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Believe it or not, your bed plays a vital role in your athletic performance. Sleep on an uncomfortable, sagging mattress, and the quality of your sleep will suffer along with your athletic performance. That’s because during sleep, your body goes into recovery mode, releasing hormones and other chemicals that go to work to repair and restore your muscles. A good night’s sleep ensures that your body is rested and recuperated from the previous day’s physical and mental stress.
Although a good quality mattress can vastly improve sleep quality and lessen joint and back pain, conventional beds often contain harmful substances from the manufacturing process. While generally tolerable, these chemicals can be irritating to people with sensitivities. They can also contribute to fatigue, which can drag down any athlete. Organic mattresses offer consumers a cleaner, healthier alternative to traditional mattresses.
Best Organic Mattresses of 2023 - Our Top Picks
- Best Overall Organic Mattress: Saatva Latex Hybrid
- Best Organic Crib Mattress: Newton Baby Wovenaire
- Best Organic Mattress for Side Sleepers: Nolah Natural
- Best Organic Latex Mattress: PlushBeds Botanical Bliss
- Best Organic Mattress for Back Pain: Leesa Legend Hybrid
- Best Firm Organic Mattress: Avocado Green
- Best Budget Organic Mattress: Awara Natural Hybrid
- Best Luxury Organic Mattress: Zenhaven by Saatva
- Best Organic Mattress for Back Sleepers: Oceano Luxury Hybrid by Brentwood Home
- Best Organic Mattress for Pressure Relief: Birch Natural by Helix
Organic mattresses are made with natural and non-toxic materials, free from ozone "depleters" and chemical-based fire retardants. Many athletes swear by organic products because of the positive impact they believe these products have on their health and their performance. Sounds intriguing—but how do you find the best organic mattress with so many on the market?
We teamed up with the Mattress Advisor review team to see how some of the top organic mattresses stack up in the lab. In this review, we reveal which organic beds are best for side sleepers, back pain, pressure relief, and more.
Why Trust Us?
ACTIVE.com’s editorial team relies on the knowledge and experience of fitness and wellness experts including competitive athletes, coaches, physical therapists, nutritionists, and certified trainers. This helps us ensure the products we feature are of the highest standard. Collectively, the team has spent countless hours researching equipment, gear, and recovery tools in order to create the most accurate, authentic content for our readers. Customer satisfaction is also a key part of our review process, which is why we only feature products that are highly rated. More importantly, each member of our team is a fitness enthusiast. Fitness may be our job, but it is also our passion. Therefore, we strive to bring you products that we trust and would personally use.
MA Score: The Mattress Advisor Score is a weighted score that takes into account 14 different factors related to the mattress’ performance, function, and convenience, as well as the brand’s social responsibility.
Best Overall Organic Mattress - Saatva Latex Hybrid
SPECS
- Mattress type: Hybrid
- Mattress Advisor score: 8.9/10
- Firmness: Medium-firm
- Trial period: 365-night sleep trial
- Best for: All sleep positions
If you’re looking for a good, well-rounded organic mattress but don’t want the hassle of setting it up, the Saatva Latex Hybrid is for you. The Saatva Latex Hybrid comes with free white glove delivery, which means that professionals will set up your mattress in your home and remove your old mattress at no extra cost. However, because these mattresses are made to order right here in the United States, it can take 9 to 21 days for your mattress to be delivered.
If you don’t mind the wait, you’ll likely be pleased with your purchase. The Saatva Latex Hybrid combines the buoyancy of Talalay latex with motion-stabilizing coils, covers it in a layer of 100 percent organic wool, and then wraps it up in a hypoallergenic cotton cover for extra softness. The result is a bed that excels at responsiveness and pressure-point relief—qualities that can help ease post-workout tension.
