Should I buy a Koala Mattress?

Buying a mattress is not an easy task – there are so many to choose from and, making it more difficult is the fact that everyone has a different preference. If you like one, your partner might find another brand more comfortable. Or you might want a firm sleeping surface but your significant other would prefer something a bit softer. So why not get one that offers you both?

And then there’s the cost to consider as well. Big-brand mattresses cost an arm and a leg, and trying one in a store for a few minutes is hardly a proper test to see if it's right for you.

For most people the price of a mattress is arguably the most important consideration, and that’s where the concept of a mattress-in-a-box has taken off. They’re all primarily made from foam so they can be rolled up, vacuum-shrunk and then stuffed into a portable box. And they’re all quite affordable too.

Koala is one of Australia’s most popular mattress-in-a-box options, having been on the market since 2015. At present there are three mattresses in Koala's range, having evolved from a single model that is no longer available to buy. And every little detail about the New Koala Mattresses is well thought out, including the design.

For the first time, Koala has a customisable mattress that offers both a firm sleeping surface and a medium-firm one.

The New Koala Mattress arrived on the scene in 2021 and despite a complete overhaul, the base model still carries the same price as before, offering even better bang for your hard-earned buck.

Admittedly stepping up in size and mattress model will also increase the price, but there are several incentives to consider buying one if you find yourself in need of new bedding – the foremost of which is that it’s extremely comfortable, with most customers rating the New Koala Mattress very highly.

Read our in-depth Koala Mattress (2021) review to find out more.

5 reasons to buy the New Koala Mattress

So, should you buy a Koala Mattress? Our simple answer is yes and we’ve listed the reasons why below.

1. Customisable layer

How many mattresses do you know that offer two different firmness levels? All you have to do is flip the top layer. Koala is the third mattress-in-a-box brand in Australia to offer this customisable option and it's the cheapest of the three. The top layer of the New Koala Mattress comes with a firm side and a medium-firm side, so you can decide for yourself which is better. Can't decide? You can flip it every day if you wish because to do so is just so simple (it can be managed alone but it's always nice to have help).

2. Comfortable and supportive

The New Koala Mattress has pretty much the same firmness level as the previous iteration (at least according to us and we acknowledge this is very subjective). However, the new cover of the base model and the quilted, plush covers of the more expensive Koala options make the sleeping surface 'feel' softer. It's in no way spongier; just feels softer, more comfortable, and that makes a world of difference. Furthermore, there's plenty of support for every kind of sleeper, especially in strategic areas like hips. Better yet, if you’re a restless sleeper, your partner is likely not going to get disturbed when you toss and turn (or vice versa). Plus, it's designed to keep you cool, even on the hottest Aussie summer night and it now has great edge support (something the older versions lacked).

3. 120-night trial and easy delivery solutions

Where most mattress-in-a-box companies offer no more than a 100-day trial (some big brands only offer a 30-day trial period, if there is one), you get a whopping 120 days to give the Koala Mattress a whirl. That’s just under four months and more than enough time to decide if you like it or not. If you don’t, you can call the company’s customer service and they’ll arrange to have it picked up at no extra charge to you. If you live in a metropolitan area, chances are you’ll be able to have your new mattress delivered to you within four hours, again, at no extra cost to you.

4. 10-year warranty

Koala promises your mattress will be just fine for 10 years, offering a decade-long warranty period that also covers sagging of over 25mm. That’s not a bad offer for a mattress that won’t burn a massive hole in your pocket. One of our Aussie T3 writers has had a Koala Mattress (albeit the original one from 2015) for over four years and so far there have been no body indents or sagging on any part of the mattress. That said, they do turn the mattress around regularly to prevent that from happening, which is what Koala recommends you do. This author has used the second-generation Koala Mattress for over two years with not a single complaint and, after three months of using the Koala Calm As, can say quite confidently that the New Koala Mattress will go the distance too... provided you look after it.

5. Great value for money

Taking into account the free delivery, 120-day trial period, 10-year warranty, and the fact that several of our T3 writers have found the previous iterations of the mattress to be very comfortable, we’d say paying a touch over AU$1,000 for a queen-size New Koala Mattress is excellent value. In fact, it’s possible to even get a little discount on Koala mattresses from time to time, making it one of the most affordable good-quality mattresses, one that's customisable to boot.