Summary: After sleeping on firm mattresses for most of my life, I tried Brentwood’s Oceano Luxury Hybrid Mattress to ease my aches and pains. The Oceano’s hybrid construction with memory foam significantly improved my hip and neck pain, helped me to sleep cooler (no AC needed!), and was luxuriously comfortable. The brand’s ethical manufacturing and safe materials sweetened the experience.

Pros:

  • The Brentwood Oceano Luxury Hybrid Mattress significantly eased my neck and hip pain, providing support and pressure relief for me as a side sleeper.
  • The Oceano’s cooling technology and natural materials allowed my partner and I to sleep cooler, and even eliminated our need to use our AC unit at night.
  • The Oceano is crafted with high-quality, natural materials like organic wool, cotton, and silk, and is made in a certified safe and eco-friendly factory.
  • Brentwood offers a 1-year trial and a 25-year warranty, making it easier to take the plunge.

Cons:

  • Coming in at 14 inches, the Oceano added 3+ inches to our existing setup. We might have to rethink our current platform bed frame, but it’s more than worth it!
  • The current cost of a queen-size Oceano is $1,655 which is a substantial investment.

The last time I purchased a mattress was shortly out of college, about 10 years ago. It was a gift from my father whose decades-long struggle with back pain (and knee pain, and shoulder pain, the list goes on…) had given him an appreciation for a good mattress. Since it was a gift, my father exercised some influence on the purchase, and he believes that soft mattresses only encourage poor sleeping posture and more pain. So, reader, I bought the firm mattress, thinking I’d done the right thing. Many years and many firm mattresses later, I found myself with daily neck and hip pain that was sometimes even worse upon waking. What gives?

“Many years and many firm mattresses later, I found myself with daily neck and hip pain that was sometimes even worse upon waking. What gives?”

When starting to do research for a new mattress this latest go-around, I was looking for something that would ease those aches and pains. They’re mostly located in my right hip and the right side of my neck and upper back. I do a lot to manage this — Pilates, massage, sauna, sitting properly throughout the day (when I remember!) — but I hadn’t reevaluated my sleeping arrangement well, ever. At 33, it was about time that I decided what kind of mattress was actually best for me.

Since I’m a combination sleeper, I usually start the night on my back before turning over to my side. And perhaps it’s no coincidence that I like to sleep on my right side, exactly where I have all that pain! I read that memory foam was the best material out there for pressure relief and gentle support — a combo much needed by side sleepers like me. And especially since I have pain in areas where side sleepers notoriously distribute their weight, the idea of a bed that would cradle those areas sounded like a dream. Have you ever received a gentle correction from a yoga instructor during class? Yeah, that’s exactly what I imagined.

At this point, it’s very likely that you know the phrase memory foam. Especially if you’re anything like me and spent many hours watching television commercials around the time the material was popularized in the 1990s. Today, most mattresses have memory foam as a component — some more if it’s the main material used, some less if it is a hybrid mattress. But, for all memory foam’s ubiquity, I hadn’t ever really considered if it was the right choice for me. Or even what it is.

“For all memory foam’s ubiquity, I hadn’t ever really considered if it was the right choice for me. Or even what it is.”

It turns out that memory foam is a viscoelastic foam derived from a chemical reaction, meaning that it is viscous like a fluid but retains shape like a gel. In short, it molds to your body around your weight distribution and then snaps back into place once you get up. Perfect for offering the balance of support and relief that my aches and pains crave.

So, I decided to try Brentwood’s Oceano Luxury Hybrid Mattress, the brand’s best-selling offering that they call “America’s Best Memory Foam Mattress.” Not only did the memory foam intrigue me, I wanted to try sleeping on the safe and nontoxic materials like organic wool and cotton — and the unique combination of over 2,500 springs, layers of foam, and even silk. (Did I mention that in addition to suffering from minor aches and pains, I’m also a Taurus who loves luxury?)

Why Brentwood?

