DreamCloud Mattress Review

In This Review
Performance Tests | Firmness | Support & Sleeping Positions | Design | Materials | Comparisons | FAQs

At NapLab, we put each mattress to the test.

We test 10 different factors that impact the performance, comfort, and value of the mattress. We then take the results of that test and compare to every mattress we’ve tested to date.

Check out the full performance table below to see how this mattress ranks:

Factor	Dreamcloud	Average
Overall Score	8.27	8.64
Price (Queen)	$799	$1,380 (Hybrid only)
Cooling – Score	8.0	8.8
Sinkage – Depth	3.02″	2.16″
Sinkage – Feel	Extremely Deep	Moderate
Motion Transfer – Score	9.7	8.2
Motion Transfer – Acceleration	5.60 m/s²	8.64 m/s²
Response Time – Score	5.0	8.9
Response Time – Mostly Recovered	5.0 sec.	0.4 sec.
Response Time – Fully Recovered	6.0 sec.	0.9 sec.
Bounce – Height	11.20″	9.53″
Bounce – Feel	High	Moderate
Edge Support – Score	8.3	8.6
Edge Support – Sitting	5.00″	4.07″
Edge Support – Lying	Excellent	Good
Sex – Score	9.0	8.5
Pressure Relief – Score	8.0	8.8
Comfort Layer Thickness	5.5″	4.2″
Mattress Thickness	14″	12.0″
Off-Gassing – Score	9.7	8.4
Off-Gassing – Smell	Minimal	Strong
Off-Gassing – Days	1 day	6 days
Company – Score	9.0	8.7
Trial	365 nights	165 nights
Warranty	Lifetime	25% have lifetime warranties, average of other 75% of mattresses is 14 years

How is the DreamCloud Different?

The Dreamcloud mattress has below-average performance, but also a price tag that is also below average—43% less than the average hybrid mattress.

Looking at the individual performance categories we can see where the DreamCloud falls behind the pack.

Advantages

Before hitting this mattress with the hard stuff, let’s touch on a few areas where the DreamCloud did well. In our tests, we measured lower levels of motion transfer (35% less motion than average) which can be a big win for sensitive sleepers.

It is also thicker than the average mattress by over 2″. (14″ DreamCloud compared to the 12″ average mattress). A thicker profile means a thicker comfort layer as well.

While extra thickness isn’t always directly tied to better performance, it does usually enhance pressure relief and support, both important factors.

Neutral Factors

Bounce is a bit of a neutral factor, but we measured 15% higher levels of bounce than the average.

Disadvantages

DreamCloud has poorer cooling than average which is coupled with deep sinkage (nearly 40% deeper than average) as well as a painfully slow response time. Overall, these are the factors that really kill the DreamCloud.

At the end of the day, this mattress retains body heat and I generally had a feeling of being stuck.

Overall cooling on the DreamCloud mattress was good, just not great. During our cooling test, I felt a slight to moderate level of heat retention while lying on the mattress.

• Baseline Temperature – the temperature of the mattress before anyone lies on it
• Maximum Temperature (0 minute) – the temperature of the mattress after lying on it for 15 minutes
• Ending Temperature (5 minute) – the temperature of the mattress after being lied upon and having no one on it for 5 minutes

The DreamCloud didn’t seem to breathe as well as other hybrid mattresses we’ve tested. The top layers of foam, even within the quilted cover, feel particularly dense and more capable of retaining heat.

Looking at our objective measurements of the surface level temperature the performance was definitely better. After lying on the mattress for 15 minutes it peaked at 89.5°F.

This is notably better than our average max temperature, which is 90.9°F (across all mattresses we’ve tested to date).

Heat dissipation was arguably the most compelling evidence to support better cooling.

By 1 minute, the DreamCloud dropped to 83.4°F, a drop of 6.1°. Heat dissipation from there declined another 1.4° by the 5-minute mark, stopping at 82.0°.

Heat Dissipation Over Time

While the objective data seems to indicate a mattress with better than average cooling performance, I believe my subjective assessment better reflects the total reality of the cooling dynamic.

