Need a new mattress? Aldi is selling its bargain mattress-in-a-box range on Saturday 18 July as part of its Special Buys sale.

The prices are $149 for a single mattress, $179 for a king single, $199 for a double and $239 for a queen. The low cost is certainly enticing, especially when you consider that mattresses from other brands can stretch into the thousands. 

Aldi offers their bed-in-a-box mattresses up for sale about twice a year. Last year ĚÇĐÄVlog purchased a queen-sized mattress in the sale and tested it alongside other brands in our mattress reviews.

We can’t guarantee that the mattress we purchased last year is exactly the same as the models available this year, however our results give a good indication of what consumers can generally expect from this product range.

While our test results are available exclusively to ĚÇĐÄVlog members, we can reveal that the Aldi mattress was a standout performer in our review, which includes an expert round-up of 67 mattresses, including 29 mattress-in-a-box models.

“Last year’s Aldi mattress was one of the top scoring mattresses in our test,” ĚÇĐÄVlog mattress expert Peter Zaluzny says about that mattress.

“And you can pick up onefor less than $250. The performance results alone are impressive; the fact that it’s so cheap is a very nice cherry on top.”

To help you decide whether you should queue for one of these Aldi buys, we speak to Peter about the pros and cons of mattress-in-a-box mattresses and how to weigh up Aldi’s offer compared to other brands on the market.

What’s to like about the Aldi mattress-in-a-box? 

So how does Aldi’s bed-in-a-box compare with other mattresses?

We put an Aldi mattress through a series of performance tests (the full results of which you can find in our detailed scoring of the Aldi ‘Estelle by Sohl’ mattress). Here are the some of the important takeouts about this mattress.

Price 

With the Aldi queen mattress-in-a-box coming in at just under $240, it’s one of the cheapest mattresses on the market. It also outperformed the next-cheapest bed-in-a-box we have tested (the Zinus Support iCoil Pocket Spring Eurotop, which is $349).

So, if you’re on a tight budget, it’s a tick. And no haggling with a salesperson required. 

60-day guarantee 

If you happen to get it home and you’re not happy with it, Aldi has a 60-day returns or refunds policy on Special Buy items. You must have your receipt though, and the original packaging is preferred, which is a bit of a problem with this one (see ‘What’s not to like’ below). 

Keep in mind that it takes at least a few nights to adjust to a new mattress. Most bed in a box retailers recommend trying a mattress for 30 days to determine if it’s right for you.

Comfort 

The Aldi mattresses has a medium firmness feel and combines a memory foam pillow top comfort layer with pocket springs. Some people prefer this over a spring mattress as it moulds to the body for added comfort. 

But comfort is obviously subjective and some people don’t like that “sinking in” sensation. The benefit of these types of bed-in-a-box mattresses that combine both spring and foam is that it can be said you’re getting the best of both worlds. 

Early mattress-in-a-box models were mostly made of foam. But these days, spring and hybrid models are widely available as well. Remember to double check the materials before you buy, to match your comfort preferences.

What’s not to like? 

Potentially limited availability

Snapping up one of these mattresses involves heading instore and hoping that your local Aldi has stock in the size you are after, and it’s often a case of first in, best dressed. 

You can’t try before you buy 

This is a big one as you can’t try it instore. You’ll have to save the “lie down and see how it feels” test for when you’ve already bought the mattress, taken it home and unpacked it. 

It’s bulky and heavy, and Aldi doesn’t deliver 

Though Aldi hasn’t specified the weight for the mattress in this Special Buy, previous models weighed around 38kg. It’s fair to assume that the new one will be the same, or very similar.

It’s a heavy boy, in other words, so you’ll need a friend to help you transport it, and an appropriate-sized car. The box does come with wheels and carry handles though. 

Returning it will be a pain 

The product is a compressed mattress that expands when unpacked so it can’t be repacked into the box, and you’d have to lug it back to the store yourself. Other online retailers such as Koala, Sleeping Duck and Eva will come and collect your unwanted mattress for no extra charge within the trial period. 

Limited one-year warranty 

When you consider the fact that many mattresses (admittedly at a much higher price point) usually have a minimum 10 years’ warranty, one year seems short, and could be an indication of the manufacturer’s faith in their own product.

Similar bed-in-a-box offerings have 10-, 15- or even 25-year warranties. 

What ĚÇĐÄVlog staff say about Aldi mattresses

We spoke to two of our staff who bought the supermarket’s discount mattress when it was on sale in previous years, and here’s what they say.

On getting the mattress home:

• “Getting the queen mattress home wasn’t too difficult. It was quite heavy, but nothing my partner and I couldn’t handle. It fitted nicely into the back of our small sedan once we put the seats down. Opening the mattress was kinda fun. We’d never bought a bed-in-a-box before, so it was quite remarkable that the manufacturer was able to pack a plush mattress into a much smaller box. Watch out for the rapid expansion and leave enough space, as the mattress becomes large and heavy surprisingly fast.” 
• “I’d organised to borrow a van to transport the mattress home in, but I didn’t consider how heavy it is. We got some help instore, thankfully, but definitely don’t try to buy this and get it home on your own.” 

On comfort:

• “We have it on our guest bed, so I’ve only slept on it a few times myself and I liked it. All my guests have thought it was comfortable, even one who stayed for three months (I made sure to check!).” 
• “I sleep on it every night and I never really think about it being uncomfortable. There are no lumps and it fits to the contour of my body. It feels plush and soft without being wishy-washy. I always get a good night’s sleep. I normally prefer harder mattresses but I like this one. Considering how little we paid for it, this is fantastic. My only small gripe is that the edges are quite soft, which can make moving around on the bed slightly more cumbersome over a mattress with hard edges.” 

Would you recommend it?

• “Definitely. For price, convenience and quality.”
• “Yes I would. Who knows what it’ll be like in a few years time, but for the price, it’s been perfect for our needs.” 

Mattresses-in-a-box vs traditional models: What you should know

Mattresses-in-a-box are deoxygenated – enclosed in vacuum-sealed packaging – making it possible for them be transported in a box, earning them their nickname. Here are some things we’ve noticed over the years we’ve been testing mattress-in-a-box products.

Price

This type of mattress first entered the market in response to the often eye-watering mark-ups made on traditional mattresses sold in bricks-and-mortar stores. 

But although they used to be cheaper than conventional mattresses, usually costing no more than a thousand dollars for a queen-size mattress, we have noticed that bed-in-a-box prices have crept up and even surpassed the RRP of some models sold by traditional retailers.

There are still some affordable products available, however, the Aldi mattresses are significantly cheaper than most of the models we’ve tested (the mattress-in-a-box products in our latest review range in price from $219 for the Aldi model up to over $2000 for ‘luxe’ models from Koala and Sleep Firm).

Performance

Back when we first started testing mattresses, our results found that old-school spring models were the way to go. Then mattress-in-a-box models came along and wiped the bedroom floor of traditional retailers with consistently higher scores. But now, both categories are fairly evenly matched.

Of the 26 mattresses we currently recommend, 10 are from bricks-and-mortar retailers and 16 are delivered or available roll-packed in a box. Some of the most well-known bed-in-a-box brands that we’ve tested include Koala, Macoda and Ecosa.

“This is great news for consumers,” says ĚÇĐÄVlog mattress expert Peter Zaluzny. “There’s a great range of options of various types, materials, and builds such as foam or spring that are recommended by our experts, so you can really find a good-quality mattress that feels right for a solid sleep.”

“One person’s idea of the perfect comfy mattress may differ from another’s, but we’ve found that a mattress that costs $1000 or less can be just as comfortable, and perform just as well over its lifetime, as one priced at $3000–$5000.”

Convenience

One of the key advantages of buying a bed-in-a-box is being able to buy them online (without having to deal with a pushy salesperson instore) and trying them at home. 

The free trial period often lasts up to 100 nights, with some running to 120 and even 365 nights. If you don’t like the mattress, you can usually return it easily at no extra cost if you live in a metro area. (Unfortunately if you live in a rural area you may have to pay to return it.)

