Best Organic and Natural Mattresses of 2024

For those who prioritize shopping for environmentally-friendly products, there are a number of  high-quality organic, natural, and non-toxic options on the market today. These models use naturally-derived or certified organic materials like cotton, wool, and latex, and also offer high-end performance to deliver impressive pressure relief, support, and temperature regulation to ensure you get a good night’s sleep. 

We’ve run each of these beds through our mattress testing gauntlet in our Seattle Test Lab. If you want more information about our top mattress picks and why we’ve chosen them, head over to our guide to the best mattresses of 2024.

Watch Video: We Tested the Best Organic Mattresses of 2024 – Here Are Our Favorites

Watch our video below to learn more about our lab’s top picks for best organic mattress.

Expert Tested. Sleeper Approved.

Over the past eight years, our Seattle-based Test Lab has performed hands-on tests on more than 4,000 sleep products — and nearly 2,000 of them are mattresses. 

As product experts, we stay up to date on the latest news in sleep science and product trends. We use this knowledge to fuel our data-backed recommendations. Many of our testers have worked directly with mattress manufacturers and visited actual mattress factories. On occasion, a sleep health expert might stop by to tweak a firmness rating.

When we test a mattress, we collect data across six major performance categories and combine these results with real-world feedback. We use tools and tech to monitor features like heat retention, motion isolation, and pressure mapping. In order to ensure our findings are inclusive of all sleepers, our team consists of people with varying body types and sleep positions.

Mattresses aren’t one-size-fits-all. The perfect bed for you is going to depend on general points like your body weight and sleeping position, as well as unique points like if you have back pain, if you sleep hot at night, or if you just like the feel of latex over memory foam. Our goal at the Test Lab is to help take the guesswork out of your mattress-buying process.

Why Should You Consider Buying an Organic Mattress?

Organic mattresses typically feature durable and hypoallergenic construction, low levels of odor emissions, and eco-conscious materials. They’re great for people who seek out products that are non-toxic and planet friendly, but they’re also a good fit for anyone looking for a high-performing bed in general. 

Who Are Organic Mattresses Ideal For?

Eco-Friendly Shoppers

• Many manufacturers of organic mattresses demonstrate significant commitment to sustainable production practices and a reduced environmental footprint. A number of models carry reputable certifications to back up organic claims.

Those Sensitive to Chemicals

• Organic production processes minimize or eliminate the use of potentially harmful chemicals. In addition, many organic materials, including latex, resist the buildup of dust and other allergens, making for a more hypoallergenic mattress.
• Natural and organic materials are less likely to off-gas than those that are chemically-derived. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are strongest in foam, which is rarely found in organic mattresses.

Kids

• Organic mattresses are a good place to start for parents seeking a kids’ mattress made with non-toxic materials. Organic sourcing ensures the mattress contains minimal harmful chemicals.
• Since organic beds are also less likely to off-gas, they are an ideal option for children who are easily bothered by strong smells.

Hot Sleepers

• Latex, wool, and cotton are the most common materials you’ll find in organic mattresses — and they’re all known for their excellent cooling properties, especially latex.
• Wool excels at wicking moisture, making organic beds with wool layers ideal for people who sweat a lot at night.

Shoppers Who Prioritize Durability

• Organic mattress manufacturers generally dedicate significant attention to detail in their mattress materials, including latex, which is well-known for its durability. As a result, organic mattresses usually last longer than other types of beds.

Who Are Organic Mattresses Less Than Ideal For?

Shoppers on a Budget

• Organic mattresses are available at a wide range of prices, but they generally tend to cost more than beds made with non-organic materials. This is due to the high quality of materials and careful sourcing.

People With Latex Allergies

• Most organic mattresses are all-latex or latex hybrid models, which means they contain at least one layer of latex. This makes them unsuitable for sleepers with latex allergies.

What Is an Organic Mattress?

Unfortunately, it is virtually impossible to have a 100% organic mattress since components like coils, adhesives, and hardware can’t be manufactured using organic-certification criteria. The mattresses we highlight on this page are made primarily from organic and sustainable materials, but we also take a holistic look at the way a mattress is built to determine whether it should be classified as an organic mattress.

Mattress Materials That Are Organic

Only certain types of materials can be produced in ways that meet strict standards for organic production. These include natural latex, cotton, wool, and hemp.

Natural Latex

Natural latex is produced from the sap of rubber trees that is cured, molded, and baked. Latex can be found in the comfort layers and support cores of many organic mattresses.

Latex can be certified organic when the trees and production processes meet defined standards to minimize harmful chemical processing. Depending on the manufacturing process, there are two types of natural latex.

• Dunlop latex: For Dunlop latex, sap is prepared in a mold and then baked, which solidifies its shape. While it bakes, some sediment sinks, which can make this latex less uniform throughout. In general, Dunlop latex is denser and less expensive to produce. 
• Talalay latex: To make Talalay latex, the molded sap is rapidly frozen before it is baked. This prevents the movement of sediment and gives Talalay latex an airier texture with a bouncier and more contouring feel. 

