Dusk&Dawn Essential Review
The Dusk&Dawn Essential is an excellent mattress that offers outstanding value. It is Australian made and comes in 3 firmness options (firm, medium, and plush). It also comes with a handy 100 day ‘comfort guarantee’.
The Dusk&Dawn Essential Mattress forms the entry level model in the Dusk&Dawn mattress range that also includes the mid range Dusk&Dawn Premiere, and the flagship model Dusk&Dawn Signature.
Purchase and delivery
The Dusk&Dawn Essential Mattress can be conveniently ordered online through the Dusk&Dawn website. Delivery is free to metro areas, and Dusk&Dawn can deliver Australia wide (except to the Northern Territory and Tasmania).
As part of the delivery process, Dusk&Dawn offer a ‘white glove service’. This involves a dedicated 2 person team that will carefully handle your mattress and place it directly into your bedroom. For more information on delivery times, see our ‘Delivery’ section further down.
When you purchase your new Dusk&Dawn Essential Mattress, you have the choice of either a firm, medium, or plush (soft) version. It’s worth noting that delivery of the plush version will take a bit longer.
The Dusk&Dawn Essential Mattress arrived in pristine condition, thanks to two thick layers of plastic wrapping. Unlike most mattresses that can be purchased online, the Dusk&Dawn Essential Mattress doesn’t come compressed in a box, so you won’t need to wait for it to decompress before sleeping on it.
You can see the full Dusk&Dawn range in ‘real life’ in our video review here:
Dusk&Dawn also offers an ‘old mattress removal’ service for a fee of $70. They will also happily remove your old bed base for an extra $35.
From a visual perspective, the Dusk&Dawn Essential Mattress combines a modern style with plenty of class. It uses a black and white colour theme with a trendy pattern on its top surface. It also has a distinct brand label with shades of red and purple.
Comfort and support
The Dusk&Dawn Essential Mattress has a top cover made of a ‘Comfort-Stretch Premium Fabric’. This feels soft, durable, and should offer plenty of air circulation.
This top cover sits over a Dusk-Air Tech comfort layer, an ‘Eco-Air’ layer, an Elasta Gel layer, and premium comfort foam.
The firm version, as you would expect, has a firm, supportive feel. With that said, it still has some pressure relief, and certainly isn’t ‘rock hard’. This version would likely suit most back sleepers, but it still may be comfortable enough for side sleepers and stomach sleepers.
Our team rated the firm version of this mattress as an 8 / 10 on the firmness scale (with 10 being the firmest). Please note that our firmness ratings are just a guide and they do not necessarily relate to comfort. Furthermore, our firmness ratings are assigned based on Bedbuyer’s testing process and these may differ from firmness ratings given by individual companies.
Firm version
The medium version is very comfortable and offers lovely pressure relief. It absorbs body weight smoothly and has a comfort level that matches mattresses far more expensive. It should suit all sleeping positions (side sleepers, back sleepers, and stomach sleepers) well, but understandably its suitability will vary between each individual.
Our team rated the medium version of this mattress as a 6.5 / 10 on the firmness scale (with 10 being the firmest).
Medium version
The plush version in this mattress is soft, light, and comfortable. Our team rated the plush version of this mattress as a 4.5 / 10 on the firmness scale (with 10 being the firmest). Please note that our firmness rating of this plush version is an estimate, based on the testing of the firm and medium versions.
Plush version
Underneath the comfort layers of the Dusk&Dawn Essential Mattress, lies an ‘ISO Coil’ 5 Zone Pocket Spring System. This spring unit feels robust and well balanced. Changing sleep positions requires little effort, as this spring system responds beautifully to normal sleep movements.
In addition, this spring system provides excellent spinal support in all sleeping positions. It should accommodate people of all sizes, and we didn’t detect any undesirable dipping or sinking. It also isolates movement well, so partner disturbance is minimal.
The Dusk&Dawn Essential Mattress responds very well to normal sleep movements and we rated its level of responsiveness as ‘optimal’. In basic terms, this means that changing sleep positions (and intimate activities) shouldn’t be any trouble.
Please note that our responsiveness scales are just a guide and preferred responsiveness levels will vary between individuals. It’s worth noting also that innerspring mattresses are generally more responsive than foam mattresses.
