Need a new mattress? Aldi is selling its bargain mattress-in-a-box range on Saturday 7th March as part of its Special Buys sale.

The prices are $149 for a single mattress, $179 for a king single, $199 for a double, $239 for a queen and $279 for a king. Both the double and queen mattresses are priced $20 lower than they were when the mattresses last went on sale in July 2025, and there is a king mattress on offer this time. The low prices are certainly enticing, especially when you consider that prices for mattresses from other brands can stretch into the thousands.Ìý

ÌÇÐÄVlog hasn’t reviewed these particular mattresses yet. But while we can’t weigh in with specific Aldi mattress results, we have been testing and rating mattresses for years, so our experts have a pretty good idea of what to look for. Our most recent mattress review includes our expert round-up of 55 mattresses, including 23 mattress-in-a-box models.

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

Mattress-in-a-box mattresses: What you should know

Mattress-in-a-box mattresses 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 retail prices 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 we review range in price from $349 to $1895 for a queen size).

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 18 mattresses we currently recommend, seven are from bricks-and-mortar retailers and 11 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 Sleeping Duck, Koala and Ecosa.

“This is great news for consumers,” says ÌÇÐÄVlog mattress expert Peter Zaluzny. “There’s a range of ÌÇÐÄVlog Recommended options of various types, materials, and builds such as foam or spring, 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.”

Returning the Aldi mattress to store if you aren’t satisfied with it will be much more difficult, however (more on this below).Ìý

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.  

“A couple of traditional mattress retailers with bricks-and-mortar stores have jumped on the bed-in-a-box market,” says Peter. 

“For example, Snooze sells a small selection of Bedgear models in a box and Ikea has rolled mattresses that you can buy instore (alongside regular mattresses that aren’t vacuum packed). These are similar to mattress-in-a-box except they’re rolled up and vacuum sealed.”

The online retailer advantage

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

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

So how does Aldi’s bed-in-a-box compare with those we’ve tested?

We are currently testing an Aldi queen mattress and will be revealing the results as soon as they are available. In the meantime, we asked several ÌÇÐÄVlog staff who have purchased Aldi bed-in-a-box mattresses in the past what they thought of them – you can see their feedback below.

And here’s our feedback based on our expertise in these types of mattresses: 

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’s much more affordable than the 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.Ìý

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-year 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 ÌÇÐÄVlog staff say

Although this product hasn’t been formally reviewed by ÌÇÐÄVlog yet (although testing is currently underway), we spoke to two of our staff who bought the Aldi 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.” 

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The post Is Aldi’s mattress-in-a-box worth buying? appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

We spend about a third of our lives in bed, so it’s vital 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, ÌÇÐÄVlog 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 comfort for both male and female body types, stabilisation, sagging over time, sweat resistance 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 don’t include them anymore. 

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 didn’t perform well in our independent testing.

1. Original Mattress Factory Refresh

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 62%
• Comfort score when new: 54%
• Comfort score after eight years: 62%
• RRP: $2498 (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 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 stabilisation, 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. Slumberland Soho

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 65%
• Comfort score when new: 54%
• Comfort score 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 stabilisation – the lowest of all the mattresses in our review. That means you’ll feel every single movement your partner makes while they’re asleep, so if they’re tossing and turning, you will be too.

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.

3. Suparest Affinity

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 66%
• Comfort score when new: 53%
• Comfort score 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 stabilisation 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.

4. Clark Rubber Comfort Deluxe (100mm)

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 67%
• Comfort score when new: 50%
• Comfort score after eight years: 84%
• Price: $365 (Queen)

Clark Rubber may be overselling this mattress a touch, because it’s not very comfortable or particularly deluxe. That’s not totally surprising given that it’s really nothing more than a 10cm chunk of foam, but its name is the least of its problems.

For starters, the advertising is pretty muddled. On the one hand, Clark Rubber suggests that it’s best for occasional spare bed situations like “sleepovers [and] surprise guests”, which is fair. But the blurb goes on to say that it’s “an excellent choice for your more frequent overnight visitors”.

Occasional use may be fine, but based on our test results, this mattress is likely to dissuade guests from wanting to sleep over too frequently.

Comfort is the key issue. Our experts could feel the foundations (e.g. bed base, slats or the floor) through the mattress during our tests. And side sleepers will probably be particularly unimpressed, because this mattress provides very little lateral (a fancy word for side) support.

Overall performance is pretty middling too. It’s prone to sagging, it’s not very stable and though it’s pretty good at repelling sweat, it’s far from the best performer in this part of our test. The low price tag may be appealing, but we’ve tested much better mattresses that don’t cost much more.

Read our full Clark Rubber Comfort Deluxe (100mm) review.

5. Ikea Abygda

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 67%
• Comfort score when new: 65%
• Comfort score after eight years: 78%
• Price: $699 (Queen)

There are quite a few good mattresses at Ikea, but this is not one of them. Its ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating of 67% isn’t terrible, but we’ve tested a lot of Ikea mattresses over the years and not only do most earn higher scores, some are also much cheaper.

Stabilisation results are poor, so you might get bounced around in the night if you share a bed with a restless sleeper. It also holds onto a lot of sweat, which isn’t great if you run hot or live in a warmer climate.

Other performance results are fairly middle of the road, which wouldn’t be so bad if the Abygda was a bit cheaper. But it’s hard to give it a glowing review when the higher-scoring ³Õ²¹±ô±ð±¹Ã¥²µ mattress costs just $399, and when virtually every other cheaper mattress in our review performs better for less money.

Ignore the Abygda and spend your extra money on meatballs.

Read our full Ikea Abygda review.

6. Sealy Posturepedic Crown Jewels Reims Flex

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 67%
• Comfort score when new: 59%
• Comfort score after eight years: 80%
• RRP: $8399 (double)

Another poorly-named mattress, the Crown Jewels Reims Flex is definitely not fit for a king.

It’s the most expensive mattress in our review by almost $3000. But while it might be priced for those on a royal budget, we managed to get it at half the RRP – and even then it’s well and truly overpriced.

None of its test scores are terrible per se; they’re just not great. For the cost of this mattress you’d expect superior comfort and the best night’s sleep of your life, but you won’t get it.

If you have this kind of money to spend on your bedroom, you could buy a mattress that’s recommended by our experts – none of which cost more than $2000 – and spend the rest on some new furniture.

Read the full Sealy Posturepedic Crown Jewels Reims Flex review.

The post The mattresses to avoid buying appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

On this page:

• Are Ikea mattresses worth it? The ÌÇÐÄVlog verdict
• What to know before buying a mattress from Ikea
• How we choose which Ikea mattresses to test
• The Ikea mattress to avoid
• How to interpret our test results
• The best scoring Ikea mattresses from our tests

Perhaps because it’s known for its cheap prices, many of us wouldn’t consider shopping at Ikea if we’re looking for a quality mattress.Ìý

Ikea mattresses tend to be among the more affordable options in our mattress test, with seven queen- or double-sized models that all cost under $1400, in our test alone.

