The Winners: Cut to the Chase
Don’t have time to read 2,000 words? Here is who wins:
- Best Overall: Koala Mattress (Quality, versatility, unbeatable value)
- Best for Side Sleepers: Emma Comfort (Pressure relief champion)
- Best Premium: Sleeping Duck Mach II (Customisable, suits everyone)
- Best Cooling: Koala Polar+ (5°C cooler than competitors)
- Best Hybrid: Sleep Republic (Springs + foam, best of both worlds)
- Best Budget: Eva Mattress (Starts at $600, shockingly good)
- Best Luxury: Dusk & Dawn Signature (Premium materials, worth the splurge)
Quick Comparison Table
| Mattress | Price (Queen) | Type | Firmness | Best For | Trial Period |
| Koala | ~$1,050 | Foam | Medium-Firm | Back/Stomach | 120 nights |
| Emma Comfort | ~$1,150 | Foam | Medium | Side Sleepers | 100 nights |
| Sleeping Duck | ~$1,649 | Hybrid | Adjustable | Everyone | 100 nights |
| Koala Polar+ | ~$1,490 | Foam | Medium-Firm | Hot Sleepers | 120 nights |
| Sleep Republic | ~$1,200 | Hybrid | Medium-Firm | Couples | 100 nights |
| Eva | ~$700 | Hybrid | Medium | Budget Buyers | 120 nights |
1. Best Overall: Koala Mattress
Why it wins: Award-winning quality at a price that makes sense. You are getting a solid all-foam mattress for about $1,050 (Queen). Plus, it is flippable for two firmness levels and comes with a 120-night trial. Hard to beat.
What You Get
- 7cm of Kloudcell foam (bouncy, responsive)
- Flippable firmness (Medium-Firm or Firm)
- 120-night trial (longer than most)
- 10-year warranty
- Free delivery
Who It’s For
- Back sleepers
- Stomach sleepers
- People who want quality without spending $2,000
- Anyone who prefers sleeping “on” the mattress vs “in” it
Price (Queen): ~$1,050 (Watch for 20-25% off sales)
Verdict: It is the safe choice for 80% of Aussies.
2. Best for Side Sleepers: Emma Comfort
Why it wins: Zoned memory foam that lets shoulders sink while supporting hips. Side sleepers wake up without shoulder pain.
What You Get
- Three foam layers with targeted zoning
- Airgocell top layer for breathability
- Excellent motion isolation (perfect for couples)
- 100-night trial
- 10-year warranty
Who It’s For
- Strict side sleepers
- People with shoulder or hip pain
- Light sleepers sharing a bed (minimal motion transfer)
- Anyone who loves the “hug” of memory foam
Price (Queen): $1,150 (Often discounted to $600-$700 during sales)
Check Best Price: Emma >3. Best Premium: Sleeping Duck Mach II
Why it wins: You can customise the firmness. Not happy after a few weeks? They will send you different foam layers for free. This solves the biggest problem with buying mattresses online.
What You Get
- Hybrid construction (springs + foam)
- Choose Medium, Firm, or Half-and-Half
- Free foam swap within 100 nights
- Excellent edge support
Who It’s For
- Anyone unsure about firmness
- Couples with different preferences (Half-and-Half option)
- People who want a hybrid but need customisation
Price (Queen): ~$1,649
The catch: More expensive than pure foam options and rarely discounted. But the customisation is worth it if you are indecisive.
4. Best Cooling: Koala Polar+
Why it wins: PolarBands technology. Tests show it sleeps 5°C cooler than the standard Koala Plus. That is massive for Australian summers.
What You Get
- Everything from the Koala Plus
- PolarBands tech for active cooling
- Seasonal topper (summer/winter)
- CoolThread cover
Who It’s For
- Hot sleepers who wake up sweating
- Anyone in Queensland or NT
- People who hate foam because “it traps heat”
Price (Queen): ~$1,490
Verdict: Worth the upgrade? If you sleep hot, absolutely. If not, save money and get the standard Koala.
5. Best Hybrid: Sleep Republic
Why it wins: Pocket springs for support and breathability + foam for comfort. Best of both worlds.
What You Get
- Pocket spring system (minimal partner disturbance)
- High-density foam comfort layers
- Better airflow than all-foam mattresses
- Cashmere knitted cover
Who It’s For
- People who want traditional spring support
- Hot sleepers (springs = better airflow)
- Couples (pocket springs isolate movement)
Price (Queen): ~$1,200
Verdict: Can’t customise firmness like Sleeping Duck, but if you know you want a medium-firm hybrid, this is great value.
Check Best Price: Sleep Republic >
6. Best Budget: Eva Mattress
Why it wins: Starts at $600 for a Queen. That is shockingly cheap for a hybrid with decent reviews.
What You Get
- Hybrid construction (springs + foam)
- Breathable materials
- 120-night trial
- 12-year warranty
Who It’s For
- First apartment buyers
- Guest rooms
- Kids’ rooms
- Anyone on a tight budget
Price (Queen): ~$700 (often cheaper on sale)
The Reality Check: Not as durable as Koala or Sleeping Duck. But for the price, it is solid. Expect 5-7 years of life, not 10.
How to Choose: Decision Tree
Step 1: What is your budget?
- Under $800: Eva Mattress
800−800−1,200: Koala or Emma1,200−1,200−2,000: Sleeping Duck or Sleep Republic
Step 2: What is your sleep position?
- Side sleeper: Emma Comfort
- Back/stomach sleeper: Koala
- Combination (you move around): Koala or Sleep Republic
Step 3: Do you sleep hot?
- Yes, and it is a problem: Koala Polar+
- Yes, but manageable: Sleep Republic (hybrid breathes better)
- No: Any of the above work
The Final Word
If you are still confused: Get the Koala Mattress. It is $1,050, works for most people, has a 120-night trial, and you can flip it for different firmness. It is the safe bet and our #1 pick.
If you are a side sleeper: Get Emma Comfort. The pressure relief is noticeably better than general-purpose mattresses.
If you are on a tight budget: Get Eva. It is good enough for the price.
The most important thing? Actually use the trial period. Sleep on it for at least 60 nights. What feels slightly off in week one might feel perfect by week eight.
Good luck, and sleep well.