๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บ Australia ยท Hybrid (Foam & Springs) vs Hybrid (foam & springs)

EssentialvsSleeping Duck

Which one is best for you? Essential or Sleeping Duck - 2026 comparison by Vs Mattress

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Essential logoEssential

Essential

by Dusk & Dawn ยท Hybrid (Foam & Springs)

Up to $550 off + further 10% OFF

10 ยท 100-night trial

Sleeping Duck logoSleeping Duck

Sleeping Duck

by Sleeping Duck ยท Hybrid (foam & springs)

Check current deal.

10 ยท 100-night trial

Pricing by size

Essential

Single$1,149
King Single$1,249
Double$1,649
Queen$1,749
King$1,949

Sleeping Duck

Single$999
King Single$1,099
Double$1,349
Queen$1,649
King$1,999

Essential information

EssentialSleeping Duck
TypeHybrid (Foam & Springs)Hybrid (foam & springs)
Launchedโ€“2014
BrandDusk & DawnSleeping Duck
Made inAustraliaChina
Unique points

This 5 layer Dusk and Dawn Essential mattress combines foam and pocket springs:

  • Australian Natura-Wool
  • Eco-Air Comfort Technology
  • Elasta-Gel
  • Premium High Density / High Resilience Comfort Foam
  • ISO Coil 5 Zone Pocket Spring System With Full Edge Outer Perimeter Springs

The Sleeping Duck now called the SD Mach II is Australian designed but produced in China. It combines a combination of technologies in the one mattress:

  • Australian made AntiGravity surface foam (made from high density AirGrown polyurethane foam)
  • Australian made Precision Firmness Pads
  • The Motherboard: a multi-zoned steel spring system
Videoโ€“Sleeping Duck Review - Which Version Should You Pick?

Certifications & trial

EssentialSleeping Duck
OEKO-TEXยฎYesNo
CertiPUR-USยฎNoNo
CertificationsOEKO-TEXยฎ, GECA (Good Environmental Choice Australia)GECA (Good Environmental Choice Australia)
Other certification infoGECA (Good Environmental Choice Australia)GECA (Good Environmental Choice Australia) Certified
Sleep trial100 nights100 nights
Warranty1010
Free shippingโ€“โ€“
Free returnsNoYes
Pay laterYesYes
Delivery info

Delivery generally takes up to 7-10 working days depending on exact location/state. Regional deliveries may take up to 3-4 weeks, based on your location. Melbourne Metro orders are usually with 3-5 working days. $180 flat rate in regional areas

Free next business day for almost all of Australia. Delivered straight to your door.

Firmness & feel

EssentialSleeping Duck
One firmness fits allNoNo
Select your firmnessYesYes
Adjustable firmnessYesYes
Half and half firmnessNoYes
Flippable / reversibleNoNo
Firmness info

Dusk and Dawn provides an array of supports tailored to meet every sleeper's needs. Their Plush support, rated 3-4 on the firmness scale, is supremely soft, offering luxurious comfort while ensuring body support throughout the night. The Comfy Medium support, with a firmness score of 5-6, is widely favored, providing the perfect balance of support and comfort by allowing slight sinkage for the hips and shoulders. For those who prefer a solid foundation, the Firm Support, rated 7-8, offers a firmer base while not compromising on comfort.

Firmness is the most sensitive and personal element of any mattress. Sleeping Duck have re-engineered the traditional mattress to make it modular, allowing you to pick (and even swap) the firmness that's exactly right for you. Simply choose between medium or firm initially. Rest assured, you'll be able to change the firmness via foam swaps for the first 100 nights for free. Medium: Suitable for side sleepers, Sinks in slightly while being supportive, Approximately a 6/10 on the firmness scale. Firm: Suitable for back sleepers, Still feels cloud like while maintaining a strong level of support, Approximately an 8/10 on the firmness scale. Half Medium & Half Firm:, A different firmness on either side of the bed, Ideal for couples who have different firmness preferences.

