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Written by
Lauren Fountain
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Driven by a more sustainable manufacturing process, the ease of online ordering, and more competitive pricing, latex mattresses have been surging in popularity.
Latex, a type of rubber, provides a unique feel as a mattress material. In all-latex mattresses, it is the only component of the interior build, and in latex hybrids it is layered above innerspring coils.
Latex delivers a combination of bounce and cushioning while resisting heat buildup, and all of these characteristics offer a compelling contrast with memory foam. Latex also has excellent durability and can be produced more sustainably than most foams.
Read on for a list of our top picks for the best latex mattress. Additionally, we’ve written a comprehensive buyers guide to help you figure out if a latex mattress is right for you.
Choose latex if:
Skip latex if:
Customers who are intrigued by the idea of a latex mattress may be struggling with how to identify the best one for their bedroom. Our top picks make the process simple and highlight the seven best latex mattresses, including both all-latex and latex hybrid options.
The materials in the all-latex PlushBeds Botanical Bliss are backed by rigorous environmental certifications and deliver top-end performance.
The PlushBeds Botanical Bliss stands at the leading edge of mattresses that feature eco-conscious design and materials. Few competitors can claim to match the certifications that have been achieved by the Botanical Bliss, and the mattress delivers high-end performance as well.
The cover of the Botanical Bliss is made with organic cotton that has been certified by the rigorous Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). Beneath the cotton is a layer of organic wool that is also GOTS-certified. These two materials are soft and breathable, helping with natural cooling.
The rest of the mattress is made with thick layers of natural, Dunlop latex certified according to the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS). In the 10-inch model, there are three layers, each three inches thick, for a total of nine inches of latex. PlushBeds also offers a 9-inch and 12-inch model with slight variations in the number and thickness of the layers.
The mattress is available in a Soft, Medium, or Firm alignment. Minor firmness adjustments can be made after purchase by unzipping the cover and rearranging the layers to put a softer or firmer one on top. With this firmness flexibility, the Botanical Bliss can work for people in any sleeping position.
After it is delivered, customers have a 100-night trial during which they can request a free comfort exchange or a return for a full refund. PlushBeds also backs the mattress with a 25-year warranty.
Made with organic wool and ventilated latex, the Birch Mattress is an eco-friendly option that performs especially well for hot sleepers.
Offered by Helix Sleep, the Birch Mattress is a medium-firm latex hybrid mattress constructed with sustainable materials. The top comfort layer is composed of organic wool, which is followed by a ventilated layer of Talaylay latex. It features a pocketed coil support core for increased airflow and responsive support. The final base layer is organic wool batting, and the whole mattress is covered with an organic cotton cover for softness and breathablility.
The bed’s construction makes it particularly suitable for those who tend to sleep hot, as the moisture-wicking wool and ventilated latex draw heat away from the sleeper and towards the coil support core, allowing heat to easily dissipate rather than build up over the course of the night.
The bed is medium firm, and does not conform as closely as a memory foam mattress might, which makes it best for sleepers who weigh at least 130 pounds, though lightweight sleepers who prefer a firmer sleep surface may also find it suitable.
The Birch mattress is made in the U.S. and is backed by a 25-year warranty and a 100-night sleep trial. Customers in all 50 states receive free shipping.
A robust innerspring support core and thick Dunlop latex comfort layer make the Awara a high-powered latex hybrid with a price point that appeals to the masses.
The Awara is solidly built and without a weak link. It is thoughtfully designed and constructed, creating a latex hybrid that is durable, comfortable, and supportive.
The comfort layer of the Awara is four inches of natural latex made using the Dunlop process. This latex is Rainforest Alliance Certified, indicating that it is cultivated in accordance with sustainable forestry practices. This thick layer can cushion the body and won’t bottom out, enhancing the durability of the mattress and making it a good match for people with a higher body weight.
The support core is extra tall, built with nine inches of pocketed innerspring coils. These complement the bounce and motion isolation from the comfort layer while also boosting edge support and overall sturdiness. The cover is made with organic cotton and wool and facilitates effective moisture-wicking and comfort cooling.