What We Like
- White glove delivery
- Durability
- Full-year sleep trial
What We Don’t Like
- Higher price point
- Delivery delays up to 3 weeks
Best Organic Crib Mattress - Newton Baby® Wovenaire®
SPECS
- Mattress type: Air fiber
- Mattress Advisor score: N/A
- Firmness: N/A
- Trial period: 100-night sleep trial
- Best for: Babies with sensitivities
Because babies spend a lot of time sleeping, mattress quality is often a top concern for parents and caretakers. Studies show that the rapidly growing and developing organ systems of infants and young children are especially vulnerable to chemicals, so it’s important to find a good, non-toxic crib mattress.
The Mattress Advisor review team chose the Newton Baby Wovenaire Crib Mattress as a top option in this category for a number of reasons. This mattress contains no latex, foam, springs, or glue. Instead, it’s made with a breathable food-grade polymer. Not only is the bed Greenguard Gold Certified and free of any toxic materials, it’s also 90 percent air, which discourages the growth of bacteria and mold. And last but not least, the Newton Baby Wovenaire is breathable, which reduces the risk of suffocation—a leading cause of death in infants.
Ringing in at nearly $300, the Newton Baby Wovenaire is one of the pricier options in this category. However, as many parents will attest, it’s impossible to put a price on your baby’s health and safety.
What We Like
- Made with all recyclable materials
- Breathable mattress reduces risk of suffocation
- Fully washable
What We Don’t Like
- Pricier than most crib mattresses
- Can take up to 12 business days to receive mattress
Best Organic Mattress for Side Sleepers - Nolah Natural
SPECS
- Mattress type: Hybrid
- Mattress Advisor score: 8.7/10
- Firmness: Medium-Firm
- Trial period: 120-night sleep trial
- Best for: Hot sleepers
Whether you prefer shooting hoops, lifting weights, or running the trails, you’re bound to be hit with shoulder or hip pain from time to time. Considering most people sleep on their sides, doing so on a bed with insufficient support can leave you in worse pain the morning after a workout. The Nola Natural is an OEKO-TEX certified Talalay latex bed with zoned support coils that ease pressure and sensitive points along the body, such as the shoulders and hips. Topped with an organic wool layer and an organic cotton cover, the Nolah Natural promotes airflow, which helps keep the bed cooler at night.
The Nolah Natural is delivered free to your door, compressed in a box. But weighing in at more than 100 pounds for a queen-size mattress, unpacking and setting it up can be a workout in and of itself, especially if you don’t have help. After unpackaging, be sure to let it air out for a few hours without sheets so it can expand to its proper size and release any off-gasses from manufacturing.
What We Like
- Sleeps cool
- Highly responsive
- Pressure-relieving qualities
What We Don’t Like
- Heavy, making it a pain to set up
- Low motion isolation scores
Best Organic Latex Mattress - PlushBeds Botanical Bliss®
SPECS
- Mattress type: Latex
- Mattress Advisor score: 8.1/10
- Firmness: Customized firmness
- Trial period: 100-night sleep trial
- Best for: Couples with different sleep preferences
If you’re looking for an all-foam latex mattress, PlushBeds Botanical Bliss is our top pick. The mattress combines two types of latex—Talalay and Dunlop—for a buoyant yet supportive feel. The mattress is set on an orthopedic foundation crafted from spruce wood and is covered with pure New Zealand wool and an organic cotton cover.
What makes PlushBeds Botanical Bliss unique is that it comes in three different firmness levels and three different thicknesses (9-, 10-, and 12-inch). You just unzip the cover and adjust the latex levels to customize the firmness. You can even adjust it to have different firmness levels on each side of the bed—a great option for couples with different sleep preferences.
All this customized comfort and eco-friendliness does come at a price, though. The PlushBeds Botanical Bliss costs more than $3,000 for a queen size, making it the priciest bed among our Best Organic Mattress selections.
