Dreamfoam Essential Complaints and Real User Experiences

Listen to our Podcast: Dreamfoam Essential Complaints and Real User Experiences

“In my experience, the Dreamfoam Essential is a bit too firm for side sleeping. I felt some pressure around my shoulder and hip, and I didn’t feel comfortable whenever I slept on my side. The Dreamfoam Essential is not supportive enough for most stomach sleepers. My hips bowed into the mattress a bit and tugged my spine out of alignment. If I slept in this position for several weeks, I would probably develop lower back pain.”
-Mattress Clarity, Dreamfoam Essential Mattress Review

While it’s marketed as a fit for all sleep positions, not everyone finds it equally supportive. The Dreamfoam Essential mattress didn’t quite meet expectations for comfort, especially for side and stomach sleepers. Based on personal experience, it felt too firm when lying on the side, which caused noticeable pressure on the shoulders and hips. Stomach sleeping wasn’t any better, since the mattress lacked enough support to keep the hips elevated. Over time, this could lead to lower back pain due to poor spinal alignment.

“The primary tester is a side-sleeper and prefers more cushioning than this mattress provided, but still had no trouble sleeping on it. The secondary tester, a stomach sleeper, thought this was perfect, even better than pricier innerspring mattresses. While we didn’t have a heavier person test this mattress, we think it would be supportive enough for a range of weights. The mattress molds to the body shape pretty well, keeping our spines in alignment, while still supporting us so we didn’t feel like we were sinking too far into it.”
-Tom’s Guide, Brooklyn Bedding Dreamfoam Essential mattress review 2025

The Dreamfoam Essential mattress is a solid choice for those who want stable support. It features a 6” high-density foundation foam, one of their firmest and most supportive layers, which offers deep compression support.

One side sleeper who tested the mattress noted they usually prefer something with more cushioning, but still managed to sleep just fine on it. A stomach sleeper, on the other hand, found it nearly ideal, surprisingly better than some higher-end innerspring options. While no heavier sleepers were part of the initial testing, the mattress’s ability to mold to body shape while keeping the spine aligned suggests it could be great for a variety of body types and sleep positions.

“I ranked the Dreamfoam Essential at around 7/10 on the firmness scale. The industry standard for medium-firm beds is 6.5/10, so the Dreamfoam Essential feels a bit firmer than average.

That said, it’s important to note that firmness is subjective. Depending on your body weight and personal preferences, you might rank this mattress a hair firmer or softer.”
-Sleepopolis, Dreamfoam Essential Mattress Review

The Dreamfoam Essential mattress comes in several firmness options, ranging from Soft-Medium (4/10) to Firm (8/10). The Firm-Medium version feels around a 7/10 on the firmness scale, which is just a touch firmer than the standard medium-firm rating of 6.5/10. It provides a solid and supportive surface that might suit those who prefer less sink and more structure.

As mentioned, body weight affects mattress firmness. Heavier individuals may have better experience with support and pressure relief, while lighter sleepers sometimes feel that the mattress doesn’t contour enough to their frame. While experiences vary, those who carefully matched the firmness level to their sleep style generally seem content with their choice.

With the Dreamfoam Essential’s trial period, you can explore which firmness works best for you, whether medium-soft or firm, and adjust accordingly based on how the mattress feels during sleep.

Credits: Dreamfoam

“Cheaper mattresses can sometimes have worse off-gassing, but that wasn’t the case here. Though our primary reviewer has a sensitive nose, we didn’t notice any unpleasant off-gassing smell and were able to sleep on it the first night it arrived. Note that off-gassing experiences can vary from person to person and model to model.”
-Tom’s Guide, Brooklyn Bedding Dreamfoam Essential mattress review 2025

Off-gassing is one of the first things testers noticed when trying out the Dreamfoam Essential mattress, especially since it’s a memory foam mattress. Every Brooklyn Bedding mattress uses CertiPUR-US certified foams and meets GREENGUARD Gold standards. That means no harmful chemicals like mercury, lead, or formaldehyde, and a very low impact on indoor air quality.

One reviewer with a particularly sensitive nose expected a strong smell during unboxing but was surprised to find very little off-gassing. The mattress aired out quickly and was comfortable enough to sleep on the first night. While experiences may vary, this seems to be a consistent trend with this model. This demonstrates how safe the Dreamfoam Essential mattress is, as it gives peace of mind with its low impact on indoor air quality and minimal off-gassing.

“This bed performs average in terms of supporting you along its perimeter. We’d say its edge support is on par with other simple, two-layer, all-foam mattresses. It would likely have better edge support if a foam border ran along the edges, but even without that, there’s no apparent roll-off sensation when sleeping close to the perimeter of this mattress at night — you can sleep soundly with your beloved bed hog.”

