The best organic mattresses

Organic mattresses promise cleaner materials and fewer questionable chemicals — but not every mattress labeled "natural" or "eco-friendly" meets rigorous certification standards. The organic models tend to rely on certified cotton, wool, latex, and steel coils rather than polyurethane foam or fiberglass fire barriers.

To find the best organic mattresses, we focused on testing brands with meaningful third-party certifications such as GOTS, GOLS, Greenguard Gold, and OEKO-TEX. We also considered construction type — from fully latex designs to coil-forward innerspring builds — and then evaluated them according to the most important performance factors that we look at in the best mattresses including support, pressure relief, motion isolation, cooling, and durability.

Our top pick, the Birch Natural Mattress, strikes the best balance of comfort, certifications, and value with a cost-effective latex hybrid design. But we also included standout options for shoppers seeking a cooling all-latex mattress, a coil-based innerspring model, and an entry-level option for budget-minded shoppers.

Learn more about how Business Insider Reviewstests and reviews home products.

Our best organic mattress recommendations, tested and reviewed

Best overall: Birch Natural Mattress by Helix — See at Birch

Best budget: Awara Natural Hybrid Mattress — See at Awara

Best for firmness options: Avocado Green Mattress — See at Avocado

Best for couples: Naturepedic EOS Classic Organic Mattress — See at Naturepedic

Best for side sleepers: WinkBeds EcoCloud Hybrid Mattress — See at WinkBeds

Best latex: PlushBeds Botanical Bliss Organic Latex Mattress — See at PlushBeds

Best innerspring: Parachute Eco Mattress — See at Parachute

Best luxury: Essentia Classic REM5 Organic Mattress — See at Essentia

How to choose the right organic mattress for you

What is an organic mattress?

Unlike food, there's no single federal law that defines an "organic mattress," so it's important to be wary of greenwashing. The terms organic, natural, and non-toxic aren't interchangeable, either. In most cases, "organic" refers to specific materials — like cotton, wool, or latex — that are certified by third parties such as GOTS or GOLS, which require at least 95% certified organic content and regulated manufacturing standards.

"Natural" is largely unregulated, while "non-toxic" typically refers to low chemical emissions, often verified by certifications like GREENGUARD Gold. Because mattresses contain multiple components including coils, fabrics, and adhesives, a bed may include organic materials without being fully organic as a finished product.

For the purpose of this guide, we considered organic mattresses that use organic latex, wool, and cotton and disregarded mattresses that use memory foam, as it's made of chemicals that can emit VOCs that may cause respiratory distress, though the science is still out on that. For more details, check out the what to look for and FAQ sections below.

Best overall

Certified organic materials meet sturdy, no-sink support. The Birch Natural Mattress by Helix earns our top spot because it balances verified certifications with dependable comfort. It carries GREENGUARD Gold and Fair Trade certifications and is made in the USA. In testing, it felt supportive, responsive, and durable — not overly plush, but stable and well-constructed.

Layered with natural materials that actually matter. Three layers of wool provide cushioning, moisture-wicking, and act as a natural flame retardant. Underneath is GOLS-certified Talalay latex for pressure relief, followed by individually wrapped pocketed coils that enhance motion isolation and reinforce the edges. The cover is made with GOTS-certified organic cotton.

Firm support that favors back and stomach sleepers. The Birch has a distinctly firm feel, which kept our spines aligned during back and stomach sleeping. Side sleepers may want to add the Plush Organic Mattress Topper, which noticeably softens the surface and relieves pressure at the shoulders and hips. With the topper added, the mattress felt more versatile. Birch also offers Luxe and Elite versions for those seeking plusher relief and enhanced breathability additional latex layers and micro-coil layers respectively.

A strong long-term option with a small return caveat. One long-term tester — a thin, 6-foot-5 teen — preferred the mattress with the topper and said it helped ease growing pains, though they reported some overheating on hot summer nights. Birch offers a 120-night sleep trial, but returns come with a $99 removal fee. The company says returned mattresses are donated, recycled, or repurposed whenever possible.

