Club Benefits
A good night's rest is an extremely important activity — 'rest' and 'activity' might be oxymorons but it's true as it helps your body recover from the day's stresses, both physical and mental. And sleeping on a good mattress can make a world of difference.
Take me, for example: ever since I starting using the Sleeping Duck Mach II, I've awoken with a lot less aches and pains, I can fall asleep quicker and I sleep longer than the previous 3-4 hours I used to get.
Top mattresses at a glance
Best mattress overall
I've been using the Sleeping Duck Mach II on my own bed since April 2024 and I can't see myself swapping it out for any other brand. I had initially ordered the 'firm' foam option but swapped it out for an 'extra firm' which, I admit is going to be quite the solid sleep surface for most users, but it suits me better.
And that's Sleeping Duck's biggest drawcard — the flexibility it offers in terms of firmness, which can be catered to sides of the bed and even zones on each side of the bed.
The caveat here is that you can order these interchangeable foams for free if you're within your 100-night trial period and you have to give each custom option at least two weeks before SD's customer service will be willing to send you another one to try. That means you don't get a lot of time for trial and error, but it's still a lot cheaper to pay for additional foam layers than buy a new mattress.
The only negative I have is it's a heavy mattress – the double tips the scales at 43kg – and it's a little tall, which makes changing sheets a bit of a battle. It's also rarely discounted but it's well worth trying it at full price.
How it scored
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Features | In brief | Score |
|---|---|---|
Support and comfort | You can opt for a firmness of your liking, with plenty of configurations to keep your partner happy too – there's something for everyone here. | ★★★★★ |
Pressure relief | The different foam options and different gauge springs means everyone will find a configuration to relieve pressure points. | ★★★★★ |
Temperature regulation | Surprisingly comfortable even during warm, humid nights and that didn't change after changing out the firmness layer. | ★★★★★ |
Motion isolation | Among the best mattresses we've tested, the SD Mach II does a stellar job of preventing movement from travelling across the surface. | ★★★★½ |
Edge support | The 2.3mm thick springs along the edge don't compress easily, providing good edge support and, thus, a larger sleep surface. | ★★★★½ |
Build quality | Made well relative to cost, but for best results, allow it off-gas for more than a day if possible. | ★★★★½ |
As you can see from the above table, the SD Mach II scored very well in all the metrics we look at, especially the important ones of comfort and support, relieving pressure points and temperature regulation.
While comfort is subjective and will depend on what kind of firmness you prefer, I can guarantee you'll be able to find the best fit with Sleeping Duck, even if it takes a little trial and error. Moreover, with multiple foam layers sitting atop springs of different gauges, the spinal alignment you get when lying in any position on the Mach II is practically perfect — aches and pains I used to suffer from previously due to an older mattress have all but disappeared in the last couple of years. And that means it's been very effective at relieving pressure points, particularly around my shoulders and hips.
Moreover, as a hot sleeper (due to menopause), the Mach II has been very comfortable even through summer nights in Sydney with just a fan on, no air conditioner needed. The only time it got uncomfortable was when I used cheap protector that negated the effects of the cooling cover of the mattress.
While I would commend Sleeping Duck for minimising motion transfer, a little kinetic energy can be felt, which will disturb only the lightest of sleepers, while I personally would have preferred a touch more edge support with the use of additional boxing foam, not just stronger-gauge springs.
And despite tugging on the side handles and removing the cover several times in the last couple of years, the SD Mach II still looks and feels brand new.
Read more: my in-depth Sleeping Duck Mach II review
Best budget mattress
When the Onebed arrived for testing, our reviewer was already trying two others (both hybrids) and, while she liked both, she loved the all-foam Onebed Original. More than anything, she loved the flippable comfort layer that provided the option of a medium memory foam sleep surface or a medium-firm gel-infused cooling side. An all-season mattress, so to speak.
What she appreciated more was that, despite being an all-foam affair, it slept cool (which memory foam typically doesn't), had good edge support (that not all foam mattresses can boast) and managed didn't create any pressure points. She found it ideal for most sleeping positions and body types.
And while the queen has an RRP of nearly AU$1,500, it's discounted year round and can be had for around the AU$800, sometimes even cheaper. Which is why its my pick for the best budget mattress in Australia.
