For sake of a definition, a Latex Mattress is one that includes latex foam at least as one layer in the comfort layer. Of course, there’s always room to shake things up by adding latex to the transition or support layer as well, but having latex in the comfort layer remains the defining characteristic. The best latex mattress offers several benefits, including being long-lasting, hypoallergenic, and providing excellent pressure relief. We’ll leave further discussion about that for the pros and cons of latex mattresses, and continue with our efforts to find the best latex mattress for you.
Latex mattresses have attracted significant attention, especially on account of their being environmentally friendly. We’ll dive deeper with our research and latex mattress reviews and check out what’s on offer for best latex mattresses 2018 in our comprehensive guide to the best latex mattresses.
7 Best Latex Mattresses Available Right Now
1. Zenhaven by Saatva All-Natural Latex Mattress
Zenhaven by Saatva is one of the more popular latex mattresses. Often considered the best latex mattress for side sleepers, Zenhaven matches innovation with luxury. While it does exceptionally well for side sleepers, Zenhaven doesn’t quite forget the back and stomach sleepers either.
There’s quite a list of features that makes the Zenhaven a fixture for most best latex mattress reviews. To start, Zenhaven is a flippable mattress. One side has a firmness rating of 7, putting it in the range of medium-firm that works for most sleepers. Those who prefer a more plush feeling can just flip the mattress to experience the soft and plush side, with firmness rated at 4. Zenhaven calls these settings Gentle Firm and Luxury Plush.
Zenhaven mattress is wrapped in a quilted organic cotton cover, filled with New Zealand wool. This setup adds breathability and moisture wicking properties to the mattress, while the wool also works as a flame retardant barrier. The wool forms the first layer of the mattress, and is followed by four layers of Talalay latex, each with varying degrees of firmness to allow the mattress to be flippable.
Both sides of the mattress offer excellent motion isolation and support. An added advantage of the all-latex construction is that the mattress can handle significantly heavy people, as well as the lightweight sleeper. The firmer side is a bit bouncy and can be pretty good for sex, if that’s your style. Off-gassing potential is low, though there might be a slight smell for some days. Zenhaven offers Saatva’s white glove delivery in the contiguous USA, so their people will set up the new mattress, and if necessary, remove the previous one free of charge.
Free trial: 120 days
Warranty: 15 years
| Pros | Cons |
| Hypoallergenic and antimicrobial | Somewhat expensive |
| Little to no off-gassing | Poor edge support |
| Free white glove delivery | The mattress is fairly heavy and difficult to move |
| Excellent pressure relief and support | |
| Environmentally friendly materials and construction | |
| Good motion isolation |
2. Plushbeds Botanical Bliss Latex Mattress
Plushbeds Botanical Bliss cooks up a combination of organic Dunlop latex and Talalay latex to create a mattress that’s made from natural components, is comfortable, and freely flaunts its luxurious side. The mattress is available in three thickness and firmness options, completing the majority of sleep positions and preferences.
Available options on firmness are soft (3.5), medium, (5.5) and medium-firm (6). If you don’t like the firmness of the mattress and are in your mattress trial period, you can ask the company to send in a replacement piece. The all-natural mattress has an organic cotton cover, followed by a layer of New Zealand wool. This layer wicks away any moisture and acts as a natural fire barrier as well.
Comfort layer on the mattress is Talalay Latex, while support comes from a 6-inch thick layer of natural Dunlop latex, with ARPICO premium botanical resilience. The support and strength of this layer removes any chances of sagging, and makes the mattress longer lasting. Plushbeds Botanical Bliss offers very low motion transfer, and by virtue of its latex construction, it sleeps remarkably cooler than a memory foam mattress.
Side sleepers are likely to be partial to the soft and medium firmness options, while back and stomach sleepers will likely prefer the medium-firm setting. It’s fairly well placed to be called the best latex mattress for back pain. Each mattress is built with three separate layers of organic latex stacked one over the other for their preferred firmness setting. If you’d like to customize or adjust the support on your mattress, simply unzip the covers and rearrange the layers! Individual layers stick to adjoining layers naturally, so there is no need for harsh chemical glues to hold your mattress together.
