The best organic mattresses are made with materials that have been certified by an official organization that oversees practices and sources. Latex rubber is sourced from tree milk, but the latex alone is not enough to build a mattress; synthetic, or man-made, materials are also part of the final product. Organic testing for mattresses includes testing the materials for harmful emissions and determining how much synthetic material has been added to the latex. Other materials may be certified based on cruelty-free sourcing and whether the source is sustainable.
Eco-conscious shoppers will be happy to know that there are several high-quality organic beds available. Sleeping on an organic mattress can help you to sleep easier, knowing that you’re not exposed to unnecessary chemicals or contributing to the destruction of forests and animal lives. But with so many choices, finding the best organic mattress may feel overwhelming.
In this review, our Handbook Team recommends organic mattresses that have held up to our own testing standards and that have been certified organic by official governing bodies. However, if you’re purchasing a new mattress to help address pain or medical conditions, the wrong mattress can potentially worsen your pain. Our HandBook Team recommends consulting your health care provider for advice.
“People’s sleeping positions and surfaces can significantly impact pain,” says Peter Hinz, doctor of chiropractic at Cool Springs Chiropractic in Franklin, Tennessee. “An improper sleeping position or a mattress that is too firm or soft can put added pressure on certain areas, leading to pain and discomfort.”
Buying a mattress is highly personal; what feels best for our testers may not feel right for you. We encourage you to visit a mattress showroom to see the mattresses in person, where possible, and after purchase, use the mattress’s full trial period before committing to it. Most brands offer a trial period of 100 nights or more.
Best organic mattress overall
After researching, evaluating, and testing more than twenty organic mattresses, we picked the Birch Natural as the best organic mattress overall. We appreciate the company’s solid all-around score, their dedication to using high-end, natural products, and their reasonable prices.
Our Pick of the Best Organic Mattresses
- Birch Natural: Best organic mattress overall
- WinkBed EcoCloud: Best organic mattress for side sleepers
- Saatva Latex Hybrid: Best organic latex mattress
- EcoSleep by Brooklyn Bedding: Most affordable organic mattress
- PlushBeds Botanical Bliss: Most comfortable organic mattress
- Awara: Best organic mattress for back pain
- Nolah Natural: Best organic hybrid mattress
- Avocado Green: Best organic mattress for couples
- Zenhaven by Saatva: Best luxury organic mattress
HelpGuide Handbook for organic mattresses
Here are the five most important things to know about organic mattresses:
Organic mattresses are made with natural, certified, non-toxic organic materials.
Organic mattresses lessen your exposure to chemicals and are more environmentally friendly.
Typically, organic mattresses cost more than standard mattresses, but manufacturers often run sales.
The best mattress sales are usually found around: President’s Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Black Friday.
The best organic mattress for you often depends on your preferred sleep position and body type.
Compare the best organic mattresses in 2024
| Price | $1,373.80–$2,248.80 | $1,399–$2,399 | $1,495–$3,190 | $899–$1,898 | $2,449–$4,248 | $1,299–$1,999 | $1,499–$3,398 | $1,399–$3,999 | $1,995–$4,545 |
| Firmness | Medium-firm (7/10) | Medium-firm (6.5/10) | Firm (7.5/10) | Multiple firmness levels | Multiple Firmness Options | Medium-Firm(6.5/10) | Medium-Soft (6/10) | Medium-Soft (6/10) | Multiple Firmness Options |
| Material | Organic Latex | Latex | Hybrid | Latex | Latex | Latex | Hybrid | Hybrid | Latex |
| Cooling | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 25 years | Lifetime Trial | Lifetime warranty | 10 years | Lifetime | Limited Lifetime | Lifetime | 25-year limited | Lifetime Trial |
| Trial period | 100 nights | 120 nights | 365 nights | 120 nights | 100 nights | 365 nights | 120 nights | 365 nights | 365 nights |
| Best for | Back and stomach combination sleepers | Side and combination sleepers | Back sleepers | Most sleepers | Back sleepers | Those with back pain | Back and side sleepers | Couples | Back and side sleepers |
*Cost of mattress excluding promotions, discounts, and shipping charges.
