Sleeping Duck Mach II review: the most customisable mattress yet

Four firmness levels and several foam sizes in each — so much choice!

Sleeping Duck Mach II mattress with branding on the side
Editor's Choice
(Image: © Sleeping Duck)

Tom's Guide Verdict

The Sleeping Duck Mack II is arguably the best mattress-in-a-box I’ve had the pleasure of sleeping on. With the option to choose from four firmness levels that can be set in over 100 different combinations, even go half-and-half if your partner is in disagreement with you, it’s the most customisable option on the market. Importantly, it’s well crafted and durable, so it will be with you for the long haul.

Pros

  • +

    Over a hundred customisations possible

  • +

    Very supportive and comfortable

  • +

    Well made and durable

Cons

  • -

    Heavy

  • -

    Off-gassing odour takes days to dissipate

  • -

    Returns process is ambiguous

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Sleeping Duck was one of the first homegrown mattress-in-a-box companies to gain popularity in Australia. The Melbourne-based brand was founded in 2014 and rose to prominence after being featured on an episode of Shark Tank in 2017.

The company is no longer just Australia-only, having expanded to other markets — including the UK and US, although it has now pulled out of the former.

Unlike other bed-in-a-box brands, Sleeping Duck only offers one mattress in Australia — while not its first, the SD Mach II was launched in 2020 and is still available. It uses foam that’s made Down Under, while the assembly is done in China where the springs and upholstery materials are manufactured.

I've been using it for quite a while since publishing this review and am still happy with it. So much so that I think it's the best mattress in Australia right now, all thanks to its excellent customisability. While that's not necessarily well explained on the official listing page on the Sleeping Duck website, the company's customer service will walk you through any changes you'd like to make, even if you want smaller foam for better support to certain parts of the body like shoulders and hips.

Recent updates

August 2025: I've been using the Sleeping Duck Mach II for nearly a year now and I'm pleased say it's still as good as it was when I first lay on it. In fact, in January 2025, I even swapped out the Firm foam layer for Extra Firm to see how easy that change would be. It's still a battle to put fresh sheets on because it's such a heavy mattress, but I'm happy to report it's longevity is holding up well. I've updated the original review to reflect its long-term use.

Sleeping Duck Mach II review in brief

  • Well-constructed hybrid mattress with steel innersprings
  • Adjustable firmness with 4 levels
  • Excellent temperature regulation
Sleeping Duck Mach II specs

• Type: Hybrid (foam upper layers over pocket springs)
• Materials: Foam, polyester, steel
• Firmness: Adjustable
• Height: 31cm
• Trial period: 100 nights
• Warranty: 10 years
• Price: AU$999-AU$2,699

The Sleeping Duck Mach II’s biggest selling point is its adjustable firmness levels, but it's got competition from the Eva Premium Adapt mattress. Both are similar – you can choose your preferred firmness when you order your mattress, then choose a different one within the trial period for free if the original doesn’t suit you. All you have to do is swap out the appropriate foam layer. In fact, both brands will also let you choose a half-half option so both you and your partner will be happy.

There are a couple of major points of difference that puts Sleeping Duck ahead of the competition — where Eva only offers three firmness levels, Sleeping Duck has four (all of which I was sent for this review), although that's not evident from the website, you'll need to call customer service to ask about other options.

Additionally, Eva continues to offer only offers three mattress sizes, but you get the choice of six sizes from Sleeping Duck. That said, the half-half adjustable firmness options for the Mach II are only available for the queen size or bigger.

Where Sleeping Duck really takes the lead is by offering smaller foam pieces in different firmness levels for different zones on the mattress provided you purchase a queen or larger. So you can potentially have a soft foam for your shoulder, but a firm foam for your hips, while your partner could have medium for their shoulder and extra firm for the hip zone. The customisation options are limitless!

Sleeping Duck has also made it quite easy to change the firmness layers — unzip the cover fully, remove the top foam layer, unzip the cover labelled ComponentAdapt and swap out the foam within, then replace the top foam and the cover. It would have been easier if the zip for the inner foam cover went all the around like the breathable top cover, but it's like slipping on a duvet cover, so quite doable by one person. That top cover can be machine-washed, but it will need to be sun-dried.

