Here are several reasons why we believe a natural latex mattress to be far superior to a traditional synthetic foam mattress.
Table of Contents
- Memory foam vs. latex mattresses
- Latex mattresses have a much lower carbon footprint than foam
- Durability and end of life
- Toxic chemicals in foam mattresses
- Memory foam is sweaty! Latex is breathable
- Latex tends to lack side Reinforcement
- Latex has bounce, memory foam is a dud
- Memory foam can be tough on joint health
- Cost – Latex vs memory foam
Sleeping on ‘solid gasoline’ foam laced with flame retardants not only seems a bit strange, it’s also terrible for temperature regulation, indoor air quality, your bank balance, the environment, and the folks making the poly-foam mattresses.
In the battle of natural latex versus memory foam, Hevea brasiliensis* is the clear winner when it comes to sustainability, but how does it shape up for cost and comfort?
Poly-foam mattresses are massively popular, with the bed-in-a-box phenomenon helping to spread these petroleum-based products far and wide (Casper, Helix, and Tuft & Needle are three popular traditional foam brands). If you’re looking for a convenient bed-in-a-box option without the off-gassing, though, you may be wondering how natural latex compares to synthetic memory foam.
Here’s a handy table summarizing the key differences and similarities between memory foam and latex mattresses.
*Hevea who? Hevea brasiliensis is the botanical name for the rubber tree, the sap of which is tapped to produce liquid latex.
Memory foam vs. latex mattresses
| Poly-foam / memory foam | Natural latex | |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | Hugs and traps | Contouring and responsive |
| Responsive | No | Yes |
| Motion isolation | High – very little motion transfer | Medium – depends on the latex, but some motion felt |
| Best sleep positions | Side and back only | All |
| Temperature regulating/breathable | No | Yes |
| Easy to turn over | No | Yes |
| Edge support | Good | Low-Medium (depending on brand) |
| Eco-friendly | No | Yes |
| Made with natural materials | No | Yes |
| Can be organically certified | No | Yes |
| Typical lifespan | <7 years | 15+ years |
| Durability | Less durable | More durable |
| Necessitates chemical flame retardants | Yes | Not always |
| Off-gassing | High | None |
| Harbors dust mites | Not at first (will once degraded) | No |
| Price | Cheap (but needs replacing every few years) | More expensive (but lasts longer) |
| Bed-in-a-box options | Yes | Yes |
As you can see, memory foam and latex are both available as bed-in-a-box options because these materials can be compressed and vacuum sealed into smaller packages than conventional mattresses. This saves on some shipping costs and associated shipping emissions, but that’s about where the similarities end.
Latex mattresses have a much lower carbon footprint than foam
On every measure of sustainability, latex wins out over memory foam. For a start, latex is more eco-friendly to produce, with a lower carbon footprint than poly-foam. Innerspring mattresses also have a lower carbon footprint than memory foam.
In one lifecycle analysis (LCA), carried out in 2010 and admittedly sponsored by a latex manufacturer, the results were stark. This study used ISO 14040 environmental management standards’ LCA protocol to examine the carbon footprint of four types of mattresses:
- 100% pure latex
- Synthetic latex blends (50% latex, 50% polyurethane)
- 100% polyurethane foam
- Innerspring.
The study revealed that while it takes twice the amount of natural latex liquid as polyurethane foam to produce a mattress, it only requires half the total energy.
It’s also important to note that harvesting latex sustainably means the rubber trees remain healthy and able to continue sequestering carbon. As a renewable resource, rubber trees neutralize millions of tons of carbon dioxide every year, more than offsetting the carbon emissions associated with each mattress.
I’ve asked Latexco for a copy of the study but am yet to hear back from the company.
Durability and end of life
Poly-foam is a fossil fuel-derived product that requires toxic chemical inputs, doesn’t have a very long useful life, but doesn’t full biodegrade, meaning old mattresses are either burned or sent to landfill at end of life. Poly foam mattresses can sit in landfill, leaching out toxic chemicals, for some 80-120 years.
According to a 2020 report in The Guardian, Americans throw away 18.2 million mattresses a year. And there are fewer than 60 recycling facilities set up to handle mattresses in the U.S. If poly-foam mattress makers try to sell you on the recyclability of memory foam, then, consider this a case of greenwashing.
Most manufacturing scraps of poly-foam are able to be recycled, though they’re largely downcycled into carpet backing and for other limited uses. Post-consumer poly-foam recycling is different, with the product much harder to recycle. There’s also a lot of it, including poly-foam from mattresses that have quickly degraded and from upholstery cushions that have quickly gotten lumpy and uncomfortable.
