Along with your mattress, choosing the best bed base is very important when it comes to your back health and sleep quality.
Your bed base provides the solid foundation for your mattress, and this structure has a significant effect on the support and performance of your mattress.
Koala Calm As Mattress on the Koala Kirribilli Bed Base
Australia’s bed & mattress experts
Bedbuyer™ is Australia’s largest bed and mattress website. Our team of qualified sleep experts test mattresses and bed bases in ‘real life’, to help you choose the right bed for your needs.
So what are Australia’s best products in 2024? Here is our top 8!
Australia’s best bed bases
- Koala Paddington Base
- Chiropedic Bed Base
- Dusk&Dawn Slate Bed
- Atlantis Bed Base
- Porto Bed Base
- Koala Kirribilli Bed Base
- Eva Timber Bed Frame
- Sleeping Duck Indestruct
To help with your decision, we have summarised the main features of each product below. We have also included links to our full reviews as well as instructions on how to claim Bedbuyer’s exclusive discounts!
Be sure to read further down also as we discuss some information that you need to know before you make your purchase.
As always, please leave a comment (at the bottom of this article) if you have any questions about your product selection.
🏆 Best Bed Base
1. Koala Paddington Base
$1,147.50 (Queen)
The Koala Paddington Bed Base is a brilliantly designed product that provides a strong foundation for any mattress. It is easy to assemble and includes a comfortable bedhead.
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This product forms part of the Koala bedding range, that also includes the popular Koala Mattress. Koala offers free and fast delivery, Australia-wide.
One of the most impressive aspects of the Koala Paddington Bed Base is its design in terms of its assembly. It doesn’t require any tools (Allen keys, screwdrivers, spanners) and only takes around 10 minutes to assemble.
This excellent option from Koala is available in 5 sizes (king, queen, double, king single and single) so it should accommodate most sleeping arrangements. It comes with a handy 120 night trial period and a 5 year warranty.
2. Chiropedic Bed Base
$440 (Queen)
The Chiropedic Bed Base is an excellent product that should suit almost anyone. It is easy to assemble (no tools required) and comes in a choice of two colours – ‘Mist Grey’ or ‘Star Black’.
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This base uses 14 slats, compared with other standard bed bases that use 10 or 12. These slats are also much thicker than standard bed bases, making this product particularly sturdy. It has a height of 29cm, which should be a convenient height for most people.
This product should suit almost any bedroom decor. The simple yet modern design should blend nicely with any colour theme, giving this product a wide appeal.
This gem from Chiropedic comes with a 5 year warranty, giving you plenty of peace of mind. It comes in 5 sizes (king, queen, double, king single, and single size) so it should accommodate most sleep arrangements.
3. Dusk&Dawn Slate Bed
From $999 (Queen)
The Slate Bedhead & Base is a stylish, premium quality bed base. It forms part of the Dusk&Dawn bedding range that also includes the award-winning Dusk&Dawn Signature Mattress.
The Slate Bedhead & Base can be ordered online in two different styles – ‘plain’ which has a flat, smooth headboard, or a ‘panelling’ which has a number of grooves in the headboard.
This product from Dusk&Dawn is easy to set up and only requires the attachment of the headboard and screws. Unpacking and assembling this base should only take around 5 minutes and we would strongly recommend having two people on hand.
The Slate Bedhead & Base comes in all 7 sizes (super king, king, queen, double, king single, long single, and single) so it should suit any sleeping arrangement.
4. Atlantis Bed Base
$449 (Queen)
The Atlantis Bed Base is a high quality, Australian made product. It is designed to be used with the award-winning Atlantis Mattress, and is easy to assemble.
Once assembled, this base has a simple, yet modern appearance that should blend nicely into any bedroom decor. It is designed with exceptional structural support, as well as optimal airflow and breathability.
This product uses a special ‘Supergrid Support Mesh’ that is wrapped over the top layer of the base. This is coupled with a thin Australian foam layer that creates a smooth top layer for the mattress to sit on.
This base can be purchased in 5 sizes (king, queen, double, king single and single) and is surprisingly well priced.
5. Porto Bed Base
$404.10 (Queen)
The Porto Bed Base offers outstanding value, and not surprisingly, has become a popular product in Australia. It comes in a choice of three colour options – Grey, Natural, and Graphite.
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This option from Mobile Mattress is Australian made and uses high quality timber. In addition it uses a central support beam that helps to create a stable surface for almost any mattress. The coloured materials are made from a premium linen fabric that can be chosen in several colours to match your bedroom decor.
