The best mattresses in a box are typically cheaper than the traditional ones and, importantly, you can test them out in the comfort of your own home. Sure, you will need to order them first without being able to see them for yourself at a store, but the mattress brands have made it easy for you to return the product if you’re not happy and get a full refund.
The free trial period from most of the popular brands is long enough for you to not just ‘break in’ the mattress, but also sleep on it for a while more so you can make the best decision for you and your partner.
The other convenience about shopping a mattress in a box is that it gets delivered to your door, usually free of charge, and it’s the same for the returns as well — the only effort required on your part is to order it online and, perhaps, speak to a customer service representative to organise the pickup.
We’ve spent hours sleeping in and trying every single mattress in this guide, so we’ve picked only the best of the best across several important categories. And with the sale season starting, you’ll be able to pick up one of these top beds at a significant discount when Black Friday mattress deals start.
Quick list
It’s arguably the most customisable mattress in a box and, if you opt for a different firmness level within the 120-night trial period, the replacement foam layer is free. In fact, you can have a half-half selection too. It’s also one of the most well-built mattresses we’ve tested.
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With three support zones for the shoulders, hips and legs, the standard Koala Mattress is a great choice for anyone keen on an all-foam mattress. You get a flippable layer that offers firm and medium-firm options, and it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.
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If you and your partner have different firmness preferences, the Eva Premium Adapt can offer the half-half option as well. While it’s not as customisable as the Sleeping Duck, it’s still remarkably comfortable and sleep quite cool as well.
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It might be an all-foam affair, but the Koala SE is a fantastic choice for tight budgets. It misses out on a flippable layer, but its medium-firm feel is ideal for most sleepers, even if you lie on your stomach, and you get three support zones.
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Balancing support, comfort and affordability quite well, the original Eva mattress still holds up well for those looking for a hybrid option on a budget. Importantly, the five support zones provide great spine alignment, even if you’re a heavier person.
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Despite our concerns over Emma Sleep’s pricing policy, it’s hard to deny that its cheapest mattress is a good option for side sleepers. It even manages to be quite breathable and it’s priced much better than the other Emma mattresses.
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Despite being made for side sleepers, this mattress' plush cover makes it fantastic for stomach sleepers without compromising on comfort or support. It won't burn a hole in your pocket and also comes with a long warranty period.
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If you want a memory foam mattress to alleviate back issues, the Ergoflex 5G is the best choice. In fact, we think it might be a great option for any kind of sleeper given how impressed our reviewer was after spending five months sleeping on it.
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Made with plenty of recycled materials, the Ecosa Pure uses not just pocket springs, but also micro coils for additional support and even better air circulation for cooling. Seven support zones makes this ideal for practically any kind of sleeper.
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Best mattress overall
Whether you fall asleep on your side, your back or your tummy, or if you like a firm mattress or a soft one, the Sleeping Duck Mach II has you covered. Yes, you read that right — this one mattress will cater to any sleeping need possible and I can't recommend it highly enough. I've tried for myself and can't give it up.
It's all thanks to the changeable foam layer inside the mattress that determines its firmness level. You can get in half-half if you order a double or larger, and you can even call the Sleeping Duck customer service to see about getting smaller pieces that are specific to certain zones, like shoulders or hips. While you can't order the latter online via the website, they might still end up being free.
Yes, if you choose to change the firmness level within the 100-night free trial, the changeable foam is free. Even if it isn't, swapping this out after years of use might well save you money compared to having to purchase a brand-new mattress.
I love the fact that Sleeping Duck reveals the gauge of pocket springs used – no other brand does that. The Mach II has different gauge (or thickness) springs that provide just the right amount of support in different areas, meaning spine alignment is fantastic. Even edge support is good. 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.
Find out more in my in-depth Sleeping Duck Mach II review
Best foam mattress
I haven't tried the latest version of the Koala Mattress myself, but I have the first two iterations of the same mattress that came before and loved them. Seems like Koala has stuck by the same ethos and made the latest version of the standard Koala just as good —my colleague who reviewed it had a lot of good things to say about it.
While I can appreciate its affordability, even though it's not the cheapest Koala mattress, my colleague appreciated the plush feel of the top layer. This is a flippable one — there's a medium-firm side and a slightly firmer side — so the one mattress can cater to different needs. Our reviewer found that no matter which side was used, there was no compromise in comfort or support. Spine alignment was great on both sides, with no undue pressure points felt during the review period.
As an all-foam mattress, though, the standard Koala isn't the coolest, but our reviewer still didn't think it trapped too much heat, so it could be fine for most people, but if you are a hot sleeper, you might want to consider a hybrid mattress.
What foam does better than pocket springs is absorb kinetic energy and our reviewer found the standard Koala Mattress does very well to dampen motion. Edge support isn't too bad either and, all in all, he'd recommend this for any kind sleeper looking for an all-foam mattress.
Read our full Koala Mattress review for more details
Best hybrid mattress
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
Best budget foam mattress
Mattresses that come in a single box aren't as expensive as the traditional ones we had to go to the store for, but they're still a hefty investment. That said, nearly every mattress-in-a-box brand now has an budget option, including Koala.
Considering Koala is the only company that offers all-foam mattresses in its range, it's no wonder the Sleep Easy has made it into our list. Don't get me wrong — I'm not putting it here because it's a default option, this really is a very good mattress for the price.
Despite being all-foam, you still get three zones of support that, according to our reviewer, is quite good as he felt no undue pressure points develop during testing. The medium-firm rating would suit a wide range of sleepers, even those looking for good spine alignment. There's also minimal motion transfer and decent edge support.