How it scored
Features | In brief | Score |
|---|---|---|
Support and comfort | With both medium and medium-firm options to choose from, this mattress provides excellent spinal alignment while also allowing a little body-hugging sinkage for a comfortable night. | ★★★★★ |
Pressure relief | Designed to absorb body weight differently in different zones, the Onebed Original doesn't create any pressure points, no matter the sleeping position. | ★★★★★ |
Temperature regulation | With one side of the memory foam flippable layer offering cooling gels infused into the material, this foam mattresses sleeps cool, although air circulation will always be better in a hybrid. | ★★★★★ |
Motion isolation | Foam mattresses are known for minimising motion transfer better than hybrids and the Onebed does it very well indeed | ★★★★★ |
Edge support | The Onebed Original has additional foam around the entire mattress, giving it excellent edge support for a bed at its price point. | ★★★★★ |
Build quality | Offering a 15-year warranty means the brand has confidence in its product, but our tests also found that mattress was very well made. | ★★★★★ |
It might read biased, but the full five-star scores are well deserved as the Onebed Original sleeps much better than its (discounted) price would suggest. Clearly it outdoes even my top pick, but the Sleeping Duck takes the #1 position on account of its flexibility with firmness options, while you only get two here.
Despite that, our reviewer found that both sides were equally good at offering support, with the firmer side pleasing for back sleepers more. Flipped to the medium-firm side and it becomes a suitable sleep surface for a wider range of people, including stomach sleepers. No matter what kind of sleeper you are, our reviewer's own experience was that it created no pressure points and kept the spine aligned perfectly for her and her partner.
And considering her partner is a restless sleeper, our reviewer barely felt it, which is what we expect from foam mattresses anyway. What we don't usually expect is excellent edge support, but Onebed has used extra foam to box the mattress, adding more support around the periphery of the bed.
While memory foam can sleep hot, Onebed has infused the foam on one side of the Original with cooling gel, and our reviewer found it was perfectly comfortable during warm nights after the bedroom was heated by direct sunlight through the day.
There's no compromise on build quality either. It's a simple mattress that has only a couple of main layers and yet our reviewer experienced no sagging and the found the cover to be nice and plush. It's also removable, well stitched with a reinforced zipper, and well fitted so it doesn't move while sleeping.
All in all, a fabulous foam mattress that you definitely shouldn't pay full price for, but be aware that it lacks handles of any kind.
Read more: our full review of the Onebed Original Mattress
Best mid-range mattress
You might think that an older mattress like the Eva Comfort Classic — which is a reworked version of the original Eva Mattress when it first launched in 2017 — would now be available for less than its RRP, but the popular brand isn't known for offering regular discounts like its competitors. Even when it is discounted, it's not by much, which is why I'm placing the Eva Comfort Classic as a mid-range option.
Despite not undergoing a lot of change in the last few years, the Eva Comfort Classic is still a fabulous hybrid mattress that offers pretty much everything a sleeper would need a reliable bed without compromising the ergonomics of sleep.
Features | In brief | Score |
|---|---|---|
Support and comfort | Despite a medium-firm rating, the Comfort Classic sleeps softer than rated, and yet keeps the spine aligned in any position. | ★★★★½ |
Pressure relief | Where some firmer mattresses might create pressure points around the shoulder, the Comfort Classic alleviated aches and pains that other mattresses can cause. | ★★★★½ |
Temperature regulation | While not as good as some other mattresses at dissipating body heat, the Comfort Classic still manages to sleep cool as long as you don't cover it with a protector or topper. | ★★★★½ |
Motion isolation | It may not fully isolate motion, but it does dampen a fair amount. We found that movement caused while getting in and out of bed can be felt. | ★★★★½ |
Edge support | With pocket springs all the way to the edge, the Comfort Classic will depress a little while lying along the edge, and sitting or getting up wasn't an issue. | ★★★★ |
Build quality | We spent months with this mattress before publishing our review and found no issues with sagging or wear and tear. However, the cover isn't removable for washing. | ★★★★★ |
Eva is one of the few Aussie mattress companies to not increase its pricing on a whim, which means a queen-sized Comfort Classic still costs AU$1,200 (as it did years ago). To me, that makes a brand trustworthy.
