Summary: Natural latex is renowned for its springy supportiveness for spinal alignment, temperature regulating capabilities, and minimal motion transfer — in other words, it’s ideal for helping you get the best sleep. Since latex mattresses can get pricey, Earthfoam is a standout for keeping costs relatively low with a vertically integrated supply chain of natural, sustainably sourced materials and a U.S. factory. After starting to sleep on my Earthfoam mattress, I’ve noticed that I wake up with no aches and at a perfect temperature every morning.
Pros:
- The Earthfoam latex mattress has some of the most transparent sustainability specs out there. It’s made of nothing but natural latex, organic cotton, and organic wool with the certifications to back it up. (We’re talking GOTS, GOLS, OKEO-TEX, and Fair Trade!)
- Latex is springy and supportive, giving you a medium-firm to firm feel that combines comfort and support for optimal alignment while you’re sleeping — and is so much comfier and better for the environment than memory foam.
- Its natural materials are great at regulating temperature, so I haven’t felt too hot or cold.
- Latex also means minimal motion transfer from my partner sleeping next to me.
- Delivery was a breeze, and the mattress shipped with zero plastic packaging.
Cons:
- The Earthfoam mattress is heavy! I’d highly recommend asking a strong friend for help with setup if you live alone.
- Latex is firm — the softer of Earthfoam’s two offerings provides medium-firm support, which might not be ideal for some side sleepers (although I found it comfortable).
- Make sure you note that the brand recommends putting the latex mattress on a flat surface or a bed frame with slats no more than three inches apart.
I recently moved across the country — a stressful undertaking with countless moving parts. But one brand made it a touch easier for me. Earthfoam offered me their organic latex mattress to test out, and it came straight to my (new) front door in a (big) cardboard box, ready to be unrolled and slept on. Yay!
“My expectations for this mattress were high, but I felt like Earthfoam delivered.”
My biggest sleep concern tends to be temperature regulation — I have Raynaud’s, and my body is terrible at regulating its temp. Some nights, I sleep hot; some I sleep cold. Sleeping in airy, full-length pajamas and sheets made of natural materials tends to help, but I was intrigued by latex mattresses’ supposed superior temperature regulation capabilities.
Latex mattresses tend to be firmer, and that’s what I prefer. When I say “firm mattress,” you might think of uncomfy B&B or motel beds — the ones where you can hear the springs squeak as you lie down. But this latex mattress is not that. It also, blessedly, felt nothing like memory foam, which I dislike for its lack of spring and the way it holds onto heat. My expectations for this mattress were high, but I felt like Earthfoam delivered.
A bit about Earthfoam
Earthfoam makes a curated lineup of bedding products — one latex mattress (which comes in medium and firm), along with a mattress topper and a pillow — all from their factory just outside of Chicago. They sell their products online only.
“Earthfoam makes a curated lineup of bedding products — one latex mattress (which comes in medium and or firm), along with a mattress topper and a pillow.”
Their mattresses are made of foam rubber (a.k.a. latex) from the Earthfoam latex factory in Sri Lanka, which gets rubber tree sap from the brand’s network of small local farmers. The latex is then covered in organic wool batting from New Zealand sheep, a layer of German-made organic cotton quilt backing, and an organic cotton knit face that’s soft to the touch. And that’s all — the wool batting is naturally fire-resistant, so no artificial flame retardants or other sketchy chemicals are needed. The brand’s vertically integrated supply chain means they can produce high-quality products and keep costs relatively low.
Earthfoam boasts four of the most authoritative third-party certifications for mattresses: Fair for Life, which is the most stringent fair trade certification; GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard), which ensures they’re using exclusively organically grown and processed latex; GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), making sure their cotton and wool fibers are organic; and Oeko Tex Standard 100, which tests final products to ensure they’re free of the 1000 most common harmful substances.
My Earthfoam mattress delivery and setup
Onto my experience with the mattress itself. I chose the queen size mattress with medium firmness, and it arrived within a couple weeks all rolled up in a cardboard box about six feet tall. We didn’t have to sign — it was just outside the front door one afternoon. (A note: This thing is heavy. My partner helped me unpackage and set it up, but if I’d been alone, I don’t think I could have done it myself. Single folks, I recommend asking a friend for setup help.)
