When you’re shopping for a new mattress, budget is always a consideration. I remember my post-college days, trying to find the cheapest mattress possible. Comfort didn’t matter as long as the price didn’t dig into my ramen budget.
Now, as an adult, I still try not to break the bank when I’m buying a new mattress. Thankfully, there are beds like the Brooklyn Essential mattress that offer great comfort without attacking your wallet.
In my Brooklyn Essential mattress review, I’ll give you my unbiassed experience with the bed, go over its pros and cons and help you decide if this is the budget mattress of your dreams.
Brooklyn Bedding Essential
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$532 - $1132
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Brooklyn Bedding Essential
The Brooklyn Bedding Essential is another great value pick from Brooklyn Bedding and still offers nice support.
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$532 - $1132
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Brooklyn Bedding Essential
The Brooklyn Bedding Essential is another great value pick from Brooklyn Bedding and still offers nice support.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$532 - $1132
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Brooklyn Essential Mattress Review: General Overview
Brooklyn Bedding is a brand that needs no introduction, but I’m going to do it anyway. For years, the brand has produced high-quality bed-in-a-box mattresses for a competitive price. I’ve reviewed almost every single Brooklyn Bedding mattress, and I personally love the Brooklyn Bedding Signature, Aurora Luxe Hybrid and, being a bigger guy, the Titan Plus Luxe.
Now, Brooklyn Bedding is back with the Essential mattress, what they call “comfort simplified.” When I received the mattress, I was interested to see exactly what the brand meant by this. Did this simple mattress give me a good night of sleep? Keep reading to see who this mattress will be the best fit for.
Pros of the Brooklyn Essential Mattress
- This mattress is a great choice for those who are shopping for a mattress on a budget. Even before a discount, a queen-size Essential is under $1,000.
- It has a great balance of comfort and support that makes it best for back sleepers. The foam provides cushioning while the coils provide support.
- Because the Essential has coils, this gives the mattress a bouncy feel that’s perfect for moving around on. You won’t feel stuck in this bed.
Cons of the Brooklyn Essential Mattress
- This bed has a fairly simple design when compared to other mattresses out there. It might not last as long as mattresses that come with more features because of this.
- The Essenial is not supportive enough stomach sleeping. It won’t be able to keep hips elevated for a proper spinal alignment.
- The comfort layer is also fairly thin, so it might not provide enough contouring for side sleepers.
Overall Rating
Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches personally test each mattress in categories such as materials, comfort, cooling, and support. Hover over the icons to learn more about these different topics, or scroll down for a more detailed analysis on each one.
Note: Looking for a mattress that sleeps cooler? Check out our Best Cooling Mattresses for options with cooling features and great airflow.
Note: Motion transfer is beneficial for those who share the bed and don’t want to be woken up by another’s movements. Looking for a mattress that better absorbs motion? Check out our Best Mattresses for Couples.
Note: Looking for a mattress with stronger support and durability? Check out our Best Mattresses That Won’t Sag.
Brooklyn Essential Firmness and Feel
Whenever you’re shopping for a new mattress, you want to think about firmness and feel. This will let you know if your mattress will work for your sleeping position and other preferences. That’s why, whenever I’m testing a mattress, I start with firmness and feel.
How Firm Is The Brooklyn Essential Mattress?
Our firmness scale runs from 1-10. A 1 is soft, like sleeping on a cloud. A 10 is firm, like sleeping on a rock. The industry standard for medium-firm is 6.5/10. You’d think it would be 5, but life’s a mystery, right?
When I tested the Brooklyn Essential, it scored close to a 6.5, right at that medium-firm mark. Lying down, I felt the cushioning of the top layers, but I could also feel the support of the coils. With those materials combined, the mattress didn’t feel too soft or too firm.
Sleeping On The Brooklyn Essential
Your sleeping position is so important to think about when you’re choosing a mattress. I’m a side sleeper, so my needs might be different from a back or stomach sleeper. To give you an idea of how this mattress works, I tried it out in all three sleeping positions.
I started out on my back, and the Brooklyn Essential felt just right. Medium-firm mattresses are usually great for back sleeping, and the Essential was no exception. I felt my hips sink in a bit, but the top layers also pressed up into my lumbar area. And, with the supportive coils, I felt like my body was held up well.
Moving to my side, I felt a bit of pressure on my shoulders and hips. Side sleepers usually require something on the softer end, and the Brooklyn Essential is too firm for me. However, I weigh 270 lb, so I may be pushing further into the mattress than a lighter person might. If you weigh less than me, the Brooklyn Essential might feel softer to you than it did to me.
Stomach sleeping, the Essential was too soft for me. As a bigger guy, I need more support under my hips, and I didn’t feel that on this bed. I think most stomach sleepers will want to find a firmer mattress.
