Finding the best organic mattress or best natural mattress can be a great option for anyone who wants to be a more eco-conscious shopper. It’s also a surefire way to avoid beds made with harsh chemicals. But with all the choices out there, the search can be a daunting task. That’s why we’ve put together this guide. Our hope is that after reading it, you’ll have a healthy list of the best organic mattresses and best natural mattresses to choose from.
As you’ll see when you read more about these beds, we made sure to only choose mattresses with high-quality materials, as well as organic and non-toxic certifications. We’ll go over what exactly those mean in the buying guide at the bottom of this article.
Best Organic and Non-Toxic Mattresses of 2024
- Best Overall Organic Mattress – Nolah Natural
- Best Hypoallergenic Organic Mattress – Birch
- Best Hybrid Organic Mattress – Silk & Snow Organic
- Best Organic Mattress for Back Sleepers – WinkBeds EcoCloud
- Best Organic Mattress for Back Pain – Awara Natural Luxury Hybrid
- Best Cooling Organic Mattress – Bear Natural
- Best Firm Organic Mattress – Saatva Latex Hybrid
- Best Luxury Organic Mattress – Avocado Green
- Best Organic Mattress for Heavy People – EcoSleep
Best Organic Mattresses Video Roundup 2024
What We Look For In The Best Organic Mattresses
Organic and Natural Materials
When looking for the best natural and organic mattresses, we made sure to look out for quality organic materials. To do this, we paid special attention to materials with certifications such as Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS), or OEKO-TEX Standard 100 to help ensure the materials’ purity and sustainability and help you find mattresses with certified natural and organic materials.
Non-Toxic and Chemical Free
We know the materials are important to you, and we also know it is important to you that your mattress is non-toxic and chemical-free. To help you find this mattress, we looked for beds with certifications such as CertiPUR-US or GREENGUARD Gold to ensure low emissions and adherence to stringent safety standards that will keep the mattresses you are looking at chemical and toxin-free.
Comfort and Cooling
Even though you are looking for an organic mattress, we still know that comfort and cooling are important for you. Because of this, we tested the cooling properties of these mattresses with a thermal gun to see how much they heated up after a person laid on them. We also personally tested out these mattresses to see how comfortable and supportive they were. Additionally, we used our firmness scale, which ranks mattresses from 1 to 10, with 10 being the most firm, so you can pick out the mattress that is most comfortable for you.
Compare the Best Latex Mattresses
Nolah Natural Mattress | Birch Natural Mattress | Silk & Snow Organic Mattress | WinkBeds EcoCloud Mattress | Awara Natural Luxury Hybrid Mattress | Bear Natural | Saatva Latex Hybrid Mattress | Avocado Green Mattress | Brooklyn Bedding EcoSleep | |
Rating | |||||||||
Firmness | Medium-soft: 6/10 | Firm: 7/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Firm: 7/10 | Firm: 7.5/10 | Medium-soft: 6/10 | Multiple firmness options | |
Material | Latex | Hybrid | Latex | Latex | Hybrid | Latex | Latex | Hybrid | Latex |
Cooling | — | — | |||||||
Best For |
Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Hot Sleepers, Back Pain
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Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Hot Sleepers, Seniors,
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Hot Sleepers,
Back Sleepers |
Back Sleepers,
Side Sleepers |
Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Seniors, Couples,
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Hot Sleepers,
|
Stomach Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Back Pain, Hot Sleepers,
|
Back Sleepers,
Hot Sleepers, Side Sleepers |
Back Sleepers,
Stomach Sleepers, Hot Sleepers |
Best Overall Organic Mattress – Nolah Natural
The Nolah Natural is made with eco-friendly Talalay latex and supportive coils. This mattress has GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) organic wool, cotton, natural latex, and recycled steel. The latex makes this mattress responsive, which is great for couples and combination sleepers. This material is also naturally hypoallergenic and cooling, which can help hot sleepers prevent overheating. For more information, watch our video review.
Expert Opinion
We chose the Nolah Natural as our best overall pick because it embodies so many of the traits we associate with organic mattresses: cooling, environmentally friendly, and constructed from materials that should be comfortable for anyone looking to avoid allergens. Its layer of Talalay latex foam is naturally hypoallergenic, and its handcrafted coils have plenty of room for airflow, which assists with healthy breathing at night. Topping it all off is a cover of organic cotton and wool — also materials unlikely to activate anyone’s allergies.
Feel-wise, we get a good mix of comfort and support that makes the Nolah Natural a sensible choice for back sleepers. When we laid down on it, the latex created a bit of pressure relief (even while being somewhat responsive) and the coils established a strong foundation at the bottom of the bed.
What Customers Say
The Nolah Natural has an average 4.8 out of 5 customer rating on the Nolah website, with many reviewers praising its medium firmness. While we found the mattress to be medium soft, this is still a testament to its balanced feel.
Pros of the Nolah Natural Mattress
- At a 6 out of 10 on our mattress firmness scale, the Nolah Natural is softer than many of the other mattresses on this list. Its contouring and plushness are a great fit for side sleepers, who need a lot of pressure relief at the shoulders and hips.
- Combination sleepers should be able to easily switch positions on top of the responsive Nolah Natural.
- Talalay latex is naturally cooling, and the latex here is hole-punched to allow even more room for airflow. So hot sleepers should be able to stay cool on this bed.
Cons of the Nolah Natural Mattress
- Unlike side sleepers, stomach sleepers tend to need a firmer, supportive mattress to keep them elevated. The Nolah Natural is likely too soft for them.