This product is designed to allow a good level of air flow and circulation. This is particularly important for hot sleepers as it should help to regulate sleep temperature.
This beauty from Mobile Mattress comes in 5 sizes (king, queen, double, king single, and single size) so it should accommodate most sleep arrangements.
6. Koala Kirribilli Bed Base
$1,266.50 (Queen)
The Koala Kirribilli Bed Base is a premium quality product that has a natural, yet modern look. It contains a number of parts and pieces but is easy to set up and won’t require any tools during the assembling process.
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This product is characterised by a distinct timber finish, headboard, and panel slats. The panel slats provide excellent support for any mattress and are cleverly designed with ventilation holes. The headboard is strong and sturdy, as are the main frame components.
The Koala Kirribilli Bed Base has a generous amount of storage space underneath (18cm), but if you prefer to keep store items elsewhere, the space underneath should make it easy to clean. This should allow you to keep your bedroom free of dust and dirt.
This base is backed with a 120 night trial and a 5 year warranty, giving you plenty of after-sale security. All timber components are certified by FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council), a group that works towards protecting healthy, resilient forests.
7. Eva Timber Bed Frame
$1,490 (Queen)
The Eva Timber Bed Frame is made from premium quality timber and has a modern, practical design. It boasts a good design award and is incredibly easy to assemble.
This beauty from Eva can be ordered online and it will arrive at your door in a number of boxes. Eva offers free and fast delivery, Australia-wide (except to the Northern Territory).
Like many of the other bed bases on this list, the Eva Timber Bed Frame doesn’t require any tools (Allen keys, screwdrivers, spanners). It should only take around 10 minutes to assemble and we would recommend having two people to assist in this process.
This bed frame feels stable and can accommodate up to 450 kgs. It comes in in 5 sizes (king, queen, double, king single and single) and has a 365 day trial period.
8. Sleeping Duck Indestruct Bed
From $2,099 (Queen)
The Sleeping Duck Indestruct Bed Range makes up part of the popular Sleeping Duck product range that also includes the iconic Sleeping Duck Mattress.
This product is possibly the strongest bed base on the market. It includes a number of models (such as the Baker, and the Boyd) as well as different design options (such as headboards and legs).
As you might expect, this bed base (and its parts) are particularly heavy. We would recommend having at least two people on hand to assemble and/or transport this product.
The Sleeping Duck Indestruct Bed is well designed and doesn’t require any tools (other than the two Allen keys provided). We would allow approximately 30 minutes to assemble this bed base, assuming that two people are available to assist.
This product is well backed with a lifetime warranty on the Indestruct Steel Core Support System, and a 10 year warranty on aesthetic finishes. It is available in 5 sizes (single, king single, double, queen, and king) so it should accommodate most adult sleeping arrangements.
Before you purchase a new bed base, here is some important information that you need to know.
Why is a bed base important?
There are several reasons why getting the best bed base with your mattress is important.
Mattress support
A good bed base provides the stable structure that your mattress sits on. This bed base should help to provide strong support for your mattress so that it performs well over time.
Some bed bases do not provide adequate support for a mattress, and this may result in poor spinal support, and damage to your mattress.
Bed height
A bed base will generally elevate your mattress to a more practical height. This will allow you to get in and out of bed more easily, and it also provides a handy sitting surface if need be.
Raising the height of your mattress can also make it easier to place items on, such as clothes and bags.
Ventilation
Although not commonly discussed, a bed base is also important as it helps to optimise airflow and ventilation throughout your bed.
Using your mattress on the floor is usually fine for short periods, but overtime, the poor air circulation may encourage the build up of moisture, mould, and bacteria.
Decor and storage
A bed base will add to the decor and vibe of your bedroom, making it an important piece of furniture in your home. Bed bases come in a variety of colours, styles, and decor themes, so this will allow you to really personalise your sleeping environment.
Some bed bases also have handy storage features (e.g. drawers), so this also makes them a practical item in your bedroom.
Do I need to assemble my bed base?
Some bed bases can be purchased fully assembled and ‘ready to use’ whilst others require assembling.
If you are buying a base that is ready to use, make sure that it will fit through the spaces (door frames, stairwells) in your home.
A bed base that can be assembled and disassembled (e.g. Chiropedic Bed Base) may be a more practical option in terms of transport to the bedroom.
Posture slats vs. solid slats
In almost all situations, we strongly recommend that you buy a bed base with solid slats or flat panel slats, not posture slats (also known as Euro-Slats or flexible slats).