But since our testing regularly reveals that cheaper products often match or outperform more expensive ones, it raises the question: should Ikea be at the top of your list for mattress shopping?

We’ll talk you through all things Ikea mattresses, plus, for ÌÇÐÄVlog members, we’ll reveal which ones are our top picks.Ìý

Are Ikea mattresses worth it? The ÌÇÐÄVlog verdict

Ikea mattresses are definitely worth considering – some more than others. Just make sure you’re buying the best that the Swedish retailer has to offer.Ìý

“Ikea typically makes middle-of-the-road mattresses – most aren’t the best on the market, but some do rank among our top performers. The rest aren’t bad for the price though, so depending on what you’re looking for, an Ikea mattress can be a solid choice,” says ÌÇÐÄVlog mattress expert Peter Zaluzny.Ìý

“But for some of the more expensive Ikea mattresses, you can probably find a better product for the same price from a different brand.”

What to know before buying a mattress from Ikea

Here are some of the things you’ll need to keep in mind if you’re thinking of buying a mattress from Ikea.Ìý

Trial period and guarantee

If you’re lucky enough to be getting in eight hours’ sleep every night, then you’ll spend around a third of your life in bed – so finding your perfect mattress match will make a huge difference to your wellbeing.Ìý

But lying on a mattress for two minutes while a sales assistant hovers nearby won’t exactly give you the best idea of how you’ll feel about it night after night.Ìý

In recognition of this, many mattress retailers now offer trial periods so you can make sure you’re in love with your new mattress before you commit to it for the next 10 years or so of your life. And Ikea’s trial period is incredibly generous: 365 days. They also offer a solid warranty period.

“Ikea’s trial period of a year is over three times longer than Koala’s or Sleeping Duck’s. Plus, their guarantee for many mattresses lasts for 10–25 years,” says Peter.Ìý

But if you do decide to exchange your mattress, there are a few things you need to know.

• Ikea doesn’t have free delivery, and they don’t pick up if you want to exchange it.Ìý
• You can’t get a refund during the trial period. You can only exchange your mattress for another Ikea model.
• You’re only eligible for one exchange under the trial period (so choose wisely).

Instore shopping

In an era of online bed-in-a-box shopping, there’s still something appealing about trying out a mattress before you buy one.

“The benefit of buying from a bricks-and-mortar store like Ikea is that it’s easy to try each mattress instore before entering the free trial period. Plus, they have quite a few models to choose from,” says Peter.

Of course, the drawback is that there are limited Ikea stores across the country and, if you do have one near you, it’s like going into a maze-like layout from which you may never return.

Not to mention the tendency to go wild buying all the things because they’re so cheap. So, perhaps you should factor the time and extra money into your mattress shopping budget!

Getting it home

If you already know what you want and you’re trying to avoid the Ikea maze and associated shopping spree, you can order through the Ikea website, either for delivery (for a fee) or for click and collect from the store, which is free.

While these options are all helpful if you live in an urban area, your Ikea mattress could end up costing you considerably more if you live outside a major city. For a rural area, for instance, you might have to pay up to $399 for delivery! That’s a substantial cost increase to factor in.

Note: We used a Broken Hill address for this example. We also checked delivery to Townsville, which was quoted at $199. For delivery from Sydney’s Tempe store to a Sydney metro address, we were quoted $39 for delivery of a queen mattress to the door but $49 if we wanted the delivery person to bring the mattress into our home into a room of our choice.Ìý

Getting rid of your old mattress

Ikea has partnered with  to provide a . Collection costs range from $52–$80 per mattress, depending on your location. You can book a collection from IKEA while purchasing a new mattress, or via Soft Landing at any time.

However, like delivery, these services may not be available in your area, or they could be prohibitively expensive.Ìý

How we choose which Ikea mattresses to test

With a vast array of mattresses available on the market, we have to be selective about what we test so that we can provide the most useful information to the largest number of people.Ìý

So, based on feedback from members, we test firm mattresses where available, and we buy double- or queen-sized mattresses as that’s what most people shop for. These are the currently available models in our test:

• Ǻ²ú²â²µ»å²¹
• Ã…°ì°ù±ð³ó²¹³¾²Ô
• Ã…²Ô²Ô±ð±ô²¹²Ô»å
• ³Õ²¹±ô±ð±¹Ã¥²µ
• ³Õ²¹³Ù²Ô±ð²õ³Ù°ùö³¾
• Vesteroy
• Vestmarka

The Ikea mattress to avoid

In previous years, Ikea’s HokkÃ¥sen mattress was routinely on our list of mattresses to avoid, scoring just 61%. However, Ikea has since discontinued this particular mattress.Ìý

Now the title of the lowest scoring Ikea mattress has been passed onto Ǻ²ú²â²µ»å²¹. With a score of 67%, it’s definitely ahead of the HokkÃ¥sen, but at $699 it’s still not a great buy.Ìý

How to interpret our test results

Because we’re a diligent bunch here at ÌÇÐÄVlog, you’ll note that there are many, many scores in our mattress reviews – even more than in our other reviews, which are already very detailed.Ìý

That’s because buying a mattress can be complicated. And since we spend a third of our lives in bed, it’s especially important to make the right choice.Ìý

Here’s what we test for and how much each component contributes to the overall score:

• comfort score when mattress is brand new (30%)
• comfort retention score after eight years* (30%)
• stabilisation (15%)
• sagging (10%)
• sweat repellent (10%)
• usage wear/damage (5%).

*The comfort retention score is a measure of how much the mattress’s comfort has changed after eight years’ use. We assess this by rolling a cask-shaped roller over each mattress for 30,000 cycles to simulate approximately eight years of use. The higher the score, the closer the mattress will feel to how it did when it was brand new.Ìý

What does it all mean?

So you don’t become overwhelmed by all the numbers, here’s what to make of them.Ìý

Because all bodies are different, the perfect cloud-like mattress for one person can feel like a bed of nails for another. While we stand by our comfort scores for unused mattresses, you should find something that’s comfortable for you.Ìý

What matters most here is how the mattress fares after eight years’ use – if it’s comfortable for you from day one, then a mattress that scores highly on this test will still be comfortable for you eight years later.

“You also want to look out for a stable mattress, especially if you share a bed with someone,” says Peter.Ìý

“This is basically a bounce test that looks at how movement affects the other sleeper. If you roll over in the night and that makes the other person bounce, then the bed isn’t stable. The higher the score in this test, the more stable the mattress. We consider four to five bounces to be an acceptable amount.”

Want to know more? Here’s extra info about how we test mattresses.

The best scoring Ikea mattresses from our tests

Here are the Ikea mattresses we’ve tested, ranked from best to worst.Ìý

Only ÌÇÐÄVlog members can access our detailed mattress testing data. If you’re not yet a member, join ÌÇÐÄVlog to get instant access to all of our expert, independent reviews, from fridges and washing machines through to TVs, health insurance and more.

Or log in to unlock this article and find out which Ikea mattresses will give you the best night’s sleep.