Read our Birch Natural Mattress Review.

Best budget

A rare certified find under four figures. Truly certified organic mattresses are almost impossible to find under $500, but the Awara Natural Hybrid stands out as the best organic mattress under $1,000. It's GREENGUARD Gold certified — a meaningful distinction at this price — making it one of the more affordable ways to get verified low-emissions materials without jumping into luxury-tier pricing.

• See our guide to the best mattresses under $1,000

Comfortable, breathable, and easy to sleep on. In testing, the medium-firm Awara felt most supportive for stomach sleeping, though it worked well in every position. I didn't experience soreness during the two-week testing period, and the mattress dissipated heat effectively, preventing overheating — something not all latex hybrids manage well.

GOLS and FSC-certified latex add responsive support. A quilted cover made with organic New Zealand wool and rayon adds subtle cushioning and moisture regulation. Beneath that is two inches of GOLS- and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified Dunlop latex for a buoyant, body-contouring feel, followed by individually wrapped pocket springs that reinforce durability. For double the cushioning, the Premier incorporates an additional two inches of latex into a Eurotop, and still stays close to the $1,000 value threshold.

Generous policies make it a low-risk buy. Motion isolation and edge support were middle-of-the-pack, though it nearly passed our motion transfer test and offered satisfying bounce. Awara backs the mattress with a 365-night trial and a forever warranty. Returns appear straightforward, with the company attempting local donation before disposal.

Read our review of the Awara Premier Luxury Natural Hybrid Mattress review.

Best for firmness options

Five firmness levels make this one of the most versatile organic picks. The Avocado Green Mattress comes in Firm, Medium, and Plush, and has since expanded even deeper on the firmness spectrum, launching extra-firm and ultra-plush models. This gives shoppers more flexibility than most organic competitors. However, the cost difference between the firm and plush options can be over $1,000, pushing a mid-range option into luxury territory. The medium we tested is the perfect middle ground, with naturally responsive latex that is especially comfortable for people who rotate between stomach, back, and side sleeping.

Backed by multiple third-party certifications. Avocado touts itself as having the most certifications, and comparing the most popular certifications, well Avocado hits every single one, including Made Safe, EWG, Greenguard Gold, Oeko-Tex Standard, and Climate Neutral certifications. Mattress certification can get pricey, but it gives you peace of mind that the mattresses meets certain safety, ethical, and quality standards as suggested by independent parties and helps reduce false claims. Avocado uses a GOTS-certified organic cotton over and Responsible Wool Standard-certified wool for moisture-wicking, breathability, and natural fire resistance. Beneath that is up to six inches of eco-Institut- and GOLS-certified organic Dunlop latex (or Talalay latex for the ultra-plush).

Responsive latex coupled with zoned support delivers buoyant pressure relief. The latex comfort layer contoured to my body without creating sinkage, while zoned pocketed coils supported spinal alignment. As a side sleeper who frequently shifts positions, I felt comfortable on the Medium model. The mattress also slept noticeably cool. However, while the bounce is pronounced, motion isolation and edge support were only average.

A generous trial — with notable conditions. Avocado offers a one-year home trial, but returns come with a $99 fee plus shipping deductions. The mattress must remain in donatable condition with its law tag intact and be used with a mattress protector. Avocado says these requirements help it donate about 90% of returned beds to nonprofits.

Best for couples

Dual firmness makes compromise optional. The Naturepedic EOS Classic Organic Mattress lets each partner choose their own firmness level, starting from queen sizes and larger. You can select from five options per side — a rare feature — making it ideal for couples with different sleep preferences. Unlike Avocado however, the firmness difference does not affect cost, as Avocado's firmness is dictated by increased amounts of latex while Naturepedic's relies on composition.

