The DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress is one of my favorite mattresses I've ever tested. After a brief break-in period, I found its firm yet contouring surface an excellent match for my combi side/stomach sleeping and lower back pain. Now I'm retesting the DreamCloud for 2025 — here are my thoughts after sleeping on it for one week.
Type: Hybrid
Materials: Memory foam, other foams, coils, polyester, cashmere
Brand-rated firmness (1-10): 6.5
Height: 12"
Trial period: 365 nights
Warranty: Lifetime
Price: from $419 at DreamCloud
There have been some changes to the design since I first tried the DreamCloud three years ago. It's now two inches shorter (12") but adds a foam comfort layer, a stability foam base layer, and reinforced edges. The DreamCloud sits in our best mattress guide as an affordable alternative to the Saatva Classic, offering a similar level of comfort with a lifetime warranty and a one-year trial at just $665 for a queen-size.
But is the DreamCloud Hybrid as great as I remember it? I slept on my new mattress the night I set it up...and was disappointed. It was lumpy and uncomfortable, a far cry from the praise my fellow testers and I lavished in our original DreamCloud Mattress review.
The difference was so stark that I wondered if I had dreamed of my previous DreamCloud experience. However, as the week progressed, I saw glimpses of the mattress I knew and enjoyed. Here's what happened.
DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress: Price, trial, warranty
DreamCloud's flagship mattress is the brand's entry-level model and the most affordable in the lineup. Since our initial review in 2022, the price has dropped significantly. A queen-size now costs $665, down from the previous sale price of $899. although the earlier deal typically included free bedding.
Below are the prices for all sizes of the DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress — you can ignore DreamCloud's 'total value' price because there's always a DreamCloud mattress sale going on:
- Twin: MSRP $1,148 (usually sold at $419)
- Twin XL: MSRP $1,131 (usually sold at $545)
- Full: MSRP $1,431 (usually sold at $599)
- Queen: MSRP $1,664 (usually sold at $665)
- King: MSRP $2,064 (usually sold at $835)
- Cal king: MSRP $2,064 (usually sold at $835)
- Split king: MSRP $2,262 (usually sold at $1,090)
The prices have changed, but the perks remain the same. DreamCloud still offers free shipping and returns, a 365-night sleep trial, and a forever warranty. That matches the amenities provided by Nectar (a sister brand of DreamCloud) and Saatva, a premium mattress label that also offers free White Glove Delivery.
Speaking of White Glove Delivery, DreamCloud no longer provides this extra service, contrary to what the product page says. According to a DreamCloud representative, only free doorstep shipping is available. However, customers may be eligible for a small discount when using one of DreamCloud's delivery partners.
Unboxing my new DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress
A twin-size DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress arrived at my doorstep on a snowy January afternoon. I managed to move the box — damp and slightly damaged from the weather — into my bedroom by myself. If you're getting a larger size, you'll want help with unboxing since this mattress can weigh up to 100 pounds.
The box has a QR code linking to setup instructions, which is a change from three years ago when DreamCloud included a printed booklet with a nifty pocket blade for safely cutting through the plastic. Nevertheless, I managed to remove the plastic easily by hand and set everything up without incident.
Per DreamCloud, you can sleep on your mattress immediately after unboxing, although it can take up to three days to fully expand. Based on my experience, I recommend waiting as long as possible. I slept on it the first night and found it too soft and uneven. My previous DreamCloud Hybrid felt firm right away.
According to the manufacturer tag, my mattress was made on May 20, 2024, which is almost nine months ago. This extended storage period likely contributed to the slow expansion and poor support. Spending one night away from home benefitted the mattress, as it had become slightly taller and firmer upon my return.
Like many foam-based mattresses that have been boxed and sealed for a long time, there was a noticeable off-gassing smell. Fortunately, it dissipated after the first night.
My first week re-testing the DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress
Night 1: Not like I remember it
Against better judgment, I slept on my DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress the very first night, even though it clearly needed time to bake. It was soft, and not in a cozy way.
Instead of the firm, supportive surface I remembered, it was lumpy and had visibly sagging sides. I remained on my side for most of the night, but I kept flip-flopping due to my midsection dipping too low.
Height: 5' 4"
Weight: 145-150lbs
Sleep style: Combi (side/stomach)
Sleep issues: Lower back pain, occasional overheating
Share a bed: No
After a year of sleeping on the firmer Cloverlane Hybrid Mattress, this was a real shock to my system. It was a stark contrast to my previous DreamCloud mattress, which felt firm and sturdy from the first night, even after I dressed it in bedding.
Take it from me — plan ahead and give this mattress several days to properly take shape before sleeping on it, especially if it's been packed up for a very long time.
Nights 2-7: Slowly coming to form
After spending the third night away, I returned hoping the DreamCloud Hybrid would have completely taken shape. While there was some improvement, the mattress remained softer than expected after the first week. The sides were still uneven so I rotated the mattress. This was possibly caused by my tendency to sleep near the left edge, which may have prevented that side from expanding fully.
DreamCloud's signature support gradually came through, but it's still not at the level of its predecessor. Side sleeping is more comfortable now, although I'm less keen to sleep on my stomach as I feel my hips sink. (This is probably better for my sleep posture anyway.)
It's wintertime, which means I'm layering up in bed. Even as I wrap myself in extra blankets, the DreamCloud's hybrid design effectively prevents heat buildup. I could also credit the cashmere-blend cover...which is actually 99% polyester and 1% cashmere, according to the label.
Edge support remains an issue with the DreamCloud, despite the addition of reinforced perimeter coils. They're unsteady to sit on or lie against, and I feel I'll topple over. However, I'll reserve my final judgment in this area until the mattress has completely settled.
The new DreamCloud Hybrid seems noticeably bouncier than the previous model, but that could also change as the mattress continues to solidify. I'll be measuring motion isolation through a series of objective drop tests in my upcoming review.
DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress: My early thoughts
One week isn't enough for me to fairly evaluate the DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress. My test model was boxed for nearly nine months and even now, it still hasn't fully settled. I can't recall how long my previous DreamCloud mattress was sealed up, but it felt solid from the first night, which suggests it might not have been packaged for nearly as long.
I'm also using a different bed frame, which could have an impact on the overall feel of the mattress. Previously, I had a platform bed with a pair of solid wood panels for the foundation. My current bed frame has curved wood slats, which may contribute to a slightly softer feel.
In any case, I did experience glimpses of the DreamCloud's greatness by week's end, and I was flip-flopping less. In my remaining three weeks of re-testing, I'm hoping the DreamCloud will return to form (in more ways than one). Stay tuned for my full review.