“Mattresses-in-a-box tend to use more foam and foam-like materials than spring mattresses, so they may not be for you if you prefer the feel of a traditional spring mattress. But that’s what the free trial period is for,” says Peter. 

“However, we’re seeing more and more spring mattresses from these manufacturers. You can no longer assume that a mattress-in-a-box is made of foam, which is why we include the core type and construction information in our test.”

Increasing competition

While the mattress-in-a-box market used to be dominated by just a handful of online-only brands, there is now much more competition in this category.  

The online-only mattresses-in-a-box retailers still have the advantage over instore retailers with their home trial offers. 

Many mattresses that are sold in bricks-and-mortar stores don’t offer a trial period or, if they do, it’s quite short: many are around 30 days.

And some mattresses-in-a-box offer adjustable firmness, allowing you to customise your mattress at home by adding or removing foam layers that are included in the box. 

We haven’t come across any retail models that have this level of customisation yet.

Become a ĚÇĐÄVlog member to access our full reviews and test results of mattresses-in-a-box brands and see who comes out on top. 

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But bricks-and-mortar stores stuck around. While these traditional retailers used to be more expensive than a bed-in-a-box, prices have gradually met in the middle. Our test results have been pretty comparable for some time as well.

So does a bed-in-a-box offer better value? In 2015, sure. In 2026? Things aren’t quite as clear cut. There are plenty of reasons to return to the shops or stick with online stores depending on how you like to shop and the kind of bed you prefer.

What’s best for sleep: A retail mattress or a bed-in-a-box?

Back in the day, bed-in-a-box mattresses were mostly made of foam while traditional mattresses from retailers tended to skew towards spring or hybrids (with a few exceptions). The different builds would often determine which type a shopper would opt for, as each has a very particular feel while you sleep.

But according to ĚÇĐÄVlog mattress expert Chris Barnes, things have changed and now all three types are available everywhere.

“Manufacturers even figured out how to put spring mattresses into a box without affecting build quality,” he adds.

“These days, main differences are in the shopping experience and after sales service.”

ĚÇĐÄVlog’s expert testing of more than 60 mattresses hasn’t found a single clear indicator of whether brands from bed-in-a-box or traditional retailers are better quality, more supportive, or less bouncy. There’s a fairly even number of great, average and poor performers across both categories.

Of the 26 currently available models we recommend, 15 are from mattress-in-a-box manufacturers, ten are sold by traditional retailers and one is a full-sized spring mattress sold at an online-only store.

You should buy a bed-in-a-box if you…

Want to try a mattress at home

Since day one, mattress-in-a-box brands have set themselves apart from traditional retailers with their trial periods. “We’ll send you the mattress and if you don’t like it after 30 days, you can return the mattress for a full refund, risk free,” they often advertise, or something to that effect.

An at-home trial will give you a much better understanding of whether the mattress is right for you. You’re in your space, you’re comfortable and salespeople aren’t peering at you from across the room (hopefully).

“Just remember that it’s not really try before you buy,” warns Chris. “You still have to purchase the mattress, hand over your cash and then apply for a refund if it doesn’t suit your sleeping style.”

You may even need to cover a portion of the return costs, depending on the brand and where you live. Always double check the returns policy before committing.

Know which type of mattress you want – spring, foam or hybrid

Spring, foam and hybrid mattresses each have a distinct feel. Spring supports you at the top of the bed while foam lets you sink in a bit, with a sense of contouring around your body. Hybrid is somewhere in the middle.

“You need to know your preference before buying, which is where a showroom comes in handy,” suggests Chris. “Blindly buying a bed-in-a-box means you may be stuck with a style that doesn’t work for your body until the trial period is over.”

Want a different firmness on each side of the bed

A couple of bed-in-a-box mattresses have adjustable firmness zones for each side of the bed (excluding singles). Sleepers can add or remove foam sheets to set their section to a preferred firmness that doesn’t affect the other person.

“It’s a useful feature but one that seems to be limited to a few bed-in-a-box brands,” Chris explains. “We’re yet to come across a product like this from traditional retailers.”

Live in a city or major rural centre/large town

The bed-in-a-box trial period is largely geared towards more populated areas. Almost all brands can organise a free collection or arrange an easy drop-off for customers in cities, larger towns, regional centres and so on.

Things get a bit harder if you’re living in a more remote location. The onus may fall on you to sort out the return before getting a refund.

Need a bed pretty quickly

Mattress-in-a-box brands usually keep stock on hand, so your orders should arrive within a couple of weeks depending on where you live. Traditional retailers, however, mostly manufacture based on demand after you commit to the purchase. This can lead to long delivery times.

That’s not to say bed-in-a-box manufacturers don’t experience delays. But most will lay out the estimated delivery windows before buying, so be sure to check this before ordering if time is of the essence.

Don’t want to deal with a large range of products

Browsing aisle after aisle of display beds from over a dozen brands in a full-scale mattress showroom isn’t just time consuming, it’s overwhelming. Toss in a few pushy salespeople and you’ve got yourself a pretty uncomfortable day (or days) of shopping ahead. 

“Bed-in-a-box brands generally offer a much smaller selection that’s easier to browse and understand which product fits your needs,” says Chris. “And all the information is online.” Granted, there are a pretty substantial selection of brands but most make one to four beds, maximum.

Consider a traditional retailer if you…

Don’t know what you want in a bed

Not quite sure if you’re a foam fan, spring stan or hyping for hybrid? You can get a pretty good idea of your preference by trying a few mattresses in-store. That way you can avoid the returns process if a particular build isn’t right for you.

Don’t want to commit to a purchase

When you buy a mattress-in-a-box, you’re out of pocket during the trial period. A showroom may not be a real representation of your home but you don’t have to pay to get in.

Live in a remote or rural area

It’s uncommon for bed-in-a-box brands to collect mattresses from customers outside cities, large towns, regional centres etc. Instead, the terms and conditions usually put the process back on you, which can take time and cost money.

“You may have to organise a collection yourself or transport the mattress to a charity partner or drop-off location,” Chris explains. “In this case, online retailers don’t tend to specify whether you’ll receive a refund for extra expenses like petrol.”

That’s not to say that returning a mattress to a retailer is any easier. But trying mattresses in store gives you a better chance of finding the right one before buying.

Like a soft mattress

There aren’t many mattresses-in-boxes with a soft feel. Most, including adjustable beds, skew towards medium, medium-firm and firm with just a couple of soft and medium-soft alternatives.

Are happy to haggle

Slick negotiators can save even more money on a mattress by haggling with a salesperson. That’s an option you’re not going to get via an online-only bed-in-a-box brand.

The ticket price in showrooms has a lot of flexibility, even during sales periods. Plus, you can chip away even more by buying multiple items at once – like new pillows, mattress protectors, electric blankets and more.

Are shopping on a budget

Almost all of the cheapest mattresses in our test are sold by traditional retailers. Only a few bed-in-a-box models fall into the budget category, which really limits your options. Retailers, meanwhile, offer a larger selection including some of  top performers in ĚÇĐÄVlog testing.

Have money to burn

All that said, the super expensive mattresses are only available through traditional retailers. We’re talking over ten thousand dollars in some cases (no, we haven’t tested these).

If you enjoy splashing cash or firmly believe that price equals performance, head on down to your local bricks and mortar and bust out that gold card.

