What are the Benefits of Latex Mattresses?
Pressure relief and durability

Latex mattresses share many of the benefits of memory foam, particularly in terms of pressure relief.

Latex, however, lacks the slow response and recovery time that characterizes memory foam. For those who dislike these aspects of memory foam, whether due to the warmth of the mattress, difficulty in changing positions or otherwise, latex is a very compelling alternative.

Fans of latex praise its additional benefits: well-balanced support, long lifespan (which in some cases can exceed 20 years) and allergen resistance. Critics cite challenges in finding the perfect combination of comfort and support, as well as the somewhat rubbery smell of latex mattresses (at least when new).

Can You Be Allergic to Latex Mattresses?

Roughly 1% of people experience some kind of allergy to latex. This website isn't a resource for medical advice or counseling, so if you have latex allergy concerns it would be wise to consult with a doctor before purchasing a latex mattress. Certainly, anyone that experiences breathing difficulty around latex, or whose latex allergy symptoms can be triggered simply by being in a room with latex, should not be considering a latex mattress. That said, here's some additional context that might be helpful to you in understanding how latex mattresses can impact those with latex allergies.

A latex allergy is typically a response to the proteins in the sap of rubber trees from which natural latex is made. This protein can be very prominent on products like latex gloves. However, the latex used in mattresses is more like a foam. During the manufacturing process for this type of latex, most of these proteins are washed away. And of course, this type of protein is only found in natural latex — synthetic latex, which is one type of latex used in mattresses, contains no rubber sap at all.

The most common latex allergy is a 'contact' allergy (also known as contact dermatitis). This means that physically touching latex can cause a negative reaction, such as itchy skin and eyes, runny nose, or perhaps a rash. Because the latex used in your bed is inside the mattress, direct contact with latex is very unlikely in the course of owning a latex mattress. In addition to having the protection of the mattress cover itself, most people cover their mattress with a protector and sheets, which creates even more barriers between your skin and the latex.

In terms of how (or whether) a latex mattress will affect someone with a latex allergy, this will vary a lot depending on the severity of the allergy. There are many people who suffer from either contact dermatitis or other latex allergies who have no problems sleeping on a latex mattress. However, you and your doctor will have the best sense of your own personal sensitivity.

Types of Latex

Latex mattresses can be made from either natural or synthetic latex, or most commonly, a blend of the two. Adding to the confusion, manufacturers are allowed to call a latex "natural" even if it contains some synthetic latex. For example, IKEA's Mausund natural latex is made from 85% latex made from rubber sap, and 15% synthetic. To the naked eye, all of these latex types look very similar.

All types of latex are made in the same way: pouring liquid latex into a mold, followed by a curing process. And latex, whether natural or synthetic or somewhere in between, can have similar support, softness, and pressure-relieving qualities. Natural latex is also thought to be excellent at retaining its resiliency over time, making it a long-lasting mattress material.

Some latex also includes "fillers," tiny particles of clay or other materials that are mixed into the foam, making the resulting latex less costly, but also stiffer and less durable. The term "pure latex" typically refers to latex that does not include fillers, and can be applied to either synthetic or natural latex. Most higher-quality latex mattresses use pure latex.

What Does Natural Latex Mean?

True natural latex is produced from the sap of rubber trees. It's a natural product, and is biodegradable. Sap is sustainably harvested from rubber trees, collected in much the same way as maple sap for maple syrup. The trees can be organic (resulting in organic latex) or conventionally grown. Natural latex has inherent resistance to bacteria, mold, and dust mites, and is one of the "greenest" mattress materials you can find.

The downside? Cost. 100% natural latex mattresses, like the Zenhaven mattress and the Spindle bed start at about $1,600 for a queen size. It's possible to find 100% natural organic latex mattresses, but they are less common and are expensive, starting at around $3,000.

Another option is a hybrid mattress, like the Nest Hybrid Latex mattress and the Avocado Green, which combines a natural latex comfort layer with a pocketed-spring support core.

Read more about all-natural latex

Is Synthetic Latex Bad?

Synthetic latex is made through a chemical process using petroleum-based materials instead of rubber sap. Otherwise, it's made in much the same way as natural latex and shares many of the same physical properties, but often has a slightly stiffer feel and is thought by some to better maintain its resiliency over a very long period of time.

