Russells vs Mr Mattress: Direct Manufacturer or Big Retailer?
Russells vs Mr Mattress: Direct Manufacturer or Big Retailer? (2026)
Last checked: 26 July 2026
Short answer: Russells is a national furniture and appliance retailer with 170+ stores, part of the same Pepkor Lifestyle group as Bradlows and Sleepmasters. Mr Mattress is a smaller South African manufacturer selling direct, from R2,399, with a 365-night home trial. No comfort trial policy is published on Russells' own site.
home trial, no minimum hold
on Active, Revive and Hybrid
across South Africa
South Africa
Verdict
Verdict: Mr Mattress wins on trial certainty and price; Russells wins on national reach and brand choice. With 170+ stores, Russells is genuinely one of the biggest furniture and appliance retail footprints in the country. But no comfort trial is published on their own site, and the Sleepmasters- and Serta-branded ranges they sell run noticeably higher than Mr Mattress's comparable queen sizes.
Last updated: July 2026.
What each of us actually is
Russells is a national furniture and appliance retailer with 170+ stores, part of the Pepkor Lifestyle group - the same group that owns Bradlows and Sleepmasters. That's worth knowing: the Sleepmasters-branded mattresses sold at Russells are the same house range sold at Sleepmasters itself, so you're not necessarily getting a different product by shopping around within the group. They also carry Sealy and Serta.
Mr Mattress is a smaller manufacturer. We make our own foam and memory foam mattresses in South Africa, plus one Bonnell coil-and-foam Hybrid, and sell direct online and through our own stores at one fixed price.
Side by side
| Feature | Mr Mattress | Russells |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Manufacturer, sells direct | National furniture/appliance retailer, 170+ stores |
| What they sell | Own-manufactured foam, memory foam, and Bonnell coil Hybrid | Third-party and group-house brands - Sleepmasters, Sealy, Serta |
| Trial | 365 nights, no minimum hold | Not published on their own site |
| Queen mattress price | R3,699 to R7,199 | R3,999 (Sleepmasters Brooklyn/Broadway) to R6,199 (Serta Athena), sampled |
| Specs published | Yes, on every model | Depends on the brand stocked |
| Made in South Africa | Yes | Brands sold are largely South African-manufactured |
Where Russells genuinely wins
National footprint. 170+ stores make it one of the widest physical retail networks for beds in the country.
Brand variety. Sleepmasters, Sealy and Serta ranges in one place, with credit and lay-by options.
Where Mr Mattress wins
A trial that's actually published. 365 nights, no minimum hold, stated upfront - not something you have to ask a salesperson about.
Price for the range. Our queen range runs R3,699 to R7,199. Comparable Russells queens sampled here started similarly but ran higher at the mid-tier.
Published specs. Every model's construction is public - foam density, and on the Hybrid, coil wire gauge, steel grade and tempering, tested to EN 1957.
One throat to choke. Any claim goes straight to the people who built the bed, not a retailer mediating with a brand.
Shop the Revive Memory Foam Browse the full range
Frequently asked questions
Is Russells the same as Sleepmasters?
Related, not identical. Both are part of the Pepkor Lifestyle group, alongside Bradlows, and Russells sells the same Sleepmasters house-branded mattresses found at Sleepmasters stores directly.
Does Russells offer a home trial?
No trial or comfort guarantee policy is published on their own site. Mr Mattress gives every model 365 nights with no minimum hold.
Is Mr Mattress cheaper than Russells?
Broadly comparable to slightly cheaper. Mr Mattress runs R3,699 to R7,199 for a queen. Queens sampled at Russells ranged from R3,999 (Sleepmasters) to R6,199 (Serta), and prices vary by promotion.
Does Mr Mattress make a spring mattress like the brands at Russells?
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, tested to EN 1957 with 96% height retention.
What should I buy for back pain or firm support?
Our Active Foam is a high-density foam built for firm spinal support, and the Revive memory foam is built for pressure relief if you sleep on your side or need cushioning rather than firmness for back pain.
Russells pricing and product details on this page were sourced from russells.co.za, last checked 26 July 2026. Retail prices and promotions change often - always confirm current pricing and terms directly with the 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