The post Should you buy an Ikea mattress? appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

On this page:

• How often should you clean your mattress?
• How to clean a mattress – what you need
• How to give your mattress a regular clean
• How to clean light to moderate mattress stains
• How to remove urine, vomit and blood stains from your mattress
• Do you need to flip or rotate your mattress to keep it clean?
• Should you put your mattress on the floor?

Did you know that the average lifespan of a mattress is eight to ten years? That’s over 3000 nights’ worth of hair, skin and other bodily things building up on top of, and inside, the mattress. You may remember to shower every day, but when was the last time you gave your mattress a good clean?

An occasional scrub with typical household items will extend the longevity of your mattress and remove unpleasant odours. Deeper cleans can help deal with stains that have developed over time.

In this article, we take you through the best methods for cleaning your mattress, look at how often you need to do it, plus some other tips for keeping it in tip-top shape.

How often should you clean your mattress?

Mattresses need to be cleaned twice a year, regardless of the material. A thorough clean can take up to 24 hours and the mattress can also benefit from some time in the sun. So, check the weather forecast, try to do the job on a warm sunny day, and make sure you have another place to sleep that night.

To keep your mattress at its best, try to remove liquids, dirt, grime and bodily fluids as quickly as possible – your chances of completely removing the stain decrease the longer you put it off.

How to clean a mattress – what you need

These are the regular household or over-the-counter items you may need to clean your mattress. The best product for the job largely depends on whether the mattress just needs a little tidy or if there are significant stains to deal with.

Pet owners, keep your four-legged and feathered friends away from the mattress during this process. The last thing you want is a fresh layer of fur on your nicely cleaned bed.

How to give your mattress a regular clean

Simple cleaning only requires a washing machine, vacuum cleaner, bicarbonate soda and the sun – though you can skip the sunlight exposure if it’s overcast. Take the opportunity to air out your pillow as well.

1. Wash the bed linen

Even though you’re probably washing your doona cover, fitted sheets and pillow slips on a regular basis, it’s easy to forget about the topper/protector or cover if you have a foam mattress. Before you start, strip the bed and wash your sheets, along with any mattress toppers or protectors you have on the bed.

2. Vacuum the mattress surface

Pop on your vacuum cleaner’s upholstery attachment, switch it to the relevant cleaning mode (models vary) and vacuum the top and sides of the mattress. If your bed is on a base, tilt it to the side and clean in there too. This will help get rid of any dust mites.

Use the nozzle fitting on your vacuum if your mattress has a thick pillow top or pattern with lots of grooves and indentations. The upholstery attachment can’t get into all those nooks and crannies effectively.

Avoid the regular turbo head that’s used to clean your carpet. It isn’t very effective on upholstery and may damage the mattress.

3. Deodorise the mattress

This will help clear up any odours. You’d be amazed by how much stink is absorbed, especially during a particularly sweaty summer.

First, move the mattress outside into direct sunlight to take advantage of those sweet UV rays. Leave it there for a few hours, because the UV can help sanitise your mattress, not unlike hanging clothes on the line.

Using the sun isn’t essential and may not be an option depending on your living situation. But if you have enough room on your balcony or in the yard, it’s well worth doing. Just keep an eye out for bad weather or animals that might feel like a nap.

You could also try moving the mattress next to a large window that lets in lots of natural light, though this method won’t be nearly as effective. Windows are designed to partially filter out UV rays – which is why you don’t cop sunburn sitting on the couch in the middle of the day.

Now move it back into the bedroom and sprinkle a hefty helping of bicarbonate soda across the surface. Leave it to rest for 24 hours so the bicarb can do its thing.

4. Vacuum the mattress again

Vacuum the mattress one more time to suck up the bicarb and any latent fuzz that may have floated in. Then pop your freshly washed mattress protector and sheets back on.

How to clean light to moderate mattress stains

Drool, sweat, food and gunk from dirty or muddy clothes, tend to be the main culprits behind light to moderate stains. You can sort these types of stains out with one of these cleaners that are likely already in your home:

• A small squirt of mild dishwashing liquid diluted in one cup of water.
• Distilled white vinegar diluted with equal parts water.
• Upholstery or enzyme cleaners.

It’s best to clean the affected area as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to lift the stains and they may become permanent.

Spray or dab a small amount of cleaner directly onto the stain then gently blot the liquid away from the mattress. Repeat this step until the stain lifts and then begin again on the next stain.

It’s important to keep the mattress as dry as possible, especially foam mattresses. Don’t force liquids into the material and don’t let the moisture linger. If the stain won’t lift, try a different cleaner or move onto one of the more heavy-duty options below.

How to remove urine, vomit and blood stains from your mattress

These fluids require a bit more attention as they become quite unhygienic if left unattended (and they can also smell awful). You need to deal with these stains immediately because the more they linger, the greater the risk of bacteria and unwelcome smells sticking around.

First, grab a bucket, towel and a pair of gloves and gently scoop up any excess fluid, solids and so on. Soak up the remaining liquid with the towel without using too much force as this will just push the liquids deeper into the mattress.

Now it’s time to clean. Start by trying the household items above. If they don’t work, combine small amount of dishwashing liquid and a few drops of vinegar with a cup of water, dampen a cloth and gently blot the area.

When you’re done, dampen a fresh cloth with clean water and gently flush the area then apply bicarb soda and leave it to rest.

If the stain doesn’t lift, mix bicarb and cold water into a paste, apply it to the affected areas and leave for 30 minutes. Remove the paste with a damp cloth and repeat this step a few times for very stubborn stains.

Hydrogen peroxide is another popular option for removing heavy stains (particularly blood) but it can cause damage to the mattress if applied improperly. A 3% 10vol solution is ideal and you can buy it over the counter from supermarkets and pharmacies.

To use peroxide, apply a small amount to the stain, let it bubble away for a bit then remove it with a lightly damp cloth. You’ll likely need to repeat this step a few times.

Do you need to flip or rotate your mattress to keep it clean?

Most manufacturers agree that you should rotate your mattress at least every three to six months for spring (coil and pocket) mattresses, and every six months for foam, memory foam, hybrid and latex mattresses.

This extends the life of the mattress as it evens out wear and tear. It can also help keep your body aligned while you sleep as it stops a single sagging point from forming over time.

But flipping? That’s become a thing of the past. Pretty well all modern mattresses have a distinct top and bottom, with a pillowtop on one side and other layers specifically designed for base support.

Foam, spring, hybrid and latex mattresses with a pillowtop don’t need to be flipped. However, there are still some that don’t use a pillowtop, like some mattress-in-a-box models, and these may benefit from being turned over. If you’re unsure, check the manufacturer’s website.

Should you put your mattress on the floor?

As far as sleep quality is concerned, putting your mattress on the floor is unlikely to cause you any physical problems unless you have pre-existing conditions. In this case, you should speak to your doctor before trying it, as the hard surface may put more pressure on your body compared to a bed base.