Brentwood handcrafts their mattresses in a GOTS certified organic factory just outside of Los Angeles where they implement the highest standards for environmental, labor, and social responsibility. None of their production takes place overseas, or in other outsourced factories, and their long list of certifications demonstrates a commitment and adherence to thoughtful practices from the ground up. I love that the brand produces their mattresses with the help of craftspeople who have been with the company for over 20 years — that’s a pretty great track record.

“I love that the brand produces their mattresses with the help of craftspeople who have been with the company for over 20 years — that’s a pretty great track record.”

As far as trustworthy mattress purveyors go, Brentwood is one of the best. The brand combines natural and safe materials with innovative engineering for a super sophisticated, luxurious product. The Oceano, for instance, contains CertiPUR-US® certified cooling gel memory foam with BioFoam® (more on this in a moment!), natural silk fibers, GOTS certified organic cotton and wool, and sustainably sourced, plant-based Tencel™ fibers from eucalyptus trees, all arranged in a high-tech stack of 9 layers. No harsh chemicals, no fiberglass flame retardants — just the best quality materials with great construction.

“It should be no surprise to learn that when Brentwood does memory foam, they do it quite well.”

Brentwoods’s mattresses are always lab-tested for ultimate quality assurance. The Oceano is GREENGUARD Gold Certified for low emissions, a certification that ensures there’s no danger of prolonged chemical exposure or pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, and phthalates. So, at this point, it should be no surprise to learn that when Brentwood does memory foam, they do it quite well.

They’ve taken steps to formulate BioFoam®, an alternative to traditional memory foam that reduces environmental impact without losing any of the benefits. This plant-based solution is also cooling (whereas traditional memory foam traps heat!) and the Oceano includes multiple layers of foam nestled around springs to deliver a super plush end result. By the end of this research, I started wondering if there was a single reason why I shouldn’t choose Brentwood, tbh.

My review of Brentwood’s Oceano mattress

Delivery

My delivery was arranged through a third party, Associated Global Systems (AGS), which kept me updated about my shipment through text messages and a portal. AGS was very personable and easily accessible when I needed to get specifics about my order date and schedule white-glove service for my delivery and old mattress removal. I could even get the same person on the phone with each of my calls. Brentwood works with AGS to recycle old mattresses (as well as foundations and boxsprings), so it’s easy and creates less waste. Phew.

“Brentwood works with AGS to recycle old mattresses (as well as foundations and boxsprings), so it’s easy and creates less waste.”

On the day of my delivery, I got a call about an hour in advance letting me know the delivery was on its way. The team of two arrived at my doorstep (er, apartment door) with the new mattress packed in a box. They removed the new mattress from its shrinkwrap, placed it on the bed, and left with my former mattress. The whole ordeal took about 5 minutes — certainly no longer than 10. The Oceano is a big and heavy mattress (more on this later!), so I can’t imagine not having some help. AGS made it super simple.

A tall, open cardboard box stands in a living room with shelves of books, a potted plant, and a door with glass panels in the background.
A person wearing a striped shirt and dark pants is carrying a large cardboard box inside a room with shelves, books, a TV, and decor.
Brentwood delivery is arranged through AGS who were very easy to work with. The white glove delivery and removal of my old mattress only took about 5 minutes.

 

First impressions

The first thing we noticed? It’s tall! Coming in at 14 inches, the Oceano added 3+ inches to our existing setup. (Our prior mattress was a pretty standard 11 inches, plus I think it had sunk down over time.) On top of our platform bedframe it looked especially high, and we craned our necks at first wondering if this would work. We also have a small, aging dog — would she be able to make the leap?! As it turns out, it was perfectly comfortable and Rocky was able to jump up, too. Our sheets still fit, though they’re stretched to max capacity. Thanks to the perimeter reinforcement, we don’t feel at risk of rolling off from such great heights — but it’s definitely the kind of mattress that deserves a four-poster bed, so we’ll be rethinking our bed frame in the near future. (And sheets too!)

“The first thing we noticed? It’s tall! Coming in at 14 inches, the Oceano added 3+ inches to our existing setup.”

One of the delivery people mentioned that we should wait a few hours before adding bedding to our new mattress to let it air out. There was a very faint smell, mostly present when sniffing it up close. By the evening, there wasn’t a trace.