Cotton

Cotton is produced from the fibers of the cotton plant. To be organic, cotton must be grown without harmful pesticides, and the processing of fibers into textile must minimize the use of harsh chemicals.

For many organic mattresses, cotton is used in the mattress cover because of the material’s softness and breathability. 

Wool

Wool is most often made from the fleece of sheep, which can be processed into a natural textile for use in mattresses, blankets, and clothing. To make organic wool, the sheep must be raised under certain conditions, and the fibers created and woven without harmful additives or other chemicals. 

Wool is frequently used to create a layer beneath the mattress cover because of its ability to act as a fire barrier, but it can also add softness and dissipate heat across the mattress surface. 

Hemp

Hemp is derived from the Cannabis sativa plant. Hemp fabrics can be classified as organic when the plants are cultivated according to those standards, and the fabric is produced without chemicals. 

Hemp is durable and resistant to mildew, so it may be included as one of the topmost layers in an organic mattress.

Other Sustainably Made Mattress Materials

Some mattress materials can’t be produced organically, but some manufacturers make an effort to make materials that are produced in sustainable ways. 

Synthetic Latex

Instead of being made from the sap from trees, synthetic latex is made using a chemical process. Producing synthetic latex generally involves petroleum-based products, which increases its environmental footprint. 

In some cases, synthetic latex may be mixed with natural latex to create what is known as blended latex. 

Memory Foam and Polyfoam

Chemicals, including petroleum-based chemicals, are needed to produce memory foam and other types of polyurethane foams. This prevents these materials from meeting organic standards. However, sometimes a company will replace a portion of the petrochemicals with plant-based oils to reduce the foam’s overall environmental impact.

Metal Coils

Making metal involves intensive processes that can’t be considered organic, but some mattress companies focus on producing metal components in ways that conserve electricity or minimize emissions so that the final product has a significantly reduced footprint. 

Upcycled Steel

Some companies try to enhance the sustainability of their products by reusing old metal products when creating new materials. Sometimes called upcycled steel, this material can be used to create a mattress support core that appeals to people who value recycling and finding new uses for discarded products.

Keep an Eye Out for Certifications

It’s common to see terms like green, sustainable, and organic across all types of consumer products, but sometimes manufacturers intentionally “greenwash” products just to make them seem eco-friendly. 

Certifications can provide useful information about mattress materials. To be certified, a company must prove that its materials meet specific standards set by a third-party organization. 

Some certifications prove that a material is organic, where others focus more on making sure a material doesn’t contain harmful chemicals. Look for the certifications that best align with your priorities, such as: 

• Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS). The GOTS is used to certify materials like cotton and wool, while GOLS is used for natural latex.
• OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certifies that a textile material does not contain any of more than 100 potentially harmful substances.
• CertiPUR-US certification demonstrates that a foam does not contain specific substances that are known to pose health risks, such as heavy metals.
• GREENGUARD certification shows that a mattress meets standards for a low level of chemicals (VOCs) emitted into the air.
• eco-INSTITUT certified mattresses do not emit a range of toxic compounds and other substances that can worsen indoor air quality. 

Identifying companies that adopt eco-friendly practices is another way to avoid greenwashers. Look for companies that:

• Reduce the amount of plastics in their packaging
• Use shipping methods with a lower carbon footprint, such as compressing a mattress to fit in a smaller box
• Arrange for returned mattresses to be donated instead of sent to a landfill
• Make contributions to environmental causes for every mattress sold
• Offset carbon emissions involved in mattress manufacturing or shipping

Other Ways You Can Be Eco-Friendly

Still on the fence about an organic mattress but want to do your part for the planet? There are a handful of other ways to be eco-conscious when revamping your sleep space.

Recycle or Donate Your Old Mattress

If you want to try to keep a bulky mattress out of a landfill, look into donating or recycling your old mattress. 

Some organizations and individuals accept mattress donations, but only if it is in good condition without any rips, stains, or other damage. Generally, if you wouldn’t give it to a friend or family member, you probably shouldn’t donate it to anyone else. 

When donating isn’t viable, you may be able to recycle your old mattress. One way to do this is to find an organization that can break down the mattress into parts that can be reused. Or if you’re into creative projects, you can do this on your own as well. 

Whether donating or recycling, look for local organizations that can accept your old mattress. Your local government or a mattress store may be able to refer you to places that accept or pick up old mattresses.

How to Dispose of a Mattress – Video

Watch the video below to explore different ways to dispose of your mattress.

Invest in Organic Bedding

Beyond your mattress itself, you can outfit your bed with organic and eco-friendly pillows and pillowcases, sheets, or blankets. Though it may cost more to get organic bedding, it can be a worthwhile investment because of its durability and reduced use of harmful chemicals.

Dive Deeper – In-Depth Mattress Guides

Using organic materials is just one way a mattress can set itself apart from the crowd. Our guides apply rigorous in-house testing to find the best mattresses in multiple specific performance categories.