The DreamCloud just didn’t seem to breathe as well as many others we’ve tested and seems to retain more heat directly around the body.

Cooling: DreamCloud vs. Nectar

Nectar is the sister brand to DreamCloud, and also offers 3 models. In my view, all 3 Nectar models (which are 100% foam, not hybrids) performed better with respect to cooling.

The Nectar Premier & Nectar Premier Copper in particular were significantly better. If cooling is the most important factor for you as a sleeper I would recommend one of the Nectar mattresses ahead of the DreamCloud. For more info see our Nectar Premier Review and Nectar Premier Copper Review.

Sinkage was extremely deep on the DreamCloud mattress. In our tests, we measured a sinkage depth of 3.02”.

This is significantly deeper than the average across all mattresses we’ve tested to date, which is 2.16”.

The level of sinkage is documented in the image below.

While sinkage is indeed a preferential factor, given the sheer depth of total sinkage it is fair to say that you really need to like a deep hugging contour.

Because the sinkage depth is so dramatic and DreamCloud uses memory foam in the top layer it has the tendency to really hug sleepers at a notable depth. 

The Dreamcloud has a very low level of motion transfer. During our tests, we measured a total acceleration range of 5.60 m/s². This is 36% less motion transfer than the average of 8.78 m/s².

The level of motion transfer is documented in the video below.

In our motion transfer chart, which visualizes our accelerometer data, we can see the highest motion peaks from 0.14 to 0.22 seconds. By 0.80 seconds we’ve returned to near-zero levels of energy.

While the top layers of dense, slow-responding memory foam have a tendency to create issues for cooling, sinkage, and response, it is a tremendous benefit when it comes to motion transfer.

The memory foam top layer both dissipates energy upon the initial impact and helps to prevent it from traversing across the mattress. While the DreamCloud mattress isn’t the absolute lowest we’ve seen, it’s still very low overall.

If you still think you want something higher performing you may want to consider the Nectar (2.67 m/s²) Nectar Premier (2.80 m/s²), or Nectar Premier Copper (1.88 m/s²), all of which had even lower motion transfer compared to the DreamCloud.

The Dreamcloud has a very slow material response. In our mostly recovered test, we measured a recovery speed of 5.0 seconds, which is 4.60 seconds slower than the average of 0.40 seconds, based on all of our tests to date.

The level of responsiveness is documented in the video below.

In our fully recovered responsiveness test, we measured a recovery speed of 6.0 seconds, which is 5.10 seconds slower than the average of 0.90 seconds.

There’s just no mincing words here, the DreamCloud mattress response time is slow. Very slow.

When you combine this fact with the deeper sinkage, it has the ability to make some sleepers feel “stuck” or overly enveloped by the material layers.

You’ll want to be 100% certain you really love the classic feel of memory foam (which is slow response, high hug, and deep sinkage).

The Dreamcloud has a high level of bounce. During our tests, we measured a total bounce height of 11.20″. This is 1.67″ more bounce than the average of 9.53″, based on all of our tests to date.

This is surprisingly high, especially considering the top layers of memory foam. Nevertheless, the hybrid design seems to be doing some heavy lifting when it comes to ensuring great bounce.

The level of bounce is also documented in the video below.

Like sinkage, bounce is a preferential factor. More of it isn’t necessarily better or worse. However, more bounce will improve performance for sex, and for many sleepers can also make the mattress easier / more enjoyable to move around on.

The Dreamcloud has fair sitting edge support and excellent lying edge support.

In our sitting edge support test, we measured a sitting sinkage compression of 5.00″. This is 0.96″ more sitting sinkage than the average of 4.04″, based on all of our tests to date.

Edge support is a bit of a mixed bag. While sitting directly on the edge there is definitely something to be desired. In our tests, we measured a maximum compression while sitting at 5.0”.

This is a little deeper than the average, which is 4.78”. However, being average isn’t great when it comes to edge support.

The best mattresses have 4.0” of compression or less. While there is an argument to be made that the thicker profile of the DreamCloud mattress is resulting in the deeper sinkage, it’s still a significant percentage of the total thickness with a 5.0” compression.

The level of edge support while seated is documented in the images below.

