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Chemicals aren’t necessarily a bad thing. Oxygen and water, for instance, are vital to our existence.

But some mattress construction materials — like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) — are less friendly, and people are understandably worried about potential exposure to hazardous materials.

The good news is that there are companies that take extra steps to make their mattresses earth- and people-friendly. We’ve compiled a list of those mattresses from reputable companies to help you pick a model that’s right for you.

Below, you’ll find descriptions of our top picks along with information on why and how to choose an organic mattress.

We stick to strict criteria when listing any products — mattresses included. Here’s what we looked for when choosing our top organic mattress picks:

  • Certifications. Navigating the organic mattress market can be confusing, and brands might make claims about organic materials that aren’t true. We only included brands that have specific certifications to verify claims. If you’d like to read more about these certifications before learning more about each product, we included their descriptions below.
  • Brand reputation and transparency. It’s always important to buy mattresses from reputable brands that prioritize their relationship with their customers. We only recommend brands that are known for creating high quality products and engaging in ethical and transparent business practices.
  • Company policies. It’s also important to buy from brands that have solid in-home trials, warranties, and return policies. That way, you can be confident in your purchase and trust you can return it if it’s not working for you.
  • Customer reviews. We also consider how actual people who have purchased these products feel about them. We make sure to include the most loved and popular brands out there.

Pricing guide

Mattress costs vary depending on size and brand, and most come in various sizes from twin to California king. Prices here are based on a standard queen mattress.

  • $ = under $1,600
  • $$ = $1,600–$1,800
  • $$$ = over $1,800

Best organic hybrid mattress

Saatva Latex Hybrid

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: hybrid
  • Height: 12 inches
  • Pros: trial period and warranty, free in-room delivery, mattress removal
  • Cons: expensive price point

The Saatva Latex Hybrid contains organic cotton, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified wool, and Talalay latex that’s certified by the OEKO-TEX Standard 100. It also bears the Rainforest Alliance and Cradle to Cradle Certified seal, meaning that it’s sourced sustainably and with regard for the natural environment and local communities.

The interior coils are made from recycled materials, and the wool is sourced straight from New Zealand. Instead of harsh chemical treatments for the outer layer, Saatva uses Guardin, a natural antimicrobial treatment.

Hybrid models borrow elements from both traditional spring mattresses and foam mattresses — making them an option for those who aren’t quite sure what type of mattress they prefer. This hybrid model’s latex foam and individually wrapped springs are designed as a supportive mattress with a medium-firm feel.

Saatva offers a 180-night home trial and 15-year warranty, as well as free in-room delivery and setup. Plus, the company will remove your old mattress and foundation at no charge.

Best organic mattress for side sleepers

EcoCloud by Winkbeds

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: hybrid
  • Height: 12.5 inches
  • Pros: lifetime warranty, trial period
  • Cons: expensive price point

The EcoCloud falls right in the middle of the firmness scale at a 5. This makes it a great option for side sleepers because it is designed to avoid putting too much pressure on your hips and shoulders.

It’s also OEKO-TEX Class 1 certified, contains recycled steel coils, and features GOTS certified organic cotton, New Zealand wool, and Talalay latex. Reviewers say this is a super comfy, durable, and high quality latex mattress.

You can put this mattress to the test with a 120-night home trial. Winkbeds offers a generous lifetime warranty and durability guarantee, so you’re covered if anything goes wrong.

Best organic mattress for chemical sensitivities

Birch by Helix Birch Natural Mattress

  • Price: $$
  • Type: hybrid
  • Height: 11 inches
  • Pros: made in U.S., temperature regulation, multiple discounts
  • Cons: some reviewers find the mattress too firm

The Birch by Helix Natural Mattress is handmade in the United States and comes with a 25-year warranty. It’s Greenguard and GOTS certified — no polyurethane foams here — and features organic cotton, wool, and natural latex. It’s also built to help sleepers regulate their temperature, making it suitable for both hot and cold sleepers. The mattress latex is OEKO-TEX and eco-INSTITUT certified.

The company offers multiple financing options and multiple discounts for military, students, teachers, and first responders. Some reviewers have mixed feelings about the firmness, but most customers appreciate the organic, hypoallergenic construction.

Test the Birch by Helix at home for 100 nights to see if it’s the right mattress for you.

Best organic latex mattress

PlushBeds Botanical Bliss Organic Latex Mattress

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: latex
  • Height: 9, 10, or 12 inches
  • Pros: different size options available, pressure-relieving
  • Cons: expensive price point, some customers unhappy with customer service

This PlushBeds latex mattress is made from Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) certified organic latex and GOTS certified organic cotton and wool. Reviewers rave that this combo makes for a breathable and pressure-relieving mattress. It’s also Greenguard Gold, OEKO-TEX Standard 100, and eco-INSTITUT certified — among many other certifications.

