I ditched my $2,000 mattress for one costing $649 and I hate to say I'm sleeping better

It’s a common belief that the more you spend on a mattress, the closer you get to a perfect night’s sleep. And previously, if someone had told me a mattress cost $2,000 I would have assumed it would be the ultimate sleeping experience; akin to snoozing on a cloud.

However, since becoming the Sleep Features Editor for Tom’s Guide, I’ve come to realize that many of this year’s best mattresses range sit at around the $2,000 mark for a queen size (although there are fantastic budget mattresses from just $359).

After sleeping on the Birch Luxe Natural for months, I fell in love with its robust support, organic materials and luxury feel. I was reluctant to get rid of it, but the opportunity came along to test an affordable, renowned mattress; the DreamCloud Classic Hybrid. Skip to a few weeks down the line and I’m sleeping better already, but why?

The $2,000 mattress I ditched

Before trying the DreamCloud, I was sleeping on the Birch Luxe Natural. It’s certainly up there with the best luxury mattresses of the year, with an eight-layer design that features the most high-quality, sustainable materials like GOTS-certified wool, GOLS-certified latex and organic cotton, as well as a layer of coils.

There’s no doubt that this is a luxury mattress, although it doesn’t have that typical luxury ‘cloud-like’ feel. It’s actually quite firm. Birch rates it as a medium feel, but during the testing period for our Birch Luxe Natural mattress review, the testing panel and I agreed it felt like a 7 out of 10 on the firmness scale.

As a side sleeper, I was worried this might feel a little too hard for me. However, I enjoyed feeling elevated and lifted up by the mattress, rather than sinking into it. The wool layers in the pillow top also helped cushion the body slightly, but I wouldn’t say it contoured to my body.

Ultimately, I slept well and there was no doubt that my spine was aligned throughout the night. To me, it couldn’t have been better and certainly deserved a spot in our round up of the best organic mattresses this year. That was until the DreamCloud Classic Hybrid entered my mind.

Birch Luxe Natural mattress: twin was $1,624 now $1,185.52 at Birch with code TOMS27
The Birch Luxe Natural has an MSRP of $2,624 for a queen. However, regular mattress sales throughout the year discount it by around 20-25%, the latter discount bringing the price down to $1,968. But in advance of Labor Day, you can use the code TOMS27 to get 27% off all Birch mattresses, lowering the cost to $1,915.52. You'll also get a free set of 2 Eco-Rest Pillows, a 100-night sleep trial, a limited lifetime warranty and free shipping.

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Why the $649 mattress helps me sleep better

The DreamCloud Classic Hybrid is a hybrid mattress that is made up of five layers, including memory foam and innerspring coils. While you won’t find the more luxurious natural materials the Birch boasts, you will find therapeutic memory foam for enhanced pressure relief and responsive foam to keep the spine aligned.

I wasn’t expecting to be impressed by this mattress. It does have a great reputation, but I’ve slept on some of the most luxurious mattresses out there.

However, when I first laid down on it, I was surprised at how cushioning the bed was. I was so used to the more firm feel of the Birch that I didn’t realize how much I missed a little extra softness and give, especially around my pressure points like the shoulders, hips and knees.

I personally don’t enjoy the feeling of sinking deep into memory foam (even the best memory foam mattresses can make me feel claustrophobic), and as a combination sleeper, I like to be able to move around easily on the bed. The DreamCloud felt like the perfect balance between a memory foam and a spring mattress. I almost felt weightless, sinking in just enough to feel like I was sleeping on a cloud and keep my spine perfectly aligned.

Ultimately, this all helped me get comfortable quickly and stay comfortable throughout the night, leading to falling asleep faster and enjoying uninterrupted sleep. Check out our DreamCloud mattress review for a full breakdown of the bed.

DreamCloud Classic Hybrid mattress: twin from $399 at DreamCloud
Throughout the year, DreamCloud mattress sales offer up to 60% off all beds. This sale doesn't usually change even during major sales period, so you don't have to worry about waiting around for the Labor Day mattress sales. Right now, you can get a queen for $649 (compared to what DreamCloud say is its 'total value' of $1,698). You can also snap up a bedding bundle worth $599 for $179, though this might drop in price the closer we get to Labor Day. You'll also get a lifetime warranty, a 365-night trial and free shipping.

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How much do you need to spend on a mattress?

So now a question arises: how much do you need to spend on a mattress? Clearly, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer here and I don’t believe that the more you spend the better is necessarily true.

However, the Birch does prove that the more you spend, the more durable and long lasting your bed will be. While foam and spring mattresses usually have a lifespan of seven to 10 years, latex beds can last up to 25 years.

But if you’re choosing purely based on comfort, the most important thing to consider is your sleeping position. The reason the DreamCloud feels so comfortable to me is because of its soft cushioning foams that suit the side sleeping position. However, a stomach or back sleeper might prefer the Birch Luxe Natural mattress.

Ultimately, there’s no set amount you should spend on a mattress. While spending under $500 for a queen mattress might mean you won’t get the same level of support and durability, anything above $500 from a reputable brand should perform well.