67 models rated and ranked

A.H. Beard (5) Active Sleep (1) Art & Science (3) Avatar (0) Bedgear (0) Breeze (3) Brosa (0) Clark Rubber (3) Comfort Sleep (1) Deep Dream (0) Dusk & Dawn (1) Ecosa (4) Ergoflex (1) Estelle by Sohl (1) Eva (1) Fantastic (1) Home by Tempur (1) Ikea (9) Kmart (1) Koala (4) Macoda (1) Noa (0) OneBed (0) Origin (1) Original Mattress Factory (2) Peacelily (1) Sealy (4) Silent Partner (0) Sleep Firm (2) Sleep Republic (2) SleepMaker (2) Sleeping Duck (1) Sleeptailor (0) Sleeptight (1) Slumberland (3) Snooze (1) Sommuto (0) Suparest (1) Tempur (0) Tontine (0) Valmori Home Collection (2) Whiteheaven (0) Wonderest (0) Zeek (1) Zenna (1) Zinus (1)

Show more

A.H. Beard

King Koil Comfort Plus

A.H. Beard

King Koil Malibu Firm

A.H. Beard

King Koil Chiro Clarity

A.H. Beard

King Koil Chiro Resolve

A.H. Beard

King Koil Everyday Comfort MK2

Active Sleep

Control

Art & Science

Windsor (previously Silver)

Art & Science

Balmoral

Art & Science

Somerset

Breeze

Premium

Breeze

Medium Cool Gel Euro Top Pocket

Breeze

Signature Double-Sided Flippable

Clark Rubber

Comfort Platinum Latex

Clark Rubber

Comfort Premium

Clark Rubber

Comfort Deluxe (100mm)

Comfort Sleep

Verve Chiro Posture

Dusk & Dawn

Essential MK2

Ecosa

Pure (2023 model)

Ecosa

Essence

Ecosa

Mattress (2022 model)

Ecosa

Truefirm

Ergoflex

5G Memory Foam Mattress

Estelle by Sohl

Euro Top

Eva

Comfort Classic (2023 model)

Fantastic

White Haven

Home by Tempur

Mattress

Ikea

Vesteroy

Ikea

Anneland

Ikea

Afjall

Ikea

Valevag

Ikea

Vagstranda

Ikea

Arkehamn

Ikea

Vestmarka

Ikea

Vatnestrom

Ikea

Abygda

Kmart

Euro Top Pocket Spring

Koala

SE

Koala

Luxe

Koala

Plus

Koala

Mattress (2024 model)

Macoda

Mattress

Origin

Hybrid Mattress

Original Mattress Factory

Revivify

Original Mattress Factory

Refresh

Peacelily

Queen Mattress

Sealy

Posturepedic Exquisite Excellence

Sealy

Posturepedic Crown Jewels Reims Flex

Sealy

Posturepedic Acclaim Alpine

Sealy

Posturepedic Exquisite Aspen Chalet

Sleep Firm

Luxe

Sleep Firm

Mattress

Sleep Republic

Mattress

Sleep Republic

ES

Sleeping Duck

Mach II

SleepMaker

Elements Jordan

SleepMaker

Smart Rest

Sleeptight

Mattress

Slumberland

Sutton Pillowtop

Slumberland

Brighton

Slumberland

Soho

Snooze

Madison Times Square

Suparest

Affinity

Valmori Home Collection

Spring Mattress

Valmori Home Collection

Hybrid II

Zeek

Original

Zenna

Latex Mattress

Zinus

Support iCoil Pocket Spring Eurotop

Include discontinued models (92)

The post Should you buy a bed-in-a-box? appeared first on ĚÇĐÄVlog.

We test many mattresses each year, assessing them for things like comfort, stability, sagging, comfort retention and firmness. We also test each mattress’s warmth: how warm or cool they are to sleep on. 

In previous tests, we’ve found that some supposedly ‘cool’ mattresses haven’t lived up to their names.

Although we have found a few ‘cool’ mattresses that genuinely are cool, most mattresses tend to run medium-warm or warm, which can be an issue if you’re a hot sleeper.

The good news is that some of the mattresses coming through our labs are now actually living up to their claims, so your dreams of a cool night’s sleep could well be in reach. 

“If you run hot, or you live in a warmer climate, look for mattresses with ‘cool’ insulation in our test results,” says ĚÇĐÄVlog mattress expert Peter Zaluzny.

“We know they can help you sleep cool because we’ve measured them.”

However, there are still plenty that don’t deliver on their promise. Make sure you check our reviews before buying so you don’t get hot under the collar once you realise your mattress is warmer than advertised. 

We’ll talk you through what makes for a cool mattress, and for ĚÇĐÄVlog members, we’ll reveal the best mattresses to keep you cool at night. 

If you just want to see the best products, you can jump straight to the results now.

Why buy a cool mattress?

Just like being too cold at night, being too hot can also disturb your sleep. If you overheat, you’ll probably spend the night tossing and turning, and wake up feeling tired. 

While you can adjust your bedroom temperature and bed linen, sometimes that’s just not enough. Buying a mattress that helps keep your body temperature lower is another way you can tweak your sleeping environment to help you rest better. 

“Mattress manufacturers often make claims about the warming or cooling capabilities of their products, but our tests found that it can be just marketing speak,” says Peter. 

However, we’re now seeing mattresses that actually do deliver a cooler surface temperature. We don’t report on manufacturers’ marketing claims, just the actual data, so when we say a mattress is cool, you can be sure that it really is. 

What makes a mattress cool or warm?

Mattress manufacturers aren’t always forthcoming about how their mattresses deliver a cool night’s sleep, using vague terms like ‘cooling gel’ and references to air flow. So it can be hard for the average consumer to determine whether a ‘cool’ mattress will live up to the hype. 

Mattresses come in a range of different constructions and materials. Depending on who you speak to, you might be told that a latex mattress is best, or that a spring mattress will breathe better. 

When we test the coolness of each mattress, we find that cool mattresses come in a range of different configurations – latex, foam and spring mattresses alike can be measured as cool. So, unfortunately, buying based on the mattress construction alone won’t guarantee you a cooler sleep. 

But if you check our reviews before you buy you can make sure you’re buying a mattress that will actually help keep you cool. You can also sort by price, construction and tested firmness. 

What are the coolest mattresses from our tests?

We independently test and review dozens of new mattresses each year, and our experts know exactly what to look for to help you find the best product.

Our detailed mattress reviews include information about each model’s comfort over time, stabilisation, sweat absorption and more  – all important factors to consider when purchasing a mattress.

Only ĚÇĐÄVlog members can access our detailed mattress testing data. If you’re not yet a member, join ĚÇĐÄVlog to get instant access to all of our expert, independent reviews across a range of products and services, from fridges and vacuum cleaners to car, home and health insurance.

Or log in to unlock this article and find out which mattresses will help keep you cool at night. 

The post Best mattresses for hot sleepers appeared first on ĚÇĐÄVlog.

Some people think that shopping on a shoestring means settling for a mattress that’s wafer-thin, rock-hard or saggy, but our most recent mattress test well and truly debunks that myth.

“The results from our latest review are great news if you’re shopping for beds on a budget,” says ĚÇĐÄVlog mattress expert Peter Zaluzny.

“Three of the top-scoring mattresses cost less than $500, ranking higher than mattresses costing two to four times as much. Another one that cost less than $250 came in equal fifth, alongside much more expensive options.”

And for slightly larger budgets, the good news continues.

“Over half of mattresses recommended by our experts cost less than $1000 – a win for both your back and your bank balance,” Peter says.

We’ll talk you through how to get a good deal. Plus, exclusively for ĚÇĐÄVlog members, we’ll reveal the best affordable mattresses from our tests. 

If you just want to get straight to the best products, you can jump straight to the test results now.

How cheap is cheap?

When we choose which mattresses to test, we include products that fit the average consumer’s budget. Around two-thirds of the mattresses we test fall in the middle of this price spectrum – between $350 and $1500.

“We find that many models around this price point often strike a good balance between price, quality and performance,” says Peter.

“But we also test mattresses that cost more or less than this, to find top performing outliers, especially at the cheaper end.”

Looking to pay $300 or less?

While you can find some cheaper queen mattresses out there, you’re better off opting for a double if you’re really looking to save. We’ve tested a handful of mattresses in this size category that come in under $300 and some perform quite well. 

Aldi sells its popular ‘mattress in a box’ a couple of times each year, which costs about $250 for the queen-sized bed-in-a-box. But you will need to be patient and keep a close eye on Aldi Special Buys as the mattress comes and goes very quickly.

