Best Natural Latex Mattresses – September 2023

Buyer’s Guide to Choosing The Best Natural Latex Mattress

If you are considering buying a latex mattress, then you have already made a good choice. Latex provides a fantastic combination of comfort and support which are things that owners love. There are other benefits beyond comfort; excellent airflow, natural mold resistance, and the natural origins of latex mattresses are regarded very highly by many people.

As a testament to the relaxing properties that it possesses, many people who suffer from back pain discover that a latex mattress offers them the best relief by far.

However, beware: not every latex mattress is created equal. With the wide range of options that are available, the marketplace can appear to be very confusing. Rest assured that this latex mattress buyer’s guide can help teach you what is and isn’t important when it comes to buying a good latex mattress.

Natural Vs Organic Vs Synthetic/Natural Blends

First of all, there are latex’s origins: synthetic or natural. All-natural latex mattresses are made out of latex that solely come from Hevea Brasiliensis, which is a rubber tree. If you are a big fan of using raw material that comes solely from nature, then this option is the most desirable one. However, all-natural latex mattresses have a tendency to be more expensive.

All-natural latex mattresses can be organic as well. When it comes to performance, organic is the equivalent of natural latex. The appeal of it comes from the product’s organically sourced nature, which if you happen to be an eco-conscious customer, is very attractive. Usually, an organic latex mattress is a bit more expensive compared to a non-organic regular all-natural latex mattress. 

On the other hand, synthetic latex is made via polymerizing a monomer, which is a molecule that chemically binds to other molecules and forms a polymer and that is then processed to make late that behaves and looks very similar to natural latex.

Note that mattresses either are a natural/synthetic latex or all-natural latex. In practice, there are not any all-synthetic latex mattresses.

A synthetic/natural latex blend mattress is not necessarily inferior compared to all-natural latex mattresses. A majority of leading latex mattresses are still continuing to develop and manufacture synthetic/natural blend latex mattresses. By combining natural latex and synthetic latex, they can manipulate and achieve the ideal mattress that is superior in terms of both support and comfort, on a consistent basis. Some of the manufacturers keep the ‘combination’ as a trade secret from the competition since they don’t want anyone copying their formula.  

As a consumer, if you do decide to buy a synthetic/natural blend latex mattress, or an all-natural latex mattress even, just be sure the bedding store can show you the certifications that have been obtained by the mattress. The certifications are very important since they are an indication that a latex mattress has been subjected to rigorous testing based on international standards, like Morton Thiokol, LGA, Eurolatex, and Oeko-Tex – that certifies that the latex core does excel in terms of elasticity and durability, and do not contain any harmful substances or pose risks to the environment and sleeper.

Processing Method: Talalay Versus Dunlop

Latex (whether blended or natural) can be processed in one of two major ways in order to crate late blocks used in mattresses. The two major methods are the Talalay method and the Dunlop method.

It isn’t important to understand all of the chemistry behind the methods. However, what is important is knowing that the methods result in mattress properties that are slightly different. The Dunlop Method produces a mattress with a firmer feeling and forms one block that is the size of the entire mattress. A softer feeling also can be achieved by a lower density toper being added to the top of the main mattress core. The Talalay method, by contrast, produces a softer-feeling mattress that costs a bit more to produce.

It isn’t a case of one of these methods being inferior and the other one superior. Instead, it is a situation where each individual will have her or his own preference that is based on what feels the most comfortable to them when the mattresses are tested out.

Latex and Other Materials Vs 100% Latex

There is also a distinction between all-latex mattresses and latex that is overlaid or unlaid with a different material, which most often is inner springs, memory foam, polyurethane (PU) foam, or a combination of all three of these. In general, all-latex mattresses have a tendency to be a lot more desirable compared to latex that is combined with other materials. That is mainly due to the fact that PU fao may off-gas (emit a chemical smell), and that is quite unpleasant. All-latex mattresses also last longer an don’t lose their shape or support as easily as other mattress materials do. 

Although those different kinds of latex mattresses might seem very confusing to you, just remember that a synthetic/natural blended 100% latex or all-natural mattresses usually are considered to be the most desirable. These mattresses are made by either the Talalay or Dunlop processing method, and neither of them is worse or better, but instead, are the result of different firmness levels and overall feeling to these mattresses. 

