Best Organic Latex Mattress (2023): Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

Organic, all-latex mattresses are some of the safest and most eco-friendly models on the market. However, they’re not common, and it can be hard to tell if they’re truly organic. Terms like “green,” “all-natural,” “organic,” and “eco-friendly” are often used interchangeably, but they don’t always mean the same thing.

For the purposes of this article, when we say “organic latex mattresses,” we’re generally talking about models with comfort, transition, and support layers made of certified organic latex. Because these types of mattresses are few and far between, we also include natural latex mattresses made in organic-certified facilities.

The latex may not be certified organic, but the facility has to meet certain standards such as no use of harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, PBDEs, and heavy metals—meaning the latex is either free from or low in these chemicals and overall emissions. This article includes three of the best organic latex mattresses as well as a guide to help you find the right mattress.

Best Organic Latex Mattresses

The Amerisleep Organica has a medium feel created by plush wool, responsive Talalay latex, and buoyant coils. It’s unlike any of Amerisleep’s other mattresses, which mainly feature memory foam and, although they’re still eco-conscious, aren’t quite as all-natural as the Organica.

The bed Organica is 13 inches tall and suitable for most sleeping styles. It has four independent certifications and carries a budget-friendly price tag.

A cotton cover, its fabric certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), surrounds the mattress’s four layers. The cotton feels soft to the touch and promotes a cooling sleeping surface.

The first layer is an inch of New Zealand Joma wool, certified by Standard 100 OEKO-TEX® The wool feels plush, cushioning your body the second you lie down on the mattress. It gently relieves pressure while also wicking away unwanted heat and moisture. The OEKO-TEX® certification ensures the wool is free of harmful chemicals.

The next layer is 3 inches of Talalay latex, also certified by OEKO-TEX® along with the Rainforest Alliance and the eco-INSTITUT. Talalay latex contours to the body, responding to movements and relieving pressure. With Talalay latex and the top wool layer, the Organica offers 4 inches of conforming material to create a comfortable surface.

The supportive layer is 8 inches of pocketed coils, with firm edge support to make it simpler to get out of bed. The Organica’s coil system features motion isolation and targeted support. Underneath the coils is a Dunlop latex base.

The Amerisleep Organica comes with free shipping, a 100-night trial, and a 20-year warranty. Every customer can return the Organica if it does not improve their sleep quality after 30 nights.

Spindle takes a unique approach to mattress design by shipping the mattress in layers that are then assembled at home by the customer. On the one hand, it’s more work for the customer. On the other, you get a custom-built mattress based on your comfort preferences. Besides, many customers say that with the help of customer services and the how-to videos on Spindle’s website, it’s easy to assemble the layers to suit your preferences.

The mattress contains three individual foam layers, two having a firm feel and one having a medium. The order in which the layers are assembled affects the final firmness and feel of the mattress. In its standard order, the bed is a medium-firm, but it can be firmer as needed. The mattress doesn’t get much softer than a medium-firm, so it’s optimal for stomach or back sleeping.

Spindle uses Dunlop latex that’s OEKO-TEX and Rainforest Alliance Certified. The OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification means that the entire mattress has been tested and found free of harmful levels of chemicals and emissions. The Rainforest Alliance certification has to do with the sustainability of the rubber trees where the sap for the latex is harvested.

Spindle offers a 365-day comfort adjustment, which is their sleep trial period. They recommend a 60-day break-in period—if you don’t like the mattress, it can be returned. However, Spindle may also suggest changing the order of the layers to adjust the firmness level.

Spindle’s mattresses also come with a 10-year warranty that covers indentations over 0.75 inches, but it also has a 25-year comfort renewal program—you can contact Spindle and they’ll replace layers that have lost their comfort. However, the replacement layers come with a fee.

PlushBeds specializes in making natural and organic mattresses. Of their beds, the PlushBeds Botanical Bliss is the most popular. Real customers praise the mattress for providing a luxurious sleep experience, improving their pain, and being environmentally conscious, all without being unreasonably expensive.

It comes in two firmness options—medium and firm—and three heights—9, 10, and 12 inches. It has a long list of independent certifications ranging from the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) to the eco-INSTITUT and the OEKO-TEX Standard 100. The GOLS certification alone requires that the latex be 95 percent organically produced.

The Botanical Bliss starts with a GOTS certified organic cotton cover that’s breathable, soft, and comfortable. Underneath is a layer of certified organic wool, regulating body temperature while improving cushioning.

