Choosing the best mattress for you is one key to getting good sleep. When selecting a mattress, people often focus on comfort. But mattress construction can impact your health. For example, high concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can cause negative health effects, including headaches, dizziness, skin allergies, and eye and respiratory irritation.
“Mattress materials can affect breathing during sleep, especially for those with allergies or respiratory issues. Materials like memory foam and synthetic latex can sometimes emit VOCs, which may cause respiratory irritation in some individuals,” says John Landry, a respiratory therapist and founder of Respiratory Therapy Zone, an educational platform for respiratory therapists.
Landry also says many mattress manufacturers now offer low-VOC or CertiPUR-US certified CertiPUR-US is a certification that shows the foam in the mattress has been crafted with no ozone depleters. foams that have reduced chemical emissions. “Choosing a mattress made from hypoallergenic materials like natural latex or organic cotton can also help minimize breathing issues during sleep.”
It’s no surprise that the organic mattress market is experiencing high growth. If you’re looking for an organic mattress, consider the Birch Natural mattress, which we previously named as our pick for best organic mattress overall. The Handbook Team shares testing insights on its eco-friendly design and performance below.
Our verdict
The Birch Natural mattress is a hybrid, organic mattress with a comfortable medium-firm feel and multiple eco-friendly certifications. It’s made of natural latex to promote pressure relief and breathable, moisture-wicking organic cotton designed to ensure a cooler sleeper experience. Our testers say this mattress is best for back sleepers because it provides good support, which helps maintain a neutral spine, and great back pressure relief. Sleepers may also appreciate its cooling capabilities, great bounce, and good edge support Edge support is the bed’s strength and stability around the perimeter. , though some motion transfer may impact couples easily disturbed by movement.
Our expert opinion
The Birch Natural is a GREENGUARD Gold certified Certifies that a product has low chemical emissions to reduce indoor air pollution and lower the risk of chemical exposure. hybrid mattress with high-end organic construction designed to promote airflow, breathability, and pressure relief for various sleep positions and body weights. It starts with the GOTS certified The leading textile processing standard for organic fibers worldwide. This means it has been ethically sourced and monitored during the production process. smooth organic cotton cover that is designed to be breathable with a bit of stretch. Our testers confirm that it feels slightly cool to the touch. Underneath is a fire-retardant organic wool layer, an additional organic wool comfort layer, a natural latex layer for pressure relief, a support layer of individually wrapped coils, and a final base layer of wool. Birch rates the Natural as a medium-firm on the firmness Brands rate mattress firmness on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the firmest. scale, and we agree, rating it a 6.5 out of 10, which is considered a true medium firm by industry standards.
Our testers say the Birch Natural mattress is great for back sleepers of all body types because it contours the lower back, evenly distributes body weight, and keeps the spine in neutral alignment during testing. Sleepers who change positions at night may appreciate this mattress’s responsiveness Good responsiveness means the mattress has a bouncier surface that responds to pressure or the sleeper’s movements, making it easier to move around and switch positions. to support transitions. It also has great edge support (5 out of 5), so people who sleep near the edge can feel safe and secure, with one tester saying the edge acts like a guard rail.
Lighter-weight (under 130 pounds) and average-weight (130–250 pounds) stomach sleepers should get the support they need, while higher-weight (over 250 pounds) side sleepers should feel the contour, helping to reduce pressure on the hip and shoulder. On the downside, this mattress doesn’t likely provide enough contour for lighter-weight and average-weight side sleepers. Higher-weight stomach sleepers may feel too much dip in this bed for ideal hip and spinal support.
For more options, check out our picks for the best mattress for heavy people.
For couples and those who share a bed with children and/or pets, the Birch Natural transfers some motion. Since the mattress is quite bouncy (5 out of 5), people who are easily disturbed by movement may want something with better motion isolation. Memory foam is known for offering great motion isolation, so you may want to check out our roundup of best memory foam mattresses if that’s an important factor in your purchase.
In terms of cooling, we give the Birch Natural mattress a 4 out of 5. But if you’re looking for a cooler, softer surface, one solution is to add the Birch Plush Organic Mattress Topper. This includes two additional inches of breathable organic materials. Adding the mattress topper will also impact the firmness of the Birch Natural mattress, giving it a softer feel, more like a 4–5 out of 10 on the firmness scale. This might work well for lighter-weight and average-weight side sleepers who still want to purchase the Birch Natural mattress because the added plush cushioning adds contouring to support the hip and shoulder areas.
