Mr Mattress vs Bed-in-a-Box Brands: Trial, Guarantee and Where You Can Buy

Last checked: 9 August 2026

The comparison

What happened to the bed-in-a-box model worldwide

Casper, the brand that started the global mattress-in-a-box wave, never made a profit. It lost 92 million dollars in 2018 and over 70 million dollars in 2019, more than 160 million dollars across the two years. It was valued at 1.1 billion dollars at its peak, then sold to private equity in 2022 for around 300 million dollars, less than the money investors had put in. Two years later it was sold again, this time to a foam manufacturer.

Mr Mattress chose manufacturing plus stores plus online from day one. When a brand is online only, it rents every customer from Google and Facebook, forever. Marketing costs climb, competitors copy the box, and price becomes the only weapon left. Read the founder's full take in 15 Years of Making Mattresses in South Africa.

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Frequently asked questions

Which South African mattress brand has the longest trial period?

Mr Mattress offers a 365-night home trial on every mattress, a full year through every season, with no minimum hold period before you can act on it. Most bed-in-a-box brands offer around 100 nights.

Is a 100 night trial enough to test a mattress?

Not always. Your body adjusts to a new mattress over weeks, and a mattress that feels fine in spring can feel very different in the depths of winter or the heat of summer. A 365-night trial covers every season your body actually sleeps through, which is why Mr Mattress backs every mattress for a full year.

Can I try a Mr Mattress foam mattress in a store before buying?

Yes. Mr Mattress runs 10 stores across South Africa where you can walk in and lie on the actual mattress before you buy, with more than 30 new stores opening through 2026 and 2027. Most bed-in-a-box brands are online only, so you buy blind and rely on the trial period to find out if it works.

What is the best foam mattress in South Africa for back pain?

A high-density foam or memory foam mattress with a published density figure, not just a firmness label, is the safest starting point for back pain. The Mr Mattress Active Foam (50 kg/m³, R3,399) and Revive Memory Foam (R4,899) both publish their density, carry a 10-year warranty, and come with a 365-night trial to confirm they actually help before you commit.

Who manufactures Mr Mattress mattresses?

Mr Mattress manufactures its own foam mattresses in South Africa. It is a factory-direct manufacturer with stores across the country and a national online shop, not a reseller of outsourced or imported components.

Is the bed-in-a-box business model profitable?

For the industry’s biggest example, no. Casper, the brand that started the global mattress-in-a-box wave, never turned a profit, lost more than 160 million dollars across 2018 and 2019, and was sold in 2022 for around 300 million dollars against a 1.1 billion dollar peak valuation, roughly a quarter of what investors had put in. It was acquired again in 2024, this time by a foam manufacturer.

Ready to compare for yourself? Shop the Mr Mattress range or see how we compare to Sloom and Dial-a-Bed. Questions? Call 087 087 1610 or visit one of our stores across South Africa, with more opening.

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