While sitting on the edge isn’t great, edge support while lying directly on the edge was notably better. While lying on the edge I felt fully supported. The mattress supports sleeping at the edge just as well as it does in the very center of the mattress.

The level of edge support while lying is documented in the images below.

The Dreamcloud has excellent sex performance. On the positive side, bounce is very high at 11.20″, which is 1.67″ more than average bounce height of 9.53″.

Bounce is critical to good sex and the DreamCloud had a great score here. The coils are active and engaging without having too high of motion transfer levels. It’s a great balance.

Sex Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Rating
Bounce	65%	9.5	Very High
Edge Support	20%	7.5	Fair
Noise	5%	10	Minimal
Pressure Relief	5%	8.0	Good
Cooling	5%	8.0	Good

Pressure relief and cooling are good but not great, although they make up a small portion of the overall score and don’t have a major impact on the overall score.

Edge support is negatively affecting sex performance—edge support is fair at 5.00″ of sitting edge sinkage, which is 0.96 more than the average of 4.04″.

The Dreamcloud has a good level of pressure relief. During our tests, I felt some pressure build-up. The mattress is equipped with 5.5″ of comfort material.

While it can be tricky to pinpoint the exact parts that negatively effect pressure relief, certainly, the quilted cover and top foam layers are playing a big part.

The Dreamcloud has 1.37″ more comfort material than the average comfort layer thickness of 4.13″, based on all of our tests to date.

While these layers do create lots of sinkage, I still feel like the mattress is unnecessarily dense.

It’s also a little further along the firmness scale, at a 7 out of 10 (where 10 is the most firm). But it creates that firmness in a way that loses something when it comes to pressure relief.

Again, it’s not bad when it comes to pressure relief, but it’s not as good as it could be.

Naturally, I end up comparing this mattress to DreamCloud’s sister-brand, Nectar.

In contrast, I felt that every single Nectar mattress was significantly better when it comes to pressure relief. The foams just interact with the body in a way that creates a lighter-style of contour, which results in a softer and more comfortable level of pressure relief.

Off-gassing on the Dreamcloud is minimal right out of the box and within 1 day the smell was gone. Comparing all mattresses tested to date, the average off-gassing period is 7 days.

By these numbers, the Dreamcloud off-gasses 6 days faster than average.

This mattress comes vacuum-sealed in a plastic wrap and then slid into a box… just like 95% of other bed-in-a-box mattresses do. So what makes Dreamcloud so much better in this area?

The faster off-gassing likely has something to do with the deodorizer packets included with the mattress.

This is actually the first mattress that I’ve ever seen to include these. There were about half a dozen or so rolled in with the mattress.

These packets seem to do a great job at absorbing much of the odor. By the time I was unboxing it, there wasn’t much smell at all.

Being a sister brand, DreamCloud mimics the terms and conditions of Nectar mattress. It offers a 365-night trial and a lifetime warranty. Shipping and returns are both free.

Company Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Data
Trial Period	15%	10	365 nights
Warranty	10%	10	Lifetime
Shipping	5%	10	$0
Returns	20%	10	$0
Trust	50%	8.0	Good
Country of Origin	0%		USA

The trial period and warranty are both longer than most others we typically see from competing companies.

Compared to other mattresses tested, the average trial period is 177 nights and the average warranty is 14 years (excluding the 25% of mattresses that offer lifetime warranties.

The Warranty

All DreamCloud mattresses come with a lifetime warranty that will cover defects or flaws in the materials or construction of the item as long as you own it.

If there are any issues within the first 10 years, DreamCloud offers to send a brand-new mattress. After 10 years, they offer to repair the issue or send a new mattress if repair is not possible.

If they end up having to send a new mattress after 10 years, you will need to incur a $50 shipping fee, but honestly, that feels like a reasonable ask considering they’re providing a brand new mattress.

The firmness of the DreamCloud mattress is a bit firmer than a true medium, closer to 7 out of 10 on the firmness scale. It’s firmer than most other medium mattresses, but not too firm as to narrow its sleeper profiles too much.

The DreamCloud mattress will be best for stomach or back sleepers.

