What’s The Big Deal About Natural Latex?
Natural latex is a material that is obtained from the sap of the rubber tree and is characteristically flexible and springy. Latex tends to feel very soft and plush at first touch, however, the responsiveness of the latex causes it to firm up as pressure is applied, giving full and adequate support.
When used in a mattress, this elasticity of the latex allows it to conform comfortably to your body’s shape while providing great pressure relief where the body needs it most. As a result, the user is guaranteed a restful and rejuvenating night’s sleep. When looking at the benefits of natural latex mattresses, it’s no surprise they continue to stay at the top of consumer reviews.
Quick Look at Our Top 5 Picks
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Why Is A Latex Mattress More Expensive?
As an all natural product, the process of collecting sap from the rubber tree and processing it into latex is an expensive and time-consuming procedure. To curve cost, many mattress manufacturers have layered their mattress with a top layer of latex foam and under layers of varying complimentary foams.
Our list will also reflect this trend, with some of our choices having only a layer of latex foam, while others may be completely latex foam.
In addition to its complicated production, natural latex has other valuable benefits that could help explain its more expensive price tag. First, it is extremely durable and lasts much longer than a mattress produced with other materials. While the average lifespan of a typical natural latex mattress is 15-20 years, some have lasted up to 40 years.
Next, natural latex has an open cell structure which allows the mattress to breathe and sleep cooler than competition foams. Lastly, latex is dust mite, mildew, and mold resistant. So, choosing a latex mattress could even help relieve allergies and reduce congestion, helping get a sounder sleep.
Editor’s Choice for Best Natural Latex Mattresses
- 100% Talalay latex construction
- Two firmness options in one mattress
- Extremely durable and long lasting
- 5 support zones
The Zenhaven by Zaatva
The Zenhaven mattress is produced by Saatva, a company focused on delivering all-natural eco-friendly products to eco-conscious customers. Either side of the Zenhaven mattress can be used as the top, making it quite unique and giving it an added advantage to its competitors. The luxury plush side makes for a very comfy cozy feel as it hugs the curves of the body. If soft isn’t your thing, simply flip the mattress over for a completely different feel. This opposite side has a gentle-firm feel which is suited to those who prefer a more supportive and stiff feel.
The cover is made from soft 100% all natural organic cotton woven together with a flame retardant barrier made up of 100% organic New Zealand wool. Under the cover, the Zenhaven is completely constructed from 100% natural Talalay latex. As we said before, the Zenhaven is flippable, so the construction is a bit different than traditional foam mattresses. The top layer is 1 ½” of luxury plush Talalay latex, this is for the soft side, while the bottom layer is a 1 ½” layer of gentle-firm Talalay latex, which is used for the firm side. Sandwiched between these two comfort layers is 6 inches of core Talalay latex foam. They have also created a seamless mattress with 5 different density zones by adding pinholes to the mattress in varying sizes and locations.
Saatva is proud to produce the Zenhaven in the USA with pure American natural Talalay latex. ZenHaven is able to fill orders more efficiently and with a smaller carbon footprint by not using latex imports.
Pros:
- All Natural Product
- 2-in-1 Firmness Options
- Great Durability
- Good Motion Transfer
- Free Setup
- 5-Zone Support
Cons:
- A Bit Pricier
- Heavy and Hard To Move
- Lacking Edge Support
Linenspa 10” Latex Hybrid
Although our next choice is the cheapest and most budget-friendly, it doesn’t mean it’s low quality. Linenspa may not offer all the bells and whistles that some of its competitors do, but they have made a great name for themselves in a tough market that’s driven by user experience and reviews.
The Linenspa latex hybrid is a marriage of foam, latex, and coils. They believe they have found just the right combination of these three factors to offer a mattress that is responsive, comfortable, and supportive. This 10-inch mattress is made up of a cover, 1-inch quilted fast response foam, a comfort layer, 2-inches fast response foam and latex, and a base, 7-inches individually encased coils with foam edge support.
Latex is an open cell foam that does a fantastic job at dispersing heat. In addition, the hybrid construction of the Linenspa allows for air to flow freely through the coils under the foam layers meaning the user should keep cool and comfortable all night.
Linenspa lists their mattress as a medium-firm and recommends it for any sleep position. The unique feel of latex provides nice contour and bounce, while the support coils work individually to relieve pressure points.
Linenspa designs their mattresses in the USA and manufactures them in China. Unfortunately, they offer no sleep trial but do give a 10-year warranty with every mattress sold.
Pros:
- Budget Friendly
- Great Support
- Good for All Sleep Positions
- Sleeps Cool
- Good Edge Support
Cons:
- Made in China
- No Sleep Trial
- Some Motion Transfer
Lucid 10” Latex Foam Mattress
Lucid offer their 2 layered, 10-inch latex mattress as a good option for those who like a springy, firmer feeling bed. Actually, they appear to be extremely proud of their firm mattress, stating that it’s rated a 2 out of 5 but 30% of users said it felt firmer. The top layer is 3 inches of latex foam that responds quickly to movement and pressure. This responsiveness prevents a sinking or stuck feeling that many foam mattresses give. Under the 3 inches of latex foam is the second layer of the Lucid and is 7 inches of supportive base foam. This foundational layer is designed to carry every size of the user and supplies great support for back and stomach sleepers.