Sales periods like end-of-financial-year (EOFY), Boxing Day and Black Friday are great times to pick up mattresses on the cheap, with many brands and retailers offering significant discounts. If you can put off buying your new bed until sales season, you may find more options within your budget. 

Why do some mattresses cost more than others?

Our expert testing hasn’t found any clear-cut answer to this question. More expensive mattresses definitely don’t always perform better than cheaper models.

Generally speaking, factors that influence price may include what the mattress is made from, where it’s made and the quality of its materials. 

Our experts caution against being too influenced by clever marketing – what tends to show in our testing is that however many bells and whistles a mattress claims to have, it doesn’t always lead to better comfort and support. 

The best way to save money on a new mattress

Want to pick up a good deal? Then forget everything you know about pricing. 

While prices for many other products are set in stone, mattress prices can be taken with a grain of salt. 

“You should never pay full price for a mattress, unless it’s one of the cheapest models in our test” Peter says.

“ĚÇĐÄVlog has been buying mattresses for years for our tests and we’ve found many retailers have a lot of room to move when it comes to price. But very cheap ones, around $350 or less, rarely go on sale as they’re already pretty affordable.”

Don’t be afraid to haggle. While you probably can’t knock much more off an IKEA queen mattress that costs $349, it’s definitely possible to save hundreds elsewhere. 

“Online and instore sales are pretty frequent, so there’s really no reason to pay the recommended retail price for a mattress. If you’re confident and have done your research, you can usually shave a decent amount off the price tag. “

“Just ask them ‘what’s the best price you can do?’ and go from there.”

More tips for buying a mattress on a budget

• It’s sales season year-round these days, so if you’re eyeing a specific mattress but it’s just that bit too pricey, give it some time – if you’re patient you may snag a discount.
• Research, shop around and compare prices – it’s a competitive market. 
• Don’t just shop at traditional retailers or on the showroom floor. Consider buying a mattress-in-a-box – sometimes their prices can be cheaper because they don’t pay for overheads like showrooms or sales staff. And many mattress-in-a-box companies have generous trial periods too.
• Ask yourself whether you need to go large. If you’re buying for a spare room, a teenager or if you’re sleeping solo yourself, consider a double instead of a queen or king.
• Some retailers give discounts if you buy more than one mattress (maybe you could buy an extra for a guest room, or go in with a friend), or if you buy the mattress as part of a bedroom furniture package, or mattress-and-bed bundle deal.
• Check ĚÇĐÄVlog mattress reviews to see which cheap mattresses perform better in our testing.

How we test mattresses

We independently test and review dozens of mattresses each year in our accredited labs, and our experts know exactly what to look for to help you find the best product.

ĚÇĐÄVlog experts assessed 54 mattresses for our latest review, rating each one on factors such as firmness and how the comfort changes over time.

We also look at things such as how well they repel sweat, and how saggy or bouncy they are, to give each product a final ĚÇĐÄVlog Expert Rating (its overall score). Find out more about how we test mattresses. 

The good news is that our extensive expert testing shows you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to get a good mattress. In fact, many of the more expensive models are not necessarily worth forking out for. 

The best mattresses under $500

Our detailed mattress testing results are available exclusively to ĚÇĐÄVlog members. 

If you’re not yet a member, join ĚÇĐÄVlog to get instant access to all of our expert, independent reviews, from fridges and freezers, toasters and TVs, kettles and cots, and more.

Or log in to unlock this article and find out which budget-friendly mattresses are our experts’ top picks.

These five mattresses are all under $500 and all are recommended by our expert testers.

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With so many options, retailers and price tags to choose from, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. Should you buy one of those mattress in a boxes online, or head into a store? How do you know if you’re really going to like it when you get it into your bedroom? 

“There’s a huge range of products, price points, materials and features on offer, which can really make your head spin,” says ĚÇĐÄVlog mattress expert Peter Zaluzny.

“Given how important good sleep is to your health, it’s a decision you really want to get right.”

With so many brands and bed types on the market, Peter says it’s easy to make an error. So that you don’t experience mattress misery, here are the most common mistakes to avoid, plus Peter’s expert tips for finding the best mattress for your body and budget. 

1. Not testing a mattress properly instore

A mattress store salesperson told a ĚÇĐÄVlog staff member when they were looking to buy a new bed recently “some people spend hours testing mattresses in here”.

That may sound funny and awkward, but actually lying down on a mattress in a store is the best way to find out whether or not you’re going to be comfortable on it. 

“It’s really important to take your time and really give a mattress a proper test drive,” warns Peter. 

“Most people sleep seven to nine hours a night, so a few minutes in a shop won’t even come close to replicating this experience. Given mattresses are designed to last around eight years, lie down for as long as you need.”

He says it’s important to mimic exactly how you’d sleep at home. Lie down as you usually would, roll over and see how easily you can get in and out of bed (especially if you have limited mobility). Ask your partner to do the same beside you and see how much the mattress moves.

Also, check the bed base is similar to yours at home (for example, is it an ensemble or does it have slats), as this can affect how things feel.

If this all feels silly with the salesperson close by, ask them to leave for a bit so you can truly relax.

2. Shopping for a mattress when you’re tired

Like the sensible advice that tells you not to do your grocery shopping when you’re hungry, you should also avoid trying out mattresses when you’re feeling weary.

“All the mattresses will feel great if you’re already sleepy, so don’t try them out after a long day on your feet!” warns Peter.

If you’ve had a busy day or an interrupted sleep the night before, maybe skip the mattress shopping and choose a time to shop when you’re feeling brighter.

That mattress that felt great the day after a big night out might not feel so good when you aren’t so sleep-deprived!

3. Assuming more expensive is always better

The more you pay, the better the bed, right? Not so, says Peter, who’s quick to point out that spending more cash is never an automatic guarantee of a better night’s sleep.

“Our mattress testing regularly disproves the adage that you get what you pay for,” he explains. “In fact, some of the most expensive mattresses we reviewed – models that cost three to four grand – rated the lowest when it came to comfort and sagging, which is really alarming.”

The great news is ĚÇĐÄVlog testers also found much cheaper models that scored highly in our key tests, which means you can bag a better bed for far less. Find out which are the best mattresses on a budget.

4. Not checking the returns policy

If you get the mattress home and you have an issue with it, what then?

Take care before you buy – different companies have different rules on returning a mattress if it’s faulty or if you simply don’t like it after sleeping on it for a while.

It’s essential to check first or risk being stuck with a bed you don’t want.  

“It’s really important to understand a retailer’s returns policy before making a purchase,” says Peter.

“What are the conditions around refunds and exchanges? Is there a waiting period or additional fees? These are all questions you want to ask before doing a deal.” 

The same applies to shopping with online mattress-in-a-box retailers. In place of a showroom, most offer a “risk-free” trial period (that ranges between 30 and 120 days) and a refund if you’re not satisfied. Some will also send you extra removable foam layers to adjust the firmness during your trial. 

“The trial periods can be quite generous, but there are still some key questions to investigate before buying,” warns Peter. 

“Can you return it whenever or do you have to wait a certain amount of time? Do you have to pay for the mattress to be taken back? Most companies will pick it up for free, but some don’t, especially if you live in a regional area. 

“Be aware of all the fees you may be liable for if you want to return it after a ‘free’ trial period.”

5. Paying full price 

Let’s be honest – asking for a discount on any purchase can feel awkward and  nerve-wracking, but Peter says it’s definitely worth your while when it comes to mattresses.

“ĚÇĐÄVlog has been buying mattresses for years for our tests and we’ve found many retailers have a lot of room to move when it comes to price,” he explains.

“Sales are pretty frequent too, so there’s really no reason to pay the recommended retail price for a mattress.

“If you’re confident and have done your research, you can usually shave a decent amount off the price tag by haggling. Just ask them ‘what’s the best you can do?’ and start from there.”

Of course, bargaining is much easier to do instore than on the internet. Online retailers usually have more fixed prices and a limited range of mattresses, so discounts will be harder to negotiate.

