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Last Updated: January 2018
There’s a new phrase in the mattress industry that has been catching a lot of attention lately: Latex. Once a commonly used material in mattresses, latex went all but disappeared and new technologies were invented (such as memory foam.) However, in recent years, the popularity in latex is surging again in the mattress industry. What’s all the hub-bub about?
Latex is a special type of rubber, which has been manufactured from the sap of rubber trees; however, there are also synthetic and blended varieties of this material. When used in mattresses, latex is turned into a foam material. It is extremely supportive, isolates motion transfer, retains minimal heat and keeps the surface of a mattress cool, and offers just the right of bounce to make getting into and out of the bed and moving about a whole lot easier than it is on other types of foam. Latex also has more elasticity, has a faster response time and creates a more customized hug than other types of foam.
If all of the benefits of a latex mattress sounds appealing to you, you may be considering purchasing a mattress that is comprised of latex. If so, you are going to find that there are a lot of options to choose from and factors to consider, which can make choosing the best latex mattress to meet your needs a bit of a challenge. In order to help you on your quest for finding the best latex mattress, we have put together this handy buyer’s guide for you. In this guide, we dive into some of the most important things that you should take into consideration when you are purchasing a latex mattress, and we also offer our recommendations for some of the best options that are currently available on the market.
After reading this buyer’s guide, you will have all of the information that you need to make the best-informed decision so that you can find the highest quality latex mattress that will truly provide you with a restful night of sleep.
*5 Star Rating: this is based on the percentage of consumers who rate the mattresses 10/10.
The Best Latex Mattresses
Given the increasing popularity of latex mattresses, there are many options to choose from. Having a lot of options is a good thing; however, it can make selecting the best latex mattress to suit your needs a bit difficult. To help you weed through the available options, we have tested out several latex mattresses and assessed various features and some of the most important factors that we mentioned above. After much deliberation and based on our findings, we have concluded that the following latex mattresses are the best on the market today.
Zenhaven Mattress
Made by Saatva, one of the most trusted names in the mattress industry, the Zenhaven mattress is comprised of all natural latex Talalay latex. This mattress offers four separate layers and is designed to offer optimal support, exceptional pain relief, just the right amount of bounce, and all while remaining cool.
The construction of the 10-inch Zenhaven mattress is as follows:
- The top layer – The first layer of this mattress is made of 1. Inches of Talalay latex. This five zone comfort layer not only offers comfort, but it also offers an exceptional amount of support. The Talalay latex conforms to the unique contours of the body, and it does so quickly. It also offers pressure point relief, which helps to reduce pain, and it has natural cooling properties, pulling body heat away from you and preventing it from building up on the surface of the mattress.
- The second layer – The second layer is 3 inches of Talalay latex. This layer has an indentation load deflection (ILD) of 25 to 29. ILD measures the softness or hardness of the latex foam. This layer of the mattress provides great pressure point relief and additional support.
- The third layer – Next, there is a 3-inch layer of Talalay latex with an ILD of 30 to 34. It is firmer than the other layers and offers great support and push back.
- The fourth layer – Lastly, there is a 1.5-inch layer of Talalay latex, which offers additional deep compression support and pressure point relief. It also helps to give the mattress its shape.
The Zenhaven mattress is wrapped in a cover that is made of organic cotton, which as a layer of Joma wool sewn underneath it. The cotton is highly breathable and the wool has a natural moisture-wicking ability, which helps to regulate the temperature of the mattress.
Our Score
Below is our final score of the Zenhaven mattress based on multiple criteria that we use when testing all of our mattresses.
Brentwood Home Mirador Natural Latex Mattress
Brentwood Home mattresses are made in the United States and are made with a commitment to being environmentally friendly. Their Mirador Natural Latex mattress is one of the newest additions to their mattress line, and it is really quite impressive.