Customisability aside, the Sleeping Duck is also one of the better-made mattresses I’ve tested, and comes with two handles on each side — the Eva Premium Adapt instead has end handles which our reviewer thought didn't help much with moving a heavy mattress around. And the Sleeping Duck is a heavyweight, with the double (sent for this review) tipping the scales at 43kg.

The four side handles are well stitched and, after rotating it multiple times in the 12 months I've used it, they're still holding up very well indeed. The rest of the mattress also seems to be made from high-quality material (more on this later) that, so far, has withstood the test of time.

Importantly, everything that Sleeping Duck promises with its mattress, it delivers. The breathability here is one of the best I’ve experienced, perhaps outdone only by Origin as evidenced in our Origin Hybrid Mattress review. It made humid summer nights a lot more bearable, especially since I also suffer from night sweats. Motion transfer is also minimal and there’s good edge support for a hybrid mattress, giving you more sleeping room.

Overall, the SD Mach II is an excellent mattress that’s worth every penny, particularly in the larger sizes as they are the more customisable ones. I would even recommend it at full price, which I have done to a few friends and colleagues and they're all very pleased with their purchase.

Branding on the top and end of the Sleeping Duck Mach II mattress

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / Tom's Guide)

Sleeping Duck mach II review: price, delivery and deals

  • Competitively priced
  • Not discounted too often
  • 100-night trial and 10-year warranty

For a mattress that’s both well constructed and offers a lot of adjustability, the SD Mach II is very well priced. Starting at AU$999 for the single, it's admittedly a little on the expensive side for the smaller sizes compared to some other hybrid mattresses, especially since they're not as customisable as the bigger sizes, but the double and larger options offer better value for money.

Importantly, the prices have not changed at all since I first published this review in July 2024.

Here is a breakdown of the prices of the various SD Mach II sizes:

  • Single: AU$999
  • King single: AU$1,099
  • Double: AU$1,349
  • Queen: AU$1,649
  • King: AU$1,999
  • Super king: AU$2,699

The only proper price comparison I can do is with the Eva Premium Adapt as it's a similar kind of mattress offering quite a bit of customisation. The double size, which is the smallest listed on the Eva website, used to be about AU$50 cheaper than the SD Mach II but now costs the same at AU$1,350 at full price. Go up one size and the Eva queen is AU$1,690 and the Sleeping Duck is AU$1,649 — tipping the scales in favour of the latter.

The below table compares the prices of the two brands for the different sizes.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Header Cell - Column 0

Single

King single

Double

Queen

King

Super king

SD Mach II

AU$999

AU$1,099

AU$1,349

AU$1,649

AU$1,999

AU$2,699

Eva Premium Adapt

n/a

n/a

AU$1,350

AU$1,690

AU$1,990

n/a

Emma Sleep doesn’t have an equivalent mattress, but its Luxe Plus mid-range mattress is currently priced at AU$1,520 for the double and AU$1,770 for the queen — expensive in comparison and it doesn't offer any kind of adjustability. Moreover, I wasn't particularly impressed with it in my Emma Luxe review and neither was my colleague in his Emma Luxe Pro review.

Again, Ecosa also doesn’t offer a similar product, but it’s one of the more budget-friendly mattress brands in Australia. It's top-of-the-range products are currently available from AU$1,900 at full price for the queen CoolComfort or AU$3,500 without discount for the queen AeroLux.

So while the SD Mach II might be a touch more expensive the budget-friendly Origin Hybrid for example (which is typically discounted to well below the AU$1,000 mark), the quality of its materials, the amount of comfort and support you get, as well as the extent of adjustability more than make up for it.

View the SD Mach II at Sleeping Duck

View the SD Mach II at Sleeping Duck

Unlike other brands, Sleeping Duck doesn’t regularly discount its products. However, keep a lookout during the big Black Friday sales in November — chances are you’ll be able to save a little on what is already a well-priced mattress.

Ordering the SD Mach II is really easy, with no annoying pop-ups to navigate. You just need to select the size and firmness level of choice, then proceed to checkout. The Sleeping Duck customer service is also one of the best teams we’ve had the pleasure of interacting with.

Depending on the delivery address, you can choose the date you want the mattress delivered. Sleeping Duck also includes the removal of the mattress’ packaging in its delivery service. Some metro areas also get a complimentary white-glove service that includes the removal of your old mattress as well. You can choose this at checkout or speak to a customer service representative after you've placed your order. If you live outside of these specific postcodes, you can still opt for the white-glove service for an extra fee.