In the 9- and 10-inch models, the wool layer is followed by three aerated layers of organic Dunlop latex, while the 12-inch model has a fourth layer of Dunlop latex. Dunlop latex has a denser, firmer feel than Talalay latex, but that added density gives it better durability. The Botanical Bliss also comes in dual comfort layers, which means couples can have different firmnesses on each side of the mattress.

PlushBeds offers a 100-night sleep trial—if you don’t like the mattress, the manufacturer will arrange for curbside pickup. The Botanical Bliss also comes with a prorated 25-year warranty that covers body impressions deeper than 1.5 inches and defects in the latex. After year 10, PlushBeds charges the customer a percentage of the original mattress’s price to replace the defective model.

Of Essentia’s twelve mattress line-up, the Stratami is their most popular for its excellent feel and versatility. Essentia calls the Stratami an organically-built mattress rather than an organic mattress.

Their factories are GOLS and GOTS certified. That means there are no chemical flame retardants, poly-foams, or toxic chemicals found in-factory or in the mattress. The latex is natural but not GOLS certified, but the cover is GOTS certified, which means it’s made of at least 70 percent organic materials.

As a luxury-firm mattress—the equivalent of a medium-firm—the Stratami works well for back and stomach sleepers. And if you struggle with back pain, the luxury-firm feel of the Stratami will keep your back aligned without causing pressure build-up around the lumbar spine. Based on customer feedback, sleeping on the Stratami drastically reduces their physical discomfort both when sleeping and throughout the day.

Essentia uses a unique three-inch latex comfort layer, wherein the latex is cut into dome-shaped channels. The domes run the width of the mattress and are arranged in zones to better support the differing support needs of the shoulders, hips, and waist. The dome shape eliminates the need for wool or extra cotton in the comfort layer.

The domes are followed by a 5-inch latex support core. Overall, the Stratami provides a responsive, contouring sleep for those looking for a mattress that’s low on emissions and safer for the environment.

The Stratami comes with a 120-night trial period and a limited 20-year warranty that covers indentations greater than 0.75 inches.

What Is a Latex Mattress?

Both natural and synthetic latex are used to make mattresses. Latex is processed using either the Dunlop or Talalay method. Talalay latex is typically found in the comfort and transition layers of the mattress because of its lighter, more responsive feel. Latex support layers are usually made of Dunlop latex due to its firmer feel.

Latex mattresses may also be made of synthetic, man-made latex, which is not derived from the sap of the rubber tree like the natural variety. Synthetic latex may be used alone or mixed with natural latex during the manufacturing process. While synthetic latex mimics the feel of natural latex, it’s less durable and breaks down faster.

Latex’s cushioning abilities allow latex layers to be used as an alternative to memory foam. However, latex contours to the body but doesn’t necessarily conform as closely as memory foam. It returns to its original shape faster, giving it a bouncier, more responsive feel. However, like memory foam, it can trap heat. For that reason, it’s aerated with channels or sculpted into shapes that promote airflow and enhance breathability.

Latex works well for sleepers, especially side sleepers, who prefer contouring over snug conformability. It also offers a bouncy, more responsive feel for those who don’t like to sink into their mattress.

SEE ALSO: Mattress Size and Dimensions Guide

Other Mattress Types

Mattresses fall into four broad types—memory foam, latex, innerspring, and hybrid. Each type has its pros and cons and may work better for different sleep positions and sleepers of different sizes and weights. The best mattress offers sleepers a balance of comfort and support for healthy spinal alignment.

Memory Foam Mattresses

Memory foam is made with polyurethane foam that’s been treated by chemicals to give it a viscoelastic feel., but may overheat from its dense structure. Today’s manufacturers use a variety of techniques to improve the breathability and temperature neutrality of their memory foams. They may add or infuse the foam with gel, copper, or graphite, which absorb heat and move it away from the body.

Every mattress manufacturer has their own memory foam formula to give their foams unique properties. Memory foam can also be made in different densities and firmnesses. However, memory foam mattresses may alternate latex or poly-foam layers with the memory foam layers. Memory foams of different densities, firmnesses, and structures can be used to create mattresses that fall anywhere on the firmness scale from soft to firm.

