Is natural latex good for mattresses?

Yes, absolutely. Natural latex is one of the best mattress materials you can use, and I’ve been working with it for over a decade. Here’s why I trust it more than any other comfort material. Natural latex comes from rubber tree sap—97% natural rubber from certified organic farms in Sri Lanka. It’s tapped from rubber trees the same way maple syrup is collected, then processed into durable foam through the Dunlop method. This process has been refined since 1929, so we’re talking about 95+ years of proven performance.

Does latex promote healthy sleep?

From a healthy sleep perspective, natural latex ticks all the right boxes. It’s naturally resistant to dust mites without any chemical treatments. The material itself is hypoallergenic and breathable, creating a healthier sleep environment compared to synthetic materials. Our natural latex is GOLS certified (Global Organic Latex Standard), meaning it’s 95% organic latex composition with minimal processing additives. Unlike polyurethane foams or synthetic latex, natural latex doesn’t require toxic chemicals or chemical flame retardants to meet safety standards. It’s also Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified, which means it’s safe enough for infant use. When you’re spending 8 hours a night on something, using non-toxic, natural materials matters.

Do latex mattresses improve sleep quality?

For sleep quality, natural latex outperforms other mattress materials in several key ways. The open cell structure created during the aeration process allows superior breathability—it doesn’t trap heat like memory foam does. I’ve had customers who were skeptical about this, so I’d swap their latex for polyfoam to test it. Every single time, they called back asking me to put the latex back. The buoyant support of latex is different from memory foam’s slow recovery. When you move at night, latex responds instantly, pushing back into the crevices of your body without that “stuck in quicksand” feeling. This means less partner disturbance and better supportive sleep throughout the night. You’re not slowly sinking through the comfort layer as the material warms up and softens.

What is the best natural latex mattress?

The best natural latex mattress isn’t an all-latex slab—it’s natural latex on pocket springs. I’ve tested hundreds of configurations, and latex on pocket springs is the combination that consistently works best for the widest range of people. Here’s the thing: all-latex mattresses sound great in theory, but they have a significant problem. Without springs underneath, you don’t get enough contouring for pressure relief, especially for side sleepers. Your shoulders don’t sink in properly, and you end up with pressure points. That’s why I don’t sell pure latex mattress slabs.

What are the disadvantages of a latex mattress?

I’m going to be completely honest here—there are real disadvantages to latex, and understanding them helps you make the right choice. Cost: Natural latex is expensive. It’s the most expensive comfort material you can use in a mattress. A high-quality natural latex layer costs significantly more than polyfoam or memory foam. That’s because it’s tapped from rubber trees, processed by hand, and imported from places like Sri Lanka where it’s grown sustainably. But here’s the trade-off: it lasts 3-4 times longer, so the cost per year of use is actually lower. Bounciness: Some people don’t like the responsive feel of latex. It’s bouncy compared to memory foam’s “hug” sensation. That bounciness is actually the latex pushing up into your body’s contours—it’s doing its job—but if you’re used to memory foam, it feels different. About 5-10% of my customers prefer the dead, slow-recovery feel of memory foam, and that’s fine. It’s personal preference. All-latex mattresses don’t contour properly: This is the biggest disadvantage I see. Those thick all-latex mattress slabs (16cm, 20cm, 24cm) don’t have enough point elasticity. Side sleepers especially struggle because their shoulders and hips don’t sink in enough, creating pressure points. You need springs underneath to get proper spinal alignment and pressure relief. A spring mattress with latex on top solves this completely. Weight and handling: A natural latex mattress is heavy. Our mattresses are around 50kg because they contain latex layers, micro springs, and pocket springs. This makes them difficult to move compared to bed-in-a-box foam mattresses. You’ll need help during delivery and if you move houses. But this weight is a feature, not a bug—it’s the weight of quality, durable mattress materials. Heat retention in thick layers: If you use too much latex (like those 20cm+ all-latex mattresses), it can trap heat. Natural latex breathes better than foam, but thick layers still absorb body heat. That’s why I only use 5cm of latex with ventilation holes, then layer it with micro springs and pocket springs that create airflow. The mattress materials below the latex do the support work. Requires a proper bed base: Latex mattresses need a solid foundation or closely-spaced slats. Flexible slats will ruin the support and create sagging. If you have a platform bed with wide gaps or bendy slats, you’ll need to upgrade. Proper care includes using the right base—there’s no way around this. Not ideal for strict stomach sleepers: Very soft latex can allow stomach sleepers to sink too much, creating poor spinal alignment. They typically need a firmer mattress or medium firm configuration. This isn’t unique to latex—any soft comfort layer has this issue—but it’s worth mentioning. The bottom line: if you want mattress longevity, exceptional comfort, and natural product credentials, natural latex is worth every disadvantage. If you want the absolute cheapest option or you’re in the “under 30, under 75kg, can sleep on anything” category, you might be fine with polyfoam. But for most people looking for their last mattress purchase, latex on springs is the answer.