Hygiene, however, is a different story.Ìý

Over time, floors tend to gather a delightful potpourri of dirt, fluff, grime and dead insects – not to mention the hair, skin and sweat that falls off your body overnight.Ìý

There’s very little ventilation for these things to float away or dry when you leave your mattress on the floor. Instead, they build-up over time and eventually you’re looking at an increased risk of mould, visits from creepy crawlies, and possibly bacteria growth, depending on the environment.

Not only does this put your health at risk, it will also damage the mattress. If you really need to keep your mattress on the floor, regularly lift it up and vacuum underneath.

The post How to clean your mattress appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

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 ÌÇÐÄVlog 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 ÌÇÐÄVlog 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 ÌÇÐÄVlog members can access our detailed mattress testing data. If you’re not yet a member, join ÌÇÐÄVlog 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 ÌÇÐÄVlog.

On this page:

• Buying from Ikea vs buying from Koala
• Which is best for shoppers?
• Which brand is best: Ikea vs Koala?
• Which Ikea and Koala mattresses has ÌÇÐÄVlog tested?
• Common FAQs

So, how can you decide between these two well-known brands? Here’s what you need to know to make a decision that’ll help you sleep well at night.

Buying from Ikea vs buying from Koala

Ikea mattresses tend to be among the more affordable options in our mattress test, with six models that cost under $1000. Koala queen-size mattresses start at $950 and run as high as $2390.Ìý

But choosing where to buy can be just as important as choosing what to buy, and Ikea and Koala have different levels of service when it comes to delivery, trial periods, returns and warranties.

Which is best for shoppers?

As far as shopping experiences go, Ikea offers a much more consumer-friendly model. Why?

• The free trial period is three times longer than Koala’s.
• The warranty on some models lasts a whopping 25 years.
• Ikea has a number of stores around Australia, so you can try each mattress instore before entering the free trial period. This is an easy opportunity to quickly find models that don’t feel right before committing to buy.
• There are more models to choose from at varying price points.

But bear these points in mind:

• Ikea doesn’t have free delivery and this can get particularly pricey if you live outside a major city.
• They don’t pick up if you want to exchange the mattress.
• You can’t get a refund during the free trial period. You can only exchange your mattress for another Ikea model.
• You’re only eligible for one exchange under the free trial period (so choose wisely).

Which brand is best: Ikea vs Koala?

We recently surveyed more than 1700 Australians about their mattresses to gather important feedback about how these products perform over time in the real world.Ìý

This, alongside our detailed test results, can help you identify which mattress brands have the most satisfied customers and the best performing, most reliable products.

Our survey covers a number of manufacturers, including Ikea and Koala.Ìý

As far as these two brands are concerned, Koala ranked higher for the overall best mattress brand 2025 score (75% vs 69%), which is based on average test scores, brand reliability, customer satisfaction and the percentage of mattresses we test that are recommended by our experts.

Koala had the edge over Ikea for reliability (86% vs 75%), but Ikea was ahead for customer satisfaction (81% vs 75%).

Which Ikea and Koala mattresses has ÌÇÐÄVlog tested?

Unfortunately our experts can’t test every single mattress under the sun (or rather the stars), so our priority is to test what you’ll find in the shops.

We check current market figures to see what’s popular and focus on the big-brand mattresses that sell the most in Australia.

We also include models that you’ve requested – if a lot of members want it, we’re going to test it.

You’ll find ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Ratings, as well as comfort scores for when the mattress is brand new and then after eight years of use, for the following Koala and Ikea mattresses in our latest mattress reviews.

Koala SE

• RRP: $950 (queen); $850 (double)
• Type: Mattress-in-a-box
• Material:Ìý¹ó´Ç²¹³¾
• Claimed firmness: Medium-firm

Koala Mattress (2024 model)

• RRP: $1290 (queen); $1150 (double)
• Type: Mattress-in-a-box
• Material: Foam
• Claimed firmness: Adjustable (tested in firm configuration)

Koala Plus

• RRP: $1650 (queen); $1450 (double)
• Type: Mattress-in-a-box
• Material: Foam
• Claimed firmness: Adjustable (tested in firm configuration)

Ikea Abygda

• RRP: $699 (queen); $499 (double)
• Type:Ìý²Ñ²¹³Ù³Ù°ù±ð²õ²õ-¾±²Ô-²¹-²ú´Ç³æ
• Material:Ìý¹ó´Ç²¹³¾
• Claimed firmness:Ìý¹ó¾±°ù³¾

Ikea Ã…°ì°ù±ð³ó²¹³¾²Ô

• RRP: $899 (queen); $799 (double)
• Type:Ìý²Ñ²¹³Ù³Ù°ù±ð²õ²õ-¾±²Ô-²¹-²ú´Ç³æ
• Material:Ìý¹ó´Ç²¹³¾
• Claimed firmness:Ìý¹ó¾±°ù³¾

Ikea Ã…²Ô²Ô±ð±ô²¹²Ô»å

• RRP: $999 (queen); $899(double)
• Type:Ìý²Ñ²¹³Ù³Ù°ù±ð²õ²õ-¾±²Ô-²¹-²ú´Ç³æ
• Material:Ìý³§±è°ù¾±²Ô²µ
• Claimed firmness:Ìý¹ó¾±°ù³¾

Ikea ³Õ²¹±ô±ð±¹Ã¥²µ

• RRP: $399 (queen); $349 (double)
• Type:Ìý²Ñ²¹³Ù³Ù°ù±ð²õ²õ-¾±²Ô-²¹-²ú´Ç³æ
• Material:Ìý³§±è°ù¾±²Ô²µ
• Claimed firmness:Ìý¹ó¾±°ù³¾

Ikea ³Õ²¹³Ù²Ô±ð²õ³Ù°ùö³¾

• RRP: $1399 (queen); $1199 (double)
• Type: Instore retail
• Material:Ìý³§±è°ù¾±²Ô²µ
• Claimed firmness:Ìý¹ó¾±°ù³¾

Ikea Vesteroy

• RRP: $498 (queen); $428 (double)
• Type:Ìý²Ñ²¹³Ù³Ù°ù±ð²õ²õ-¾±²Ô-²¹-²ú´Ç³æ
• Material:Ìý³§±è°ù¾±²Ô²µ
• Claimed firmness:Ìý¹ó¾±°ù³¾

Ikea Vestmarka

• RRP: $299 (queen); $249 (double)
• Type:Ìý²Ñ²¹³Ù³Ù°ù±ð²õ²õ-¾±²Ô-²¹-²ú´Ç³æ
• Material:Ìý³§±è°ù¾±²Ô²µ
• Claimed firmness:Ìý¹ó¾±°ù³¾

We recommend three of these 10 mattresses. Sign up to ÌÇÐÄVlog to see the full results of our annual mattress test and find out which ones we rate.

Our review covers more than 50 mattresses from brands such as Sealy, Sleeping Duck, Snooze, A.H. Beard and more.

What’s in the full review?

Our test results will tell you:

• Whether the actual firmness lives up to the manufacturer’s claim.
• How much the mattress moves when your bedmate turns over.
• How the comfort level compares for men and women.
• How well the mattress will hold up after eight years of use.
• How warm it gets.
• How well it repels sweat.
• Good and bad points for each mattress.