From our tester
“The edge feels a little more supportive than the center, surprisingly. It would be good edge support for couples with small children that like to climb into their parents’ beds.”
How we test and choose the best mattresses
The Handbook Team has researched many mattresses online and in person and hand-selected about 130 (and counting) of the best models to test. We’ve also surveyed 1,200 total shoppers (in two 600-people surveys) and interviewed recent mattress customers to understand the buying process and how their new bed has impacted their sleep quality, physical health, and mental wellness.
According to one survey
According to one survey of 600 mattress shoppers, about 80 percent of all respondents say their new mattress helps them sleep better, and 65 percent report improved mental health.
Purchase mattress as mystery shoppers.
Set up mattress in testing lab.
Lie on mattress and rank firmness.
Lie on back, side, and stomach to find the best sleeping position.
Place 10-pound ball in mattress center and measure sinkage.
Find biggest pressure points using pressure map reading.
Evaluate cooling capabilities by recording temperature differences.
Drop 10-pound ball onto mattress to measure bounce score.
Test motion isolation.
Test edge support.
Calculate composite “family” scores.
First-hand testing experience
The Handbook Team hand-tests every mattress we review. We evaluate brands and models by recording our findings on a 42-question standardized testing form to identify standout features and services, document issues with each product, and describe our personal experience lying on each mattress.
Mattress surveys and interviews
We pay close attention to specific considerations that sleepers of all ages seek, as identified by respondents in our surveys of 1,200 total people. These include price, features, and the setup process. We also interview real people to better understand the motivations behind shopping for a new mattress and the benefits of purchasing one.
Objective and honest ratings
We use information from our surveys, focus groups, and expert interviews to determine the most important features in our brand and mattress testing scorecards.
We also weigh the following factors to determine an overall rating for each brand we recommend.
| Factor | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Service | 15 percent | Customer care center hours, support options |
| Brand Reputation | 10 percent | Years in business, lawsuits, class actions against this company |
| Features | 20 percent | Size options, firmness options, weight capacity, included add-ons (free sleep accessories) |
| User Experience | 35 percent | White glove delivery, CERTIPUR-US certifications, risk-free trials |
| Affordability | 20 percent | Price, warranty, promotions |
Learn more about our mattress testing and review methodology.
Birch Natural mattress firmness and feel
Birch Living markets the Birch Natural as a medium-firm mattress. Our testers agree and give it a 6.5 out of 10, which is considered a true medium-firm by mattress industry standards. The hybrid design features organic cotton, natural latex, and organic wool to promote airflow, breathability, and pressure relief for various sleep positions and body weights. If you’re looking for a firm mattress, though, this is not the best option.
From our tester
“When I push up to sit, it’s pretty easy, but I wish it were a little firmer. My butt sinks a bit in the center, and I wish the center was as supportive as the edge of the bed.”
Birch Natural mattress performance
Now that you know how well the Birch Natural mattress scores in the most important categories, let’s see which sleepers will fare best on this mattress based on that data.
Sleeping position and body weight
Overall, our testers feel the most comfort and support on the Birch Natural mattress when lying on their back because the bed offers good support (4 out of 5) and pressure relief in the back (5 out of 5), which helps us maintain a neutral spine during testing. In fact, we think the Birch Natural is ideal for back sleepers of all body types. Our testers also like the Birch Natural for combination sleeping People who sleep in multiple positions throughout the night. For example, a person might be a back-and-side sleeper or a stomach-and-back sleeper. , especially for those who are primarily back and stomach sleepers. The mattress has good responsiveness to support changing positions throughout the night and offers great edge support to keep transitioning sleepers secure.
However, the Birch Natural may not relieve enough pressure on the hip and shoulder areas in the side-lying position for lighter-weight and average-weight sleepers. This bed also isn’t ideal for higher-weight stomach sleepers who may feel too much dip in the hips to feel proper support. For another option, consider the Birch Luxe Natural, our top pick for stomach sleepers in our best king mattress roundup.
