To be totally honest, Latex mattresses are often overlooked by many people. Memory foam has come along and dominated the hearts and minds of the mattress buying public. It’s gotten to the point where often times people are unlikely to consider anything else (unless they are forced to due to budget constraints).
However, there are several excellent memory foam alternatives on the market, and these alternatives don’t get much better than latex.
Today we are going to take a look at the world of latex mattresses to see what they are, why they are good (and not so good), and what you should be looking out for. We’re going to finish with 8 of our top recommendations in with a comprehensive and impartial latex mattress review.
Let’s get started.
| First 5 : 2023 Best Latex Mattress Recommendations | |||
| Rank | Brand | Price (Queen) | Rating |
| Top Pick |
 |
Under $800 |
A+
|
| Runner Up |
 |
Under $1,000 Coupon |
A+
|
| Best Natural |
 |
Under $1,000 |
A
|
| Best Firm |
 |
Under $600 |
A-
|
| Best Budget |
 |
Under $500 |
A-
|
The Science Behind Latex Mattresses
The latex that is used in a latex mattress is different to the latex you’ll find in almost anything else (because it’s a foam). Many people in the mattress industry widely regard latex foam as a direct alternative to memory foam that can easily hold its own in a head to head competition.
The one weakness that latex mattresses have is that they don’t have the amazing contouring properties of memory foam. There’s no denying that this is not an insignificant downside to the material. However, latex makes up for it by beating memory foam in other ways.
The main benefit latex foam mattresses have over their memory foam cousins is that latex mattresses are much better thermal regulators. Memory foam has been plagued by overheating issues ever since it was first released. And despite modern advances in memory foam technology, it still gets too hot throughout the night for many people’s tastes.
Latex mattresses don’t have this issue, in fact, the opposite is true, they provide an exceptionally cool night’s sleep that is literally second to none.
Latex mattresses also benefit from incredible durability and longevity. Memory foam mattresses aren’t exactly bad at this, they last a long time – but latex mattresses will last you longer before they need to be replaced.
Latex mattresses are also firmer products than memory foam, which could be seen as a positive or a negative depending on your personal preference. However, one of the most attractive things about latex mattresses (more so now than ever before) is that they are made from a natural material.
Memory foam is made from a chemically intensive and highly “unnatural” process that uses pollutants and creates sizable amounts of unwanted emissions. On the other hand, latex mattresses are mainly made from natural latex (which is much more eco-friendly). That being said, these days many latex mattresses are composites mixed with synthetic chemicals to reduce cost and firmness.
The Different Types Of Latex Mattress
You’ll be able to find three main categories of latex mattress on the market. These categories essentially all revolve around the ratio of latex to synthetic material that has been used in the manufacturing process.
Natural Latex
Natural latex is the most coveted kind of latex mattress, but it’s also the most expensive. It’s a product that is made 100% from Heva milk (which is sap from the rubber tree) and is incredibly durable. However, it’s also the firmest kind of latex. As natural latex is so expensive it’s often hard to find a reasonably priced 100% natural latex mattress on the market. Instead, many brands opt to use a synthetic blend.
Blended Latex
Blended latex is the most common kind of latex on the market. It mixes some of the natural latex we mentioned above in with some synthetic latex we will mention below. This is done to reduce cost, but also reduce the natural firmness latex provides (which makes it more appealing to some people).
The ratio of natural to synthetic latex differs from mattress to mattress. As a rule of thumb the more natural latex in a product, the firmer (and more expensive) it will be.
Synthetic Latex
Synthetic latex isn’t actually latex at all (at least not in the traditional sense of the word). It’s a compound that is made entirely artificially by chemical processes. There is nothing bad about this in of itself (apart from environmental concerns), but it’s a little disingenuous for it to be called “latex”. Synthetic latex is often softer and less durable than the natural variety, but it’s also much cheaper.
What To Look For In A Good Latex Mattress
Aside from the normal mattress buying basics, there are a few latex-specific things you should be looking out for when shopping around.
Latex Content
Obviously one of the most important things to look out for is the latex content of the mattress. If a brand is not advertising the amount of natural latex in their product, it probably means there is a very small amount (or none at all).
All Natural Latex Layers
Many brands are being very sneaky with the way they are promoting their mattresses. They will claim in the big headline that it’s made from “100% Natural Latex” to entice you into a purchase. But if you read the fine print you’ll find that there’s often a wafer thin layer of 1 to 2 inches of natural latex on the top, that is supported by a big bulk of synthetic latex (or another material) on the bottom.
This layered design isn’t actually a bad thing, it’s a cost-effective way to get the feeling of natural latex without the huge price tag. Just be aware that this practice exists so you know what you’re buying.
Manufacturing Process
There are two main ways to create Latex foam, the Dunlop process, and the Talalay process. For the sake of brevity, we won’t go into the boring technical details here. However, all you need to know is this:
- The Dunlop process often results in a firmer foam and usually uses more natural latex
- The Talalay process often results in a softer foam and usually uses more synthetic latex
| Rank | Brand | Price (Queen) | Rating |
| Top Pick |
|
Under $800 |
A+
|
| Runner Up |
|
Under $1,000 Coupon |
A+
|
| Best Natural |
|
Under $1,000 |
A
|
| Best Firm |
|
Under $600 |
A-
|
| Best Budget |
|
Under $500 |
A-
|
Overall Best Latex Mattress
Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Buy It
As our overall best latex mattress we felt compelled to provide you with one of the best (and only) all natural latex products on the market. This is a stunning example of the very best the latex mattress world has to offer, and if you’ve got deep enough pockets – it’s a clear winner.