This mattress is a total of 14.5 inches thick, which makes it one of the thickest mattresses that we have tested out. It is made of five separate layers, which include:
- The top layer – On the top of the mattress is a 2-inch layer of natural latex. This layer is extremely bouncy and very resilient. It pushed back to support pressure points, easing the buildup of pressure in the body. Additionally, this latex is very breathable, which helps to keep the surface of the mattress cool.
- The second layer – Next, there is a 2.5-inch layer of individually wrapped micro coils. This layer helps to provide additional comfort and reduction motion transfer.
- The third layer- This layer is made of 2 inches of natural latex, which offers just the right amount of bounce, yet is highly supportive. It also helps to provide pressure point relief and deep compression support.
- The fourth layer – This layer is made of 2 inches of ventilated airflow foam. This material allows the mattress to breathe, keeping it cool throughout the night and preventing heat buildup.
- The fifth layer – The final layer of this mattress is made of 6 inches of base foam. This layer offers solid support for the entire mattress and gives it its shape. It also helps to provide additional deep compression support.
The cover of this mattress is made of a stretch knit, which is highly breathable and further helps to keep the mattress cool. The cover is backed with New Zealand wool, which has natural moisture-wicking abilities and helps to regulate body temperature.
Our Score
Below is our final score of the Brentwood Home mattress based on multiple criteria that we use when testing all of our mattresses.
Eco Terra Luxury Latex Mattress
The Eco Terra Luxury mattress is another latex mattress that we really found to be quite impressive. Made of 100 percent natural latex, this mattress also contains a layer of individually wrapped coils. It has no off gassing and is healthy for you and the environment.
The materials used in this mattress are as follows:
- GOTS Certified Organic Cotton – The cover of the mattress is made of organic cotton. It is super soft, hypoallergenic and very breathable. It is also very resilient and helps the mattress stay cool.
- 100 Percent Natural Latex Foam – The natural latex foam used in this mattress is exceptionally supportive, offers just the right amount of bounce and is extremely comfortable. It provides deep compression support and pressure point relief. It also helps to isolate motion transfer.
- Fabric Encased Coils – This layer of the mattress contours to the body, creating support right where it is needed. It also added a touch more bounce to the mattress, making it easier to get in and out of it, and move around.
Our Score
Below is our final score of the Eco Terra Luxury Mattress based on multiple criteria that we use when testing all of our mattresses.
Dreamfoam Bedding Ultimate Dreams Mattress
This is the most affordable of all of the latex mattresses features in this buyer’s guide. This 10 inch mattresses uses some of the highest quality materials, so just because it is lower in price doesn’t mean that it is low in quality. The Dreamfaom Bedding Ultimate Dreams mattress is made of the following materials:
- Talalay Latex – This latex quickly responds to the body and creates a hugging feeling, offering pressure point relief that reduces pain. This material is also very breathable, so it prevents the mattress from overheating.
- High-Density Base Foam – This layer of the mattress provides deep compression support and also serves as the foundation for the entire mattress, giving it its shape and providing improved durability.
This mattress comes in two firmness options: Soft and firm. This allows you to select the firmness that best appeals to your specific liking.
Our Score
Below is our final score of the Dreamfaom Bedding Ultimate Dreams mattress based on multiple criteria that we use when testing all of our mattresses.
Types of Latex
The latex foam that is used in mattresses can be made from one of three different types of materials, including:
- Natural latex – Only the raw latex that is derived from the sap of rubber trees is used to create the foam layers that make up the mattress. If you are looking for a natural option, you are going to want to go with a natural latex. A mattress that is certified organic only uses the purest materials.
- Synthetic latex – Made from various types of synthetic materials, though styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) is the most common. Synthetic latex can have a similar feel to natural latex; however, some say that it has less bounce. It also often has an odor to it or off gassing.
- Blended latex – The mattress is made of a combination of natural and synthetic latex, which has been blended together to create the foam. It offers the benefits of natural latex, but is usually less expensive, as it is blended with manmade materials.
