A latex mattress is made with layers of natural or synthetic latex, or a mix of both, that mould to your body. CHOICE describes latex mattresses that way, and Consumer Reports says latex layers, made with the liquid from a rubber tree plant, cushion with a subtly springy feel. Before you buy, check what kind of latex it is, what any "organic" claim rests on, and the trial terms.
What latex is
The Sleep Foundation, a review site that earns from shop links, says latex mattresses can be natural, synthetic or a mix, and that 100% natural latex is generally considered the highest quality but can be expensive.
You will also see two names, Dunlop and Talalay. The Sleep Foundation, a review site that earns from shop links, says organic Dunlop latex offers a firmer feel, while organic Talalay latex is lighter and bouncier. That description comes from a review site with a commercial interest; we found no independent tester comparing the two.
How it feels
Consumer Reports measures how much vibration passes across a mattress, and says that for memory foam and latex mattresses a higher score means it is easier to change position. The Sleep Foundation suggests a latex mattress may suit someone who finds memory foam too hot and conforming but still wants similar pressure relief; treat that as one review site's view.
Does latex sleep cooler?
The independent tests are mixed. In its foam versus spring comparison, CHOICE found its two latex mattresses felt cooler, but still collected a lot of sweat. In its guide for hot sleepers, CHOICE says cool mattresses come in latex, foam and spring types alike, so buying on construction alone won't guarantee a cooler sleep.
Organic claims
Read these claims closely. CHOICE says some latex mattress makers claim their products are 100% organic, but that only applies if the latex is made from 100% sap, as synthetic alternatives use extra chemicals and fillers.
One way to check an organic claim is the GOLS label. Control Union, which developed the Global Organic Latex Standard, describes it as a standard for products made from organically grown natural rubber latex. To label a final product GOLS, all its raw materials, other than approved additional materials or accessories, must meet the organic-origin requirements, and the standard sets limits for harmful substances, emission tests, and polymer and filler percentages.
How long it lasts
We found no independent durability figures for latex. The Sleep Foundation, a review site with shop links, says latex mattresses tend to last the longest, followed by high-density memory foam or polyfoam beds. Treat that as a review site's general view, not a test result.
Some change in feel is expected and is not a fault. The Simmons warranty, one mattress brand's terms, lists normal changes in feel or recovery period over time for foam and latex materials among the things it does not cover.
Checks before you buy
- Whether the latex is natural, synthetic or a blend: CHOICE says mattresses use either or both.
- If the mattress is sold as organic, whether it carries the GOLS label, which Control Union says applies to the final product.
- Check the trial: Which? says some sleep trials run as long as a year, some 200 nights and some just 30 nights.
The bed.chat checklist lists the other things to check before you pay. For a personal answer, Bed Fit, the chooser on the bed.chat home page, tells you which mattress type, firmness range and size fit how you sleep.
What the latex is made of, and whether an organic claim is certified, are the two questions the label should answer.
Sources
- CHOICE: how to choose the right mattress
- Consumer Reports: mattress buying guide
- Consumer Reports: how we test mattresses
- Sleep Foundation: best latex mattresses (a review site that earns from shop links)
- Sleep Foundation: how long should a mattress last (a review site that earns from shop links)
- CHOICE: foam vs spring mattresses
- CHOICE: best mattresses for hot sleepers
- Control Union: GOLS
- Simmons: warranty (a mattress brand)
- Which?: how to return a mattress