Organic/Non-Toxic Certifications
- Oeko-Tex Standard 100
- GOTS
- eco-INSTITUT
- Rainforest Alliance
Discover more in our full Nolah Natural mattress review. You can also click here for the best deal and see our best mattress page for more options.
Best Hypoallergenic Organic Mattress – Birch
The Birch Natural is a latex mattress utilizing individually wrapped coils for added support. This mattress specializes in cooling and responsiveness, and the firmer nature suits back and stomach sleepers well. Perhaps the most special part about this mattress is the material quality. Not only is the Birch organic, but it has also earned multiple certifications for safe production and materials. For more information, check out our video review.
Expert Opinion
All of the materials in the Birch (an organic mattress created by Helix) are GREENGUARD Gold-certified, meaning they’ve passed testing for harmful chemicals and volatile organic compounds. The mattress is also completely hypoallergenic, made with an organic cotton cover quilted with wool fibers. Meanwhile, the comfort layer is made entirely of all-natural, moisture-wicking wool. The all-natural approach extends to the bouncy Talalay latex layer, which sits underneath the comfort layer and gives the mattress a lot of responsiveness. All of this is supported by a bottom layer of pocketed springs.
And as we do with all of our mattresses, we put the Birch through our pressure map test. This involves spreading a specialized mat across its surface and lying down on it in the back, side, and stomach sleeping positions. The map then transmits color-coded thermal imaging to a computer that tells us how much pressure the mattress is putting on different parts of our body. Blue means no pressure, green means little pressure, yellow means moderate pressure, orange means high pressure, and red means very high pressure. No matter which position we slept in on the Birch, the pressure map was mostly blue at the back area. We also think the firmer nature of this mattress, as well as the cushioning at the hips, makes it suitable for stomach sleeping.
What Customers Say
The Birch has over 4,000 customer reviews on the company’s website, with an average user rating of 4.6 out of 5. A lot of people praised how supportive it is without being too firm.
Pros of the Birch Mattress
- We gave the Birch a 7 out of 10 on our mattress firmness scale and found it to be supportive enough to keep back sleepers’ spines neutrally aligned.
- Stomach sleepers should feel propped up by the Birch, its sturdy materials preventing their hips from bowing into the bed’s layers.
- Latex naturally sleeps cool. When paired with the airflow-promoting coils, the Birch should easily help hot sleepers keep a low temperature.
Cons of the Birch Mattress
- This bed is probably going to be too firm for most side sleepers. They can add an optional pillow top if they want, but it comes at an additional charge and makes the mattress a bit pricey.
Organic/Non-Toxic Certifications
- GREENGUARD Gold
- GOTS
- eco-INSTITUT
- Fair Trade Certified Factory
Learn more in our full Birch mattress review. You can also click here for the best deal, or see our page of the best hypoallergenic mattresses for more options.
Best Hybrid Organic Mattress – Silk & Snow Organic
The Silk & Snow Organic mattress is a great choice for shoppers wanting an eco-friendly mattress. The Dunlop latex and coils make this mattress bouncy and responsive, which is great for both combination sleepers and couples. We also think this bed is an excellent choice for back sleepers, especially those suffering from back pain. The medium-firm feel provides a nice balance between soft cushioning and firm support. We also think this bed could be good for hot sleepers, as the latex is super breathable and the coils provide additional airflow. This mattress is also very affordable and could be a great find for budget shoppers.
Expert Opinion
If you’re wanting an organic hybrid mattress that utilizes both pressure-relieving foam and sturdy coils, then we highly recommend the Silk & Snow Organic. When we tested it out, we found it to have a balanced, medium-firm feel and a soothing yet sturdy mixture of comfort and support. Of course, it also includes a number of eco-friendly materials: GOTS certified cotton, organic wool, and GOLS certified Dunlop latex.
Thanks to the latex foam and springs, the Silk & Snow Organic is also a highly responsive bed. This makes it one of the best mattresses for sex, which should appeal to couples. They should find it easy to move around and switch positions. However, we should note that this same responsiveness gave the Silk & Snow only average results on our motion-transfer test. This is when we drop several steel balls of different weights onto the mattress surface and measure their vibrations with a seismometer. If the vibrations are low, it means the mattress is good at isolating motion and you’re unlikely to feel your partner tossing and turning while you sleep. But the Silk & Snow showed medium vibrations, meaning that if you or your partner are a slight sleeper, you might be awoken by each other’s movements.
What Customers Say
Many of the 681 customer reviews on Silk & Snow website comment on the mattress’s support and firmness. A handful of people did complain about the return process, but the brand got back to them right away in the reviews section and addressed the issue.
Pros of the Silk & Snow Organic Mattress
- It’s priced at an excellent value for an organic mattress — it’s the least expensive model on this roundup by a long shot and should appeal to budget shoppers.
- The Silk & Snow’s medium firmness and strong lower back support should be especially comfortable for back sleepers.
- It’s more than responsive enough for combo sleepers to comfortably switch positions.
Cons of the Silk & Snow Organic Mattress
- Side sleepers will likely find that this bed lacks adequate cushioning and pressure relief. They’d be better off with a softer mattress.
Organic/Non-Toxic Certifications
- GOTS
- GOLS
- eco-INSTITUT
Intrigued? Read more in the full Silk & Snow Organic mattress review. You can also click here for the best deal, or see our best hybrid mattress page for more options.