They do have sales occasionally, though, so if you have your heart set on a model that’s only sold online, keep your eyes peeled. 

6. Ignoring brands you don’t know

When you’re spending a lot of money on a mattress, it’s tempting to play it safe and stick to the brands you know.

But with more mattress makers on the market than ever before, Peter says it’s worth keeping an open mind and exploring all your options – especially in light of some of the test results ĚÇĐÄVlog has seen recently. 

“In the last few years, we’ve seen an influx of new mattress-in-a-box products, as well as recently released house brands from retailers,” he explains. 

“In our latest tests, some of these lesser-known products rated very highly and even outperformed brands that have been around for ages and advertise a lot. Many of them cost less, too, which is great for shoppers.”

We found similar results when we surveyed consumers about their satisfaction with their mattress and their perception of its reliability, with some of the newer brands outperforming or matching more traditional options.

While relative late-comer Sleeping Duck earned a customer satisfaction score of 90%, the more established brand, Sealy, earned just 73%. The top scorer for reliability, Tempur, earned 93%, but the newer brand, Ecosa, wasn’t far behind with a score of 92%.

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We spend about a third of our lives in bed, so it’s essential to find the right mattress for the best night’s sleep. But be careful – buy a middling mattress, and it could turn into a nightmare. 

Choosing a mattress instore or online can be confusing and downright stressful, with so many types, builds, firmnesses, features and amazing “new technology” claims being touted. Not to mention prices soaring into the thousands of dollars for some models. It’s enough to warrant a serious lie-down!

To help you choose, ĚÇĐÄVlog has been testing popular mattresses for years – and no, it’s not just some lucky staff member sleeping on them all day. (We wish.)

Instead, our lab partners in Europe scientifically test the most important factors, including body support for petite and large builds, stability, sagging resistance, breathability and more. 

We’ve also looked at aspects relating to the sustainability and environmental impact of each mattress, including what materials it’s made from and how easy it is to clean and recycle. 

Members can view ratings for all these factors in our ‘Compare all’ table in our mattress reviews (though sustainability and environmental results don’t yet contribute to the overall performance scores).

Why we don’t test Emma mattresses

While Emma products have previously performed well in our testing, we no longer include them. 

In light of ongoing member complaints and , we’ve decided to remove Emma mattress reviews from our website. We may revisit this decision in the future. 

We remain committed to providing unbiased and impartial product reviews to our members and Australian consumers.

Six poor-performing mattresses to avoid

Here are six mattresses that did not perform well in our independent testing.

1. Original Mattress Factory Refresh

• ĚÇĐÄVlog Expert Rating: 62%
• Support when new: 54%
• Support after eight years: 62%
• RRP: $2798 (Queen)

This mattress, which came in last overall in our tests, is proof of the fact that you can’t always trust advertising.

It markets itself as a ‘firm’ mattress, but scored a low 56% for resistance to sagging, which doesn’t bode well for how long it would maintain its firmness.

To assess longevity, we measure height and firmness (among other things) straight out of the box when the mattress is new, then again after a test that simulates eight years of use to note any differences. Mattresses with a higher score show less sagging over time, while lower-scoring mattresses show increased sagging.

Original Mattress Factory also charges a fee for returns and exchanges – and this even applies during the 30-day trial period. These costs are on top of any shipping expenses you may incur to replace the mattress during the free trial period.

And while some brands will provide a free pick-up of the mattress you want to return, don’t expect such luxury with this product: the cost of a pick-up will come out of your own pocket.

On other criteria, such as stability, this mattress was on par with others reviewed by our testers, but did not perform noticeably well in any areas.

Read our full Original Mattress Factory Refresh review.

2. Sealy Exquisite Aspen Chalet

• ĚÇĐÄVlog Expert Rating: 65%
• Support when new: 52%
• Support after eight years: 88%
• RRP: $7599 (double)

With a recommended retail price of over $7500, this is the second most expensive mattress in our test. For the cost of this mattress you’d expect exquisite comfort and the best night’s sleep of your life.

But the price doesn’t reflect its performance, as it falls short of the cosy conditions implied in its name. A sleepy chalet this is not.

Most of the Exquisite Aspen Chalet’s test scores are pretty average, though stability is poor. This will likely lead to a pretty bouncy night’s sleep if you, or your partner, tend to toss and turn.

You have to wonder whether the sale price ($3799 at the time of writing) is a better reflection of its quality. But even then, almost $4000 is a lot of money for a mattress that’s so ordinary.

Read the full Sealy Exquisite Aspen Chalet review.

3. Slumberland Soho

• ĚÇĐÄVlog Expert Rating: 65%
• Support when new: 54%
• Support after eight years: 94%
• RRP: $579 (Double)

The Soho may be cheap, but it’s definitely not cheerful: you’ll wake up feeling grouchy after a night sleeping on it.

It’s uncomfortable from the get-go, and it’ll stay that way, even after 8 years’ use. At least it’s consistent, right?

What you’ll save in money you’ll lose in poor sleep: it scored just 12% for stability – the lowest of all the mattresses in our review. That means you’ll feel every single movement your partner makes while they’re asleep.

It’s also likely to sag over time, so you’ll be stuck with a bed that’s uncomfortable, saggy and bouncy. 

That’s not the kind of Slumberland that anyone would want to visit.

Read the full Slumberland Soho review.

4. Art & Science Somerset

• ĚÇĐÄVlog Expert Rating: 66%
• Support when new: 49%
• Support after eight years: 82%
• RRP: $1439 (double)

Art & Science is a bit of a mind-boggling brand. On the one hand, it’s made some good quality mattresses for the price, including one that’s among our top performers.

But for every winner, there’s another model that’s only OK.

The Somerset falls into the latter category, mainly because it’s not very comfortable from day one. These borderline results are far too low to recommend this mattress at any price.

Signs of sagging are pretty substantial as well. The Somerset will lose quite a bit of firmness over time.

In a way, you can always rely on Art & Science to be consistently inconsistent. Check out our test results for their models that we do recommend and avoid this new release.

Read the full Art & Science Somerset review.

5. Sealy Posturepedic Acclaim Alpine

• ĚÇĐÄVlog Expert Rating: 66%
• Support when new: 66%
• Support after eight years: 89%
• RRP: $3249 (double)

Mattresses are so overrated. Why sleep in a supportive bed when you can rest your weary head on the indoor equivalent of a bouncy castle? That sounds fun, right?

For the second time ever, we have a mattress with a stability score of zero. Just one other mattress has achieved this infamous accolade – Sealy’s Posturepedic Aspire Revive.

It takes a long time for the mattress to settle if you, or someone adjacent, moves around. Imagine being bounced about at two o’clock in the morning because your better half dared to roll onto their back.

Otherwise, the Acclaim Alpine is generally OK. Unfortunately, it’s got far too much spring in its step to guarantee a good rest, even for the most solid sleepers.

Read the full Sealy Posturepedic Acclaim Alpine review.

6. Suparest Affinity

• ĚÇĐÄVlog Expert Rating: 66%
• Support when new: 53%
• Support after eight years: 88%
• RRP: $599 (double)

You’re unlikely to get a super rest on this Suparest.

It’s uncomfortable, very bouncy and will soak up sweat over the years, leaving it smelly and damaged. (Not exactly a recipe for sweet dreams.)

Aside from the Soho above, it has the lowest stability score of the mattresses in our test, so you’ll be in your partner’s bad books if you’re a restless sleeper.

At 22kg it’s nice and lightweight, so it’ll be easier to make the bed – and to move it out of your room once you’re fed up with it.

While it’s affordable, there are plenty of other mattresses around this price and even cheaper that are far more comfortable – check our detailed mattress reviews to find the best for your budget.

Read the full Suparest Affinity review.

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Winter wearables such as battery-heated blankets and throws, hoodies, gloves, cushions and more are being spruiked as clever new ways to combat the cooler weather.

ĚÇĐÄVlog experts have tested several heated throws in our labs and we’ve already reviewed the Kmart wearable heated blanket (which, while warm, was far less portable than our tester expected). 

