The “mattress in a box” trend is fast becoming the favoured way for many Australians to purchase their bed.

Not only can you get a great quality mattress delivered to your doorstep, you generally save a significant amount of money compared to what you would pay in the store, as you are buying directly from the manufacturer.

Alongside the huge success of brands like Casper, Nectar, Leesa, and Tuft & Needle in the USA, Australia has it’s own mattress in a box manufacturers providing high-quality mattresses at a reasonable price point.

These brands provide some much-needed competition to the traditional mattress stores and manufacturers.

In this article we review the best mattress in a box brands currently on the market in Australia, as well as providing some tips of what to look out for when making your selection.

The Best Mattress in a Box – Summary Table

Ergoflex Mattress (Top Pick)

Premium Memory Foam Mattress

Originally from the UK, Ergoflex launched here in 2010, making them Australia’s original affordable online mattress company. They pride themselves on constant innovation and have a reputation as one of the industry leaders.

Ergoflex mattresses are made from three layers of foam. The top layer being 9cms of true high density memory foam comparable designed to mould itself to the contours of your body and relieve pressure.

While these mattresses sit in a slightly higher price bracket than many alternatives, you can rest easy knowing that only the best materials and technologies have been employed in their construction.

One example of this is the open cell structure used in Ergoflex mattresses. This allows air to circulate freely through the material, providing essential temperature regulation.

Ergoflex pride themselves as being the only mattress-in-a-box brand in Australia that has been around longer then their warranty period.

Noa Mattress

Affordable Pocket Spring Mattress

If you’re looking for value for money, you may have met your match with the impressively popular Noa mattress.

The Noa mattress is both comfortable and supportive, thanks to its clever construction utilising the following layers:

• Natural latex – This amazing natural material is used in the top layer to deliver comfort and temperature control. It’s also naturally hypoallergenic, making it perfect for allergy sufferers.
• Gel memory foam – The mid layer is cooling gel memory foam which provides pressure relief and comfort.
• Responsive pocket springs – Provides full body support, enhanced airflow, and durability.

The Noa mattress does come in slightly on the firm side so if you prefer super-plush, this might not be the one for you

Sleeping Duck Mattress

Pocket Springs + Memory Foam with Customisable Firmness

Sleeping Duck have taken the online mattress market by storm over the past few years, providing a high quality mattress that consumers love, combined with exceptional after sales support.

Sleeping Duck employs pocket springs in their mattress construction. While providing support and comfort, the inclusion of springs also means partner disturbance is minimised.

The top two layers of the mattress are foam. The first layer is high-density memory foam that controls the firmness of the mattress.

The layer closest to the surface is Hyper-Adaptive foam that is designed to combine the benefits of both memory-foam and latex. This top layer is also very breathable, making it great for temperature regulation.

A unique feature of the Sleeping Duck mattress is the half-half option which provides couples with ability to customise their order based on firmness preferences.

The company will also check in with you after 40 nights to see if you need any firmness adjustments (which they provide free of charge).

Eva Mattress

Affordable Pocket Springs + Memory Foam Mattress

Like Sleeping Duck, the Eva mattress combines pocket springs with memory foam to deliver exceptional support and comfort. The Eva mattress also scores very well in terms of minimising partner disturbance.

Users praise both the comfort and support provided by the Eva mattress and report very little sagging over time.

In addition to the memory-foam top layer, this mattress utilises natural latex which is dust-mite resistant and antimicrobial, making it great for allergy sufferers.

At a current price point of $900 for a queen, this mattress presents great value for money and would suit those looking for a primary mattress but also those wanting something for a guest room.

Types Of Mattress In A Box

Memory Foam – Soft but supportive and shapes to the contours of your body

Latex – Contours to your body but generally firmer than Memory Foam. Can be natural, synthetic, or a combination.

Inner sprung/coil – More traditional mattress structure utilizing springs, often with a pillow top for comfort.

Hybrid – A combination of the above

Pros And Cons Of A Mattress In A Box

Pros:

• More affordable (buy straight from the manufacturer)
• Good trial periods and return policies
• Lightweight (great for moving house!)

Cons:

• Not easy to try before you buy
• Memory foam not good for hot sleepers
• New foam mattresses can give off an odour

Shopping For A Mattress In A Box – What To Look Out For

Price range

For a mattress in a box in Australia you will be looking at anywhere from $400 up to around $1,300. 

The market is very competitive, so generally you get what you pay for. Spend a bit more and you’ll get more durable, natural materials. Spend less and you’re more likely to get something that will start to sag sooner and be less durable. Cheaper brands are also likely to have less generous trial periods and warranties.

Firmness

As you would with a regular mattress, keep in mind what level of firmness you are looking for and be sure to check this against the manufacturers stated rating.

If you do find the your mattress slightly firmer than you would like, one option is to look into the addition of a mattress topper, to add a softer layer on top.

Materials

Some of the lower cost mattress in a box brands use polyurethane and other potentially toxic compounds in their manufacturing process. To reduce your chances of being exposed to these materials, try to steer clear of cheap foam mattresses and opt for more natural, eco-friendly alternatives.

RELATED: The Best Mattress Protector

Bed Base

Ensure your bed base aligns with what is recommended by the manufacturer. While a good level of support is important for a foam mattress, so it breathability, and placing this type of mattress directly on a hard surface can lead to moisture build up.

Delivery

Delivery is another thing to look into when buying a mattress online. Make sure there are no hidden delivery charges and also enquire about old mattress removal if this is something of interest to you.

Is A Mattress in a Box Right for You?

We spend around 30% of our life in bed so picking your next mattress isn’t a decision you should take lightly. 

Mattresses in a box offer a good quality alternative to traditional beds, at an affordable price, but there are definitely some trade-offs.

At the end of the day we all have our own personal tastes, preferences, and budget. So be sure to do your homework and pick something that aligns with what you think is right for you.