Best Organic Mattress for Back Sleepers – WinkBeds EcoCloud
If you’re looking for a mattress made with high-quality, organic materials, then look no further than the WinkBeds EcoCloud mattress. This bed is packed with sustainable materials, including organic cotton, sustainable New Zeland wool, natural Talalay latex, and recycled steel coils. The quilted cover gives this bed an initial plush feel, and the sturdy coils below provide lift and support. We especially like this bed for back sleepers, as it has the perfect balance between pressure relief and lumbar support. We also think hot sleepers would enjoy the breathable materials that work to keep the bed cool all night.
Expert Opinion
The WinkBeds EcoCloud Mattress is a hybrid bed-in-a-box with a refreshingly simple construction of just two layers: one is all-natural Talalay Latex and the other features pocketed coils. We found this blend of comfort and support to be a fitting match for back sleepers. When lying down, we felt a touch of pressure relief from the latex foam while also getting a slight lift from the coils. Both layers are wrapped in an organic cotton cover, increasing the mattress’ environmental credentials.
But before recommending the EcoCloud to back sleepers, we wanted to put it through our pressure-map test to see how it fared in this sleeping position. While back-sleeping, we saw almost no pressure on any part of our body. The map was almost entirely blue.
What Customers Say
One of the best things about the WinkBed website is that you can filter customer reviews based on category. When we select Quality/Comfort, many owners of the EcoCloud talk about how good the mattress is at relieving their back pain.
Pros of the WinkBeds EcoCloud Mattress
- Because you shouldn’t feel “stuck” in this mattress, it should be easy for combination sleepers to change positions.
- The Talalay Latex does a good job of dissipating body heat, so this mattress should work for hot sleepers trying to stay cool.
- The responsiveness of the WinkBeds EcoCloud makes it a good mattress for sex, but if your or your partner is a light sleeper, there’s a chance you might feel each other’s movements at night. We recommend weighing these traits against each other if you’re a couple.
Cons of the WinkBeds EcoCloud Mattress
- We think some side sleepers could be comfortable on the WinkBeds EcoCloud, depending on your firmness preference. But if you’re after a softer feel with more pressure relief, you should look elsewhere.
Organic/Non-Toxic Certifications
- Oeko-Tex Standard 100-certified
- GOTS
- Rainforest Alliance
- Eco Initiative recycled steel
Think this could be the mattress for you? Learn more in our full WinkBeds EcoCloud mattress review. You can also click here for the best deal, or see our best mattress for back sleepers page for more options.
Best Organic Mattress for Back Pain – Awara Natural Luxury Hybrid
Made with Dunlop latex and sturdy coils, the Awara Natural Luxury Hybrid is bouncy, firm, and supportive. We think it should be especially comfortable for back sleepers and stomach sleepers, both of whom should get the support they need for a neutral spinal alignment. Combination sleepers should also be able to easily change sleeping positions on the bed’s surface.
Expert Opinion
Made with a GOTS-certified organic cotton cover and a layer of Dunlop latex, the Awara hybrid mattress provides comfort without the use of the chemicals that are present in many other foams. We found it to sleep extremely cool (latex naturally keeps a low temperature), in addition to giving us a firm and responsive feel. On our mattress firmness scale, we gave it a 7 out of 10. We think for many, especially back and stomach sleepers, this firmness will be ideal for relieving back pain. The cushioning latex should keep the hips cradled and prevent pressure buildup, and the sturdy coils towards the bottom of the mattress should keep the hips lifted and properly aligned.
To see if this mattress really would be a good option for back pain, we put the Awara through our pressure map test. Not surprisingly, we did see a lot of pressure buildup while side sleeping. But turning over to our backs, we saw minimal pressure buildup at the hips, telling us that the latex comfort layer should fill in the lumbar region and prevent back pain in the back sleeping position. We can also conclude that the pressure relief experienced in the stomach sleeping position will be enough to ease pain at the hip while the springs support a neutral spinal alignment.
What Customers Say
There are about 1,100 customer reviews on the Awara website, and you can filter them out based on categories such as materials, support, feel, shipping, and more. When looking at the reviews focused on materials, many customers praise the Awara’s eco-friendliness and breathability of the latex.
Pros of the Awara Mattress
- As long as they enjoy a firmer feel, back sleepers should appreciate the support of the Awara.
- The supportiveness of the Awara should keep stomach sleepers’ hips elevated and in line with their shoulders — essential for maintaining a neutral spinal alignment.
- The Awara’s responsiveness makes it one of the best mattresses for combination sleepers. When we laid down on the bed to test it out, we found that these coils gave it a lot of bounce, and that it was easy to move around.
Cons of the Awara Mattress
- The Awara’s firm feel is probably going to be a bit too firm for side sleepers. They’ll likely want something softer that offers more pressure relief.
Organic/Non-Toxic Certifications
- GREENGUARD Gold
- Oeko-Tex Standard 100
- Wools of New Zealand
- Forest Stewardship Council
- Repreve
Learn more in our full Awara Natural Luxury Hybrid mattress review. You can also click here for the best deal, or see our best mattress for back pain page for more options.
Best Cooling Organic Mattress – Bear Natural
We’ll be reviewing this mattress soon. Stay tuned for more details!
Expert Opinion
Bear has made a name for itself in the sleep industry for creating beds that cater to athletes and those with an active style. That means supportive mattresses made with durable materials and plenty of cooling features. These traits extend to their latest bed, the Bear Natural, an organic mattress constructed with a Talalay latex comfort layer for pressure relief and individually wrapped coils for zoned support. Latex naturally keeps a low temperature, and the coils leave plenty of room for airflow, so we can confidently recommend this bed as one of the best cooling organic mattresses. Stay tuned for our full review, where we’ll formally put the Bear Natural through our cooling test with our temperature-reading thermal gun.