The Awara has a Medium Firm feel that fits the needs of most sleepers, although some people under 130 pounds may find it to be slightly too firm.
Even with its hefty components, the Awara is available at a price point that is lower than many comparable mattresses. It comes with a 365-night sleep trial, so customers have a wealth of time to try it out at home. For the long-term, Awara provides a Forever Warranty that covers defects in materials or manufacturing for as long as you own the mattress.
The Zenhaven mattress stands out thanks to an all Talalay latex construction, reversible firmness design, and free white-glove delivery.
The Zenhaven is an all-latex mattress from the makers of the highly regarded Saatva Mattress. Employing multiple layers of high-performance Talalay latex, the Zenhaven offers effective pressure relief and a choice of two comfort feels.
The design of the Zenhaven creates a different firmness level on each side. One side is Medium Soft, and the other side is Firm. The entire mattress has a cover made of organic cotton with a one-inch layer of organic wool beneath it.
With the Medium Soft side facing up, the top layer is 1.5 inches of Talalay latex. This layer is zoned to reinforce the latex underneath the heavier parts of the body. Beneath this layer is three inches of latex on top of another three inches of firmer latex. The final layer is 1.5 inches of softer, zoned Talalay latex. This layer is facing up when the mattress is used on the Firm side.
Talalay latex is normally slightly softer and bouncier than Dunlop latex, and it has above-average properties for contouring. With its two firmness levels and ability to cushion pressure points, the Zenhaven is an option for sleepers of virtually any body weight and sleeping position.
The Zenhaven comes with free installation and removal of an existing mattress. Returns can be made during a 120-night sleep trial, but there is a $99 charge for return shipping. A 20-year warranty offers coverage against defects in materials and manufacturing.
An affordable all-latex mattress, the Latex for Less features a combination of Dunlop and Talalay latex layers along with breathable organic cotton and wool.
The Latex for Less mattress is a straightforward, no-frills, all-latex option that meets the needs of a broad range of sleepers at a price point that, with promotions, won’t bust the budget.
The mattress cover is made with GOTS-certified organic cotton with a half-inch of wool that sits just underneath it. Both cotton and wool offer above-average temperature regulation, helping this mattress keep its cool.
Beneath the wool is a comfort layer made up of two inches of Talalay latex. This material provides notable contouring while keeping its bouncy feel. It is supported by a six-inch layer of natural Dunlop latex that supplements the comfort layer while also providing a stable, solid base. Another half-inch layer of wool sits at the bottom of the mattress.
With the Latex for Less aligned in this way, it has a Medium feel; however, the mattress can be flipped over, with the Dunlop latex layer facing up, which gives the bed a Firm feel. This reversible firmness design appeals to anyone who is unsure of their ideal comfort level or simply wants the flexibility to change it as they see fit.
The Latex for Less mattress is frequently offered with sizable promotions that bring the price down to an accessible price point. A less-expensive seven-inch model is also available. Each mattress comes with a sleep trial of 120 nights and a 20-year limited warranty.
With three thick layers of Dunlop latex along with organic cotton and wool, the Spindle is eco-friendly, comfortable, and effectively promotes spinal alignment.
The Spindle mattress is an impressive offering that takesfull advantage of the benefits of latex as well as other natural, eco-friendly materials.
The interior of the Spindle is built with three layers of natural latex produced with the Dunlop process. These latex layers work together to soften the impact from major pressure points without allowing excessive sink.
The cover is made with GOTS-certified cotton with one inch of natural wool quilted into it. These materials effectively wick moisture, which, combined with latex that is resistant to heat buildup, helps maintain a stable temperature all night long.
The mattress is available in three models – Soft, Medium, and Firm, although we rate the Firm as closer to a Medium Firm feel. Stomach and back sleepers tend to get the best results with the firmest model; side sleepers prefer one of the softer versions.