The Comfort Classic might also seem like an odd choice here as we rate its firmness at 7 out of 10, although our reviewer also mentions that it feels softer than it is. Either way, one thing is clear — it doesn't compromise spinal alignment, which means it's both comfortable and supportive.
Moreover, despite its relatively firmer sleep surface, the Eva Comfort Classic doesn't create pressure points like other firm mattresses do, particularly around the shoulders and hips where side sleepers can potentially develop discomfort if lying in one position for a long periods of time.
For all its other metrics, you might be able to get better mattresses that regulate temperature to a better degree than the Comfort Classic, but that doesn't mean it sleeps warm — if you aren't a hot sleeper, you may well find it's comfortable on hot nights. Similarly, it doesn't fully absorb all kinetic energy, but you may not necessarily feel your partner tossing around. However, you may feel someone on or off the bed, which may not be ideal for pet owners or families with kids who love to jump into bed with the parents first thing in the morning.
And that also means you may not appreciate its limited edge support, which isn't bad, but may feel too soft if you get pushed out by your pets or kids. From a durability point of view, though, the Eva Comfort Classic will go the distance, provided you maintain it well by flipping it around regularly.
Read more: our in-depth Eva Comfort Classic Mattress review
Best foam mattress
There are a plethora of hybrid mattresses now available in Australia, with only a few brands offering all-foam affairs for those who prefer a different type of mattress. The advantage that foam mattresses have over hybrids is that they're better at dampening motion transfer better than hybrids and they offer that 'sinking' feeling that many people like.
And Ergoflex does that without putting bending the spine out of shape and not blowing out your budget. You may not see massive discounts on the 5G mattress, but there's always a discount to be had.
Features | In brief | Score |
|---|---|---|
Support and comfort | It's got a deep-sink feel, but the 9cm memory foam top layer is "supremely" comfortable and still keeps the body well aligned. | ★★★★★ |
Pressure relief | The 5G is super supportive with a deep sink that will relieve pressure points. Our testing showed no pressure points built around the hips, knees or shoulders. | ★★★★★ |
Temperature | Temperature regulation is where this memory foam mattress shines. No matter the kind of bedding used during testing, the mattress did a fantastic job of capturing and dissipating body heat. | ★★★★★ |
Motion isolation | Again, the memory foam here is the hero — it absorbs a heck of a lot kinetic energy, keeping any kind of motion isolated. | ★★★★★ |
Edge support | Despite a little give along the edges, it's still possible to sleep all the way to the sides without getting too uncomfortable. | ★★★★ |
Build quality | Well built and using quality materials, the 5G did well during a long-term review, with no sagging or wear and tear. | ★★★★★ |
Something has got to be said when our own reviewer calls the Ergoflex 5G the "most comfortable mattress" he's ever slept on, despite not liking deep-sink mattresses. And that's exactly what this one is — the top memory foam moulds around your body, cradling you so you without compromising support. Our reviewer found that the body was well supported despite the sinking feeling, waking up refreshed and pain-free. That means it's not creating pressure points, irrespective if sleeping position.
And while most foam mattresses — particularly memory foam — aren't very good at temperature regulation, the Ergoflex 5G is the exception to the rule. Our reviewer slept on it during both cooler and warmer months, and was a very happy camper indeed.
Edge support is the only area that you might prefer a hybrid mattress for as foam mattresses don't necessarily have enough boxing around the periphery to prevent excess sinking on the corners and edges. However, our reviewer found that it was still possible to lie comfortably on the edge without feeling like you'd roll off, but some hybrid mattresses would have better edge support if that's an important criterion for you when purchasing a new bed.
That said, all foam mattresses are better very good at dampening motion transfer, and the 5G is no exception. It's also very well made, with a good design concept and superior materials. The cover is removable and machine washable, but it's disappointing that the trial period is only 30 nights in Australia. That's how long we usually recommend people sleep on a mattress to let their body adjust to it before making a decision, so you will need to figure out your preference relatively quickly compared to other mattress-in-a-box options.
Still, just going by what our reviewer thought, it would be fair to say that this is arguably the best memory foam mattress you can get in Australia.