Which is better, natural latex or memory foam?

Natural latex is better, and I’ll tell you exactly why. I’ve been making mattresses with memory foam, polyfoam, and natural latex on pocket springs for over 12 years. I used memory foam for about 6 years, and it was overwhelmingly terrible. So many issues. I stopped selling it because I couldn’t stand the number of problems customers experienced. Supportive Sleep For a good night’s sleep with proper support, the material needs to maintain its resilience over time. Memory foam softens and loses its supportive feel within 2-3 years, especially around the hip area where you put the most pressure. I physically pull apart old mattresses, and the memory foam is always wrecked while the springs are still perfect. Natural latex maintains consistent support for 15-20 years. I’ve yet to see a natural latex layer lose resilience. It’s bulletproof. When customers call saying their mattress is sagging, it’s never the latex—it’s the springs needing to be swapped to a firmer tension. With latex, I don’t get calls about dipping or softening comfort layers. Other Mattresses Compared to other mattresses and mattress materials, here’s how they stack up: Heat: Memory foam traps heat like crazy. It’s temperature-sensitive—softer in summer, firmer in winter. The foam warms up from your body heat and gets progressively softer through the night. Latex has an open cell structure with natural breathability. It doesn’t trap heat the same way. I’ve tested this by swapping latex for polyfoam on skeptical customers—every single one asked me to put the latex back. Response time: Memory foam has that slow recovery—you sink in and stay there. Some people like this, but reducing partner disturbance comes at a cost. When you move at night, you’re fighting against the foam. Latex responds instantly, providing buoyant support that moves with you. There’s some partner disturbance with latex, but it’s minimal, and you’re not stuck in one position. Pressure relief: Both materials offer pressure relief, but they do it differently. Memory foam eliminates pressure points by spreading your weight across a larger surface area, but you sink deeper into it. Latex relieves pressure while maintaining support—you’re floating on top rather than sinking through. For optimal spinal alignment, latex on springs wins because the springs do the heavy lifting. Durability: Natural latex lasts 3-4 times longer than memory foam. This isn’t marketing—I see it in returned mattresses. Memory foam deteriorates, especially in cheaper density foam. Even premium memory foam (like Tempur) eventually softens. Natural latex from a rubber tree is a natural product that outlasts synthetic foam every time. Eco-friendly: Memory foam is polyurethane foam—100% petroleum-based synthetic material. It doesn’t biodegrade. It off-gases VOCs when new. Latex is 97% natural rubber from rubber tree sap, processed with minimal additives. It’s biodegradable, sustainably harvested, and doesn’t contain the same toxic chemicals. Feel: In blind tests in my showroom, most people prefer the feel of latex over memory foam. About 80-85% of customers choose latex when given the option. Some people genuinely prefer memory foam’s dead feel, and that’s their personal preference, but the vast majority prefer latex’s responsive, luxurious feel. The only advantage memory foam has is cost and motion isolation. It’s cheaper than latex, and it’s slightly better at reducing partner disturbance than latex (though not as good as all-foam mattresses or popular mattress-in-a-box options). If you’re shopping for a mattress online or comparing brands, ask what’s actually inside. A “latex mattress” might have 1-2cm of 50/50 latex-plastic blend—that’s not a real latex mattress. Look for specifications: percentage of natural latex, layer thickness, certifications like GOLS. If they won’t tell you the density or composition, assume it’s garbage. I make all three types—Cooper with polyfoam, Aurora and Cloud with natural latex. About 80-85% of my sales are Aurora or Cloud. That tells you what people choose when they understand the differences and can afford it.