Read more at choice.com.au/mattresses

Common FAQs

Do Ikea mattresses come in a box?

No, though Ikea does roll-pack some mattresses in plastic, which are designed to expand when opened not unlike a mattress in a box. Cardboard is used to pack, reinforce and protect mattresses that can’t be compacted, then they’re wrapped in plastic as well.

Do Ikea mattresses match standard Australian sizes?

Ikea is one of a handful of companies in our test that sells mattresses all over the world. However, there are no global size standards and the queen mattress doesn’t even exist in Europe and the UK. So people often ask if the mattresses Ikea sells in Australia are the right size and the answer is yes – well, almost.

Queen mattresses are 203cm long and 153cm wide while thickness varies between models. Ikea ‘queen’ mattresses are 202cm long by 152cm wide according to the . Double mattresses are generally 137 x 187cm. Ikea’s double mattresses are 189 x 135cm.

The single centimetre of difference on each side is unlikely to affect placement on mattress bases or the fit for sheets, electric blankets and mattress protectors. There’s a small chance that sheets may feel marginally loose if you prefer an ultra-snug fit.

Can you wash the mattress cover?

Not usually. The documentation supplied with the three Koala mattresses in our test does not specify if the covers are washable. The cover on an Ikea mattress can be washed if it can be removed.

Can you roll up a mattress before returning it?

No. You can’t roll up the mattresses once they’re out of the box.

Is a good mattress expensive?

Koala and Ikea have some of the cheapest mattresses that we review. But despite the wide price range for mattresses (between $189 and $8399 in our latest test), many have more similarities than you’d think.

Our tests and investigations have found that a higher price tag on a mattress doesn’t necessarily mean higher quality. In fact, that higher price tag is often nothing more than a big mark-up from retailers.Ìý

Consider signing up to ÌÇÐÄVlog to access our comprehensive reviews. It’s the best way to find the right mattress for your budget and avoid duds.

The post Koala vs Ikea: Which mattress should you buy? appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

Since it’s an investment in your future slumber, it might seem like it’s worth paying more for your ticket to the land of nod. But bigger dollars don’t necessarily equate to better dozing.

Some mattresses cost thousands of dollars, but the good news is you don’t have to pay this much to get a mattress that will help you sleep soundly as long as you follow these tips and tricks.

Here’s how to get a dream price on the perfect mattress.

1. Never pay full price

Mattress prices are often more overstuffed than a feather bed – but the number on the price tag isn’t always a reflection of what a mattress is actually worth.

Sales season used to only roll around twice a year, at the end of the financial year and Boxing Day. But these days, sales aren’t so much seasonal as almost continual.

If you can hold out on buying a new mattress for a short time, you’ll most likely be able to snap up a bargain when the price inevitably comes down.

“Bricks and mortar retailers, online stores and manufacturers regularly put mattresses on sale,” says ÌÇÐÄVlog mattress expert Peter Zaluzny.

“They come around frequently, so don’t pay the recommended retail price unless you need a new mattress straight away. A little patience will net you big savings.”

2. Get haggling

As the saying goes, if you don’t ask, you don’t get. So when you’re buying a mattress, you have nothing to lose but plenty to gain by asking for a better price.

“Mattress prices almost always have a lot of wiggle room,” says Peter.

“Always ask salespeople for a deal, even if the mattress is already discounted. You might be able to shave a bit more off the sale price and the worst that can happen is they say no.”

Bonus tip: Bundle up

Do you need a new electric blanket, doona, mattress protector or pillow? In the market for multiple mattresses? Want a bedside table, tallboy and bedframe too?

If you’re buying more, it’s not unreasonable to expect to save more.

The more you’re buying at once, the better you’ll be able to negotiate a larger discount – so don’t be shy about asking the salesperson to throw in some extras or reduce the price.

3. Check ÌÇÐÄVlog reviews for the best mattress for the best price

Many people still think that spending more means they’ll get a better product, but our testing shows that high prices don’t always correlate with high scores.

In fact, of the 20 mattresses that our experts recommend, 12 of them cost less than $1000. And the most expensive mattress in our review (it costs a cool $8399) is one of the lowest scorers.

Spending the money on a ÌÇÐÄVlog membership will save you from buying an expensive mattress that isn’t any better than a more affordable one – and it’ll also save you from wasting your money on a dud.

Join ÌÇÐÄVlog to see which mattresses our experts say are the stuff dreams are made of. Plus, get instant access to reviews across 200+ categories.Ìý

The post Our top three tips to save money on a new mattress  appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

On this page:

• What is a foam mattress?
• What is a spring mattress?
• Pros and cons of foam and spring mattresses
• What are hybrid mattresses?
• Key differences between foam and spring mattresses
• How much do they cost?
• How long do they last?
• Which one is best?

But our tests have found that many of these so-called benefits are nothing more than myths. Comfort is subjective and the best option often comes down to finding the mattress that feels right for you.

What is a foam mattress?

In a foam mattress the core is usually made from polyurethane or latex, with additional layers of varying densities on top and underneath.Ìý

It’s not uncommon to find mattresses that use different types of foam, such as a latex core with a polyurethane top, for example. Others are nothing more than a single chunk of foam wrapped in protective fabric.

Some latex mattress manufacturers claim that their products are 100% organic and are therefore a healthier alternative to polyurethane. However, this only applies if the latex is made from 100% sap, as there are synthetic alternatives that use extra chemicals and fillers. Our tests have also found that latex models are generally heavier.

Foam vs memory foam

This comes down to density. Almost all of the mattresses we’ve tested have a standard polyurethane or high resilience (HR) polyurethane top which has increased responsiveness. This is a fancy way of saying that the mattress has more of an even feel, consistent bounce and reduced sinking feeling when you lie down.

Memory foam, however, is a lower response version of polyurethane that can contour around your body. The mattress gradually returns to form when you get out of bed. HR polyurethane may provide some contouring but not as much as memory foam.

Even if a mattress is marketed as being memory foam, the memory foam is often just one layer near the top, with additional other layers of standard or HR polyurethane foam underneath. The standard layers have firmer characteristics and usually provide support and shock absorption towards the top and bottom of the mattress.

What is a spring mattress?

Despite the name, these mattresses aren’t solely made from springs because metal coils alone aren’t exactly comfortable. The core is a series of springs encased in standard or HR polyurethane foam layers for added support and comfort.

There are four spring types found in the vast majority of mattresses. Most use pocket or light springs these days but our body support tests found that there’s no one type that consistently scores better than the others. Still, there are some differences worth noting.

Bonnell/light spring – the classic hourglass spring design with a closed/wired off end. All the coils are interconnected and designed to work as a single unit to provide a broad, continuous level of support. Our tests show they can feel a bit bouncier or less stable, which can be transferred to another person sharing the bed. Light spring uses a similar design, but the end of each spring is left open.

