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You can configure the beds in a variety of ways. WIRED editor Martin Cizmar tested this one with a medium-firm setup. A week of testing found that it performs like other natural latex mattresses—that is, very well, especially for anyone who likes the feel of firm foam. This is a foam mattress that sleeps closer to a traditional coil mattress, at least at first. Over time, natural latex will slowly shape itself to your main sleeping position in a process that’s not unlike what memory foam does, except over 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 wasn’t as comfortable as the Birch, but it is significantly more affordable. Awara’s mattress is supportive and bouncy, but the springs can be felt more readily than in other mattresses, while the edges are quite rigid. (A topper could help even things out.)
One win for Awara, according to WIRED reviewer Louryn Strampe: Unwrapping the vacuum-sealed mattress once it arrived resulted in little odor—significantly less than with other brands. There’s not much motion transfer, and the soft mattress fabric didn’t run too hot or too cold. For a hybrid mattress that’s easier on the budget, this is a solid pick.
Best Organic Mattress for Kids
My whole pursuit of an environmentally friendly mattress started with my kids. I care a lot more about what they’re sleeping on than what I’m sleeping on. Still, as much as I love the Avocado Green mattress, it’s not cheap. For my kids, I bought the more affordable Kiwi Mattress by My Green Mattress. The Kiwi is similar to the Avocado. It’s a hybrid mattress with pocketed springs and natural materials: certified organic cotton, wool, and latex. It’s also something of a rarity, organic twin mattresses are somewhat difficult to find.
One nice twist that makes the Kiwi appealing for kids is the two-sided option. It costs a little more upfront but being able to flip it over extends its life, which is handy if your kids think beds are actually trampolines in disguise.
My Green Mattress offers a 20-year warranty and a 120-night trial. The Kiwi is definitely a firmer mattress, but I think it’s comfortable, and my children all say it’s the most comfortable mattress they’ve slept on.
Good for Side Sleepers
We still like the Avocado more, but this birch mattress is a good alternative for side sleepers. WIRED reviewer Louryn Strampe says she sucks at sleeping. “I toss and turn all night. My blankets need to be arranged specifically. I can’t deal with light, and I require a sound machine to run in the background. I didn’t expect a mattress to change much, but this one from Birch pleasantly surprised me.” It’s an eco-friendly mattress made by Helix, the maker of our other favorite bed.
The Birch is made of natural latex and wool, with individually wrapped coils that lend a plush and bouncy experience without feeling too squishy. It’s great for stomach and side sleeping, and it’s comfortable enough that Strampe could actually sleep on her back. A small, visible indented outline formed where she and her partner each slept, with a ridge between them, but after a year it was still bearable. If it’s warm in your room at night or you’re a hot sleeper, the Birch may not be for you.
A Firm Organic Mattress
A plank mattress is great for anyone who loves a firm bed. The Plank Firm Natural is the organic version of the original Plank (our favorite firm mattress) and it’s made with organic cotton (GOTS Certified), wool, and natural latex. The Plank is a double-sided mattress; one side is medium-firm, the other a true firm. The medium-firm side is great for side sleepers, and it’s a good choice if you want something firm but are nervous about going too firm.
The core of the Plank Firm Natural is made of individually encased coils, and there’s a 1.5-inch layer of that natural latex on either side with different densities. It’s supportive enough for back aches and can relieve pressure points overnight, and the firm side is comfortable too, though it’s better for back sleepers. While it isn’t a true cooling mattress, the Plank Firm Natural has a breathable design to 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 backs the Firm Natural with a 10-year warranty. —Nena Farrell
Honorable Mentions
There are a lot of organic mattresses out there, here are a few more we’ve tried that are worth considering.
My initial impressions of WinkBeds’ EcoCloud mattress were not great. It didn’t have any of the firmness I loved from the original WinkBed, which I had been sleeping on for more than a year, and it felt like I was just sinking in. But after a week, the mattress firmed up a little more, and now after four months, I’ve come to like the plush quilt cover, which is made from 100 percent GOTS-certified organic cotton and New Zealand wool. It kind of feels like jumping on a posh hotel bed. Yet despite the pillowy softness, my back feels well-supported thanks to the four-inch Talalay Latex layer supported by an innerspring system made from recycled steel. Still, if you generally prefer a medium-firm mattress, you probably will want to look elsewhere as this is on the softer side.
This hypoallergenic mattress has been OEKO-Tex-certified, which means it has been independently vetted for harmful substances, but it’s worth noting that the latex isn’t certified organic. My main gripes with this mattress have to do with motion transfer—unlike the original WinkBed, my partner frequently wakes when I hop into bed after her. Edge support is also lackluster; there have been several times that I felt like I’d roll off the bed if I was but an inch closer to the edge. Finally, while the original WinkBed fit my queen-size bed frame perfectly, the EcoCloud has a bit of a gap at the top and bottom. Over time, the bed slides down the frame and creates a gap between my headboard and the mattress—my pillow went down the abyss once. I haven’t had this problem with another mattress. —Julian Chokkattu
Best Firm Mattress Topper
A new mattress is a huge investment, and sometimes all you need is a little refresh for your existing one. If your current bed isn’t sagging, you might be able to get a whole new feel just by adding a mattress topper like this organic latex topper from My Green Mattress.
This topper is two inches of certified organic latex wrapped in an organic cotton cover, with a zipper so you can remove the latex pad (though I am not sure why you’d want to). It’s lightweight but does a good job of staying in place even without any straps to hold it down.
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