Stacked with meaningful certifications and customizable layers. The EOS Classic carries GOTS, GOLS, Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Class 1, Environmental Working Group (EWG), MADE SAFE, and GREENGUARD Gold certifications. It features a quilted layer of organic wool and cotton over an organic latex comfort layer that contours without excessive sink. The support core uses glueless individually wrapped coils with reinforced edges, all encased in organic cotton. Latex-free and vegan (wool-free) versions are also available.

Adjustable construction extends its lifespan. Setup is more involved than most mattresses, and arrives in multiple boxes. Naturepedic also offers in home set-up starting at $299. The modular design allows you to swap comfort layers as your needs change. During testing, the plush and medium configurations delivered excellent pressure relief, especially for side sleeping, while maintaining strong spinal alignment and standout edge support.

Strong motion control with one cooling drawback. Motion isolation was above average; I could only faintly detect movement when my partner shifted positions. However, the mattress tended to retain heat, so hot sleepers may want cooling products. Naturepedic includes a 100-night trial and offers free comfort-layer exchanges during that period, making fine-tuning relatively low risk.

Best for side sleepers

Pressure relief where side sleepers need it most. Many latex hybrid mattresses default to a medium-firm feel that best suits back and stomach sleepers. Side sleepers looking to try latex will appreciate the medium feel provided by the WinkBeds EcoCloud. It delivers excellent spinal alignment and cushioning for side sleepers, which is why it's our top pick among the best mattresses for side sleepers. It contours at the shoulders and hips without excessive sink, though it remains supportive enough for petite-to-average back and stomach sleepers.

Responsive latex over zoned, reinforced coils. The Rainforest Alliance-certified EcoCloud is made in the US and uses OEKO-TEX-certified textiles. A buoyant latex comfort layer adds bounce and adaptive support, while individually wrapped pocket springs — made of recycled steel — provide zoned reinforcement for proper alignment. Extra perimeter coils create standout edge support, and the cover combines GOTS-certified cotton with breathable wool.

Comfortable cushioning with noticeable heat retention. I slept on the EcoCloud longer than most test models and appreciated how well it relieved pressure during side sleeping, especially after long runs. The balance of support and contouring helped me fall asleep quickly. However, it was one of the warmer mattresses I tested, trapping heat and taking time to cool down. Couples should appreciate the sturdy perimeter and above-average motion isolation, which help maximize usable sleep surface.

Best latex

A fully latex build with customizable firmness and height. The PlushBeds Botanical Bliss stands out for its entirely latex construction — no coils, no memory foam — making it one of the purest all-latex organic mattresses we tested. It's available in 9-, 10-, and 12-inch profiles, with Medium and Medium-Firm options, and couples can choose split firmness in queen sizes and larger.

Certified organic materials from cover to core. The top three layers are GOTS-certified organic, including a breathable circular-knit cotton cover, a moisture-wicking wool layer that acts as a natural flame barrier, and a stabilizing cotton panel. Beneath that are two substantial latex layers: an eco-Institut-certified comfort layer for contouring support and a GOLS-certified Dunlop latex base for durability. The mattress is also GREENGUARD Gold certified.

Naturally cool and responsive without coils. In our cooling tests — which use infrared thermometer readings before and after lying down — the Botanical Bliss was one of the best at maintaining a stable surface temperature. It didn't need to dissipate much heat because it never trapped much to begin with, making it the coolest organic mattresses I tested. The latex provided buoyant pressure relief with excellent bounce. The Medium I tested felt closer to medium-firm, working well for stomach sleeping. These attributes earned the PlushBeds spots in or guides to best cooling mattress and the best mattresses for stomach sleepers.

Strong performance with minor edge and return caveats. Motion isolation was solid, though it narrowly failed our bowling ball test, and edge support was better when lying close to the edge than sitting upright. Due to the solid latex construction, the bed is very heavy and can be cumbersome to set up or move. The brand frequently offers free-home set up during sale periods on orders over $2,000, which easily applies to 10-inch queen size mattresses and larger. PlushBeds also offers full refunds during the trial period, but returns require coordinating a donation or drop-off unless you choose the $149 removal fee.