In our next quest for winter warmth, we decided to test-drive two products from Stoov that promise cosy comfort. The Dutch brand specialises in cordless, infrared-heated cushions, pads and blankets, and we were keen to find out whether their rechargeable hand warmers ($109) and heated cushion ($189) are red-hot winners or tepid flops.

Stoov rechargeable hand warmers review

ĚÇĐÄVlog staff member Melanie Stopic volunteered to review the Stoov rechargeable hand warmers. Costing a hefty $109, they come with three warmth settings up to 48°C, promise to last up to 10 hours and double as a device charger. 

Stoov pitches the product as being perfect for warming up your hands on hikes or “cold outdoor adventures”. The only issue? The included instructions clearly state they’re “intended for indoor use”, which is very confusing. Oops!

Thankfully, Mel was still prepared to give them a shot and get hands-on. 

“I’ve been told I have lizard blood,” says Mel. “I consider anything below 18°C as â€�freezing’, and in a Sydney winter, even when it’s 16°C in the middle of the day, you can find me wearing ski socks, thick pants, fleece jumpers and a jacket, beanie and gloves.

“So when I was asked if I wanted to try out some hand warmers, I was all for it.”

Mel’s review: How well do the Stoov hand warmers work?

“Out of the box, the slightly-squished-egg-shaped devices were charged and ready to use, which meant I didn’t have to wait before gaining their warmth. 

“The power button on the bottom is pretty obvious. Holding it down for a few seconds turns it on, and then pressing it again will change it to one of three levels of warmth. Indoors I found the highest setting too warm and the medium just right.  

“I used them for a few hours sitting on the lounge watching TV and scrolling on my laptop.

“While watching TV, they warmed my palms, but if I’d been really cold, I still would have been annoyed that the backs of my hands stayed cold.

“While trying to scroll on my laptop or answer emails, they were annoying, and in most cases I had to put them down in my lap while I typed. At one stage, my husband asked if they were hand warmers or breast warmers as I’d put them down on my chest while I logged into a site.  

“After 20 minutes, they’d automatically move to the low-heat setting and I’d have to turn them back up to medium. After one hour, they shut off altogether and I had to turn them back on again. While I see the benefit for safety, it was just annoying.”

Mel’s verdict: Are they worth the price?

“In most cold situations, like on my cold early morning drives or my bike ride to work, these hand warmers wouldn’t help much.

“The one place I did see some benefit was when I went to donate blood. I get bone-chillingly cold as I sit in the chair giving plasma, as I can’t put my needle arm under the blanket like the rest of me. I turned the hand warmer on and it was good at stopping my fingers from getting too cold.

“One handy bonus is the product can also be used as a charger. There’s a USB-C port on one of the devices, and a short USB-C to USB-C cord is provided. The second device attaches to the first through magnetic contact points for charging. However, charging is quite slow – it took half an hour to go from 36% to 58%, which didn’t impress me.  

“I reckon the novelty of these would wear off after the first few uses. While they have some usefulness as a slow portable charger, I think my normal gloves are going to be my go-to for keeping my hands warm while out and about.” 

Stoov Huddle heated cushion review

ĚÇĐÄVlog staff member Margaret Raffety volunteered to jump into the hot seat and test out the Stoov Huddle.

A regular user of hot water bottles, she was keen to try out the $189 rechargeable heated seat cushion and pad with removable inner filling and three temperature settings (35–40°C, 40–50°C, 58°C). 

Our cushion came in khaki, but it’s also available in midnight blue, ochre yellow and soft pink. It comes with a charging cable and assembly, and the operating instructions are pretty straightforward. 

Marg’s review: Does the Stoov Huddle work?

“Yes, insofar as it’s a cushion that gets warm, but I’m not convinced it’s terribly useful. 

“Admittedly, I had it on the lowest setting and perhaps I would have found it more effective at one of the warmer settings, but I found the plain old rug over my knees did more to keep me cosy than the cushion at my back. 

“It also didn’t seem to stay warm for very long, and while the company says it can keep you warm for hours, you’ll also see advice that this depends on the setting you use and the temperature of your surroundings, as it won’t stay warm for as long in colder conditions. 

“Stoov sells the product’s portability and versatility – you can use it as either a heating pad without the padded inserts or as a cushion. I found it worked well as a back support in my office chair, and I imagine it would be particularly useful if you suffered from any kind of back pain. 

“Perhaps most importantly, the household’s most discerning arbiter of warmth, my cat Luna, was unimpressed with the Huddle. When I switched it on and placed it on a nearby bed (even going so far as to place her on its surface), she rejected the Huddle in favour of my lap, an inconvenient choice since it made it harder to reach the keyboard.”

Marg’s verdict: Is it worth the price? 

“At $189, I’m not sure the Huddle heated cushion is great value. After all, I could buy 29 traditional hot water bottles for that, and not be left with e-waste to deal with when I no longer want it. 

“On the plus side, to use the Huddle I don’t need to boil the kettle or risk scalding myself. Stoov does emphasise the safety aspects of this product, so if that’s important to you, it could be worth considering. 

“It’s also contoured, unlike any hot water bottle I’ve tried, which made it very comfortable. It could also be good if you’re someone with an injury looking for something warm to hold against an aching back. 

“Living in a temperate climate, and with no injuries that might benefit from a warm cushion, I’ll stick to simply adding an extra layer of clothes or maybe a rug over my knees if I start to feel chilly, and leave the high-tech personal heating options for others.”

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ĚÇĐÄVlog people are famously fanatical about products – they either love them or hate them. And when it comes to heated throws, they are enthusiastically in favour. Especially considering that, as a cohort, we love saving a buck, heated throws are seen as a very cozy and cost-effective way to stay warm while working from home. 

Not satisfied with simply following blindly along with the crowd, I took it upon myself to be a trailblazer. Instead of doing the obvious thing and buying a stock standard heated blankie, I decided I could be a thought leader by buying myself an ultra-fashionable, wearable heated blanket instead.

Kmart is currently selling their trendy little number for just $49, complete with hood and a button up front. As I added it to my cart, I had visions of myself not only working in comfort and warmth but also smiling smugly from the sidelines of my son’s early morning soccer games and even styling out the blankie with some big boots to cut through the chill while waiting in the cold concrete school pickup area. 

How wrong I was.

First impressions

A few days after my impulsive purchase, the blankie showed up on my doorstep midway through my workday. Obviously I was excited to put it to use immediately, but I was soon to encounter a series of barriers.

Firstly, as a ĚÇĐÄVlog-er (read: dedicated rule follower and stickler for details) I took it upon myself to first read the extensive list of warnings outlined in the instructions. Nestled within this long list of no-nos was a warning not to ever use the product outdoors. Dreams of staying warm on the sidelines of soccer or at evening winter events went up in smoke. I began to question what the point of a wearable blanket is if you can’t actually wear it anywhere. 

This was a blow, but the biggest blow was yet to come, as I turned to the instructions for use.

Again, I had assumed a level of portability from a wearable product like this. What I did not realise is that this product only works when it’s plugged into the wall. 

Not only can it not be worn out and about, you can’t even walk around your own house while you’re “wearing” it.

To add insult to injury, the extremely short (1m long) cord provided is an old-style USB cord that does not include a wall adapter. 

So before I could even try the damn thing out, I had to unearth our “box of random cords and tech stuff” and search through other old, outdated technological items until I finally found an appropriate wall adapter.

Buoyed from this success, I donned the blankie, rushed to plug it in the power outlet next to my desk and attempted to take a seat in front of my laptop. I say attempted, because it immediately became clear that the cord was not long enough to allow me to both wear the blanket and sit comfortably at my desk. In order to try it out, I had to shimmy my chair closer to the wall and prop my laptop on my daughter’s high chair.

(For comparison, the length of the power cords of the heated throws in our review range from 2m at the shortest, up to 4m.)

