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On average, you spend 23 years of your life sleeping, so why not choose the best organic mattress? These natural beds, sheets, and bedding are better for the environment and your health, and they create a magical sleep experience.
Traditional mattresses often contain questionable materials. Inorganic mattresses can contain and release everything from polyurethane foams containing formaldehyde and TCEP (a flame retardant) to phthalates into your home. The extent to which these substances affect the body is not scientifically proven, but one way to avoid potential harm is to buy a mattress made from natural, organic materials. Most natural mattresses are made from a blend of wool, natural latex, and cotton. Their construction is similar to that of a traditional mattress, but without the chemicals.
The WIRED Gear team has been testing mattresses for years, and we’ve slept on every mattress on this list. We’re always testing new mattresses, but these are our favorites so far. We generally recommend hybrid mattresses with individually wrapped innerspring cores, as they provide the best support and allow air to pass through so you don’t get too hot to sleep. You might also find our guide to the best mattresses helpful. Unless otherwise noted, all prices are for a large model.
January 2025 update: We’ve added two new mattresses from Awara and a vegetarian mattress from Essentia, and removed the Plank, which is no longer available. We’ve also updated all links and prices.
Birch’s Luxe Organic Mattress is our favorite new organic mattress. It strikes the perfect balance between firmness and softness (Birch calls it medium-firm), making it a great choice for side sleepers, stomach sleepers, or back sleepers. It’s also great for those of us who like to sleep in a variety of positions. It’s a versatile, comfortable mattress that will allow just about anyone to get a good night’s sleep.
The medium-firm feel comes from individually wrapped steel springs covered in natural latex, wool, and GOTS-certified organic cotton. The springs provide full lumbar support to support your spine, but they’re firm around the edges. The Birch Luxe mattress doesn’t sag, and I don’t have the lower back pain that comes with softer mattresses. The wool and latex top layer provides excellent temperature regulation, and the pillow top feels nice and soft. (The main difference between this mattress and the cheaper, non-Luxe models we also recommend below is that it’s an orthopedic mattress.)
Birch offers free shipping and a 100-day trial, and all mattresses come with a 25-year warranty. Birch offers on-site installation and removal of old mattresses through LoadUp; details can be found on the Birch website. The Luxe arrived fully compressed, and despite its small size, it is definitely heavy. If your mattress needs to be moved up stairs or you are uncomfortable lifting heavy, bulky items, we recommend choosing the door-to-door installation option.
The Avocado Green Hybrid mattress used to be our favorite mattress and the only mattress my wife and I both liked. She likes a soft mattress and I like a firm mattress. This mattress combines the best of both worlds without being too heavy. This mattress is also great for combination sleepers like me as I sleep in almost any position during the night. After sleeping on this Avocado mattress for almost two years, I have not noticed any sagging or other issues with it.
All Avocado mattresses come with a one-year trial, a 25-year warranty, and free shipping. Like other mattress-in-a-box mattresses, the Avocado mattress comes in a compression package. If you prefer a softer feel, opt for a soft mattress or add a mattress pad, like the company’s luxurious (and eco-friendly) alpaca mattress pad (see below).
Avocado Green is 11 inches thick and is made from organic latex, organic wool, and organic cotton. It is non-toxic. According to the company, there are no polyurethane, flame retardants, memory foam, or chemical adhesives.
As you might imagine, most mattress shoppers are choosing between soft and firm, or trying to find a middle ground that will suit couples with different preferences. But what if your tastes change with the seasons, or your muscles ache after a long, stressful day? Zenhaven lets you choose between the two.
Saatva’s Zenhaven is made from organic latex and protected by an organic fleece lining and organic cotton cover. The Plush and Firm sides aren’t much different from the firm and soft sides of the mattress—the company claims an 18 percent difference—but it’s a nice change. Otherwise, the Zenhaven is pricey but very well made (and heavy—this isn’t a mattress in a box). It has great edge support, won’t get too hot or too cold while you sleep, and will last for years.
Solid natural latex mattresses can last for decades and provide the perfect balance between support and softness. However, because foam latex mattresses are solid blocks of vulcanized rubber, they are heavy and often expensive. Also, because they are so heavy, they are often made and sold by local mattress companies with varying reputations.
Turmerry aims to solve this problem by offering an organic latex mattress that consists of three to four layers of natural foam, zipped together and covered in organic cotton. Each layer is wrapped in a piece of firm latex that feels like a cannonball. (The layers are light enough to be carried in a large carrier or up stairs.) Turmerry makes the latex using Dunlop technology, which means it is denser and provides better support than latex mattresses made with Turmerry technology. The Turmerry system has a slightly different foam firmness.