Best innerspring

An organic innerspring mattress with no latex or foam. If you prefer the traditional feel of springs — or simply don't like latex — the Parachute Eco Mattress is a rare latex-free organic option. It's constructed with steel coils and wool sourced from the Wool Integrity program.

Layered coils provide structure and pressure relief. The breathable organic cotton cover sits over two layers of wool for temperature regulation and padding. Beneath that are three layers of steel microcoils designed to enhance motion isolation and contouring. A wool fire barrier separates the microcoils from the zoned pocketed coil base, which reinforces spinal alignment through firmer support in the middle third.

Supportive and surprisingly comfortable for side sleeping. Business Insider contributor Kylie Joyner tested the medium-firm model and found it could suit the spectrum of side, back, and stomach sleeping. She experienced strong pressure relief and didn't wake with stiffness or soreness. Motion isolation also performed well, limiting disruptions from a partner's movements.

Simple policies and straightforward returns. Parachute offers a 100-night sleep trial with full refunds. Returned mattresses are donated or recycled locally.

Read our full Parachute Mattress review.

Best luxury

A high-end organic mattress built around a health-first philosophy. The Essentia Classic REM5 Active stands apart from most organic hybrids by focusing heavily on non-toxic materials and its fully latex foam construction. The company centers around eight sleep elements, with the Rem5 achieving up to seven of them including allergy-friendly, certified mold protection, and active cooling. Both the brand's factory and the mattress itself are GOLS-certified organic, and the removable cover is made of breathable organic cotton with a Kevlar liner for fire resistance. The intentional choice to avoid wool to minimize opportunities for dust mites makes the mattress vegan, as well.

Fully latex construction with engineered pressure relief. The REM5 uses three layers of organic latex foam rather than coils. The top layer is designed for contouring pressure relief with activated quartz, which the brand says supports cooling. A transitional latex layer balances cushioning and support, while the dense base layer reinforces durability and spinal alignment.

Excellent motion isolation with a plush, foam-forward feel. During testing, I gravitated toward side sleeping and found the pressure relief especially soothing. The mattress performed exceptionally well in motion isolation, easily passing our bowling ball test. It also stayed relatively cool for an all-foam model. Edge support, however, was weaker than most hybrid competitors.

Premium pricing with notable return costs. Essentia offers a 120-night trial, but returns come with a 9% fee — close to $400 at this price point. An optional $660 EMF protection foam upgrade is available, though evidence around EMF harm and the effectiveness of this feature remains unclear. Returned mattresses are donated or recycled when possible.

What else we tested

• Earthfoam Organic Mattress: This eight-inch all-foam mattress is half the price of Plushbeds. It's made from what the brand refers to as natural Sri Lankan rubber, which is essentially GOLS-certified Latex. It sleeps cool and helped our tester who has a history of back pain, with a buoyant, medium-firm feel. Read our Earthfoam review.
• Saatva Zenhaven Mattress:The Zenhaven Latex Mattress features zoned support for optimal spinal alignment and an array of organic certifications. It is dual-sided for different feels — Luxury Plush and Gentle Firm — though our mattress expert found both sides were firmer than average. Also, it's a heavy mattress, so we don't imagine you'll actually be flipping it over all that often. Read our Saatva Zenhaven review.
• My Green Mattress Kiwi: This economically priced organic latex hybrid is backed by strong verified credentials and it has a lengthy one-year trial. However, temperature regulation was inconsistent, and edge support left a lot to be desired. Read our My Green Mattress Kiwi review.
• Boll & Branch The Mattress: Boll & Branch's sole mattress is made with an emphasis on natural materials but falls short on verified certifications. It features zoned support, slept cool and had decent motion isolation. Read our Boll & Branch Mattress review.

Best organic mattresses, compared

What to look for in an organic mattress

Our guide on choosing a mattress shares basic buying advice, like what bed is best for your body and sleep position and what size you should buy. This section will focus on what to look for in the best organic mattresses.