Construction & materials

EssentialSleeping Duck
LayersAustralian Natura-Wool, Eco-Air Comfort Technology, Elasta-Gel, Premium High Density Comfort Foam, ISO Coil 5 Zone Pocket SpringsAntiGravity foam, Precision Firmness Pads, Motherboard (pocket springs)
CoverFeaturing a premium knit, high quality comfort-stretch fabric surface panel for a more luxurious feel and better surface comfort to the touch. Combined with a 3D mesh gusset for maximum airflow and breathability. This ensures better breathaility and optimal temperature regulation and comfort while you sleep.Bamboo
Machine-washable coverNoNo
Ergonomic handlesYesYes
ComfortPure Australian natural wool comfort. Highly breathable and naturally anti-bacterial and anti dust mite for a fresher and more hygienic sleep. Natural wool has excellent thermo-regulation properties, which keep you warm in winter and cooler in summer. By using locally sourced Australian wool we are supporting our Aussie farmers!Appreciating that everyone is different, Sleeping Duck allows you to choose from a medium or firm mattress (or half-half on Queen and King sizes). Over the course of your 100 night trial you can change the firmness of your mattress depending on the way you are sleeping. These firmnesses can be adjusted with just the pull of a zip. The ComponentAdapt customisation system empowers you to take full control of the comfort of your mattress. This is achieved via interchangeable Precision Pads that you can swap out for both you and your partner. After sleeping on your mattress, you can contact the SDHQ who can help you to customise and adapt the mattress with up to 256 combinations possible.
SupportIndependently encased Pocket Coil System with 5 targeted zones for better body support and contouring where you need it most. The independent pocket springs also help minimise partner disturbance. With firmer perimeter coils for extra edge support and increased sleeping surface.The Sleeping Duck Mach II has a multi-zone support structure to make sure every part of your body is wonderfully supported and comfortable. Pocket Springs are far more resilient and provide better support over a longer period of time. They're specifically designed to ease the human body to relaxation and relieve pressure points by varying the distribution of weight throughout the entire surface. The mattress has superior edge support thanks to the reinforced spring perimeter through the use of 2.3mm springs on the entire border. This allows you to sleep edge-to-edge, making your Queen size feel like a King, and allowing you to sit or sleep on the edge without the rolling or sliding off feeling. Independently pocketed springs create zero disturbance between you and your sleeping partner.
Postsโ€“โ€“

Size & weight

EssentialSleeping Duck
Available sizesSingle, King Single, Double, Queen, KingSingle, King Single, Double, Queen, King
DimensionsSingle: 32 cmSingle: 31 cm
Single weight (kg)N/A30
King Single weight (kg)N/A36
Double weight (kg)4843
Queen weight (kg)5053
King weight (kg)5560

FAQs

Essential

Where are Dusk and Dawn mattresses made?

Dusk & Dawn mattresses are proudly owned, designed, and made in Melbourne Australia. The company prides itself on hand-making every mattress locally, and it is officially certified as Australian Made and Owned. By choosing to manufacture their products domestically, Dusk & Dawn supports Australian families and contributes to the local economy.

Are Dusk&Dawn mattresses environmentally friendly?

Dusk&Dawn mattresses are indeed environmentally friendly. They are made using Australian-made foams and fabrics, which reduces the carbon footprint associated with overseas shipping. Furthermore, Dusk&Dawn proudly uses materials certified by Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) and Oeko-Tex. These certifications ensure that the materials used are produced in an environmentally responsible manner.

Do Dusk&Dawn mattresses come in a box?

Dusk&Dawn mattresses do not come in a box. The company prides itself on using high-quality materials that cannot be compressed, rolled, or squashed into a box without compromising their quality. This decision reflects Dusk&Dawn's commitment to delivering a premium product, even if it means deviating from the increasingly popular bed-in-a-box model.

Sleeping Duck

Where is Sleeping Duck mattress made?

Sleeping Duck mattresses are assembled in China, with materials sourced from multiple locations. The foam components of the mattress are produced in Sydney, Australia, while the springs and upholstery layers are manufactured in China. Thus, while some aspects of production take place in Australia, the final assembly occurs in China. To then be shipped back to Aus for sale.

Who is the founder of Sleeping Duck?

Sleeping Duck was founded by engineers Winston Wijeyeratne and Selvam Sinnappan in 2014. Based in Melbourne, they were motivated to create their own bed after finding the existing process of buying a bed to be expensive, complicated, and frustrating. Selvam Sinnappan currently serves as a Founder and Director of the company. Their mission was to simplify the mattress buying process and provide high-quality, tailored sleep experiences to their customers.

Is Sleeping Duck non toxic?

Yes, Sleeping Duck mattresses are non-toxic. The company ensures this by using foams that hold the highest Global Green Tag certification, a certification system that guarantees products are environmentally sustainable and non-toxic. While the mattresses might have a smell when first unboxed, this is normal and non-toxic. However, it's important to note that the AntiGravity Foam used in the mattresses cannot be washed as it begins to disintegrate when exposed to water. If needed, the company recommends replacing this layer.

Wrap up

Thank you for checking out this Essential vs Sleeping Duck mattress comparison. We have tried to compare all the necessary information to help you choose which mattress is the most suitable for you.

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