Firmness Level

To determine the best firmness level for your needs and preferences, you will need to try the different levels out. Latex, like other mattresses, offers different firmness levels. Those range from very firm mattresses to soft ones that provide you with a sinking soft feeling.

Note that you should not be overly concerned or confused between hardness and firmness. Usually, firmness is measured on the basis of mass per unit volume (kg/m3), while hardness is measured by either using indentation load deflection (ILD) or kPa (kilo-pascal). 

You are the only one who can determine what the right firmness level is for you by laying down mattresses and testing them out.

What About the Pinholes?

You might have noticed in online photos that there is a series of pinholes that punctuate latex mattresses. There are two purposes that are served by those holes. The first one is that they offer outstanding airflow which is important for proper hygiene. It keeps the mattresses cool and enables moisture to easily escape, which is important in humid warm climates like what can be found in countries like Singapore.

The second function that the pinholes serve is fine-tuning the firmness. Although firmness is mainly determined by the latex composition in the mattress, there is also a role that is played by the pinholes. The number and size of pins affect the firmness and comfort level that you experience. Some latex mattresses, in fact, different arrangements of pinholes in different in various parts of the mattress, which allows you to experience different firmness and softness zones to provide the ultimate in body support. There are other latex mattresses where the pins are arranged uniformly. It all comes down to precisely where you are looking for and what feels the most comfortable to you when you are testing mattresses out. You don’t buy a mattress every day.

There is actually a good chance that you only do it once every 10 or so years. Therefore, treat yourself to whatever mattress offer you the most pressure relief and relaxation. For some people, that might be a latex mattress that pins in a variable arrangement, while for other people, it could be a latex mattress that features pins in a uniform arrangement.

Rest assured that it isn’t necessary to count all of the pinholes in order to determine whether or not it is a high-quality mattress. That can be determined by lying down on it. A high-quality mattress that has enough pinholes is going to feel comfortable.

Is It Necessary to Get A Multi-Layer Latex Mattress?

You might have noticed that some latex mattresses have multiple layers while others have one layer (or one block). Multi-layer mattresses are enclosed in a removable sturdy cover. A multi-layer and single layer mattress, at first glance, look alike. However, if you want to examine them further, you can see the layers within a multi-layer mattress when the cover is unzipped.

Some added benefits are offered by multi-layer mattresses compared to single layer ones. The first one is that it offers personalized comfort. Various levels of firmness and softness may be stacked in order to provide you with the ideal sleeping experience. With stacking layers, usually, the softest layer is on top to provide comfort, and then the bottom layer is firmer to offer a solid support base. You can, however, have the layers arranges however you want them; there are many different combinations of stacking for you to try out. The key is finding the arrangement that feels the most comfortable for your body.

The other benefit that is offered by multi-layer mattresses is being able to change a layer out later if you want to. For example, if you should experience a lifestyle change and want to change a layer out for a different firmness level, you can. That would be a lot more convenient and easier than replacing the whole mattress would be.

The question of whether or not you need to have a multi-layer latex mattress really is a personal decision and you are the only one who can make it. Everything else being equal, generally speaking, a multi-layer mattress is usually considered to be more desirable compared to a single block mattress. For example, a 15 cm layer combined with a 5 cm layer is usually considered to be better than a single 20 cm layer. That is due to the customization reasons discussed above. However, ultimately there is no right or wrong. Instead, it is something you will have to test out by simply lying on several different mattresses and comparing how they feel to you.

Search for Certifications

The highest quality latex mattresses come with certifications. These certifications are strong indicators that show that the mattress adheres to certain international standards or has passed specific stringent tests.

Certification also might be given to mattresses that are manufactured in a certain way.

Certifying bodies are very stringent when it comes to their standards and do not award the certifications easily. Therefore, if a specific model and brand of latex mattress have certifications that have been awarded to it, that is a good indication that it is a high-quality product that you are considering.

Do I Need to Have a Warranty?

Yes, having a warranty is an absolute must. Do not purchase a mattress unless it has a warranty. Otherwise, it will be a poor quality one. Only purchase a mattress where the seller or manufacturer is willing to stand behind the product by offering a warranty. A high-quality mattress always comes with a minimum 10-year warranty period.