The 5 Best Organic Mattresses of 2023
Updated: Jun. 09, 2023Our top picks for the best organic mattress come from some of the best brands in the business
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Many of us prioritize using organic products in everyday life from growing our own vegetables to choosing eco-friendly household cleaners, but one thing you may not have considered: whether you sleep on a non-toxic mattress.
Eve some of the best mattresses are made using chemicals you may not want to sleep on. “The biggest offender in non-organic mattresses is conventional flame retardants, as well as petroleum-based chemicals,” says Lori Wyman, a spokeswoman for Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS), an organic certification organization. Sleepers who are sensitive to chemicals may sleep better on a certified organic mattress for two reasons, she says: “First, the raw fiber itself grows on an organic farm, so all of the insecticides, fumigants, etc. that happen on conventional farms aren’t present. Second, GOTS reviews every substance included in the processing of its products, so consumers remain assured the final product is the safest available.”
The best organic mattress brands are transparent about which organic materials they’re using and state the certifications they carry. When shopping for a new mattress, check for seals like Certified Organic, Fair Trade Certified, GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard) that indicate compliance with third-party standards, as some brands label materials as “natural” but offer no proof of those claims. To note: These materials often come with a higher price tag, it’s worth checking on sales to find a good deal.
Best organic mattress picks of 2023
- Best overall: Birch Natural
- Best budget: Happsy Organic
- Best for back pain and back sleepers: Avocado Green
- Best for hot sleepers: Nolah Natural 11″
- Best luxury: Saatva Zenhaven
Best organic mattress overall
Birch Natural Mattress
The Birch Natural Mattress earns the spot as the best overall organic mattress that’s suitable for all sleeper types. Birch, owned by the mattress company Helix, makes this hybrid latex mattress that uses organic cotton and wool in the upper comfort layers for ideal pressure relief. The hypoallergenic mattress has a medium-firm feel, and Birch focuses on using materials that are durable and allow for airflow within the bed. Its materials carry certifications from GOTS, Fair Trade, Greenguard Gold, Eco-Intitut or Forest Stewardship.
The Birch Natural Mattress comes in a range of sizes from twin through California king. Unlike most mattress companies, Birch ships beds for free to all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii. What’s more, the mattress comes with a 25-year warranty.
Birch offers customers a 100-night sleep trial, but returns come with a $99 fee. Birch says it always attempts to donate or recycle mattresses that get returned.
Pros
- Made of certified organic cotton, wool and latex
- Handmade in the U.S.
- Strong edge support
- 25-year warranty
- 100-night sleep trial
- Free shipping to all 50 states
Cons
-
$99 return fee
Best budget organic mattress
Happsy Organic Mattress
Organic beds in a box aren’t cheap, but not everyone who prioritizes health for themselves and the planet can afford a new luxury bed. That’s why we were thrilled to discover that Happsy offers high-quality construction and comfort at a full retail price that’s less than what many of the others offer during sales.
Happsy sought many certifications for is materials, including GOTS, GOLS, Forest Stewardship Council, Rainforest Alliance and Greenguard Gold. It also manufactures its mattresses without the use of chemical flame retardants and glues.
You may try a Happsy mattress for 120 days, and if you commit, your bed will have a 20-year warranty.
Pros
- More affordable retail price for organic
- Many third-party certifications
- No flame retardant chemicals or glues
- Company gives 1% of profits to environmental charities
- 120-night trial
- Free returns
- 20-year warranty
Cons
- More coarse cotton cover than some
- Latex smell may last longer than in others
Best organic mattresses for back pain
Avocado Green Mattress
Searching for an organic pick for the best mattress for back pain? The Avocado Green Mattress is an excellent choice. After sleeping on it for one year, our deputy editor, Megan Wood, found one of the major advantages of the Avocado Green was a reduction to her back pain, which helped her sleep more soundly.
The materials that make up Avocado Green are certified by Greenguard Gold, GOTS, GOLS, Made Safe, and Oeko-Tex. The medium-firm mattress features pocketed innerspring coils separated into five zones to provide ergonomic support for those who sleep on their back to reduce or eliminate back pain, and the mattress received an endorsement by the American Chiropractic Association.
Avocado ships to all 50 states for free and offers a generous 1-year sleep trial and a 25-year warranty. However, it charges a $99 fee in the event of a return.
