Best Latex Mattress of 2024 and How to Choose a Latex Mattress

Written by 

KJ Callihan,

McKenzie Dillon

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission.

KJ Callihan

KJ Callihan is a freelance writer with a background in mental health and education. Her writing often covers product reviews and lists, animals and pet care, food and hospitality, health, wellness, and culture. When she isn't crafting the perfect sentence, you may find her bingeing true crime documentaries, browsing mid-Michigan farmer's markets, and tasting her son's latest homemade cuisine

McKenzie Dillon Writer

McKenzie, a Certified Sleep Science Coach and proclaimed mattress expert, has been writing sleep content in the wellness space for over four years. After earning her certification from the Spencer Institute and dedicating hundreds of hours to sleep research, she has extensive knowledge on the topic and how to improve your quality of rest. Having more experience with lying on mattresses than most, McKenzie has reviewed over 150 beds and a variety of different sleep products including pillows, mattress toppers and sheets. McKenzie has also been a guest on multiple radio shows including WGN Chicago as a sleep expert and contributed sleep advice to over 50 different websites.

Expertise Certified Sleep Science Coach, Certified Stress Management Coach, Bachelor of English.

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Materials

Many mattresses have latex foam in one layer, but our best latex mattress list only includes beds that use latex foam as their primary comfort layer. Latex mattresses have a distinct feel that's both supportive and pressure-relieving. They also tend to be made with natural and organic materials; another major part of their appeal. 

Firmness

There's something about the makeup of latex beds, especially latex hybrid beds, that puts them on the firmer end of the spectrum. We tried to limit the number of very firm (10 out of 10 on the firmness scale) beds because they cater to a smaller number of sleepers. 

Firmness is one of the most important determining factor for testing and recommending mattresses. It’s also a subjective factor. To get a full picture of a bed’s firmness, we have our whole team of sleep experts test and rate the firmness of the bed. Then, we compare it to other beds we’ve tested to find where it falls on the scale. 

Price

A bed with organic and natural materials is usually more expensive than your average foam mattress. Think of it as organic produce versus non-organic; you always fork out more money for organic stuff. We included organic beds at different price points, from budget-friendly to expensive. 

Natural vs. synthetic

There are two categories of latex foam: natural and synthetic. Dunlop and Talalay latex foams are natural and sourced from the great outdoors. To achieve that supportive and soft latex foam feel at a lower price, some mattress brands create synthetic latex. It looks and feels like latex foam, but it's made in a factory. If you don't necessarily value the eco-friendly part of natural and organic mattresses you can opt for a synthetic latex foam bed and save more money. 

Certifications

There's a difference between a natural bed and an organic one. Organic mattresses must have GOLS-certified latex foam and GOTS-certified cotton and wool. It's difficult to achieve these certifications because the brand must follow strict standards at every point of the supply chain, from sourcing to manufacturing.

See more: Mattress Certifications Explained

Firmness

The best latex mattress will cater to your sleeping position. 

• Side sleepers should find a medium firmness or softer latex mattress for proper pressure relief.
• Back and stomach sleepers can opt for a medium to firm mattress, depending on the level of support they want. The firmer the mattress, the more supportive it will be. Medium-firm is a good firmness level because it offers a fair amount of pressure relief, and it's ideal if you suffer from back pain. 

Natural latex comes from the sap of rubber trees, also called rubber serum, which is collected, foamed, poured into molds and baked into pure latex layers. Each rubber tree can be harvested for about 30 years, and it isn't necessary to cut down the tree to collect sufficient sap, nor does it harm the tree. If you are as concerned about the planet as you are about getting a good night's sleep, then natural latex mattresses might be the best mattress option for you.

Depending upon which form of latex is being made, another of two processes are followed to make the final latex used in mattresses: Dunlop or Talalay. Talalay latex is made using a more modernized process, but when it comes down to the feel of your bed, you can hardly tell the difference.

Latex mattresses offer ample support, contouring and breathable designs to help make your mattress more comfortable. Natural and organic latex is also welcome for eco-conscious shoppers because it's sustainably sourced from tropical rubber trees. Natural and organic latex foam has hypoallergenic and antimicrobial properties to help prevent the build-up of household allergens. 

They can be if you dislike the feel of hugging, sinking memory foam that slowly responds to pressure. Latex foam is bouncy, and it doesn't feel like you have to climb out of a sinkhole to switch positions. It is also more breathable than traditional memory foam because of its perforated design. 

No, latex mattresses don't retain heat like memory foam beds do, and they have holes perforated throughout the surface, allowing air to pass through easily. Latex beds are some of the best for warm sleepers who want a temperature-regulating mattress.