Free Trial: 30 days
Warranty: 25 years
| Pros | Cons |
| All natural construction | Average edge support |
| Excellent motion isolation | Somewhat expensive |
| Provides excellent pressure relief and support | Free trial requires a mandatory break-in period |
| Wide range of available options cover various preferences and sleep requirements |
3. Ghostbed Mattress
Ghostbed combines memory foam and latex to get the best out of both materials. The 11-inch mattress has three primary layers, starting with a 1.5-inch continuously aerated latex followed by 2-inches of gel-infused memory foam, and finally a 7.5-inch layer of extra high density support foam. This bouncy mattress is wrapped in a plush cover made with the combination of polyester and viscose.
Comfort layers of latex and memory foam conform closely to the sleeper. The latex layer also helps keep the mattress temperature neutral, and working with the gel-infused memory foam, it pretty much succeeds. As a result, The Ghostbed while primarily a foam mattress, manages to be one of the best performers in keeping a memory foam mattress temperature neutral.
The mattress also brings along other qualities of the materials, presenting excellent motion isolation and very low off-gassing odor. In terms of firmness, it is rated 6 on a scale of 1-10, making it medium-firm. This firmness is generally preferable for most users.
Feature rich and well priced, The Ghostbed offers great value for money and is pretty much the best latex mattress for the money. Being moderately priced and feature-rich goes a long way, and Ghostbed has it down to an art.
Free Trial: 100 days
Warranty: 20 years
| Pros | Cons |
| Little to no off-gassing | Average edge support |
| Has great bounce and pressure relief | Not the best fit for heavy (greater than 250lbs) sleepers |
| Good motion isolation | |
| Great value for money |
4. SPINDLE Natural Latex Mattress
Customizable and built to your preferences, the Spindle mattresses also require you to have some DIY skills. When I say DIY skills, I mean the ability to put three layers of latex on top of each other and shoving them into a mattress cover. While it is optional, this possibility of customization to individual tastes works well for Spindle.
The mattress has three 3-inch layers of latex, each made of continuous pour Dunlop latex. This setup also works to give the mattress higher durability. All of these layers are wrapped in an organic cotton cover with a quilted top, adding another inch to the height of the mattress. Each of these latex foam layers is made of firmness rating of either medium or firm. To reach their medium configuration, Spindle arranges layers in the order of medium, medium, and firm. For creating a mattress rated firm, the latex foam layers are arranged as medium, firm, and firm. Of course, you can play around with the arrangement of the layers to find one that works best for you.
Conforming to the body and low motion transfer make the Spindle a good mattress for couples. Plus, the bouncy surface that latex brings along can perform pretty well during sex. All said, while I do enjoy the possibility of customization, I can’t really I look forward to assembling a mattress before I use it.
Free Trial: Amazon policies and procedure
Warranty: 10 years
| Pros | Cons |
| Customizable all natural latex mattress | Poor edge support |
| Low motion transfer | Fairly heavy, a major drawback for when you assemble or customize the mattress |
| Great mattress for couples | Not suitable for obese peoples, or those with BMI 31 or higher |
5. Sleep on Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress
One of the first things you’ll notice about the Pure Green Mattress is that the price point is significantly lower than comparable mattresses from other brands. That alone makes a world of difference. This Sleep on Latex mattress is made from 100% natural latex foam, and wrapped in an organic cotton cover. Right beneath the cover is a layer of New Zealand wool that serves to wick away moisture, keeping the mattress temperature neutral, apart from serving as a flame retardant.
Pure Green Natural Latex mattress is 9-inches in height, with the support layer coming in as a 6-inch layer of latex foam. On top of that is a 2-inch layer of latex comfort foam, and finally the last inch is covered by the quilted cover.
The mattress is good for pressure relief and conforms very well to the body. Available for most bed sizes, the Pure Green Natural offers something for every consumer. The mattress is available in three firmness options; soft, medium, and firm. Medium of course, being the most popular.