Above all, after a quick jump on the bed to test it out, we were struck by how comfortable it was. Climbing onto the Oceano, I recognized why they must have chosen the name. The words that come to mind are similar to how you’d describe floating in water — buoyant and supported, with a sort of pleasant pressure that envelops the body. Ahh. I couldn’t wait to get to sleep that night.

A person with tattoos lies face down on a large, made bed in a room with a potted plant, a nightstand, and a window.
Close-up of a quilted mattress with a pale cream-colored fabric and decorative stitched patterns. A hand partially appears at the bottom left corner.
My partner and I had to plop onto the Oceano immediately. We were struck by how comfortable and supported we felt on top of 14″ of foam, coils, and silky soft natural fabrics.

 

Sleeping on the Oceano

My first night sleeping on the Oceano was truly unlike any night of sleep I’ve ever experienced. The Oceano is medium soft, rated a 4.5/10, but with reinforcement from springs and edge protection. It was so comfortable. I woke up twice throughout the night, once to turn off the AC unit and another to use the bathroom. I’ve never been so happy to wake up in the night. I knew that I’d be able to immediately fall back asleep once I was back in the arms, so to speak, of my new mattress. I even savored having a few more conscious moments to appreciate the feel.

“The Oceano is medium soft, rated a 4.5/10, but with reinforcement from springs and edge protection. It was so comfortable.“

I’d recently purchased a new pillow to help with my neck pain, but it hadn’t made much of a difference with the old mattress. In fact, some days I felt that it had made things worse. But paired with the Brentwood, everything clicked into place. The combination offered the right amount of support and my neck pain started to ease. My hip pain immediately improved. I was free to sleep on my side, which is the most comfortable position for me, but one I’d been avoiding because of the pressure and subsequent pain it was causing with my old mattress.

We even miraculously stopped having to use the AC at night. The cooling effect of the natural materials, the airflow coursing through the springs, and the technology embedded in the memory foam all conspired for a cooler night’s sleep. And while I’m not a particularly hot sleeper, I thoroughly appreciate being able to cozy up under the blankets even mid-summer. This was a major improvement!

“The cooling effect of the natural materials, the air flow coursing through the springs, and the technology embedded in the memory foam all conspired for a cooler night’s sleep.”

We slept on the Oceano for a week before heading out of town (for a trip I was excited about!) — and I was actually bummed to have to leave my bed behind. Even my partner fell in love with the Oceano after some initial resistance to a softer bed. Now that’s high praise from a person whose favorite pillow has been described by reviewers as a “comfortable brick.”

Since switching to the Oceano, I realized that in other beds, I’m often forcing myself to return to my back to protect my hip from pain. This equates to a bit of tossing and turning — and an anxiety throughout the night to “force myself” to sleep in a particular manner. Returning to the Oceano is bliss since I can move freely, and feel supported in any position. It makes it so easy to fall asleep, and to do so without worrying about how I’ll feel the next day.

Close-up of a mattress labeled "Brentwood Home" with a tree logo, set on a wooden bed frame.
Our new Brentwood Oceano is tall (14″ to be exact) — but we love her! She gave me one of the best nights of sleep I’ve had in years, and eased my hip and neck pain.

 

Is Brentwood’s Oceano worth it?

Yes, yes, yes! The switch to Brentwood has transformed how I sleep and how I feel in the mornings. I have fewer aches and pains, and I feel so much more comfortable throughout the night. It’s brought me back to a sense of comfort that I thought I left behind in childhood.

“The switch to Brentwood has transformed how I sleep and how I feel in the mornings.”

If you’re in the market to invest in a new mattress, and the plush support of a memory foam hybrid sounds like music to your ears, I’d highly recommend Brentwood. The brand’s 1-year trial and 25-year warranty should quiet any fears. Take the plunge, and return to the surface feeling renewed.

THIS STORY IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR FRIENDS AT BRENTWOOD

Ashley D’Arcy  She is also a psychoanalyst-in-training and holds a Master’s in philosophy from the New School for Social Research. She lives in Brooklyn with her wife and their Miniature Australian Shepherd, Rocky.