Why buying a latex mattress is worthwhile: the most important advantages and disadvantages as well as the 4 best recommendations.
Latex mattresses are a newer type of mattress and are not yet widely available on the market.
Thanks to the many advantages, they are becoming increasingly popular:
- Latex mattresses are made from foamed rubber.
- There are 3 types of latex mattresses, which differ in the composition of the material.
In this buying guide you will find out whether a latex mattress is suitable for you personally and what you should definitely consider before buying.
I have put together recommended models for you in a wide variety of price ranges and will show you other types of mattresses so that you can quickly and easily find the right variant for you.
Index
An overview of important properties
Due to the material used, latex mattresses offer very good thermal insulation and adaptability, which ensures good sleeping comfort and keeps you warm even on cold nights.
However, this ensures that you sweat more on hot nights and in warmer regions, as the mattress accumulates the heat instead of reliably transporting it away.
So if you generally sweat a lot at night, a latex mattress is less suitable. In a direct comparison, I recommend that you choose a cold foam mattress.
- Optimal pressure distribution through high point elasticity
- Good thermal insulation
- Suitable for allergy sufferers
- Adapts to every body shape and every type of sleep
- Harder than mattresses made of cold foam
Latex is more difficult to care for than other types of mattresses. If you are not careful here, the mattress can prematurely bless the time.
Because latex mattresses are more complex to manufacture than other types of mattresses, the costs are correspondingly higher.
What is a latex mattress?
A latex mattress is made from rubber that is foamed. Then it is poured into shape and cured.
A latex mattress is made from one block, but in most cases, like other mattress types, this is also divided into 7 individual lying areas. The zones are of different firmness and adapt better to your body.
- For example, the shoulders and pelvis sink deeper into the mattress for people who sleep on their side, while the head and hips are supported.
- This way you keep your spine straight and avoid unsightly back and shoulder pain after sleeping .
Since no steel springs are used in a latex mattress, there is no unattractive squeaking, as is often the case with Bonell spring core mattresses .
Only a possibly unpleasant odor is often noticeable with a new mattress, especially in the first few nights. But this passes. Ventilate your bedroom sufficiently to speed up this process.
Note: When choosing the mattress, make sure that the material is really latex. Some manufacturers disguise foam mattresses as latex mattresses even though neither real nor synthetic latex is used.
You can also divide latex mattresses into 3 types:
Natural latex mattress
Natural latex is made from the sap of the rubber tree. After dismantling, it is poured into a mold and hardens there.
Latex is a natural product – that is why the weather in the growing area can affect the strength and durability of the mattress.
So here you are particularly dependent on the manufacturer’s quality control.
Synthetic latex mattress
Unlike natural latex, the main component of synthetic latex is petroleum.
Due to the manufacturing process, you can therefore count on greater strength and consistent quality.
Talalay Latex-Matratzen
The Talalay process is a special manufacturing process in which the latex is strongly heated several times and then suddenly shock-frozen.
These strong temperature fluctuations cause air bubbles inside the material to burst and give it an open-pored profile.
This ensures better air permeability, better moisture absorption and better adaptation of the mattress to the body.
Volume weight and durability
Latex mattresses can give you as much pleasure as other types. If properly cared for, a good mattress will last 10 years. The material retains its shape and elasticity for a long time.
As with cold foam mattresses, the volume weight is a good indicator of the quality of the mattress:
- Ideally, a latex mattress should have a value of at least RG 40. This ensures a long shelf life and good quality of sleep.
- You will not notice any loss in sleep quality – as long as you care for the mattress properly and conscientiously.
And this is exactly where one of the biggest negative points can be found. The care.
Hygiene and care instructions
In order for a latex mattress to do its job for a long time, you must pay particular attention to proper care:
- Turn the mattress every 4 weeks at the latest (3 to 6 monthly intervals are usual for other mattress types).
- Spray the mattress regularly with a special care product for latex.
- Then the material retains its shape and strength.
If this care is too cumbersome for you, you are better advised to use a different mattress.
Ideal for allergy sufferers
Latex mattresses are among the most hygienic types of mattresses.
Mites do not find a habitat here and you are spared annoying allergies. Mattresses made from natural rubber even have an antiseptic effect, so bacteria stay away.
Note: If you suffer from a latex allergy, then this type of mattress is not at all suitable for you.
As with other types of mattresses, the supplied cover can be easily removed and machine washed.
Degree of hardness and body weight
Depending on which manufacturer you choose, latex mattresses are available in all typical degrees of hardness.
From H2 (50 to 80 kg) to H4 (up to 140 kg) you will find a suitable mattress according to your weight.
Latex mattresses are especially suitable for people between 50 and 140 kg – if you are lighter and prefer a mattress of hardness H1, then you have to switch to another mattress type.
Suitable for all types of beds
Since latex behaves similarly to cold foam and adapts optimally to your body shape, latex mattresses are also suitable for all types of beds.
No matter whether you like to sleep on your stomach, back or side. The mattress optimally supports your spine in every position.
Correct slatted frame for latex mattresses
Since latex is very flexible, you can also use a latex mattress with highly adjustable slatted frames (also electric).
Make sure you have good spring support for a slatted frame. I recommend using a high-quality slatted frame, otherwise the material of the mattress can tire quickly.
Therefore, a latex mattress is not suitable for use with a simple slatted frame with a few strips or without a slatted frame on the floor.
Plate slatted frames that adapt very individually to your own body are ideal (the strengths of the soft latex therefore come into their own).
You can also use the latex mattress as an upper mattress and use another mattress as a lower mattress in order to achieve the required stability.
Recommended latex mattresses
Here I will briefly introduce you to the most recommendable latex mattresses so that you can save valuable time looking for the right model for you.
