11 Best Organic Mattresses, Sheets, Bedding (2024): Non-Toxic and Natural
You can shape the bed in a variety of ways. WIRED editor Martin Cizmar tested this one on a medium setting. A week of testing found it performed just like other latex mattresses—which is to say, very well, especially for anyone who likes the feel of firm foam. This is a latex mattress that closely resembles a traditional spring mattress, at least at first. Over time, latex will slowly mold to your primary sleeping position in a process not unlike memory foam, except it takes years instead of seconds.
A more affordable organic mattress
The Awara mattress is also made from latex foam, organic wool, and individually wrapped springs. It’s not as comfortable as the Birch, but it’s significantly more affordable. The Awara is supportive and bouncy, but the springs can be felt more easily than other mattresses, and the edges are quite firm. (A topper can help even things out.)
One win for the Awara, according to WIRED reviewer Louryn Strampe: There was no odor when unpacking the mattress after receiving it—significantly less than other brands. There wasn’t much motion transfer, and the soft mattress fabric didn’t feel too hot or too cold. For a more budget-friendly hybrid mattress, this is a solid choice.
Best Organic Mattresses for Kids
My whole journey to an eco-friendly mattress started with the kids. I was more concerned about what mattress they slept on than what mattress I slept on. However, while I really like the Avocado Green mattress, it’s not cheap. For the kids, I bought the more affordable Kiwi Mattress from My Green Mattress. The Kiwi is similar to the Avocado. It’s a hybrid mattress with pocket springs and natural materials: certified organic cotton, wool, and latex. It’s also a rare find, with organic twin mattresses being hard to find.
One interesting feature that makes the Kiwi appealing to kids is the double-sided option. It’s a little more expensive initially, but it can be flipped over to extend its life, which is handy if your kids think the bed is actually a trampoline in disguise.
My Green Mattress comes with a 20 year warranty and a 120 night trial period. The Kiwi is definitely a firmer mattress, but I found it to be very comfortable and my kids have both said it is the most comfortable mattress they have ever slept on.
Good for side sleepers
We still prefer the Avocado, but this Birch mattress is a good alternative for side sleepers. WIRED reviewer Louryn Strampe said she slept poorly. “I tossed and turned all night. My comforter needed to be specifically arranged. I can’t stand light, and I needed a sound generator running in the background. I wasn’t expecting a mattress to change much, but this one from Birch surprised me in a pleasant way.” This is an eco-friendly mattress made by Helix, the manufacturer Our other favorite bed.
The Birch is made from natural latex and wool, with individually wrapped coils that provide a soft, bouncy experience without being too soft. It’s great for stomach and side sleepers, and is comfortable enough that Strampe can actually sleep on her back. There’s a small, noticeable indentation where she and her partner sleep, with a ridge in the middle, but after a year, it’s still bearable. If your room gets warm at night or you’re a hot sleeper, the Birch may not be for you.
A firm organic mattress
Plank mattresses are a great choice for anyone who loves a firm bed. Plank Firm Natural is the organic version of the original Plank (our firm mattress preferred) and is made from organic cotton (GOTS certified), wool, and natural latex. The Plank is a two-sided mattress; one side is medium firm, the other side is full firm. The medium firm side is great for side sleepers and is a good choice if you want a firm mattress but are worried about it being too firm.
The core of the Plank Firm Natural is made of individually wrapped coils and has a 1.5-inch thick layer of natural latex on both sides with varying densities. It provides enough support for back-ache and can relieve pressure points overnight, and the firm side is also comfortable, although it’s better for back sleepers. While not a true cooling mattress, the Plank Firm Natural has a breathable design on its quilted top, making it easier to stay cool while you sleep thanks to better air circulation. Plank offers a 120-night trial period and a 10-year warranty on the Firm Natural. —Nena Farrell
Notable Mentions
There are many organic mattresses on the market, here are a few that we have tried and are worth considering.
My initial impression of the WinkBeds EcoCloud mattress wasn’t great. It didn’t have the firmness I loved from the original WinkBed, which I’ve been sleeping on for over a year, and it felt like I was just sinking in. But after a week, the mattress firmed up a bit, and now four months later, I’m starting to like the plush duvet cover, which is made from 100 percent GOTS-certified organic cotton and New Zealand wool. It feels like jumping on a luxury hotel bed. But despite the pillowy softness, my back was well supported by a four-inch layer of Talalay latex backed by an innerspring system made from recycled steel. If you typically like a medium-firm mattress, though, you’ll probably want to look elsewhere, as this is on the softer side.
This hypoallergenic mattress is OEKO-Tex certified, meaning it’s been independently tested for harmful substances, but it’s worth noting that the latex isn’t certified organic. My main complaints about this mattress have to do with motion transfer—unlike the original WinkBed, my wife frequently woke up when I jumped into bed after her. Edge support isn’t great either; there were times when I felt like I was going to roll off the bed if I got even an inch closer to the edge. Finally, while the original WinkBed fit snugly on my queen-sized bed frame, the EcoCloud has a slight gap at the top and bottom. Over time, the mattress slid down the frame, creating a gap between the headboard and the mattress—my pillow fell off the edge once. I haven’t had this problem with any other mattress. —Julian Chokkattu
Firmest Mattress Topper
A new mattress is a big investment, and sometimes all you need is a little refresh to your current mattress. If your current bed isn’t sagging, you can get a whole new feel simply by adding a mattress topper like this organic latex mattress from My Green Mattress.
This topper is two inches of certified organic latex wrapped in organic cotton fabric, with a zipper so you can remove the latex pad (though I’m not sure why you’d want to do that). It’s lightweight but stays in place even without the straps holding it in place.