Eco-friendly memory foam contains some plant oils in place of petroleum— and it still has the ability to stretch and conform under pressure and heat. That ability to change, conform, and adjust to the sleeper’s individual shape makes it feel as though the memory foam partially surrounds your body. It relieves pressure and changes shape as the sleeper moves throughout the night.

Memory foam works well for most sleep positions because it adapts to each sleeper’s individual shape.

SEE ALSO: Memory Foam vs Latex: What’s the Difference?

Innerspring Mattresses

Innersprings have an internal coil support system with a quilted top for comfort. Some have memory or poly-foam quilted to the cover or a pillow or Euro top to further cushion the body, while others use wool or cotton to create a mattress without memory foam.

The coils within the system vary in design from low cost continuous and Bonnell coils to the individually-wrapped pocketed coils found in more expensive mattresses. Coils come in different gauges, which affects how firm they are. Mattresses may even have zoned coils so there’s more support in the back and less in the shoulders. Firmer coils are often found around the edge of the mattress to prevent sagging.

Innerspring mattresses come in all firmness levels, though they offer stiffer support than memory foam or latex beds. Side sleepers may prefer the targeted pressure relief of pocketed coils while back and stomach sleepers may be comfortable with the firmer and less expensive varieties like continuous or Bonnell coils. Overall, coils tend to be stiffer with more response to sleeper movement.

SEE ALSO: Latex vs Innerspring Mattresses: What’s the Difference?

Hybrid Mattresses

Hybrids bring cushioning foam to the support of coils. The comfort and transition layers of hybrid mattresses contain memory foam, poly-foam, or latex foam. Supporting these layers is a pocketed coil support core. The extra space around the coils creates more room for air to flow, so they usually have better breathability than all-foam, mixed foam, or memory foam mattresses. However, the responsiveness of the coils transfers more motion than foam mattresses.

Couples with different mattress preferences may find a hybrid to be the perfect compromise. Side, back, and combo sleepers also do well with a hybrid’s mix of conforming foam and supportive coils.

What to Look For in the Best Latex Mattress

When looking for the best organic latex mattress, consider budget, sleeping position, cooling features, and available sleep trials, return policies, and warranties.

Mattress Budget

Mattresses range in price from around $200 to well over $10,000. Affordable budget mattresses start around $200 and go up to around $700. Their comfort may rival more expensive models, but it’s the longevity and durability that suffer at this price point.

Mid-priced models fall in the $700 to $1,200 dollar range. These models offer a balance of comfort and durability. High-end, luxury mattresses start around $1,200 and go up to about $5,000. However, some affordable luxury mattresses, those that have intricate stitching in the cover and high-quality in the interior layers, can start at around $1,000. You’ll find many eco-friendly and organic models in this category too.

Premium mattresses fall under the $5,000 to $10,000 range, though you can find models that are much more expensive. Hand stitching, high-end fabrics, all-natural or organic materials, and layers upon layers of premium foams and coils go into the construction of these mattresses.

Be wary of some of the mattresses in this category. Some have gold in the thread and brass fittings that do nothing more than add to the price. Make sure you’re not paying for perks that add little to your sleep quality.

Shoppers may also want to consider what else they might be buying with their mattress, such as an adjustable bed or new bedding.

Sleeping Position

We all move during the night, but each of us has a preferred sleep position. Different sleep positions need different kinds of support and cushioning, which means you require a mattress that’s tailored to your specific needs.

Side Sleepers

A good mattress should keep your spine in a neutral position from head to tailbone. Side sleepers may have trouble maintaining this position because of the varying pressure points found at the shoulders, waist, hips, and knees. You can’t have the same pressure at your shoulders as you do at the lower back, for example, and expect to stay comfortable all night. The wrong type of support could lead to hip, shoulder, or back pain.

Foams, both memory and latex, work well for side sleepers because they conform to each sleeper’s individual shape. The best mattress for side sleepers relieves pressure points in the shoulders and hips.

Back Sleepers

The spine of a back sleeper more easily stays in a neutral position. However, back sleepers still need support in the lower back and shoulders. It’s a matter of finding a model with the right cushioning and contouring.

Stomach Sleepers

Sleeping on the stomach puts extra pressure on the lower back—because of this, we don’t recommend it. However, we all move and shift throughout the night, and some of us end up on our stomachs. The best mattress for stomach sleepers provides firmer support to prevent the hips from sinking too far into the mattress. They may also benefit from lighter support in the shoulders, so they can sink slightly to relieve lower back pressure.

