Deciding on the best mattress in a box in 2021 is nothing short of overwhelming. With over 150 options on the market, it’s no wonder that making a final decision is so difficult.
What is a mattress in a box?
A ‘mattress in a box’ is simply a mattress that has been compressed by heavy machinery to fit (rolled or folded) into a box. This makes storage and transport more economical, and can also make it easier to place it into your home.
These products can be conveniently ordered online and will be delivered to your door, often within just a few days. Once you unpack your mattress, it will decompress to become just like any other mattress.
Contrary to popular belief, the majority of mattress in a box products in Australia (54%) are innerspring mattresses. There are plenty of full foam options as well (43%) and a small handful of 100% latex mattresses (3%).
These products are also known as ‘bed in a box’ products, and have significantly changed the way that Australians shop for mattresses. This concept has become so popular in Australia that there is now a mind-boggling number of options. Just check out how many brands there are available today!
Why are they so popular?
There is no secret as to why the mattress in a box craze has exploded in Australia. They’re affordable, delivery is free, and some companies even offer ‘same day delivery’.
One of the major reasons why this method of mattress buying has become so popular is the ‘free trial period’. This means that if you are not satisfied with your mattress, it will be collected and you will receive a full refund!
A typical trial period is 100 nights (over 3 months), and this handy system allows you to really ‘try before you buy’.
Who is Bedbuyer?
Bedbuyer™ is Australia’s largest sleep and bedding website. Our team of qualified health professionals and sleep experts test mattresses in ‘real life’, and are all experienced in clinical patient care and mattress assessment.
Bedbuyer has now tested over 1500 mattresses, including more than 150 ‘bed in a box’ products.
So what are the best mattress in a box options on the market? After an extensive testing process, Bedbuyer’s expert team gives you our top 12 picks in 2021!
Australia’s best mattress in a box
- Best Overall : Sleep Republic
- Best Bang for Buck : Eva Mattress
- Best Comfort : Macoda Mattress
- Best Back Support : Noa Luxe
- Best for Couples : Sleeping Duck
- Best Hybrid : Naptime 2.0
- Best Firm Feel : Sleep Firm
- Best Natural/Organic : Peacelily
- Recommended : Zeek Hybrid
- Recommended : Emma Comfort
- Recommended : Koala Calm As
- Recommended : Noa Mattress
To make your decision easier, we have discussed the key features of each mattress below. We have also included links to our ‘full reviews’ (most of which include a video review), and instructions on how to claim our exclusive discounts!
Be sure to read to the end for some handy hints before you buy, and please leave a comment (at the bottom of this article) if you have any questions!
🥇 Best Overall
Sleep Republic Mattress – $1,099* (Queen)
With so many great products in this online market, choosing the best was an arduous task for our review team. Nevertheless, we were very comfortable in awarding the Sleep Republic Mattress as Australia’s premier mattress in a box, for the second straight year.
* Use code BEDBUYER150 to claim this price
The Sleep Republic Mattress is very well made and easily compares to many retail store mattresses more than double its price. Its comfort layer contains a lovely cashmere fabric, premium memory foam, and 100% natural latex. Its ‘high definition’ pocket spring system provides outstanding back support and produces minimal partner disturbance.
This mattress has very good edge support and is also well ventilated through its breathable ‘spacer fabric’ which covers the sides of the mattress. It is also well backed with a 100 night free trial period, and can be delivered free, anywhere in Australia. Here is our full review which includes a video review.
💰 Best Bang for Buck
Eva Mattress – $800* (Queen)
The Eva Mattress has become one of the most popular bed in a box products in Australia, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a great ‘all-rounder’ that offers incredible value. For this reason, our team awarded it Australia’s ‘Best Bang for Buck’ Mattress in a Box in 2021.
* Use code BEDBUYER100 to claim this price
The Eva Mattress has a highly robust 5 zone pocket spring system. This is topped with memory foam, latex, and a high density foam. It offers a very nice balance of comfort and support, and can accomodate up to 400kgs. As such, it should accomodate people of all sizes.
The Eva Mattress is simply a great buy. It has the reassurance of a 120 night trial period and a 12 year warranty. Here is our full review which includes a video review.
☁️ Best Comfort
Macoda Mattress – $1,035* (Queen)
The Macoda Mattress has a medium-plush feel that comes with an irresistible level of comfort. Fittingly, our review team awarded it with Australia’s ‘Best Comfort’ Mattress in a Box in 2021. Softer feel bed in a box options are difficult to come by, so this ideal for those who prefer a more ‘luxurious’ feel.
