We compared cooling beds and mats available in Australia using published specifications, current prices and stock at Australian retailers, and patterns in owner reviews. We did not test these products ourselves. Picks had to be in stock in common sizes on 2 November 2026.
Quick answer
Top pick: Coolaroo Original Elevated Pet Bed. A raised mesh bed that lets air move under your dog, hoses clean and costs $39.95 to $54.95 at Temple & Webster (sale prices, checked 2 November 2026). Choose the Superior Steel Hessian Dog Bed if you have a big dog, two dogs that share, or a dog that sleeps outside, because its galvanised frame is rated to 70 kg in the Large size and the cover can be replaced. Choose the Juni Lola Cooling Mat if your dog won’t use a raised bed, or you want something to put inside a crate or on the couch.
How we chose
These picks are research-based. We did not test the products ourselves. We compared:
- Published specifications: sizes, weight limits, materials and cleaning.
- Current price and stock at Australian retailers, checked on 2 November 2026.
- Patterns in owner reviews: what owners consistently praise, and what they consistently complain about.
- How well each bed suits Australian conditions: outdoor use, hosing, and resistance to rust and mould.
We left out products that were sold out in the sizes most people need, and products with no Australian stockist we could confirm.
Comparison
| Coolaroo Original | Superior Steel Hessian | Juni Lola Cooling Mat | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Raised mesh bed | Raised bed, hessian cover | Gel mat with bolster |
| How it keeps a dog cooler | Air flows under and through the mesh | Air flows underneath; breathable natural fibre | Gel layer feels cool to lie on |
| Sizes | S 90×55, M 110×65, L 130×80 cm (all 20 cm high) | Medium about 106×54, Large 112×69 (sleeping area 100×69), Jumbo 118×78 cm | L 85×50, XL 110×60, XXL 130×75 cm (8 cm high) |
| Weight limit | Not published by the retailer | 60 / 70 / 80 kg | Not applicable |
| Price (2 Nov 2026) | $39.95 to $54.95 (Temple & Webster, sale) | $80 Large (Petbarn); Medium $72.18 (The Nile) | $49.99 / $64.99 / $79.99 (Petbarn) |
| Owner rating | 4.3 from about 6,300 reviews across retailers | 4.6 (Petbarn, 65 reviews) | Too new for reviews |
| Main drawback | Coarse fabric some dogs dislike; assembly can be fiddly | Hessian stretches and sags over time; not for heavy chewers | Not for chewers; warms up as the dog lies on it; weaker above 35°C |
Coolaroo Original Elevated Pet Bed: top pick
The Coolaroo is the bed most people picture when they think of a raised dog bed: a steel frame with a tight, breathable fabric stretched across it, 20 cm off the ground. It doesn’t cool the air. What it does is lift your dog off hot surfaces and let air move underneath, which is often the difference between a dog resting comfortably on a patio and a dog panting on hot pavers. Temple & Webster lists it as water resistant with a removable, washable cover, and owners consistently say it hoses clean and dries quickly.
Who it suits: most dogs from Beagle to Labrador size, especially dogs that spend time outside or on a verandah. The Medium (110×65 cm) fits most medium dogs; the Large (130×80 cm) suits Labradors, Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds.
What owners report: across roughly 6,300 reviews from several retailers, the average is 4.3 out of 5. Owners most often say their dog uses it every day and that the frame feels sturdy once assembled. The common complaints:
- Assembly is fiddly for some people and easier with two.
- The fabric is coarse. Some short-coated dogs won’t settle on it until a towel is added.
- A minority report early wear.
Many of those reviews come from overseas retailers. Temple & Webster’s own Australian buyers rate it 4.8 from 49 reviews.
Honest drawbacks: it isn’t soft. Older dogs with sore joints may want a thin mat on top, and determined chewers can damage the fabric.
Price and where to buy: $39.95 (Small) to $54.95 (Large) at Temple & Webster, as Black Friday sale prices on 2 November 2026. The usual price is up to $74.95.
Superior Steel Hessian Dog Bed: best for large dogs and outdoors
This is a heavier-duty raised bed. It has a fully welded, galvanised 1.2 mm steel tube frame and a hessian (jute) cover held on with Velcro tabs. The retailer rates it to 60 kg (Medium), 70 kg (Large) and 80 kg (Jumbo), which is why owners use it for big dogs and for pairs of dogs that sleep together. The cover is natural fibre and can be replaced on its own, so a worn or soiled cover doesn’t mean a new bed.
Who it suits: large and giant breeds, multi-dog households, and dogs that sleep outside year-round.
What owners report: Petbarn buyers rate it 4.6 from 65 reviews. Owners consistently describe the frame as stronger than cheaper raised beds and value the replaceable cover; several have bought a second one. The common complaints:
- The hessian stretches and sags over time, so the dog sits lower than it did at first.
- Hessian is not the softest surface.
- Dogs that claw or chew can rip the cover.
- A few dogs refuse to use it at first.
Honest drawbacks: it costs more than the Coolaroo, and the cover will need replacing eventually.