Nov 12, 2025

The Truth About Natural Latex Mattresses: Don’t Fall for the 1cm Marketing Trick

KARL'S QUICK OPINION: Retailers can stick 1cm of fake latex in a mattress and call it a “latex mattress”—and it’s pure marketing BS. Real latex is 95-97% tree sap with 10mm holes, not 60% plastic with 4mm holes. If you want actual latex benefits, you need either a thick slab (5cm+) or what I prefer: 5cm of real latex on quality pocket springs. Everything else is just overpriced plastic foam with a fancy label.

$Close-up view of the Latex Comfort Layer in the Aurora Mattress, showing the natural latex texture and breathable pinhole design that provides responsive, pressure-relieving comfort.$

The Latex Marketing Problem

Here’s something that’ll make you mad: a retailer can put 1cm of fake latex in a mattress and legally call it a “latex mattress.” I’ve seen it hundreds of times, and it’s pure marketing BS.

The problem? Most people don’t know what real latex actually is, so they can’t tell they’re being sold plastic with a latex sticker on it.

From someone that works with these materials all day, every day for over a decade, I can tell you the majority of “latex mattresses” out there are nothing of the sort. They’re foam mattresses with a token amount of synthetic latex thrown in so the marketing department can use the word.

Fresh latex sap is being collected from a rubber tree into a cup, illustrating how natural latex used in mattresses is harvested.

What Real 100% Natural Latex Actually Is

Real natural latex is 95-97% pure sap from rubber trees (mostly from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand). The remaining 3-5% are natural additives that make the liquid latex set properly during the baking process—without them, tree sap would just stay liquid.

This isn’t plastic. It’s not petroleum. It’s literally tree sap that’s been whipped up and baked in giant waffle moulds with metal rods running through them. Those rods heat up and cook the latex, which is why real latex has these distinctive 10mm holes running through it.

Fake latex? That’s usually around 60% plastic-based foam (polyurethane). It has 4mm holes and feels completely different. It’s basically plastic foam with some latex mixed in.

How to Spot Fake Latex Foam

If you can see inside the mattress, look at the holes:

Real latex: 10mm holes (roughly pencil-width)
Fake latex: 4mm holes (roughly pen-tip size)

Also ask how thick the latex layer is. If they say 8-12mm, that’s a joke. Even if it were real latex (which it probably isn’t), you wouldn’t feel any meaningful benefit from that thin a layer.

I know right, I mean at this point it’s easy to fake—just make a mattress, put 1cm of fake latex in it and call it a latex mattress. The customer has no idea what they’re looking at, and the retailer gets to charge a premium for “latex.”

Why Retailers Use Minimal Latex

I’ll be honest—I don’t think retailers are evil. They’re just responding to business pressures. Real latex is expensive and incredibly difficult to source. When I order it, I have to:

Order an entire 20-foot container from Malaysia
Wait 3 months for delivery (used to be 6 weeks pre-COVID)
Store 200+ pieces in expensive warehouse space
Deal with limited size options based on mould dimensions

Plastic foam? I can order 3 pieces cut to exact specifications and have it arrive in 2 days.

Retailers pushing manufacturers for cheaper prices means latex gets squeezed out. It’s easier to slap in a token amount of fake latex and call it done. The majority of Retailers and bed-in-a-box are middle men and they use ads to get sales… They just see numbers, choose the cheaper foam, shave cost on the springs, make more money. Casper boxed mattress in USA went public and it was revealed that 30% of the sale price of the mattress was digital ad spend.

When companies spend 30%+ of your purchase price on advertising, they compensate by cutting material quality. That “latex” layer is often synthetic latex blend (not natural) or so thin it provides no durability benefit.

Latex done right.

Explore our range of locally made latex-over-pocket-spring mattresses - adjustable, durable, and built for real comfort.

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Your Real Options for Natural Latex for Mattress

If you actually want the benefits of natural latex (durability, elasticity, longevity), you have two legitimate options:

Option 1: Go Big with Latex

Get a mattress with substantial latex layers—at least 5cm, preferably more. A 20cm slab of pure Dunlop latex will outlast almost anything else on the market. It’s heavy as hell and expensive, but it’ll last 20+ years if looked after.