The best organic mattresses reviews
Best organic mattress overall: Birch Natural
Why we chose the Birch Natural as the best organic mattress overall
The Birch Natural is a well-rounded and reasonably priced organic mattress that stands out from the pack thanks to its cooling capabilities. It’s also incredibly breathable, with organic wool to help keep you cozy while also helping to regulate your body temperature, making this a good choice for people who sleep hot.
We recommend this comfortable mattress for back and stomach combination sleepers because the bouncy latex helps them to change positions more easily while still being well supported in either of their preferred sleep positions. The mattress feels tight and springy and provides excellent lift and support.
From our tester
“The Birch Natural is a great bed for sex. Sexually active people should enjoy how easy it is to move around. You don’t have to worry about feeling stuck in this mattress.”
Conversely, the firmness of this bed may be a little unforgiving for side sleepers. There isn’t a lot of body-contouring or sinking into the Birch Natural, as it gives a more “on top” of the mattress feel. This could cause pressure to build up around the hips and shoulders for side sleepers.
When our testers unpacked the Birch Natural, they noted that the mattress had a strong off-gassing, a chemical smell that isn’t harmful, but which can be unpleasant for some people. The Birch’s off-gassing scent lingered for over 24 hours. If possible, allow your mattress to air out in a well-ventilated area before using it.
The Birch Natural is available in a children’s version, making it a great mattress for kids.
Best organic mattress for side sleepers: WinkBed EcoCloud
Why we chose the WinkBed EcoCloud as the best organic mattress for side sleepers
WinkBed has gone above and beyond to make the EcoCloud an environmentally friendly mattress. It uses natural Talalay latex, organic cotton and wool, and recycled coils, making it incredibly sustainable. The zoned support system provides more support around heavier body parts and a softer touch around the shoulders and hips.
Many side sleepers should find both the support and sinkage a great fit for their preferred sleep position. Additionally, we think couples will enjoy this bed thanks to its bounce, cooling, and edge support. On the other hand, too much mattress bounce can lead to high motion transfer, which may give pause to those who are easily awakened by the movements of a restless partner.
From our tester
“The WinkBed EcoCloud is one of the most sustainable mattresses we’ve tested.”
WinkBed recommends rotating the EcoCloud 180 degrees a couple of times a month for the first three months and then once a month afterward. This isn’t a requirement, of course, but a suggestion for ensuring your mattress gets even wear and doesn’t prematurely sag in areas that get the most body weight. Considering this mattress is heavy due to the latex material, it may be unwieldy to move, especially if you’re doing it by yourself.
While we appreciate this mattress’s eco-friendly materials, they do affect the price tag. If you’re shopping on a budget, there may be a better fit for you.
Best organic latex mattress: Saatva Latex Hybrid
Why we chose the Saatva Latex Hybrid as the best organic latex mattress
Of the latex mattresses the Handbook Team has tested, we believe the Saatva Latex Hybrid stands above the rest. In addition to its environmentally friendly approach to materials, this bed scored very well on performance tests for responsiveness, cooling, and edge support. The medium-firm surface of the mattress allows for the spine to stay naturally curved—also called neutral spinal alignment—with neither too much sinkage or firmness, which helped reduce back pain for our testers. While the medium-firmness of this mattress could work for people who sleep mostly on their back or stomach, it may be too firm for side sleepers.
From our tester
“Combining cozy latex layers with sturdy, individually pocketed coils, the Saatva Latex Hybrid has excellent bounce, and allows for easy movement.”
The responsive nature of latex can have an adverse effect on motion isolation. With the Saatva Latex Hybrid, we found that although the responsiveness was great for moving from one position to another, it might not be an advantage for people who sleep with restless partners or pets.