If you’re undecided as to which firmness level is best for you, Sleeping Duck has a handy quiz on its site that takes about a minute to do and can give you an idea of what to order.

You get a 100-night trial for the mattress, which is quite standard and more than enough time to decide if the SD Mach II you’ve ordered is for you or not. You have the option to change the firmness layer for free after the first 21 days of your trial are done — this can be done by calling the company’s customer service. While the mattress comes via courier, the foam layers ordered later are usually sent via Australia Post, so delivery of the latter could take longer.

Warranty is also the standard 10 years for the SD Mach II, although you will need to keep in mind that Sleeping Duck is very particular about the bed base you use. Your warranty will be void if you use a sprung base, gas-lift bed or any other adjustable base. If the total weight on the mattress is over 280kg — or 140kg per sleeper — the warranty will be void. Thankfully Sleeping Duck lists its terms and conditions clearly on its website.

One thing to keep in mind with Sleeping Duck is its returns policy. While you can organise to have your mattress picked up for free within the 100-night trial period if you’re not happy with it, the company may direct you to a charity to organise the pickup. This isn’t mentioned on the website and can be a hassle to get sorted.

Branding and a side handle on the side of the Sleeping Duck Mach II mattress

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / Tom's Guide)

Sleeping Duck Mach II review: design and materials

  • Steel pocket springs with two foam layers on top
  • Well-made breathable and washable cover
  • Four horizontal fabric side handles

We’ve tested our fair share of mattresses here at Tom’s Guide and we usually say they’re all (or mostly all) well made. However, after seeing what Sleeping Duck has achieved with the Mach II, the others pale in comparison.

For starters, I have to call out the four side handles on the SD Mach II — where other mattresses, if they even have handles, sport vertically stitched ones, here they’re horizontal and it makes a difference to how comfortably you can lift up the mattress to adjust or move. During my initial 70-day testing period, I moved the mattress five times to test the sturdiness of the handles, once even putting as much of the mattress’ weight as I could onto just a single handle — not a single stitch came loose nor were there any tears. After nearly a year of use, they're all still firmly attached despite rotating the mattress nearly every month.

The rest of the mattress also looks good and is just as well made, although the covers of the individual foam layers do appear like they could rip easily. After long-term use, I've found some pilling on the covers of the foam layers, likely do to surface movements. There's still no cause for concern as far I'm concerned.

Everything is under a very nice bamboo-infused top cover, and I don't think they'll incur too much wear and tear in the coming years. This spun-bamboo cover feels nice and soft, and always remains cool to the touch. It's also absorbent, unlike some polyester covers I've seen on other mattresses.

While the zip holding the cover in place is nothing to write home about, it didn’t snag on anything in the 12 months I've used it, and that's despite having opened it up a few times. It's also well stitched on

The cover is machine-washable but it’s not as fast-drying as some Emma Sleep polyester covers I’ve tested previously. So if you want to give the cover a wash, I’d recommend doing so on a summer morning so it’s ready for you to sleep on by the night.

Under the cover are two layers of foam.

The different foam layers inside the cover of the Sleeping Duck Mach II mattress

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / Tom's Guide)

The first is what Sleeping Duck calls an AntiGravity Surface foam — it’s a high-density AirGrown polyurethane foam that gives you the feeling of softness without compromising on support. It provides cushioning and pressure relief just like memory foam would but alters shape much faster than memory foam so it conforms to your body as and when you move.

As the topmost layer, it’s porous to allow air movement which, in turn, helps with temperature regulation. Sleeping Duck claims that the air bubbles within the foam have been made via a process called Variable Pressure Foaming rather than by chemical reactions, which is how other foams are made, and gets a GECA (Good Environmental Choice Australia) tick of approval that there are no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) within the foam. It’s also got a level A global Green Tag certification, meaning it follows the highest environmental standards. And given the foam is made in Sydney rather than in China, you can rest assured that the standards are definitely being met.

The second layer is the swappable foam, called the ComponentAdapt Customisation System by Sleeping Duck. This, too, is a high-density polyurethane foam made the same way as the AntiGravity layer, so there are no chemicals involved in the manufacturing process. While you make your choice of firmness level when you first order the mattress — including half-half options — you can change your mind within the 100-day trial period for either a replacement foam or additional panels to customise your bed.