Synthetic latex, as you would expect, is less costly than natural latex, but of course lacks its environmentally friendly aspects. In general, if a manufacturer doesn't say its latex is natural, you're likely getting synthetic latex or a blend.

Eight Sleep is one manufacturer using synthetic latex in some of its mattresses (the company is very clear that its latex is synthetic).

Read more about synthetic latex

What is Blended Latex?

Blends of natural and synthetic latex generally aim to capture the advantages of both natural and synthetic latex. Mattress manufacturers using blended latex often claim that it combines the elasticity of natural latex with the consistent quality and durability of synthetic latex. If a company doesn't say its latex is "all natural" but still called it "natural," it's likely a blend of some kind.

If your interest is gaining the comfort properties of latex, and not necessarily its sustainability / environmentally friendly aspects, then synthetic or a blended latex might suit your needs at a lower cost than all natural.

Read more about the pros and cons of blended latex

How is a Latex Mattress Made?

Beds made of all latex tend to be relatively simple in their construction. Typically, a latex mattress consists of anywhere from 1 to 4 layers, with the bottom layer (known as the "core") being the firmest, and each layer above getting progressively softer. The core, which provides the underlying support for the mattress, tends to be about 5"  to 6" thick and is typically made from either relatively dense latex (in high-quality latex mattresses) or polyurethane foam. The upper layers, also known as the "comfort" layers, are designed to give the bed a softer feel and are most often made from either softer latex.

Latex typically contains numerous "pincore holes" — deep, cylindrical holes spread throughout the mattress to help soften its feel. The holes are formed by the mold the liquid latex is poured into.

Larger pincore (or pin core) holes create a softer feel to the latex. Some manufacturers place different-sized holes in different parts of the mattress in order to offer different zones of support and comfort for the various parts of the body.

Below: Liquid latex being poured into a mold for a Zenhaven mattress

There are two different production processes used to make latex mattresses. Either process can be used to make natural latex foam, synthetic latex, or blended latex.

The older, more established process (dating back over 75 years) is known as Dunlop, while the newer, more involved (and more expensive) process is known as Talalay.

In the Dunlop process, liquid latex is "whipped" with air until it becomes wet foam, at which time it is poured into a mold, hardened, and vulcanized. In the Talalay process, the wet latex foam is similarly poured into a mold, but extra room is left at the top of the mold. Once the mold is sealed, air is vacuumed out of the mold, causing the foam to expand such that it fills the empty space inside the mold. The mold is then frozen and quickly vulcanized, locking in the expanded structure of the foam.

Generally, Talalay latex tends to be softer and less dense, while Dunlop latex tends to be firmer and heavier, but the difference between them isn't drastic. Check out our article on Talalay vs Dunlop Latex for more on the subtle differences.

Latex Mattress Brands

Unlike some other types of beds, the latex mattress market is not dominated by a single brand. To find the right latex mattress brand for you, please browse our extensive list of online mattress models or search the mattresses available at stores in your area — on either page, use the expanded filters in order to narrow the list to only latex mattresses).

Also, check our expert, in-depth reviews of the following latex mattresses:

All latex:

• Zenhaven mattress ($$$$) -- 100% natural latex, flippable mattress (Medium on one side, Med Firm on the other)
• Spindle mattress ($$$$) -- 100% natural latex, with layers that can be rearranged for softness levels Med Soft to Firm

Latex over pocket springs:

• Nest Hybrid Latex mattress ($$$) -- 100% natural latex over pocket springs with dual-comfort option. Softness: Med Soft
• Avocado Green mattress ($$$) -- 100% natural latex over pocket springs (Firm), with pillowtop option (Med Firm)
• Real Bed ($$) -- 100% natural latex over pocket springs (Medium Firm softness) with optional latex topper (Medium Soft)
• Awara ($$$) -- Certified-organic latex, wool, and organic cotton over pocket springs. Softness: Firm
• Happsy ($$$) -- Certified organic mattress made with all-natural latex and pocket springs. Softness: Med Firm
• EcoSleep ($$$) -- Flippable (Firm on one side, Medium on the other) mattress of 100% natural latex and pocket springs
• Birch ($$$) -- Certified organic mattress made of all-natural latex, wool, organic cotton and pocket springs. Softness: Med Firm=