The Saatva Latex Hybrid is recommended for back and stomach sleepers, and we feel it would be a good mattress for couples.
To learn more about this brand, read our in-depth Saatva review.
Most affordable organic mattress: Brooklyn Bedding EcoSleep
Why we chose the Brooklyn Bedding EcoSleep as the most affordable organic mattress
The best organic mattresses are made with top-of-the-line materials that are safe from toxic chemicals. As a result, the price tag for an organic, non-toxic mattress can be considerably higher than a non-organic mattress. The EcoSleep, however, is an organic mattress that provides sustainability and comfort at an affordable price—a queen size mattress is priced around $1,000 during sales. It also has the extra advantage of being flippable, with medium on one side and firm on the other, so you can vary your sleep experience.
This medium-firm bed is appealing to many different types of sleepers, but we think that back and stomach sleepers will benefit the most from the supportive nature of the EcoSleep. The latex is responsive and cool, allowing for easy mobility and exceptional temperature regulation.
From our tester
“Compared to other organic mattresses, Brooklyn Bedding’s EcoSleep provides sustainable, chemical-free materias at an affordable price.”
As with all beds, this affordable mattress works better for some sleep positions and body types than others. The EcoSleep is likely to be too firm for side sleepers and lightweight people. These folks often need a softer surface that allows for some contouring or sinkage, and may experience excess pressure build-up around their pressure points. The responsiveness of the latex makes this a great bed for people who change positions during sleep, but its lack of motion isolation can mean that people with restless partners may have trouble getting quality sleep. Couples may also be adversely affected by the lack of strong edge support.
Most comfortable organic mattress: PlushBeds Botanical Bliss
Why we chose the PlushBeds Botanical Bliss as the most comfortable organic mattress
The PlushBeds Botanical Bliss takes comfort and sustainability seriously. This mattress is made with Greenguard Gold-certified materials, meaning they have met emissions standards that state that they are free of formaldehyde and other harmful gasses. Materials include soft, springy, Talalay latex from the Arpico rubber tree plantation in Sri Lanka, Eco-Institut certified Dunlop latex, and dust mite and mildew-resistant organic cotton and wool.
The Talalay latex makes the Botanical Bliss very responsive to pressure, so you needn’t worry about feeling “stuck” in your mattress due to sinkage, while the Dunlop latex gives the bed a firm core that supports proper spinal alignment. We tested the medium version (6.5/10), and our testers found the mattress supportive and comfortable. The mattress scored well in pressure relief, although side sleepers may experience some pressure on their shoulders and hips.
Latex has a different feel than its memory foam counterparts. If you’re looking for a slow-moving, less responsive bed that makes you feel like you’re being wrapped in a hug, a memory foam mattress may be a better fit for you.
From our tester
“Unlike many other latex beds, the Botanical Bliss does a great job isolating motion. This combined with its responsiveness and bounce makes it an excellent choice for couples.”
The combination of naturally cooling latex and temperature regulating wool make the Botanical Bliss a good option for people who are looking for a bed that will keep them cool throughout the night. The eco-friendly comfort of this bed comes with a fairly steep price tag, though, which may be a deterrence for budget shoppers.
Best organic mattress for back pain: Awara Natural Hybrid
Why we chose the Awara Natural Hybrid as the best organic mattress for back pain
We tested the Awara using heat mapping technology to find out where pressure forms on the body when lying on this mattress. The organic Dunlop latex foam gently filled our tester’s lumbar (lower back) region while also preventing their hips from sinking too far into the mattress.
From our tester
Those who sleep with a restless partner may prefer a bed with more motion isolation. While the Awara hybrid is designed to reduce the transfer of motion, our tests found that many movements traveled from one side of the bed to the other. And while the Awara does offer some contouring, it is likely to be too firm for side sleepers. These folks might experience pressure build up around the shoulders and hips and would likely feel more comfortable on a softer mattress that allows for pressure relief in these areas.