The Spindle comes with a full one-year sleep trial, providing you 365 nights to test out the mattress and make sure that it works for you. During that time, you can also request a free firmness adjustment. The mattress comes with a 10-year warranty as well as a 25-year promise that you can purchase a new three-inch layer anytime during that time period at a 30% discount.
Shoppers looking for standout value are naturally drawn to the EcoTerra, a latex hybrid with an inviting comfort layer of responsive Talalay latex.
The EcoTerra checks many key boxes for people looking for a latex mattress: it has plenty of responsiveness, sufficient conforming for pressure relief, and excellent temperature regulation. In addition, it includes numerous natural materials and a price point that makes it a compelling option for all shoppers, including those on a tight budget. Since it comes in two firmness options, it’s fairly versatile in terms of sleeper position and body type.
The EcoTerra starts with its cover, which is made with GOTS-certified organic cotton. Beneath the cotton is a layer of GOTS-certified organic wool. These layers add comfort and breathability, and GOTS certification gives customers the confidence to know that they were responsibly produced.
The comfort layer is made with three inches of natural Talalay latex that accommodates the body’s pressure points and also confers substantial responsiveness to make it easy to move around on the mattress.
The support core of the EcoTerra is a thick layer of pocketed innerspring coils. The gauge of the springs ranges from 15-16 with thicker coils around the perimeter to strengthen the bed’s edge support.
Latex mattresses are a good fit for many customers. People who want cushioning without excess sink and those who tend to sleep hot often love latex beds. With its considerable bounce, a latex mattresses is great for people who want to effortlessly move on the bed to switch up their sleeping position or engage in sexual activity. The durability of latex makes it a good material for people over 230 pounds and a popular choice among shoppers focused on finding a long-lasting mattress.
We’ve already covered the central characteristics of latex mattresses: bounce, moderate conforming, and limited heat retention. For some customers, these are a major benefit, but for others, there can be insufficient contouring or motion isolation.
As with all mattress types, latex mattresses have benefits and drawbacks. Mattress companies try to construct their products to cut down on those drawbacks, but those initiatives often have mixed or minimal impact.
When considering latex mattress options, it’s worth zooming in on the factors most likely to determine whether you wind up with a bed that you love. We’ve described these factors below, and you should think about which ones have the highest priority for you.
Thinking about what it might be like to sleep on a latex mattress? These core characteristics help give you an idea:
All latex materials have similar performance characteristics, but they aren’t all created equal. In the following sections, we’ll explain the types of latex so that you can better understand the descriptions that you’ll find of latex mattress options.
Natural latex is made by harvesting sap from rubber trees and then converting it — through processes of curing, molding, and baking — into a rubber product.
Natural latex is not 100% sap, though. Some agents must be added to the curing process, so the “natural latex” label can be used as long as those other agents make up 5% or less of the material.
Various forms of natural latex is what you’ll most often find in mattresses, and it exhibits the traits of bounce and softness that customers expect from latex.
Also known as Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR), synthetic latex is made with chemical inputs rather than rubber sap. Many of those inputs are derived from petroleum.
Synthetic latex also has bounce and some softness, but it tends to be less durable, provide less comfort, and offer and less well-rounded performance relative to natural latex. It can also have a noticeable odor.
Historically, synthetic latex was much less expensive than natural latex, but it is tied to the price of oil, which is no longer a low-cost commodity. Very low-cost latex beds may still utilize this material, but these beds usually pale in comparison to natural latex options in terms of quality.
As indicated by its name, blended latex uses both liquid from rubber trees and chemically-produced rubber inputs. The ratio of the blend is often listed, such as a common mix of 30% natural latex and 70% SBR.
Despite some marketing to the contrary, blended latex is rarely a “best of both worlds” offering. It usually involves more synthetic than natural latex and offers few benefits, except perhaps a lower price, than a mattress made with 100% natural latex.
Natural latex can be crafted using one of two methods, known as the Dunlop and Talalay processes. Both produce high-quality latex, but there are some differences to be aware of.
In the Dunlop process, whipped sap is put in a mold and then baked to hold its form. Some heavier sediment sinks to the bottom in the baking process, making Dunlop latex denser and heavier, especially toward the bottom.