Price and where to buy: $80 for the Large at Petbarn; the Medium was $72.18 at The Nile (both checked 2 November 2026).
Read our full Superior Steel review
Juni Lola Cooling Mat: best gel mat
The Lola is a gel cooling mat with a raised bolster edge. Petbarn says the channels in the mat keep the cooling gel evenly spread. Gel mats feel noticeably cool when a dog first lies down, but they absorb your dog’s body heat and gradually warm up, so they work best in shade or indoors and for shorter rests. Petbarn’s own care notes say the cooling effect weakens once the room is above 35°C. They’re useful where a raised bed won’t fit, such as inside a crate, in a car or on a couch.
Who it suits: dogs that won’t use a raised bed, indoor dogs, and smaller spaces. The XL (110×60 cm) suits most medium dogs; the XXL (130×75 cm) suits large dogs.
What owners report: this is a new Petbarn range with no owner reviews yet, so we can’t tell you how it holds up over a summer. We’ll update this section once reviews come in.
Honest drawbacks: keep it away from dogs that chew, because a punctured gel mat needs to be thrown out. It also warms up with use, and it’s new and unproven.
Price and where to buy: $49.99 (L), $64.99 (XL) and $79.99 (XXL) at Petbarn, checked 2 November 2026.
Read our full Juni Lola review
Buying advice
- Measure your dog lying stretched out, then add 15 to 20 cm. Most complaints about raised beds being “too small” come from buying on weight alone.
- Raised bed or gel mat? Choose a raised bed for outdoor use and hot ground. Choose a gel mat for indoors, crates and dogs that won’t climb onto a raised bed.
- Chewers: avoid gel mats entirely. On raised beds, choose a replaceable cover and supervise at first.
- Older or arthritic dogs: a raised bed is easier on joints than a hard floor, but it isn’t cushioned. Add a thin mat, or see our orthopaedic dog bed guide.
- A bed is not a heat plan. RSPCA Australia advises shade with good ventilation, plenty of fresh water kept cool, walks early or late, and never leaving a dog in a car (RSPCA Australia).
Which dogs need extra care in the heat?
Flat-faced breeds are most at risk. A study of UK dogs under veterinary care found that flat-faced (brachycephalic) dogs had higher odds of every type of heat-related illness than dogs with average-length muzzles. Bulldogs had about 7.5 times, and French Bulldogs about 3 times, the odds of environmental heatstroke compared with Labradors (Hall, Carter and O’Neill, Animals, 2020). Dogs at or above their breed’s average weight, and dogs aged 12 and over, were also at higher risk. If you own a Pug, French Bulldog, British Bulldog or a heavy-coated breed, give them a cool resting place and plan their day around the heat.
| Products compared | 3 (raised mesh bed, raised hessian bed, gel mat) |
| How we chose | Specifications, AU prices and stock, owner reviews (not hands-on tested) |
| Prices checked | 2026-11-02 |
| Retailers | Temple & Webster, Petbarn, The Nile |
| Size range covered | 85×50 cm to 130×80 cm |
| Best for outdoor use | Raised beds (Coolaroo, Superior Steel) |
| Best for crates and indoors | Gel mat (Juni Lola) |
| Heat-risk source | Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Animals 2020; RSPCA Australia |
Do cooling mats actually work for dogs?+
Gel cooling mats feel cool when your dog first lies down, but they absorb body heat and warm up over time, so they help most for shorter rests in shade or indoors. Raised beds work differently: they don't chill your dog, but they lift it off hot ground and let air move underneath. Neither replaces shade, water and avoiding exercise in the heat.
Is a raised dog bed better than a cooling mat in Australian summer?+
For outdoor use, usually yes. A raised bed keeps your dog off hot pavers, decking and concrete, hoses clean and can't leak. A gel mat suits indoor spots, crates and cars, or dogs that won't climb onto a raised bed.
Are cooling gel mats safe if my dog chews?+
Not really. If your dog chews or digs at bedding, choose a raised bed with a replaceable cover instead. A punctured gel mat should be thrown out, and your dog should be kept from eating the contents. If your dog swallows any, ask your vet.
What size cooling bed does my dog need?+
Measure your dog lying stretched out on its side and add 15 to 20 cm. As a rough guide, a Medium raised bed (about 110×65 cm) suits Beagle to Border Collie size, and a Large (about 130×80 cm) suits Labradors, Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds. Check the weight limit for big dogs.
Which dogs are most at risk of heatstroke?+
Flat-faced breeds such as Pugs, French Bulldogs and British Bulldogs are at the highest risk, along with heavy-coated breeds, older dogs and dogs above their ideal weight. A UK veterinary study found flat-faced dogs had higher odds of every type of heat-related illness. Give these dogs shade, water and a cool place to rest, and walk them early or late.
| RANK | PRODUCT | CATEGORY | STATUS |
| #1 | Coolaroo Original Elevated Pet Bed | Top Pick | READ REVIEW → |
| #2 | Superior Steel Hessian Dog Bed | Best for Large Dogs | READ REVIEW → |
| #3 | Juni Lola Cooling Mat | Best Gel Mat | READ REVIEW → |