DreamCloud Softer Mattress Topper review: Soothes hip and shoulder pain, even on the firmest mattresses

DreamCloud's Classic Hybrid is one of the best mattresses we've tested and it's our pick if you want to make the most of your money. So of course we had to get our hands on the DreamCloud mattress topper. These bedding extras are already known as a way to save money while increasing comfort, so what can our favorite value brand bring to the world of bed toppers?

To see if this memory foam design deserves a place among the best mattress toppers we've tested, I slept on the DreamCloud Softer Mattress topper. Here are my full thoughts.

DreamCloud Softer Mattress Topper: Review in brief

The DreamCloud Mattress Topper is made from 2" of gel memory foam and comes in two different feels; Softer and Firmer. I opted to test the Softer design, which DreamCloud promises will add a layer of luxury to my mattress.

And there's no better way to put the DreamCloud Softer topper through its paces than to place it on one of the firmest mattresses on the market. If this topper can turn the Plank Firm Luxe mattress into a cushioned bed, it's able to soften almost anything.

Delivering an immediate hit of softness, the DreamCloud topper contours to the shoulders, hips and knees. For side sleepers, this reduces pressure build-up so you can avoid numb arms and legs. Without the topper, side sleeping on the Plank Firm Luxe has been uncomfortable. With the topper, I can lie on my side without losing feeling in my shoulder.

It's not completely changed the feel — I can tell there's a firm mattress beneath — but the plush design will soften your hard bed. And if you're looking for a way to bring new life to an aging mattress, the DreamCloud topper can mask early signs of sagging.

Admittedly the design is too soft for back and stomach sleepers, but that's not exactly a flaw. In fact, DreamCloud makes a Firmer topper if it's support you're after.

However, the lack of straps or anti-slip tech might be an issue. I've not noticed any movement from the topper yet but it has caused my fitted sheet to bunch.

At $199 for a queen in the ongoing DreamCloud sale, the Softer topper is good value for money. Particularly as DreamCloud has impressed us before with the quality of materials. Based on the feel and pedigree, this mattress topper should deliver several years of comfort.

DreamCloud Softer Mattress Topper: Price & deals

• A mid-range mattress topper, a queen is $199 in the sale
• Also sold on Amazon but typically at the same price
• It comes with a 100-night trial and a 1-year warranty

The DreamCloud Classic Hybrid mattress is our top-rated mattress in a box, in part because it's such good value for money. The DreamCloud toppers seems to follow a similar mindset: high quality comfort at a price that won't break the bank.

In the year-round DreamCloud mattress sale, a queen topper is $199. (Softer or Firmer, they both cost the same.) Here's a breakdown of the prices you can expect to pay:

• Twin (sale): $179 ($217 Total Value)
• Twin XL (sale): $179 ($230 Total Value)
• Full (sale): $199 ($279 Total Value)
• Queen (sale): $199 ($297 Total Value)
• King (sale): $249 ($340 Total Value)
• Cal King (sale): $249 ($350 Total Value)

That's around mid-range for a mattress topper. In comparison, the 2" Casper mattress topper is $148.50 for a queen at Casper, while Tempur-Pedic's 3" Tempur-Adapt topper has an MSRP of $359 for a queen (although it's often reduced to around $249).

However, if you are on a tight budget, there are cheaper options available. For example, the Lucid 2" memory foam topper is just $69.99 for a queen at Lucid.

DreamCloud offers a 100-night home trial and a one-year warranty. The 100-night trial is good for a mattress topper but the warranty is surprisingly short (we often see 3-5 year trials for bed toppers). This is a shame, as DreamCloud mattresses come with a 365-night trial and a lifetime warranty, which is among the best in the industry.

DreamCloud Mattress Topper (twin): $179 at DreamCloud

DreamCloud's mattress topper comes in two feels — Firmer or Softer — with a queen $199. There's always a sale at DreamCloud which means we doubt you'll find a lower price than this, so now's the time to buy. The topper is also sold via the DreamCloud Amazon store but typically at the same price.

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DreamCloud Softer Mattress Topper: Design & materials

• The topper is made from gel memory foam and the cover is woven with 'cooling fibers'
• It measures 2" tall — on the thin side for a mattress topper
• It's available in a Sofer or Firmer feel

The DreamCloud mattress topper is made from gel memory foam and measures 2" tall.

This is on the thin side for a bed topper but it falls within our recommend thickness range of 2-4". Any thinner than that and you might find the topper makes minimal difference to your mattress.

Utilizing a single slab of gel memory foam to deliver cushioning, both the Softer and Firmer topper feature a similar design. The main difference is the firmness of the gel foam.

The topper is finished with a breathable cover woven with cooling yarns. The underside of the cover doesn't feature any anti-skid tech, but DreamCloud suggests covering the topper with a fitted sheet should be enough to keep it in place.

DreamCloud Softer Mattress Topper: Performance

• Is delivered rolled and vacuum packed but is ready to go in minutes
• Softer design adds thick cushioning to even firm mattresses
• Minimal heat build-up but the cover isn't cool to the touch

I slept on the DreamCloud Softer mattress topper for two weeks, placed on the Plank Firm Luxe mattress.

