Updated January 27, 2023
If you’re eco-conscious and looking to improve your sleep health, finding the best latex mattress for you can be a game-changer. Versions have been around since the 1950s but are far more comfortable today. They can be a healthy and eco-friendly alternative to other kinds of beds and provide a great night’s sleep.
What exactly is a latex mattress and is it the right choice for you? How is it different from a memory foam mattress? What do you need to know to make an informed purchase? We’ll help you navigate the ins and outs of shopping for a latex mattress and profile some of the best latex mattresses available in 2021.
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The Awara is an organic mattress hybrid with both latex and pocketed coils. It earns the name best overall for its strict focus on no memory foams, synthetic foams, chemical adhesives or chemical fire retardants. Instead, they use organic rainforest certified latex, natural cotton, and
100% organic wool. In addition, they contribute to sustainability by partnering with ClimatePartners to plant a tree for every mattress sold.
The Awara is made with an unusually substantial 9-inch coil base that has five different zones to customize support, making it one of the best mattresses for back pain. The latex is Dunlop which is that perfect balance of med-firm and supportive, and a real treat to sleep on. If you are looking for a natural mattress you can’t do better than Awara with its lifetime warranty.
Learn more in our Awara mattress review.
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The ZenHaven mattress from Saatva is considered a great choice for seniors because it covers all the bases of what they like. The mattress is made from all-natural latex, wool, and cotton for a healthy toxin free mattress. It has great edge support to get in and out with ease, it sleeps cool, and is hypoallergenic repelling dust mites.
This natural latex mattress is also a two-sided offering choice. You can choose from a luxury plush or a gentle firm or go back and forth as needed. Put your back out? Switch to the firm side for a few weeks. Children visiting and need a soft mattress? Flip to the soft side. Firmness is a matter of preference, but with the ZenHaven you can determine this without having to return the mattress. If it is too firm or too soft, no worries — it's flappable.
The luxury plush or softer side is the preferred firmness of this age group and additionally has just the right amount of support. It also comes with a 180-night sleep trial, a 20-year warranty, and optional white glove delivery. All this adds up to a great mattress for seniors.
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The Avocado Green mattress has so many outstanding features, it would be hard to cover all of them. This is definitely a bed for people who are health conscious. It’s made from non-toxic and organic materials like cotton, wool, and latex — all certified with GreenGuard Gold, Made Safe, GOTS, and Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX. The Avocado is constructed as a hybrid foam mattress with an innerspring base of recycled steel coils, making it one of the best memory foam mattresses — especially if you’re looking for an organic option. It sleeps cool, offers tons of support, is pressure relieving, and has great spinal alignment through an ergonomic support structure. This makes it work for all sleep positions.
Avocado is an eco-conscious company that sources ethically and uses sustainable practices that are good for the planet. Their high-quality mattress is biodegradable, non-toxic, and made by hand, and contains no off-gassing. It comes with an optional pillow top. Avocado also offers exceptional backing with free shipping and returns, a full year sleep trial, and a 25-year warranty. Made in the USA.
Read more in our Avocado mattress review.
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The Brooklyn Bloom Hybrid comes in three different firmness levels: soft, medium, and firm. They are three separate mattresses with no difference in price so you can get exactly what you prefer. The bed is a hybrid of latex and coils and is made with Talalay latex, which is a great tension and muscle relaxer. They use organic cotton and natural wool and their latex is OEKO-TEX certified against toxins to keep everyone breathing easier. The Bloom Hybrid is also highly temperature regulating for a cool night’s sleep. It features a cover that is naturally hypoallergenic and keeps the mattress clean longer.
If you are wondering about trying out the Bloom Hybrid, they have stores throughout the US where you can test the mattress in person. They also have free shipping and returns, 120-night sleep trial, and a 10-year warranty. Proudly made in the USA.
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The Cedar is a uniquely constructed mattress from Brentwood Home made with numerous natural materials and lots of attention to air circulation for a cool comfortable sleep. It’s made with 100% natural cotton, New Zealand wool, ventilated Dunlop latex, flax seeds, and coconut husks layered for an extremely breathable mattress. If you are concerned about sleeping hot, this mattress will help solve the problem.
