Koala Plus Mattress Reviews (2026)

The Koala Plus earns its place in the middle of Koala’s range by offering adjustments that make a noticeable difference. The medium-firm side gave the shoulder more room during side sleep, while the firm side held the hips more level during back and stomach sleep. Motion stayed well contained on both sides. Choose it for adaptable foam comfort and temperature-conscious materials; skip it if you want a plush cradle, a springy response, or the rigid perimeter found on the best edge-support mattresses.

• Who it’s for

  • Hot sleepers who prefer the quiet, close support of foam

  • Back and combination sleepers choosing between medium-firm and firm

  • Couples who value motion isolation more than bounce

• Who should skip it

  • Anyone who wants a one-piece mattress with no layers to adjust

  • People who sit on the edge for long stretches or need a firm perimeter for mobility

  • Lightweight side sleepers looking for a deep, soft cradle

The evaluation followed our standard mattress testing process. Nights on the medium-firm and firm setups covered back, side, stomach, and combination sleep. The comparisons focused on support, pressure relief, and ease of movement. Marcus Reed tracked surface temperature and midsection stability, while Jenna Brooks and Ethan Cole concentrated on shared-bed movement and perimeter stability. Each setup stayed in place for several consecutive nights so the verdict did not hinge on a first impression.

After 48 hours out of the box, the mattress measured 27.9 cm high, essentially matching Koala’s 28 cm specification. I began with the CoolThread™ side up and the medium-firm face of the comfort layer on top. That setup felt like 6.5 out of 10: supportive through the waist without crowding the shoulder. Flipping the internal layer raised the perceived firmness to about 7.5 out of 10. The change was easy to feel. My hips stayed closer to level on my back, but the firmer face created more pressure during side sleep.

The cooling materials worked best at the surface. Starting from 22.3°C, the cover reached 26.9°C after 30 minutes of back sleep and fell to 23.6°C five minutes after getting up. That 4.6°C rise was controlled for an all-foam build, though sleepers who want constant airflow may still prefer coils. In the motion test, a 4.5 kg ball dropped from 15 cm produced a 0.11 g peak at a sensor 60 cm away, and the vibration settled in 0.5 seconds. Partner turns felt similarly muted in bed.

Movement was easier than on slow memory foam. The comfort foam recovered about 90% of its height in 1.6 seconds after the load was removed, so changing position did not require an extra push with the arms. The edge told a different story: under the same seated load, it compressed 9.1 cm compared with 6.2 cm at the center. Sleeping near the side still felt secure, but sitting there made the usable perimeter feel softer.

• What we liked

  • The two firmness settings produced a clear change in hip support and shoulder pressure

  • The CoolThread™ side shed surface heat quickly after the sleeper got up

  • Partner movement stayed local instead of traveling across the bed

• Who it is best for

  • Hot sleepers who want an all-foam mattress with a cool-to-the-touch surface

  • Back and combination sleepers who want medium-firm and firm options at home

  • Couples who need strong motion isolation when the other person changes position

• Where it falls short

  • The seated edge compresses more than the center and more than most reinforced hybrids

  • Changing the feel requires unzipping the cover and turning a large foam layer

  • The firm side is too direct at the shoulder for many side sleepers

• Type: 28 cm all-foam mattress with an 8 cm Cooling Gel Kloudcell® comfort layer and a high-density support core. Our mattress materials guide explains how this differs from coil and latex builds.

• Firmness: flippable comfort layer with medium-firm and firm faces. See our guide to matching firmness to sleep position for more context.

• Support: five targeted zones designed to vary support across the body. Our zoned-support explainer covers the purpose of this layout.

• Cooling: CoolThread™ on the summer side and Cooling Gel Kloudcell® below it. Koala says the Plus sleeps 13% cooler than leading online brands; that is a manufacturer claim, not a guarantee that every sleeper will experience better temperature control.

• Seasonal top panel: reversible quilted component with organic cotton on the winter side and CoolThread™ on the summer side.

• Motion isolation: all-foam construction with Koala’s Zero Disturbance® design.

• Sizes: Single, King Single, Double, Queen, King, and Super King in Australian dimensions. Check our mattress size guide before reusing an existing frame or sheets.

• Regular price at the time of review: Single AU$1,050; Queen AU$1,650. Promotions and regional delivery charges can change the final cost.

• Trial: 120 days. Metro mattress returns include pickup; regional customers should confirm return transport before ordering. Our mattress trial guide explains what to check before the return window closes.

• Warranty: 10-year limited mattress warranty.

• Delivery: compressed in a box. Metro mattress delivery is free, while regional fees vary. See our bed-in-a-box guide for setup basics.

• Selected ticking fabrics:

  • Summer side: 81% polyester, 19% polyethylene

  • Winter side: 35% organic cotton, 13% polyester, 52% recycled polyester

• Origin: designed by Koala in Sydney and manufactured in China.

Choose the Koala Plus if you like the quiet feel of foam but do not want to commit to one firmness level. The medium-firm side suits most back and combination sleepers, while the firm side adds stronger hip control for stomach sleep. People who struggle with night sweats get more surface-level temperature management than standard foam usually offers, although a coil bed still moves more air through its core.

At almost the same regular Queen price, the Sleeping Duck SD MACH II is the more relevant Australian alternative. It uses the airflow and lift of a hybrid mattress, interchangeable firmness components, and a reinforced perimeter, so it feels bouncier and more stable at the edge. The Koala Plus is the better fit when motion isolation, a lower-profile 28 cm build, and a reversible seasonal surface matter more than lift.

The adjustment system is useful only if you are willing to handle it. Changing the feel means unzipping the cover, lifting the comfort layer, turning it over, and closing everything evenly. The edge is stable enough for sleeping near the side but sinks more during a long sit. Side sleepers who need a pronounced cradle may also find both faces too firm; the medium-firm side is more forgiving, but it does not feel like a plush mattress.

Choose the Koala Plus if you want two built-in firmness choices, a reversible warm-weather/cool-weather surface, and the low motion transfer of an all-foam bed. It is especially practical for couples who agree on firmness but wake easily when one partner moves.

Choose the Sleeping Duck SD MACH II if edge stability, bounce, and side-by-side firmness customization matter more. Its Queen price closely matches the Koala Plus, but its pocket-spring core and interchangeable comfort components create a more lifted feel. It is also 31 cm high rather than 28 cm, so check sheet depth and bed height before buying.

• Sleep on each firmness setup for at least five nights before deciding.

• Try the firm face for stronger hip control during back or stomach sleep.

• Return to medium-firm if side sleeping creates pressure at the shoulder.

• Use a breathable protector that does not mask the CoolThread™ surface; our protector vs. topper guide explains the difference.

• Rotate the mattress regularly to spread wear, but do not confuse rotating the whole bed with flipping only the comfort layer. See our guide to flipping vs. rotating a mattress.

• Lay the comfort layer flat before closing the zipper so the surface stays even.

• Use a supportive, non-sagging base and avoid sitting in the same edge spot every day.