There are 100 levels of firmness to choose from in the Balance Pro, and it also has the softest memory foam top layer of all its mattress offerings. I ended up leaning to a stronger level to regain this softness, landing on 60, while my husband opted for 80. It took about a week to fine tune our preferences and establish a baseline, as outlined in the Bryte app during installation.

Another marquee feature of smart mattresses, apart from customizable firmness, is the compatibility of adjustable bases. Adjustable bases enable a smart mattress head and foot to move in different positions, whether to help snore or to kick your feet. We tested the Balance Pro on a adjustable base and finally decided against it, which was not the case with other smart mattresses I tried.

We found the Bryte Balancers to be so rigid that we didn’t want to risk material damage from just wanting the head and foot of the mattress to move up and down. I contacted Bryte’s team to confirm if it was indeed adjustable-base-friendly, and they said so. But with how expensive the bed was and how the first try went, I’m sweating trying again. Bryte’s team also informed me that it works well with a traditional flat-bed frame, and I’m here to tell you: Please go this route instead. Maybe grab a Thuma Classic Bed frame to create an all-out hotel aesthetic at home.

As time went by, however, I didn’t really care that we were technically missing this common feature of the smart bed. The Bryte Balance Pro can adjust its strength in different zones, and I notice the change smoothly when I make an adjustment. I’m not sure I would have made the same identification if I had an adjustable frame that was tilted at zero-gravity and other angles.

Do the Wave

I’ve never been one for massage settings, which usually have smart mattresses. Technically, this feature is achieved by rigged adjustable bases rather than the mattress itself. To me, they usually feel like I’m trying to reenact a small earthquake as opposed to putting it out. Not to mention, the vibration generated by this setting isn’t exactly silent.

ScreenshotsBreaking App by Julia Forbes

All Bryte mattresses, including the Balance Pro, offer a library of settings focused on meditation, sleep, wakefulness, and even light massage. It’s not that wide the Calm appbut its effectiveness and the integration of the design of the bed impressed me. Each zone of the Bryte Balancers on the bed is activated to simulate waves, which Bryte calls “BryteWaves” that gently roll over the body, from head to toe, like a gentle ocean wave. Playing around with the settings, you can add audio to guide you through meditative breathwork and nature soundscapes, such as thunderstorms and acoustic music, to accompany this gentle rolling. My favorites, ironically, turned out to be two massage settings: “Rhythmic Wave” and “Back Release,” where the Bryte Balancers gently press under my shoulders before working down my back. It’s not a full body massage by any means, but it’s quickly becoming my preferred way to fall asleep.

Bryte Balancers also have a “Silent Wake” setting that gently wakes you up without the need for an alarm clock. However, it’s a hit-or-miss setting for us. Some days I notice it, but others I’m up and running before the time I’ve programmed it to start. For deep sleepers, like my husband, they probably won’t notice it.