Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling Mattress Review

What you need to know about the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe mattress

Brooklyn Bedding was founded in 1995 and produced its first mattress-in-a-box in 2008. While the company specializes in hybrid mattresses, it also sells a few all-foam options. For this review, we tested the queen-size Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling mattress in the medium firmness configuration. According to Brooklyn Bedding, the Aurora Luxe is the brand's most popular mattress.

The Aurora Luxe is available in various sizes, from Twin to California King. In addition, the mattress is available in some more niche sizes, such as split California King, Short Queen, RV King, and RV Bunk. It is available in soft, medium, and firm configurations.

In terms of construction, the mattress is comprised of six layers. The cover is made from Brooklyn Beddings GlacioTex fabric which the company claims removes excessive heat from the sleep surface. Below the cover is a layer of cooling foam followed by two layers of memory foam. Below the foam layers is a layer of pocket springs over a final base foam layer.

The Aurora Luxe starts at a competitive price of $999 for the Twin, with the CA King costing $2,265 MSRP. The Queen-sized model we tested costs $1,865 but is often discounted.

What we like about the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe mattress

It provides good motion isolation

To test motion isolation, we drop a 150-pound punching bag onto one side of the mattress, and using an accelerometer, we record how the motion registers on the opposite side.

In our testing, we have started to notice that hybrid mattresses generally offer less motion isolation than their foam counterparts. We assume this is because foam has better damping capabilities than springs. The Aurora bucked this trend somewhat by exhibiting quite good motion isolation. It won't hold up to a tossing and turning partner or pet, but it did an admirable job of dampening some motion.

Excellent cooling capabilities

The Aurora Luxe is marketed primarily as a cooling mattress, and in this area, it excelled. In fact, it's one of the best cooling mattresses we have tested.

To test how well a mattress diffuses heat, we warm silicon heating pads to body temperature and place them on the mattress on top of temperature sensors. We then cover them with a blanket and measure how quickly they cool down.

It's a good option for side sleepers

To test a mattress's pressure relief, we move weights, like a barbell, across the bed and measure how the weights sink into the surface. This gives a sense of how various parts of the body would be supported or cushioned. We tested the medium firmness model of the Aurora Luxe and it provided a good balance of support and cradling cushioning for side sleepers.

What we don't like about the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe mattress

Edge support is disappointing

For our edge support tests, we take a 150-pound bag and move it along the mattress to see how and when the edges compress. When we performed this test on the Aurora Luxe, the edge of the bed was visibly compressed and bulging once the heavy boxing bag reached the edge. The bag also rolled off the mattress quite easily.

Hybrid mattresses have a structural advantage over foam mattresses thanks to their innersprings, so we were surprised that the Aurora failed to impress in this area. That said, it shouldn't be a problem for most sleepers but could cause problems for those with mobility impairments who use the edge to get in and out of bed.

It might be too soft for stomach or back sleepers

While the Aurora will work well for side sleepers, it doesn't offer enough firmness or sufficient lumbar support for back and front sleepers.

Customers are required to pay a return fee

As is standard with many other mattress-in-a-box options, the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe has a lengthy 120-day trial period. If after 30 days you aren't satisfied with the mattress, you can return it for a full refund, provided you initiate the return before the end of the 120-day period. So far, so good. However, unlike many other brands, Brooklyn Bedding does charge a $99 removal fee for mattress returns. It's not a deal breaker, but it's worth keeping in mind if you are shopping around.

What other people are saying about the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe mattress

Because it is sold almost exclusively on the Brooklyn Bedding website, we struggled to find reviews elsewhere. The mattress has a 4.7-star rating out of over 3,000 reviews, suggesting that customers are generally happy with their purchase.

Positive reviews mentioned the Aurora's balance of softness and support and cooling properties. One reviewer summed up the majority of positive comments: "So comfortable! Supportive with the perfect amount of softness on the mattress top. Best sleep we've had in a long time."

There weren't many negative reviews, but dissatisfied customers pointed out that the mattress was unusually soft and prone to dipping in the center.

What is the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe return policy and warranty?

Brooklyn Bedding offers a 120-day trial period. However, returns can only be requested after 30 days have passed. This is a pretty standard trial period length but less than some brands that offer trial periods of up to a year. Brooklyn Bedding does charge a $99 removal fee for returns to cover the cost of collecting and disposing of the mattress. The company claims that it will attempt to donate, recycle, or repurpose returned mattresses. Initial contact with customer service is via email.

Beyond the 120-day trial, the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe is covered by a 10-year limited warranty that covers manufacturing and workmanship defects.

Should you buy the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling mattress?

Yes, if you want a reasonably priced cooling mattress

The Aurora Luxe is hardly the best mattress we have tested; edge support was mediocre, and back and front sleepers may want to steer clear. However, it offers exceptional cooling performance and motion isolation with just enough support for side sleepers. Furthermore, considering it's about half the price of the current king of cooling mattresses, the Serta Arctic, the Aurora Luxe is an excellent option for hot sleepers with a restrictive budget. For those looking for a similar priced mattress that also offers a greater level of firmness, the GhostBed Luxe fits the bill.