Best Hybrid Alternative: Origin
Pricing Range:
Origin - $414 - $814
Koala - $759 - $1299
Pros
- HexaGrid™ orthopedic layer
- Good value
- 120 night trial + 15 year warranty
Read: Origin Review
Origin puts a lot of effort into R&D, and they take advice from the global markets where their mattresses are available; the UK, Singapore, and Australia. The mattress has won several awards thanks to patent-pending technology and a team of sleep experts. Let’s see the layers.
At the top; is the signature HexaGrid™ orthopedic layer that provides maximum comfort while cradling pressure points. There are two more layers of foam, a transitional layer, and a firmer layer. Individual pocket springs are located underneath that.
For deeper sleep, Origin foams are infused with cooling particles that maintain your body temperature at 18.3°C. To top it off, you get a 120 night trial and 15 year warranty.
Australian made : Hugo
Pricing Range:
Hugo - $695 - $1095
Koala - $759 - $1299
Pros
- Natural latex
- Australian made
- 4 layers of foam design
Read: Hugo Review
If you still want an Australian made mattress that isn’t Koala then Hugo is perfect for you. It’s an all foam again but instead of memory foam as the top layer it’s latex. This gives the mattress more airflow and bounce, plus latex is naturally hypoallergenic and antimicrobial to reduce bacteria.
Then you have memory foam that matches your body’s natural contours, a premium transition layer (that most mattresses skip over), and a high-density foam rock solid base to add support and longevity.
Customisable : Macoda
Price Range:
Macoda – $800 – $1300
Koala - $759 - $1299
Pros
- Hybrid bed
- Change the firmness
- Zoned support
Read: Macoda Review
We always loved the comfort level of the Macoda and recently they have taken it to the next level. Macoda now includes two foam inserts that can be flipped to adjust between a soft, medium and firm comfort setting in a couple of minutes.
The Macoda is made up of 4 layers. 3 layers of foam - latex, memory foam, high-density support foam, and then a base layer of pocket springs. I forget to mention, the cover is as comfortable as it looks in the pictures. Plus it's made from bamboo.
Best Budget : Zinus ICoil
Price Range:
Zinus – $279 – $439
Koala - $759 - $1299
Pros
- It’s an affordable mattress
- Certi-PUR US certified
- Hybrid
Read: Zinus Review
Zinus ICoil is on Amazon, it’s a budget friendly Koala alternative that comes with a 10 year warranty, two layers of foam and pocket springs. Plus the foams are even Certi-PUR US certified which means they are free from nasty chemicals, which is amazing for the price range.
So if you're looking to save a few dollars but want a new mattress then the Zinus ICoil could be the choice for you.
Another Great Option: Noa
Price Range:
Noa - $499 - $899
Koala - $759 - $1299
Pros
- Well priced
- High quality
- Reach certified
Read: Noa Review
Noa uses the combination of foam and springs to give a great balance of comfort. You get all the pressure relieving benefits of memory foam with the added gentle push back from the pocket springs.
Plus, the gel-infused memory foam and the addition of springs allows better airflow keeping the mattress from retaining heat and keeping you warm. Overall, we love the Noa bed and it’s currently available in Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, UK, and Australia.
Final Verdict
Everyone is different, that's why we have a range of mattresses to fit everyone looking for a koala alternative. The mattress in a box market is a very competitive and confusing space with all the mattress marketing jargon being thrown around, we try and simplify it.
All of the comparisons mentioned are high quality mattresses available in Australia. We have done extensive single reviews on each of the mattresses and looked at thousands of real customer reviews to get an unbiased third party opinion on top of our reviews. Below you will find our top pick and the two runner ups and our reason why to pick them.
Closest match : Emma (top pick)
We have picked the Emma Comfort as our best alternative because of the increased airflow, the quality, certified foams, happy customers, and many other areas.
This mattress is a very close comparison to the Koala, so if you're looking for a bed that’s close to the Koala and want to save some money, this would be an excellent choice for you. It’s the closest in terms of quality and popularity. The pricing is close, but the Emma mattress does seem to be lighter on the wallet at the minute.
Plus, we can give you an extra 5% off the current sale with SLEEPYS5.
Runner Ups
Best Hybrid Alternative : Origin
The mattress has a custom-developed and pattened HexaGrid™ orthopedic layer that provides maximum comfort while cradling pressure points. There are also two more foam layers, a transitional one and a firmer one. Underneath that are individual pocket springs.
The mattress has recently been redesigned to be even more comfortable and has a large customer base in the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Australia. In addition, it's very competitively priced, and you'll find it cheaper than most all-foam mattresses.
Hugo doesn't seem to get mentioned too much in the mattress in a box market. However, this mattress is very comfortable, has 4 layers of foam instead of the Koala’s 2, it has a latex top layer that's a nice change from memory foam. We would recommend Hugo if you're looking for a high quality Australian made alternative.