What Customers Say
The Bear Natural is brand-new and doesn’t yet have any reviews on the company’s website. But the mattress has been used in several hotels across the county, to rave reviews. One user on Trip Advisor described their stay at Hotel Genevieve as featuring “the most comfortable beds.”
Pros of the Bear Natural Mattress
- There’s another section of smaller coils along the perimeter of the mattress, giving the Bear Natural reinforced edge support. That means you should be able to spread out and use the entire surface of the bed.
- The latex in the Bear Natural likely gives it a bounce that should make it easy for combination sleepers to switch positions.
- Latex mattresses are known for having high motion transfer, but Bear has tried to offset this by including a bottom layer of DuraDense foam to absorb vibrations.
Cons of the Bear Natural Mattress
- Due to the organic materials, this is one of Bear’s pricier mattresses. A queen size is usually close to $3,000 before discounts.
Organic/Non-Toxic Certifications
- GREENGUARD Gold
- GOTS-certified organic cotton
- eco-INSTITUT
- EcoFlex Fiberglass-Free
Our full Bear Natural mattress review is coming soon. You can also click here for the best deal, or see our best cooling mattress page for more options.
Best Firm Organic Mattress – Saatva Latex Hybrid
The Saatva Latex Hybrid is an excellent choice for anyone seeking a firm yet bouncy bed. The latex foam and coils make this mattress very supportive, which can appeal to back sleepers, stomach sleepers, and sleepers weighing over 250 pounds. This bed is also very responsive, which makes it a solid choice for combination sleepers who need to easily change sleeping positions without getting stuck. We consider the Saatva Latex Hybrid to be a durable mattress made with high-quality materials, and the lifetime warranty indicates it should last you for many years to come.
Expert Opinion
We found the Saatva Latex Hybrid to be an exceptionally firm and supportive mattress — about a 7.5 out of 10 on our mattress firmness scale. When testing it out, we found that its layer of individually wrapped coils kept our hips and shoulders aligned for a neutral spinal alignment. Of course, it wouldn’t be on this list at all if it wasn’t made from eco-friendly materials. Its layer of all-natural Talalay latex is organic, environmentally friendly, and should provide some nice pressure relief in the lower back.
We put this hypothesis to the test with our pressure map. The map was mostly blue on the lumbar region in all three sleeping positions. This indicates that the Saatva Latex Hybrid should help alleviate sleepers’ back pain.
What Customers Say
Being a newer bed than many of the other mattresses on this list, the Saatva Latex Hybrid only has about 180 customer reviews on the Saatva website. But its average rating is an impressive 4.8 out of 5, with several people commenting on Saatva’s generous warranty and excellent customer service.
Pros of the Saatva Latex Hybrid Mattress
- Back sleepers and stomach sleepers tend to need more support than side sleepers, and they’ll find it with the Saatva Latex Hybrid.
- The durability of this mattress makes it supportive enough for heavy sleepers over 250 pounds.
- Talalay latex is more cooling than materials like memory foam, and the combination of latex and coils make this a breathable mattress that’s great for hot sleepers.
Cons of the Saatva Latex Hybrid Mattress
- The bed likely isn’t plush enough for strict side sleepers, who tend to need more pressure relief.
Organic/Non-Toxic Certifications
- GOLS
- GOTS
- GREENGUARD Gold
- eco-INSTITUT
Learn more in our full Saatva Latex Hybrid mattress review. You can also click here for the best deal, or see our best firm mattress page for more options.
Best Luxury Organic Mattress – Avocado Green
Made with organic cotton, wool, natural latex, and recycled steel coils, the Avocado Green mattress is an organic, latex hybrid mattress that provides sleepers with responsiveness and strong support. We think this bed should be especially comfortable for back sleepers and combination sleepers who switch sleeping positions at night. Also, innerspring coils promote airflow and latex is a naturally porous material, so this should be a good choice for hot sleepers who need a cooling mattress. Learn more in our video review.
Expert Opinion
The Avocado Green is an all-natural luxury mattress that uses only organic and certifiably eco-friendly materials in its construction. Furthermore, this natural mattress has multiple certifications and awards for its less harmful and lower-emissions-based production process, which I’ll cite below. It’s also available in three different firmness levels: Plush, Medium, and Firm.
With its hybrid design, the Avocado Green offers the best of coils and foam, with a construction of organic cotton, naturally cooling latex in the comfort layers, and an airy innerspring layer. These materials help the bed stay nice and cool. When I measured the temperature increase after 5 minutes of me lying down, it only rose by a little over 7 degrees, which indicates effective cooling capabilities. Another bonus of these materials is that they’re hypoallergenic and a potential solution for many who struggle with reacting to the chemicals, toxins, or harmful materials packed into cheaper or non-certifiably natural beds.
When I tested out the Avocado Green, it provided excellent orthopedic support, so I think it might be a good fit for people struggling with joint or back pain. Our pressure map also determined great pressure relief. That said, I suggest that you find the right firmness to match your sleeping patterns, as latex tends to deliver a lot of bounce. For instance, side sleepers or fans of softer mattresses will likely want to opt for Avocados’s softest model.
What Customers Say
The Avocado Green has thousands of reviews on their website, averaging a 4.6/5 score. One happy sleeper took the time to write shortly after receiving their new mattress: “So far, so good! Actually better than expected. Ordered “firm” and was afraid it might be too firm, but it has the perfect amount of softness to it.”
Pros of the Avocado Green Mattress
- Avocado Green has many certifications backing up each of its claims.