What Does The Brooklyn Essential Feel Like?
The Brooklyn Essential felt similar to most hybrid mattresses I have tried. It had a bit of that soft foam feel right on top, but the coils lent a good amount of bounce too. I did sink in a little when I lay down, but I never felt like I was stuck. Overall, it was very easy to move around and change positions.
| Sleeper Weight | Back Sleepers | Side Sleepers | Stomach Sleepers |
| Lightweight (Under 130 lb) | Excellent | Good | Fair |
| Average (130 – 230 lb) | Excellent | Good | Fair |
| Heavyweight (Over 230 lb) | Fair | Fair | Bad |
Is the Brooklyn Bedding Essential Mattress Good for Lightweight Sleepers (under 130 lb)?
- Lightweight back sleepers should have no trouble finding both comfort and support on this mattress. The coils will keep your back in a neutral position.
- While this mattress doesn’t provide the best contouring, lightweight side sleepers shouldn’t face a lot of pressure build up on this bed.
- This mattress could work for some lightweight stomach sleepers, but overall, I wouldn’t recommend it for stomach sleeping.
Is the Brooklyn Bedding Essential Mattress Good for Average Weight Sleepers (130 – 230 lb)?
- Average weight back sleepers will also find a good match with the Essential. Its medium-firm feel is ideal for back sleeping.
- For side sleepers, it depends. Some average weight sleepers at the lower end of this range might find it a good match for them, but those towards the heavier end might find pressure build up.
- Overall, this bed isn’t going to be firm enough for average weight stomach sleepers to keep them supported.
Is the Brooklyn Bedding Essential Mattress Good for Heavyweight Sleepers (over 230 lb)?
- Overall, this mattress could work decently well for heavyweight back sleepers, especially if they are searching for a mattress on a budget. But either firmer mattresses or mattresses that feature zoning might work better for this group.
- Heavyweight side sleepers will likely face some pressure buildup on the Essential. Opt for something softer or an all-foam bed to get that pressure relief needed.
- This bed is too soft for heavyweight stomach sleepers. It won’t be able to keep hips elevated, which will cause the spine to get out of a proper alignment.
Brooklyn Essential Mattress Construction
I spent some time looking at the different materials found in the Brooklyn Essential. Let’s see what’s going on inside.
Cover
The Brooklyn Essential has a woven cover that has a pillow top look and feel. I wouldn’t say it was cool to the touch, but based on my research and experience, it should be very breathable.
Comfort Layers
The top comfort layer consists of high-density foam woven into the cover. This helps create that pillow top feel. It is plush, but not the plushest pillow top I have come across.
This rests on a high-density foam transition layer. This is there to prevent you from sinking too far into the mattress and feeling the coils.
Support Layers
The Brooklyn Essential’s main support layer contains Brooklyn Bedding’s proprietary Ascension X coils. These are very supportive and individually wrapped for better contouring.
Finally, all the above layers rest on a thin layer of high-density base foam. This prevents the coils from digging into your bed frame.
Mattress Height
The Brooklyn Essential is 10” tall.
Brooklyn Essential Mattress Size Options and Price
Check out the following chart for up to date size and price info.
| Size | Dimensions | Price |
| Twin | 38" x 75" | $532.00 |
| Twin XL | 38" x 80" | $732.00 |
| Full | 53" x 75" | $799.00 |
| Queen | 60" x 80" | $932.00 |
| King | 76" x 80" | $1132.00 |
| California King | 72" x 84" | $1132.00 |
The Brooklyn Bedding Essential is another great value pick from Brooklyn Bedding and still offers nice support.
Use code REFRESH30 for 30% off sitewide
Brooklyn Essential Mattress Performance
Besides trying out the firmness and feel of the Brooklyn Essential, I tested it out in a number of other ways.
Sleeping Hot or Cold
When I slept on the Brooklyn Essential, paired with some breathable sheets, I did not overheat. While the Essential does not feature the most advanced cooling features, I did not sink too far into the mattress and feel the unwanted oven effect you get from some foam mattresses. If you are really worried about sleeping hot, you can also take a look at my best mattresses for hot sleepers.
Motion Transfer
Motion transfer is something you want to think about if you sleep with a partner. Basically, when your partner moves around at night, are you feeling that on your side of the mattress?
To test out the motion transfer on the Brooklyn Essential, I placed a glass of water on the mattress and pushed into the surrounding areas. This was meant to mimic the motion a partner might make. I saw just a bit of disturbance in the water, so the mattress isolated some motion.
It might not have isolated motion as well as a thick memory foam mattress, but the Essential did fairly well.