What We Like
- Available in three thickness levels
- Customizable
- Good return policy
What We Don’t Like
- Very expensive
- Inadequate edge support
- Heavy, which makes it difficult to set up
BUY: PlushBeds Botanical Bliss
Best Organic Mattress for Back Pain - Leesa® Legend Hybrid
SPECS
- Mattress type: Hybrid
- Mattress Advisor score: 9.0/10
- Firmness: Medium-firm
- Trial period: 100-night sleep trial
- Best for: Restless sleepers
The Leesa Legend Hybrid is one of Mattress Advisor’s top-rated hybrid mattresses, and it’s a great option for active people who experience back pain. The mattress does an excellent job of keeping the spine in alignment while also relieving pressure at the shoulders and hips. This hybrid is topped with a soft, hypoallergenic cover made with organic cotton, Merino wool, and fiber derived from recycled water bottles. But it’s also one of the only memory foam mattresses on our list. Memory foam is generally more comfortable and contouring than latex, but it’s not naturally sourced or organic. You may notice some odor after unboxing your mattress, but it should go away within a few hours.
There is a lot to feel good about when sleeping on a Leesa bed. Since 2014 the company has donated mattresses to more than 1,000 non-profit organizations. And in response to COVID, Leesa created and donated hospital bed kits to facilities in need.
What We Like
- Sleeps cool
- Keeps spine in alignment
- Supportive all the way to the edges
What We Don’t Like
- Expensive
- Slight off-gassing
Best Firm Organic Mattress - Avocado Green
SPECS
- Mattress type: Hybrid
- Mattress Advisor score: 8.5/10
- Firmness: Medium-firm to firm
- Trial period: 1-year sleep trial
- Best for: All sleep positions, but especially stomach sleepers
If you’re one of the rare belly sleepers, you’ll experience fewer backaches by sleeping on a firmer mattress. The Avocado Green mattress packs a layer of recycled steel pocketed coils between two layers of natural Dunlop latex to create a durable and supportive medium-firm to firm mattress. The bed also promotes neutral spinal alignment, making it a good choice for back and side sleepers as well.
The Avocado Green is covered by a layer of natural organic wool and wrapped with an organic cotton ticking for added softness. And if the bed feels a bit too firm for your liking, the company sells a pillow-top version for an additional $400–$600, depending on the size of the mattress.
What We Like
- Supports proper spinal alignment
- Pillow-top add-on available for added comfort
- Nearly all mattress materials are recyclable
What We Don’t Like
- Delivery can take up to 3 weeks
- Low pressure-relief scores
Best Budget Organic Mattress - Awara Natural Hybrid
SPECS
- Mattress type: Hybrid
- Mattress Advisor score: 8.8/10
- Firmness: Medium-firm
- Trial period: 365-night sleep trial
- Best for: Bargain hunters
The Awara Natural Hybrid may be our top budget pick, but it is not a cheap mattress. In fact, this latex and coil hybrid usually sells for more luxury-level prices. What makes it a steal for budget-conscious shoppers are the deep discounts the company often offers on this bed—nearly half off the regular price.
This top-rated organic mattress by Mattress Advisor has many of the qualities active shoppers are looking for in a bed—good responsiveness, spinal alignment, and motion isolation. The Awara Natural Hybrid is made with Rainforest Alliance-certified Dunlop latex atop a layer of pocketed coils with zoned support. The mattress is wrapped in a quilted cover made of organic cotton and New Zealand wool. Reinforced handles help with the set-up process, although white glove delivery is available for an additional cost (as well as a couple extra days for delivery).
What We Like
- Durability
- Great sales available
- Full-year sleep trial
What We Don’t Like
- Low score on pressure relief
- Slight off-gassing
Best Luxury Organic Mattress - Zenhaven by Saatva
SPECS
- Mattress type: Latex
- Mattress Advisor score: 8.5/10
- Firmness: Dual-sided (plush and firm)
- Trial period: 365-night sleep trial
- Best for: People unsure of their firmness preference
The Zenhaven is a Mattress Advisor top-rated latex mattress and Saatva’s response to shoppers who are more zealous about healthier sleep. It’s made with three layers of all-natural Talalay latex and is constructed with five support zones that provide different levels of support at different points of the body. There is also additional lumbar support in the center third of the mattress. All that targeted support translates to a mattress that excels at keeping the spine in alignment and alleviating pressure.