Even if the mattress is technically able to be recycled, chances are it won’t be. If a mattress contains innerspring coils, this makes it even harder to recycle, though the metal does fetch a higher price than the foam and fiber.
Latex mattresses not only last longer than memory foam, meaning fewer resources are used overall, they are also biodegradable at end of life.
Toxic chemicals in foam mattresses
Polyurethane foam is pretty much gasoline in a more solid form. This material not only requires a lot of chemical inputs during manufacture, it also requires the use of chemical flame retardants to ensure a mattress passes fire safety tests.
Two of the chemicals seen in poly-foam manufacture are TDI and MDI: Toluene diisocyanate and methylene diisocyanate. These are toxic chemicals used as precursors to create poly-foam. They may be emitted during manufacture and the foaming process and then in the first few days after the foam is produced. TDI and MDI are known carcinogens and have both been linked to respiratory health concerns, putting both workers and customers at risk.
In contrast, natural latex production usually involves few if any toxic chemicals. And latex mattress can be wrapped in a layer of wool as a natural flame barrier, removing the need for chemical flame retardants.
Note that not all latex mattresses are non-toxic or free of chemical flame retardants. You’ll want to check for certifications such as GOTS to find one that is truly non-toxic.
Memory foam is sweaty! Latex is breathable
Memory foam is a dense uniform foam that cradles your body, creating what can become a sweaty, clammy sinkhole. It is not a breathable material and is a poor choice for anyone who sleeps hot.
If you’re approaching menopause, a memory foam mattress is unlikely to help you get a good night’s sleep as it won’t help you regulate your temperature and could make night sweats worse than ever. Further, as global temperatures continue to warm, I certainly wouldn’t want to be sleeping on a poly-foam mattress on a hot, sticky night. Yuck!
In contrast, latex is a breathable material that helps with temperature regulation. It can keep you cool on hot nights and cozy on colder nights.
Talalay is a little more breathable than Dunlop as it is airier thanks to the manufacturing process (the mattress we feature in our online store, Evaya, uses FSC certified latex in the core of the mattress). If you want a really breathable mattress, then, a full Talalay model is a good bet, or at least a Talalay comfort (top) layer. You might also consider adding a latex mattress topper to your current mattress if it’s causing you to get the sweats at night.
Evaya Organic Mattress [Staff Tested]
Eco-Institut and Made Safe Certified, will never off-gas, and certified to be free of even trace amounts of hazardous chemicals. Manufactured using EverEden Premium wool sourced from New Zealand farmers.
Use code ESSENTIALEVAYA for 15% off the Evaya Bliss in the LeafScore store.
Some memory foam mattress makers have started adding in graphite to the foam mixture, or creating a foam that’s lighter and airier. They may also add a top layer of wool to help with temperature regulation. These innovations may make memory foam slightly less sweaty than standard formulations but the difference is negligible and the increased cost significant.
Latex tends to lack side Reinforcement
Having slept on a latex hybrid mattress for nearly two years, I can attest that, while comfortable, this mattress lacks side reinforcement and definitely puts you in danger of rolling off. Latex mattresses offer less edge support than memory foam, which is a big turn off if you like to sit on the edge of your bed or tend to need to use every square inch of your bed at night.
If you co-sleep with a toddler, you’ll want to beware the lack of edge support provided by a latex mattress. On the plus side, that lack of edge support makes it much easier for my toddler to slide off the bed safely without my help!
Some latex mattress manufacturers pair layers of latex with innerspring coils and add extra coils at the outer edges for increased sturdiness. This is a great workaround for anyone who wants a natural latex mattress with edge support.
Check out the Evaya Bliss for a latex hybrid mattress with excellent edge support.
Latex has bounce, memory foam is a dud
Consider the responsiveness of a mattress as the amount something will bounce when dropped on the mattress surface. If you drop a book on a latex mattress, the book will bounce. Drop it on a memory foam mattress and the book will barely move. The memory foam absorbs the energy of the dropped book; the latex mattress is more rubbery and has a much faster bounce-back time.
For solo sleepers, a more responsive mattress can be very comfortable. For anyone sleeping with a restless partner, a more responsive mattress could lead to greater sleep disturbance from motion transfer.
However, a bouncier, more responsive mattress can also be great for energetic sex! With memory foam, the mattress gives nothing back, making you work much harder for a little bounce.
Pair latex with innersprings and you’ve got an excellent recipe for a supportive and responsive mattress ideal for many couples with an active sex life.
