Birch Elite Natural Mattress Review: Test Lab Ratings
Editorial DirectorLogan Foley
Logan Foley
Editorial Director
Logan is a Certified Sleep Science Coach with a deep understanding of what it means to struggle with sleep. Her years of experience researching and testing sleep products – including mattresses, natural sleep aids, and bedding – are critical to her role helping lead the editorial team. When she’s not testing mattresses or researching CBT-I, she enjoys spending time in the sunshine with her husband and her dogs Pepper and Winston.
Our team at Sleep Foundation conducts extensive hands-on tests for each mattress to provide you with the most reliable, data-driven recommendations and reviews. Below are key guidelines that inform our testing methodology:
Our testers lie on the surface of each mattress to evaluate factors such as contouring and support. We also use specialized tools to measure performance criteria like pressure relief, heat retention, and motion isolation.
We test each mattress using various sleep positions to observe whether a mattress is better suited for side, back, or stomach sleeping. We roll around the surface and sit on the edges to gauge ease of movement and perimeter support.
We have tested hundreds of mattresses and bring years of experience in the mattress industry to the test lab. Our testing team covers a wide range of sleep preferences, sleep positions, and body types. This helps us represent as many sleeper types as possible in our reviews.
The Birch Elite Natural is a luxury mattress that stands out for its high-performance design and eco-friendly materials. It features multiple layers of organic latex and coil-on-coil support to deliver comfort, pressure relief, and excellent temperature regulation.
Ratings Summary
Motion Isolation
7/10
Edge Support
7.5/10
Temperature Control
9/10
Ease of Movement
8.5/10
Durability
8/10
Pressure Relief
8/10
Pros
Made with natural, organic, and sustainable materials
Excellent breathability and temperature control
Impressive pressure relief from the latex hybrid design
Birch was founded in 2019 and centers its brand around high-quality mattresses made with natural and eco-friendly materials. The Birch Elite Natural is one of the company’s newest offerings: an extra-tall luxury mattress with a firmness level of medium (5).
Thef interior layers include natural wool, organic latex, minicoils, and thick steel coils, all of which create a balanced feel that supports the spine while softening the impact around major pressure points.
We evaluated the Elite Natural in our Seattle Test Lab to identify its benefits and its drawbacks. We go over our testing team’s findings and cover everything else you need to know to decide if the Birch Elite Natural is the right mattress for you.
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Testing Team Takeaways
To test the Birch Elite Natural Mattress, we had three people on our testing team each take the bed home with them for one week. Here are their initial observations.
Colin Simpson
Product Research Manager
Side sleeper
190 lbs.
Talks in sleep (like a lot)
There was a lot to like about the Birch Elite Natural, but my favorite thing was how it stayed cool. This mattress is a great fit for hot sleepers.
Mary Fenton
Head of Product Content
Combo sleeper
150 lbs.
Sleeps with noise machine
Even though this mattress is softer than what I usually prefer, it still feels stable. With the springy latex and coils, it was also easy for me to switch sleeping positions without fighting against the mattress.
Brad Nehring
Senior Product Analyst
Side sleeper
215 lbs.
Sleeps with a weighted blanket
Like Mary, I was worried this mattress would be too soft, but I actually liked how it cushioned my hips and shoulders without giving out beneath me.
Sleeping Style and Body Weight
Birch Elite Natural
Sleeper Type
Under 130 lbs
130-230 lbs
Above 230 lbs
Side Sleepers
7.5/10
8/10
7/10
Back Sleepers
8.5/10
7/10
6/10
Stomach Sleepers
7.5/10
6/10
5/10
Side Sleepers
During our testing, side sleepers up to 230 pounds gave the Birch Elite Natural high scores for comfort and support. They said the latex gently cushioned their joints to relieve pressure, which helped keep them in a neutral posture with healthy spinal alignment.
Side sleepers over 230 pounds received adequate support from the Elite Natural, but many said that they could feel their hips and shoulders sinking a bit too far into the top layers of the mattress.
Back Sleepers
Among all of our testers, back sleepers under 130 pounds gave the Birch Elite Natural the highest scores. They loved how the mattress lightly cradled the curve in the lumbar region, and they didn’t report any problems with excess sinkage.