The Cedar is considered one of the best all-natural options and is a 100% GOTS certified mattress. It’s also one of the best mattresses for side sleepers, thanks to good pressure point support. Dunlop is a very durable latex and so is the Cedar mattress which is backed by a 25 -year warranty. They also offer optional white glove delivery plus a whole year sleep trial so you can figure out if it’s right for you.
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Awara |
Material: Natural latex Firmness: Flippable - med soft 5/10 or med firm 7-8/10 Customer Rating: 4.9/5 MA Score: 8.6/10 Delivery: Up to 15 days Trial Period: 120 Warranty: 20 years Price: $$$ |
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ZenHaven |
Material: Natural latex Firmness: Flippable - med soft 5/10 or med firm 7-8/10 Customer Rating: 4.9/5 MA Score: 8.6/10 Delivery: Up to 15 days Trial Period: 180 Warranty: 20 years Price: $$$ |
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Avocado Green |
Material: Natural latex and innerspring Firmness: Medium firm 7/10 Customer Rating: 5/5 MA Score: 8.3/10 Delivery: 2 weeks Trial Period: 1 year Warranty: 25 years Price: $$ |
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Brooklyn Bloom Hybrid |
Material: Natural latex and innerspring Firmness: Choose between soft, medium, firm Customer Rating: 5/5 MA Score: 9.1/10 Delivery: 4-8 days Trial Period: 120 nights Warranty: 10 years Price: $$$ |
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Cedar |
Material: Natural latex and innerspring Firmness: Medium firm 6/10 Customer Rating: 4.5/5 MA Score: 7.9/10 Delivery: 1-2 weeks Trial Period: 1 year Warranty: 25 years Price: $$ |
MA Score: The Mattress Advisor Score is a weighted score that takes into account 14 different factors related to the mattress’ performance, function, convenience and the brand’s social responsibility.
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Latex mattresses are made from the sap or milk of the rubber tree which grows in tropical climates. The sap is collected by tapping a tree in a similar fashion to tapping a tree for maple syrup. The sap is then transported to a factory where it is whipped into a lather, poured into a mold, and baked. The final product is latex foam. It takes one day’s sap production, from 12 acres of trees, to produce one queen-sized mattress which accounts for the higher price point.
There are three types of latex foam used in mattresses: natural latex, blended latex, and synthetic latex. There are also two different types of latex based on manufacturing style: Dunlop, developed in the 1920s by John Dunlop, and Talalay, developed in the late 1940s by the Talalay brothers. They feel differently, with the Dunlop process netting a firmer foam and the Talalay process a softer one. They can be a 100% natural latex or blended with synthetic foam as the terms really refer to the manufacturing process and not strictly materials. These terms, like natural Talalay latex, are commonly used to describe the type of latex in mattresses.
Latex naturally has anti-allergy properties, and makes for some of the best hypoallergenic mattresses.
Below are things to consider when looking to purchase the best latex mattress for you.
With latex, there are generally two types of mattresses, latex or a hybrid of latex and innerspring. Both these types have additional materials like cotton covers, wool-wicking layers, or other natural materials. Some companies use latex in combination with memory foam and some mattresses have synthetic latex as part of their make-up. The two you will likely need to decide between are below.
This is a mattress that is primarily latex like the ZenHaven. It is essentially a mattress without a spring base that is constructed mostly of latex. It may have more than one layer of latex with different features for added support.
The majority of the mattresses we profiled above are hybrids. This means that in addition to cotton covers or wool layers that have an innerspring base. This adds to the structure and support of the mattress and the feel is preferred by many people.
At Mattress Advisor we tested over 30 different latex mattresses in our lab. Each mattress tested received a score between 1 and 10 based on a list of 14 different criteria. Specifically, we test how well a mattress performs with setup, pressure relief, spinal alignment, durability, motion transfer, temperature regulation, responsiveness, and edge support.
We also evaluate the company and how well their shipping, trial period, return policy, and warranty stack up against other companies in the industry. Further, we rate customer service and social impact. All these terms and criteria are good to keep in mind when shopping for a mattress.
