The Best Organic & Natural Mattress Brands For a Non-Toxic Bedroom
The average human is supposed to sleep 8 hours a day—that’s 33% of your life spent on a mattress, with your face and body smooshed up against it.
You might be surprised to learn that toxic chemicals are lurking in mattresses.
The main culprits are chemical flame retardants, sprayed on the mattresses to make them resistant to fire, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—gasses released from the polyurethane, plastics and fire retardants.
Let’s take a closer look at the world of mattresses and the chemicals that make them sketchy.
(For info on crib mattresses, see our non-toxic crib mattress guide.)
The Flame Retardant Issue
The history of flame retardants is unpleasant, starting in the 1970s when cigarettes were the leading cause of household fires. The tobacco industry managed to shift the blame onto the mattresses themselves rather than the lit cigarettes starting the fire. For this reason, the federal government mandated that all mattresses sold—both adult and infant—must meet fire safety standards.
The cheapest and simplest way to meet these requirements is by dousing the mattress is toxic flame retardant chemicals. What’s worse is that companies are under no obligation to disclose these chemicals, so they never do.
Flame retardants are a cocktail of chemicals potentially linked to severe negative health effects.
Possible Negative Health Impacts of Flame Retardants
Poorer social skills – A 2017 study linked exposure to flame retardants to poorer neurocognitive functioning in children, including reduced social skills in preschool-aged children.
Poorer memory and IQ – A 2017 study found a link between in utero exposure to flame retardant chemicals and a reduction in IQ and memory. A study on rats in 2011 also found a similar link.
Risk of thyroid dysregulation and cancer – A 2017 study found a possible link between exposure to flame retardant chemicals and thyroid function dysregulation and cancers.
Advanced puberty – A 2011 study found a possible link to earlier onset of puberty in girls for those exposed to flame retardant chemicals.
Cancer – The state of California banned a specific flame retardant (TDCPP) in 2011 for being known to cause cancer.
Mattresses Without Flame Retardants
It’s possible to meet federal fire safety guidelines without using chemical flame retardants.
The use of materials like wool—which is more expensive but naturally flame-resistant—can make the mattress safe without chemical sprays.
All mattresses highlighted in this guide are free of chemical flame retardants.
Modern Mattress Companies
Forget about the old mattress companies you’d see TV commercials for 15 years ago.
These days, many modern mattress companies are offering organic and safe mattresses in a new way.
- Direct To Consumer: Cutting out the middle man, many new mattress startups are shipping direct to consumer. Not only does this (hopefully) make it cheaper for you, but lessens the amount of shipping the mattresses do to move around the country, giving them a smaller carbon footprint.
- Eco-Friendly Production: Many modern companies keep production local and made in the USA, which greatly reduces the carbon footprint.
- Organic Materials: Unlike most of the mattress giants of old, many modern companies offer organic materials.
- At-Home Trials: Worried about spending a bunch of money on a mattress that’s uncomfortable? Many companies allow 90-120 day at-home trials. If the mattress doesn’t work for you, simply send it back and get a refund.
Certifications
Terms like “organic,” “natural” and “non-toxic” are unregulated, meaning any manufacturer can put these on their mattress to mislead customers. Luckily, several certifications aim to make it easier for consumers to find genuinely safe mattresses.
GOTS is an international standard covering the entire start to finish process, from spinning, knitting, weaving, dyeing and manufacturing.
It certifies that there are no harmful chemicals like formaldehyde or heavy metals used in the product, and it includes provisions that ban practices like child labor and genetic engineering.
Like GOTS, this standard covers the latex in the mattress and ensures that the rubber trees used for the latex are grown ethically, sustainably, and without pesticides, herbicides, and other harmful chemicals.
This certification is one of the strictest on the market. It verifies that the mattresses are made without known harmful carcinogens, behavioral, reproductive, and neurotoxins, hormone disruptors, heavy metals, pesticides, insecticides, flame retardants, toxic solvents, or harmful VOCs.
This is a great certification, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s organic. But this certification, along with GOTS and GOLS certifications, is a great trio.
The USDA certifies agriculture products in a raw state. When cotton is harvested, it can still be USDA-certified organic.
But once it’s processed and turned into the material, it’s no longer considered an agricultural product, and the manufacturing processes used are beyond the scope of USDA certification.
Therefore, a USDA organic label alone doesn’t guarantee that there are no harmful chemicals in the mattress.
This certification tests for a long list of chemicals, pesticides and phthalates, including VOCs (volatile organic compounds, or gasses). OEKO-Tex certification is completely voluntary and must be updated every year. While this is an excellent certification to have, it does not mean that the product is necessarily organic.
Certipur-US
This standard certifies that there are no PBDE (polybrominated diphenyl ester) flame retardants, mercury, lead, formaldehyde, or ozone depleters.
However, you should know that this certification is a registered trademark of Alliance for Flexible Polyurethane Foam, Inc, a corporation whose board of directors consists entirely of members associated with the polyurethane foam industry.
