Bedgear M5?

Both come with Bedgear's 10-year limited warranty.

Final Verdict: Bedgear M5 or M5 Night Ice?

If you want the M5's custom, dual-sided firmness and you do not sleep hot, the M5 Performance is the smarter buy. You get the same core design and save $500. If heat is what wakes you up, or your partner runs warm, the M5 Night Ice is worth the upgrade. It is Bedgear's coolest mattress, and you still get firmness you can set side by side.

Still deciding? Shop the M5 Performance, shop the M5 Night Ice, or visit a Bedplanet showroom in Las Vegas to try both in person.