Is it good to sleep on latex? Our expert panel on the benefits of a greener mattress

When I buy my next bed, I want to get a latex mattress. Softer than your old innerspring, more supportive than a hybrid, and more sustainable than memory foam, a latex mattress offers something for everyone.

As the resident Sleep Editor at Homes & Gardens, I lead a team of expert testers in the search to find the world's best mattress. I've combed through our back catalog of reviews to pick out a few of my favorites, along with tried and tested alternatives to latex.

I assembled an expert panel of mattress manufacturers from Saatva and Essentia to tell me everything there is to know about latex mattresses, from how they're made and what they cost. We also touch on different types of latex and whether organic mattresses are a hoax.

Is it good to sleep on latex? Our Sleep Editor investigates

Before we begin, it always helps to define our terms. A latex mattress is made from the sap of rubber trees, which is frothed and baked into slabs of foam. Natural latex is free from harsh chemicals, so you know that you're breathing cleaner, healthier air while you sleep.

Many of the best organic mattresses are made from or with natural latex. There are multiple ways of making latex: Dunlop and Talalay are the most popular methods.

To make Dunlop latex, you take rubber sap and bake it in a vulcanization oven to produce dense, firm foam, with a bottom-heavy composition. Dunlop latex makes a great support core, but isn't as breathable or comfortable as Talalay latex.

To make Talalay latex, you pour rubber sap into a mold and use a vacuum to suck out all the oxygen. Then, you inject the sap with carbon dioxide. The result is soft and foamy, not unlike the feel of a memory foam mattress, only more breathable and sustainable.

'Natural latex is a good fit for almost every type of sleeper, especially those looking for pressure relief,' says Byron Golub, Vice President of Product & Merchandising at Saatva. Springy and responsive, latex is made to bear your weight and mold to the shape of your body. 'Thanks to its open-cell structure, latex is naturally breathable, which makes for a cool and comfortable night's sleep. You'll find latex layers inside some of the best cooling mattresses, working hard to dissipate heat overnight.

There's a lot to like about latex. According to Christina Heiser, Senior Content Manager at Saatva, 'latex mattresses have a responsive feel, similar to an innerspring, but they also contour to your curves like memory foam.'

As mattress types go, latex is highly durable. If you take care of it, a latex mattress could last as long 20 years. Spending once and spending well on a latex mattress is better for buyers and for the environment.

Still, a latex mattress might not be the best fit for you if you're buying on a budget. It takes a lot of time and energy (and, consequently, a lot of money) to harvest latex. 'Most commonly available latex is actually synthetic or blended,' warns Jack Dell'Accio, CEO & Founder of Essentia Mattress, 'as mattress manufacturers try to cut corners and reduce costs.'

'Most mattress producers source latex foams with overly simple formulations, resulting in beds that feel too firm or too soft,' Jack continues. 'It's important to find a latex producer with adaptive formulations to make a more supportive mattress. The highest-performing products are GOLS-certified organic.'

FAQs

What does a latex mattress feel like?

Where Dunlop latex feels firm and dense, better suited to a support core, Talalay latex is springy and responsive, the sort of material you find in comfort layers. Remember, you can always cross-check any unfamiliar terms against my mattress jargon buster.

Where can I buy a latex mattress?

It's a good question, because not many of the best places to buy a mattress stock latex models. I suggest you start your search with Saatva, before looking further afield to PlushBeds and Avocado.

So, in answer to your original question: yes, it's good to sleep on latex. Naturally breathable for hot sleepers and responsive to support all sleep positions, latex is an eco-friendly option to suit (almost) everyone. If you're buying on a budget, you might need to narrow your search to the most affordable latex mattress in our arsenal: the Earthfoam Organic Mattress.