Offset/left-facing knot – another hourglass coil spring design, but with a flat top and bottom that’s held together with coiled wires. This claims to improve support and stability and reduce sagging thanks to better contouring around your body.

Continuous – all the springs are made from a single piece of wire to improve stability and extend durability, but at the expense of comfort.

Pocket – the most common spring type we’ve encountered during testing. Each spring is designed to operate independently of the others for improved support and contouring. They’re individually wrapped in material (pocketed) and often contain additional smaller coils. Our tests show that pocket spring mattresses tend to have good stability and less change in comfort over the years.

Does spring count make a difference?

In all our years of testing we’re yet to find any link between higher spring counts and improved performance.

Additional materials

Most spring and many foam mattresses include polyester and/or polypropylene layers in ticking and webbing. Some models also add additional layers throughout, not just at the top and bottom.

Pros and cons of foam and spring mattresses

There are all sorts of claims about how spring or foam mattresses are better-suited for certain sleeping positions and so on. But our tests haven’t found any evidence to back up those claims. Neither is objectively better.

In a very broad sense, spring mattresses feel, well, springier. There’s a bit more bounce and a sense that you’re lying on top of the mattress, rather than in it.

Foam tends to feel like denser, all-encompassing support – particularly memory foam. You compress into the bed to varying degrees, but this somewhat sunken feeling may bet too solid or flat (for want of a better word) for some.

Note: We don’t perform a smell assessment and can’t comment on whether foam mattresses omit a chemical odour after opening. This process, commonly called ‘off-gassing’, supposedly lasts a few days.

What are hybrid mattresses?

This loosely defined category combines elements of spring and foam construction in the core. This is different to a typical mattress where the foam or spring core provides most of the support and foam layers are added for comfort.

Because there’s no real hybrid mattress standard, you’ll find a wide variety of models that claim to be hybrids. We apply the term when the foam and spring components provide equal levels of support, rather than just a comfort topper.

Key differences between foam and spring mattresses

Manufacturers often claim that certain sleepers and body types are better suited to spring or foam mattresses. But there aren’t any consistent results in our tests that indicate whether one type is more suitable than the other.

The best option is mostly a matter of personal preference, but the build quality plays a significant role that ultimately determines how the mattress feels to you.

Our tests assess comfort and support in dorsal (back) and lateral (side) position. We’ve use dummies that comply with two body types – the 5th percentile (1.55m/55kg) and 95th percentile (1.9m/100kg) heights and weights. This range of the bell curve covers 90% of the general population and is similar enough to allow our current results to be comparable with previous tests.

We haven’t tested mattresses that are advertised as being predominately memory foam and cannot comment on how those results compare to standard and HR polyurethane mattresses.

Comfort, support and comfort retention

An equal percentage of foam and spring mattresses showed good, average and poor performance in these tests. To put it simply, there’s a lot more that goes into support and comfort beyond ‘foam versus spring’.

The best example of this is results for two Koala mattresses in our initial comfort tests – the Koala Mattress (2024 model, double) and the Koala SE mattress (queen). The Koala Mattress (2024) has an unused comfort score of 51% while the SE scores 72%.

The results should be in the same ballpark as the Koala Mattress 2024 and the SE both use a standard polyurethane foam core that’s approximately the same thickness (14cm and 13cm respectively). But that’s not the case. It’s likely the different layering of various thicknesses of foams makes more of a difference.

Spring mattresses are also inconsistent within the same brand. For example, the A.H. Beard King Koil Chiro Reserve (queen) scored 70%, while the A.H. Beard Everyday Comfort MK2 (queen) scored 51% in the same test.

We also found foam and spring mattresses that delivered similar out-of-the-box results from the same brand, even though they’re supposed to be markedly different. Ikea’s Ã…²Ô²Ô±ð±ô²¹²Ô»å ($999) spring mattress scored 60% in this test, while the roll-packed Ã…°ì°ù±ð³ó²¹³¾²Ô ($899) made from foam scored 59%.

Stability

Foam mattresses are often marketed as the more stable, less bouncy option but our stability test says otherwise. Over half of the currently available spring mattresses in our test earn a score of 60% or higher in the stability assessment, whereas less than a third of the currently available foam mattresses in our test earn a score of 60% or higher.

Cooling

This is one of the only areas with notable differences between foam and spring mattresses. Our tests measure the insulation to determine mattress warmth and the amount of sweat that’s retained during a night’s sleep.

A foam mattress is kind of a big sponge, if you think about it, so it makes sense that airflow isn’t as good compared to a spring model. We found that more spring mattresses had a cool or very cool feel compared to the polyurethane foam models.

However, the two latex mattresses in our test also felt cooler, but still collected a lot of sweat. The spring models did a better job of repelling sweat, including two models that earned perfect results.

How much do they cost?

The currently available foam mattresses in our test range from $365 up to $1895 for a double or queen size. Spring mattresses start at $189 and can cost more than $8000.Ìý

But not only are mattresses frequently on sale, there’s a lot of wiggle room in the RRP so you can get a much better deal with a little haggling. This is almost always an option at bricks-and-mortar stores where you can talk to the salesperson.

For example, the Snooze Madison Times Square (double), which has an RRP of $4799, cost us $2400 at the time of testing. We were also able to negotiate an additional discount on top of the sale price of other mattresses.

How long do they last?

Our usage, wear and damage tests simulate eight years of use, which is the standard life expectancy for a good quality mattress. Comfort retention results – or how similar the mattress feels after eight years compared to day one – were consistent across the different types.

There’s an even spread of good, average and poor performers in all types in our test, but there are fewer foam mattresses with notable sagging.

Foam mattresses may not last as long if you’re prone to sweating due to a warmer climate or health reasons. Sweat absorption can damage the mattress over time and cause odours, so you may want to consider a spring model in this instance.

Which one is best?

Unless you need a particularly cool bed or are worried about how much you sweat at night, there aren’t any clear-cut reasons as to why you should pick a spring mattress over a foam mattress (or vice versa). The main aspects – support and comfort – aren’t connected to the type of core construction, which shows that there’s a lot more to consider when choosing a mattress.

That’s why it’s best to use our mattress test results as a guide and, more importantly, try before you buy. Most mattress-in-a-box brands have a 30–120 night at-home trial period and retailers typically have their full range on display in physical stores.

Our test results can give you information about how a certain brands or models perform so you have an idea of what you’ll get out of the mattress during its lifetime. But feel is equally important, so take your time and try all the products you’re considering to find the mattress that’s right for you.

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On this page:

• Measuring reliability and satisfaction
• The most reliable mattress brands
• Which mattress brand has the most satisfied customers?
• Common mattress problems
• Your feedback and our test results

Buying a new mattress can feel like you’re taking a bit of a gamble.Ìý

Trying a bed in a showroom while a salesperson looks on and other customers stroll past is unlikely to give you a good idea of what it’s actually like to sleep on.Ìý

Even if you can relax enough to get a sense of how comfortable you’ll be, you won’t know how long your mattress will continue to perform.Ìý

And with more and more of us choosing to buy a mattress online, you may not even have the chance to get a feel for the product before you buy.