The finer details
The overall build quality of the Dusk&Dawn Essential Mattress is excellent. Its outer fabric shell feels durable and the ‘3D Mesh Breathable Gusset’ around the sides of the comfort layer (for extra ventilation) demonstrate Dusk&Dawn’s attention to detail.
Edge support is sound thanks to its special ‘firm perimeter springs’. As with most mattress collections, edge support is best on the firm version.
All models in the Dusk&Dawn mattress range also have side handles, making it easy to rotate or transport the mattress. The handles themselves are strong, and are stitched into the mattress firmly.
The Dusk&Dawn Essential Mattress is Australian made, and comes with a handy 100 night ‘comfort guarantee’. This means that if you are not satisfied (within 100 nights of delivery), Dusk&Dawn will collect your mattress, adjust the firmness, and return it to you (free of charge).
If you are still not satisfied after your firmness adjustment (after 30 nights), you can claim a refund, minus the $250 shipping cost. You can see the full details in the ‘Trial Period’ section further down.
A well rounded mattress that offers exceptional value.
The Dusk&Dawn Essential Mattress stands tall in terms of health and hygiene. This mattress uses Virase®, a new technology that provides an antiviral effect. The comfort foams are also well-certified as non-toxic and eco-friendly by Global Greentag.
What bed base should I use?
As with most mattresses, we recommend the Dusk&Dawn Essential Mattress to be used with a solid bed frame (such as the Dusk&Dawn Bed Base), with ‘rigid’ slats. Please note that the Dusk&Dawn Bed Base is not sold separately and must be purchased in combination with a Dawn&Dawn mattress.
A bed frame with flexible (posture) slats may still be adequate, but in this case we strongly recommend that the distance between each slat is less than 8 cm. Use of an unsupportive mattress foundation will usually void the mattress warranty.
Furthermore, we do not recommend the Dusk&Dawn Essential Mattress to be used with an adjustable (electric) bed base as this will also void the warranty. Here is our full list of mattresses that are compatible with an adjustable bed base.
It’s worth noting here that mattress firmness, performance, and durability will vary with different bed bases.
Available sizes
The Dusk&Dawn Essential Mattress is available in all 7 sizes (super king, king, queen, double, king single, long single, and single) so it should suit most sleeping arrangements.
Here are Australia’s standard bed (mattress) sizes in 2023.
Final verdict
The Dusk&Dawn Essential is a well rounded mattress that offers exceptional value. It is Australian made, and combines quality comfort layers with a premium spring system. It also has the advantage of a 100 day comfort guarantee.
Bedbuyer’s rating: 4.6 / 5
Here are our ratings for each category:
Comfort
Spinal Support
Build Quality
Partner Disturbance
Value for Money
Did you know? Bedbuyer recently announced Australia’s Top 10 Mattresses in 2023!
If you have any questions about this mattress, please leave a comment below.
*Click SHOP NOW and use code BEDBUYER300 at checkout to get a further $300 off.
In a nutshell 🥜
- Awarded ‘Australia’s Best Value Mattress’ in 2023
- Comfortable and supportive
- Australian made
- 100 night comfort guarantee
- Click SHOP NOW and use code BEDBUYER300 to get a further $300 off!
Retail Prices Bedbuyer Prices*
*Once Bedbuyer discount code is applied. Click SHOP NOW and use code BEDBUYER350 at checkout.
Trial Period
100 night ‘comfort guarantee’
Dusk&Dawn want you to be completely satisfied with your new mattress. For this reason, all Dusk&Dawn mattresses come with a 100 night comfort guarantee. During this time you can test your new mattress out in the comfort of your own home. You must own the mattress for a minimum of 30 nights from the date received, this will give your body the adequate time to adjust. If between, night 31-100 you still are not satisfied with your sleep, then let us know and we will arrange to collect your mattress and adjust the firmness before returning it right back to you FREE of charge.
We change the firmness in the comfort layers to suit your specific sleep preferences, whether it is softer or firmer. And we don’t dispose of the mattress unnecessarily into the environment like other manufacturers may do. We simply swap out the comfort layers to suit.
We do recommend that you allow some time for your body to settle into your new mattress, this is another reason why we offer the 100 day trial.
If you are still not satisfied after the firmness adjustment, you can claim a refund on the condition that you have tried the new firmness for 30 nights. The refund will be minus the $250 shipping cost.