Read more: our in-depth Ergoflex 5G Mattress review
Best hybrid mattress
It might carry a premium price, but if you're after that 'sleeping on a cloud' feeling, the Origin LumbarCloud lives up to its name. It's one of those mattresses that I would highly recommend you never pay full price for as it sees year-round discounts. You'll see an average of 40% off most months, but if you can hold off till a massive shopping event like Black Friday, and you could pick it up for half price or lower!
Features | In brief | Score |
|---|---|---|
Support and comfort | This medium-firm mattress is arguably one of the best we've tested when it comes to combining support and comfort. You get the plushness without the extra sinking, with no misalignment of the spine. | ★★★★★ |
Pressure relief | Keeping the shoulders and hips perfectly aligned at all times, the LumbarCloud effectively minimises pressure points around bony areas of the body. | ★★★★½ |
Temperature regulation | Thanks to a combination of premium materials, including cooling gel, bamboo fibres and springs, there's fantastic airflow through the mattress. | ★★★★ |
Motion isolation | There is some dampening of movement, although this would be most effective on the larger sizes where partners can sleep slightly apart from each other. | ★★★½ |
Edge support | Compressing to a third of its total height when sitting on the edge, the LumbarCloud doesn't boast the best edge support, but it doesn't reduce the total sleep area. | ★★★½ |
Build quality | Everything about the LumbarCloud's build quality is excellent, with premium materials used. It will likely withstand the test of time, backed by an impressive 15-year warranty. | ★★★★ |
If you're wondering whether the LumbarCloud justifies its high price tag, I would say it does (although not it's RRP). Our reviewer was so impressed with its medium firmness and orthopaedic support, he called it "sublime" and said he found his body reacting positively to the support it was getting.
It's plush top layer makes it better suited to a wider variety of sleeping positions and body types, offering soft comfort while not disrupting spinal alignment in the least. In fact, our reviewer describes 'sinking' on the LumbarCloud as being at just the right amount where the mattress "kept [his] hips perfectly aligned" with the rest of his body, alleviating back discomfort. He felt no pressure points at any time.
He was also very impressed by the Origin LumbarCloud's temperature regulation and, in all honesty, this is the only mattress we've tested that has such deep pits on the surface that help dissipate warm air developing due to trapped body heat. And given there are a fair few layers of foam before you get to the springs, it's a good thing that those depressions are on the top layer.
What is disappointing for a mattress that costs as much as the LumbarCloud is the edge support and motion isolation. While the latter isn't too bad, our reviewer found that if your partner is lying close to you, you are more likely to feel the tossing and turning. However, this is less on a larger-sized mattress like a king as you both could well be sleeping further apart. Sitting on the edge depresses the mattresses by a third of its height, as per our review, but it is still possible to lie along the edge without feeling like you will slide off. If you do have mobility issues, I would highly recommend you opt for a firmer option.
Despite that, the full marks it scored for its support and comfort justifies its high price, as per our reviewer, and there's peace of mind knowing you get a very impressive 15-year warranty on the mattress. You also get a 120-night trial period to give it a shot — if you don't like the LumbarCloud, Origin will donate it to the Salvation Army.
Read more: our in-depth Origin LumbarCloud review
Highly recommended mattresses we've tested
As a mattress reviewer I'm fully aware that the choice of bed is very subjective and personal to each individual — what might suit me may not be the best mattress for you. So, if you think my top 5 options aren't going to work for you, I've listed three others that scored well in our tests and missed out on being in main list by a smidgeon. They should also give you a wider option in terms of budget, with both premium and budget options listed below.
The Valmori Hybrid Mattress II was specifically designed with side sleepers in mind, offering medium-firm plushness that our reviewer liked so much, she'd happily recommend it to stomach sleepers too.
During testing, our reviewer found that despite the mattress' firmness rating of medium, the top layer feels a little softer, which allows people to fall flat on their faces and not feel like something is pushing up on their chests. And it's the same for side sleepers too — there's just enough softness for the foam to mould around the bony areas of the shoulders and hips, thus minimising pressure points for side sleepers.