Many latex mattresses are bed-in-a-box, meaning you order online, and they are shipped directly to you. They will be left at your doorstep and you will have to manage the setup. This can be an easy or difficult process, but if you are prepared it goes much smoother. We rate how easy it is to set up a mattress based on how easily it comes out of the box, how heavy it is, if you will need two people, how quickly it inflates to its full size, and overall how easy the process is.
Pressure relief has to do with cushioning. If you sleep on cement, there is no cushion and it puts pressure on what it comes in contact with. Mattresses are intentionally made to cushion your body, contouring and taking the pressure off parts like shoulders and hips so you can relax and sleep better. Look for a mattress with good pressure relief.
Why is spinal alignment important? The answer is that a curved spine affects nerves and limits blood flow while sleeping. This may cause numbness or tingling and can disrupt sleep. On the other hand, a straight spine keeps things flowing and working properly aiding in a good night’s sleep. Mattress companies design their products to support an aligned spine.
Mattresses have a lifespan and it can vary greatly. Latex as a material is longer lasting than most. If you are purchasing latex some kinds like Dunlop are constructed to last longer. We rate durability as part of the 14 factors we assess in our evaluation process.
For many people, movement can interrupt sleep. If your spouse tosses and turns or the dog is jumping on and off the bed, it can wake you. Latex and memory foam are materials that better isolate motion to the point that you don’t feel what is going on in the bed, even right next to you. Less motion transfer leads to better sleep.
Latex beds can run warm if not constructed with breathability. Most latex mattresses now have added layers of other materials like wool to create heat transfer. Additionally, the latex is constructed to breathe and stay cool, so you don’t get hot at night, but some latex mattresses do this better than others, so check the rating.
Responsiveness is a term used to describe the bounce or how quickly your mattress springs back from pressure. Some materials like latex and memory foam have far less bounce or responsiveness than a spring mattress. Low responsiveness can make it hard to move around in bed. Manufacturers have addressed this concern and latex is molded in a way that has improved responsiveness.
Edge support refers to the perimeter of the mattress and how well it holds up when you sit on the edge or lay arms and legs across it. If it feels like you might slide off, the mattress has poor edge support. If it holds its shape it has good edge support.
Latex mattresses, with their all natural and sustainably sourced materials, can be more expensive than other kinds of mattresses. However, they also can last twice as long. This is a consideration in the price of a latex mattress because for the same timeframe you might be purchasing two mattresses of a different material. That brings down the cost of use for latex substantially. Of the latex mattresses profiled in this review, with sale pricing, a queen size runs between $1,000-$2,000.
Read more about the best mattresses under $1,000.
All of our best mattress picks are shipped directly to you as a bed-in-a-box and you will be responsible for disposing of your old mattress and setting up your new one. Many companies have an option for white glove delivery where, for an extra charge, the mattress will be delivered and set up and the old one taken away.
Latex mattresses are available from retailers and online. Some of the online companies are opening retail outlets and you might want to consider trying one in person to get the exact feel. Bed-in-a-box versions, that are shipped directly to you, are an easy way to purchase a mattress. There is no driving, minimal time involved, and generous sleep trials so you can test out the mattress.
Latex is a natural material that comes from a rubber tree. The milk is extracted and molded into a form that nets latex. Memory foam is a synthetic material made in a lab with chemicals.
Latex is a very long-lasting material and latex mattresses can last twice as long as other materials. The average mattress lasts between 6 and 10 years, but latex can last upwards of 20 years.
You have a specified number of days from the time your mattress arrives to sleep on it and get a feel for if it is right for you. Almost all mattress companies offer some kind of sleep trial and they can range from several months to an entire year. You must contact the company within the trial period to notify them if you plan to return the mattress. Experts advise a minimum of 30 days to get used to a new mattress, so wait at least a month before deciding, preferably longer. Many companies have free returns, but some charge a fee so check with the manufacturer or read the mattress review.
Sheryl is a professional writer and researcher with a long-time interest in sleep and how sleep affects health and weight. She writes on topics related to nutrition, diet and lifestyle, and of course good sleep.