Birch Mattress Review

Motion isolation refers to how well a mattress absorbs movement from sleepers and prevents this motion from spreading to other areas of the bed. Responsive mattresses tend to generate more motion transfer, which can be disruptive for co-sleepers. Models that excel at motion isolation will eliminate most, if not all, motion transfer.

The Birch Mattress falls in the middle of that spectrum. The wool batting and latex layers absorb some movement, but not to the same extent as adaptive polyfoam and memory foam. The latex is fairly responsive, as well, and the coil system adds extra bounciness to the surface.

If you and/or your sleep partner tend to wake up due to slight movements in bed, then the Birch Mattress may be too disruptive. However, the mattress absorbs some motion and motion transfer should not be too excessive for most when one of you moves around in bed.

If you frequently feel pressure in the shoulders, lower back, hips, and other areas of the body, your mattress may be at least partly to blame. The best mattress for pressure relief will keep your body on an even plane without sinking too much beneath areas where you carry more weight. The comfort layer should also conform to the body in order to evenly distribute your weight.

The Birch Mattress does not contour very closely, as the wool batting layer is not particularly adaptive. While the latex does conform to a noticeable extent, you won’t feel the same body hug that you would from foam.

That said, the mattress is very supportive and shouldn’t sink too much beneath the torso and hips. This makes the Birch Mattress well suited to people who weigh at least 130 pounds, regardless of their sleep position, though back sleepers will probably feel most comfortable.

The Birch Mattress contains several components that promote cooling and temperature neutrality. The wool batting layer is very breathable and also has natural moisture-wicking properties. The latex is also ventilated with small holes, which keeps airflow moving to the surface of the mattress.

The coil system also plays a role in temperature regulation. Like the ventilated latex, the coils promote steady air currents that help to stabilize the bed’s core temperature. The mattress also has a GOTS-certified organic cotton cover that is also very breathable.

The bed has a medium firm feel and shouldn’t sink excessively. This means you’ll feel more airflow on the surface. By contrast, beds that conform closely and sink deeply tend to bottle in more body heat.

Above-average temperature control is a common trait for latex hybrid models. If you’re a hot sleeper, then the Birch Mattress will likely provide enough cooling for you to rest comfortably in bed.

When you get on and off most mattresses, you’ll notice at least a little sinkage along the edges. Some beds are equipped with sturdy support components that prevent you from sinking in too far. Others will sink to a problematic extent. Depending on a mattress’s degree of edge support, you may have trouble getting in and out of bed, or feel less secure sleeping near the perimeter.

The Birch Mattress offers very good edge support. This can primarily be attributed to two factors. For one, the mattress has a medium firm feel and doesn’t conform very closely, so you’ll notice very little surface-level sinkage.

The other factor is the bed’s support core, as coils generally provide the best edge support The Birch Mattress takes it a step further with its zoned support layer that has thicker coils along the perimeter and thinner coils beneath your body. This ensures minimal sinkage along the edges and more comfort for your body. Even if you weigh more than 230 pounds, edge support should not be a major issue with this mattress.

Feeling “trapped by the mattress” is a common complaint among those who own softer beds. If the comfort layers sink excessively, you’ll probably have a hard time getting in and out of bed. Changing sleep positions can also be somewhat difficult.

The Birch Mattress is easy to move across thanks to its construction. The latex layer has a naturally responsive feel to keep you on an even plane as you move on the surface. The coils also deliver strong support.

People who weigh more than 230 pounds will likely notice more sinkage on this mattress, but not to a problematic extent. For those who weigh 230 pounds or less, the mattress should present little to no difficulty.

As we’ve discussed, the Birch Mattress is quite responsive thanks to its latex and coil layers. Most couples prefer springiness over sinkage when it comes to sex. Some bounciness on the surface ensures you and your partner can move across the mattress without feeling trapped or stuck. However, the Birch Mattress also conforms enough to deliver some traction. This allows you to stay in the same position for longer periods of time.

The zoned edge support of this mattress also allows you to use the entire surface, as opposed to feeling confined to the middle, and the bed’s above-average temperature control helps keep you from overheating. The pocketed coils are fairly quiet and discreet, as well. Bottom line: the Birch Mattress offers a lot of attributes that the majority of couples consider beneficial for sex.

Off-gassing refers to initial odors you’ll most likely notice after unboxing your mattress. Foam beds are notorious for their “new mattress smells,” which come from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that carry a distinct chemical odor. Latex mattresses also emit some odor, but less so. Many people describe latex off-gassing as rubber-like.

The Birch Mattress probably won’t cling to its off-gassing smells for too long. The ventilated latex and coil layers should flush out most unwanted odors in a matter of days. If these smells persist, try setting the mattress in a well-ventilated room to air out for another day or two.