* Use code BEDBUYER10 to claim this price
The Macoda Mattress uses a special bamboo fabric for its top cover, which feels absolutely divine. This cover sits over layers of natural latex and gel memory foam, which create a smooth and luxurious sleeping surface. This mattress also has a clever, ‘customisable’ design, meaning that you can swap the layers of latex and memory foam to select the firmness that you prefer.
This mattress has a solid support system, namely its 5-zone pocket spring system. This spring unit offers good back support, as well as a nice level of responsiveness to normal sleep movements. The Macoda Mattress is backed with a 100 night free trial and a 10 year warranty. Here is our full review which includes a video review.
🛏 Best Back Support
Noa Luxe Mattress – $1,149* (Queen)
The Noa Luxe Mattress forms the flagship model in Noa’s popular mattress range that also includes the entry level Noa Lite and the mid range Noa Mattress. Our expert review team awarded it with Australia’s ‘Best Back Support’ Mattress in a Box in 2021.
* Click here to claim this price
The Noa Luxe has a sophisticated comfort layer that offers smooth pressure relief. This layer includes memory foam, ‘bamboo charcoal’ infused latex, and a layer of micro-coils. These micro-coils not only help with body contouring, but they also enhance airflow and ventilation.
This mattress has a sturdy support system, namely its 5-zone pocket spring system. This spring unit offers outstanding back support, and should accomodate people of all sizes. The Noa Luxe Mattress is backed with a 100 night free trial and a 15 year warranty. Here is our full review which includes a video review.
🖤 Best for Couples
Sleeping Duck Mattress – $1,649* (Queen)
The Sleeping Duck Mattress has become arguable the most well-known mattress in a box in Australia. It comes with an incredible level of customisation and a low level of partner disturbance, making it ideal for couples.
* Click here to claim this price
This mattress allows you to adjust its foam layers, helping you to find your ideal firmness level. You can change the firmness on each side of the mattress (if you and your partner have different preferences), and even in different body sections (if you require different levels of support in different areas).
The Sleeping Duck Mattress is well made and uses a multi-zone pocket spring system that should be strong enough for most people. It comes with a 100 night trial period, 10 year warranty, and can be delivered (free) Australia-wide. Here is our full review which includes a video review.
🧬 Best Hybrid
Naptime 2.0 Mattress – $764.15* (Queen)
The Naptime 2.0 Mattress forms the flagship model in the Naptime range that also includes the highly popular Naptime Mattress. The Naptime 2.0 Mattress is a true ‘hybrid’ mattress, meaning that it combines foam layers and a spring system in one cohesive unit (without a distinguishable pillow top).
* Use code BED-BUYER to claim this price
Hybrid mattresses combine the ‘best of both worlds’ (foams and springs) and the Naptime 2.0 Mattress brings these components together beautifully. It has a lovely, medium feel and a beautiful mix of comfort and support. It uses memory foam and 100% latex in its comfort layer, as well as a sturdy 5 zone pocket spring system.
The Naptime 2.0 Mattress offers excellent value and comes with a 30 night free trial period. Here is our full review which includes a video review.
🪵 Best Firm Feel
Sleep Firm Mattress – $974.25* (Queen)
The Sleep Firm Mattress is our top pick in the online mattress market for those who prefer an unmistakable firm feel. It offers outstanding back support and is Australian made.
* Use code BBBLACKFRIDAY25 to claim this price
The top cover of this mattress is made of an adaptive fabric, Quiltec foam, and Sleep Firm’s exclusive ‘Boomerang’ foam. Although definitively firm, these comfort layers still offer nice pressure relief to ensure the mattress is not ‘rock hard’.
Sitting below this comfort layer, is the Sleep Firm’s ‘S+Pro’ 5 zone pocket spring system. This spring unit contains a high spring count of 1,092 (queen size) which is well above average for a pocket spring mattress. The Sleep Firm Mattress comes with a solid 100 night trial period and a 15 year warranty. Here is our full review which includes a video review.
🌱 Best Natural / Organic
Peacelily Mattress – $1,299* (Queen)
The Peacelily Mattress is made from 100% natural materials, and is highly certified as eco-friendly and non-toxic. As you might expect, it took out our ‘Best Natural/Organic’ award in the mattress in a box category.
* Click here to claim this price
The Peacelily Mattress is made from 100% natural latex rubber from Sri Lanka, which is some of the highest quality latex in the world. The mattress cover is soft and breathable, and is made from certified 100% organic cotton. Peacelily’s products are handmade in their own fabrication factory and meet the most rigorous standards for health and quality.
