The answer depends on the quality of the materials and your priorities
Most people buy mattress toppers to add an extra layer of comfort to their beds. This might be to improve the level of support or to add a bit of cozy comfort, or perhaps to gain a bit of both. More elastic than spongy, natural and organic latex mattress toppers offer a combination of support and “give” for people seeking that type of ideal balance.
What you need to know about the different types of latex
While you may have heard about latex mattress toppers, did you also know that they aren’t all made from the same type of latex? While we break this down in another blog post, here’s a quick overview:
Synthetic Latex
While generally less expensive, this type of latex is neither a sustainable nor a durable choice. Not really true latex at all, synthetic latex is made of petroleum-based products. Synthetic latex lacks the elasticity, quality, and longevity of natural latex.
Blended Latex
As the name implies, blended latex contains a combination of synthetic and natural latex. While a blended latex product may claim to be “natural,” some latex blends can include as little as 15% natural latex. The rest is made of non-sustainable lower-quality petroleum-based latex and fillers.
Natural Latex
Harvested from rubber trees rather than manufactured from plastics, natural latex is more durable and elastic for better longevity and comfort. Natural latex offers gentle pressure relief along with support for optimal posture. Look for products made from sustainably sourced natural latex without added filler materials, which can reduce its durability.
Organic Latex
Organic latex is the eco-friendliest type of latex. It’s harvested from rubber trees grown without pesticides at organic plantations. Organic latex has the same feel as natural latex but is made from 100% natural latex produced according to sustainable standards. Look for latex products with GOLS certified organic certification, which ensures it was produced according to strict environmental guidelines and safe and humane working conditions.
The best latex mattress topper for your needs
Latex mattress toppers have a unique blend of support, elasticity, and durability. When choosing the best latex mattress topper, it’s important to think about your priorities.
Sustainability
Natural and organic latex mattress toppers are the eco-friendliest options. Look for 100% natural mattress toppers made with no added fillers. Or go for the gold standard and get a GOLS-certified organic latex mattress topper, which certifies that it was produced according to strict environmental guidelines and humane workplace standards.
Sleep position
In our guide to choosing latex mattress toppers for side sleepers, we recommended that people choose a latex mattress topper of medium firmness to both support and comfort pressure points. But whether you sleep on your back, side, or stomach, there’s an ideal ratio of firmness and thickness for you. In general, you’ll get more cushioning by choosing a latex mattress topper that’s both thicker and softer. Sleep better on a firmer surface? Go with a thinner topper and a higher firmness rating.
Joint pain
The Arthritis Foundation recommends a sleep surface that’s “supportive but not too hard” for people with osteoarthritis. Choosing a latex mattress topper with firmness and thickness in the middle of either extreme will most likely offer your joints the most comfort. This is because the elastic properties of latex will offer support while also “giving” just enough to provide comfort for achy joints.
According to a study published in Applied Ergonomics, subjects with lower-quality bedding reported more significant levels of back pain. The study also found that people who updated their bedding systems greatly improved their sleep. If your mattress or mattress topper are older but you’re not yet ready to invest in a new mattress, then buying a new and higher-quality latex mattress topper may improve your comfort.
Value
Value is about more than price. It’s also about how long a product lasts over time. It’s true that natural and organic latex products may cost more initially. However, they’ll give you more bang for your bedtime buck. This is because natural and organic toppers last longer than products made from memory foam or other petrochemical-based materials.
Which latex mattress topper is the best?
While mattress toppers made from natural or organic latex may cost more, they’ll provide better durability over time due to their higher quality raw materials. And latex is a far more sustainable product than those made from petrochemicals. Therefore, we recommend either a natural or organic latex mattress topper as the best choice. From there, you can customize the depth and level of firmness to accommodate your specific needs.
