Mattress Buying Guide

Comfort and size are two of the key things to consider when choosing a mattress. Once your mattress arrives, proper setup, care and maintenance are also important to help it perform well and last longer.

In this guide, we share with you the key things to consider when choosing and caring for your mattress. We also introduce the key components of a mattress with links to more detailed guides if you would like to learn more.


Choosing the Right Mattress Comfort

Choosing the right mattress comfort starts with getting the firmness right. Your sleeping position, body mass index ("BMI") and age can all influence which mattress firmness may suit you better.

Start With the Right Firmness

Mattress firmness describes how soft or firm the upper layers of the mattress feel when you lie down. Your usual sleeping position is a useful starting point when deciding which firmness to choose.

Side Sleepers Medium-soft to medium
Back Sleepers Medium to medium-firm
Stomach Sleepers Medium-firm to firm
Combination Sleepers Medium

From there, your BMI and age are used to fine-tune the firmness recommendation to better suit you.

Not Sure Which Firmness to Choose?

Read our mattress firmness guide for a more detailed recommendation based on sleeping position, BMI and age.

Different types of sleeping positions

Choosing the Right Mattress Size

Choosing the right mattress size involves more than how many people will sleep on it. Consider the sleeping space you need, mattress length, bed frame dimensions and overall bed height before deciding.

Choose the Right Width & Length

Start by choosing a width that gives you enough sleeping space, then choose between a 190cm or 200cm length based on your height.

Single 90cm x 190/200cm
Super Single 107/120cm x 190/200cm
Queen 150cm x 190/200cm
King 180cm x 190/200cm

A 190cm mattress is generally suitable for sleepers below 175cm. Taller sleepers may prefer a 200cm mattress to leave more space between their feet and the end of the mattress.

Different types of mattress sizes

Check Mattress Thickness and Bed Frame Fit

Mattress thickness affects your overall bed height, so consider choosing the mattress and bed frame together.

If you already own a bed frame, measure the internal width and length available for the mattress before ordering. Also consider how deeply the mattress sits within the frame and how high the sleeping surface will be once the mattress is placed on top of the bed frame.

If you have not purchased a bed frame yet, we recommend choosing the right mattress first and then selecting a bed frame that fits it.

Need Help Choosing a Size?

Read our mattress size guide for more detailed mattress dimensions, length recommendations and bed frame considerations.

Mattress thickness to bedframe fit

Mattress Setup & Care

How you set up and care for your mattress can affect how well it performs over time. Proper support, mattress protection and regular maintenance can all help keep it comfortable and supportive for longer.

Set Up Your Mattress Properly

Make sure your bed frame provides adequate support for the mattress and check that the spacing between bed slats is suitable.

Avoid sharply bending or folding the mattress during installation. If your mattress arrives roll-packed, allow it sufficient time to expand after opening before sleeping on it.

Steps to setup your mattress

Protect, Clean & Rotate Your Mattress

A breathable mattress protector can help protect the mattress surface from everyday moisture and spills while keeping routine cleaning easier.

Regularly wash your bedding, air the mattress when practical and lightly vacuum the surface to reduce the build-up of dust and debris.

For one-sided mattresses, rotate the mattress 180° periodically instead of flipping it over. This can help distribute wear more evenly across the sleeping surface.

Learn How to Care for Your Mattress

Read our mattress care guide for setup, protection, cleaning, rotation and replacement guidance.

Steps to care for your mattress

Understanding Mattress Construction

A mattress is made up of several parts that work together. We consider the mattress fabric cover, comfort layer and support layer to be the three key components to understand. Together, they influence how the mattress feels, supports your body and manages heat throughout the night.

Outer Layer: Mattress Fabric Cover

The mattress fabric cover affects the surface feel, moisture management and initial cool-to-touch sensation of the mattress.

Compare Mattress Fabrics

Explore our mattress fabric guide to learn more about fabric construction, materials and moisture-management.

Highlight for where the mattress fabric outer layer is

Middle Layer: Comfort Layer

The comfort layer affects the cushioning and contouring feel of the mattress. Different materials can make a mattress feel softer, firmer, more responsive or more body-hugging.

Foam Balanced cushioning with gentle contouring
Memory Foam Balanced cushioning with gentle contouring
Latex Responsive cushioning with a buoyant feel
3D Air Fibre Firmer cushioning with less contouring
Compare Comfort Layer Materials

Explore our mattress comfort layer guide to understand how different materials affect mattress feel.

Highlight for where the mattress middle comfort layer is

Base Layer: Support Layer

The support layer affects how the mattress holds and responds to your body. Different support systems can create different levels of stability, responsiveness and overall support.

Pocket Springs More targeted support with independently responding springs
Bonnell Springs More uniform support with interconnected springs
Foam Support Balanced to firm support, depending on foam density
Latex Support Responsive support, depending on latex firmness
Understand Mattress Support

Read our mattress support layer guide for a more detailed comparison of the different support systems.

Highlight for where the base support layer is in the mattress

Combined: How Cool the Mattress Feels

The materials used across the outer, middle and base layers affect both the initial cool-to-touch feel and how much heat is retained through the night. These are influenced by different parts of the mattress.

Initial Cool-to-Touch Feel

Cooling fabrics can make the mattress surface feel cooler when you first lie down. Q-max can be used to compare this initial cooling performance.

Heat Retention Through the Night

More breathable comfort and support layers can help reduce heat build-up by allowing body heat to dissipate more easily.

Looking for a Cooler Mattress?

Read our cooling mattress guide to understand cool-to-touch fabrics, breathability and heat dissipation in more detail.

How heat retention happens across the different layers of the mattress

Ready to Find Your Mattress?

Explore our mattress collection and compare different firmness levels, comfort materials, support systems and cooling options.