People who change positions during sleep (combination sleepers) and those with mobility issues will likely appreciate the Awara’s responsiveness. The combination of bouncy latex and coils in this bed made it easy for our testers to reposition their bodies, which can be beneficial for easing back pain. The Awara’s excellent responsiveness also makes it a great mattress for sex.
Best hybrid organic mattress: Nolah Natural
Why we chose the Nolah Natural as the best hybrid organic mattress
The Nolah Natural is a comfortable and durable eco-friendly hybrid mattress made with organic cotton and GOTS-certified wool, Talalay latex, and support coils. Our testers loved the responsiveness and bounce of the latex, and we feel the coils make it an excellent bed for sexual activities. These features can also benefit people with mobility issues and combination sleepers as they change positions through the night. Additionally, the combination of naturally cooling latex and the open structure of the coils helps dissipate body heat to keep sleepers cool.
We also liked the pressure-relieving sinkage for side and back sleepers, though stomach sleepers and higher-weight people may find the softness allows for too much sink in the middle of the body, which can potentially result in back pain due to the curvature of the spine.
The Nolah Natural has strong edge support, which provides stability when sitting on the edge of the bed and allows sleepers to utilize the whole sleeping surface without feeling like they’ll fall out.
The Nolah stood out to our team for another reason, too: mattress handles. Mattress handles may seem inconsequential. A lot of mattress companies don’t include them, or they’re made of light material, making it awkward to flip, rotate, or relocate the mattress. However, we were impressed with the sturdy handles on the Nolah Natural, as they made moving the mattress around our testing lab more convenient.
From our tester
“The hypoallergenic and organic Nolah Natural hybrid is made with high-end materials, including Talalay latex and coils that provide breathability, coolness, and pressure relief.”
The Nolah Natural uses durable, high-quality, organic materials. As you may expect, this places the Nolah on the higher end of the price range, which may put it out of reach for some shoppers. Also, although it has great responsiveness and solid edge support, the Nolah Natural lacks motion isolation. Therefore, while it works well for couples across some categories, for those who are easily awakened by restless partners or pets, it may be best to avoid this bed.
Best organic mattress for couples: Avocado Green
Why we chose the Avocado Green as the best organic mattress for couples
Couples looking for an organic bed that will allow both partners to sleep and reposition easily will want to check out the Avocado Green. This mattress is made with top-of-the-line materials that have been certified for environmentally friendly manufacturing, low emissions, and sustainable practices. For a bed made from latex and coils, it has pretty good motion isolation, which people who sleep with restless partners should appreciate.
But the Avocado Green truly shines for couples when it comes to bounce and responsiveness. These features allow sexually active couples to move and change positions with ease. And considering that sharing a bed can create more warmth than sleeping alone, the naturally cooling properties of the latex and coils help to keep sleepers cool throughout the night. Additionally, couples who like to stretch out will be happy to utilize the entire surface of this bed, thanks to its solid edge support. The king-size mattress, in particular, is also couple-friendly.
From our tester
“The Avocado Green scored highly across categories that are important to couples, including motion transfer, edge support, responsiveness, and cooling. “
This is a firm bed with a high weight capacity that should work well for many plus-size couples. However, lightweight couples, especially those who sleep on their side, aren’t as likely to find this bed comfortable. Its firmness level doesn’t allow for much body contouring and pressure relief in the hips and shoulders.
Best luxury organic mattress: Zenhaven by Saatva
Why we chose the Saatva Zenhaven as the best luxury organic mattress
The Zenhaven is an organic, hypoallergenic mattress made with high-quality natural ingredients like Talalay latex to provide a luxurious sleeping surface. This mattress is flippable, an uncommon feature that allows you to choose from two firmness options: luxury plush and gentle firm.
This eco-friendly mattress pulls out all the stops when it comes to luxury touches, and it caters to many different sleepers. In addition to its high-end characteristics, the Zenhaven is solidly built, and we think it would be a good choice for plus-size sleepers who weigh up to 300 pounds.
