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/ Mattress Reviews / Birch Natural Mattress Review: Takeaways From Our Test Lab
Birch Natural Mattress Review: Takeaways From Our Test Lab
A latex hybrid with eco-friendly materials and strong all-around performance.
Logan FoleyEditorial Director
Logan Foley
Editorial Director
Logan is a Certified Sleep Science Coach with a deep understanding of what it means to struggle with sleep. Her years of experience researching and testing sleep products – including mattresses, natural sleep aids, and bedding – are critical to her role helping lead the editorial team. As a chronic insomniac, she aims to bring her findings to anyone struggling with getting adequate rest. Her expertise is in creating informative, trustworthy, and useful health content. When she’s not testing mattresses or researching CBT-I, she enjoys spending time in the sunshine with her husband and her dogs Pepper and Winston.
27% off mattresses + 2 free pillows. Use code: SF27
Price Range:
$1,099 – $1,799
Mattress Type: Latex Hybrid
Firmness Options: Medium Firm (6)
Ratings Summary
Motion Isolation
6/10
Edge Support
8.5/10
Temperature Control
8.5/10
Ease of Movement
8.5/10
Off Gassing
8.5/10
Pressure Relief
6.5/10
Pros
Supportive and responsive feel
Great temperature control
Eco-friendly and organic materials
Cons
Sub-par motion isolation may be disruptive for couples
$99 return fee
Since launching in 2019, Birch has built a strong reputation for their mattresses and bedding products made from sustainably sourced and eco-friendly materials. They offer three mattresses: the Birch Natural Mattress, the Birch Luxe Natural, and the Birch Kids Natural. All three options are latex hybrids.
Throughout the mattress, Birch demonstrates a commitment to quality design and materials. Checking in at 11 inches tall, the Birch Natural Mattress has organic cotton and wool, natural latex, and sturdy pocketed steel coils. This construction gives the mattress a bouncy feel with robust edge support, light cushioning, and excellent temperature regulation.
Our testing team put this mattress through an extensive analysis to find its strengths and weaknesses. We’ll cover those and get into the details of the construction, pricing, and key purchase information of the Birch Natural Mattress to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.
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Testing Team Takeaways
To test the Birch Natural Mattress, we had three people on our testing team each take the bed home with them for one week. Here are their initial observations.
Jackson Lindeke
Executive Product Director
Side sleeper
180 pounds
Showers before bed
The Birch Natural was a great bed. The latex had a good amount of give to take the pressure off my hips and shoulders, but it didn’t hug as well as memory foam does. The latex and coils were both strong enough to keep me supported and sleeping comfortably, and the firmness was pretty middle-of-the-road. I can see the Birch being a hit with a wide range of people.
Mary Fenton
Head of Product Content
Combination sleeper
150 pounds
Sleeps with noise machine
I found the Birch Natural Mattress to be both supportive and springy. I felt that my pressure points were well cushioned, and I was able to move around with ease, making for a restful night. I found back sleeping to be excellent on this mattress. The edges are slightly stiffer and provided additional support that I appreciate when shifting sleep positions.
Daniel Noyed
Senior Product Editor
Back sleeper
165 pounds
Dunks head in ice water to wake up
As someone who sleeps hot and moves around a lot in my sleep, I appreciated the cooling natural materials in the Birch Natural Mattress. It’s also very easy to move around on and provides a floating feeling that I’m very fond of.
Birch Video Review
Watch the video below to see how the Birch Mattress performed when put to the test in our lab.
Sleeping Style and Body Weight
Birch Mattress
Sleeper Type
Under 130 lbs
130-230 lbs
Above 230 lbs
Side Sleepers
6/10
7.5/10
7.5/10
Back Sleepers
7.5/10
8/10
7.5/10
Stomach Sleepers
6/10
8/10
7/10
Side Sleepers
Our testing found that the Birch Natural Mattress performed well among a large number of side sleepers. It got the highest marks from side sleepers who weigh over 130 pounds.
Although latex isn’t known for deep contouring, our team was impressed by how well the Birch Natural Mattress cushioned the hips and shoulders when side sleeping. Properly supporting these high-impact areas is essential for spinal alignment.
A few people under 130 pounds wanted more cushioning, and a few over 230 pounds felt there was a bit too much sink. In the end, though, no one said it was a dealbreaker. That said, side sleepers who know that they want a deep hug or contouring from a mattress may be better off with a memory foam mattress.