Sleeping Cool and Airflow

A mattress that traps heat can wake you prematurely or make it hard to fall asleep. Your body temperature drops and fluctuates throughout the night as a regular part of your sleep cycle. If you get too warm, it can cause wakefulness.

Temperature regulation, breathability, and airflow are, therefore, important factors when choosing a mattress. Foams with large, open-cell designs or those infused with gel, copper, and graphite allow air to flow or absorb heat and move it away from the sleeper.

Many cooling memory foam mattresses also have aeration channels, convoluted structures, or cutouts in the surface to create space for heat to escape. Coils of all types also create room for air to flow through and away from the sleeper.

Sleep Trials, Return Policies, and Warranties

Sleep trials, return policies, and warranties serve as reassurances to customers of a quality purchase. These policies provided by manufacturers enables customers to try out a new mattress without risk and protects the bed for a prolonged life.

Sleep Trial

Sleep trials are in-home trial periods where the customer can try a new mattress at home, instead of in-store. This is a boon when you’re buying an untested online mattress and are hesitant about whether or not you like it.

Sleep trials last between 90 to 120 nights—some companies require the customer to keep the mattress at least 30 days before accepting returns. If the customer doesn’t like the mattress, most companies will issue a full refund.

Return Policy

If a sleep trial isn’t offered, the next best thing is the return policy. Return policies last 30 days, about the same time it may take to adjust to a new sleep surface. Should the customer not like the mattress, they can return it for a refund.

Warranty

Warranties protect the mattress against manufacturing defects and sagging greater than 1 inch—this measurement varies, depending on mattress brand. Most beds come with a standard 10-year warranty, and only applies to the original purchaser.

Other Things to Consider

Are latex mattresses better?

That depends on what exactly “better” means to you. Latex mattresses can be nearly 100 percent organic and eco-friendly, so in that sense, they can be better than other options. However, not all latex is made the same. Synthetic latex may have as many chemicals and emissions as other types of mattress materials. Natural latex may be and often is, mixed with a small percentage of synthetic latex during the manufacturing process. So, it really depends on the manufacturer and the model.

As far as comfort, that depends on your preferred sleep position, weight, and personal preferences. If you like a responsive mattress that contours to your shape, then a latex bed may be a better choice for you. However, for others, it may not have enough conformability or support.

What is the best Talalay latex mattress?

We won’t pick one model, but we can tell you how Talalay latex affects the feel of the mattress. Talalay latex has a spongier, bouncier feel than Dunlop. That makes it lighter and highly responsive to movement and changes in sleeping position. However, it’s not as dense or durable as Dunlop.

A mattress with Talalay in the comfort and transition layers will contour and quickly bounce back to its original shape after the sleeper moves. Some models, like the Spindle, allow you to put the layers in a different order to adjust the feel of the mattress. Talalay latex should be supported by a firmer support core of either Dunlop latex, poly-foam, or coils. Otherwise, it may not have the support or longevity you’d like or expect.

What is the best natural latex mattress?

We’re not going to pick a specific model here either, but instead, we’ll clarify the term, so you know what you’re looking at when you see a natural latex mattress. Natural latex is derived directly from the liquid sap of the rubber tree.

The term “natural” refers to this natural source versus a synthetic, man-made one. If you want an organic latex mattress, it will, by default, be made of natural latex because only natural latex can be organic. However, “natural” does not necessarily mean organic or eco-friendly, though it can be either or both.

Are latex mattresses good for back pain?

Latex mattresses contour to the body a bit like memory foam to ease pressure and alleviate aches and pains, so they’re great options for those with back pain. Latex beds are also a go-to for sleepers with back pain because they have a buoyant lift and can promote neutral spinal alignment while resisting sinkage.

How long do organic latex mattresses last?

Latex mattresses are extremely durable and many of them can last 15 to 20 years without developing sags. However, we recommend replacing latex mattresses every 10 years for hygienic reasons. Ultimately, that means organic latex mattresses last just as long as high-quality memory foam beds.

Conclusion

If you’re looking to cut down on the number of chemicals and potential emissions in your home or want a hypoallergenic mattress, organic latex mattresses are a good way to go. But remember, the best mattress for you is one that helps you sleep for a full seven to nine hours every night.

What’s best for you may be different than what’s best for your neighbor or best friend. Take a good look at your sleep style and preferences and rely on sleep trials to make sure you’ve found the right model.