Support on the Dreamcloud is excellent. During our tests, I felt well-supported in most sleeping positions, except for when lying on my side. As a lightweight sleeper, I found the mattress to be too firm and likely to create painful pressure points.

The mattress is equipped with a 8.5″ support layer. This is 0.62″ thicker than the average support layer thickness of 7.88″, based on all of our tests to date. Equally importantly, the mattress also has a 5.5″ comfort layer.

For a mattress to be supportive, it must be capable of creating sufficient comfort so sleepers can lie in the same position, while also achieving a neutral spinal alignment for sleepers. The 14.0″ of total height on the Dreamcloud should be able to accomplish that for most sleepers.

Here is a full breakdown of sleeper profiles that we think align the best with the DreamCloud mattress.

Sleeper Weight	Stomach Sleepers	Side Sleepers	Back Sleepers
Under 150 lbs.	Yes	Maybe	Yes
150-250 lbs.	Yes	Maybe	Yes
250-300 lbs.	Yes	Yes	Yes

The mattress has a slightly firm feel and an extremely deep level of sinkage. This comfort dynamic is best suited to the needs of most back or stomach sleepers. Heavier-weighted side sleepers may be able to tolerate the firmer feel, but I would not recommend it for lighter side sleepers.

While the total support is there, the firmness, sinkage, contour, and pressure relief are all factors that play into the way that support will interact with your body. As a result, the mattress isn’t the type that will be ideal for all bodies, but still will be supportive for most.

Design

The DreamCloud mattress, also known as the Luxury Hybrid, is a hybrid mattress that uses foam and pocketed coils to provide comfort and sleeper support.

Materials

There are four distinct layers on the DreamCloud. Layers are as follows:

• 1.0″ quilted cover
• 1.0″ gel memory foam
• 2.5″ support foam
• 8.5″ pocketed coils

The Cover

The cover of the DreamCloud mattress is a soft and stretchy cashmere blend. Unlike the DreamCloud Premier, which has a true Euro pillowtop cover, the cover on the Original DreamCloud is a quilted cover with a thinner feel to it.

This fabric is stitched together in a scalloped pattern for a nice aesthetic. On the side of the mattress is a contrasting, dark navy fabric.

The navy on the side serves two purposes. One is to provide visual contrast and durability since the fabric is thicker. There are also handles on the side, which makes it easier to move the mattress.

There is a micro-tufted grid design on the side that holds the fabric taut against the side of the mattress.

The Comfort Layer

The comfort layer of the Original DreamCloud mattress is 4.5″ thick. This total thickness breaks down into a few different materials.

The Support Layer

An 8.5″ layer of pocketed coils provides support for the mattress. These coils are individually encased on a thin, breathable fabric that helps to improve cooling and limit motion transfer.

Pocketed coils are also (generally) good for cooling, but with the 4.5″ of foam above, it’s a bit harder to really get the full cooling benefits from these coils.

Product Evolution

DreamCloud came from the same makers of the Nectar mattress, with Nectar launching in 2017 and DreamCloud following shortly after in 2018.

DreamCloud was launched as a luxury hybrid option, featuring a higher profile, a Euro cover, and the inclusion of soft, blended cashmere.

DreamCloud now offers four different mattresses in the collection—the original DreamCloud mattress, DreamCloud Premier, DreamCloud Premier Rest, and an assortment of bases and foundations.

DreamCloud vs. DreamCloud Premier

DreamCloud offers a few different mattress models. Two of the most popular include the Premier and the Luxury Hybrid (original base model).

Both of these are high-quality hybrids from the DreamCloud collection. Check out the similarities and differences below:

Although they are both 14″ mattresses, the Premier has a true pillow-top cover and the Original has a quilted cover. This gives the Premier a bit of a softer feel on top than the Original, but both mattresses are around a 7 out of 10 firmness overall.

Other Mattresses to Consider

Still not sure if the DreamCloud is the best option for you? Check out the recommendations below for three other top-performing hybrid mattresses under $1,000 you may want to consider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Check out some of the top FAQs on the DreamCloud mattress below and get the answers you’re looking for.