Back Sleepers
When put through testing, the Birch Natural Mattress delivered excellent results for back sleepers across different body weights. Its resilience and bounce kept back sleepers in a neutral position without undue sinkage under the lower back and hips.
At the same time, the gentle cushioning from the latex and wool accommodated the curvature of the back. This earned the Birch Natural Mattress high marks for both comfort and support. By a small margin, back sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds gave the highest ratings to this mattress.
Stomach Sleepers
Although the Birch Natural Mattress can be effective for stomach sleepers of any weight, we found that it was the best match for those over 130 pounds. Our testers of that weight felt that the mattress had the right balance of cushioning and bounce to keep them in a flat and even position. Some sleepers over 230 pounds had trouble with the firmness of the bed, as it was a bit too soft for them to feel supported enough.
Mattress Performance
In addition to the hands-on feedback from our team, we conduct a number of quantitative tests in our Test Lab. The below ratings are based on the experience of our testers.
Motion Isolation
6
/ 10
The Birch Natural has pretty significant bounce, so motion isolation isn’t one of its strong points. You won’t feel every movement from your partner if you share the bed, but you’ll definitely notice if they’re tossing and turning. – Jackson
The Birch Natural Mattress definitely has more bounce than contouring, which in our testing lab meant more motion transfer. Vibrations from movement on one part of the bed could be felt at least lightly on other parts of the bed.
For most couples, motion transfer on the Birch Natural Mattress isn’t enough to create a significant problem. But if you’re easily awoken during the night, you may encounter more sleep disruptions from your bed partner’s movement when sleeping on the Birch Natural Mattress compared to an all-foam model.
Pressure Relief
6.5
/ 10
When side sleeping I found the Birch Natural Mattress “just right” as it was neither too soft nor too firm. My hips and shoulders felt equally supported. The back sleeping position was particularly good though! – Mary
The Birch Natural Mattress offers effective pressure relief for many sleepers, but it may not be the top option for people who want deep contouring around their body.
The wool and latex layers of the Birch Natural Mattress lightly cradle the joints and heavier parts of your body, but these materials do not hug you closely. In most cases, the cushioning from the latex is enough to relieve pressure, but it may be lacking in this category for people with very sharp pressure points.
Temperature Control
8.5
/ 10
I often wake up from overheating, but that was not a problem with the Birch Natural Mattress thanks to its moisture-wicking wool, natural latex, and pocketed coils preventing heat buildup and enhancing airflow. – Danny
Our testing team found that the Birch Natural Mattress demonstrated excellent temperature control. It has several components that promote cooling and temperature neutrality. Wool and cotton are highly breathable, helping wick moisture and dissipate heat. Latex does not heat up the way foam materials do, and the coil support core enables plenty of ventilation.
In addition, the responsiveness of the mattress keeps you from sinking in too far. As a result, airflow can reach your skin and help cool you down. All of these factors make the Birch Natural Mattress a leading choice for hot sleepers.
Edge Support
8.5
/ 10
The Birch Natural Mattress has pocketed coils that are thicker and sturdier around the edges, providing amazing edge support. Getting on and off the bed was super easy! The extra support also made me feel like I had more room. – Mary
The Birch Natural Mattress offers solid edge support that comes from the bounciness of its materials and its thick layer of pocketed coils. The coils are reinforced around the perimeter to give the mattress a more stable feel when sitting or lying down near the edge.
Ease of Movement
8.5
/ 10
I found it incredibly easy to move around on the Birch Natural Mattress. The bouncy latex layer feels buoyant and springy. – Danny
The Birch Natural Mattress keeps you from feeling stuck in one position. Our testers observed that, thanks to its responsive materials like latex and coils, you can easily adjust your sleeping position, roll over, or get up out of bed.
The ease of movement on the Birch Natural Mattress makes it a good fit for combination sleepers and anyone else who prefers to feel like they are sleeping on top of the bed rather than “in” the bed.
Off-Gassing
8.5
/ 10
When we unboxed the Birch, it had a bit of smell to it, but it wasn’t that bad. It’s also a totally different odor from memory foam – latex just isn’t stinky in the same way, it feels more natural. If your bedroom is decently ventilated, you probably won’t notice much of a smell after a few hours. – Jackson
The Birch Natural Mattress only has a light smell after unboxing, and it’s far less bothersome than the chemical smell that can come from foam materials. While you may detect some minor scent from the latex, it’s not harmful, especially since this mattress contains organic and natural materials. Any smell should be gone within a few hours or at most a day as long as your bedroom has good ventilation.