The lack of responsiveness from memory foam also makes it a tad harder to move around on the mattress. In contrast, it’s much easier to roll over on a latex mattress, especially one with layers of Dunlop latex that offer firmer support.
Memory foam can be tough on joint health
Memory foam is well known for providing significant pressure relief for aching joints. This is why memory foam mattresses are also considered orthopedic mattress ideal for recovery from certain kinds of injuries.
In contrast, latex mattresses offer more responsiveness and bounce, meaning you don’t sink into the mattress as much as you do with memory foam. Latex mattresses can still off plenty of support for aching joints and back pain, however.
The trick is to find a mattress with the right degree of firmness. This can be a process of trial and error, which is why we love to recommend mattresses where you can access the inner layers of latex and move them around to better meet your current (and future) needs. This might mean moving a softer layer of Talalay latex to the top when you’re experiencing back pain, but moving the Dunlop layer (which is usually firmer) back up to the top after you’ve recovered. Spindle mattress, one of the brands we have tested extensively, is very customizable because the latex layers are wrapped in organic cotton.
Having slept on memory foam mattresses while away from home, I am strongly of the opinion that they can actually cause back and joint pain where there was none previously! Because these non-responsive mattresses often trap you in one position for long stretches of sleep, this can create odd pressure on the joints and spine. In contrast, a latex mattress lets your body move and relax naturally throughout the night, reducing pressure on any specific area of your body.
For stomach sleepers, memory foam can lead to a real crick in your neck and this kind of mattress is not recommended. Side-sleepers and back-sleepers will have a better time with memory foam than stomach-sleepers, but all will fare well (and likely better) with a latex mattress.
Cost – Latex vs memory foam
Finally, let’s consider the cost of latex and memory foam mattresses.
The reality is that you’ll pay more upfront for a new all-latex mattress than you would for a memory foam mattress. Poly-foam is cheap to produce and it’s easy to find suppliers state-side. In contrast, natural latex requires harvesting of rubber sap, latex production, and shipping from overseas, all of which are more time-consuming. The price difference isn’t as big as you might expect, though.
Here’s a quick summary of the cost of latex, hybrid, and memory foam mattresses.
| Queen-size | Memory foam / poly foam | All latex | Latex/innerspring hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest price | $400 | $1,000 | $800 |
| High price | $5,000 | $7,000 | $4,000 |
| Average cost | $1,000 | $2,000 | $1,500 |
More costly memory foam mattresses can run to $5,000 or more (I even found one that cost $12,000!). Lower price models are available for just $400-$500 or so, though. A typical price for a memory foam queen size mattress is around $1,000.
For all-latex mattresses, you’re looking at a cost around $2,000, with larger, more luxurious, and more sustainable options going up to $6,000 and lower price models at around $1,000.
Hybrid latex and innerspring mattresses can cost as little as $800 for a queen size, though they cost around $1,500 on average, and more luxurious and sustainable models may cost as much as $4,000.
If you’re looking for a split king or mattress that works with an adjustable bed base, expect to pay more. Similarly, if you’re looking for a mattress with all the appropriate eco-certifications, sustainable sourcing, a good warranty, white glove delivery service, mattress removal and recycling, and so forth, you’ll also pay more.
Cost effectiveness
Should the upfront cost be the deciding factor when choosing a mattress, though? Not if you consider the lifespan of the mattress.
Latex and hybrid mattresses are more cost effective overall because they last far longer than memory foam. With memory foam, you’ll be lucky to have five years of solid performance from your mattress. During that time, the mattress will have already begun to degrade significantly, meaning it sags and offers much less support than when you first got it.
After seven years, you’re really looking at needing to replace a memory foam mattress. After 10 years, the mattress will likely have lost half of its original mass (as dust swirling about your home). This is basically a guarantee your mattress will be lumpy, uncomfortable, and unsupportive.
In contrast, a latex mattress can easily last 15 years or more with very little, if any, decline in performance. This will depend on how the mattress is used, stored, and transported (if you move homes, for example). Heavier adults may need to replace their latex mattress more frequently, especially if serious indentations develop.
Dunlop latex is a great choice typically for heavier adults as it is more durable and resistant to compression. The Evaya Bliss mattress is one of our top choices for a non-toxic mattress and one we feature in our online store.
Evaya Organic Mattress [Staff Tested]
Eco-Institut and Made Safe Certified, will never off-gas, and certified to be free of even trace amounts of hazardous chemicals. Manufactured using EverEden Premium wool sourced from New Zealand farmers.
Use code ESSENTIALEVAYA for 15% off the Evaya Bliss in the LeafScore store.