The built-in half-half option

A half-half mattress (also called a half and half mattress, dual firmness mattress, or split tension mattress) gives each partner their own firmness on the same bed. One side firm, the other softer. No gap in the middle, no separate mattresses.

Every Ausbeds mattress has a felt layer hidden between the springs and the comfort layers. The felt is split into two halves down the centre of the bed, so each side can be adjusted independently. By moving the felt to a different position on one side, you change how firm that side feels. That's the whole concept. No special model, no factory customisation, no extra cost.

Inside every Ausbeds mattress, the layers stack like this from top to bottom:

1. Zip-off cover
2. Comfort layers (latex and foam)
3. Felt layer
4. Pocket springs
5. Base

The felt layer is the one that moves. Where you put it relative to the springs changes how firm the bed feels.

Felt above the springs = firmer. The felt sits between the comfort layers and the springs. It creates a firm barrier, so you feel more support from the springs underneath. This is how the mattress arrives out of the box.

Felt below the springs = softer. Move the felt underneath the springs and the comfort layers sit directly on top of them. Less resistance, softer feel. The bed gives more under your body weight.

For a half-half setup, you position the felt differently on each side. One partner gets felt-above (firmer), the other gets felt-below (softer). Same mattress, same cover, same sheets. No ridge or gap down the middle.

You do this yourself after delivery. Takes about 15 minutes.

1. Unzip the mattress cover on the side you want to change.
2. Lift out the comfort layers to expose the felt.
3. Move the felt from above the springs to below them (for softer) or from below to above (for firmer).
4. Put the comfort layers back and zip the cover up.

It's easier with two people but one person can do it. No tools needed.

You can change it back whenever you want. The felt moves in either direction, as many times as you like. No cost, no booking.

We set the spring tension to properly support the heavier partner, so the mattress doesn't bottom out under their weight. Then the lighter partner's side gets fine-tuned with the felt.

When the mattress arrives, both partners try it as-is. If you're both happy, you're done. Most couples within 30-40kg of each other are fine on the same firmness.

If the lighter partner finds it too firm, move the felt on their side. That softens their half without changing the other side.

A split-king is two separate mattresses pushed together inside one bed frame. A half-half is one mattress with the felt positioned differently on each side.

The main differences:

• Gap in the middle: Split-kings have one. Half-half doesn't.
• Sheets: Split-kings need two sets of fitted sheets. Half-half uses one.
• Cost: Split-king means buying two mattresses. Half-half is one mattress at the normal price.
• Adjustability: With a split-king, you're locked into whatever you bought. With a half-half, you can reposition the felt anytime.

The felt handles most couples. But if the difference between partners is really large, felt repositioning alone might not be enough.

During your 7-month trial, you get 2 free component swaps. We come to your home and swap the springs or latex on one side to a different tension or density. This is a bigger change than the felt and covers situations where partners have very different body weights or preferences.

After the trial, component swaps are still available. You don't need to buy a whole new mattress. We swap just the layer that needs changing on the side that needs it.