You can configure your mattress in a variety of ways. WIRED reviewer Martin Chizmar tested this mattress on medium firmness. After a week of testing, I found it worked as well as other natural latex mattresses, which is to say very well, especially for those who prefer the feel of firm foam. This is a foam mattress that feels more like a traditional innerspring mattress, at least at first. Over time, the natural latex slowly molds to the shape of your primary sleeping position. It’s a process similar to memory foam, except it takes years instead of seconds.
The Awara Premier Luxury Hybrid Mattress is an upgraded version of the affordable Awara Natural mattress featured below. This mattress features a cozy (and cooling) quilted wool-viscose blend cover, then a layer of GOLS- and FSC-certified, eco-friendly organic foam with innersprings at the bottom to support and stabilize your spine (and includes four handles for easy movement). This 12-inch mattress has a firmness level of 6 (10 is the highest firmness level), which is a little firmer than I typically like, but still comfortable.
The mattress has a quilted top to help improve air circulation, so I always felt cool while sleeping. The edges of the mattress are quite firm, although the top of the mattress is prone to bubbling in some places. The cool, silky feel of this mattress makes it feel premium — you can tell it’s made from durable materials. I love this luxurious organic mattress, I just wish it was a little more comfortable. —Molly Higgins
Awara Natural Luxury Hybrid ($849): The budget-friendly Awara organic mattress features a super-soft (dare I say silky) quilted wool-viscose blend top layer, a layer of GOLS- and FSC-certified eco-friendly organic foam, and innersprings for added support and spinal structure. The mattress is supportive and springy, but the edge support isn’t as promised, and the springs feel a little stronger than other mattresses I’ve tested. (You can feel the metal springs by running your hands along the sides of the mattress.) I like the firm motion transfer and breathable design, which keeps the mattress reasonably cool, and after testing 20 mattresses, I appreciate the handles on the sides for easy movement. This organic hybrid mattress is affordable, but it’s a little on the firm side, and the springs are a little too noticeable for my liking. —Molly Higgins
The Tatami mattress by Essentia is vegan, meaning it does not use wool or animal by-products, and all materials are sourced from farms that practice sustainable and ethical farming practices, including fair trade and labor standards. The mattress features a zippered organic cotton cover that is easily removed for washing, and a non-toxic, hypoallergenic Kevlar fabric barrier. The mattress is made from an organic latex support core with breathable holes and active organic foam that promotes spinal alignment and provides contoured support for pressure points.
Despite the lack of springs, the mattress is very comfortable, and the foam really conforms to your body’s curves and pressure points. Tatami offers free shipping, a 120-day trial, and a 20-year warranty. This organic, sustainably made, and eco-sourced bed is pricey, but it provides a good balance of structure and support (no box spring required), so it’s worth the money. —Molly Higgins
My search for an eco-friendly mattress started with my kids. I care more about what mattress they sleep on than what mattress I sleep on. As much as I love the Avocado Green mattress, it’s not cheap. I bought the more affordable Kiwi mattress from My Green Mattress for my kids. The Kiwi mattress is similar to the Avocado. It’s a hybrid mattress that uses pocket springs and natural materials: certified organic cotton, wool, and latex. It’s also a rare commodity; organic king-size mattresses are a bit hard to find.
One of the features that makes the Kiwi appealing to kids is its reversible design. While the initial cost is a bit higher, the ability to flip the bed extends its lifespan, which is handy if your child thinks the bed is actually a trampoline in disguise.
My green mattress comes with a 20 year warranty and a 120 day trial. The Kiwi mattress is definitely on the firm side, but I find it very comfortable and my kids say it is the most comfortable mattress they have ever slept on.
We still prefer the Luxe version of this mattress and the Avocado version above, but the Birch mattress is a good choice for side sleepers. WIRED reviewer Lorin Stramp says she has terrible sleep: “I toss and turn all night. My blankets have to be really tight. I can’t stand light, and I need a sound machine running in the background. I didn’t expect mattresses to make a big difference, but I was pleasantly surprised by this Birch mattress.” It’s an eco-friendly mattress made by Helix, the maker of another one of our favorite beds.
The Birch Natural is made from natural latex and wool with individually wrapped springs that provide softness and bounce without feeling too squishy. It’s perfect for both stomach and side sleepers, and is so comfortable that Stramp can sleep on her back. There was a small, noticeable indentation where she and her partner slept, and a groove between them, but it was still tolerable a year later. If your room gets hot at night or you tend to overheat while you sleep, the Birch might not be for you.
