Latex mattresses and mattress toppers have been on the market for decades now, but it’s only in the last few years that they’ve really come into their own. While natural latex mattresses used to be incredibly firm to the point of being uncomfortable, more recent models can compete with memory foam for adaptive comfort. Better still, they last longer and are more supportive of your spinal alignment. The best latex mattress toppers can take a so-so mattress and turn it into a dream sleep surface. Which ones are worth the money, though?
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of shopping for a natural latex mattress topper and introduce you to all our favorites being sold today. We’ve asked our sleep expert, Michelle Jenkins, to review dozens of different models from various brands and at all levels of firmness to find her favorites. You’ll find her recommendations below!
Picture | Brand & Model | Thickness | Firmness | Check Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sleep On Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper 2” - Soft | 2 inches | Soft | Check Price | |
Sleep On Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper 2” - Medium | 2 inches | Medium | Check Price | |
Sleep On Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper 2” - Firm | 2 inches | Firm | Check Price | |
Sleep On Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper (3”) - Soft | 3 inches | Soft | Check Price | |
Sleep On Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper (3”) - Medium | 3 inches | Medium | Check Price | |
Sleep On Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper (3”) - Firm | 3 inches | Firm | Check Price |
Best Latex Mattress Topper Reviews
Sleep On Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Toppers
“In this category, I’ve recommended 6 different mattress toppers from the same company–Sleep On Latex. I think it’s important to clarify that I’m not influenced by any kind of brand tie-ins or freebies. I can (and normally do) recommend a range of products by different brands in every category of product I review. However, when one manufacturer has cornered the market, I think it would be silly to pretend that the competition are just as good!
There are a few other companies making high-quality, all-natural latex mattresses and toppers, but none of them have as great a reputation for quality control or as impressive a slate of certifications as the Pure Green series from Sleep On Latex. The Pure Green products are the most natural, the most comfortable, and the most resilient I’ve found in this category to date! The other manufacturers don’t boast as many certifications and they don’t offer this much variety in firmness and thickness.
So, why do I think these are the best latex mattress toppers available?
A lot of products sold as ‘natural’ these days are a long way from actually being that. Sleep On Latex are certified by absolutely every agency and testing institute that deals with mattress toppers to be both environmentally friendly and non-toxic. They’re made with 100% natural latex–no funky additives or toxic adhesives. They don’t produce any chemical off-gassing, just a distinctive rubbery smell when you open the package. These are the safest toppers for you and the planet out there short of buying pure wool, which isn’t exactly comfortable.
Speaking of comfort, that’s the main reason I love the Pure Green latex mattress toppers. They’re remarkable in that they combine the best of all worlds. They’re as adaptive as memory foam, but they have the springiness of latex which helps support your spine and prevent soft spots from forming. I think they’re finally a latex product I can recommend to everybody–even people who don’t need or like very firm sleep surfaces!
There are options for all types of bodies and sleep positions, too. That’s a big selling point for me, since most latex manufacturers only make products that are decidedly firm (and uncomfortable for many sleepers). These are available in 2” and 3” thicknesses, with soft/medium/firm variants for each. I would suggest the 2” for most people, simply because it’s less expensive and still makes a significant improvement. If you’re a side sleeper, the 3” is probably worth the extra money.
I’ve included links to all three variants of both the 2” and 3” toppers below, so check them out!”
Sleep On Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper (2”)
Sleep On Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper (3”)
Although all the Sleep on Latex toppers are great quality, when it comes to recommending the best latex mattress topper overall, we’d say you should try the Sleep On Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper (3”) – Medium which gives you plenty of thick comfort.
Buying Guide
Choose Only 100% Natural Latex Products
Shopping for high-quality latex is a tricky business these days. A lot of companies take advantage of consumers’ ignorance about how natural latex products are produced, and they use greenwashing marketing techniques to make you think their products are more natural than they actually are. Avoid anything that flaunts its “natural” credentials without listing actual specs and certifications to back them up!
Look for mattresses and toppers made with 100% natural latex. Any good natural latex product should be GreenGuard and OekoTex-certified, and many are also certified by the Eco Institut.
All these certifications are by third-party testers and evaluators who aren’t influenced by the industry (as opposed to the Certi-Pur standards for synthetic foam, which are created by the manufacturers themselves).
Why is it so important to go all-natural? Natural latex is more resilient than the synthetic stuff, for one thing. It’ll be comfortable and supportive for much longer. There’s also no chemical off-gassing from natural latex. One of the main reasons people go for latex is to avoid the harmful emissions that come from synthetic foams. If you choose something that’s not 100% natural latex, you’re going to end up breathing in plenty of VOCs all the same. Natural latex is better for the environment, too. Harvesting sap from rubber trees has a relatively low impact and doesn’t produce the vast amounts of toxic byproducts that synthetic foams do.
Be Prepared To Invest
Natural latex is an expensive material, no matter how good a sale you find. Be prepared to spend 2-3x as much for a high-quality latex mattress topper, compared to memory foam and gel products.
Why spend the extra cash? For one thing, latex is much more supportive than foams. It contours without sinking. It also has a natural springiness which helps to maintain spinal alignment much better than memory foams. Between these qualities and the lack of harmful chemical ingredients, you can think of the premium price tag as an investment in your health.
Likewise, memory foams and gels develop sags and soft spots relatively quickly. Natural latex products stay pretty much the same for years of nightly use. You pay more up front, but you don’t have to replace them nearly as often.
Know Your Sleep Position And Preferences
As when you’re shopping for any mattress, topper, or pillow, you should keep your own body type, preferred sleep position, and comfort preferences in mind. We generally recommend that most people stick with a medium to firm mattress/topper. Softer products don’t usually support the spine properly.
However, when it comes to natural latex, even a soft variant can be both comfortable and supportive. If you sleep on your back or switch positions, it’s still best to stick with medium to firm latex. If you’re a side sleeper, you’ll want to choose either a soft or medium mattress topper.
Don’t Expect Miracles
While a high-quality latex mattress topper can make a drastic improvement in the quality of your sleep, no mattress topper is a replacement for a decent mattress. If your mattress has a significant curvature as the result of sagging, your spine isn’t going to be healthy–no matter how nice a topper you use. You can use a topper to improve the overall feel of your mattress, to relieve pressure and support your midsection more effectively. You can’t use one to correct a sagging mattress. If your mattress is sagging, it’s time to replace it! Visit our guide to the best mattresses to find a new one that will keep you healthy and happy.
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