It won't be great for hot sleepers, though, but then any all-foam mattress will absorb and retain body heat that could make it uncomfortable for some people. It's also heavier than it looks, but it takes any standard fitted sheet easily enough.
Read our in-depth Koala SE Mattress review for more information
Best budget hybrid mattress
It might be thicker than what you'd expect, with a height of 32cm, but the Eva Comfort Classic remains a very good affordable hybrid mattress a few years after it was released.
During testing, our reviewer found that the Eva Comfort Classic felt softer than its medium-firm rating, which would make this a fantastic option for stomach sleepers, but its softness has no effect on its support.
Thanks to the pocket springs, there are five zones of support across the bed, and even the edges are well constructed that you won't feel like you're sliding off the bed when you want to slip your feet into your slippers in the morning. And the top foam layers do a good job of eliminating any pressure points.
For a hybrid mattress, our reviewer said that movement isolation was quite good, although some light sleepers might still feel a restless partner. It's also not as breathable as a specialty hybrid mattress that was designed for cooling, the air pockets under the foam do help regulate some body heat, help keeping a steady temperature through the night. It's also fairly heavy, so getting fitted sheets on might be a tussle.
Read our in-depth Eva Comfort Classic review to find out more
Best for side sleepers
I became a massive fan of the Emma Comfort Adapt when it first arrived because it was fantastic value even at full price. However, since then, Emma Sleep has been steading changing prices on its products, including its most affordable — and arguably best — mattress.
I fell in love with the Comfort Adapt because it was a massive improvement over the previous Comfort Mattress — I thought it was far more supportive, had better edge support than before and was even better at regulating temperature compared to its predecessor. And with a 7-zone support, I found it had offered good spine alignment.
Better yet, as someone who is on the heavier side, I found my hips didn't sink unduly into the mattress, which made it perfect for side sleepers. Despite that, I will still say that it might be better suited to lighter, slimmer builds as some heavier people might still not get the best support from the Comfort Adapt.
And while I'd be hard-pressed to recommend it at full price, I think it's still a good investment for the average side sleeper when it's discounted — just avoid buying it as part of a bundle.
Read my full Emma Comfort Adapt Mattress review for more details
Best for stomach sleepers
Here's something strange — the Valmori Hybrid Mattress II was specifically designed with side sleepers in mind, but we think it's absolutely wonderful for stomach sleepers as well. Here's why: 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.
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's very rare to find a brand offering 15-year warranties. So if it's a long-term investment you're after, and you love sleeping on your stomach or side, this might just be the best option.
Read our in-depth Valmori Hybrid Mattress II review to learn more
Best for back pain
Our reviewer called 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 – it's an all-foam affair that allows your body to sink in so it can mould around you.
You'd be forgiven for thinking that it wouldn't provide much support if it did that, but our reviewer slept on it for five months and still found it provided good body alignment and support, while also being very comfortable.
And while most foam mattresses — particularly memory foam — aren't very good at temperature regulation, the Ergoflex 5G is the exception to the rule — according to our reviewer slept on it during both cooler and warmer months and was a very happy camper indeed.
It's also very well well made, with a good design concept and superior materials, and manages to also dampen motion transfer quite well. The cover is removable and machine-washable, but it's disappointing that the trial period is only 30 nights. That's how long we usually recommend people sleep on a mattress to let their body adjust to it before making a decision.
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 in our in-depth Ergoflex 5G Mattress review
Best for micro coil support
Having a flippable top foam layer to adjust firmness isn't unique, but what makes the Ecosa Pure stand apart in the crowd is the additional micro coil layer that gives it some unique abilities — significant among them is arguably the best breathability in the mattress business.
Not only does air circulate through the regular pocket springs, but the micro coils add more space for airflow. Aiding in keeping even the hottest sleeper cool is a layer of latex foam with holes in it to keep that air moving to dissipate heat.
Here's what else those micro coils are good for — additional body support. While our reviewer found that the mattress can feel quite firm, your body might thank you for it later. The additional micro coil layer keeps pressure points from building anywhere on the mattress and maintains spine alignment. The additional coils, though, might not isolate motion as well as you'd expect, but our reviewer found it wasn't any more than what you'd feel on another hybrid mattress.
While it's a pretty heavy bed, it's not overly thick — at 29cm, you should be able to use standard fitted sheets without a problem.
And like the Valmori listed above, Ecosa also offers a 15-year warranty, which is fantastic. Given how unique it is and how well it's suited to most sleepers — albeit those who might prefer a firm surface — the Ecosa Pure represents good value, which is made better by regular discounts.
Read our full Ecosa Pure Mattress review to find out more
How we test mattresses at Tom's Guide
Our mattress review process at the Australian edition of Tom's Guide is editorially independent and isn't influenced by third parties. We keep an ear to the ground to find new mattress-in-a-box releases, then contact the brands ourselves for a review sample.
All our mattresses have been tested in our own homes, and we expect each reviewer to sleep on them for a minimum of 30 days before starting on their actual review. However, we fully acknowledge that comfort is subjective and we usually ask a small testing panel to also try each mattress during the review process.
Our mattress-in-a-box testing panel is made up of people with different sleep needs and body types. This ensures we get a well-rounded view of how a mattress feels and performs for different body types and sleeping positions.
Frequently asked questions about mattresses in a box
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 any 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?
There are definitely key periods throughout the year when it’s better to buy a boxed mattress, and chief among these is the Black Friday mattress deals, where prices are at their lowest and discounts are at their highest.
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.
Emma Sleep is probably the only mattress brand that seems to do year-round sales, but it's important to keep an eye on the prices. We've found the brand has been gradually increasing its prices, but keeping the discounts, which could be misleading. It's already in trouble with the ACCC for its bundle prices.