Both layers have their own individual covers that can be opened up if you want to vacuum them to increase their life, but it doesn’t seem like the covers themselves are washable.

Below the two foam layers is what the brand calls the Motherboard. It’s a layer of twice-tempered pocket springs, meaning they’ll last a long while. Sleeping Duck is one of the few mattress makers to reveal what spring gauges are used and this transparency goes a long way in building customer trust. The Mach II has three gauges — 1.8mm springs for the shoulder and knee zones, 2mm for the back and hip, and 2.3m around the mattress’ edge. This kind of zoning means your entire body gets the correct support each part needs while you sleep, keeping your spine aligned correctly. It also means the mattress is properly optimised for side sleepers.

Sleeping Duck Mach II review: firmness and comfort

  • 4 levels of firmness in several customisable combinations
  • Very supportive in any combination
  • All-night comfort

The SD Mach II is one of the few mattresses to not have a default firmness rating provided by the manufacturer. That’s because it will depend on what you choose, and this is where I need to explain how the customisation works for the Mach II.

Your initial order can only be between Medium and Firm, or a Half-Half that gets you one side medium and other firm. However, after a period of 21 days (or three weeks) from the day of delivery, you can change your mind and opt to choose soft, extra firm or a half-half combination of any of these four different firmness levels. You can speak to SD's customer service for more information on how to order these.

Customisation doesn’t stop there — Sleeping Duck also offers smaller panels at these four firmness levels for different zones within the bed itself, so you can potentially get well over a hundred combinations. As long as you order these additional foam pieces within your 100-night trial, they are free, but again, you will have to first try out the new mattress for a period of three weeks first before you can change your mind. That’s the time it takes for a mattress to ‘break in’, so it’s not an uncalled-for request from the company.

Note that this amount of customisation is only possible for the queen, king and super king sizes as it’s harder to make the smaller pieces for the smaller-sized mattresses. In fact, you can't even opt for a half-half in the double size as it's not cost-effective for the company to make such a slim length of foam.

Customisation can be done after the 100-night trial but, of course, you will need to pay for these. That said, it’s a lot cheaper than buying a whole new mattress.

No matter what firmness level you choose, I found the SD Mach II to be one of the most comfortable and supportive mattresses we’ve tried. For this review, I was sent the double size, so I couldn’t try out the full extent of customisations, but as I've mentioned previously, I was sent all four firmness options in full size.

While I didn’t like the extra soft only due to personal preferences — I would give it a 5 / 10 firmness rating — the difference between the medium and the firm is quite negligible. We would rate the medium at 6.5 / 10 and the firm at 7.5 / 10. I think the former is ideal for most users while the latter would be best suited to side sleepers with lower-back pain as it keeps the hips slightly higher to reduce pressure on the lower spice. The extra firm is quite hard — I’d rate it at 8.5 / 10 firmness — and may not be to everyone’s liking, but it's my current setup and I much prefer it over the firm. The amount of support it offers is excellent but I will admit it can be a little too hard in the shoulder zone for some users.

Please note that the firmness rating listed above is based on how the mattress feels with the top AntiGravity layer also set up on top, which adds a bit of softness to the actual sleep surface.

Given the extent to which you can customise this mattress — way beyond the nine options you get with the Eva Premium Adapt — it’s hard to see how it wouldn’t suit almost anyone, no matter the sleeping preference.

The design on the top of the removable cover of Sleeping Duck Mach II mattress

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / Tom's Guide)

Sleeping Duck Mach II review: performance

  • White-glove setup available but off-gassing takes a long time
  • Good edge support
  • Excellent temperature regulation

You’d think that the extent of customisations available with the SD Mach II would make this a more objective choice than other mattresses, but that’s not necessarily the case — comfort is still highly subjective.

Moreover, you need to be patient with these configurations, trying what you think would be the best option for you and your partner, then choosing another and trying it for at least three weeks before you make a decision.

However, choosing the right mattress for you would take more information than just its adjustability. So I’ve put together the below guide to explain a few other features that I think you should consider before buying any mattress. I’ve also included scores out of five for each to help you make it easier for you to understand these metrics.