You can choose between medium and firm for this mattress, which makes this a great option for all kinds of sleepers who love the feel of latex foam.

PlushBeds has a 100-night home trial, and each mattress has a 25-year warranty. Plus, the mattress ships free.

Read our full review of the PlushBeds Botanical Bliss mattress.

Best rated organic mattress

Avocado Green Mattress

  • Price: $
  • Type: hybrid
  • Height: 11 inches
  • Pros: 1-year trial period, endorsement from the American Chiropractic Association
  • Cons: not the best for side sleepers

The Avocado Green Mattress contains GOLS organic certified latex and GOTS organic certified wool and cotton. It’s free of synthetic polyurethane foams and is even available in a vegan version that’s wool-free. The Avocado Green is also Greenguard Gold and formaldehyde-free certified, and all the fiber contents have received OEKO-TEX Class 1 certification.

On top of everything, Avocado also commits to being a carbon-negative business. The brand is transparent about this information and makes it easily available on the product page.

Outside its organic certifications, this mattress also gets top marks from reviewers and the American Chiropractic Association, which endorses the Green Mattress through its independent review program.

This mattress is great for back sleepers because of its firmer feel. You can choose to add on a pillow top for a plusher feel, but this model might still be a little too firm if you like to sleep on your side.

With Avocado’s generous 1-year home trial, you’ll have plenty of time to see if this organic mattress is right for you. The mattress also has a 25-year warranty and offers free shipping and returns.

MattressPrice WarrantyTrial periodMattress typeHeight
Saatva Latex Hybrid$$$15 years180 nightshybrid12″
EcoCloud by Winkbeds$$$lifetime120 nightshybrid12.5″
Birch by Helix Birch Natural Mattress$$25 years100 nightshybrid11″
PlushBeds Botanical Bliss Organic Latex Mattress$$25 years100 nightslatex foam9, 10, or 12″
Avocado Green Mattress$25 years1 yearhybrid11″

Here are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for any mattress:

  • Mattress type. While shopping, you’ll notice that there are all-foam, innerspring, and hybrid mattresses. If you’re not sure what you prefer, hybrid mattresses feature elements of foam and innerspring mattresses. They’re also great for all body types and sleep positions.
  • Mattress performance. Between firmness, motion isolation, pressure relief, off-gassing, temperature regulation, and edge support, there’s a lot to consider when choosing a mattress. Take a moment to figure out what’s most important to you and look for mattresses that have those features. It’s also always helpful to check customer reviews to find out how a mattress truly performs, rather than just trusting the company’s description.
  • Company reputation and policies. Pay attention to whether a company is reputable, transparent, and provides a generous warranty for their products — a good mattress should last you at least 10 years. The company should also give you an in-home trial and allow you to return it if it doesn’t work for you.

When selecting an organic mattress, in particular, there are a few other things to consider. Keep reading to learn what to look for.

Because a mattress is made up of multiple components — unlike, say, a wool sweater — it’s a bit tougher to claim it as certified organic.

Obviously, not every component in a mattress can be organic. Metal, for instance, isn’t something you grow. But when it comes to the other components, look for:

  • organic wool
  • natural latex
  • organic cotton

Certifications to look for

There are a lot of different certifications to check for when looking for organic mattresses. Some of these certifications are organic-specific, which means they certify that materials were produced organically. But others certify that the mattress meets certain standards when it comes to potentially harmful chemicals.

Organic-specific certifications

  • Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). A GOTS organic label is the gold standard. It requires that 95 percent of a mattress’s materials be certified organic. It also requires that the other 5 percent of materials not contain certain chemicals. Mattresses can also be given the “made with organic materials” label, which means the product contains 70 percent organic natural fibers.
  • Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS). This certification only applies to products made with latex — and it means that the product contains at least 95 percent organic latex. To get this label, companies also have to follow social and environmental regulations.
  • USDA organic. This applies to agricultural products grown using organic standards set forth by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). A product that is certified organic contains 95 percent organic ingredients. In a mattress, fiber materials, like cotton or wool, may have this kind of certification.
  • Organic Content Standard. This verifies the amount and presence of organic materials in nonfood products, including mattresses.