Addressing the common foam mattress problem of overheating, Lucid not only used open cell latex, but they also covered the mattress with a premium Tencel cover. It’s been designed and placed to create an air layer between the user and the mattress, allowing for the mattress to breathe and keep cool.
Although the Lucid is manufactured in China they do use top quality materials and stand behind their craftsmanship with a 10-year warranty on every mattress sold. Showing they care about the environment and user health every mattress is also CertiPUR-US certified.
Pros:
- Very Durable
- Budget Friendly
- Good Motion Isolation
- Breathable
Cons:
- One Firmness
- Made in China
- No Sleep Trial
Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress
With a product name like Pure Green, it’s no real surprise to find such a pure and honest mattress. Sleep On Latex is the producer of the Pure Green mattress and has grown to be one of the largest retailers of latex mattress products in the USA. The Pure Green is constructed of 3 simple materials, 100% natural latex foam, organic cotton fabric, and organic New Zealand wool. This simple combination of ultra high-quality all natural materials works together to create a comfortable and healthy sleeping surface.
The cover of the Pure Green is a specially designed soft knit cotton fabric that will not interfere with the effects of the latex. It’s strong but stretchy which means it doesn’t prevent the latex from bending as much as it should.
To accommodate different sleeping preferences, the Pure Green is offered in 3 firmness options, soft, medium, and firm. They recommend their softest option for side sleepers, their medium option for both side and back sleepers, and their firm option for stomach sleepers. Furthermore, the Pure Green is also available in two profile heights, the standard is 9 inches, while the low profile is 7 inches.
Although the latex is sourced from Sri Lanka and the wool is sourced from New Zealand, every Pure Green mattress is designed and manufactured in Chicago, USA.
Pros:
- 100% Natural
- Made in America
- Fully Latex
- Good Contour
- Firmness Options
- 100-Night Sleep Trial
Cons:
- Heavy and Hard To Move
- Time for Off-Gassing To Wear Off
- Some Edge Support Loss
Sunrising Bedding 8” Latex Hybrid
The Sunrising Bedding 8-inch hybrid consists of 4 unique layers. The first is its ultra-plush cover, made from luxurious cashmere wool. Directly under the cover is a thin layer of fireproof fabric designed to prevent the mattress from catching fire. Next is a 1-inch layer of 100% organic latex derived from Thailand and made by the Talalay technology. Lastly, the pocketed coil support system acts as the core foundation of the Sunrising Bedding and finishes off the shape of the mattress.
Some have a justifiable concern about the motion transfer abilities of a hybrid. When coils are added, it can be assumed that motion isolation will be lost. However, the Sunrising Bedding continued to do an excellent job at motion transfer even with a latex and coil construction.
For firmness, the Sunrising Bedding falls almost in the middle of the scale between firm and soft. Officially on their site, they have rated their mattress 5.5-7.5 which tends to suit the majority of sleepers. Whether you prefer to sleep on your side, back, or stomach, the Sunrising Bedding should satisfy your comfort.
Like some of our other choices, the Sunrising Bedding mattress is produced in China, however, it does carry a CertiPUR-US certification which means it’s made with safe materials and is qualified for physical performance. It also carries an above market average 20-year warranty showing they truly believe in their products longevity and durability.
Pros:
- Great Motion Transfer
- Sleeps Cool
- 20-Year Warranty
- Good Price Point
- Luxurious Cover
Cons:
- Only 8 Inches Thick
- Not Suitable for Adjustable Frame
- Made in China
Quick Comparison (Queen Size)
| Mattress | Motion Transfer | Thickness | Warranty | Sleep Trial | Cost |
| Zenhaven | Good | 10 Inches | 20 Years | 120 Nights | $1,899 |
| Linenspa | Average | 10 Inches | 10 Years | None | $240 |
| Lucid | Good | 10 Inches | 10 Years | None | $390 |
| Pure Green | Good | 9 Inches | 10 Years | 100 Nights | $795 |
| Sunrising Bedding | Excellent | 8 Inches | 20 Years | 120 Nights | $370 |
Closing Thoughts
No one doubts the quality and benefits of a natural latex mattress. One of the goals of this article was to show that the modern market has made it very possible for anyone to own a latex mattress. Of course, the more latex used the more expensive it will be, but even a mattress that has an inch or two of latex could work wonders in your night life. There is a long list of advantages when looking at a latex mattress, unfortunately sometimes there is also a high price tag. So, the final decision is up to you, we hope our list can help you in your search for the best mattress for YOU!