Setup

Score: 5 / 5

Like all other mattress-in-a-box products, the SD Mach II will arrive in a large box which, thankfully in this case, has wheels. This is a good thing because the mattress, particularly in the larger sizes, is quite heavy and I would recommend getting help to set it up — it’s a two-man (or woman) job for double or larger.

That said, Sleeping Duck’s delivery service includes the courier opening the box inside your home and taking away the packaging the mattress comes in, if you are comfortable letting them in through the door. The brand takes it a little further by offering a white-glove service too, which includes the removal of your old mattress as well. This is free for a small number of metro postcodes and you can set it up at checkout or by calling the company’s customer service team.

Even if you choose not to indulge in the white-glove service, getting the mattress out of the box and unrolled isn’t too difficult as long as you have a second set of hands to help as it's heavier than usual. Thankfully the four side handles help in positioning it correctly, something our reviewer found difficult with the Eva Premium Adapt as it's handles are on the end rather than the sides.

Off-gassing

Score: 3.5 / 5

This is where the SD Mach II disappoints. The strange thing is that I wasn’t expecting a lot of off-gassing to take place considering the foam used here wasn’t manufactured using chemical processes, but there is a very distinct odour that will fill your room as soon as the mattress is unwrapped. While the odour is normal, it took a few days to dissipate, which isn't all that normal, despite leaving the balcony doors in the room wide open.

If you have the space, I would suggest that you unroll the mattress elsewhere to allow the smell to go away before setting it up as your bed, but that’s far from ideal for most customers. That said, the air purifier I used at the time of this review to register possible formaldehyde and VOC emissions picked up nothing, so it’s just the lingering smell rather than anything harmful.

To be fair, though, I started using the mattress on the first night itself for testing purposes and suffered no ill effects, except needing to get used to the strange odour.

In my case, it took over 10 days for the smell to disappear from the room the mattress was placed in despite being well ventilated.

Different firmness foams for the Sleeping Duck Mach II mattress

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / Tom's Guide)

Pressure relief

Score: 5 / 5

Most of us think that pressure relief comes from the foam you’re lying on and, while that’s true for all-foam mattresses, it’s not entirely so for hybrids and innerspring mattresses. With the SD Mach II, it’s definitely the pocket spring layer doing most of the heavy lifting with three gauges of springs supporting you.

The gauge refers to the thickness of the wire used to make the pocket springs — for example, many bouncy hybrid mattresses will use a gauge of 1.2mm, so you tend to sink into the foam on top. Thicker springs will prevent that sinking and help keep your spine better aligned with the rest of your body.

As mentioned earlier in this review, the SD Mach II has pocket springs of thicknesses between 1.8mm and 2.3mm, so these are some seriously stout springs and their distribution across different zones definitely keeps the body straight, whether you sleep on your stomach, back or on your side.

If you are a stomach sleeper, though, I think the medium firmness would be ideal, but some users might prefer the soft. Many back and side sleepers will be best served by the medium or the firm, but even the extra firm foam might benefit some back sleepers. If you think you need to vary it further, speak to the Sleeping Duck customer service team to see if you can get hold of the smaller foam panels that will customise your mattress entirely.

Temperature regulation

Score: 5 / 5

One of the essential factors in a good night’s rest is how hot or cold you get under the covers and some of this is determined by the mattress — the more breathable the materials closest to your skin are, the cooler you’ll feel when sleeping.

For this, the SD Mach II uses what it calls a BreathTech material, which the company says is made from bamboo yarn. It’s soft and silky to the touch, just like any bamboo material you would find in attire, but it also seems a lot more durable than what you might find in clothing. This suggests there might be some polyester mixed in as well, particularly elastane as the material is stretchy and can easily be pulled over the corners when zipping up.

Despite the addition of the elastane, the bamboo is quite absorbent and more cooling than any other mattress I've tested, which makes for quite a comfortable night even in summer.

As mentioned earlier in the review, I suffers from night sweats and, after swapping over to using the Sleeping Duck, I've had far more comfortable nights than previously with any other mattress. Through the 12 months I've been using the SD Mach II, it's been cool to the touch, even after body heat has accumulated under a blanket.

Keep in mind that if you use a mattress protector, you may not get the same amount of cooling as when sleeping on sheets directly over the mattress. I tried both scenarios and found that the best results were without a mattress protector. A cotton protector will keep some of the breathability of the mattress cover, but if you use a waterproof protector made from polyester, it might negate the cooling effect.

