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Organic mattress shopping can be confusing, especially if you don’t understand what different organic labels mean. In this organic mattress buyer’s guide, we’ll explain a few buying precautions, including what organic mattress labels truly mean, what materials are safe, and what features to look out for.
Key Specs Compared
Numbers match the reviews below (tap to jump).
| # | Type | Height | Feel | Certification | Trial or warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Latex hybrid | 10" | Medium firm | GOTS, GREENGUARD Gold | 120 nights; 20 yr |
| 2 | Latex hybrid | 8" | Firm | OEKO-TEX cover | 120-night trial |
| 3 | Latex hybrid | 11" | Medium | GOTS, GOLS | 100-night trial (direct orders) |
| 4 | Latex hybrid | 10" | Medium firm | GOLS | 10-yr warranty |
✓ yes · ✗ no · – not confirmed · Specs as stated on the Amazon listing or by the maker · Not a treatment for any condition
What Materials Are Safe in an Organic Mattress?
Organic mattresses are made using a wide variety of all-natural materials. Many organic mattresses use steel coils for support, with layers of wool or organic cotton around them. Moreover, organic mattresses often use wool as a flame-resistant barrier, which meets all legal standards and requirements. Some manufacturers of quality organic mattresses have successfully incorporated foam into their mattresses. In an organic mattress, this layer is usually latex made from the sap of rubber trees, and certified organic latex carries the GOLS label.[1] Natural latex can cause reactions in people with a latex allergy, so check the materials if you have one.[2] Many organic mattresses are hybrids, with latex over wrapped coils.An Explanation of Organic Mattress Labels & Certifications
When browsing for green mattresses, we see all these labels such as “organic,” “100% organic”, “natural,” “eco-friendly,” “CertiPUR Certified,” and so on.[4] While these terms or certifications look attractive, they each have a different meaning regarding your mattress.- Organic – Organic does not refer to a fully organic natural product in many cases. An organic mattress can technically be made of anything and wrapped in organic cotton. This still allows the manufacturers to label it as organic legally and says nothing about the content of chemicals added to the product.
- 100% Organic – this is a term used for products that are indeed made of 100% organic materials. Look out for this label on your mattress.
- Natural – just like organic, natural is used in products where only a portion of the ingredients are natural. Natural also does not mean it’s organic; it just means it’s of nature. In other words, all latex technically comes from nature, but the word “natural” alone says nothing about how it was processed or what else is in the mattress.
- GOTS – also known as the Global Organic Textile Standard, A product labeled “organic” under GOTS must contain at least 95% certified organic fibers, and the standard also restricts the chemicals used in processing.[3]
- GOLS – GOLS stands for the Global Organic Latex Standard.[1] This certification covers latex products made with more than 95% certified organic raw material.[1]
- CertiPUR-US – if a mattress is CertiPUR-US certified, it means the polyurethane foam was made without certain flame retardants, heavy metals and formaldehyde and was tested for low emissions.[4]
- Greenguard – if a mattress has been green guard certified, it means the product was tested for low chemical emissions, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs). GREENGUARD Gold has stricter limits.[5]
Features of a Good Organic Mattress
Have a peek at some of the top organic mattress characteristics that have shaped the face of natural sleeping for good!- Waterproof – a waterproof protector helps keep an organic mattress clean and dry, which is a good idea if spills are common in your home.
- Dual Layers – layering lets makers combine a softer comfort layer with firmer support. Packed organic cotton is quite dense and is often better when accompanied by wool or springs. Organic latex mattresses have different densities, which help support the back when layered together.
- Foam Infusions – if your organic mattress has foam or latex, these compounds can be infused with natural ingredients such as green tea, charcoal, or essential oils.
- Removable Cover – a removable, washable cover makes the mattress easier to keep clean.