- Unlike some other beds in a box, consumers rarely reported an off-gassing smell when the mattress was delivered, likely due to the natural materials used in the Green mattress.
- The Avocado Green’s latex-based bounce and responsiveness make it very easy to move around on the top of the bed. It’s a great choice for couples seeking a quality bed for sex.
Cons of the Avocado Green Mattress
- The Avocado Green is undoubtedly a luxury mattress that doesn’t budge an inch on the standard of materials sourced in its production. However, because it’s so luxurious and sets a higher standard in its manufacturing practices, it comes with a fairly hefty price tag. So, consumers seeking a cheaper mattress may find the Green a bit pricey.
Organic/Non-Toxic Certifications
- GLOBAL ORGANIC TEXTILE STANDARD (GOTS)
- USDA Organic
- USDA Certified Biobased
- Climate Neutral Certified
- Forest Stewardship Council Certified
- GREENGUARD Gold Certified
- FORMALDEHYDE FREE Certified
- eco-INSTITUT label
- OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 Certified
- EWG Verified
Learn more in our full Avocado Green mattress review. You can also click here for the best deal, or see our best luxury mattress page for more options.
Best Organic Mattress for Heavy People – EcoSleep
The Brooklyn Bedding EcoSleep mattress is an organic, latex hybrid mattress that’s supportive, bouncy, and natural. We think this bed is a great pick for heavy weight sleepers (those weighing over 250 pounds), and these folk should feel supported and comfortable. We also like this firm mattress for stomach sleepers, as it can help keep their hips propped up and promote proper spinal alignment. If you sleep on your back and prefer a firmer feel, then this mattress could be a nice choice. We also appreciate how cool this mattress sleeps due to its breathable latex foams and airy coils.
Expert Opinion
The EcoSleep (created by Brooklyn Bedding) uses organic wool, latex, and pocketed coils to create a supportive, bouncy surface that you can feel good about sleeping on. All of these materials are durable and sturdy, which makes the mattress a good fit for heavy sleepers over 250 pounds, especially if they sleep on their back or their stomach. They should get the extra support they need without sinking too far into the bed’s layers.
We also think combination sleepers should be especially comfortable, as the EcoSleep as latex is naturally responsive. They should be able to change their sleeping position with ease. We tested out the EcoSleep’s responsiveness by lying down on the mattress and noting how easy it was to move around. We found no trouble at all changing positions.
What Customers Say
While there are only 189 reviews for the EcoSleep on Brooklyn Bedding’s website, you can filter them out based on lifestyle factors such as weight and whether or not someone sleeps with a partner. This allows you to get the opinion of someone similar to you. In general, the reviews comment on how cool the mattress sleeps and its fairly affordable price. You can often find a queen size for under $1,200 after discounts, which is cheap for an organic mattress.
Pros of the EcoSleep Mattress
- Average weight back sleepers should get the necessary blend of pressure relief and support on the EcoSleep.
- Latex is a naturally cooling material, so hot sleepers should be comfortable on the EcoSleep. The coils also leave a lot of room for air to flow through the construction.
- The responsiveness of the EcoSleep also makes it a good mattress for sex.
Cons of the EcoSleep Mattress
- Side sleepers may need a softer and more contouring mattress than the EcoSleep — something that can give them pressure relief at the shoulders and hips.
Organic/Non-Toxic Certifications
- GOTS
- GREENGUARD Gold
Learn more in our full EcoSleep mattress review. You can also click here for the best deal, or see our best mattress for heavy people page for more options.
What Are the Benefits of a Natural or Organic Mattress?
- Fewer Chemicals: The biggest draw of a natural or organic mattress is its lack of harsh chemicals and toxic, chemical flame retardants. Many organic materials are naturally flame-retardant. This also means the off-gassing (smell after opening) of the mattress will not be as strong.
- Sustainable and Biodegradable: For the environmentally conscious sleeper, this can be a huge positive. The manufacturing and materials mean a smaller environmental footprint. Many companies highlight their efforts in these areas.
- Hypoallergenic: Chemicals and flame retardants can sometimes cause allergic reactions, skin irritations, and even respiratory problems. Sound familiar? With an organic mattress, the materials are processed without the addition of any of these dangerous substances all the way from the farm to your bedroom.
- Kid-Approved: Infants and children as especially susceptible to the harsh effects of dangerous chemicals. Choosing an organic mattress helps limit their exposure to these chemicals.
What Is an Organic Mattress?
So, what makes for the best natural mattress? Or, more specifically, what makes a mattress truly organic? Beyond the fact that it doesn’t contain harmful flame retardants and chemicals, are there other criteria it has to meet? Absolutely.
To bear the label “organic,” a mattress must be tested by a USDA-approved third-party certifying agent and earn a special organic certification.
There are many different types of certifications a mattress can earn, but most of them mean that a large portion of the raw materials are organic and organic processes were used in manufacturing.
A mattress may be labeled as organic, but without a sticker of certification, that claim is empty and no one has verified it. Words like “organic” and “all-natural” are commonly tossed around, but without the certifications, we would advise taking them with a grain of salt.
You can look at this graphic to understand the process of gaining an organic seal of approval. Looking out for mattresses that are sure to bear the USDA-certified seal is a good way to be sure that the mattress you are purchasing is truly natural and organic.
Organic Certifications for Mattresses
- CertiPUR-US certified foams are made without ozone depleters, PBDEs, TDCPP, or TCEP flame retardants, mercury, lead, other heavy metals, formaldehyde, and phthalates, as regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. They also produce low VOC emissions for indoor air quality (less than 0.5 parts per million).
- GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard) certified latex is produced in an environment where all materials and manufacturing processes to make latex adhere to strict and specific global organic standards.
- GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified materials are materials produced in an environment where all materials and manufacturing processes to make textiles adhere to strict and specific global organic standards.
- Organic Exchange-certified applies to products that have been properly tracked from the source as a raw material to the finished product, guaranteeing organic processes and manufacturing.
- GreenGuard-certified applies to a mattress that has been tested to ensure that its chemical and particle emissions meet acceptable indoor-outdoor air quality pollutant guidelines (low emission). A GreenGuard-certified mattress is often labeled with the certification GREENGUARD Gold.
- Oeko-Tex Standard 100-certified latex has been tested for the presence of 100 known harmful substances.
- USDA-Certified Organic applies to a mattress that has been produced without a prohibited method or substances; testing is regularly overseen by a USDA authorized certifying agent.
- eco-INSTITUT certification comes from the Eco Institut in Cologne, Germany, which has independently tested various products for polluting chemicals and harmful emissions for over 25 years. If a mattress is eco-INSTITUT certified, it’s free of even the smallest amounts of hazardous chemicals, VOCs, formaldehyde, phthalates, pesticides, heavy metals, and more. It’s also unlikely to have any sort of off-gassing period.
How To Look Out for Greenwashing When Buying an Organic Mattress
Greenwashing refers to companies using terms like “organic,” “natural,” or “sustainable” to market or sell a product that is not actually organic, natural, or sustainable. There are a couple of ways to spot this happening with mattresses, so we recommend looking out for the following things, as well as doing research into the company before purchasing.
- The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) has a public database with brands that are GOTS-certified. This is a great resource to use to ensure the brand you are buying from is certified as an organic product.
- Another tip is that GOTS and Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) certifications do not apply to a single material, but rather an entire product. If a website or brand claims that their foam or cotton cover is GOTS or GOLS certified, this is false, as these standards only apply to the entire mattress or other product. Certifications such as CertiPUR-US certified foams and Oeko-Tex Standard 100-certified latex can apply to one material, so be sure you are not confusing these standards.
- A third consideration when it comes to greenwashing are claims of “natural” or “organic” without any certifications or evidence. If a brand does not advertise any USDA or other organic certifications, but boasts of organic materials, they may be greenwashing. The best way to avoid this is to look into the certifications or national standards that support the claims made by a company. It may also be helpful to shop only from brands listed in the GOTS database to be sure you are getting an organic product.
What to Look for in The Best Organic and Natural Mattresses
Materials
When it comes to shopping for the best natural or organic mattress, the first thing you are going to want to consider is materials. Some materials are naturally better for you or organic, like latex. However, there are plenty of beds that have organic elements that are made with foams or other materials.
Memory Foam
Memory foam is a polyurethane foam that has viscoelastic properties. Memory foam mattresses are known for their ability to mold around your body. It has a slower response time, but with that comes a deeper amount of hug, compression, and pressure relief. If you want to find out more about memory foam mattresses, take a look at our roundup of best memory foam mattresses.
By definition, memory foam is made from polyurethane. Plant-based natural memory foams replace a portion of the polyurethane with plant-derived oil. The use of plant-based foams or all-natural glues and binders are just two simple ways that you can enjoy all of the benefits of a traditional memory foam but in a gentler and more natural way.
Additionally, memory foams can still be CertiPUR-US certified, so while they may not be organic or all-natural, they don’t contain mercury, lead, heavy metals, formaldehyde, ozone depleters, PBDEs, TDCPP, or TCEP and have low VOCs.
Poly Foam
Poly foams fall into the same camp as memory foam. You cannot have a 100 percent organic poly foam because by definition, they require polyurethane to be manufactured. As with memory foam, this doesn’t necessarily mean they are unhealthy. They may still be CertiPUR-US certified, in addition to green, eco-friendly, and other health-conscious certifications. However, a poly foam will not be organic.
Latex
Latex mattresses are also foam-based, but their foams are a little different than memory foams. Unlike memory foams that are made of polyurethane, natural latex foams are made from natural sap from rubber trees.
Natural Latex vs. Synthetic Latex
All latex mattresses are made of natural latex, synthetic latex, or a blend of the two. A 100 percent natural latex only uses the sap from latex trees. Synthetic latex is usually made from styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR). Lastly, you have foams that use a blended mix of both natural and synthetic latex components.
Bear in mind that an all-natural latex mattress is not cheap. Plan on spending $2,000 to $4,000 for this type of natural mattress. A synthetic or blended latex will generally fall closer to $1,000.
Dunlop Latex vs. Talalay Latex
Natural or synthetic latex is usually produced using one of two different methods: Dunlop and Talalay. Dunlop latex is created by pouring a large amount of latex into one large mold, while Talalay latex is created using a small amount of latex with air added to create a lightweight, porous foam. Whether you prefer the feel of Dunlop or Talalay, neither technique affects how natural the foam is; the main difference is going to be in the feel (Dunlop feels a bit denser, while Talalay is bouncier).
Innerspring
An organic coil mattress typically uses organic cotton batting or natural pillow top foams in combination with traditional spring or pocketed coil systems. While these may not be the most organic option on the market, they can be a great choice if you prefer the feel of a standard spring mattress.
As an offshoot of traditional coils, there are also hybrid mattresses. A hybrid mattress is a mattress that combines a coil-based foundation with foam layers on the top, typically memory foam or latex foam. An organic hybrid mattress is made with organic plant-based memory foam or natural latex foam.