From our tester
“The versatility of having two firmness levels available in one mattress, along with durable, organic materials, make this luxury bed an exceptional choice for many sleepers.“
Luxurious, organic materials aren’t cheap. Therefore, this luxury mattress is going to be more expensive than many others on the market. While the durable, high-quality materials justify the cost, they may be out of some people’s budgets. Also, those who like to sleep more “in the bed” than “on top of it” may find the bounciness of the latex off-putting.
What makes a mattress organic?
Organic mattresses are made with certified organic and all-natural materials, such as latex, wool and cotton, hemp fibers, and other sustainable materials, which are used in place of synthetic. Specific certifications are an indication that the substances in a mattress are indeed organic. These include the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), which uses independent third-party testing to look at the entire supply chain and ensure cotton is grown and processed in a manner that meets specific ecological and social benchmarks; and the Global Organic Latex Standard, which is a similar process for latex.
OEKO-Tex is another certification that indicates a mattress has been tested to ensure it’s free of harmful substances, and both Greenguard Gold and the UL Environment’s Formaldehyde Free label certify that a mattress is free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and formaldehyde.
What to consider when buying the best organic mattress for you
The best mattress is one that meets your personal needs and preferences. Here’s what to keep in mind as you shop.
Mattress type
Mattresses are made with a variety of materials, which influence how it feels and performs. You won’t find organic memory foam mattresses because memory foam is a synthetic material, but you can find organic beds made with multiple layers of latex. The Saatva Zenhaven and the PlushBeds Botanical Bliss are both latex mattresses. Many organic picks are hybrid mattresses, combining organic materials in the comfort layers with recycled steel coils in the support layer. It’s rare to find an innerspring mattress that’s entirely organic.
Body type
Individual body types and weights can steer you toward mattresses made with appropriate materials and constructions. The best mattress for heavy people is specifically engineered to support more weight. A combination of latex and reinforced recycled steel springs is a good fit for heavyweight sleepers in an organic mattress.
Body type also affects how soft or firm a mattress feels. The heavier you are, the more you’ll sink into a mattress and the softer it will feel. Lightweight sleepers, on the other hand, often find many mattresses feel quite firm because they lack the weight to sink in sufficiently. Being mindful of your body type and weight can help you choose a mattress with the right firmness level.
Sleeping position
Your dominant sleeping position can help you choose the most appropriate mattress firmness. Side sleepers benefit from a mattress that’s soft enough to yield around the hips and shoulders, without sacrificing support that keeps the spine aligned. Back sleepers should consider a firmer mattress to ensure a straight spine, while stomach sleepers often do best with additional firmness to keep the hips properly elevated. If you’re a combination sleeper, medium-firm mattresses are often a good choice, but it’s important to consider the position you sleep in the most.
Certifications
It’s not enough for a company to simply call a mattress organic. Look for specific certifications as you compare organic mattresses, including:
- GOTS: This third-party certification signals that at least 95% of the fibers in a mattress are organic.
- GOLS: This is another third-party certification signifying that at least 95T% of the latex in a mattress is raw and organic.
- Greenguard Gold: This is a sign that a mattress has met the standard for chemical emissions.
- Oeko-Tex Standard 100: This textile-specific standard means a mattress has been tested for harmful substances.
Our mattress testing methodology
The Handbook Team hand-tests every mattress we review. We evaluate brands and models by recording our findings on a 42-question standardized testing form to identify standout features and services, document issues with each product, and describe our personal experience lying on each mattress. For example, we record:
- Firmness score and whether the mattress is best for back, side, or stomach sleepers.
- Starting temperature of the mattress and how much it heats up after two testers lie on the mattress for five minutes.
- How many times a 10-pound ball bounces on the mattress after dropping from a height of two feet in order to arrive at a mattress bounce score.