Compare the Birch Natural mattress for different sleeper types
| Lower weight (<130 pounds) | Average weight (130–250 pounds) | Higher weight (>250 pounds) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back sleepers | Ideal | Ideal | Ideal |
| Side sleepers | Poor | Poor | Good |
| Stomach sleepers | Good | Good | Poor |
From our tester
“The material responds well to my movement—it’s springy and helps guide me to switch positions.”
Birch Natural mattress pain relief performance
People who experience pain may respond well to the Birch Natural’s hybrid design, which integrates a comfort layer of Birch wool, a pressure relief layer of natural latex to cushion pressure points, and a support layer made of up to 1,000 individually wrapped coils. The coils are reinforced lengthwise, which reinforces the perimeter of the mattress.
Our pressure map A mat rolled across a mattress that uses color-coded thermal imaging to show how much pressure someone puts on the bed when they lie down on it. testing indicates the Birch Natural offers good pressure relief. Results show blue and green hues (reds, oranges, and yellows indicate a high amount of pressure buildup), which indicates little to no pressure buildup, ideal for those dealing with pain. Mattresses with latex options also typically rate well for pressure relief, providing more responsiveness than the typical sink you feel from memory foam.
Our overall thoughts about the Birch Natural
Our testers think the Birch Natural is a quality, eco-friendly mattress that’s great for back sleepers, with just a few shortcomings.
Our favorite things about the Birch Natural
We love Birch’s commitment to using eco-friendly materials with various green certifications to provide sleepers a healthier option as the organic mattress category continues gaining popularity. The hybrid construction makes it suitable for various sleepers of different body weights and the breathable cover keeps airflow in motion.
This bed is a great option for back sleepers due to its good pressure-relieving capabilities and support. Sleepers who change positions may also appreciate its responsiveness, making it easier to move around at night. It also has an impressive edge, which allows couples to maximize the full use of the bed’s surface and helps people with mobility issues who need a strong edge to get in and out of bed.
Our Birch Natural mattress complaints
One area where Birch Natural could improve is motion isolation. Since there’s great bounce and responsiveness, this often means that motion has a tendency to transfer on mattresses, which can be disturbing for lighter sleepers with restless or combination-sleeping partners.
While the bed is crafted with all sleep positions in mind, our testers do not feel like the Birch Natural would be the ideal choice for side sleepers of lighter and average weights (it likely won’t provide the contour needed to relieve pressure on the hip and shoulder), or stomach sleepers of higher weights (the hips may dip and the back may not receive enough support).
We also think some mattress shoppers may find the Birch Natural expensive, but that’s due to the use of high-quality natural and organic materials. For those on a budget, consider some of our more affordable mattress picks or browse the best mattress in a box options, which usually offer great deals.
Frequently asked questions
The Birch Natural is Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Certified, which means the mattress’s materials are harvested in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. The Birch Natural features organic wool and cotton materials, but the latex used is considered natural (not organic). The Birch Natural is also GREENGUARD Gold Certified, which means it is a sustainable product with low emissions and low volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Mattresses made of other materials that are not natural or organic may include harmful levels of VOCs.
Our testers find the Birch Natural mattress most suitable for higher-weight (over 250 pounds) side sleepers. However, we do not think this bed is ideal for lighter-weight (under 130 pounds) or average-weight (130–250 pounds) side sleepers because it does not offer enough contour at the hip and shoulder areas, which could cause pressure buildup. Adding the Birch Plush Organic Mattress Topper to the Birch Natural mattress might be a good solution if you’re a side sleeper set on buying this bed.
Unlike other mattresses that use fiberglass for the fire-retardant layers, the Birch Natural uses 100 percent organic wool to provide a natural fire-retardant layer.
- Ki-Hyun Kim, Sudhir K. Pandey, Yong-Hyun Kim, Jong Ryeul Sohn, J-M Oh. Emissions of amides (N,N-dimethylformamide and formamide) and other obnoxious volatile organic compounds from different mattress textile products, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, Volume 114, 2015, Pages 350-356, ISSN 0147-6513, Link
- Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Volatile organic compounds’ impact on indoor air quality. EPA. Link
- Organic mattress market size, share & trend analysis 2034. Fact.MR, Market Research Company. (n.d.). Link