King Koil vs Mr Mattress: Honest Comparison (2026)
King Koil vs Mr Mattress: Honest Comparison (2026)
Last checked: 26 July 2026
Short answer: King Koil is a global bedding brand with roughly 125 years of history, manufacturing in South Africa and sold through major retailers like Dial-a-Bed. Mr Mattress is a smaller South African manufacturer selling direct, from R2,399, with a 365-night home trial and published specs on every model. King Koil doesn't publish a single fixed price - what you pay depends on which retailer you're standing in. Mr Mattress is one price, everywhere.
home trial, no minimum hold
on Active, Revive and Hybrid
across South Africa
South Africa
Verdict
Verdict: Mr Mattress wins on price transparency and trial terms; King Koil wins on heritage and brand recognition. King Koil traces back to 1898 in the US and has manufactured under licence in South Africa for years, but like most licensed international brands here, it's sold through retailers at prices that vary by store, not at one fixed published price. Mr Mattress sells factory-direct with published specs, a 365-night home trial and no minimum hold.
Last updated: July 2026.
What each of us actually is
King Koil started life as the United States Bedding Company in 1898, renamed King Koil in 1930, and now operates under licence in more than 90 countries including South Africa, where it manufactures locally using local materials. It's sold through major South African retailers such as Dial-a-Bed rather than direct from King Koil itself, so the price and range you see depends on which store you visit.
Mr Mattress is a smaller, direct manufacturer. We make our own foam and memory foam mattresses in South Africa, plus one Bonnell coil-and-foam Hybrid, and sell them online and through our own stores at one fixed price. Four ranges, every one with its specs published.
Why you won't find one "King Koil price"
Like most licensed international bedding brands sold in South Africa, King Koil doesn't sell to the public directly. Retailers such as Dial-a-Bed set their own prices and promotions on the range, so the same model can carry different prices in different places, and premium models can run well into the tens of thousands - a King Koil flagship queen or super king in a plush finish is a luxury-tier purchase. Mr Mattress publishes one price online and in our own stores, the same everywhere.
Side by side
| Feature | Mr Mattress | King Koil |
|---|---|---|
| How you buy | Direct, one honest price | Through retailers like Dial-a-Bed, price varies by shop |
| Support type | High-density foam across the range, plus a Bonnell coil core in the Hybrid - 2.4mm wire, published spec | Mainly spring and hybrid ranges |
| Trial | 365 nights, no minimum hold | No standard home trial, depends on retailer policy |
| Warranty | 3 years Comfort Foam, 10 years Active, Revive and Hybrid | 10 to 12 years against manufacturing defects |
| Price | R2,399 to R8,999, published, same everywhere | Not published directly - varies by retailer, flagship models can run well into five figures |
| Heritage | 15+ years, South African manufacturer | Roughly 125 years globally, licensed manufacturing in South Africa |
| Made in South Africa | Yes | Yes, manufactured locally under licence |
Where King Koil genuinely wins
Heritage. Roughly 125 years as a global bedding brand is real weight, and the name is widely recognised.
Spring engineering. If you specifically want a pocket spring or spring hybrid bed, King Koil is one of the more established names doing it, and their range runs from mid-market to genuine luxury.
Showroom access. Stocked at major retailers nationwide, so you can lie on one in most towns.
Where Mr Mattress wins
One honest price. No retail markup maze - the price you see online is the price you pay in our own stores too.
Published specs. Every model's construction is public - foam density, and on the Hybrid, coil wire gauge, steel grade and tempering. With a licensed retail brand, you're trusting a name, not a number.
The trial. 365 nights in your own bedroom, no minimum hold, not dependent on which retailer you happened to buy from.
One throat to choke. Any claim goes straight to the people who built the bed, not a retailer mediating with a licensed brand.
Shop Mr Mattress direct See the Hybrid
Frequently asked questions
Is Mr Mattress cheaper than King Koil?
Usually, for comparable quality. Mr Mattress publishes one price from R2,399 to R8,999 across the range. King Koil doesn't publish a single South African price - it's sold through retailers like Dial-a-Bed at prices that vary by store and can run well into five figures at the flagship end.
Where can I buy a King Koil mattress in South Africa?
King Koil is sold through major retailers such as Dial-a-Bed rather than directly from King Koil itself, so pricing and available models depend on the retailer.
How long has King Koil been making mattresses?
King Koil traces back to 1898 as the United States Bedding Company in Minnesota, renamed King Koil in 1930. It now operates under licence in more than 90 countries, including South Africa, where it manufactures locally.
Does Mr Mattress make a spring mattress like King Koil?
Not a pocket spring, no. Our Hybrid uses a Bonnell steel coil core (2.4mm wire, 82B high-carbon steel, fully oven-tempered, 5.5mm border wire clipped at every coil) under a thick foam comfort layer, with the full spec published rather than a licensed brand name.
What warranty does King Koil offer compared to Mr Mattress?
King Koil's South African range typically carries a 10 to 12 year warranty against manufacturing defects. Mr Mattress covers 3 years on Comfort Foam and 10 years on Active, Revive and Hybrid, backed by the 365-night home trial no warranty covers.
King Koil details on this page reflect publicly available brand history and retailer listings, last checked 26 July 2026. King Koil does not publish direct-to-consumer pricing in South Africa; confirm current prices with your local retailer before you buy.
Ready to compare for yourself? Shop the Mr Mattress range or see the full range specs. Questions? Call 087 087 1610 or visit one of our stores across South Africa, with more opening.
See how Mr Mattress compares to every major brand and retailer →
We've been making foam mattresses in South Africa for over 15 years. Our head office and main factory are in Bloemfontein, and we manufacture through our own and approved partner facilities in Gauteng, Cape Town and East London. MR MATTRESS (PTY) LTD, 47 Piet Human Street, Bloemfontein | CIPC Reg No: 2024/177332/07 | 087 087 1610