It's probably fair to say that this softness would make the Valmori Hybrid II a good mattress for any kind sleeper, even those who lie on their backs. She was very clear to point out that the Hybrid II's softness is just the right amount — if it was any softer, it wouldn't have been very comfortable or very supportive.
What's even more remarkable about the Hybrid II is that, during testing, our reviewer found that it's an-almost perfect all-round mattress. It gives good support, the edges don't overly sag when you sit down, and the temperature regulation is impressive. That last one, in particular, is a highlight as the mattress uses gel memory foam on the top to make sure you stay cool. Motion transfer is also minimal as per our reviewer.
Valmori Home Collection's warranty period, though, is the headline act. It matches Origin and Ecosa with its long-term 15-year warranty, although its 100-night trial period falls a little short of Origin's 120 nights. Still, that's an industry standard and more than enough time for you to decide whether it suits you or not. And the good news is that it's not too expensive either.
Read our in-depth Valmori Hybrid Mattress II review to learn more
Given the Origin Hybrid is usually discounted to some degree or the other, it's my pick for the best affordable hybrid mattress in a box. In fact, I should stress that even at full price it's not a bad bargain, given our reviewer was really impressed with how well it supported a sleeper and its fantastic breathability.
Speaking of the latter, turns out this budget hybrid mattress actually sleeps cooler than a lot of it competition, and our reviewer said she needed an extra blanket on cold nights. Clearly Origin hasn't compromised build and materials to keep costs down, and that's evident in the fact that our reviewer also found motion isolation was quite good too.
She does note that the Origin Hybrid feels firmer than the manufacturer's rating, which affected how comfortable it was for side sleepers and thinks it might best suit back and stomach sleepers. Still, if you prefer a firmer sleep surface without having nightmares about spending a lot of money, this could be what you're after.
While it excels at temperature regulation and motion dampening, it doesn't quite hold up too well when it comes to edge support but, to be fair, that's the case with most budget hybrid mattresses we've previously reviewed on Tom's Guide.
If that doesn't bother you and you can easily get a large mattress for under a grand without compromising your spine's alignment. Importantly, you get a very long 120 nights to try it risk free, plus Origin offers an industry-leading 15-year warranty as well.
Read our in-depth Origin Hybrid Mattress review to find out more
The Eva Premium Adapt is very much like the Sleeping Duck Mach II listed above – you can swap out a full foam layer to change the firmness to suit. The reason it didn't make the 'best overall' spot is because Sleeping Duck goes that one step further to offer foam pieces for practically every zone, not just a side of the bed. Still, there's no denying that this Eva mattress is a worthwhile competitor.
The default firmness option of medium-soft didn't suit our reviewer but, as he mentions in his review, "with a little friendly help from the Eva customer support team, we were very easily able to personalise the mattress until it was one of the best we have slept on." That's high praise indeed.
Of course, as the name suggests, this kind of customisation comes a high price, but it might well be worth it because our reviewer found that the Eva Premium Adapt was also a very breathable mattress, saying that cooling was "excellent". During testing, our reviewer also found that the mattress has fantastic side-wall support that prevented him from sliding towards the edge when getting and out of bed.
The biggest issue with the Eva Premium Adapt, like the SD Mach II, is its height and weight. At 32cm and weighing 50kg for just the double, standard fitted sheets might not fit and getting them on will require some strength. Despite that, comfort and support here is great, especially since you can fine tune it by changing the foam layer inside.
Read our in-depth Eva Premium Adapt Mattress review to learn more
Frequently asked questions about the best mattresses in Australia
What is a mattress in a box?
As the name suggests, a mattress-in-a-box is, well, a mattress that comes in a box. While we wouldn't call it 'portable', manufacturers are able to stuff these large and heavy mattresses into a long cardboard box by machine-compressing them, then shrink-wrapping into a very tight roll that can be shipped a lot easily than a full-sized traditional mattress.
Shipping times vary by brand, but you can get a boxed mattress as fast as within two working days, and it gets delivered to your doorstep, sometimes even to the room of your choice.
Once the box has been delivered, it's up to you to unbox it, but some companies offer a white-glove service for an additional amount to do this for you. They might even offer to take away your old mattress.
Each mattress-in-a-box is covered in a reinforced plastic cover, and many brands give you a tool to slice through that covering more easily. Once the mattress has been fully unpacked, pop it on your bed base where it will begin to regain its full shape.