Pros
- Ergonomic zones to support the back and hips
- Many third-party certifications
- One-year sleep trial
- 25-year warranty
- Free shipping to all 50 states
- Vegan-friendly, wool-free option available
Cons
- 30-day break-in period required
- $99 return fee
Best organic mattress for hot sleepers
Nolah Natural 11″
When it comes to the best cooling mattresses, we look for a bed made of exceptionally breathable materials. The Nolah Natural 11″ is a hybrid construction that naturally allows for air to circulate, but the brand’s taken extra steps to make sure the bed sleeps cool and comfortable. The organic wool and cotton cover provide breathability and moisture-wicking. Its Talalay latex has holes punched throughout for maximum airflow. These materials also carry certifications from GOTS, Oeko-Tex, Eco-Institut and Rainforest Alliance.
Nolah describes the mattress as offering a “luxury firm” feel. This is ideal for many sleeping positions, but stomach sleepers might find it too soft.
The Nolah Natural 11 comes with a 120-night sleep trial and a lifetime warranty—and if you waive the sleep trial, you get $100 off the purchase price. On the other hand, if you decide to return it during those 120 days, you’ll pay a $99 fee.
Pros
- Breathable materials for a cooler sleep
- Made of organic cotton, wool, latex and recycled steel coils
- Many third-party certifications
- 120-night sleep trial or $100 off price if you waive it
- Lifetime warranty
- Made to order in the U.S.
Cons
- Could be too soft for stomach sleepers
- $99 return fee
Best luxury organic mattress
Saatva Zenhaven Natural Latex Mattress
Saatva is one of the most well-regarded mattress brands that offer high-quality beds with fantastic company policies. The brand’s luxury Zenhaven Natural Latex Mattress is the best organic mattress if money is no object. The design of the Zenhaven is unique as it’s a flippable mattress that offers two levels of firmness. One side is “Luxury Plush” while the other side offers a “Gentle Firm” feel that could be the best mattress for side sleepers who often feel best on a softer bed for pressure relief. The bed’s dual sides also make the bed excellent for those who aren’t sure which firmness level they prefer.
While the price tag is steeper than some mattresses, high-quality materials are often worth the price and Saatva sweetens the deal with extra benefits. The mattress comes with free “white-glove” delivery, so the team will set up the bed and also haul away your old mattress. Like the others on this list, Zenhaven’s materials are certified by GOTS, GOLS, Greenguard and Eco-Institut.
The Zenhaven mattress comes with a 1-year sleep trial (though returns will cost you $99), and Saatva offers a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Thoughtful construction with premium materials
- Flippable mattress with different firmness levels on each side
- Multiple third-party certifications
- Free white-glove delivery and removal of old mattress
- 365-night sleep trial
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- $99 return fee
What to consider when buying an organic mattress
Before buying a new mattress, it’s worth considering a few points. It helps to identify which type of mattress one sleeps best on. Some people sleep best on a plush memory-foam bed while others prefer a firm mattress supported by coils. Our choices for the best organic mattress include several firmness levels that’ll suit all sleeper types. The best organic mattress is one that matches sleep preferences in terms of material, price and company policies.
If you’re opting for an organic mattress, it’s also worth investing in organic sheets and organic pillows, too.
Types of organic mattresses
Mattress types include memory foam, hybrid, innerspring and air mattresses. The majority of the best organic mattresses in our list are hybrid beds that combine pressure-relieving wool and latex layers with the support of coils. The Saatva Zenhaven, however, is a latex mattress with no coils, which is ideal for people who want less motion transfer.
If you have an allergy to latex or wool, it could be worth checking with a doctor before buying a new organic mattress, as many use these particular natural materials in their construction. Some brands indicate if their latex and wool are safe for those with allergies, so be sure to read the fine print.
How we found the best organic mattress
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
FAQs
What is an organic mattress?
An organic mattress is a bed that contains materials that are certified organic by third-party organizations. Many mattresses use natural materials, but organic mattresses will carry proof of using organic materials.
When shopping for an organic mattress, you’ll have plenty of options including hybrid mattresses and the popular bed-in-a-box design.
What is an organic mattress made of?
Most organic mattresses use cotton, wool, latex and innerspring coils. When shopping for the best organic mattress, be on the lookout for valid certifications. GOTS, GOLS, Greenguard, Oeko-Tex, Rainforest Alliance and Eco-Institut are common certifications.
Do organic mattresses last long?
An organic mattress will typically have the same lifespan as a non-organic mattress.
Give your mattress the longest lifespan possible by using a mattress protector that’ll keep it free from moisture, stains and bed bugs. If the mattress comes with a removable cover, it’s worth laundering it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If not, check out the guide on how to clean a mattress.
Source:
- Lori Wyman, spokeswoman for Global Organic Textile Standard
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