Dunlop latex is robust and has plenty of bounce. It can be used in any part of a mattress but is especially common in support cores. In general, it tends to cost less than Talalay latex.
In the Talalay process, whipped sap is put in a mold and then vacuum-sealed and flash-frozen before being baked. The sealing and freezing steps make the material more homogenous and airy, which confers an increase in lightness and bounce relative to Dunlop latex.
Talalay latex can be used in any part of a mattress but is more often featured as a part of the comfort system because of its gentle contouring and comfort. It may come with a higher cost than Dunlop latex.
The retail price (MSRP) for most latex mattresses ranges from $1,300 to $3,000, although there are options that fall higher and lower than that range. In general, latex beds cost more than foam, innerspring, and hybrid options and less than airbeds.
Some factors that influence the price of a latex mattress include:
The density and Indentation Load-Deflection (ILD) of latex are two other factors that can play a role in the feel, performance, and durability of a latex mattress.
The density tells you about how compact and heavy latex is. It is measured by weighing a cube of latex with dimensions of one meter on each side. The total density is reported in kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m3), often with the letter D before it. Most latex in mattresses ranges from D60 to D95.
Denser latex will generally have a firmer feel that appeals more to stomach and back sleepers. Higher density is associated with more longevity as well.
In many latex mattresses, layers of latex with different densities are arranged to create a complete package that is stable, durable, and comfortable.
The ILD is a metric that explains how easily a latex layer compresses. It is measured by seeing how much force must be applied before the latex indents a certain amount. The higher the ILD, the more force required, indicating a firmer material.
For latex used in mattresses, an ILD of 15-25 is softer, 25-35 is medium to firm, and over 35 is very firm. However, not all labs test the ILD in the same way, which means that these numbers should be understood as a general outline and far from a hard-and-fast rule.
As with density, it’s important to not lose the forest for the trees. Each layer works together to affect the overall mattress feel, so the ILD of individual layers does not always provide a complete understanding of the mattress performance as a whole.
You can expect a well-built all-latex mattress to last for eight years or longer. These mattresses are the most durable on the market, outlasting most foam, innerspring, hybrid, and airbed models.
A well-constructed latex hybrid should last for six years or longer. Their lifespan is similar to most foam mattresses and slightly better than most other hybrids, innersprings, and airbeds.
The design of the mattress and the quality of the materials will both have a key role in determining the expected useful life of a latex mattress. Natural latex tends to last longer, especially if it is arranged without any thin or low-density layers.
The stress placed on a mattress can impact its durability. More weight applied to the mattress increases strain, so couples and people with a higher body weight may find that their mattresses do not last as long. Significant activity on the mattress, such as from sex or from a child jumping on the bed, can wear out latex and other materials more quickly as well.
A latex mattress with high-quality materials often costs a bit more at the outset, but because it lasts longer, it can provide a better value over time. In addition, with coupons and promotions regularly available even for top mattresses, investing in one of the best latex mattresses can be done without blowing way past your budget.
With what you’ve read so far, you’re well-armed with the knowledge necessary to buy a new latex mattress. To wrap up, we’ll introduce a few other practical issues for savvy shoppers to take into account.
There are many labels for latex that you’ll find thrown around in the descriptions of these mattresses. It can get confusing, so here’s a quick guide:
In an all-latex mattress, the support core is made of one or more latex layers. In a latex hybrid, it is made of innerspring coils. The performance of these can be similar, but make sure to examine the support core’s components along with the comfort system when considering the likely performance and durability of the mattress.
Latex is a heavy material, and these mattresses tend to weigh more than other mattress types. Most of the time, it takes two or more people to setup or move a latex bed. Keep this in mind when deciding whether you need installation services such as white-glove delivery provided by the manufacturer or a setup service from a third-party provider.
The weight and unwieldiness of a latex mattress is also important to keep in mind if you expect that you will need to move the mattress frequently, either within your home or as part of moving to a new home.