A hand pressing down on the edge of the Sleeping Duck Mach II mattress

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / Tom's Guide)

Edge support

Score: 4.5 / 5

The perimeter of the SD Mach II has 2.3mm thick pocket springs, which is quite strong and doesn’t compress easily even when you sit rather than lie flat. This means that there’s a good amount of edge support, in return giving you an almost-full sleep surface on the mattress. There is also a decent amount of foam density here to keep you comfortable even if you roll to the edge of the bed in the middle of the night.

Even when sitting at the edge, like if you were wearing your slippers in the morning, the springs don’t depress too much, although the foam does sink more compared to when your body is flat. So while you won’t feel like you’re slipping off the edge, you may feel like you’re not getting enough edge support, but that’s only because more body weight is putting pressure on a small part of the mattress.

Motion transfer

Score 4.5 / 5

An all-foam mattress is usually the best when it comes to fully dampening motion transfer — aka zero partner disturbance — but the SD Mach II does a pretty good job of making sure kinetic energy isn’t spreading throughout the mattress. I suspect that this is because the pocket springs are individual rather than connected, which minimises the amount of energy being transferred across the bed. I also found that all four firmness layers were effective at dampening motion, although the extra firm was the best as it reduces the amount of sinkage the top AntiGravity layer can accomplish, thus reducing surface movements.

A small amount of movement did transfer when I dropped a 5kg bag of rice about 1.5 inches away from an empty glass placed upright in the middle of the mattress on the firm foam, which caused it to topple. However, the direction of the fall was away from the bag, meaning we need to take into account any air movement caused when the bag was dropped and it wouldn't necessarily be the mattress itself. Not the most objective of tests, but it's the closest we can come to objectivity.

I think only the lightest of sleepers will feel any disturbance beside a restless partner, but then again, there's not a lot anyone can do about pulled sheets and blankets.

Durability

Score: 4.5 / 5

I’ve previously said the SD Mach II is well made. The stitching is strong, the handles are sturdy and the foam has shown no signs of sagging after a year of use. That is still a drop in the bucket when it comes to mattress longevity, but it's still saying something. The Sleeping Duck has superior construction to other mattresses I’ve tested previously, so we think it will likely last well beyond the 10-year warranty period.

It’s important to note that the SD Mach II is rated for only 280kg of total weight (or up to 140kg per sleeper), which I think is rather conservative. The foam layers seem to be well made and the springs (going by their declared gauges) are strong, so I don’t anticipate any issues with sagging for a few years at the very least even if you and your partner are on the heavier side.

During my testing period I washed the cover twice and didn’t see any signs of wear and tear, plus the side handles are still going strong despite having used them extensively in the 12-month period since I first received the mattress.

Overall, the SD Mach II is an impressively made mattress that should easily be able to handle more than 280kg a night for years to come. However, if you want peace of mind, you could consider the Eva Premium Adapt mattress, which is rated for a total of 400kg.

Keeping the mattress clean is also quite easy. While the top cover can be machine-washed, you can even keep the foam layers under it clean by removing their individual covers to vacuum them.

The zip attaching the cover of the Sleeping Duck Mach II mattress

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / Tom's Guide)

Sleeping Duck Mach II: user reviews

I fell in love with the SD Mach II from night one — although I will admit the odour released after the packaging was removed wasn’t all that pleasant. That one niggle aside, I think this is the best innerspring mattress-in-a-box currently available in Australia. If you don’t want to take my word for it, check out the nearly 5,600 user reviews on ProductReview.com.au (Australia’s most popular customer opinion site).

While the reviews are for “Sleeping Duck Mattress”, any dated prior to 2020 are for the older mattress models from the company — those published after 2020 are specifically for the SD Mach II.

Even the older mattress from the brand was well received, having won ProductReview’s Best Mattress Award in 2017. The Mach II went on to become a multi-award winner, receiving the same accolade in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2025.

Of the 5,591 user reviews as of August 2025 — admittedly some are of the older ones for original SD mattress — only 3% were negative, but a whopping 5,400 people (97%) liked it enough to give the Sleeping Duck mattress an average rating of 4.8 stars out of 5.

Most of these users were side sleepers it seems, and plenty with pre-existing back and neck conditions, so that’s saying something. The majority of the users agree with me — that it’s comfortable (around 3.8K reviews), doesn’t retain a lot of heat (about 2.8K reviews) and hasn’t sagged (3.8K reviews).