Other important certifications

  • OEKO-TEX Standard 100. This means that the mattress is certified to not contain or release specific chemicals.
  • CertiPUR-US. A certification for foam mattresses that states that polyurethane meets specific standards, like containing no heavy metals or certain kinds of flame retardants and phthalates.
  • Greenguard and Greenguard Gold. This restricts products that emit high amounts of VOCs. Greenguard Environmental Institute (GEI) can also certify if products are formaldehyde-free.
  • Intertek’s Indoor Air Quality Certification. This tests and certifies products for VOC emission compliance.
  • Eco-INSTITUT. This tests for hazardous chemicals and for odor testing (aka off-gassing), which is often a problem with mattresses.

Consider looking for mattresses with organic cotton covers and accessories, as cotton is a crop that’s often exposed to agricultural chemicals. If you can’t find a mattress that contains organic cotton, consider totally skipping cotton.

There are a few clear advantages to buying an organic mattress:

  • No chemical smells. There’s no dealing with smelly, chemical odors from off-gassing.
  • Safe. It’s safer for the environment and your health. There is some evidence that VOCs, which are created during the manufacturing process and can become gases, may be harmful to human health. Short-term exposure can lead to headaches, irritated airways, and dizziness. VOCs may also contribute to air pollution.
  • Kid-friendly. It’s good for kids, especially infants, who can be more sensitive to certain chemicals.
  • Fewer allergies. There are fewer chemicals, which is a bonus safety-wise and means you’re less likely to come into contact with potential allergens.
  • Durability. Organic components tend to have a longer life span than synthetic materials.

The only difference between organic and sustainable agriculture is that organic agriculture requires growers to use only approved substances. Both have the same basic principles, such as maintaining biodiversity and protecting the natural environment and resources.

A product that’s certified organic meets certain standards. In a mattress, organic materials, such as wool, latex, or cotton, are verified by specific certifications and standards. Sustainable growing practices, though, are a little less straightforward to verify.

Choosing an organic mattress isn’t the only way to green-up your bedroom. Here are some other ways you can make your sleep environment more eco-friendly.

Choose organic bedding and pillows

Don’t forget to consider the source and construction of what goes on top of your mattress. Choose organic bedding and pillows, too. The most sustainable choices are those made of organic natural fibers, like:

Recycle your old mattress

In the United States alone, mattresses account for about 450 million pounds of landfill waste each year. They also take up a lot of space in landfills, and, depending on what they’re made of, can leak dangerous chemicals into the surrounding soil and drinking water.

So, what can you do with that old mattress instead of throwing it away?

If your mattress is still in good condition, consider passing it onto a friend or listing it online for free. Or donate it to a charity. National organizations like The Furniture Bank Network may be able to help you find a place to donate.

You can also try calling your local recycling center and asking if they take mattresses. Connecticut, Rhode Island, and California have mattress recycling programs. You may be able to find a program in other states through Bye Bye Mattress, which is run by Mattress Recycling Council.

Review company policies

Before you shop, do a quick check on the brand you’re considering. Do they have ethical business practices? Do they ship or deliver in an eco-friendly way?

Also keep in mind that even if a brand offers a sleep trial with free returns, it may not be very environmentally friendly. Look into what happens to the returned mattresses before you make a purchase and avoid brands that send unwanted mattresses straight to the landfill if you can.

What is the healthiest type of mattress to have?

In terms of health, organic mattresses are the best option for the environment because they’re made with natural materials like cotton, natural latex, and wool. All of these break down more easily than memory foam or synthetic latex.

From a personal health perspective, organic mattresses that are naturally hypoallergenic can offer greater resistance to dust mites and pet dander, which are some of the most common indoor allergens. That makes them a much better option for people with allergies or sensitivities.

Remember, to find the most eco-friendly mattress, it’s important to consider the source of the materials and the manufacturing process as well.

What is the best organic mattress?

Based on its certifications and commitment to transparency, the Avocado Green Mattress is probably the best organic mattress on the market.

Do organic mattresses have a smell?

They can have a natural odor from the materials. However, they won’t off-gas a chemical smell like a foam mattress would.

Can memory foam mattresses be organic?

No. Memory foam is made from crude oil, and it isn’t organic or eco-friendly.

Thankfully, you really only have to shop for a new mattress every decade or so. Still, mattress shopping can be a pain, especially if you’re on the hunt for an organic mattress.

Sussing out an organic mattress can be a bit of a challenge. However, there are helpful labels and certifications to make it easier for eco-conscious shoppers to spot mattresses that fit the bill.

Don’t be fooled by claims that a mattress is natural, a moniker with very little meaning. Always do your homework and verify that any claims are backed up by certifications.


Steph Coelho is a freelance writer with chronic migraine who has a particular interest in health and wellness. When she’s not click-clacking away on her keyboard, she’s probably nose-deep in a good book.