It wasn’t exactly comfortable, but after rereading the extensive instruction manual I realised there was no warning against using this product with an extension cord, meaning I could potentially get it to reach my desk, if I could manage to rustle one up. 

But being the impatient person I am, I still decided to give it a test run while scooching my chair next to the wall. 

Is it any good?

First, the positives: as soon as I put the blanket on, it was undeniable that it was very warm, even before I plugged it into the wall.

On the down side, it didn’t really get much warmer when I plugged it in. When you first turn it on, the light goes green which, according to the instructions, indicates “warm-level” heating. Somewhat confusingly, “warm-level” is the lowest level of heating.

I say it’s confusing because the next level up is actually called “low-level” heating. From there, there are mid-level and high-level settings.

I didn’t notice a great deal of difference between the settings and the only place where I could feel actual electricity-powered heat seemed to be the top of my back.

I was fairly warm anyway though, simply because I was wearing a giant plush blanket. 

In terms of the “wearable” aspect, the poncho-style design was actually pretty comfy to wear while typing away at my laptop, and the hood really upped the warmth level, although there are no heating components in it,  so that effect could very much be replicated by buying an oodie – while deeply unfashionable, at least you can wear them out and about. 

Is it worth it?

Short answer, no. If you want to stay warm at home, I’d recommend buying a heated throw and simply wearing a hoodie or a beanie if you want your neck and head to stay warm too. Ironically, a heated throw with a long 4m cord (or even a 2m cord) would actually be a heck of a lot more portable than the Kmart wearable heated blanket. 

The only real benefit of this wearable blankie is how it drapes conveniently over your arms, so you don’t have to worry about it slipping off your shoulders like a blanket might. But considering the heating elements in the arms are barely even detectable, I really don’t consider this much of a benefit at all.

You could probably just wear one of Kmart’s knock off Oodies for $35 and get a fairly similar effect. Plus, you’d be able to stand up and walk to the kitchen without being leashed to your power outlet.

A caveat

One possibility has occurred to me: if you wanted to truly be able to wear this blanket around the house. You could, conceivably, plug the old school USB outlet into a portable power bank (one with an old-school USB outlet) and slip it into the pocket, allowing you to move around your house freely. But with the instructions pointedly telling you not to wear it outside, this is still a small consolation.

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Whether you’re looking for ways to save on your heating bill, or you just love the thought of jumping into a warm and toasty bed every evening, an electric blanket could be the answer. 

But, if this is your first foray into the cosy world of electric blankets, figuring out how much you need to spend to get the best blanket can quickly send you diving under the doona in frustration. The array of products and price tags varies wildly, and while you can pick up an electric blanket for as little as $55, other models stretch to over the $400 mark. 

ĚÇĐÄVlog staff and testers love to find a more affordable product that performs well, so we were keen to find out how the $79 Kmart Anko Electric Heated Topper rated against the Breville Bodyzone Antibacterial Fitted Heated Blanket, which is a pricey piece of bedding at $249.

We put both blankets to the test in our labs, looking at factors such as how fast they warm the bed, how safe and durable they are, and how easy they are to use and clean.

Our full reviews, including for all the products we tested from additional brands such as Sunbeam, Dreamaker and Dimplex, are available to ĚÇĐÄVlog members, but we’ve summarised some of our findings on the Kmart and Breville blankets below to help kick off your research. 

How did the blankets perform in our lab testing?

Breville sells a few different types of electric blanket in their Sleep Sound and BodyZone ranges. We have reviewed three of their latest products in the queen-sized versions – the Breville BodyZone Antibacterial Fitted Heated Blanket ($249), the Breville the Sleep Sound Fitted Electric Blanket ($160) and the Breville Sleep Sound Quilted Fitted Electric Blanket ($219) and they were all amongst our top performers. With prices ranging from $160–$249 however, they are also some of the more expensive options in our tests. 

If you can’t quite stretch to hundreds of dollars to keep your toes toasty in bed, you may be considering Kmart’s electric blankets which are the cheapest we looked at. We’ve reviewed two Kmart Anko products: the Kmart Anko Fitted Electric Blanket ($55) and the Kmart Anko Electric Heated Topper ($79).

They don’t score as highly in our performance test as the Breville products. They take longer to warm to 40°C than the more expensive models, and have fewer heat settings and no timer, however if you’re just after a cosy bed, they give good performance for a significantly lower price tag.

At-home trial of a Breville Bodyzone electric blanket 

As well as putting a range of electric blankets to test in our labs, ĚÇĐÄVlog expert, Adrian Lini trialled an earlier model of the Breville Bodyzone blanket (older than the one we have in our current review) at home on his own bed, and said that the range of variable heat settings and the timer are useful features.

“Not surprisingly, it’s incredibly comfortable jumping into a nice warm bed before going to sleep. And the higher settings can also feel quite nice for a short time on your back or stomach if you’ve got sore muscles or joints,” he said.

“Compared to an electric heater in the bedroom while you sleep, the electric blanket is faster and more direct. It’s also cheaper to run since it’s often only on for a short time and, unlike an electric heater, it doesn’t dry out the air in the room.

“The more expensive blankets usually also have a timer, which lets you decide when the blanket will turn off, and the Breville Bodyzone options range from 1–9 hours. This makes it easy to turn it on and drift off to sleep knowing that the blanket will turn off automatically soon after.”

Adrian did note some downsides to the exxy blanket, questioning whether the BodyZone feature that allows you to adjust the temperature for your upper and lower body is really worth paying more money for.

“I didn’t use any of the BodyZone features – I just set both the feet and the body to the same temperature. My girlfriend does enjoy the BodyZone changes though and will sometimes set the feet section to be warmer. Unless these features are really important to you, though, I wouldn’t spend extra money to get them.” 

“The cables are also quite big and can make the area around the bed look messy and make it more awkward when vacuuming. But this would apply to many electric blankets and not just this one.”

Find out how the Breville BodyZone Antibacterial Fitted Heated Blanket performed in rigorous testing in the ĚÇĐÄVlog small appliance labs.

The $79 Kmart Anko Electric Heated Topper

Another ĚÇĐÄVlog staff member tested the Kmart Anko Electric Heated Topper on their own bed at home and said: “With our heating bills steadily creeping higher, it’s becoming an expensive exercise to leave our heaters on overnight, so I was very keen to give an electric blanket a go as a cheaper way to stay warm.

ĚÇĐÄVlog testers measure how much each electric blanket will cost you to run every night over winter on its lowest setting and this Kmart blanket will cost just $12 to operate.

“I don’t love the idea of dropping a few hundred dollars on another blanket, as my linen sheets are expensive enough as it is. So I was keen to find out if the cheaper Kmart blanket did the job.”

“It’s obviously a basic blanket – it has two controls for each side of the bed and three heat settings, but no timer or variable body zones like the fancier Breville blanket.

“One of the key selling points for me is the removable top cover, which will make it easier to clean. 

“A downside is that it doesn’t have a timer, so there have been a couple of occasions when I’ve gone to sleep with the heat turned up high and forgotten to turn it off, resulting in a rude, sweaty awakening a short time later.

“You can feel some of the wires through the blanket but when we have thick flannelette sheets on the bed it’s still pretty cushy. The tangle of cords that have now appeared beside our bed aren’t exactly aesthetically pleasing but it’s a price I’m willing to pay. 

“I’m not a fan of buying cheap products that won’t last, and of course I have no idea how long the lifetime of this blanket will be – and the controls and buttons do feel quite light and flimsy compared to the controls of other blankets we looked at.

“Plus, there’re no raised buttons or satisfying ‘click’ to help you if you’re changing settings blind in the middle of the night – something I’ve noticed you get on pricier blankets. 

“But, the removable cover is a big plus and it certainly does the job, so for under $100, I’d say it’s a good buy that’ll keep you cosy and help you save on heating bills.”

Find out how the $75 Kmart Anko Electric Heated Topper performed in rigorous testing in the ĚÇĐÄVlog small appliance labs.

Cheap vs expensive: Are budget electric blankets just as good?