- Pressure Point Relief – quilted or contoured comfort layers feel softer on the shoulders and hips. In studies of people with low back pain, medium-firm mattresses did better than firm ones.[6] If you have back or neck pain that doesn’t go away, see a doctor.[7]
Organic Mattress vs. Traditional Mattress
Traditional mattresses include innerspring beds with multiple foam or fiber layers, memory foam beds, latex mattresses, and waterbeds. Most have polyurethane foams, polyester fabrics, vinyl, or pressboards. Additionally, traditional mattresses undergo vigorous bleaching and dying. Sometimes, they get treated with antimicrobials, flame retardants, and petroleum-based chemicals. Some of these materials can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into indoor air, and the EPA notes that some VOCs can cause health effects at high levels.[8] An organic mattress with third-party certifications is one way to limit synthetic materials in your bed. Organic mattresses come with innerspring beds with organic padding made of plant-based poly foams, organic cotton, wool, or latex from organically grown trees. Latex and wool are generally durable materials.Benefits Of Choosing Good Natural Organic Mattress
Fewer synthetic materials: Organic wool, cotton and latex are grown without synthetic pesticides. Latex can still cause reactions in people with a latex allergy. Low emissions: Certifications such as GREENGUARD Gold test products for low chemical emissions.[5] Breathable materials: Wool and cotton absorb and release moisture, which helps keep the sleep surface drier. Flame resistant: Wool is naturally flame-resistant, so many organic mattresses use it as a fire barrier instead of chemical flame retardants. Less impact on the environment: Pesticide-free, bleach-free, and cruelty-free manufacturing practices are good for Mother Nature, too.Know These Certifications Before You Buy
As you know, terms such as ‘natural,’ ‘organic,’ ‘eco-friendly,’ or ‘100% Pure’ are unregulated. While they sound great, each has a different meaning and guidelines regarding mattress quality. Here are the important organic/green certifications:- GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard): Products labeled “organic” under GOTS contain at least 95% certified organic fibers.[3]
- GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard): This is a third-party standard for an organic latex mattress.[1] The certification requires the latex to be at least 95% organic.
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100: This standard does not evaluate organic content; it tests textiles for harmful substances.[9]
- GREENGUARD: It is an independent certification that tests products for chemical emissions, including VOCs.[5]
- CRADLE TO CRADLE: A standardization that ensures the organic latex, wool, or fiber does not contain chemicals that threaten the environment.
- Eco-Institut: An independent German certification organization that evaluates latex mattress quality.
Our Organic Mattress Picks
Please look at our superior organic mattress selection below and click the one you like the most! We hope you love the products we recommend!1
- This hybrid uses organic cotton, organic wool and organic latex over a glue-free encased steel coil unit.
- The listing says it is 100% GOTS certified and holds UL GREENGUARD certification for low chemical emissions.[5][3]
- It has a medium firm feel.
- Happsy makes it in the USA, and it ships rolled.
2
- This 8-inch mattress has a Talalay latex top layer over encased pocket coils.
- The listing describes the feel as firm.
- The cover is made with cashmere wool and is OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certified, per the listing.[9]
- It comes with a 120-night in-home trial. Circulation and orthopedic claims on the listing are the maker’s, not ours.
3
- This 11-inch hybrid combines organic cotton, New Zealand wool and certified organic latex over individually wrapped steel coils.
- The listing says it uses GOTS cotton and wool and GOLS natural latex.[3][1]
- It is made in the USA without fiberglass or polyfoam layers, per the listing.
- It ships rolled and expands once unpacked.
4
- This 10-inch hybrid has an organic cotton cover, an organic wool quilt layer and GOLS certified organic latex over wrapped coils.[1]
- Two rows of firm edge coils help support the perimeter.
- The maker says it contains no polyfoam, fiberglass or chemical flame retardants.
- The queen weighs about 98 lb and comes with a non-prorated 10-year warranty.
Comparison Table: The Top Rated Organic Mattress
| No. | Product | Image | Features | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Happsy Organic Hybrid - Organic Latex Encased Coil Mattress |  |
| Happsy |
| 2 | Sunrising Bedding Latex Hybrid 8-Inch - Natural Latex Pocket Coil Mattress |  |
| Sunrising Bedding |
| 3 | Cotton Sleep Organic 11-Inch - Organic Cotton Wool Latex Hybrid |  |
| Cotton Sleep |
| 4 | Ethical Mattress Organic Hybrid 10-Inch - Organic Latex Wool Hybrid Mattress |  |
| Ethical Mattress |
Sources
- Control Union. GOLS – Global Organic Latex Standard. Accessed October 15, 2026.
- American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Latex Allergy. Accessed October 15, 2026.
- Global Organic Textile Standard. The Standard. Accessed October 15, 2026.
- CertiPUR-US. CertiPUR-US certified foams. Accessed October 15, 2026.
- UL Solutions. UL GREENGUARD Certification. Accessed October 15, 2026.
- Kovacs FM, et al. Effect of firmness of mattress on chronic non-specific low-back pain: randomised, double-blind, controlled, multicentre trial. Lancet. 2003;362(9396):1599-1604. Accessed October 15, 2026.
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIH). Back Pain. Accessed October 15, 2026.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Volatile Organic Compounds’ Impact on Indoor Air Quality. Accessed October 15, 2026.
- OEKO-TEX. OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100. Accessed October 15, 2026.
Update History
- Oct 2026: Product picks reviewed and updated; added a Key Specs table; added Sources (Control Union, ACAAI, GOTS, CertiPUR-US, UL, peer-reviewed studies, NIAMS, EPA, OEKO-TEX)
- Sep 2021: Added Happsy Organic Hybrid Coil Mattress
- Jul 2017: First published