The Zenhaven is dual-sided—plush on one side and firm on the other—so you can experiment with different firmness levels to find your "Om." This mattress also comes wrapped in a quilted organic cotton cover. Like other Saatva mattresses, the Zenhaven comes with free white glove delivery, so you can save yourself the workout of having to set up the bed.
What We Like
- Dual-sided, so sleepers can test out which comfort level they prefer
- Year-long sleep trial
- Lifetime warranty
What We Don’t Like
- Pricey
- Not a great motion-isolating option
Best Organic Mattress for Back Sleepers - Oceano Luxury Hybrid by Brentwood Home®
SPECS
- Mattress type: Hybrid
- Mattress Advisor score: 8.5/10
- Firmness: Medium-soft
- Trial period: 365-night sleep trial
- Best for: Those who prefer a soft mattress
People who sleep on their backs are generally able to sleep on softer mattresses without having the same backache concerns experienced by other types of sleepers. Nevertheless, a back-sleeper’s bed still needs to offer adequate support. The Oceano Luxury Hybrid by Brentwood Home is a back-sleeper’s dream. It’s highly responsive and supportive right up to the edge of the mattress.
The Oceano Luxury Hybrid combines multiple layers of foam with innerspring coils. Although not all of its foams are organic, its plant-based gel memory foam is CertiPUR-US certified. The mattress is covered with an organic wool and silk layer for comfort and breathability and topped with a eucalyptus-based Tencel fiber mattress cover that naturally promotes airflow for a cooler night’s sleep.
What We Like
- Year-long sleep trial
- 25-year warranty
What We Don’t Like
- Pricey
- Too soft for stomach sleepers
BUY: Oceano Luxury Hybrid by Brentwood Home
Best Organic Mattress for Pressure Relief - Birch Natural by Helix
SPECS
- Mattress type: Latex hybrid
- Mattress Advisor score: 9.2/10
- Firmness: Medium-firm
- Trial period: 100-night sleep trial
- Best for: Active adults
The Birch Natural is Helix’s eco-friendly option and a top-rated latex mattress by Mattress Advisor. The mattress is constructed with a natural Talalay latex layer over a base of pocketed coils and topped with layers containing Birch wool and organic cotton. All materials used to make the Birch Natural are GOTS, OEKO-TEX, eco-INSTITUT, or Rainforest Alliance certified.
The Birch Natural earned high scores from our review panel for pressure relief, making it a great option for athletes who want to rest their sore muscles following a hard workout. Its responsiveness and spinal-alignment qualities also make it a great choice for those who prefer more gentle exercises. Our testers did notice that the mattress was a little squeaky when occupants crawled into or out of the bed, which could be a downside for people who tend to toss and turn at night.
What We Like
- Excellent edge support
- Durability
- 25-year warranty
What We Don’t Like
- High price
- Squeaky
- Slight smell upon unboxing
Organic Mattress Certifications Explained
Certifications don’t mean much if you don’t know what they stand for. Here are some common certifications seen on the best organic mattresses:
- GOLS: Short for Global Organic Latex Standard, GOLS is a certification given to latex that is free of toxins and synthetic chemicals. Dunlop processing is considered eco-friendly, making it eligible to receive GOLS certification; Talalay latex is more processed than Dunlop latex and cannot be GOLS certified. To be GOLS certified, a mattress must also have been produced ethically and with low environmental impact. In other words, manufacturers must show that they don’t exploit their workers or harm the environment in the processing of the latex.
- CertiPUR-US: CertiPUR-US is a certification given to synthetic mattress foams such as memory foam, not natural ones like latex. To receive this certification, a mattress is tested by an independent lab to determine whether it meets certain criteria, such as being free of heavy metals and certain flame retardants and meeting low thresholds for harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde and benzene. CertiPUR-US does not deem products organic nor does it require manufacturers to meet social standards for workers.
- GOTS: Global Organic Textile Standard, or GOTS, is a certification given to fabrics (such as those that cover mattresses) that abide by certain ecological and social criteria. There are two types of GOTS certifications: GOTS Organic and GOTS Made with Organic. GOTS Organic certification is given to fabrics made up of at least 95 percent organic fibers. GOTS Made with Organic certification is given to fabrics made up of at least 70 percent organic fabrics. Both certifications also require manufacturers and processors of fabrics to follow certain fair labor practices.