Edge Support
Edge support is also something couples should think about when buying a mattress. If a bed’s edge support is strong, you and your partner can sleep toward the edge without feeling like you’re going to roll off.
To test out the edge support of the Essential, I rolled around near the edge of the bed and also sat near the edge. In both positions, I felt surprisingly secure. This is a thinner mattress, but I still didn’t feel like I was going to pitch off. Take a look at our best mattresses for couples for more great options.
Durability
It’s hard to see into the future and see just how long a mattress will last. However, comparing the materials and construction of the Brooklyn Essential to the other Brooklyn Bedding mattresses, it doesn’t seem to be as durable. That being said, its high-density foam and high-grade coils should ensure the Essential lasts for at least seven years.
Off-gassing
Off-gassing is a normal occurrence when you unbox an online mattress. You’ll notice a slight or not-so-slight chemical smell. When I unboxed the Essential, there was not too much of an odor, but I still left it in a ventilated room for a few days. After that, the smell had completely dissipated.
Noise
It’s no fun to hear squeaks and creaks when you move around on your mattress. While the Brooklyn Essential is a hybrid mattress, it made no noise when I rolled around. It should stay quiet for many years, but keep in mind that hybrids may start to squeak as their coils weaken.
Sex
Bouncy mattresses are usually the best fit for sexual partners because they make it easy to change positions. You never want to feel stuck in the mattress during those intimate moments.
Being a bouncy, responsive mattress, the Brooklyn Essential should be a good mattress for sex.
Brooklyn Bedding Company Policies
It’s always a good idea to look at the fine print before you buy a new mattress. Let’s see what the brand has to offer.
Warranty Info
The Brooklyn Essential comes with a 10-year warranty.
Sleep Trial
You get a 100-night sleep trial with your Brooklyn Essential mattress.
Return Policy
Brooklyn Bedding offers free shipping and an easy return process. The brand asks that you try the mattress for 30 days before returning. It will also cost $99 for Brooklyn Bedding to come and pick up your mattress.
Common Brooklyn Bedding Complaints
Most complaints for Brooklyn Bedding center around their return process. Some customers complain the return policy is difficult or confusing. Others had trouble getting in touch with a representative to initiate a return.
How Does The Brooklyn Essential Compare To Others?
Whenever I’m looking for a new mattress, I try to do some comparison shopping. To help you out on your buying journey, I will compare the Brooklyn Essential to similar mattresses.
Brooklyn Essential vs Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid
Product
Firmness
Score
Product
Brooklyn Bedding EssentialFirmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10Score
Product
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid MattressFirmness
Multiple firmness optionsScore
The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid is one of the brand’s most popular mattresses. Like the Essential it is a hybrid and contains coils, foam and a pillow top. However, it is a more substantial mattress than the Essential and comes in multiple firmnesses. Its design makes it seem more durable, but it does come at a higher price point.
| Who Should Get The Brooklyn Essential? | Who Should Get The Brooklyn Bedding Signature? |
| Those who want to save money | Those who want something durable |
| Those who want something for a guest room | Those who want firmness options |
Read more about the Brooklyn Bedding Signature mattress with our full review.
Brooklyn Essential vs DreamCloud
Product
Firmness
Score
Product
Brooklyn Bedding EssentialFirmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10Score
Product
DreamCloud Original MattressFirmness
Firm: 7.5/10Score
The DreamCloud is a hybrid mattress that features multiple layers of foam, a cashmere pillow top and supportive coils. Overall, it is a taller mattress that creates a firm sleeping surface. It also has more cooling features than the Essential. But, you will pay more for these extra materials and features.
| Who Should Choose the Brooklyn Bedding Essential? | Who Should Choose the DreamCloud? |
| Those who want to save money | Those who want something longer lasting |
| Those who like something softer | Fans of something firmer |
| Side sleepers | Stomach sleepers |
Read more about the Dreamcloud mattress with our full review.
The Takeaway
The Brooklyn Essential is a great value mattress. While it has a simple design, it is still going to work well for back sleepers, fans of bouncy mattresses and those who don’t want to spend too much on their mattress.
However, if you want something durable, sleep on your stomach or like a memory foam feel, this is not going to be the best mattress for you.
Brooklyn Bedding Essential Mattress FAQs
Is the Brooklyn Essential a good mattress?
It is a good value mattress that should please back sleepers and those who like something more responsive. Stomach sleepers, those who like contouring and shoppers who want a long-term investment should look elsewhere.
Can you flip the Brooklyn Essential?
No, you cannot flip the Brooklyn Essential. It is designed to rest with the support layers on the bottom and the cover on top.
How long will the Brooklyn Essential last?
Based on its construction, the Brooklyn Essential should last for at least seven years.
