The queen is the size most South African couples actually end up buying - big enough that you stop fighting over territory, small enough to fit a normal bedroom and a normal budget. It's also the one size where you have the most choice, which means it's the size where buyers most need to understand what they're choosing between.
I manufacture mattresses, and queen is the only size we build in every single range we make. Here's the full guide.
What "queen size" means in South Africa
A standard South African queen mattress measures 152cm wide by 188cm long. The arithmetic that explains its popularity:
- A double (137cm) gives each partner 68.5cm - less width than a cot. The queen's extra 15cm takes each sleeper to 76cm, which is the difference between touching elbows and sleeping.
- A king (183cm) gives more space still, but demands a bigger room, a bigger budget and a two-piece base. The queen is the compromise that doesn't feel like one.
- As with every size: use South African dimensions when buying sheets and bases - imported size charts differ.
See the Hybrid Queen - Coil + Foam, R5,399 →
How to choose between queen mattresses
Once the size is settled, the decision is construction and feel - and the same rules apply as at any size:
- Ask for a published foam density (kg/m³). It determines firmness and lifespan. No number means no comparison is possible.
- Match the feel to the fussier sleeper. On a shared bed, the person who struggles to sleep chooses the firmness. The other one will adapt; the fussy sleeper won't.
- Think about heat. Two sleepers on 152cm generate real warmth - breathable builds (open coil chambers, open-cell foams) earn their keep on a queen.
Our queen lineup: all four ranges, published specs
Queen is the one size where our whole factory range shows up. All built in our own facilities in Gauteng, the Free State, Cape Town, East London, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga:
- Comfort Foam Queen - R3,699. Firm entry-level, 50 kg/m³ published density, 3-year written warranty. The budget queen with a real spec.
- Active Foam Queen - R5,199. Our firmest mattress: 50 kg/m³ high-density core, 10-year warranty. For couples who want firm, even support.
- Hybrid Queen - R5,399. Bonnell steel coil core under high-density foam layers, EN 1957 endurance tested, 10-year warranty. Spring responsiveness plus airflow through the coil chamber.
- Revive Memory Foam Queen - R7,199. Breathable open-cell memory foam over a high-density core, 10-year warranty. Contouring comfort that doesn't heat-trap.
Every one ships free anywhere in South Africa with a 365-night home trial - a full year for both of you to be sure, which beats any showroom lie-down ever invented.
Regional guides
Shopping regionally? See our queen mattress guides for Gauteng, the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, or the national queen mattress South Africa guide. Wondering about the bigger option? Read the king mattress guide. Taller than 1.85m? Any queen can be made extra-length to order at 15% above the standard price.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best queen size mattress in South Africa?
It depends on your feel preference - which is why we make queen in all four ranges: Comfort Foam (firm budget, R3,699), Active Foam (firmest, R5,199), Hybrid (coil + foam, R5,399) and Revive Memory Foam (contouring, R7,199), all with published specs and a 365-night trial.
What size is a queen mattress in South Africa?
The South African standard is 152cm wide by 188cm long - 15cm wider than a double, giving each partner 76cm of space. Extra-length versions are made to order.
Is a queen or double better for a couple?
Queen, in almost every case. A double gives each adult 68.5cm - less width than a cot. The queen's extra width is the cheapest sleep-quality upgrade a couple can buy.
Written by Andries Taljaard, founder of Mr Mattress. 15+ years making mattresses in South Africa.