Certifications

Certifications are the most reliable way to verify a brand's organic claims. Third-party certifications confirm that specific materials meet defined standards for organic sourcing, chemical safety, emissions, and manufacturing practices. Without them, it's difficult to know whether a mattress truly avoids synthetic foams, fiberglass fire barriers, or harmful chemical residues.

The GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard) are the leading certifications for organic mattresses. A mattress must be made of at least 95 percent certified organic materials for GOTS certification. For GOLS, it must be 95 percent organic latex.

OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and Greenguard Gold are good certifications to look for as they show the materials aren't made with harmful chemicals that may cause health issues or affect indoor air quality and apply to a wide range of products, not just organic materials.

Other common certifications include:

• eco-Institut: Mainly certifies latex is free from toxic chemicals.
• Environmental Working Group: EWG verification for mattresses ensures that the entirety of the mattress meets strict standards for health, indicating it avoids many concerning chemicals and is free from EWG's "unacceptable" ingredients, aiming to be "non-toxic" by avoiding known carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, and allergens.
• Fair Trade Certified: This standard ensures materials are ethically sourced and workers are paid sufficiently.
• Forest Stewardship Council: Look for this certification if you want to ensure that materials like latex come from responsibly managed forests.
• Made Safe: This certification ensures the entirety of a product is free from a wide range of banned substances known or suspected to harm human health, ecosystems or indoor air quality
• Rainforest Alliance: To get this certification, materials must be environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable.
• Responsible Wool Standard: This voluntary certification emphasizes animal welfare, environmental protection, and transparency.
• Wool Integrity: A certification that ensure wool products were grown in New Zealand and that the farms adhered to strict animal welfare standards. Each product is traceable back to the farm it was grown.
• CertiPUR-US: This is a certification for polyurethane foams that are free of harmful chemicals like formaldehyde and low VOC. Foams aren't organic, but it's still good to look for in non-organic beds.

Organic mattress certification comparison

A look at common certifications. Certifications apply to specific materials within each mattress, not necessarily the entire finished product. Not all organic mattresses pursue every certification, and the absence of one does not automatically indicate lower quality.

Materials

"Organic textile fibers are grown without the use of synthetic chemicals or pesticides," said Bükra Kalaycı, Responsible, Standard Development and Implementation (Ecology) at Global Standard, which manages GOTS. "Organic mattresses typically use materials such as cotton, wool, and latex." Organic mattresses don't have classic polyurethane foam, as memory foam doesn't occur naturally. However, natural latex foams are popular organic materials, which comes from the sap of the rubber tree. Here's a breakdown of popular organic mattress materials:

Dunlop latex: This denser latex material is often used for support and durability in mattresses. It can also give the bed a firmer feel. Dunlop latex is made by pouring liquid latex into a mold and baking it in one step.

Talalay latex: Requires a more involved manufacturing process than Dunlop where the mold is vacuum-sealed, flash-frozen, and then baked. Talalay is usually softer and found in the comfort layers of a mattress. It's considered more breathable.

Cotton: Often used in organic mattress covers, cotton is breathable, hypoallergenic, and low maintenance.

Wool: Thanks to its flame-resistant properties, wool is a popular fire retardant in mattresses. It also breathes well and is anti-microbial. However, since it comes from sheep, it isn't vegan.

Metal coils: Hybrid mattresses feature pocket springs made of metal, usually steel. Some manufacturers use recycled metal to make their coils.

How we test organic mattresses

I sleep on mattresses for at least two weeks and put them through several objective tests to assess their edge support, comfort, cooling, and motion isolation.

Comfort: I've slept on over 100 mattresses, and based on my experience, I can tell how supportive, firm, spine-aligning, and pressure-relieving a mattress is. I also assess what sleep positions a mattress is best suited for. I track my sleep quality using a smartwatch and use an infrared thermometer to measure heat dissipation.