Our recommendation still applies if the mattress company specifies that their mattress can be used with posture slats.
Solid slats should provide good support for your mattress, and will help your mattress to perform well over time. There is often a huge difference between how a mattress feels on a bed base with solid slats, versus a bed base with posture slats.
Bed bases that use flat panel slats such as the Koala Kirribilli Bed Base and the Koala Paddington Bed Base are even better. Flat panel slats provide a very stable and supportive surface for a mattress and are almost always superior to solid slats. The Sleeping Duck Indestruct Bed also has strong panel slat structures.
As you would expect, all of the bed bases listed above, use solid slats or flat panel slats.
Mattress warranties require a suitable foundation to be valid. A bed base with curved slats will likely not be classified as a suitable foundation, so the type of slats must be considered when purchasing a bed base.
Many bed bases (particularly cheaper bed frames) on the market today use posture slats.
If you want your mattress to be supported optimally, or if you are on the heavier side (e.g. greater than 100kgs), bed bases with flat panel slats may be your best option.
Types of bed bases
Bed bases can be separated into a number of different categories. Please note that these are general terms, and may not apply specifically to every product.
- Standard bed base
- Bed frame
- Ensemble base
- Adjustable bed base
- Box spring
- The Floor
1. Standard Bed Base
A good, standard bed base will typically have a strong, well built frame with solid slats.
Standard bed bases usually offer good value and should blend into most bedroom decor themes.
2. Bed Frame
A bed frame will typically have a thinner perimeter than a standard bed base. Bed frames are typically light in weight, easy to assemble, and allow for extra storage space under your bed.
Some cheaper bed frames contain posture (flexible) slats. As we mentioned earlier, posture slats may not provide adequate support for a mattress and may also void the mattress warranty.
The Eva Timber Bed Frame (pictured above) includes a headboard and solid slats.
3. Ensemble Base
Atlantis Mattress on the Atlantis Bed Base
An ensemble base is typically a solid wooden structure that is covered with fabric. Ensemble bases create a more luxurious vibe, and are more desirable in terms of bedroom decor and interior design.
Ensemble bed bases are generally very stable and should accommodate almost any mattress. They will also typically use wheels or castors making them easier to move around.
4. Adjustable Bed Base
And Sleep Luna on the Chiropedic Adjustable Base
A more sophisticated option available these days is an adjustable bed base, also called an ‘electric bed base’.
This type of bed base will usually come with a remote control and allows you to adjust the angles and position of your mattress. This versatility is applicable for different activities (e.g. sleeping, reading, TV) or injury rehabilitation.
5. Box Spring
A box spring is an old fashioned type of bed base that isn’t seen much on the market today.
A box spring typically consists of a solid frame filled with metal springs. We generally don’t recommend box springs as these bases have excessive bounce and may compromise back support and partner disturbance.
6. The Floor
A small proportion of Australian adults (2%) sleep on their mattress, on the floor. This may be a temporary arrangement (while awaiting a bed base) or it could simply be personal preference.
Placing your mattress on the floor does come with hygiene issues. As the mattress will have poor ventilation underneath, the growth of mould, fungus, and bacteria is a common problem.
If you do use your mattress on the floor for extended periods, we recommend lifting your mattress up regularly to allow the underside to air out, along with regular cleaning of the floor surface.
You can read more about the different types of bed bases here.
Price
Most bed bases will cost between $400 – $1,000 (queen size).
As you would expect, there are many products that are priced below and above this range. However, you should be able to get a great bed base in this price bracket.
Other than price, you will need to consider several factors when buying a new bed base. These include the need for storage space, bedroom decor, and the type of mattress being used.
Mattress and base packages
In many instances, it is best to buy a mattress and bed base separately.
For example, you may already have a suitable bed base and you are simply buying a new mattress. Or, the mattress and bed base that you desire are not available through the same company.
Sleep Republic Bed Base Bundle
It’s important to note that you do not need to buy a mattress and bed base from the same company.
With that said, many companies or stores will offer a mattress and base package, often referred to as a ‘bundle’. Buying a mattress and bed base together will usually come at a better price than if you bought each component separately.
In-store, this type of package is often referred to as an ‘ensemble’.
A popular bundle package is the Sleep Republic Base Bundle that includes the award-winning Sleep Republic Mattress and the robust Sleep Republic Pro Base.
So there you have it! We hope that this article assists you in your search, but if you have any queries about your bedding purchase, please leave a comment below. We are here to help!
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