This is a 100% genuine all natural latex product. There’s no synthetic latex and no memory foam, just pure latex straight from the tree formed into a comfortable slab. This makes it one of the most eco-friendly mattresses on the planet, with no artificial chemicals used in its production whatsoever.
The only thing in this mattress that isn’t latex is the organic cotton cover (that’s blended with real New Zealand wool) on top. It’s a supremely comfortable mattress that is surprisingly soft for a latex product (it has a medium firmness).
As you’d imagine, however, all of this latex comes at a cost. At over $1000 it’s the most expensive product on this page. However, it’s a premium product with a premium price tag. And if you’re looking for the absolute best latex mattress on the market, this is it.
Pros And Cons
- Pro – 100% Natural latex
- Pro – No blended latex
- Pro – No synthetic latex
- Pro – Reasonably soft (for latex)
- Pro – Extremely durable
- Pro – Excellent thermal regulation
- Pro – Highly supportive
- Pro – Great brand
- Con – It’s not exactly cheap
7 Other Latex Mattresses We Recommend
While we are sure many of you are dreaming of the thought of sleeping on a mattress as luxurious as the one we chose for our top pick, we realize that for many people (ourselves included) it’s going to be a little out of budget.
Here are 7 other latex mattresses that are more than worthy of your consideration.
Eco Terra 11″ Luxury Latex Mattress Buy It
If you really had your heart set on a 100% all natural latex mattress (but our top pick was a little out of budget) this product is a great alternative. A thick layer of 100% natural latex makes up the bulk of this mattress. However, unlike our top pick, in this product, the latex rests on a layer of high-quality springs. This allows for excellent levels of comfort and support but allows Eco Terra to keep costs down.
Pros And Cons
- Pro – 100% Natural latex
- Pro – Reasonably priced
- Pro – Respectable brand
- Pro – Medium firmness
- Con – It’s still not exactly cheap
Latex for Less 9″ Natural Latex Mattress Buy It
This product is another alternative to our top pick that is very similar. It’s a great big slab of 100% all natural latex that’s 9 inches thick (with no springs). It’s medium firm and has a 1-inch thick organic cotton covering for comfort. If you liked our top pick, we highly recommend you check this product out too.
Pros And Cons
- Pro – 100% All natural latex
- Pro – Cotton covering
- Pro – Medium firmness
- Pro – Great brands
- Con – It’s another premium product with a premium price tag
DreamFoam Mattress Ultimate Dreams Firm Latex Mattress Buy It
This product from DreamFoam is a great middle ground between affordability and comfort. It’s a multi-layer product that provides a 3-inch thick layer of firm Talalay latex on top. DreamFoam doesn’t openly state the Natural latex content of the top layer in their marketing (which is usually a red flag), but considering the reputation of the brand and the rave reviews of the product, we’re sure it’s not going to disappoint.
Pros And Cons
- Pro – Great brand
- Pro – 3-inch thick latex layer
- Pro –Made in the USA
- Pro – Rayon (bamboo) covering
- Con – It’s a firm mattress that might not be to all tastes
LinenSpa 10 Inch Latex Hybrid Mattress Buy It
This product from LinenSpa is one of the cheapest on this list, but it’s still a great mattress. For the cost reduction, you’re going to be sacrificing natural latex content, but that’s not going to be a deal breaker for most people. It’s a 10-inch thick mattress that has four individual layers of latex foam (which are supported by soft springs). The uppermost layer of foam has the highest amount of natural latex content, but as we get down towards the 3rd and 4th layers we’re pretty sure it’s all synthetic.
Pros And Cons
- Pro – Highly affordable
- Pro – Durable
- Pro – Supportive
- Con – Low natural latex content
BEST 2 REST Natural Latex Mattress Buy It
This is a great mattress that we love to recommend. It’s a hybrid product that uses several layers of different material to create an impeccable sleeping experience. The top layer is made from 100% natural latex and is 2 inches thick to provide cooling comfort. Underneath you’ll find layers of memory foam and high-density foam to provide affordable support. It’s a great way to get the natural latex feel without the huge costs traditionally involved.
Pros And Cons
- Pro – Natural thick latex layer
- Pro – Affordable
- Pro – Highly supportive
- Pro – Stays cool throughout the night
- Pro – 20 Year warranty
- Con – It’s not eco-friendly (due to the memory foam)
Sunrising Bedding 8 Inch Hybrid Natural Latex Coil Innerspring Mattress Buy It
This is another hybrid product like the Best2Rest above but it takes a slightly different approach. It still has a thick layer of 100% natural latex on top, but instead of memory foam and high-density foam for the bottom, it uses tempered steel coils. This provides a slightly firmer feel to the mattress but it’s still what would be considered medium-firm overall.
Pros And Cons
- Pro – 100% Natural latex layer
- Pro – Very reasonably priced
- Pro – Respected brand
- Pro – 20 Year Warranty
- Pro – Money back guarantee
- Con – Uses springs
LUCID 10 Inch Latex Foam Mattress Buy It
The final product on our list is from the much loved (and highly respected) brand Lucid. It’s a hybrid mattress that provides a generous layer of 3 inches of natural latex that is supported by a 7-inch thick layer of high-density comfort foam. Be warned, this is a very firm mattress, it’s probably the firmest on this list. But if that’s what you like – it’s a great product.
Pros And Cons
- Pro – 3 Inches of natural latex
- Pro – Respected brand
- Pro – 25 Year warranty
- Pro – Inexpensive
- Con – Very firm
Conclusion
So there you have it, all you ever wanted to know about latex mattresses. Latex isn’t exactly a cheap material, but like all things in the world of mattresses – you really do get what you pay for…
If you follow the advice we have given above (and stick with one of our recommendations) we’re sure you’ll agree that despite the cost, it’s money well spent.
Sweet dreams!