Warranty
10 years
Delivery
Delivery is available Australia wide (except to the Northern Territory and Tasmania).
Delivery is FREE to metro areas. Regional area deliveries will incur a $250 delivery charge.
Estimated delivery times:
- Victoria and New South Wales: 5-10 business days
- South Australia and Queensland: 10-14 working days
- Western Australia: 14-21 business days
Regional deliveries may take up to 2-4 weeks, based on your location. Please contact Dusk&Dawn for more up-to-date timings.
The Dusk&Dawn mattress delivery service is a white glove service. This involves a dedicated 2 person team that will carefully handle your mattress and place it directly into your bedroom. This, ensures an easy, hassle-free experience.
Additionally, Dusk&Dawn provide the option to remove your old mattress and responsibly dispose of it, saving you the trouble of dealing with its disposal.
Certifications – Dusk&Dawn Essential Mattress
Global GreenTag Certified Comfort Foams
Global GreenTag certified products pass the world’s toughest standards to protect you, and your family’s health and safety, minimise your impact on our finite planet and put the power of selection back in your hands.
Specifications – Dusk&Dawn Essential Mattress
- Weight: Approx. 50 kgs (Queen mattress)
- Height: 32 cm
- Total maximum weight limit: N/A (Queen mattress)
- Spring count: 768 springs
- Wire gauge: 1.8mm Soft zone | 2.0mm Firm Zone
Our 100% Australian made, Dusk&Dawn Essential is super comfy, supportive and affordable. We only use quality materials, premium Australian wools and our foams are Global Greentag Health certified. Rest assured with our 100 day comfort guarantee.
Comfy, supportive and affordable.
The Dusk&Dawn Essential mattress comes equipped with all the features to ensure a great nights sleep. Our multi-zoned Iso-Coil pocket coil system features individually encased coils ensuring minimal partner disturbance whilst providing excellent lower back support.
Premium comfort layers including Elasta-gel cool gel memory foam ensures you’re ready to tackle the day ahead.
Uncover the innovation behind each layers
Comfort-Stretch Premium Fabric Combined With 3D Mesh Breathable Gusset
The Dusk&Dawn Essential features a premium knit, high quality comfort-stretch fabric surface panel for a more luxurious feel and better surface comfort to the touch. Combined with a 3D mesh gusset for maximum airflow and breathability. This ensures better breathability and optimal temperature regulation and comfort while you sleep.
Australian Natura-Wool
Pure Australian natural wool comfort. Highly breathable and naturally anti-bacterial and anti dust mite for a fresher and more hygienic sleep. Natural wool has excellent thermo-regulation properties, which keep you warm in winter and cooler in summer. By using locally sourced Australian wool we are supporting our Aussie farmers!
Eco-Air Comfort Technology
The Dusk&Dawn Essential has a a highly breathable comfort layer. This enables the mattress to regulate your body temperature for the ultimate sleeping experience – by keeping you cooler while you sleep.
Elasta-Gel
A flexible and cool gel infused technology foam which provides amazing pressure relief and comfort for your body. The gel cooling properties keep the mattress at an optimal sleeping temperature.
Premium High Density / High Resilience Comfort Foam
A highly breathable comfort layer enabling the mattress to regulate your body temperature for the ultimate sleeping experience – by keeping you cooler while you sleep.
ISO Coil 5 Zone Pocket Spring System With Full Edge Outer Perimeter Springs
The Dusk&Dawn Essential has independently encased Pocket Coil System with 5 targeted zones for better body support and contouring where you need it most. The independent pocket springs also help minimise partner disturbance. With firmer perimeter coils for extra edge support and increased sleeping surface.
Premium Dusk&Dawn Outer Fabric Shell
Premium Dusk&Dawn fabric combination for a luxurious and modern look, with hard wearing properties.
Proudly Australian Made
Dusk & Dawn is proudly owned, designed and most importantly MADE in Australia. We pride ourselves in hand making every mattress right here in Oz.
Virase® Clean Sleeping Environment
Virase® technology assists in promoting a healthy and hygienic sleep environment. Virase®, is a textile treatment that provides and anti-viral effect.
Finance Options
4 fortnight interest free payments.
Pay in 4 instalments