While they are the same as regular mattresses once fully decompressed, a mattress-in-a-box takes anywhere from a few hours to a few days to be ready to sleep on. Emma mattresses, for example, are ready to sleep on in a few hours, while Sleeping Duck can take up to 72 hours.
You may notice a bit of a smell at first, but this mattress off-gassing is normal. Just open the windows and it should soon pass, leaving you to enjoy your comfy new bed.
Another feature of mattress-in-a-box companies is the offer to refund you the full purchase amount if you're unhappy with the mattress, but this has to be done within the trial period, which is 100 nights on average, but could be less or more, depending on the brand. Pickup of the mattress is also free during this time.
Are mattresses in a box good?
Yes, boxed mattresses can be excellent if you pick the right one for you as the quality of the mattress has much more to do with the specific model rather than whether it has been compressed or not. There are plenty of fantastic boxed options – such as those included in our guide above — but there are some cheap ones that promise a lot and deliver on none of them, and these are best avoided.
Boxed mattresses are often delivered quicker and are easier to manoeuvre as they typically come with a pair of handles, if not more, but you'll avoid decompression time and perhaps also off-gassing if you go for a traditional option.
It’s easy to look at the cheaper price tags of some mattresses-in-a-box and dismiss them as being too cheap to be supportive or comfortable, but that simply isn’t the case. We've spent hundreds of hours sleeping on some of the top boxed mattresses and find them equally as comfortable as traditional mattresses sold in-store.
What’s the difference between a mattress-in-a-box and a traditional mattress?
The only difference between a regular or traditional mattress and those that come in a box is the packaging process.
Where a traditional mattress gets delivered in its open, fully functional form (aka flat), a mattress-in-a-box is industrially compressed, rolled and vacuum-sealed in plastic. It's then put into a box for shipping to your doorstep. It's then up to you to open it up and let it unfurl and decompress to regain its correct shape and size.
This kind of packaging negates the need for an expensive brick-and-mortar store, and the saving is passed on to the consumer.
Mattress-in-a-box buying advice
How to choose the best mattress-in-a-box
The mattress-in-a-box market is now so crowded, that there's something for every kind of sleeper — no matter the sleeping position, body weight or any other specific needs a person might have. How, then, do you choose which one is best for your individual needs?
Things to look out for when buying a bed-in-a-box online include:
Features
If you need extra features from a mattress to help you sleep, then there’ll be something for you, whether you sleep hot, need more pressure relief, or extra support for backache. Plenty of mattresses now come with innovative tech and eco-friendly materials too, so whatever your concerns, it should be covered.
Firmness
Just like standard mattresses, beds in a box come in a variety of firmnesses. If you know you will likely need a firmer mattress for instance, check before you buy to ensure you are getting the most comfortable choice for you.
Trial period and free delivery/returns
Many top brands offer mattress trials on their mattresses, giving you the chance to try the mattress out for yourself. It’s always a good idea to take advantage of trial periods, and if you decide the mattress isn’t for you, check that you can get a full refund. This takes a lot of the stress out of buying a mattress online, especially if the mattress is expensive. Also check if the company offers free returns so there’ll be no surprises if you do need to send the mattress back.
Reviews
Online reviews often give you extra information about the mattress, including feedback after a few weeks’ use and a closer assessment of the feel and comfort for different body weights. If you have decided on a boxed mattress, compare a few user reviews on the brand websites with those elsewhere too.
When is the best time to buy a mattress in a box?
Most mattress brands in Australia offer year-round sales where you can save anywhere between 30% to 50%, with better discounts offered when Black Friday mattress deals go live towards the end of each calendar year.
Another good time to pick up a mattress is mid-year, during Australia's EOFY mattress sales. Most brands will offer some kind of discount at this time too, but you could also shop during Click Frenzy sales when select companies slash prices for a limited time.
Be wary when you purchase a mattress from a brand that has year-round sales. If you can find price history, you'll know if you're being short-changed or not as some brands are known to increase prices and then offer a bigger discount. For example, we've seen Emma Sleep do just that previously, and it's been in trouble with the ACCC for its bundle prices.