-CNET, Dreamfoam Essential Mattress Review 2025: The Most Versatile Bed for RVs Put to the Test

The Dreamfoam Essential mattress is designed to provide solid and affordable comfort with various size options, including specialized sizes for RVs. It features high-density foam and a gel swirl memory foam top for cooling and offers varying firmness levels to accommodate different preferences.

Some users mention a balanced experience with edge support, especially considering its all-foam structure. While it doesn’t have reinforced foam borders, the edge support is adequate for most sleepers, with no noticeable roll-off sensation. This makes it a suitable option for couples, even those dealing with restless sleepers.

Credits: Dreamfoam

“This bed’s firm feel means it should be good for back and stomach sleepers. The Essential allows the spine to stay straight in these positions by not letting the hips sink into its construction.”
-Sleep Advisor, Our Dreamfoam Essential Mattress Review for 2025

The Dreamfoam Essential mattress ranges from Soft-Medium to Firm, so it is ideal for side, back, and stomach sleepers. Its construction helps prevent the hips from sinking, promoting proper spine alignment and reducing pressure points in these sleeping positions.

Users who sleep on their backs or stomachs appreciate the mattress for its ability to keep their bodies aligned without excessive sinking. However, side sleepers have shared that the firmness may feel uncomfortable, especially for those who need more cushioning around the shoulders and hips.

“We didn’t notice any excessive warming from the mattress, but we did not notice any cooling properties, either. It feels neutral to the touch. This mattress was not noticeably cooler or warmer than any other mattresses our testers have slept on.”
-Tom’s Guide, Brooklyn Bedding Dreamfoam Essential mattress review 2025

The Dreamfoam Essential mattress includes a 3-inch gel swirl memory foam layer designed for optimal thermal regulation. It features open-cell technology that promotes airflow and helps body heat dissipate throughout the night.

Some users have mentioned that while the mattress does not trap excessive heat, it also doesn’t offer significant cooling effects. The temperature remains neutral for most, without any noticeable differences in warmth or coolness compared to other models.

While the mattress promises cooling features, user experiences suggest that its performance in this area may not meet expectations for those seeking a noticeably cooler sleep surface. Still, it provides comfortable support and a solid night’s sleep for many.

“The Dreamfoam Essential definitely give me more of an in-the-bed feeling, and I could feel myself sinking into the top comfort layer. This isn’t surprising, given that it’s a memory foam mattress. Because I didn’t find it very responsive, I don’t think it’s the best fit for combination sleepers who switch back and forth between sleeping on their side, back, and stomach. They’d be better off looking at our list of the best mattresses for combination sleepers or the best innerspring mattresses (beds with coils in them make it much easier to move around).”
-Sleepopolis, Dreamfoam Essential Mattress Review

The Dreamfoam Essential mattress features a gel memory foam top, designed to provide cooling and pressure relief. However, its responsiveness is limited, which may not be ideal for combination sleepers who frequently change positions.

Some users have mentioned that the mattress offers a deep sink-in feeling, which can make moving around more difficult compared to mattresses with coils or hybrid designs. For those who prefer a more responsive surface with easier mobility, this mattress may not be the best fit.

Credits: Dreamfoam

“Memory foam usually absorbs motion well. But even with its memory foam comfort layer, the Dreamfoam Essential doesn’t do a great job of minimizing motion transfer. Some of the foam layers feel bouncy and responsive, so they allow movement to travel across the mattress. For this reason, it’s not one of the best mattresses for couples.”
-Mattress Clarity, Dreamfoam Essential Mattress Review

The Dreamfoam Essential mattress offers a supportive, responsive design that combines gel memory foam with a high-density base. While it provides good contouring and pressure relief, many users mentioned lack of motion isolation. Some users have reported that its foam layers, while comfortable, allow movement to travel more than expected for a memory foam mattress. This can be disruptive for couples or anyone sensitive to motion.

Overall, the mattress’s bouncy feel affects sleep quality for those who share the bed, which makes it less ideal for couples.

The Dreamfoam Essential mattress has received a variety of user experiences, showcasing both its strengths and some areas for improvement. Those who prefer a firmer feel find this mattress provides solid support, especially for back and stomach sleepers. However, side sleepers might feel that it is too firm, resulting in pressure points in certain areas.

Overall, feedback shows that the Dreamfoam Essential mattress provides adequate support for back and stomach sleepers but may not be comfortable for side sleepers due to its firmer feel. The mattress ranks around a 7/10 on the firmness scale, slightly above average. While it molds to the body and maintains spinal alignment, some users found it less responsive, especially those who frequently change positions during the night.

For those considering the Dreamfoam Essential mattress, it’s essential to evaluate your preferred sleeping position and firmness preference. While the mattress excels for certain types of sleepers, others may need to explore alternative options for a more comfortable night’s rest. Additionally, it’s important to be aware of how to avoid voiding a Dreamfoam Essential’s warranty and what to expect when returning it, as these factors can impact your experience and satisfaction with the mattress.

• Dreamfoam Essential Review
• Best Memory Foam Mattress: Comfort, Support, and More