My first impression of the EcoCloud mattress by WinkBeds wasn’t great. It didn’t have the firmness I loved about the original WinkBed mattress, which I’ve had for over a year now, and it felt like I was sinking into it. But after a week, the mattress firmed up a bit, and now, four months later, I’ve grown to love the soft duvet cover, which is made from 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton and New Zealand wool. It felt like I was jumping into a luxury hotel bed. However, despite the mattress’s soft cushion, my back felt well supported by the four-inch-thick Talalay latex layer, which is supported by a recycled steel innerspring system. However, if you typically prefer a medium-firm mattress, you may want to look elsewhere, as this one is on the softer side.
This hypoallergenic mattress is Oeko-Tex certified, meaning it’s been independently tested for harmful substances, but it’s worth noting that the latex isn’t certified organic. My main gripe with this mattress is motion transfer: unlike the original WinkBed, my partner would often wake up when I jumped into bed after her. The bed also had poor edge support; on several occasions, I felt like I was going to roll off the bed if I got an inch closer to the edge. Finally, while the original WinkBed fits my double bed frame perfectly, the EcoCloud has a small gap at the top and bottom. Over time, the bed began to slide down the frame, creating a gap between the headboard and the mattress—my pillows would fall into the abyss. This hasn’t been an issue with other mattresses. —Julian Chokkattu
A new mattress is a big investment, and sometimes you just need to give your old one a little upgrade. If your current bed isn’t sagging, you can achieve a whole new feel by adding a mattress pad, like this organic latex mattress pad from My Green Mattress (check out our guide to choosing the best mattress pad for more options).
This mattress is made from 2 inches of certified organic latex wrapped in an organic cotton cover and has a zipper so you can remove the latex lining (though I don’t know why you’d want to). It’s lightweight but stays in place well even without any straps.
This mattress is quite firm compared to down or wool mattresses, but it still conforms to your body shape well and is comfortable even if you sleep on your side. With this mattress, I don’t even touch it when I’m lying on my stomach or back. When I’m lying on my side, I do touch the mattress, but only slightly. Overall, you can give your bed a whole new look without spending a lot of money.
Want a thicker mattress? The PlushBed 3-inch mattress topper is the perfect option for sleeping on, and unless your old bed is sagging too much in the middle, you can probably sleep on it for a few more years. PlushBed offers five firmness levels, from “soft” to “very firm.” I chose the Extra firmness and was very pleased. It’s the firmest mattress I’ve ever used. If you also like to sleep on a very firm bed, this is the best mattress you can find. If you don’t like it, consider the other four firmness levels.
The PlushBed Latex Mattress is made from Gols-certified Talalay latex. The company claims it contains no fillers, chemical dyes, pesticides, bleaches, carcinogenic adhesives or chemical flame retardants.
The Turmerry Natural Latex Mattress Topper is one of the best value mattress toppers you can buy. The two-inch model is available for under $300, and we’ve seen it for less on sale. The hood is sold separately and will cost more if you want it, but after months of testing, I’ve found that you don’t really need it.
The Turmerry mattress cover has a five-zone design with different sized holes cut into different places in the cover, so it’s firmer in the head and neck area, for example, and softer in the shoulder area, allowing you to sink a little and straighten your spine if you’re a side sleeper. I found this to be very comfortable. It’s worth noting that the same five-zone cover goes on top of the organic Turmerry mattress, which is pulled into the cover along with the other layers. The mattress cover is made from Dunlop organic latex foam (≥95% organic, see our explanation of organic standards below).
I tested a 2-inch mattress, but 3-inch and 4-inch mattresses are also available. The site also offers an interesting test to help you choose the best mattress. All mattresses are made of natural latex, which is Oeko-Tex and Gols certified.
This alpaca mattress is one of the softest mattresses I have ever slept on. If you like to wrap yourself in a fluffy cocoon, this mattress is perfect for you. It’s not cheap, but put it on your mattress and you’ll feel like you’re in a five-star hotel.
Avocado’s Plush Mattress Topper is made from baby alpaca wool (meaning the softest wool the animal has, not its age) and covered in organic cotton. The topper is about two inches thick, but you’ll definitely be sinking into the mattress, so it’s more of a luxury addition than a way to make an old mattress look new again. Avocado’s return policy applies here, too, so you can try the product and return it within the first 100 days.
My only complaint about the plush version is that it doesn’t have a strap to keep it in place (the standard version does, but I haven’t tested it). While it doesn’t slide around and stays in place thanks to the cotton cover, the corners sometimes bunch up when you change sheets and have to be smoothed out.