This, in our opinion, makes this certification a bit sketchy. Could it be a marketing tool by the polyurethane industry to sell more mattresses?
While this isn’t a bad certification for a mattress, it certainly isn’t good enough, and it alone doesn’t mean that it’s organic.
GreenGuard
This certification evaluates mattresses for VOC emissions. To test the mattresses, they place them in a vacuum chamber and subject them to various testing. Another good certification, but it’s not good enough on its own.
How We Picked The Best Organic Mattresses
To create this guide, our editors searched across the internet to find recommendations that meet our strict standards.
Each of these mattresses meets the following criteria.
How we chose the mattresses:
- Organic certifications – Certifications are key; without a reputable certification like GOTS or GOLS, you can’t be sure that the materials used in the mattress are actually organic.
- No toxic flame retardants – None of the mattresses we chose use toxic flame retardant chemicals. Instead, they meet fire safety standards with natural materials.
- Made in USA – If it’s not made in the USA, there’s a good chance that corners have been cut when it comes to certifications and materials.
- Warranty – A long warranty is an indication that the company is confident in the quality of their product.
- Price Point & Comfort – It was important to us that the mattresses we featured in this roundup were affordable as well as healthy and eco-friendly. We also made sure to include a variety of comfort levels to cater to everyone’s needs.
- At-home trials – You should be able to try out the mattress before committing to it, and many of the brands listed offer trial periods of at least 100 days.
- Environmental and Social Responsibility – We made sure to feature mattresses that give back to their communities in a variety of ways, such as through charitable donations or sustainable business practices.
Our 7 Best Organic Mattresses
These companies offer safe, high-quality mattresses made from organic, natural materials, no flame retardants, and at-home trials.
Compare the prices, features, and more and find the best organic mattress for you.
Avocado
Materials | 100% GOTS organic certified cotton & wool, 100% natural latex |
Warranty | 25 year |
Made In | USA |
Mattress Type | Latex, Hybrid Latex/Wool, Vegan (No Wool) |
Sizes | Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, & Cal King |
Trial | 1 Year |
Other Features | Certified vegan mattresses available |
Price (Queen) | $999 (Hybrid), $2,999 (Latex) |
Avocado aims to make high-quality, handcrafted, and healthy mattresses and bedding available at an affordable price.
They’re carbon-negative and a certified B Corp with renewably powered factories approaching zero-waste status, and they even care for their own sheep. They’re firmly against greenwashing and use only the best non-toxic and organic materials to produce their mattresses. They are certified Climate Neutral and also Forestry Stewardship Council approved.
Each mattress design is unique, featuring no-springs and hybrid designs and traditional spring-based mattresses, and PETA certified vegan mattresses are also available.
Awara
Materials | Certified organic latex, 100% certified organic cotton & natural wool |
Warranty | Lifetime |
Made In | China |
Mattress Type | Organic latex hybrid |
Sizes | Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King & Cal King |
Trial | 1 Year |
Price (Queen) | $1,199.00 |
Awara’s mattress production uses a Rainforest Alliance Certified latex process to keep the planet vibrant for future generations, improving sustainability by creating durable, long-lasting mattresses to reduce waste. The company is also partnered with ClimatePartner, planting three trees for every mattress sold,
Each mattress features an individually wrapped pocket coil system that adjusts to your body’s curve and improves durability and comfort, and provides maximum breathability. Mattress covers are made of GOTS-certified wool and cotton, and each mattress features water-based adhesives and chemical-free fire retardants. To top it all off, each mattress is individually inspected before shipping to ensure quality and satisfaction.
Note: Awara mattresses are the only ones on our list that are made in China.
Saatva
Materials | Certified organic cotton, plant-based materials, all-natural latex, 100% organic New Zealand wool |
Warranty | 15 year |
Made In | USA |
Mattress Types | Innerspring, Latex Hybrid, Memory Foam, |
Sizes | Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, & Cal King |
Trial | 6 Months |
Price (Queen) | $1,299.00 (Innerspring), $1,599 (Memory Foam, Latex Hybrid) $2,595 (Adjustable) |
Founded to recover the mattress industry’s reputation of sleazy salespeople and careless practices, Saatva decided to do things differently by creating high-quality mattresses that keep the customer’s and the environment’s well-being in mind.
As well as their eco-friendly credentials, Saatva is also very socially conscious. They work with charity PENCIL, which provides mentorship to recent immigrant students in Queens, New York, and co-ordinates with the Austin Housing Authority to provide quality mattresses to newly housed low-income families.
Each mattress is hypoallergenic and made with an anti-microbial organic cotton cover and a non-toxic flame barrier and CertiPUR-US foams. The mattress design also features a dedicated lumbar-support zone ensuring a healthier and more comfortable night’s sleep for you. They also offer free white-glove delivery with every order and allow monthly payments.