In addition to the absolute top model, you will also find an inexpensive alternative, an all-rounder and a mattress especially for children.
The test winner
You will find the best offer with an excellent price-performance ratio, good comfort and high-quality workmanship with the LATEXCO natural latex mattress from Ravensberger.
The LATEXCO is a high-quality mattress made of natural latex, divided into 7 individual lying areas that optimally support your body in every position and thus promise peaceful nights.
The cover is a special, silver-infused comfort cover, which has a natural, antibacterial effect due to the material used. The materials are Ökotex certified and suitable for both allergy sufferers and sensitive people.
The mattress is available in degrees of hardness H2 and H3. It is therefore suitable for people between 50 and 120 kg body weight.
The LATEXCO offers you a very good value with RG 60.
The savings offer
Probably the cheapest latex mattress you will find is the Coral latex mattress from Primo Line.
As already mentioned, the acquisition costs for latex mattresses are relatively high – I did not find a cheaper offer without a great loss in quality during my research.
The Coral mattress is made of 100% latex, even if only 20% of it comes from nature.
This mixing ratio ensures greater firmness, which makes the mattress a little harder than a pure natural latex mattress.
The Coral is available in hardness H3, which makes it suitable for people up to 135 kg and anyone who likes to lie a little harder. In addition to the size, you can also choose between 16 and 20 cm for the height of the mattress.
Latex mattress for toddlers and babies
The Ravensberger cot latex mattress is specially made for toddlers and babies and promotes a healthy sleeping position.
Only a few mattress types offer variants specially developed for children. With this latex mattress, your child will not only sleep restfully and peacefully, but you will also protect your spine.
Small children in particular often sleep restlessly and move more often during sleep. This puts unnecessary strain on the spine in the long run.
The latex mattress absorbs these movements and adapts to the body to ensure a healthy lying position.
This was also taken into account in terms of hygiene:
- The mattress has a fine cut, which ensures good ventilation and dries quickly even if you accidentally wetting the bed.
- You can then easily remove the cover with the zipper and machine wash it at 60 degrees.
In addition, all materials are certified several times (Ökotex, LGA and FKT) and also approved for babies and toddlers.
Tip: Find out more about the right pillow for babies and children in our comprehensive guide.
Premium Talalay mattress
The elaborate Talalay process ensures the highest quality mattresses. These therefore cost many times more than standard latex mattresses.
The premium Talalay latex mattress from Ravensberger is considered the Rolls-Royce of latex mattresses.
The mattress is made of 100% natural latex, which is elaborately produced using the Talalay process. This makes the mattress particularly high quality.
This ensures an unsurpassed load-bearing capacity and a very high climate suitability in both warmer and colder regions.
Thanks to the bed height of 23 cm, you will sleep very comfortably. The latex height is 13 cm, supported by 2 lying surfaces of different hardness (H2 and H3).
The cover is also made from a special Lyocell material.
This promotes optimal moisture regulation and also has a temperature equalizing effect. At the same time it protects against mites and bacteria. The mattress is therefore also very suitable for allergy sufferers.
Other mattress types – a brief overview
In addition to latex mattresses, there are numerous other variants to choose from.
Inexperienced people in particular quickly lose track of what is really good and what promises more than it delivers.
The following brief overview should help you to understand the most important types and applications quickly and easily:
Bonell spring core mattresses
These models are a well-known classic and are characterized by a low price and a very long durability.
However, they offer you the lowest level of comfort of all mattress types. This is especially true for side sleepers, as Bonell spring core mattresses have a very low point elasticity and do not adapt well to your body.
The mattresses are breathable and therefore almost immune to mold stains and mold. In addition, they are particularly suitable for warmer regions.
You can read everything important about this type of mattress, as well as recommended models, in the comprehensive guide to Bonell spring core mattresses .
Pocket spring mattresses
By dividing the springs into zones, they offer you a higher point elasticity than conventional Bonell spring cores and therefore have a somewhat softer comfort.
They are more suitable for side sleepers than Bonell springs.
Like Bonell springs, they are very breathable and are particularly suitable for warmer regions.
Pocket spring mattresses are relatively heavy and can often only be transported by two people.
You can read everything important about this type of mattress, as well as recommended models, in the comprehensive guide to pocket spring mattresses.
Cold foam mattresses
They are harder than latex mattresses, but they also adapt to your body shape and are therefore very suitable for those who sleep on their backs who value optimal posture while sleeping.
They are, however, less suitable for side sleepers than mattresses made of synthetic latex.
Your body heat is well stored, which is why they are particularly suitable for colder regions.
You should not use cold foam mattresses without a slatted frame. In addition, similar to latex mattresses, they have an inherent odor that only subsides after prolonged use.
You can read everything you need to know about these types of mattresses and recommended models in the comprehensive guide to cold foam mattresses.
Conclusion on latex mattresses and other tips
Due to the materials used, latex mattresses are particularly suitable for sensitive people, as they are naturally very antibacterial and anti-allergenic.
Latex mattresses are ideal for:
- Back, side and stomach sleepers.
- People who freeze quickly and in colder regions.
- If you have high hygiene standards.
- If you are allergic.
- You sleep restlessly or move around a lot at night.
The material requires a little more care than other mattress types, but then offers you just as much durability.
You should only avoid this type of mattress if you have a latex allergy. Then I recommend a mattress made of cold foam, which is very similar in form and function to a latex mattress.
Tip: A new pillow is probably the cheapest way to improve your own sleep quickly: Pillow in the test.
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I created Sleep Knowledge to share my interests and experiences on healthy sleeping with others. On this page I am therefore dealing with interesting questions about the optimal night’s sleep & everything else that goes with it.