How to Choose the Best Latex Mattress?
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Top Best Latex Mattresses Based on Reviews and Price
How to Choose a Good Latex Mattress?
Nowadays, choosing a latex mattress can feel like dealing with quantum entanglement, if you are not familiar with the peculiarities of latex mattresses. You also need to know what makes the best stand out from the rest. Long gone are the days when choosing a mattress was quite simple. There were only a few types, you test it before you buy it, and that’s it. No drama, nothing.
To make things easier, we’ve made a blueprint that can guide you to the process of choosing the best latex mattress out there.
Top 11 Factors to Consider Before Buying a Latex Mattress
1. Consider the Various Types of Mattresses
Basically, there are three types of latex mattresses: synthetic latex mattresses, natural latex mattresses, and blended latex mattresses.
Synthetic Latex Mattresses
Synthetic latex mattresses (styrene-butadiene rubber) are man-made and are based on petroleum ingredients. They are the cheapest of all types of mattresses but are less durable and resilient than natural latex mattresses.
Natural Latex Mattresses
Natural latex mattresses are produced from hevea brasiliensis, which is also known as the latex tree. These mattresses are very durable, resilient, and can provide excellent support. On the downside, they can be very expensive.
Blended Latex Mattresses
Blended latex mattresses include both synthetic and natural elements. Very often, the ratio is ⅔ synthetic and ⅓ natural latex. Sometimes they are labeled as “natural,” but in reality, they are not 100% natural. Their quality is good, they also provide great support, and typically their price is in the middle range.
2. Construction of the Mattress
After deciding which type of material suits you most, the next important thing is their construction. That includes how the bed is assembled, as well as its layers.
If it is true latex foam, then it needs to be made only of latex foam, without any other foams or springs. It is the latex core that provides support. Typically, the base layer is six to eight inches thick.
Some latex mattresses consist of a single core, while others include additional layers. Furthermore, the cover or the top layer may come with padding made of cotton or wool. However, this layer needs to be up to one inch thick to preserve all the great features of latex.
Last but not least, the latex layers can be glued or unglued. Unglued layers simply sit on top of each other within the mattress. That allows the owner to swap out some of the layers. Plus, not having glue means reducing the number of chemicals in the household.
3. Consider ILD (Indentation Load Deflection)
ILD stands for Indentation Load Deflection, and it reflects the firmness or the softness of the mattress. To measure the mattresses ILD, you need a 12-inch disk that needs to press a four-inch foam piece. The round disk needs to apply pressure until it compresses one inch into the mattress.
As a general rule, the higher the ILD is, the latex will be firmer.
4. How About the Processing Method?
When it comes to latex processing, there are two processing methods. One is known as the Talalay method, whereas the other one is the Dunlop method.
There is no point going into the peculiarities of each method. But the outcome of each method is a mattress with specific properties.
The Talalay method produces mattresses softer feeling latex mattress, which on average cost more. Then there is the Dunlop method, which produces firmer-feeling mattresses, which are somewhat more affordable.
At the same time, it needs to be signified that this is not a comparison in which we determine which method is superior to the other. But instead, it explains what each method brings to the table as a final product. Based on that, people can decide what suits them more and feels more comfortable. After all, everyone has their preferences.
5. Consider Flammability
This is regulated by federal guidelines for flammability with the purpose to stop house fires. Polyurethane foam is somewhat more flammable than natural latex. As a result, manufacturers use fire-resistant materials to meet the federal guidelines for flammability.
Natural wool with other additives, silica-treated rayon, are just some of the fire-resistant materials used to pass the open flame test.
6. Consider the Mattress Cover
The cover material can make all the difference, and it is a big part of the selection process. The material’s flexibility, durability, and breathability matter most when considering the mattress cover.
Wool and cotton are natural fibers that are great at wicking moisture but are not that good at airflow inhibiting, compared to synthetic materials. The fabric needs to be as durable as possible because latex beds can last up to 15 years.
The material also needs to be able to stretch just enough so that the latex foam can contour to the user’s body. In this regard, both wool and cotton are ideal. They are popular choices when it comes to the mattress cover.
If you have some concerns regarding the chemicals within the mattress, it is best to go with certified organic cotton. Organic cotton is free of any dyes or chemical pesticides.
7. Do You Need a Multi-layer Mattress?
Some latex mattresses feature only one layer, while others can have two or more layers. At first glance, there isn’t much difference between a multi-layer and a single layer mattress. But if you are curious, you can easily check out the layers in the mattress by simply unzipping the cover.
One of the biggest advantages of the multi-layer mattress over single-layer ones is personalized comfort. That means you can adjust the levels of firmness and softness by combining the different layers. At some point in time, you can even buy a new, additional layer, and replace an old one.
Whether you need a multi-layer latex mattress or not is a matter of personal preference. Very often, it is considered that two layers (15cm plus 5 cm) are better than a single 20cm layer. This is because of the customizability explained above.
Yet, it all comes down to what suits you most and feels comfortable to you.
8. Certifications of Mattress
There are all sorts of certifications. Some certifications describe the manufacturing processes while others describe certain tests or comply with international standards for the latex mattress.
Only the best ones are awarded certificates and are a pretty strong hint that you are looking at a high-quality product.
Nowadays, certifying bodies are very strict about the standards that need to be followed. Therefore, there is no easy pass for anyone.
9. Warranty Period
Yes, one should always ask for a warranty. If there is no warranty, it’s a sign that the mattress is of low quality. It doesn’t matter if the deal seems good.
Some of the best top-quality mattresses offer a warranty period of a minimum of ten years.
10. Heat Retention is Also Important
In this regard, Talalay mattresses are considered the better option as this process includes creating breathable chambers. Also, if we compare natural and synthetic latex, it is better to go with natural latex.
When considering heat retention, make sure that you cover each layer as they all can have an impact in this regard. Of course, this can be done only if you have a multi-layered latex mattress whose layers are not glued.
If they are not glued, you can switch them to get the most of it.
11. Consider Off-gassing
This is an issue only with some synthetic models that use rubber, which can smell during the first few days. If it is a top-quality foam, then possibly it has been thoroughly washed and won’t smell at all. Or at the very least, it will smell for a few moments after it’s unpacked.
This is not an issue with all-natural latex.
If all-natural latex is not an option, then look for mattresses that don’t use any glue. You can consider mattresses that use natural products such as cotton and wool, and/or use only premium foam. That way, whatever smell might come out, it won’t last too long.
Conclusion
We have covered pretty much everything that matters when trying to find and buy the best possible latex mattress. Here is a quick overview of all that matters when searching for a latex mattress.
- Determine its latex material. Is it natural, synthetic, or hybrid?
- Determine whether the latex has been made through the Talalay or the Dunlop process. If it is a multi-layer mattress, determine that for each layer.
- Identify its ILD
- Determine the materials and chemicals that the latex mattress contains.
- Check whether the latex mattress meets the flammability requirements.
- Check whether the mattress layers are glued or not. Keep in mind that unglued is better because they can be switched at any given time. Plus, the lack of glue means fewer chemicals.
- Find out the material used for the making of the mattress cover.
- Check if the mattress comes with certifications.
- Ask for a warranty.
Cover that, and you may consider yourself a professional latex mattress shopper.
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