Birch Mattress Coupon
Sleep Foundation Special Offer
27% off mattresses + 2 free pillows. Use code: SF27
The Birch Natural Mattress is a latex hybrid that takes advantage of the benefits of pocketed coils and several natural materials to promote a balance of cushioning, bounce, and stability. It is 11 inches tall and has a firmness level of medium firm (6).
The cover is made with cotton that is fair-trade and certified organic by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). Directly under the cover is a fire barrier of organic wool batting.
Beneath that, there is another layer of organic wool, which adds softness with only minimal contouring. Wool has excellent moisture-wicking properties, and its breathability helps keep the surface of the mattress cool.
Under the wool is a layer of natural latex, which provides gentle contouring and considerable bounce. Latex resists heat retention, further contributing to the cool temperature of the Birch Natural Mattress. The latex has earned certifications from institutions like OEKO-TEX and the Eco-Institut that demonstrate that it does not emit chemicals known to be harmful.
The support core is composed of individually pocketed metal coils. Thicker coils reinforce the perimeter to increase edge support. Under the coils, a bottom layer of organic wool acts as a fire barrier.
Firmness
Medium Firm – 6
Mattress Type
Latex Hybrid
Construction
The Birch Natural Mattress is made from largely natural materials, containing layers of wool and latex and a base of pocketed coils wrapped in an organic cotton cover.
Cover Material:
GOTS-certified organic cotton
Organic wool fire barrier
Comfort Layer:
Organic wool
Natural latex
Support Core:
Pocketed coils
Organic wool fire barrier
Mattress Prices and Sizing
The Birch Natural Mattress has a competitive price for a quality hybrid made with eco-friendly materials. While it’s not the lowest-priced mattress, it offers excellent value.
It is available in the six standard mattress sizes. The mattress has a height of 11 inches, which should work with most fitted sheets.
Sizes
Dimensions
Height
Weight
Twin
39″ x 75″
11″
63lbs.
Twin XL
39″ x 80″
11″
67 lbs.
Full
54″ x 75″
11″
87 lbs.
Queen
60″ x 80″
11″
105 lbs.
King
76″ x 80″
11″
131 lbs.
California King
72″ x 84″
11″
130 lbs.
Sleep Foundation Special Offer
27% off mattresses + 2 free pillows. Use code: SF27
The Birch Natural Mattress is sold on the Birch website and in a select number of retail showrooms nationwide. Shipping and return policies may be different when purchased through a retail partner.
Shipping
Birch offers free ground shipping to customers in the 48 contiguous United States. Shipping is available to Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada for an additional charge.
The mattress ships within 5 to 10 business days and should arrive a few days after that. It gets delivered to your doorstep in a box after having been compressed and vacuum-sealed in plastic.
After the mattress arrives, you may need assistance from another person to carry the box to your bedroom. Once you unbox the mattress and cut away the plastic wrapping, the mattress will immediately begin to expand.
Additional Services
Birch has partnered with a third-party service provider to offer White Glove delivery options for an additional charge. These services can include in-home setup and haul-away of an old mattress.
Sleep Trial
The Birch Natural Mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial. This trial includes a mandatory break-in period; you won’t be eligible for a return until you’ve slept on the mattress for at least 30 nights.
In the event of a return, you will have to pay a $99 fee, and Birch will arrange for the mattress to be picked up from your home.
Warranty
The Birch Natural Mattress is backed by a 25-year limited warranty. During the first 10 years, Birch will cover all costs for repair or replacement if your mattress is defective.
Beginning in year 11, a mattress with a defect will be replaced by Birch, but you’ll pay a percentage of the original mattress price. The percentage increases with each additional year until the warranty expires.
The warranty covers uncommon problems with the materials or manufacturing, but it does not cover wear and tear or accidental damage. Birch does offer accidental damage coverage to protect against accidents for an additional fee.
Still have questions?
Our product experts have extensive experience testing just about every sleep product on the market. Send an email to [email protected] with your questions and we’ll help you find exactly what you’re looking for.
Logan is a Certified Sleep Science Coach with a deep understanding of what it means to struggle with sleep. Her years of experience researching and testing sleep products – including mattresses, natural sleep aids, and bedding – are critical to her role helping lead the editorial team. As a chronic insomniac, she aims to bring her findings to anyone struggling with getting adequate rest. Her expertise is in creating informative, trustworthy, and useful health content. When she’s not testing mattresses or researching CBT-I, she enjoys spending time in the sunshine with her husband and her dogs Pepper and Winston.