Set-up

Although the DreamCloud Softer mattress topper is delivered vacuum packed and rolled, it takes just minutes to set-up. I ordered a full size and had no problem unboxing it myself. Even a queen size shouldn;t present much hassle for the average person.

Once unboxed, the topper looked ready to go. You often need to wait several hours for a memory foam mattress to finish expanding but this bed topper required a minimal waiting period.

Memory foam has a reputation for off-gassing (an unpleasant chemical odor) but the odor from the Softer topper was mild. With the windows open, the scent disappeared in the hours before bedtime.

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With no straps, you simply place the Softer Topper on the mattress and hope your fitted sheet keeps it in place. I was skeptical — a bunching mattress encasement has left me wary of sliding bedding — but throughout the testing period the topper hasn't shifted. My sheet has shifted, however.

The cover comes with a zip but removing it voids the warranty — so keep it on. As a result, the topper is spot clean only.

Score: 4.5 out of 5

Comfort & support

Mattress toppers are often used to soften a firm bed — that's what you can expect from the DreamCloud Softer Topper. The 2" of memory foam adds a hit of instant plushness to any mattress.

And I can say that with some confidence. I added the DreamCloud topper to the Plank Firm Luxe mattress, a bed that I class as 'firm' on the mattress firmness scale. The Plank has little cushioning and only subtle pressure relief, making it too hard for most side sleepers.

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The DreamCloud Softer Topper has changed that. Soft foams contour to the hips and shoulders, reducing pressure build up. Normally if I side sleep on the Plank Firm Luxe, I have to shake my arm out to get any feeling back. With the Softer topper, I wake up with fresh shoulders.

The quality memory foam also gives a touch of luxury to my mattress. It's not quite up to the level of the best hotel-style mattresses but if you want an indulgence that won't break the bank, it's a good choice.

It's not a totally transformative mattress topper. While the DreamCloud Softer topper makes a big difference, you can still feel the firm bed beneath. A thicker design, such as the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt, might turn the Plank Firm Luxe into one of the best mattresses for side sleepers.

For back and stomach sleepers, the DreamCloud Softer topper is too soft. In this case, it's better to opt for the Firmer design for DreamCloud.

Score: 4 out of 5

Temperature regulation

DreamCloud claims the gel-infused memory foam, breathable cover and cooling yarns give this mattress topper a cooler feel. As a slab of memory foam on top of a mattress that already struggles with temperature regulation, I was hesitant...

However, during the testing period I've experienced some warm nights and the DreamCloud has maintained a neutral feel throughout. There's minimal heat trapping, which means I don't wake up sweaty.

But it's not cool-to-touch and while the temperature regulation features are decent, it's unlikely to compare to a cooling topper like the Molecule CopperWELL Mattress Topper.

Temperature regulation: 3.5 out of 5

DreamCloud Softer Mattress Topper: User review

The DreamCloud Softer Mattress Topper doesn't currently have any reviews at DreamCloud. But I've scoured the web and found a handful of reviews on the DreamCloud Amazon store.

Overall, customers are positive, with several claiming that using the mattress topper has saved their sleep. Side sleepers in particular note that the Softer has helped lessen shoulder and hip pain.

Negative reviews are few and far between, although one customer complains about the overall quality of the mattress topper and another user notes that it's made minimal difference to their bed.

DreamCloud Softer Mattress Topper: Should you buy it?

A 2" topper is never going to completely transform a too-firm mattress. But if you've been waking up with sore shoulders and numb hips, the DreamCloud Softer topper will add some much needed cushioning.

It can also bring new life to an old bed. If your once plush memory foam mattress is starting to feel a little flat, the DreamCloud topper will keep you comfortable while you save up for a new bed.

At $199 for a queen, we think this high-quality topper is good value for money. (And at $179 for a twin XL, it can rival the best toppers for college students.)

But what it can't do is transform a firm mattress into a side sleepers dream. For that, we recommend a thicker topper, like the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt topper. And while it does sleep relatively neutral, anyone finding their sleep plagued by night sweats should consider a dedicated cooling design.

Buy it if...

✅ You're waking up with sore shoulders: A thick layer of soft foam, the DreamCloud Softer topper cushions the touch points (shoulders, hips, knees) when you lie on your side.

✅ You want a topper for a college dorm: Dorm beds have a reputation for discomfort but this topper can add some padding. The affordable price tag and portable build also makes it a good pick for college living.

✅ Your once-plush mattress is feeling flat: If your mattress is reaching the end of its lifespan but you don't have the money / time / opportunity to buy a new one just yet, the DreamCloud Softer topper is a short term solution.

Don't buy it if...

❌ You want to totally transform the feel of your mattress: The 2" build is on the thinner end for a mattress topper (although is still falls within our recommended range). A thicker topper will be better if you're struggling on a very firm mattress.

❌ You want to add some extra support to your bed: Find yourself sinking uncomfortably far into your mattress? The Softer topper will only worsen the problem. Try DreamCloud's Firmer topper instead.

DreamCloud Softer Mattress Topper: Alternatives