- OEKO-TEX: The International Association for Research and Testing in the Field of Textile and Leather Ecology offers various certifications for textile and leather products that are processed in environmentally and socially responsible ways. OEKO-TEX differs from GOTS in that OEKO-TEX certifies end-products including all of their components, whereas GOTS certifies the organic production of raw materials, such as cotton. One OKEO-TEX certification seen in organic mattresses is the STANDARD 100, which certifies that the textiles used have been tested for up to 350 harmful chemicals from all processing stages. Made in Green is a stricter OEKO-TEX certification that also requires companies to demonstrate that products were manufactured “sustainably,” with minimal environmental impact, and in “socially responsible” working conditions.
- Greenguard: The Greenguard certification and the stricter Greenguard Gold certification are issued by the Sustainable Furnishings Council to products that emit low levels of harmful substances, such as VOCs, or volatile organic compounds. VOCs are associated with symptoms such as eye, nose, and throat discomfort, allergic skin irritations, and headaches. Greenguard certifications help ensure that products don’t adversely impact indoor air quality.
- Eco-INSTITUT: The Eco-INSTITUT is a German laboratory that certifies that indoor products, such as mattresses, meet strict requirements on pollutants and emissions. Eco-INSTITUT also initiated the formation of the Quality Association for Environmentally Agreeable Latex Mattresses, an organization that tests latex mattresses to ensure they are made from 100 percent natural latex and are free from harmful pollutants. Latex mattresses that meet the criteria are awarded a QUL certification by the Quality Association for Environmentally Agreeable Latex Mattresses.
- Rainforest Alliance: The Rainforest Alliance Seal is given to products or ingredients that were produced using methods that support social, economic, and environmental sustainability. A Rainforest Alliance Seal indicates that the mattress is sourced from forests certified to the standards of the Forest Stewardship Council, of which the Rainforest Alliance is a founding member.
FAQs About Organic Mattresses
Is an organic mattress worth it?
As is the case with many natural and non-toxic products, organic mattresses tend to be more expensive than traditional ones. However, organic mattresses also tend to last much longer than traditional mattresses. Some of the best organic mattresses can last up to 25 years.
How long do organic mattresses last?
An organic mattress made with latex foam is quite durable and can last up to 25 years. Comparatively, most traditional mattresses made with memory foam last 7 to 10 years if well taken care of.
Do organic mattresses sag?
Natural latex mattresses are very durable and can last more than two decades without sagging. Dunlop latex is more durable than Talalay latex and is even less prone to sagging.
Talalay Latex vs. Dunlop Latex
Both Talalay latex and Dunlop latex are derived from the liquid sap of the rubber tree. The different manufacturing processes used in their production is what distinguishes Talalay from Dunlop: The specific process used impacts how dense the foam will be and how it will feel when slept on. You can expect to see some bubbles in both types of foam, and it is these bubbles that make latex more breathable than memory foam. Both Talalay and Dunlop are also more durable than memory foam and can hold their shape for up to 25 years.
There are distinct differences between Talalay and Dunlop latex. Talalay processing is more energy intensive, which makes it more expensive and less eco-friendly. The processing produces a foam filled with homogenous CO2 bubbles. This makes the mattress bouncier and more breathable than Dunlop, but they also make it less durable.
Dunlop processing, in contrast, requires fewer steps and as a result is less expensive and more environmentally friendly. Dunlop foam contains fewer bubbles than Talalay, which results in a denser and less breathable mattress. Dunlop foam is also more supportive at its core and heavier and more durable than Talalay.
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About the Author
Jennifer began her career as a features writer for daily newspapers before launching a freelance writing business more than a decade ago. Her work has been featured in websites like USAToday.com, HowStuffWorks.com, Psychedelicspotlight.com, Health.com, AARP, EverydayHealth.com, Women.com, AginginPlace.org, as well as magazines such as Omni, Sea Island Life, and Salamander.
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