The Peacelily Mattress is also very versatile. By simply flipping the mattress over, you can choose either a firm or medium feel option. You can also purchase (separately) the Peacelily Mattress Topper to create a plush (softer) version of the mattress. You can read more about the Peacelily Mattress in our full review.
💤 Recommended
Zeek Hybrid Mattress – $899* (Queen)
The Zeek Hybrid Mattress is another ‘true hybrid’ mattress, meaning that it combines foam and springs in one cohesive package. It offers a divine level of comfort and forms the flagship model in the Zeek mattress range.
* Use code BEDBUYER200 to claim this price
The Zeek Hybrid Mattress uses a cooling ‘air foam’ and a gel infused memory foam in its comfort layer. This gives smooth pressure relief, and is one of the most comfortable bed in a box products we have tested. It also comes with a 100 night trial period and a 10 year warranty. Here is our full review.
🌙 Recommended
Emma Comfort Mattress – $569.53* (Queen)
The Emma Comfort Mattress offers excellent value and has a simple (but effective) foam construction. It forms part of the popular Emma product range that also includes the Emma Diamond Hybrid Mattress.
* Use code BEDBUYER5 to claim this price
The Emma Comfort Mattress contains a ‘Fresh Air Comfort Cover’ that is removable and washable. This cover sits over a layer of Airgocell® Foam and a sturdy foundation of Emma’s HRX Foam. These components combine nicely to create a firm but smooth sleeping surface. Here is our full review.
🐨 Recommended
Koala Calm As Mattress – $1,530* (Queen)
The Koala Calm As Mattress forms part of the new Koala Mattress range that also includes the New Koala Mattress and the flagship Koala Soul Mate Mattress. The ‘Calm As’ is a lovely foam mattress that allows you to change firmness levels by flipping the top comfort layer.
* Use code BEDBUYER120 to claim this price
As with all Koala products, this mattress comes with a solid 120 night trial period. It is fully certified by GECA (Good Environmental Choice Australia) who base their product assessments around human health, non-toxicity, and environmental impacts. Here is our full review.
🤍 Recommended
Noa Mattress – $749* (Queen)
The Noa Mattress offers outstanding value and forms the mid-range option in Noa’s mattress collection that also includes the Noa Lite and the award-winning Noa Luxe.
* Click here to claim this price
The Noa Mattress has a lovely comfort layer that includes a TENCEL™ fabric, premium latex, and gel infused memory foam. These comfort layers sit over a sturdy pocket spring system that offers good support. This mattress comes with a 100 night trial period and a 15 year warranty. Here is our full review which includes a video review.
When it comes to buying a mattress online, it’s important that we are aware of some of the details involved with your purchase. Here are a few handy hints to keep in mind!
Pricing
The average mattress in a box in Australia sells for just over $1,000 (queen size). As you can see from our list above, there is some variation in pricing among our top picks, but we would recommend choosing a mattress based on your needs and preferences, rather than on price alone.
Trial periods
As we mentioned earlier, the vast majority of mattress in a box in Australia come with a ‘free trial period’. This means that you can return the mattress for a full refund if you aren’t satisfied. This gives customers the ultimate ‘peace of mind’ knowing that you won’t be stuck with a mattress that you don’t like.
A typical trial period for a bed in a box is 100 nights (just over 3 months). There have been some small changes to some trial periods due to COVID-19, so make sure that you are clear on these changes before you buy.
Warranties
Almost all mattress in a box products come with a warranty that should cover any major defects. A typical length of warranty for a mattress in a box is 10 years, but understandably this will vary.
It’s worth noting that some warranties will only cover indentations (body impressions) beyond a certain depth measurement (e.g. 30mm). Furthermore, some warranties don’t cover mattresses when they are used with an unsupportive bed base (such as a bed frame with flexible slats).
Make sure you check to see exactly what each warranty covers.
Still need help?
Buying a mattress online (without trying it out) may seem unusual, but it has become a hugely popular method of bed shopping in Australia.
If you would like to read further, check out our Complete Buyer’s Guide for buying a new mattress in 2021. This contains all the information you will need before buying a new bed!
If you have any questions for our team, please comment below (at the bottom of this article). We are here to help you find your best mattress in a box!
Bedbuyer is Australia’s largest bedding website and leading independent mattress review group. To read our disclosure and disclaimer statement, click here.