As we always say at ĚÇĐÄVlog, price isn’t necessarily an indicator of performance, and when considering which electric blanket is best, it’s a good idea to look beyond the price tag and consider the features that are really important to you (as well as how well the product performed in ĚÇĐÄVlog testing). 

In this instance, the Kmart and Breville blankets both do the job they promise. Our lab testing showed that the Kmart takes a little more time to get there, taking 8 minutes to heat up to 40 degrees as opposed to the Breville which gets there in 4 minutes.

But as long as you remember to switch it on before you go to bed, 8 minutes isn’t exactly a long time to wait. The other features that contribute to the Breville blanket’s high price tag are things such as the timer, a greater range of heat settings, and customisable heat zones.

Many of these features will be found only on the more expensive blankets, while handy features such as a removable topper for ease of cleaning may just as likely be found on cheaper blankets like the Anko option. 

Top tips for finding the electric blanket of your dreams

If you just want the cheapest electric blanket that does the job, here are the features to look for, according to our expert tester Adrian.

A removable topper that can be easily cleaned and protects the wired blanket is extremely useful. The topper also makes the wires and cables less noticeable when lying on the bed. 

High wattage allows the blanket to heat up quicker and reach a higher top temperature. However, more wattage equals more energy use.

A timer lets you decide when the blanket will turn off, usually with options ranging from 1–9 hours. This makes it easy to turn it on and drift off to sleep knowing that the blanket will turn off automatically soon after.

Out-of-way cable placement helps you feel more comfortable, not like you’re laying on an extension cable as you sleep. A blanket where the cable connection is closest to the top edge and hides under the pillow, or even its own topper, is preferred. This makes it feel as though you’re just sleeping on a standard sheet.

The post Kmart vs Breville electric blankets – how do they compare? appeared first on ĚÇĐÄVlog.

Brands like Sunbeam, Breville, Jason and Kmart have released electric throw blankets onto the market and ĚÇĐÄVlog experts have put them to the test in our labs, checking for safety, durability, pre-heat performance and ease of use, in a similar way to how we test electric blankets.

Our results can help you decide if it’s worth racing to the store to buy one.

On this page:

• What is a heated throw blanket?
• A cost effective way to stay warm
• Do heated throw blankets really work?
• What are some useful features to look for?
• Are electric heated throws and blankets safe?
• Heated throw vs hot water bottle
• Should you buy a heated throw blanket?

What is a heated throw blanket?

As the name suggests, a heated throw blanket is a type of heated blanket. It has built-in heating elements, and once it’s plugged into an electrical socket, the elements heat up the blanket to keep you nice and warm.

Unlike electric blankets, which are designed to warm your bed, an electric throw is portable (although its range depends on the power cord length) and can be used throughout the day. So whether you’re working from home or lounging around on the couch, you can keep warm without necessarily having to heat the whole room.

This year we’re even seeing the release of wearable heated blankets. These products come with hoods or fasteners to make them easier to wear, with some looking similar to the famous oodie. Kmart is selling one for $49 which comes with a removable hood, four heat settings and an auto-off feature after 45 minutes. ĚÇĐÄVlog content editor, Grace Smith recently put it to the test at home – stay tuned to see what she thought about it. 

A cost effective way to stay warm

Who needs an electric heater running non-stop when you can cosy up under a heated throw blanket? The electric heaters we’ve tested range in price from $39 to $1199. By comparison, the blankets in our latest review range in price from $35 (for the Anko Heated Throw available from Kmart and Target) to $199 for the Sunbeam Feel Perfect Heated Throw Blanket and can be a cost-effective way to keep warm during winter for many reasons.

A heated throw is portable and can be used where you are, whether it be on the couch or at the table (providing you have a power source nearby), and can save you from heating the whole house. They use significantly less energy than other heating appliances and can reduce your overall energy consumption during winter. With rising electricity costs, a cost-effective heating solution is a welcome addition to many households.

The heated throw blankets we tested will cost you only $12 to $18 in running costs if you use them quite frequently during the chilly season. They can keep you warm while you’re awake and then you can slip into bed and stay warm with an electric blanket at night for a 24-hour, cost-effective heating solution. While we measure running costs for electric blankets differently (and they’re not really comparable, seeing as you generally use them overnight, not during the day), the models we tested can cost you up to $50 for the whole winter if you were to use one on low for eight hours each night.

By comparison, when we tested electric heaters and measured their running costs, we calculated that they can cost you anywhere from $188 to $491 in electricity costs to run throughout winter.

“If you want to save on your power bills, a heated throw can be a worthwhile investment,” says our lab expert Matthew Tung.

Do heated throw blankets really work?

Much like an electric blanket for your bed, a heated throw isn’t complicated to use. Simply connect it to your wall power socket, get comfortable and wait to feel nice and warm.

The blankets we tested are quick to heat up and most were able to reach 40 degrees in two to three minutes. The slowest took 12 minutes to reach 40 degrees.

What are some useful features to look for?

All the blankets we tested come with an auto-off feature and light up controls, as well as removable controls for cleaning. Other useful features include: 

Heat settings: All models we tested had a number of heat settings, so you can adjust the temperature to suit your needs. Even the cheapest model we tested had nine settings to choose from.

Timer: This allows you to automatically set the blanket to turn off after a certain amount of time. Most of the blankets we tested had various timer settings.

Cord length: Consider where you’ll likely be sitting when you’re using the blanket and whether you have a power outlet nearby. Our experts measure the length of the power cord to help you determine if it will be long enough for your needs. The models we tested range in length from 2.5 to 4 metres in length.

Are electric heated throws and blankets safe?

Our testing showed that heated throw blankets are safe and the models we reviewed passed our durability tests too. However, there’s always a risk when electricity is involved, and accidents can happen.

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use, don’t plug the heated throw into a power board or extension cord, and don’t let young children use them. If you find any issues with the electrical cord, controls, or wiring in the blanket, stop using it immediately.

Are they easy to clean?

Our ease of use score takes into consideration how easy the blankets are to clean. First we check if the controller is removable and how easy it is to remove. Then we check if the blanket must be hand washed or if it can be put in the washing machine and whether it can be put in the dryer or needs to be line dried.

Only a couple of the heated throws we tested can be cleaned in the washing machine and most need to be line dried, so check the instructions before cleaning them.

Heated throw vs hot water bottle

Hot water bottles are a cheap way to warm up in winter. You can pick one up with a plush cover from places like Kmart for as little as $10. But do they work? And how do they compare to a heated throw blanket?

Cost: A hot water bottle is cheap to buy, and other than the tiny cost of the hot water used to fill it, doesn’t cost anything to run.

Heating: Hot water bottles heat up immediately after you add the hot water, whereas you’ll have to wait a few minutes for a heated throw. However, heated throws have setting controls to adjust the heat and offer continuous heating, whereas a hot water bottle will gradually lose heat.

Matthew tested a hot water bottle alongside the heated throws. After adding water at roughly 50°C, the surface temperature of the hot water bottle was about 30°C. After two hours the surface temperature was 27°C.

Portability: A heated throw blanket requires a power source whereas a hot water bottle doesn’t and is extremely portable.

Ease of use: Heated throw blankets can be time consuming to clean but are relatively easy to use – simply plug in and select the heat setting. On the other hand, hot water bottles can be tricky to fill and care needs to be taken to avoid spills and burns. If you’re using a cover, it’ll need to be on the bottle when it’s being filled, which means it may get wet in the process which can be annoying. Instructions warn users not to use boiling water when filling a hot water bottle.

Should you buy a heated throw blanket?

If you’re looking for a safe and cost-effective way to stay warm during winter, then a heated throw blanket might be just the ticket.

If you spend long periods of time sitting, whether it be watching TV, reading a book or working from home, a heated blanket can be a cosy companion when days are cold.

“Provided you have a power source nearby, heated electric blankets are quick to heat up and have simple but useful features to keep you warm,” says Matthew.

The post Heated throw blankets: What are they and should you buy one? appeared first on ĚÇĐÄVlog.