Free Trial: 100 days
Warranty: 10 years
| Pros | Cons |
| Excellent pricing | Odor and off-gassing issues are often reported |
| Suitable for most body types and sleep preferences | Below average edge support |
| Excellent conforming and pressure relief | Mandatory 30-day break-in period for trial |
| Made from eco-friendly components |
6. Sunrising Bedding Natural Latex Mattress
And here’s our list’s first entry of a mattress with innerspring. Sunrising Bedding’s hybrid mattress combines the benefits and bounciness of innerspring to the comfort and conforming properties of latex. The 8-inch mattress has a support layer made from independently encased innerspring coils. Independent encasing is important because it helps lower the motion transfer from the coils, which would otherwise render this mattress into the old fogeys that ancient innersprings are.
Topped on the springs is a 1-inch layer of Talalay latex, giving the mattress an excellent comfort layer. Plus, the combination of springs and latex means there’s plenty of room for airflow and the mattress remains temperature neutral. While staying on the modest side of things for the most part, Sunrising Bedding did break out the luxury setting on the cover. The cover on this natural latex mattress is made from cashmere wool, with high density organic cotton used for quilting and fireproof lining.
Free Trial: 120 days
Warranty: 20 years
| Pros | Cons |
| Good edge support | Some odor and off-gassing |
| Budget option | Somewhat over-reliant on innersprings, thin comfort layer |
| Made from natural, non-toxic materials | The 8-inch height profile may not be sufficient for some consumers |
7. LUCID Latex Hybrid Mattress
Lucid’s latex hybrid mattress combines latex foam, memory foam, and innerspring to create a very interesting mattress. The mattress is available in two height profiles, 10-inch, and 12-inch. Lucid Latex hybrid starts with a 5.5-inch support layer of individually encased steel coils, with the layer sandwiched in foam for improved edge support.
A 2-inch layer of support foam forms the transition layer above the coils, and is topped with a 2.5-inch layer of latex and gel-infused memory foam, with a layer of natural latex foam followed by a layer of memory foam. The top comfort layer combines the hypoallergenic and breathability of latex with the close conforming and support of memory foam. Having gel in the layer further helps with keeping the mattress temperature neutral. Its cover is a conventional 2-tone circular knit fabric. Latex hybrid 10-inch variant is rated medium-firm with no sink, while the 12-inch variant is medium-firm with slight sink.
While it may not be the best latex mattress around, the Lucid Latex Hybrid does an incredible job at bringing the benefits of latex foam to those who prefer the pressure relief and feel of memory foam mattresses.
Free Trial: Unspecified
Warranty: 10 years
| Pros | Cons |
| Reasonably priced | Many consumers say the mattress is firmer than advertised |
| Good bounce, pressure relief, and conforming | Average edge support |
Latex Mattress Buying Guide — Choosing The Best Latex Mattress
Choosing the best latex mattress can be daunting, especially with all the options that you are bombarded with when making the purchase. Latex mattresses are increasingly popular, and latex is often considered one of the best materials for mattress construction. Latex usually has a higher price point and is generally found in luxury mattresses. However, with newer techniques and better utilization, the material has found its way to the medium price range, and sometimes, even for budget mattresses.
In this section, I’ll try to answer some common latex FAQs and provide information, so you can make a well-informed choice when buying a latex mattress.
Types Of Latex Mattress
Natural Latex
As the name implies, this latex is produced from the sap of the rubber tree. It’s an age old process that has been used for millennia now, and still continues to be in use. It’s tough, bordering on the impossible for natural latex to meet global demand for various uses of latex. That drives up prices for natural latex, and consequently, the mattresses are going to be more expensive. On the plus side, natural latex lasts longer and does not have unpleasant odors.
Simply by virtue of the production process and natural latex extraction, there are bound to be impurities. Natural latex will at best be 95% pure, and claims of 100% pure or 100% organic are more of a marketing stunt rather than the scientific truth.