Off-Gassing
Off-gassing occurs when you unbox a bed-in-a-box mattress. The mattress will release gasses that were trapped during packaging, which can release a slight odor. Off-gassing is typically not harmful, but if you’re concerned (or sensitive to odors), you might want to opt for a non-box mattress. Organic mattresses generally do not get shipped in a box for this very reason, but some may still have an odor or plastic-like scent when they are shipped to you. This is rarely harmful and does not affect how organic or natural your bed is, it is just a result of the shipping process. If this is something you are concerned about, we recommend looking into the shipping policies of the company you are buying from.
Breathability and Cooling
When shopping for a mattress, you may have various reasons for wanting an organic model. However, one concern of yours may be allergens and breathable materials. When shopping for a natural mattress, you may want to keep an eye out for materials that keep the bed breathable, allergen-resistant, and cool for comfort. We recommend looking for materials like coils, latex, natural cotton, and allergen resistant covers. These materials and elements in a mattress can help keep it cool and allergen-resistant, which can be an important factor in organic mattresses.
Our thermal gun test is one of the best ways to test for cooling. We use a thermal gun that can read the temperature of a specific location and register body heat. We use this tool by having one of our expert testers measure the temperature of the mattress normally and then measure it again after laying on it for 5 to 10 minutes.
We consider anything below an 8-degree difference to be good cooling, and below a six-degree difference to be great cooling.
Comfort
When shopping for an organic mattress, you should not have to compromise on comfort, support, and other factors that you are looking for in a mattress. We recommend looking for these factors in any mattress you purchase, because your bed should be hazard free and also comfortable enough for you and your sleep needs.
Firmness
Firmness is an important aspect of all mattresses, and every sleeper has a unique preference for the kind of firmness they like. Further, different firmness levels may better suit different types of sleepers and may be more useful for specific kinds of pain or pressure relief.
We used our expertly developed and tested firmness scale to evaluate the firmness level of every single mattress in this list, and every mattress we test at Sleepopolis
The firmness scale ranks mattresses from 1 to 10, with 10 being the most firm, and we generally consider 6.5 to be medium-firm. We use this scale by having one of our expert mattress testers lay on each mattress in various sleeping positions. Our testers use the firmness scale to explain and understand the level of support, comfort, and pressure relief each mattress can potentially provide.
Pressure Relief
Speaking of pressure relief, we recommend keeping an eye out for this when buying an organic mattress. Pressure relief refers to the amount of pressure that is alleviated in a certain part of the body when lying on a mattress. This is important for keeping you comfortable wen you sleep, as well as for alleviating or stopping the accumulation of pain in certain areas.
We use a pressure map, which is a large, thermal technology map, to see where pressure is released on the body when lying in various sleeping positions. The pressure map allows us the ability to see what parts of the body are supported and relieved when sleeping in different positions. You can see an example of our pressure map here to understand exactly how we test this.
Sleeping Position
Sleeping position is important to consider with any mattress because it will affect the level of firmness, support, and the location of pressure relief you need. Considering how you sleep can not only help you find a mattress that is comfortable for you but also one that will fulfill your needs. Stomach sleepers generally need a softer mattress that cradles their hips, whereas back and side side sleepers will need something a bit more firm that relieves pressure on the back and shoulders.
You can check out our recommendations for the best mattresses for side sleepers, back sleepers, stomach sleepers, and combination sleepers to learn more about the best mattresses for your unique sleeping position.
Price and Company Policy
Natural and organic mattresses can be more expensive than other kinds of mattresses. This is because sourcing and approving organic materials can be more expensive and time-consuming than non-organic materials. However, there are certainly ways to find affordable organic mattresses. We recommend shopping around holidays like Memorial and Labor Day or looking out for online exclusive sales.
We also suggest looking into companies that offer sleep trials that are at least 100 nights, meaning you can try the mattress for 100 nights to be sure you love it. This can also help you ensure you made the right choice and feel confident that it is the mattress you want. Warranties are also important for mattresses, especially those that are more expensive because they should last you at least 8 to 10 years. We recommend looking for companies who offer a 10-year warranty at the least.
Why the Demand for Natural and Organic Mattresses?
It should be no surprise that the word “organic” has gradually crept its way into the mattress market. It’s in the supermarkets up and down every aisle. It’s on your cereals, your produce, and even your milk and eggs. But what is the hype all about, and is it worth carrying your love for “organic” into the bedroom?
First off, let’s take a closer look at the history surrounding organic mattresses and natural mattresses.
In the 1970s, we saw the first required use of flame retardants in mattresses. This law was imposed to address fires caused by smoldering cigarettes, the leading cause of deadly mattress fires at the time. The turn of the century brought a decline in smokers and the need for a new law. In 2007, a law was passed that required mattresses to not only resist the smolder of a dying cigarette, but also the open flame of a lighter, match, or candle. While this decreased the number of deadly mattress fires, it also opened the door to a new and dangerous threat: highly toxic flame retardants.
Flame retardants are extremely harsh chemicals that can have lasting effects on your body. The worst of them are polybrominated diphenyl ethers (also known as PBDEs). PBDEs are linked to decreased sperm count, thyroid problems, slow brain development in newborns, and even cancer. These particles can be released into the air and absorbed from products when TVs or computers heat up, while sleeping on a mattress, or when products degrade.
As the world began to explore fire retardant chemicals and barriers to satisfy the new regulation, people began to slowly wonder about the effect on their bodies from these chemicals, especially while they were sleeping. The result ended up being a strong push toward natural and organic mattresses.