But here’s the catch I see all the time: heat retention you can’t escape. To me, the more foam equals more heat. So I see a big lump of latex and think, hmm, that lump can absorb an awful lot of body heat. I understand the story that latex isn’t hot, but I don’t believe it. I believe less foam is the only way to reduce heat.

And there’s the contouring issue. What a lot of people experience with all-latex mattresses is why I don’t like them. There’s not enough contour so the shoulders don’t sink in. In order to get contour, you need well-designed pocket springs that are right for your body weight.

Option 2: Quality Hybrid (My Preference) - The Best Latex Mattress Approach

Get 5cm of real natural latex on top of quality pocket springs. This gives you the durability and feel of latex where it matters (the comfort layer you’re actually sleeping on) while keeping the mattress from being unreasonably heavy and expensive.

Latex on pocket springs to me is the best combination of materials for a mattress.

Here’s why this approach works:

Minimal foam for maximum cooling

The more foam, the more heat. I use the minimum amount of foam possible. The latex is just there so you don’t feel the springs… If people ask me about what the coolest mattress is, I point to the spring unit. Below that 5cm of latex: air-filled springs that breathe naturally.

Springs do the heavy lifting

I use all the springs to get the comfort right. Then the foam is only there, so you don’t feel the springs. In this case, the latex really moulds to the pocket springs underneath so the shoulders and hips can sink right in.

In my Aurora mattress, I use:

5cm natural Dunlop latex (97% rubber tree sap, 70 kg/m³ density)
1,600 micro springs (Queen) / 1,800 (King) for contouring
986 honeycomb pocket springs (Queen) / 1,160 (King) body-weight matched
Total: 2,586 springs working together (Queen)

The Cloud adds a second layer of micro springs (3,200 total for Queen) for even more conforming comfort.

Proven durability

I had models where the entire mattress was the same, only the 5cms of foam on top was different… Latex, very few issues, memory lots of issues. Pretty simple. I pull apart old mattresses. Memory foam is always very soft around the hip area. It’s worse than polyfoam ‘usually’, latex just destroys both of them it’s not close.

One customer who switched from an all-latex setup told me: “I spent days trying to decipher what the layers were in the major companies mattresses, and hours laying on different mattresses. The one I liked the most was an $8,800 mattress… I took a chance with Ausbeds… within days my shoulder pain was gone and my neck pain is gone (side sleeper).” — Dan M., Aurora Queen

What This Actually Costs

I like to keep things simple as this mattress stuff is complex enough. Here’s what you’re looking at for natural latex on properly engineered springs without retail markup:

Aurora (Latex + Micro Springs + Pocket Springs):

Queen: $2,450 (2,586 total springs)
King: $2,750 (2,960 total springs)

Cloud (Double Micro Springs for Maximum Plushness):

Queen: $2,940 (4,186 total springs)
King: $3,190 (4,760 total springs)

Includes 3-9 month trial period, 10-year warranty, 2 free component swaps in first 3 months, body-weight matched springs, handcrafted in Sydney.

Compare that to retail “latex” mattresses at $5,000-$10,000+ with 600 springs and 1cm of fake latex. I once ran out of springs and rang someone to use his pocket springs. It turned out there was only 600 pocket springs in the unit. I got so many returns after that. That’s when I realized that if I was getting more returns from having less turns and fewer springs, maybe if I increased the turns and the springs I would get even less returns.

The Bottom Line

Just make sure that if someone’s selling you “latex,” they can show you it’s actually latex—not 1cm of plastic foam with a fancy name. Ask to see the holes (10mm for real, 4mm for fake). Ask how thick the layer is (minimum 5cm for any real benefit). And ask yourself whether you want a heat-trapping slab of foam or latex where it matters on springs that actually contour to your body.

All just my opinion of course, but I do this every single day and I hear the same stories over and over. Let me know how it goes :)

Visit the Marrickville factory-showroom to feel the difference: 136 Victoria Road, Marrickville NSW 2204 (Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Weekends 10am-2pm)