Koala Mattress Review for 2023
Does the Koala mattress really live up to the hype?
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In this guide
Some mattress in a box options are more hyped than the latest Tik Tok trend. Unlike Tik Tok where the worst that’s going to happen is you pull a muscle from an overenthusiastic high kick, a poor mattress buy is going to result in an aching back, the hassle of a return and restarting the search.
Or, you could just let us tell you which mattresses are worth your money, including the Koala mattress. Replacing the original Koala mattress, the New Koala has all the good stuff of the original (it’s a foam mattress too) plus more. Like the flippable firmness layer so you can get the right firmness for you.
In this New Koala Mattress review you’ll find real insights from Cosier writer Elese who sleep-tested it plus everything that will help you decide if it’s the right mattress for you. We cover everything from price and sizes to materials and shipping.
- The soft and cosy feel.
- Less deep than other mattresses in a box, so fitted sheets fit easily.
- Customisable firmness level that can be flipped.
- Koala’s commitment to doing good for the planet, people and animals.
- No handles which makes turning and moving it pretty difficult.
- A little hot during Aussie nights, especially in comparison to the Eva mattress which Elese has also tested.
Koala mattress: The bottom line
We rate the Koala mattress better than good - we rate it great. This foam mattress is dreamily soft yet supportive and breathable. We love that it’s really effective at minimising partner disturbance. Koala itself has a top-notch approach to environmental sustainability which is a big tick for us. Oh, and it comes with a little Koala toy. What’s not to love?
Who's the Koala mattress best for
The Koala mattress will suit side sleepers well (in fact, it’s our pick for the best mattress for side sleepers) because it provides great alignment for side sleepers’ necks and spines. As a side sleeper, Elese loves the supportive softness that’s good for pressure relief. It’s also good at minimising partner disturbance as the foam absorbs pressure well, making it ideal for co-sleepers.
The ordering and delivery process
Koala’s offering is so big these days but finding their mattress options on their website is fairly straightforward (as long as you know which of the 3 Koala mattresses you’re after). Large buttons make choosing the right size a breeze and the optional additions of a pillow and bed frame make it ideal for all-in-one bed buying (and lazy shoppers).
Elese likes that she could pick her delivery window and that after just a few clicks, she got a confirmation email which included delivery info. On the day of delivery, she was emailed a link to a live delivery tracker. The delivery guy was cheerful and offered to help her get the mattress up the stairs (unlike the Eva mattress delivery person).
“We were surprised at how easy it was to move the person-sized box into the bedroom.”
Upon opening the box, Elese found a Koala soft toy inside (#onbrand) and minimal packaging, including instructions printed on top of the box. Because the cardboard was minimally dyed and had no plastic lining, she was able to use it as compost in the garden.
What's the Koala mattress made from?
The Koala mattress is a foam mattress that boasts 3 layers:
- A 7cm comfort layer topped with a breathable Tencel Lyocell fabric that’s 35% Tencell Lyocell and 65% polyester.
- A customisable firmness layer that can be flipped. One side is medium-firm, the other side firm. You can change the firmness by unzipping the mattress and flipping this layer.
- The final support layer that has 3 different support zones to cradle every inch of your weary body and prevent your hips sinking too low.
All the foam is polyurethane foam that’s certified free of formaldehyde and other nasties and is low-VOC (volatile organic compounds).
What the Koala mattress feels like
Elese and her partner reckons the second they lay down on their Koala mattress, they knew they’d picked a winner. The surface is really pressure-relieving, and it absorbs weight to quite an impressive depth. At the same time, the sink factor won’t make you feel stuck. Imagine the New Koala mattress is giving you a gentle, giant, enveloping hug.
“We're both side sleepers, and like the way we sink into the mattress without getting stuck there.”
Partner disturbance
Thanks to the all-foam construction, the New Koala mattress absorbs pressure well. Which means if your co-sleeper gets up in the night, the other will continue to snooze undisturbed. Elese and her partner really rated the lack of partner disturbance.
Suitability for hot sleepers
Koala promotes 2 things about their Koala mattress that makes it great for hot sleepers.
- The breathable Kloudcell foam. The open-cell design of this foam ensures air can move around during Aussie summers without compromising on the bounce factor.
- The moisture-absorbing Tencel Lyocell fabric that’s on the top comfort layer.
However, according to Elese:
“Honestly, I’ve found it a little hot during the Melbourne nights, especially compared to the Eva mattress which I’ve also tested.”
She reckons if you live in Queensland or the Northern Territory, it may not be your best choice.
Off-gassing smell
Elese can confirm that there was no funky smell when they opened the box, let the mattress unroll, or when they started to use it.
Bonus bits
Koala has a great commitment to environmental sustainability, especially because they’re a B-Corp certified company. This basically means they’ve got to meet very high standards in their supply chains and manufacturing processes and most importantly, maintain these standards. It means that Koala is a company that’s good for the planet and people. This is also helped by their membership to 1% for the Planet. They give away 1% of gross sales annually for a range of causes. They have a partnership with WWF Australia too so every mattress sale helps protect Aussie’s koalas. Phew.
Oh, and bonus points for the free Koala soft toy.
How much does the Koala mattress cost?
Prices start from $750 for a single mattress, up to $1,250 for a king.
Koala mattress trial, warranty and shipping
Like the Eva mattress, the Koala mattress comes with a 120-night free trial which is slightly longer than the average (100 nights). Shipping is free nationwide (apart from weekend delivery which costs $70) and can be same day in metro areas. Outside metro areas, you’re looking at 1-15 business days. They have a delivery checker on their website so you can get a more accurate idea of how long it could take. You might even get a cheerful delivery person who’ll help you tackle the stairs.
The New Koala mattress has an industry standard warranty of 10 years.
How long does the New Koala mattress last?
You can expect the New Koala mattress to last at least 10 years - it comes with a 10-year warranty.
How the Koala mattress compares
Koala mattress vs Koala Calm As mattress: The Koala mattress is more affordable than the Koala Calm As mattress (from $750, compared to from $980) and has 2 less layers.
Koala mattress vs Koala Soul Mate mattress: The Koala mattress is a lot more affordable than the Koala Soul Mate mattress (the New Koala double costs $1,000, the Soul Mate’s double $2,350) and has 2 less layers of very fancy sounding tech.