The mattress didn’t provide the same level of comfort and support to back sleepers who weigh 130 pounds or more. These sleepers found the Elite Natural a bit too plush, causing their midsection to sag into the mattress and fall out of alignment with the rest of the body.
Stomach Sleepers
Based on our testing, the Birch Elite Natural is only effective for stomach sleepers under 130 pounds. Even though the mattress was a bit too soft for these sleepers, it provided enough support for a comfortable night’s sleep.
In contrast, stomach sleepers weighing 130 pounds or more said this mattress was too soft, and that it did not maintain an even surface for their bodies. This issue was especially noticeable for stomach sleepers over 230 pounds.
Performance Ratings
In addition to the hands-on feedback from our team, we conduct a number of quantitative tests in our Test Lab. The below ratings are based on the experience of our testers.
Motion Isolation
7
/ 10
“A downside of the Elite Natural’s bouncier materials for me was that I could feel some ripple effects when there was movement on the other half of the bed.” – Colin
Our testers said that there was clear motion transfer on the Birch Elite Natural. Springy materials like latex and coils cause vibrations that can travel from one side of the mattress to the other.
In general, our testing team described these vibrations as noticeable but not disruptive. So while this mattress might not be ideal for people who are easily awakened, it should provide sufficient motion isolation for most couples.
Pressure Relief
8
/ 10
“The mix of materials in this mattress made for solidly above-average pressure relief. When lying on my side, I felt like the cushioning around my shoulders and hips was just right.” – Brad
During our tests, the Birch Elite Natural earned high ratings for pressure relief. Different materials are layered to create a balanced feel, which most of our testers said was supportive enough to support spinal alignment while also offering enough cushioning for dependable comfort.
The highest ratings for pressure relief came from side sleepers up to 230 pounds and back and stomach sleepers under 130 pounds. These testers experienced the greatest benefit from the medium (5) feel without sinking too deeply into the bed.
Temperature Control
9
/ 10
“I found that the Elite Natural stayed remarkably cool, especially for a relatively soft mattress. Most other beds that stay this cool are extremely firm and barely cushion your body.” – Mary
Virtually every layer of the Birch Elite Natural contributes to its top-tier temperature control.
The cotton and wool at the top of the mattress are naturally breathable and moisture-wicking. Latex resists overheating, and airflow through both coil layers can keep heat buildup at bay. The optional CoolForce cover is designed to further enhance cooling with interwoven graphite ribbons.
Overall, our testing team raved about the Elite Natural’s ability to stay cool, making it a compelling choice for people who sleep hot or live in warm climates.
Edge Support
7.5
/ 10
“Although the edges felt a bit softer than I’d like, in the end, the edge support was sufficient for me. I definitely didn’t feel like I was going to roll off onto the floor.” – Brad
Most mattresses are weakest around the edges, and our testing team found that to be true for the Birch Elite Natural. With its medium (5) firmness, the mattress has plenty of give, which we noticed most when sitting or lying near the perimeter.
Ultimately, the thick coils in the support core maintain a level of edge support that works for most people. However, people who prioritize extra-strong perimeter support, such as those with mobility limitations, may prefer a mattress with sturdier edges.
Ease of Movement
8.5
/ 10
“I was worried that the softer feel would make it harder to move on this mattress, but I didn’t run into any problems. There’s plenty of bounce to keep you from feeling stuck in place.” – Colin
For our testers, the Birch Elite Natural provided a responsive mattress surface that made it easy to turn over or change sleeping positions during the night.
Latex is known for its bouncy feel, so the three organic latex layers near the top of the mattress prevented our testers from sinking down into the bed. That makes the Elite Natural well-suited to hybrid sleepers and others who value a mattress that’s easy to move on.
Off-Gassing
7.5
/ 10
“As I expected, the Elite Natural gave off very little odor when I set it up. The latex has a bit of a rubbery smell at first, but it’s nothing like the chemical odor you get with foam mattresses.” – Mary
Our testers reported minimal off-gassing from the Birch Elite Natural. They did initially detect a light odor from the latex when first removing the packaging. However, that smell wasn’t offensive and faded away quickly.
The high score in this category is largely a function of the organic and natural materials in this mattress, which don’t emit the chemical compounds that you encounter with other mattresses.