We paid close attention to specific considerations that sleepers of all ages seek, as identified by respondents in our survey of 600 mattress owners. This included price, features, and the set-up process. We also interviewed real people to better understand the motivations behind shopping for a new mattress as well as the benefits of purchasing one.
Purchase mattress as mystery shoppers.
Set up mattress in testing lab.
Lie on mattress and rank firmness.
Lie on back, side, and stomach to find the best sleeping position.
Place 10-pound ball in mattress center and measure sinkage.
Find biggest pressure points using pressure map reading.
Evaluate cooling capabilities by recording temperature differences.
Drop 10-pound ball onto mattress to measure bounce score.
Test motion isolation.
Test edge support.
Calculate composite “sex” and “family” scores.
As our testers evaluated each brand and its features, we considered why many people choose a new mattress in the first place. Of our respondents, 42 percent decided to purchase a new mattress for “improved comfort and support for better sleep,” while only seven percent did so for “pain relief and targeted support.” The most common pain respondents wanted relieved was lower back pain.
Despite only 42 percent of respondents prioritizing comfort and support for better sleep when shopping for a new mattress, 68 percent reported they sleep longer on their new mattress and 49 percent and 45 percent, respectively, said their stress and anxiety had improved after switching to their new mattress. Almost all mattress owners we surveyed (95 percent) were at least somewhat satisfied with their new mattress. We consulted sleep experts, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and pain specialists to understand what mattresses offer that make an overwhelmingly positive impact.
According to our survey
According to our survey, about 80 percent of all respondents said their new mattress helps them sleep better, and 65 percent reported improved mental health.
In order to focus on the mattresses themselves, we structured our test designs to objectively rank each one based on a range of criteria. For example, we tested things like bounce, edge support (the sturdiness of your mattress edge), and cooling capabilities the same way on each mattress and compared the results. That way we can accurately compare each mattress’ score in an unbiased way while also sharing our subjective point of view as mattress testers and experts.
Lastly, we compared warranty lengths, trial periods, and white glove delivery (in-home delivery and setup) options. While most brands offer warranties, not all are comprehensive. And many brands on the market don’t have free white glove delivery. This could be a deal-breaker if you’re nervous to invest in a new mattress because you’re worried the bed won’t get set up properly or offer what you need.
For more information on our testing, see our methodology.
From our tester
“During our research, we realized that the brand’s firmness scale and perceived firmness aren’t always the same. We decided to report how firm we thought the mattress felt so that you can gain a different perspective, but more importantly, feel confident about what you’re purchasing.”
A note on our testing
We acknowledge that every body is different, and what feels comfortable to one person may not feel comfortable to another. Throughout our reviews, we refer to weight categories as light (below 130 pounds), average (130 to 250 pounds), and heavy (above 250 pounds) to distinguish between body weights.
Typically, lighter-weight sleepers perceive mattresses to feel firmer than they are, and higher-weight sleepers perceive mattresses to feel softer than they are. Keep in mind that most mattresses are designed for the average-weight person.
Frequently asked questions
For a mattress to be considered organic, it should be made with certified organic and other all-natural materials. Latex, organic wool and cotton, hemp fibers, and other sustainable materials are used in place of synthetic materials. For a bed to be called organic, it should be free of toxins and chemicals.
Sleeping on an organic mattress is a way for people to avoid exposure to toxins, which makes them safer. Organic mattresses are free from harsh chemicals and are typically made with materials such as naturally sourced latex, organic cotton, organic, cruelty-free wool, and recycled steel (for spring coils).
Organic mattresses are eco-friendly and chemical free. Therefore, they can be an excellent choice for both the planet and you. The materials and construction of organic mattresses are not as taxing on the environment and they can help limit your exposure to unnecessary chemicals.
- Scott, A.J., Webb, T.L., Martyn-St James, M., Rowse, G., & Weich, S. (2021). Improving sleep quality leads to better mental health: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 60, 101556. Link