The Organic, Natural, and Healthy Mattress Spectrum
It is true that some mattresses are 100-percent natural and organic from top to bottom. However, most fall somewhere along a spectrum from 0 percent organic/natural to 100-percent organic or natural.
Generally speaking, the closer to 100 percent organic, the more you’re going to pay. While having a 100-percent natural mattress is wonderful, it’s not always in the budget for many sleepers.
There are a number of quality mattresses that are 20 to 50 percent natural or organic, but are still excellent mattresses because they’re targeting the material components that come closest to sleepers. Loom & Leaf is a good example of this type of half-organic mattress. Loom & Leaf uses a natural thistle fire barrier, organic cotton cover, and some plant-based foams. Of course, some of the foams are not plant-based, and the percentage of plant-based material is not tremendously high, but it is a good step in the right direction and quite affordable.
One note: There is a distinction between natural or organic and healthy. A mattress may not be organic or natural, but the materials may still be healthier than those in many other mattresses on the market. There are many mattresses that use CertiPUR-US certified foams, which indicates that the foams exclude a number of harmful chemicals and substances. These types of mattresses can still provide a healthier sleeping surface, even if they’re not certified as organic or natural.
How Do Organic and Natural Mattresses Meet High Flammability Standards?
There are several different ways a mattress can meet the high standard set by the 2007 regulation. The first method is that the surface of the mattress can be sprayed or soaked with fire-retardant chemicals. However, this method is no longer permitted, due to the obvious risk of coming in direct contact with these dangerous chemicals.
The second method involves the use of fire-retardant foams, but this method also uses PBDEs and other hazardous material. The first two methods obviously are not organic in any sense of the word.
The last method is the one that most manufacturers use today (natural and conventional), and that’s using fiber or fabric barriers to enclose the interior of the mattress, where most of the combustible material is found. Silica-based fire socks that encase the mattress (between the foams and the exterior mattress cover) are the most common. These fire socks melt in the event of a fire, smothering the flames. Thistle and wool are more natural alternatives; both of these resist fires in a similar way.
Organic Mattress Toppers
In addition to organic mattresses, there are organic mattress toppers that can make your bed softer or firmer. Like organic mattresses, they’re made with sustainably sourced materials and often come with organic, non-toxic, or eco-conscious certifications. One such example is the Birch Plush Organic Mattress Topper. There’s also the Avocado Organic Latex Mattress Topper. You can read about more options on our list of the best mattress toppers.
FAQs
Are organic mattresses really healthier than other mattresses?
In short, yes. Not only are they free of toxins — they’re also hypoallergenic, moisture-wicking, and more naturally breathable than non-organic mattresses.
What are some other healthy types of mattresses?
Outside of organic/natural mattresses, memory foam mattresses tend to be healthy because their materials are antimicrobial and, in some cases, hypoallergenic.
How do I tell if my mattress contains toxic materials or not?
You’ll want to look and see if your bed has OEKO-TEX certification, as well as GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certification. OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 means that there aren’t any harmful chemicals in your mattress. GOTS applies to the mattress’ cover, and means that it’s certified organic.
What makes a mattress organic?
A mattress can only be classified as organic once it receives one or more of the certifications we’ve discussed. And even then, there are levels to it. Some of the mattresses on this list (such as the Avocado) would be certified as 100 percent organic because all of their materials are recycled or naturally sourced. A mattress where only some of the materials are still synthetically produced would be considered partially organic.
Best Organic Mattresses 2024
Mattress | Best For | Price (Queen) | Coupon | Review |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nolah Natural | Overall | $2,095 | Nolah Coupon | Read Our Review |
Birch (by Helix) | Allergies | $1,811 | Helix Coupon | Read Our Review |
Silk & Snow Organic | Hybrid | $1,200 | Check Coupons Page | Read Our Review |
WinkBeds EcoCloud | Back Sleepers | $1,999 | WinkBed Coupon | Read Our Review |
Awara Natural Luxury Hybrid | Back Pain | $1,383 | Check Coupons Page | Read Our Review |
Bear Natural | Cooling | $2,998 | Bear Coupon | Review Coming Soon |
Saatva Latex Hybrid | Best Firm | $2,195 | Saatva Coupon | Read Our Review |
Avocado Green | Luxury | $1,999 | Check Our Coupons | Read Our Review |
EcoSleep | Heavy Sleepers | $1,499 | Brooklyn Bedding Coupon | Read Our Review |
Bridget Chapman
Former Senior Product Editor
About Author
Bridget is a Certified Sleep Science Coach and senior editor here at Sleepopolis. From testing mattresses to writing about various sleep health topics, her goal is to help you get a good night’s sleep. You can also find her in videos on our YouTube channel. Bridget graduated magna cum laude from San Diego State University with a degree in journalism and a minor in English. Before joining the Sleepopolis team, she was a TV news reporter and worked in cities across the country. She loves spending time outdoors, checking out new restaurants, snuggling with her pets, and of course — getting some quality Zzz’s.
Combination Sleeper
Sources
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- Huang Huang. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers, polybrominated biphenyls, and risk of papillary thyroid cancer: A nested case-control study. American Journal of Epidemiology. February 2020. https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwz229
- Ruth Ohoro Chinemerem. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in the environmental systems: a review. Journal of Environmental Health Sciences and Engineering. April 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40201-021-00656-3
- Tsai Ming-Hsien. Analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and lipid composition in human breast milk and their correlation with infant neurodevelopment. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. November 2021. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111501