Birch
Materials | Organic cotton, natural wool fibers, natural latex |
Warranty | 25 year |
Made In | USA |
Sizes | Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, & Cal King |
Trial | 100 Days |
Price (Queen) | $1,299.00 |
Birch proudly proclaims that every one of their sleep products is Greenguard Gold certified, which means they have not only been tested for volatile organic compounds and harmful toxins, but they have met the highest level of non-toxic testing and are considered healthy for even the most sensitive groups, such as children and the elderly. Birch also holds a range of other certifications, including GOTS, Oekotext Standard 100, Eco Institute testing, and their factory is also Fair Trade certified.
They provide complete transparency about each of these certifications and their production processes on their website so the customer can be as informed as possible. One additional certification they hold is the Wool Integrity New Zealand certification, which means that the wool they use was sustainably sourced and that each farm is practicing internationally recognized animal welfare standards.
Each mattress is handmade in the USA, and all are exceptionally breathable and optimized to facilitate pressure relief, maximizing comfort and giving you a healthy sleeping environment
Brentwood Home
Materials | 100% GOLS certified organic latex, 100% GOTS certified organic cotton, 100% GOTS certified organic wool from New Zealand |
Warranty | 25 year |
Made In | Los Angeles, US |
Mattress Types | Luxury Hybrid, Natural Luxe, Hybrid Latex |
Sizes | Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, & Cal King |
Trial | 1 Year |
Price (Queen) | $1,099 (Hybrid Latex), $1,499 (Luxury Hybrid, Luxe) |
Brentwood Home is committed to making sure all its materials and processes meet the Golden State standards of sustainability, which focus on improving public health standards and improving energy efficiency in California by increasing renewable energy.
Brentwood provides information on the sources of all of their materials on their website, helping the customer remain informed. They are also a Carbonfund partner; Carbonfund is a nonprofit initiative focused on helping individuals and businesses offset their carbon footprint by planting trees, amongst other initiatives. They are also socially conscious, working with Relief Beds to help provide portable and waterproof mattresses to the homeless and vulnerable.
They are Greenguard Gold, CertiPURS, Made Safe, GOTS and GOLS certified, and their Crystal Cove and Yoga mattress collections are also certified vegan. Their website provides complete and detailed information on what each of these certifications means for them and the customer, helping you make an informed choice.
PlushBeds
Materials | 100% GOTS organic certified cotton & wool, 100% GOLS certified organic latex |
Mattress Type | Organic latex & memory foam options |
Warranty | 25 year |
Made In | USA |
Sizes | Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King & Cal King |
Trial | 100 Days |
Price (Queen) | $1699.00 |
Founded after discovering that a family member’s Parkinson’s diagnosis could have been linked to exposure to harmful chemicals found in common household objects such as mattresses, Plush beds was founded with a deep commitment to providing toxin-free, healthy sleeping products at an affordable price. Despite becoming one of America’s largest organic mattress manufacturers since their beginnings in 2008, Plushbeds have not taken on any outside investors. This allows them to continue to make decisions according to their values and beliefs.
Their factory is dually GOTS, and GOLS certified, uses CertiPUR certified foams, and all their raw materials are sourced only from providers they meet with personally and who share their principles of ethical practices and sustainable business. Plushbeds have a long and admirable list of ethical and eco-friendly certifications, including Greenguard Gold, Green America, and Rainforest Alliance.
Socially, Plushbeds are also committed to making an impact. They also run a scholarship program that funds college students pursuing a sustainability-related subject. They provide funding and physical improvements such as school renovations to the village of Mange Bureh in Sierra Leone, which was devastated by the 2015 Ebola outbreak. A portion of each sale also goes to charity, which you can find out more about on their website.
Each mattress is designed with your health in mind, and as well as being toxin-free, they come in a range of support levels so you can choose the mattress which best suits your needs.
Happsy
Materials | Certified organic cotton, organic wool, organic latex |
Mattress Type | Organic latex & memory foam options |
Warranty | 10 year |
Made In | USA |
Sizes | Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, & Cal King |
Trial | 120 Days |
Price (Queen) | $1,399.00 |
Happsy decided that buying with your health in mind shouldn’t have to cost the earth, and so they invented the world’s first fully certified organic bed in a box; it’s affordable, healthy, and good for the planet.
Happsy is a member of 1% for the planet which means that 1% of their proceeds go to environmental causes, and all their mattresses are created using GOTS/GOLS certified cotton, wool and latex at their certified organic factory. They are also the proud owners of Greenguard and Made Safe certifications and being Forestry Stewardship Council Certified. Each mattress is made from start to finish by skilled, well-paid workers within the USA.
Happsy mattresses have a hybrid design for maximum comfort, breathability, and minimum “movement transfer, ” meaning minimal disturbance when your bedmate rolls over or gets up. They also provide optimal back support and posture alignment.
Conclusion
For a quick recommendation, we suggest Avocado. They have an excellent 25-year warranty, GOTS and GOLS certified materials, and a wide range of sizes to choose from. They also offer a 1-year trial period to really test the mattress and determine if it’s the right choice for you.
Their hybrid organic mattress is $999, making it the cheapest option we found as well.