The Birch Elite Natural Mattress is 15 inches tall and has a firmness level of medium, or a 5 on our 1-10 firmness scale.
The mattress cover is made with organic cotton that is light, breathable, and soft to the touch. For an extra fee, you can upgrade the cover with the Birch CoolForce Layer engineered with ribbons of graphite to pull heat away from the body.
The interior of the mattress includes seven different layers. The top layer consists of New Zealand wool that provides breathability and softness while also acting as a natural fire barrier.
The next two layers are both made with natural latex that has been certified by the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS), a third-party program for verifying that production of latex meets strict requirements. These latex layers relieve pressure and give the mattress surface a springy, responsive feel that makes it easier to move in bed.
The next layer contains steel microcoils, which can compress to match the weight and shape of your body. Another layer of organic latex sits beneath the minicoils.
The support core of the Birch Elite Natural features 8-inch pocketed steel coils. These coils give the mattress a robust and sturdy feel, and the coils are reinforced in key areas, such as around the edges and under the midsection. The bottom layer is a fiber pad fire barrier that also absorbs vibrations.
Pocketed coils (zoned, reinforced perimeter)
Fiber pad
Birch Elite Natural Mattress Sizes
The Birch Elite is available in all six standard mattress sizes. Other options, such as split queen or split king, are not available. This mattress is fairly heavy, so lifting and moving it requires two or more people.
Sizes
Dimensions
Height
Weight
Twin
39″ x 75″
15″
99 lbs..
Twin XL
39″ x 80″
15″
99 lbs.
Full
54″ x 75″
15″
119 lbs.
Queen
60″ x 80″
15″
130 lbs.
King
76″ x 80″
15″
145 lbs.
California King
72″ x 84″
15″
145 lbs.
Trial, Warranty, and Shipping Policies
Availability
The Birch Elite Natural Mattress is available to customers in all 50 U.S. states and in Canada. It can be purchased directly from the Birch website, and is also sold in select partner showrooms.
Shipping
Birch offers free ground shipping for the Elite Natural Mattress to all customers in the contiguous United States. Extra charges apply for shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada.
The mattress is usually ready for shipping within 3 to 7 business days after you place an order. Once shipped, it typically reaches addresses in the contiguous U.S. within 5 business days.
The Birch Elite Natural is rolled, compressed, and sealed in plastic so that it can be shipped in a compact box. After the box is delivered to your doorstep, you simply have to carry it inside, unbox the mattress, and let it expand to its full size.
Because of the weight of the Birch Elite Natural, it usually takes two or even three people to carry the box and safely position the mattress.
Additional Services
Birch offers White Glove delivery in the contiguous U.S. states for an added fee of $199. This service is provided by a third-party partner (Ryder), and includes setup of the Elite Natural in your home and removal of your old mattress.
You can add this service to your order during checkout, and Ryder will work with you to schedule a date for delivery and installation.
Sleep Trial
The Birch Elite Natural comes with a 100-night sleep trial. You must test out the mattress for 30 nights before being eligible to request a return.
If you are unhappy with the mattress, you can return it for a refund minus a $99 pickup and removal fee. As an alternative, Birch will facilitate a firmness adjustment by sending a plush or firm latex topper to use with the mattress.
The 100-night sleep trial and topper program are available when purchasing directly from the Birch website. Return terms may be different if you buy the mattress from a retail partner.
Warranty
The Birch Elite Natural comes with a lifetime limited warranty that covers defects in the materials and manufacturing. It does not cover normal wear and tear or damage from accidents or negligence.
The warranty remedy for a defective mattress depends on how long you’ve had the mattress. During the first 10 years, the company will replace or repair any mattress found to be defective.
Starting in year 11, Birch will replace your mattress at a prorated charge of 50% to 75% of the current price of a comparable mattress model.
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Logan is a Certified Sleep Science Coach with a deep understanding of what it means to struggle with sleep. Her years of experience researching and testing sleep products – including mattresses, natural sleep aids, and bedding – are critical to her role helping lead the editorial team. When she’s not testing mattresses or researching CBT-I, she enjoys spending time in the sunshine with her husband and her dogs Pepper and Winston.