Here was my favorite part about the delivery process — no plastic! Once we cut open the cardboard box, we pulled out the tightly rolled mattress, put it on the bed frame, and cut off its two layers of paper until it puffed out and unrolled flat.
“Here was my favorite part about the delivery process — no plastic!”
The mattress was shallower than the innerspring model we were replacing — which is probably why Earthfoam rec’s putting it on a solid foundation or a bed frame with slats no more than three inches apart. Our slats have five-inch gaps, but that didn’t seem to affect our experience at all.
The Earthfoam mattress was immediately usable, with no inflation time required, so we put on sheets right away. It had a subtle latex scent that might’ve dissipated quicker had we let it air out for a few days, but I don’t mind the sweet, vanilla-y smell — and it’s only detectable when your nose is touching the bed. Thankfully, I didn’t smell any wool, a scent that tends to bother me.
Is the Earthfoam latex mattress comfortable?
Earthfoam notes that even their medium mattress is on the firm side since researchers tend to agree that medium-firm mattresses are best for your body. I sleep on both my side and my stomach throughout the night, and I’m happy to report that the mattress felt comfortable in any position — firm, but not too firm for side sleeping.
On a scale of one to 10, one being ultra-plush and 10 being rock hard, I’d put this mattress at a 6.5 or 7. It’s on the firm side of medium, but I found it perfect for my preferences (although my partner slightly disagrees — he likes a softer mattress, so this was a bit firm for him).
“Unlike memory foam, latex springs back into place instantly, feeling both more supportive and more comfy IMO.”
This is the first pure latex mattress I’ve slept on, and I was worried it would feel like memory foam (which I’m not a fan of) — but it didn’t. Unlike memory foam, latex springs back into place instantly, feeling both more supportive and more comfy IMO. But like memory foam, latex provides more motion isolation than innerspring mattresses do. I could hardly feel it when my partner would roll over next to me.
In terms of temperature regulation, I found myself waking up neither hot nor cold each morning on the Earthfoam. That’s a win in my book since I’m so often one or the other. I’m curious to see how the temperature regulation holds up throughout the seasons, but natural latex is known for its ability to dispel heat and remain the same temp all night. And Earthfoam’s latex is hole-punched throughout for better ventilation.
Is Earthfoam worth it?
While Earthfoam mattresses are more expensive than, say, an IKEA mattress or the cheaper models from Mattress Firm, you’re getting pretty good bang for your buck with a product made from traceable materials in a US factory. Their queen mattress goes for around $1,000, while other sustainably made latex mattresses can get up above $1,500 or even $2,000.
“I can’t deny latex’s benefits — if you struggle with spinal aches or disturbances from a partner who tosses and turns, it’s well worth a shot.”
I’ll be honest — the mattress’s firmness doesn’t make it feel quite as cozy as our old mattress, one we bought new and picked out specifically for its comfort. But since that one started to sag a touch after just a couple of years, the Earthfoam still might come out on top. Latex is meant to never lose its shape. And who knows — as a few more weeks and even months pass on this new latex mattress and I continue to wake up with no aches and at a perfect temperature, I might just change my mind.
I can’t deny latex’s benefits — if you struggle with spinal aches or disturbances from a partner who tosses and turns, it’s well worth a shot. And if you’re in the market for a latex mattress specifically, I wouldn’t hesitate to go with the Earthfoam. They offer a 100-night sleep trial, meaning you can return the mattress within 100 days with no questions asked, along with a comprehensive 10-year warranty.
Natalie Gale is a Boston-based freelance journalist. Since 2022, she has been reviewing the top sustainable home, wellness, fashion, and beauty products, sharing her honest opinion on the best finds. When she’s not writing about art, food, or sustainability, you can find her biking to the farmers’ market, baking, sewing, or planning her next Halloween costume. Say hi on Instagram!
