Birch mattress review: The best organic mattress we've tested

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Helix has emerged as one of the most well-known brands in the mattress industry, though you may not have heard of its eco-friendly Birch label. Made of certified organic materials in an Arizona factory I personally toured, the Birch Natural Mattress is one of the best organic mattresses we've tested. It earned the top spot in our guide because of its impressive pressure relief for all sleep positions.

In addition to sporting a long list of green certifications and eco-friendly materials, the latex hybrid Birch is incredibly comfortable, especially when paired with its plush latex topper. I slept on it for a month and put it through a series of objective tests. Below are my experiences and why it's the best natural mattress for people who take the environment as seriously as their sleep.

Design and specs

Construction

The Birch Natural Mattress by Helix is Greenguard Gold certified to be free of harmful chemicals and is made in Arizona in a Fair Trade-certified factory. The GOTS-certified organic cotton cover helps with breathability, and the organic wool below supplies natural fire protection. Next is a thicker organic wool comfort layer for temperature regulation and pressure relief. 

The eco Institut-certified Talalay latex layer provides responsive support and more joint relief. Individually wrapped coils form the base and help with airflow, edge support, and durability. Lastly, another layer of fire-resistant wool is on the bottom.

Our review of the Birch Mattress

Setup

The Birch Natural Mattress arrived in a box the size of a minifridge. It didn't come with a cutting tool or instructions for removing the bed from the box, but the process was straightforward. First, remove the compressed mattress from the box and place it on your bed frame or foundation. Then, remove the plastic, and allow the mattress to expand. The process took me five minutes.

Have a friend help you unbox the mattress, as it's quite heavy. For an additional $129, you can choose in-home setup at checkout where Birch will coordinate the assembly of your foundation and the removal of your old bed.

The mattress expanded to full size right out of the box but had a slight initial odor that dissipated by bedtime. 

Comfort

As a side sleeper, I found the medium-firm Birch Natural Mattress too firm. I didn't sink in enough to keep my spine aligned, though it was much more comfortable when I flipped onto my stomach. 

I preferred Birch's optional Plush Organic Mattress Topper add-on, which costs extra. The two-inch topper features the same cotton, wool, and Talalay latex layers but makes the bed much softer, perfect for side sleeping. The topper improved pressure relief, spinal alignment, and sleep quality. I'd recommend side sleepers and anyone who prefers a medium-feel splurge for the topper. Back and stomach sleepers may be fine without it.

I slept on the mattress for about a month before passing it on to my thin, 6-foot-5 kid. They found it absolutely comfortable. Before sleeping on the Birch, they complained of joint pain, which will happen when you're growing like a weed. Yet, the Birch soothed the pains and left them feeling refreshed in the morning. 

Heat dissipation

I test heat dissipation using an infrared thermometer to take temperatures before lying down at night, right after getting up in the morning, and two minutes after. The reading right after getting up shows how cool the mattress stays. Comparing this to two minutes later gives the heat dissipation.

The Birch Natural Mattress's temperature readings were average when first getting up. However, two minutes later, the temperature only dropped about 10 degrees Fahrenheit, while the median for mattresses I've tested is a 12-degree decrease. My kid and I both found it uncomfortably warm on hot summer nights. It was much more bearable on cooler nights, but we were on the verge of overheating. Still, this may appeal to cold sleepers.

Edge support

Edge support is important because it helps you feel comfortable sleeping or sitting on the mattress's periphery. This is necessary when your partner takes up most of the bed. Plus, it makes it easier to get into and out of bed.

I test edge support by sitting on the bed's edge and measuring how much it sinks. I also lie on the edge to assess how supported I feel. Then, I'll slowly roll off the mattress to see how far I can get before falling.

The Birch has outstanding edge support. The edge sank less than average while I sat on the side, and I could roll quite far before falling off. I felt supported while lying on the side, with and without the topper.

Motion isolation

A bed with good motion isolation will keep you from being disturbed when your partner moves at night. We test this by dropping a bowling ball 4 feet above the mattress so that it lands 12 inches from a soda can. If the can stays upright, the bed has excellent motion isolation. For a more granular assessment, we use a vibrometer to measure the bowling ball's vibrations on the other side of the bed.

Like many latex mattresses, the Birch had poor motion isolation but plenty of bounce. Couples may appreciate the bounce during sex, but sleeping with someone who moves around a lot at night may be difficult with the poor motion isolation.

Trial period and warranty

The Birch Natural is backed by a 100-night sleep trial. After sleeping on it for at least 30 nights, you can return the mattress for a refund if you don't like it. Birch deducts a $99 removal fee from your refund. The company tries to donate returned mattresses locally, but they recycle them if that isn't possible.

If you keep your mattress, it's backed by a 25-year warranty. During the first 10 years, if there are defects in materials or workmanship, Birch will replace or repair your mattress at no charge. Beyond that, you can get a replacement mattress at a prorated price. 

Cons to consider

While Birch's home trial lets you sleep on it for 100 nights, I don't love that you are out $99 if you return your mattress. Unfortunately, these fees aren't uncommon in the bed-in-a-box industry.

The Birch doesn't have good motion isolation. This is fine if you don't share a bed with anyone. However, if you have a sleeping partner, consider getting a size larger so their movements will lose their intensity as they travel across the mattress. 

While the Birch doesn't get excessively hot, it doesn't dissipate heat well. If you're a cold sleeper, this could be a positive, but if you normally overheat at night, you might want to pair the mattress with one of these best cooling products for better sleep.

What are your alternatives?

We got to try out the Birch Luxe Natural Mattress while touring the company's factory in Arizona. It's pricier but has all the same green certifications and features zoned support for even better pressure relief. It's a little softer than the Birch, though side sleepers will still likely want the plush topper.

The latex PlushBeds Botanical Bliss has good motion isolation, stays incredibly cool, and doesn't have a removal fee. However, you must coordinate donating or returning the mattress if you don't want it. I didn't find it as comfortable as the Birch. Even the softer of the two Botanical Bliss firmness options was too firm for sleeping on my side. Plus, it costs about $500 more than the $1,500 Birch.

Another solid choice is the organic latex Avocado Green. It's soft enough to provide pressure relief for side sleepers and dissipates heat well, but the motion isolation and edge support are both middle-of-the-pack. The return policy is full of loopholes, including a return fee.

For more recommendations, check out our guide to the best mattresses.

The bottom line

All mattresses have their pluses and minuses. The pressure relief and quality feel of the Birch Natural Mattress outweigh any negatives. The support keeps you comfortable to the edge, and you can rest easily knowing it is made of organic, sustainable materials. Yet, it doesn't have a high-end price tag. I recommend it for eco-conscious back and stomach sleepers who love latex foam's responsive, body-contouring feel, and side sleepers when you add the plush topper.