With so many different products available from various brands all promising you a great night’s sleep, with drastically differing prices and features, it can be overwhelming to decide which one to buy. How do you know which mattress will give you the best value for money?

Our mattress reviews are the result of extensive product testing using specialised equipment and methodologies to assess wear and damage from usage, firmness, comfort and a range of other features. The results help us score those products and can be invaluable in helping you choose a mattress that suits your particular needs.Ìý

And to help mattress shoppers even more, we recently surveyed more than 2000 Australians about their mattresses. This gave us real-world results about which brands and mattress types delivered the most satisfaction and reliability as the years passed.

Measuring reliability and satisfaction

We wanted to understand how satisfied consumers were with their mattress purchase, and also how reliable the product was.Ìý

We looked at a variety of well-known mattress brands, including Ikea, Sealy, Sleeping Duck and more, and gave each brand an overall score based on how satisfied customers were with that brand’s mattress and how reliable it was over time.Ìý

The reliability score indicates how likely the mattresses are to develop faults over time. Simply speaking, the higher the score, the fewer people reported having had problems in the previous 12 months.Ìý

The satisfaction score is more subjective and is based on responses to a question about how respondents would rate their mattress overall.Ìý

This can include the perceived reliability of the product, but also encompasses:

• general comfort
• the experience of using the mattress
• interactions with the sales and support staff
• anything else that affects how the customer feels about their mattress.

The most reliable mattress brands

Our survey found that the most reliable mattresses came from Tempur, Ecosa and Makin.Ìý

The mattress-in-a-box brands achieved some of the highest reliability scores, with Ecosa, Sleeping Duck, Emma and Koala all earning a high rank. Among the more traditional brands, Tempur and Makin scored the best.

Mattresses judged to be less reliable in our survey were from Sealy, Ikea, Sleepmaker and A.H. Beard (King Koil).Ìý

“Within six months it sagged and dipped on either side and a hard lump/ridge built up down the middle,” says one A.H. Beard (King Koil) customer.Ìý

Another customer who owned a SleepMaker product was similarly unhappy: “Hasn’t been comfortable since I purchased it and it started to sag in the middle after a few months.”

Mattress type

From our results we were also able to glean whether traditional spring, foam, memory foam, latex or hybrid mattresses were the most reliable.Ìý

When it comes to mattress type, memory foam and latex mattresses had the highest reliability scores.Ìý

Don’t buy based on brand alone

It’s important to note that some mattress brands have many more types and ranges of mattresses than others. For example, Sleeping Duck sells just one type of mattress, while a brand like Sealy might have dozens in their range.Ìý

ÌÇÐÄVlog testing often finds that different products from the same brands can vary wildly in performance so rather than buying based on brand alone, it’s wise to look at our review results for individual mattresses before you shop.Ìý

Which mattress brand has the most satisfied customers?

The most satisfied mattress customers in our survey were those who’d bought a Sleeping Duck or Tempur product, while the least satisfied were those with a Sealy, SleepMaker or A.H. Beard (King Koil) mattress.Ìý

One Tempur customer expressed their satisfaction as follows: “Love this mattress, so comfortable. It can be a bit hot during summer. It is a bit expensive but overall worth it.”

Overall, we found that people with a mattress-in-a-box product were more satisfied than those who bought a more traditional mattress, and in general spring/coil mattresses earned the lowest satisfaction scores.

Common mattress problems

Of the mattress owners we spoke to in our survey, some 43% said they’d had a problem with their purchase. The most common problems were sinking, sagging or denting (17%), the mattress being too heavy (16%) and body pain (13%).

Problems were less likely for those with a mattress-in-a-box (37%) than for traditional mattresses (50%).

By brand, Sealy (28%), A.H. Beard (King Koil) (27%) and SleepMaker (26%) owners are more likely to report their mattress sinking, sagging or denting.

Problems by type of mattress

In general, spring/coil mattresses are more likely to sink or sag, be too heavy to lift, become uneven, or have materials bunching up according to our survey results.Ìý

Latex mattresses are also more likely to be too heavy to lift and slightly more likely to have stitching come undone or fabric rip.Ìý

Foam mattresses, on the other hand, were reported to be lighter and less likely to sag.Ìý

A lot of this feedback is consistent with our test results. Fewer foam mattresses have notable sagging and tend to be lighter than spring models. While we haven’t looked at many latex mattresses, the ones we’ve tested do tend to sit at the heavier end of the scales.

Our comprehensive mattress testing uncovers many of these potential problems during our laboratory assessments. It also highlights models that buck the trends in our survey. For example, we’ve come across plenty of spring mattresses that don’t succumb to unreasonable sagging.

The specialised methodologies and equipment we use allow us to score each mattress. We test for sagging, comfort retention after eight years, and comfort levels for male and female body types.

We’re also able to assess temperature regulation, sweat absorption and stabilisation, all of which can contribute to the satisfaction you’ll experience with your new mattress.

Your feedback and our test results

This survey provides useful, real-world feedback that rounds out our technical test results. Put them together and you’ve got a broad set of data that can help you find the best mattress for a good night’s sleep.

While the probes, mannequins and rolling pins used by our experts can outline how a mattress will perform over time, a lab is not a bedroom. The survey shows what it’s like to own and use mattresses from these brands, which is essential information because everyone has a different idea of what makes a good mattress.

For example, Tempur might have the best reliability score and Sleeping Duck has the highest customer satisfaction, but neither brand had recommended mattresses in our tests. However, their mattresses still performed well enough, and our survey shows that members are happy with their purchases.

So don’t prioritise one set of data over the other. Consider each one and you should be able to find a mattress that feels comfortable, will last a long time, and has the tick of approval from our experts and members.

The post Sleeping Duck, Ecosa and Tempur among Australia’s most reliable mattress brands, says ÌÇÐÄVlog research appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

Shopping for a mattress can be exhausting. Ironic, right? You can search high and low online or hop from mattress store to mattress store, navigating quite a few enthusiastic salespeople along the way, and become quite quickly overwhelmed with the vast options and prices.

How can some cost thousands of dollars while others are hundreds, and which is best? Are there really mattresses that can keep you cool while you sleep, and are the ‘free’ trials really free? 

ÌÇÐÄVlog experts recently reviewed 55 of the latest mattresses, and say there are a few things you should know before deciding on the right one for you.Ìý

We extensively test each mattress, aiming to identify if it will change in firmness over time, and whether you can rely on it to deliver the same standard of comfort over its lifetime.Ìý We also look at things such as how well the mattresses repel sweat, and how saggy or bouncy they are, to give each product a final ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating. Find out more about how we test mattresses.Ìý

Here, we highlight some key things we learned from our recent test to help you when shopping for the mattress of your dreams.Ìý

1. Mattress-in-a-box models are better overall

Back when we first started testing, our results found that old-school spring mattresses were the way to go. Then mattresses-in-a-box came along and wiped the bedroom floor of traditional retailers with consistently higher scores, before the playing field levelled out over the last few tests.