Construction of Latex
The latex foam that is used in mattresses can be constructed in different ways. Two of the most popular options include:
- Dunlop – the latex is poured into a mold in one pour. As the latex settles, it creates a denser feeling along the bottom of the foam and a softer feeling along the top.
- Talalay – a mold is only partially filled with latex. After it is partially filled, air is added to the mold via a vacuum, which allows the latex to expand. This allows for the latex to be less dense and creates a more consistent feeling throughout the foam.
Factors to Consider When Shopping for a Latex Mattress
There are a number of factors that you are going to want to take into consideration when you are shopping for a latex mattress. Some of the most important factors that you are going to want to contemplate is the type of latex used in the mattress, the manner in which the latex was made, and the feeling of the mattress. By taking these – and other – factors into consideration, you will be able to choose the best latex mattress for your specific needs.
Here is a more detailed look at some of the key factors that we think are exceptionally important to consider.
Type of Latex
As mentioned above, there are three different types of latex; natural, synthetic and blended. The type you choose really is a personal preference. If you are looking for an all natural mattress, then you should opt for a natural latex; however, if you want a denser material that is less expensive, synthetic latex may work for you. On the other hand, if you want the benefits of natural latex and you don’t want to spend a fortune, you may consider purchasing a blended material, as the price is lower than natural latex, but you still get to experience many of the benefits it provides.
Construction of the Latex
Also as mentioned above, latex can be constructed in one of two ways. The Dunlop process creates a foam that has a denser feel at the bottom and a softer feel at the top, while the Talalay process creates a foam that is more consistent in feeling throughout. Again, this is a matter of personal preference. If you like the idea of having a softer feeling that gives way to more firmness, than the Dunlop process may be a good option for you; however, if a consistent feel is important to you, then you should consider the Talalay process.
Support of the Mattress
Of course, one of the most important factors that you are going to want to consider when selecting a latex mattress is the support that it offers. Different density levels will impact the support that it provides, as will the layout of different latex foam layers. Additionally, any other materials that are added to the mattress, such as memory foam and support foam, will also impact the support that the mattress provides.
Pain Relief
Pain relief is another super important factor that you are going to want to take into serious consideration. The last thing you want to do is wake up with aches and pains in your body, so it’s important to consider the pressure relief and the deep compression support that a latex mattress provides.
Heat Retention
Heat retention is an issue that often occurs with foam mattresses. The foam tends to trap body heat, which then heats up the surface of the mattress and can lead to overheating while sleeping. Generally, latex is much more breathable than other types of foam, which automatically makes it cooler. However, if you really want to up the cooling factor, consider purchasing a latex that has been aerated or has an open cell design, and a mattress that has a moisture wicking or breathable cover.
Off Gassing
Off-gassing refers to the odor that a new mattress emits. It is not an uncommon issue with foam mattresses, as there are certain chemicals that are used during the construction of the foam that can have an odor to them, and those odors can be emitted when the mattress is new. Generally, natural latex has minimal off-gassing, while synthetic latex tends to have a higher level of off-gassing.
Price
You should also take the cost of the mattress into consideration. Latex mattress can vary significantly in price. Natural latex tends to be more expensive than synthetic latex, and blended latex usually lies between the two in terms of cost. Other factors that will impact the price is the number of layers that the mattress is constructed out of, as well as any other materials that are used and features that it offers.
Conclusion
If you are on the market for a mattress that will deliver an exceptional night of sleep and provide you with the deep compression support and pressure point relief that you desire without overheating then we highly suggest you try one of the mattresses that we mentioned in this buyer’s guide. We were thoroughly impressed with what they had to offer. After sleeping on them for a few nights, we really did notice there was a significant reduction in pain and that we were able to enjoy a very restful night of sleep.
If you decide to look for another latex mattress, please do keep in mind the information that we offered in this guide, as it will help you find the best mattress to suit your needs.