In our modern age, technology is constantly advancing and the bedding industry is no exception.

Up until a few years ago, shopping for a new mattress meant leaving the comfort of your home only to arrive at a showroom where you would be overwhelmed by hundreds of similar (and overpriced) options. 

After trying each mattress for less than five minutes, you're often more confused than when you arrived. 

Flash forward a few weeks and you're stuck with an expensive mattress you can't return. 

Sound familiar? 

Before the mattress-in-a-box became popular, this was the reality for so many Australians. Even if you're happy with your purchase, the fact of the matter is your hard-earned money is being spent to cover the cost of the showrooms and is not a reflection of the quality of the mattress. 

And so a new way to buy mattresses was created ( aka the answer to your sleep prayers). 

What is a mattress-in-a-box?

If you're not familiar with what a mattress-in-a-box is, you've come to the right place! 

A mattress-in-a-box (or bed-in-a-box) is a mattress that has been vacuum compressed, rolled up and then packaged in a box — ready to be shipped directly to your door. As mattress-in-a-box companies are often online-only, there are usually no expensive overheads or middleman costs reflected in the final price. 

However, despite their rise to popularity, affordable price and 5-star reviews, traditional mattress brands say that a mattress-in-a-box can't compete with them. 

But is it true? 

The short answer: no. But if you're in the market for a new mattress, you probably want to know why! 

To help you buy a mattress online, we've broken down the common concerns and mattress-in-a-box myths! 

Myth #1 Compressing the mattress isn’t good for the mattress

FALSE.

A misconception about the mattress-in-a-box is that the vacuum compressing will damage the mattress.

But we can assure you that is not the case! 

Although this technology has become increasingly popular in the last 10 years, many manufacturers have been compressing mattresses for over 30 years in order to make them more cost-effective to ship. 

No matter if the mattress is made from foam, springs or a hybrid of the two, the mattress will not be damaged by the compressing and will recover to its regular shape within a few hours after opening.

In fact, in compressed mattresses, the spring gauge is often higher, the edge support stronger and the memory foam more resilient; leading overall to a better quality mattress when compared to non-compressed mattresses.

Myth #2 Mattresses-in-a-box are not good quality

FALSE.

When it comes to durability, many mattresses-in-a-box come with a generous warranty to protect your mattress which is a reflection of their high-quality. 

Warranties can vary in time and coverage depending on the company. A good-quality mattress-in-a-box should last for at least 10-15 years if properly cared for. 

When comparing warranties, always check the terms of the warranty before purchasing your mattress. Companies may offer a 15-year warranty, but it might be limited and not cover certain issues.  

Myth #3 Mattresses-in-a-box are foam only

FALSE.

Many bed-in-a-box brands are foam only, however, there are a few options on the market that offer the support of pocket springs as well. 

If you want to experience the benefits of memory foam, latex and pocket springs, the Eva Mattress-in-a-box is a hybrid mattress which offers the cloud-like comfort of memory foam and the support of pocket springs. 

Eva's Premium Adapt Mattress and Comfort Classic Mattress (formerly known as the Eva Mattress Plus and Eva Mattress respectively) are made from a 5-zone pocket spring system that works to support the high-pressure points of the body, along with maximising airflow and reducing partner disturbance. 

The Eva Mattress is a 4x award-winning mattress including most recently awarded as a CHOICE Recommended mattress and Finders 'Best Mattress Under $1000'. Not to mention Eva is backed by Chiropractors (pardon the pun) so you know you’re in good hands. 

When buying a mattress — compressed or not — be sure to also check the certifications to ensure the materials used are free from harsh chemicals. 

Myth #4 One mattress firmness does not fit all

TRUE.

Sleep is personal, and there’s not a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to buying the perfect mattress.

That’s why many reputable mattress-in-a-box brands offer mattress trials. We offer 100 days. This will allow you to sleep on the mattress in the comfort of your own home to make sure you’re — both literally and figuratively — comfortable with your purchase.

Five minutes of trying a mattress in a showroom (while being stalked by a salesperson) cannot compare. Nothing beats trying a mattress in the comfort of your own home! 

Usually, brands offer an easy (and free) returns process if you decide during the trial period that the mattress isn't right for you. 

Always read the fine print before sleeping on your mattress, as some companies cannot accept the return if the mattress is dirty or damaged. This is due to the returned mattresses being donated to charity or recycled.

When it comes to firmness, the Premium Adapt Mattress is customisable - with three firmness levels to choose from in the comfort of your own home. Simply flip a layer to change between medium-soft, medium and firm. 

Myth #5 Cost equals comfort 

FALSE.

Well, kind of. Hear us out. 

As mentioned above, the price of traditional mattresses are not a reflection of their quality. Sure, some mattresses may have extra features, but these are often a luxury rather than a necessity for added comfort. 

When it comes to a well-made mattress-in-a-box, expect to pay around $900-$1700 for a queen-size. A mattress of this price will usually be made with high-quality materials and will last as long as a traditional mattress (depending on the brand, of course)

Cheaper mattresses may seem appealing, but they are normally made from lower-quality materials, and you'll end up spending more when you have to replace them in a few months time. If a queen bed for $200 sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

Now that we’ve busted some common mattress-in-a-box myths, let's move on to the benefits that help mattresses-in-box stand out from their traditional counterparts! 

Free delivery

Most mattress-in-a-box brands offer free express delivery so that you can sleep on your new mattress as soon as possible! 

If you have a mattress emergency or just need great sleep now, Eva offers next day delivery in metro areas. You can also select your preferred delivery date at check out, with GPS tracking updates sent directly to your phone on the day of delivery. 

Not sure if you qualify for next day delivery? Enter your postcode into our handy delivery checker to find out!

Buy now, pay later options

If the idea of forking out hundreds of dollars for a new mattress makes you nervous, then buy now pay later options are here to save you from financial stress! 

Many mattress-in-a-box websites offer zero-interest repayment options for you to choose from which may not be available if you shop in-store. 

Eva offers four repayment options — Afterpay, Zip, Openpay & Humm — so you can find one to suit your lifestyle. 

Not all heroes wear capes, but if you need one, just Afterpay it! 

Easy to compare

Whether you’re shopping online or browsing in-store, there are so many brands, materials, firmness levels and all sorts of considerations when choosing a new mattress. 

This comparison can be not only time-consuming but also a lot of effort (we speak from experience). 

For those of you who don’t enjoy creating excel spreadsheets full of mattress specs on a Sunday, we put together a convenient comparison table where we break down the differences between several mattress-in-a-box brands. 

If you've been on the fence when it comes to trying out a mattress-in-a-box, you now know they are just as reliable, comfortable and supportive as a traditional mattress (maybe even more so). Also, you won't have to hand over as much of your hard-earned cash! 

If you're looking to upgrade your sleep, start your 100 day sleep trial with Eva. Our mattresses range from sizes single through to king, so there’s a bed to suit everyone! 

And if you don't sleep better, we'll pick up the mattress for free and give you your money back — no strings attached.