But mattresses-in-a-box have just pulled ahead again in 2025. Of the 20 currently available models we recommend, eleven are from mattress-in-a-box manufacturers., eight are sold by traditional retailers and one is a full-sized spring mattress sold at an online-only store.

“This is an interesting result, though it doesn’t mean all mattresses from bricks and mortar stores are bad,” says ÌÇÐÄVlog mattress expert Peter Zaluzny. “There’s a range of ÌÇÐÄVlog Recommended options of various types, materials, and builds, such as foam or spring, so you can really find a good quality mattress that can give you a solid sleep.”

2. Mattress-in-a-box isn’t the cheap alternative anymore

When mattresses first burst out of boxes all those years ago, early players like Koala, Ecosa and OneBed advertised prices that were more competitive than most traditional retailers. Today, the idea that ‘bed-in-a-box’ is the cheaper alternative still persists. But that’s not entirely true anymore.

Three of the top five performing mattresses in our test are sold by bed-in-a-box retailers online. Another one is also from an online retailer, though it’s sold as a standard spring – similar to mattresses you’d find in bricks and mortar stores. However, the difference in price between these is no more than $300, ranging from about $1600–1900 (RRP).

When you look at our top performing models that cost less than $1000, six are from online stores, while five are available at traditional retailers. Performance results are evenly distributed as well, so you’re not necessarily compromising quality for cost. Meanwhile, five of the six rock-bottom price mattresses are from traditional retailers too.

However, there is one exception to the rule. The most expensive mattresses-in-a-box still cost far less than high-end models from traditional retailers. You’re going to have trouble finding online only mattresses that pass the $10,000 mark, whereas this is reasonably common in some bricks-and-mortar stores.Ìý

In fact, the most expensive models in our test – including one that costs over $8000 – are all from traditional retailers. Of course, sales, bargaining and haggling are easy ways to save money on even the most expensive models, says Peter.

“ÌÇÐÄVlog 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, ‘What’s the best you can do?’ and go from there.”

3. ‘Cool’ mattress claims may well be authentic

If you get hot while you sleep and you’re looking for a mattress that will keep you cool, you may be wowed by the various claims made by many mattress manufacturers.Ìý

In the past, ÌÇÐÄVlog experts have consistently found that mattresses said to be better for ‘hot’ sleepers haven’t differentiated themselves in our test enough to live up to those claims – most returned results of ‘medium-warm’.Ìý

But things have changed, kind of.Ìý

“We’ve been testing mattresses for years and lately, we’re seeing some variety in how the insulation feels,” says Peter. “In the past, warming or cooling claims in advertising didn’t stack up, but now we’re seeing more mattresses that deliver on these promises.”

“Eight of the 21 mattresses in our 2025 test batch measured as cool or very cool, continuing the trend that we noticed over the last year or two. It’s a big shift from what we saw early on, where almost all tested mattresses came back as medium-warm despite the advertising.”

For example, the Zenna pure latex mattress says it has built-in ventilation with an “open-cell construction that removes excess heat and moisture”. Our experts verified that this mattress indeed returned a result of ‘cool’ when tested.

Likewise, Sleep Firm claims its mattress uses “Bekaert Deslee’s Adaptive Fabric technology … for a cooler, drier sleep environment.” This mattress was also rated ‘cool’ by our experts.

Keep in mind, though, that the many other mattresses that are claimed to be ‘cool’ still return results of ‘medium-warm’ in our testing. Valmori Home Collection, for example, claims that the Hybrid II mattress helps keep you “cool and comfortable” with “a luxuriously soft, breathable cover that enhances moisture and heat regulation.” But our experts found it to be medium-warm in practice.

To avoid getting hoodwinked by marketing jargon and unsubstantiated claims, check our mattress reviews before you buy.

4. Price isn’t always an indicator of quality

Paying more doesn’t always guarantee you’re going to get a better mattress or a better night’s sleep. We’ve found plenty of cheaper mattresses that outperform pricier ones in our testing.

Among the top performers in our latest review, you’ll find some models that cost Well over $1500 alongside some of the cheapest mattresses we’ve ever recommended.

“Some of the most expensive mattresses we reviewed – ones that cost $2500–5000 – rated towards the bottom of our comfort and sagging tests. Meanwhile, there are plenty of recommended mattresses that cost less than a thousand dollars.”

5. More box mattresses come with customisable firmness

One of the benefits of buying a mattress-in-a-box is that more manufacturers are selling products that have adjustable firmness designs.Ìý

In previous years, mattress-in-a-box brands typically only had one firmness for each mattress they made, which was usually advertised as ‘medium-firm’.

Some now have various firmness layers available (usually made out of foam) that you can add or remove until the mattress reaches your desired comfort.Ìý

Some use ‘toppers’ that you can flip for a different feel, and others have alternative firmness options on each side of the mattress.Ìý

A few even have so-called ‘firmness zones’, which let you adjust the feel on each side of the bed (in case you prefer your mattress firmer than your partner does).

6. Some ‘free’ trial periods sting you with sneaky fees

Almost all mattress-in-a-box manufacturers offer a 100–120-night free trial period, something you probably won’t get if you buy a mattress from a standard retailer. But you need to read the fine print to avoid paying sneaky fees.Ìý

The ‘free trial’ usually comes with a few caveats.Ìý

First, most have a minimum trial period of 14–30 nights, so you can “really understand the mattress” before returning it.Ìý

Second, there are relatively stringent conditions regarding the quality of the mattress. If your mattress is damaged, soiled or significantly worn during the trial period, then you may not be able to get a refund or exchange.

Finally, the exchange itself may not be free, depending on where you live. Most cover collection costs if you live in a major city, but this doesn’t always extend to regional areas. Some brands state that they require regional shoppers to cover the return costs or drop it off at the nearest shipping/charity partner.Ìý

, for example, state that “certain areas where a free collection is not possible, return of the mattress to a suitable facility becomes the responsibility of the customer, and a refund will not be processed until receival by a third party is confirmed.” 

The terms don’t appear to mention the potential transport costs incurred by the customer, such as fuel or renting a vehicle big enough to take it to a third party. Zeek has a .

Still, these are improvements on older policies that were simply vague. Eva, for example, previously stated that it would  try to find a charity partner in your location, but you may be charged for collection if this isn’t possible. But now, to Macoda’s and Zeek’s.

Always check the free returns policy before buying, especially if you live in a rural area. If the terms don’t specifically mention the city, regional centre or town that you live in, contact the manufacturer to find out how returns are handled.

Free trial vs trial period

Though the free trial period is fairly ubiquitous among mattress-in-a-box brands, a few do charge for returns. In these cases, they specifically refer to it as a sleep trial, trial period or test period rather than a free trial. Zenna, for example, has a “100-night trial” that incurs a $150 return fee if you decide to get a refund.

So don’t assume that all trial periods are free. Read the FAQs and T&Cs if the manufacturer doesn’t use the word ‘free’ when advertising the returns or exchange policy.

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