There’s really no point in spending $1,000 on an organic mattress and then buying non-organic sheets that come into contact with your skin. Here are some of our favorite organic sheets to use on top of your new organic mattress. For more options, check out our guides to the best sheets overall, the best cooling sheets, the best bamboo sheets, and the best linen sheets. Unless otherwise noted, all prices listed here are for queen-size sheets.
These are the best organic cotton sheets I’ve ever tested. They’re soft, but not super silky, which I don’t like (if you like that, check out the avocado sheets below). Brooklinen Organic Cotton Sheets are made from GOTS-certified organic cotton. They’re also Oeko-Tex certified, which means they’ve been tested and found to be free of known toxic chemicals. The 300-thread count makes them super refreshing and soft, but not so tight that you’re too hot to sleep in. They’re a great option for the summer or if you’re like me and like to sleep warm even in the winter.
These sheets have a 600 thread count that feels like you’re sleeping on silk or satin. Somehow, they’re actually 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton from India. The only potential issue here is that because they’re so tightly woven, they might feel a little warmer to sleep in than you’re used to. Avocado also has a 400-count version that I haven’t tested yet, but it might be a better choice for those who like to sleep warm.
I first tried the Antipodean wool blanket (see next section) which I really liked, but I’ve only recently started sleeping on these sheets and I can honestly say they are fantastic. They reminded me of the sheets you’d find in a fancy hotel – super crisp, soft, clean white sheets. Like all the organic cotton sheets featured here, they are naturally hypoallergenic. They are made from superfine, long-staple organic cotton and have a tighter weave, so they are a little on the heavy side. All Antipodean products are grown on sustainable farms using regenerative farming methods. These sheets are also breathable. I haven’t slept in them in really hot weather yet, but so far they have worked well for those nights when you just need a sheet.
Organic linen sheets can be a real heirloom: high-quality sheets that have been well cared for can last for years or even decades. However, if you’re used to 600-thread-count cotton sheets like the ones above, linen sheets are something else. They’re rougher, but they get softer with each wash (cold water, mild detergent, low heat, or hang dry). The only thing that stays the same is their weight. If you like heavy duvet covers, these sheets are for you. Linen is also more breathable and cooler than other fabrics, making it a great choice for people who worry about getting too hot while sleeping. They’re also very durable. Avocado Organic Linen Sheets are some of the heaviest I’ve ever used and will likely last me for years. The bottom sheet fits tight (sometimes linen sheet sets come with it), and there’s a matching duvet cover ($439).
To complete your organic bedding collection, you’ll want a quality organic duvet. My favorite is the Organic Merino Wool Duvet from Antipodean. As one of the authors of our Merino Wool Guide, I’ve long been a fan of Antipodean wool duvets, but even I was surprised by how much I liked them. Like most wool products, the Antipodean wool duvet has amazing properties that seem too good to be true: It’s warm, for example, but also breathable enough that you’ll rarely feel hot. (I sleep warm, I can vouch for that.) Wool can do this because it’s an active fiber, meaning it responds to your body temperature and changes in the environment in the same way that sheep insulate, warm, and cool. As it turns out, I slept very well on this duvet. It’s important to note that this duvet is much heavier than most people are used to. It doesn’t bother me, but sometimes it feels like I have a weighted blanket on me.
We have a full guide to pillows, but we’ll add more organic options here, since pillows are just as important as your mattress if you want to stay away from phthalates and other chemicals.
The Avocado Green Pillow is the top organic pick in our guide. The best thing about it is that it’s easy to customize. For example, I hate fluffy pillows; I like pillows that are almost flat. So I simply unzipped the Avocado Pillow, took out half the stuffing (which my kids used to make sock puppets), and finally had the pillow of my dreams. My son loves soft pillows, so he took a little extra stuffing provided by Avocado and stuffed the pillow to the brim. A winner, each one. The filling here is GOLS-certified organic latex shredded and GOTS-certified organic kapok. The organic cotton quilted cover is cozy and soft without being too hot. I’ve had it for four years now, and it’s as good as the day I bought it.
Mattresses are big, and testing them takes a lot of time and space. The WIRED Gear team has been testing mattresses for years, and we’ve slept on every mattress on this list for at least a few weeks, often longer — in many cases, much longer. Still, we can’t test every mattress. Here are some general tips, tricks, and things to look for when shopping for an organic mattress online.
To help you navigate the often confusing world of organic mattresses, here are some terms and certifications you need to know.
The most important of the organic certifications (especially organic cotton certification) is the Global Organic Textile Standard (often abbreviated as GOTS). The standard focuses not only on how the cotton is grown and processed, but also on environmental and social criteria, and uses a third party to independently verify compliance with the standard. If you are interested, you can read the 6th edition of the standard online.