Ikea mattresses tend to be among the more affordable options in our mattress test, with five queen-sized models that cost under $1000. Though Koala mattresses start at $950, they run as high as $2390. We looked at the $950 model in our latest test.
But choosing where to buy can be just as important as choosing what to buy, and Ikea and Koala have different levels of service when it comes to delivery, trial periods, returns and warranties.
| Ikea mattress | Koala mattress | |
|---|---|---|
| Many models to choose from | Four models available | |
| You can try out the mattress in an Ikea store | You can't try out the mattress in store, only at home | |
| You need to pick up your mattress yourself or pay for delivery (fees depend on location) | Free delivery Australia-wide | |
| 365-day trial period | 120-day trial period | |
| If you change your mind there's no exchange fee, although you'll need to pay a pickup fee to have the mattress returned (fees depend on location) | If you change your mind there's no exchange fee and no pickup fee if you live in most capital cities (fees for Darwin, Hobart and regional areas vary) | |
| 10–25-year warranty (depending on the model) | 10-year warranty |
Which is best for shoppers?
As far as shopping experiences go, Ikea has a much more consumer-friendly model. Why?
- The free trial period is three times longer than Koala's.
- The warranty on some models lasts a whopping 25 years.
- Ikea has a number of stores around Australia, so you can try each mattress instore before entering the free trial period. This is an easy opportunity to quickly find models that don't feel right before committing to buy.
- There are more models to choose from at varying price points.
But bear these points in mind:
- Ikea doesn't have free delivery and this can get particularly pricey if you live outside a major city.
- They don't pick up if you want to exchange the mattress.
- You can't get a refund during the free trial period. You can only exchange your mattress for another Ikea model.
- You're only eligible for one exchange under the free trial period (so choose wisely).
Which mattress brand is best: Ikea vs Koala?
We recently surveyed more than 1000 Australians about their mattresses, to gather important feedback about how these products perform over time in the real world. This, alongside our test results, can help you identify which mattress brands have the most satisfied customers and the best performing, most reliable products.
Our survey covers a number of manufacturers, including Ikea and Koala. As far as these two brands are concerned, Koala edged out Ikea for both reliability (86% vs 75%) and customer satisfaction (84% vs 81%).
The survey also revealed that, overall, mattress-in-a-box customers were more satisfied with their purchase, while those who opted for spring/coil mattresses, were the least satisfied. The most reliable material turned out to be memory foam and latex, with each receiving the highest scores.
Check out the link below for a full breakdown of our survey results, which includes the most reliable mattress brands.
Measuring performance
Of course, how a mattress actually performs is an extremely important part of the buying decision. You'll find CHOICE Expert Ratings, as well as comfort scores for when the mattress is brand new and then after eight years of use, for the following Koala and Ikea mattresses in our latest mattress reviews.
Koala SE
- Cost: $950
- Build: Foam
- Claimed firmness: Medium-firm
- Thickness: 22.5cm
- Weight: 26kg
- Number of layers: 8
Ikea Abygda
- Cost: $699
- Build: Foam
- Claimed firmness: Firm
- Thickness: 18cm
- Number of layers: 6
Ikea Åkrehamn
- Cost: $899
- Build: Foam
- Claimed firmness: Firm
- Thickness: 20cm
- Number of layers: 9
Ikea Ånneland
- Cost: $999
- Build: Pocket spring
- Claimed firmness: Firm
- Thickness: 20.5cm
- Weight: 35kg
- Number of layers: 11
Ikea Valevåg
- Cost: $399
- Build: Pocket spring
- Claimed firmness: Firm
- Thickness: 24cm
- Number of layers: 8
Ikea Vatneström
- Cost: $1399
- Build: Pocket spring
- Claimed firmness: Firm
- Thickness: 26cm
- Weight: 48kg
- Number of layers: 9
Ikea Vesteroy
- Cost: $329
- Build: Pocket spring
- Claimed firmness: Firm
- Thickness: 20cm
- Weight: 30kg
- Number of layers: 10
We recommend two of these nine mattresses. Sign up to CHOICE to see the full results of our annual mattress test and find out which ones we rate.
Our review covers more than 40 mattresses from brands such as Sealy, Sleeping Duck, Snooze, A.H. Beard and more.
What's in the full review?
Our test results will tell you:
- Whether the actual firmness lives up to the manufacturer's claim.
- How much the mattress moves when your bedmate turns over.
- How the comfort level compares for men and women.
- How well the mattress will hold up after eight years of use.
- How warm it gets.
- How well it repels sweat.
- Good and bad points for each mattress.
Read more at choice.com.au/mattresses
Common questions about Ikea and Koala mattresses
Do Ikea mattresses come in a box?
No, though Ikea does roll-pack some mattresses in plastic, which are designed to expand when opened not unlike a mattress in a box. Cardboard is used to pack, reinforce and protect mattresses that can't be compacted, then they're wrapped in plastic as well.
Do Ikea mattresses match standard Australian sizes?
Ikea is one of a handful of companies in our test that sells mattresses all over the world. However, there are no global size standards and the queen mattress doesn't even exist in Europe and the UK. So people often ask if the queen mattresses Ikea sells in Australia are the right size and the answer is yes – well, almost.
Queen mattresses are 203cm long and 153cm wide while thickness varies between models. Ikea 'queen' mattresses are 202cm long by 152cm wide according to the sizing chart. The single centimetre of difference on each side is unlikely to affect placement on mattress bases or the fit for sheets, electric blankets and mattress protectors. There's a small chance that sheets may feel marginally loose if you prefer an ultra-snug fit.
Can you wash the mattress cover?
Not usually. The documentation supplied with the three Koala mattresses in our test does not specify if the covers are washable. The cover on an Ikea mattress can be washed if it can be removed.
Can you roll up a mattress before returning it?
No. Ikea mattresses don't roll up at all and you can't roll up the Koala mattresses either once they're out of the box.
Is a good mattress expensive?
Koala and Ikea have some of the cheapest mattresses that we review. But despite the wide price range for mattresses (between $250 and $6000 in our latest test), many have more similarities than you'd think.
Our tests and investigations have found that a higher price tag on a mattress doesn't necessarily mean higher quality. In fact, that higher price tag is often nothing more than a big mark-up from retailers.
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Instead we're funded by members who value expert reviews and independent product testing.
With no self-interest behind our advice, you don't just buy smarter, you get the answers that you need.
You know without hesitation what's safe for you and your family.
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