There are a lot of reasons to begin looking into latex mattresses. Although it isn’t as common as other materials, latex foam makes for a comfortable bed that will last a long time. Latex foam is more breathable than memory and polyfoam and still gives a lot of support and pressure relief. Plus, if you get a natural or organic one, it won’t off-gas or release chemicals into your home, as many other bed-in-a-box mattresses do.
I’ve tested over 100 different mattresses, many of which were made with latex foam. I rounded up my picks for the best latex mattress and primarily took materials, price, firmness and notable certifications into consideration. Whether you’re looking for the best latex mattress for side sleepers or the best firm model, I have you covered.
The prices listed are for queen-size mattresses.
The Awara mattress is the best latex bed made for all body types. It boasts natural Dunlop latex, organic cotton and New Zealand wool as the comfort layers, and pocketed coils in the base layer. It’s rated around a medium-firm firmness level, making it supportive with ample pressure relief. Other latex mattress competitors are on the firm end of the spectrum. Awara also has a very affordable price tag, especially for a natural and organic latex bed.
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Many mattresses have latex foam in one layer, but our best latex mattress list only includes beds that use latex foam as their primary comfort layers. A latex mattress has a distinct feel that’s supportive and pressure-relieving at the same time. They also tend to be made with natural and organic materials, another major part of their appeal.
There’s something about latex beds, especially latex hybrid beds, that puts them on the firm end of the spectrum. We tried to limit the number of very firm (10 out of 10 on the firmness scale) beds because they cater to a smaller number of sleepers.
If a bed uses organic and natural materials, it’s going to be more expensive than your average foam mattress. Think of it like organic produce versus the regular kind; you always fork out more money for the organic stuff. We included organic beds from different points on the price scale, from budget-friendly to expensive.
There are two categories of latex foam: natural and synthetic. Dunlop and Talalay latex foams are natural and sourced from the great outdoors. To achieve that supportive and soft latex foam feel at a cheaper price, some mattress brands create synthetic latex. It looks and feels like latex foam, but it’s made in a factory. If you don’t necessarily value the eco-friendly part of natural and organic mattresses you can opt for a synthetic latex foam bed and save more money.
There’s a difference between a natural bed and an organic one. Organic mattresses must have GOLS-certified latex foam, and GOTS-certified cotton and wool. It’s more difficult to achieve these certifications because the brand must follow strict standards at every point of the supply chain, from sourcing to manufacturing.
See more: Mattress certifications explained
The best latex mattress will cater to your sleeping position.
Natural latex comes from the sap of rubber trees, also called rubber serum, which is collected, foamed, poured into molds and baked into pure latex layers. Each rubber tree can be harvested for about 24 years, and it isn’t necessary to cut down the tree to collect sufficient sap, nor does it harm the tree. If you are as concerned about the planet as you are about getting a good night’s sleep, then natural latex mattresses might be the best mattress option for you.
Depending upon which form of latex is being made, another of two processes are followed to make the final latex used in mattresses: Dunlop or Talalay. Talalay latex is made using a more modernized process, but when it comes down to the feel of your bed, you can hardly tell the difference.