Motion isolation: When sleeping, you don't want your partner to jostle you awake. Mattresses with good motion isolation protect against this. I drop a bowling ball from 4 feet above the mattress so it lands 12 inches from an upright soda can. The can will stay upright on a bed with excellent motion isolation. I also measure the vibration intensity on the other side of the mattress using a vibrometer.

Edge support: You'll have trouble feeling comfortable on a bed with edges that sink significantly. Poor edge support also makes it unpleasant to sit on the side to put your shoes on, and getting into and out of bed becomes a hassle. I measure how much the edge sinks when I sit on it and see how far I can roll on the side before falling off.

Trial and warranty: The home trial is crucial because it lets you find out if the mattress is right for you by allowing you to sleep on it at home. I read the small print of return policies and warranties to look for loopholes, like restocking fees or return shipping charges. Also, I contacted the companies to find out what they do with returned mattresses, whether donating, recycling, or throwing them away.

Setup: I set up each mattress on my own, though you should probably have someone help you. I note if the bed comes with instructions or tools and if there's anything unusual or difficult about the process. I also rate how easy it is to maneuver since you may have to move your bed a few times over its lifetime.

Environmental certifications: I narrowed down the list of prospective mattresses according to reputable third-party certifications like GOTS, GOLS, OEKO-TEX Standard 100, and Greenguard Gold and took a close look at the materials.

For more details, check out our article on how we test mattresses.

Organic mattress FAQs

What is the difference between an organic and natural mattress?

"While the terms 'organic' and 'natural' are often used interchangeably, this is wrong," said Kalaycı. "There is a clear distinction and well-established system behind organic. Organic mattresses are made from materials that are certified organic, meeting strict standards for organic production. On the other hand, natural mattresses may contain natural materials but are not necessarily certified organic, meaning their raw materials and industrial production may still contain some hazardous ingredients."

What is the best material for organic mattresses?

Latex is used in the majority of organic mattresses we've tested because it's naturally occurring and often sustainably produced. Wool and cotton are also popular materials. While metal isn't exactly organic, it's often found alongside organic materials in hybrid mattresses.

Are all latex mattresses organic?

"Not all latex mattresses are organic," said Kalaycı. "Organic latex mattresses are specifically made from latex that has received organic certification at the source. While latex is a natural polymer derived from nature, the source may not necessarily hold an organic certification."

What is the difference between Talalay and Dunlop latex?

The difference is in how the latex is processed. Dunlop is a less processed latex, denser, and often used as a supportive core foam in mattresses. Talalay requires more involved processing to make it softer. It's often used in the comfort layers of organic mattresses.

Are organic mattresses worth it?

Organic mattresses are valued for their potential health benefits for people sensitive to chemicals, eco-friendliness, and use of sustainable materials and manufacturing processes. However, they are usually more expensive, costing $600 to $700 more than traditional hybrid (generally around $1,500) and foam mattresses (averaging about $1,100). This added cost may be worth it if you value sustainable materials free of harsh chemicals.

Who should buy an organic mattress?

People with allergies and chemical sensitivities will most benefit from choosing an organic mattress. Many common triggers for skin reactions and respiratory distress found in traditional mattresses are absent in organic models.

Certified organic mattresses usually involve less energy to manufacture and use sustainable farming practices, so they're the smart choice for environmental advocates who want to reduce their carbon footprint.

Since developing bodies are more vulnerable to chemical exposure, parents of young children should consider organic beds. Pregnant women can also minimize potential exposure to concerning compounds when choosing organic.

Do organic mattresses contain fiberglass?

Certified organic mattresses do not contain fiberglass. Instead of using fiberglass as a fire barrier — which is common in many budget foam mattresses — organic brands typically rely on natural flame-resistant materials like wool, which is naturally flame resistant and meet federal flammability standards without synthetic materials. Certifications such as GOTS often prohibit the use of fiberglass in certified components.

Some brands may also use plant-based fibers, silica-infused fabric, or Kevlar liners for fire protection, but certified organic mattresses typically rely on wool to stay compliant.

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