Some users who changed their mind have had issues with Sleeping Duck’s returns policy — and I agree that it’s ambiguous and not clearly spelt out on the website — but the company’s customer service got a whopping 4.9-star rating from just over 3,500 users. What’s even more interesting is that, at the time of writing, over 4,000 users think the SD Mach II offers good value for money.

There are several reviews that follow the theme of “a little bit of heaven” or “fantastic mattress”, so it’s not just me who think the SD Mach II deserves top marks.

Branding and a side handle on the side of the Sleeping Duck Mach II mattress

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / Tom's Guide)

Should I buy the Sleeping Duck Mach II?

It’s very easy to recommend the SD Mach II even if I don’t know what kind sleeper you are. The extent of customisation alone means nearly anyone will find comfort and support on this mattress. Admittedly the customisation is also what can make this a confusing experience, but the company has tried to make it easy for customers to choose by offering a quick firmness quiz on its website to get you started.

It’s a heavy mattress and some people will find it hard to fit sheets on, but if you can get around that, I think the SD Mach II truly is a revolutionary product. It’s cool for hot sleepers, offers support in the right zones and, importantly, doesn’t compromise on edge support. It even manages to keep to its zero-partner disturbance promise, particularly if you opt for the more firm foams.

There are mattresses that cost a lot more than the SD Mach II and offer nowhere near as much adjustability. So, even at full price, I think the SD Mach II offers excellent bang for buck — it's an absolute winner!

Sleeping Duck Mach II review: Alternatives

As I've already said, the closest competition to the SD Mach II comes from the Eva Premium Adapt, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that I'd recommend it as an alternative if you aren't completely sold on my review.

I have also listed a couple of other options, in case one of them tickles your fancy. The good news is they all have a lengthy trial period, so you can get a full refund if you aren't too pleased with any of them.

1. Eva Premium Adapt Mattress

Eva Premium Adapt mattress on a white background

(Image credit: Eva)

Type: Hybrid
Firmness (1-10): Customisable (medium-soft 5/10)
Materials: Foam, polyester, steel
Height: 32cm
RRP: AU$1,350 - AU$1,990 (AU$79 for half-half firmness)
Trial/Warranty: 100 nights / 10 years

In our Eva Premium Adapt mattress review, we were impressed with its customisable options, including the ability to opt for a half-half foam layer so you and your partner can have your individual needs met. Although, it has a limit of nine custom options, while the SD Mach II can take it further, as long as you opt for a queen or larger size.

Its top cover is removable and machine-washable, but our reviewer noted that the materials weren't as premium as he was expecting. Moreover, there are no side handles, which can make moving a heavy mattress like it difficult.

Choose Eva Premium Adapt if: You aren't sure what kind of firmness suits you best.
Avoid it if: You want a better-built mattress.

2. Origin LumbarCloud

Origin LumbarCloud mattress

(Image credit: Origin)

Type: Hybrid
Firmness (1-10): Medium firm (6.5/10)
Materials: Foam, polyester, titanium
Height: 33cm
RRP: AU$2,909 - $3,965
Trial/Warranty: 120 nights / 15 years

Our Origin LumbarCloud review clearly states its for that premium feel of sinking into a cloud. Our tester was so impressed with it how it made his body feel, he couldn't help but give it a near-perfect score.

However, I'm listing the LumbarCloud here as a softer alternative to the firmer versions of the Sleeping Duck if you prefer the 'sink into a cloud' feeling. Despite that, our reviewer says he still got excellent spinal support and never once woke up feeling pain or discomfort.

It too suffers from excessive off-gassing smell, but lacks the kind of edge support the SD Mach II can give you. You'll need to be willing to spend the extra cash on it.

Choose Origin LumbarCloud if: You want premium sink-into-a-cloud feel.
Avoid it if: If you prefer firmer mattresses and want to shop on a budget.

Sharmishta is Tom Guide's sister site TechRadar's APAC Managing Editor, but contributes to several of Future's tech sites, including T3 and Digital Camera World. For Tom's Guide, Sharmishta reports on smart home gizmos, from standing desks and TVs to the best mattresses on the market. This includes testing and reviewing beds from big brands like Emma and Sleeping Duck.

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