Synthetic Latex
Synthetic Latex is derived from various petrochemicals and is often used to meet a huge chunk of the broader global demand for latex. Talalay or Dunlop processes that are used for natural latex, can also be used for synthetic latex.
Blended Latex
As the name implies, blended latex is a mix of synthetic and natural latex. Most modern mattresses use a blend of natural and synthetic latex, with natural latex accounting for at least 30% of the total latex volume.
What Are Talalay And Dunlop Latex?
Talalay and Dunlop are both major methods of producing latex. Here’s how they work.
Dunlop Latex
Dunlop is the older and somewhat more commonly used method. The process involves stirring, molding, and stem-baking the collected rubber tree sap. Heating causes any moisture present in the sap to be removed, leaving the mold completely filled with rubber. As part of the process, impurities move to the bottom, while firmer, denser sap accumulates at the top. This gives a firmer feel to one side of the rubber, at the same time, it also means the rubber is inconsistent in its firmness.
Talalay Latex
Talalay is a newer process and involves the sap being placed in a vacuum sealed chamber. The chamber is deprived of oxygen, which means the sap does not completely fill the mold. The sap is then flash frozen and baked. An effect of this process is that the latex produced has open cell structure with small pathways for movement of air, which keep the mattress cooled. Talalay latex also has more bounce. Talalay latex is softer, lighter, and more homogenous than Dunlop Latex.
Latex Mattress Characteristics
The characteristics of latex often define the mattress. In the same vein, the way latex is used also depends on how the manufacturer intends to use the material. Here are some considerations to look for when you hunt for the best latex mattress on the market.
ILD — Impression Load Deflection Of A Latex Mattress
Impression Load Deflection (ILD) is a measure of pressure required to indent a mattress by 25%. The greater the pressure required, more is the ILD of the mattress, and thus greater firmness. ILD is not the same as density, which measures the durability and is mostly applicable to foam mattresses.
Generally speaking, Talalay Latex generally has a lower ILD than Dunlop, and natural latex has lower ILD than blended or synthetic latex. Of course, this does not mean that Talalay Latex mattresses will always be rated super soft, since the construction and layering can make a difference.
An ILD up to 21 varies from very soft to soft, while 39 and above is considered very firm. Keep the ILD of the mattress in mind so you can buy a latex mattress that matches your firmness preference.
Conforming
Latex will conform to your figure and help align the spine. Although it is not as conforming as memory foam, the natural properties of latex also mean that the mattress will be longer lasting and have better shape recovery.
Similarly, latex does not sink to match the profile of the sleeper, unlike memory foam. Instead, latex will match the curves, which makes latex mattresses better for chronic shoulder or back pain.
Motion Isolation
The best latex mattresses have a good score on motion isolation. Latex is elastic, and very capable of localizing pressure rather than transmitting it across the mattress. Softer the mattress, better is the motion isolation.
Latex Mattress Pros And Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Conforms to body shape and provides above average pressure relief | Off-gassing remains an aspect for latex foam, and is often troublesome for users |
| Good motion isolation and bounce | Several couples say the bounce on latex is below average and not very conducive for sex |
| Latex is hypoallergenic, and resistant to common problems like dust and mildew | Latex mattresses can be expensive, with the best latex mattresses usually priced in the luxury range |
| Latex is a breathable material and mattresses are often temperature neutral | |
| Natural latex is more environmentally responsible and has a lower carbon footprint |
The Verdict — What’s The Best Latex Mattress
When looking for the best latex mattress, keep your eyes on the facts and your preferences. While it may be comfortable to give in to marketing claims by the companies, you should also consider latex mattress reviews. It might be worth your while to even try on a latex mattress topper before you commit to buying a latex mattress. These mattresses can be expensive, and it would be wise to be acquainted with the pros and cons of latex mattresses before you spend the money. With that in mind, our list of best latex mattresses above gives weight to reviews from customers, and follows it up with our own research, so you can have a set of ready options available, or at least a starting point.