Natural latex is known for its instant responsiveness to your body curves, along with great cooling and hypoallergenic effects, which makes it a great choice for mattresses and bedding accessories.
However, choosing the right mattress that fits your needs might turn into a daunting quest, as the modern market offers a vast variety of models.
So, be sure to check this review of the best latex mattresses in Australia, and choose the perfect model that won’t burn your pocket.
A Quick Preview
 | Best Overall - Editor’s Choice Peacelily | Read more about this mattress |
 | Best Latex Hybrid Lazycat Spring Mattress | Read more about this mattress |
Our Reviews of Best Latex Mattresses in Australia (November 2023)
Editor's Choice — Peacelily
Highlights
- Organic cotton cover for cooler and safer sleep;
- Flippable design to meet different comfort preferences;
- Sewn-in handles for convenient flipping and carrying.
There are many things that make the Peacelily deserve its spot among the best latex mattresses in Australia. It’s a quality-made model that uses premium, safe materials for long-lasting performance and your peace of mind. However, the touchstone of this mattress’s characteristics is probably its flippable design. The Peacelily combines two comfort options: medium on one side and firm on the other one. This makes the mattress quite universal, as it can accommodate a wider range of sleepers.
From my tests, the Peace Lily had a sinkage of 2.01 inches on its medium side and 1.87 inches on its firm side. I was comfortable while resting on my side with both firmnesses. However, my preference leaned more towards the medium firmness as it cushioned my shoulders and hips better, relieving tension. The Peace Lily’s medium side has 0.27 inches more sinkage than the Noa mattress, meaning the Peace Lily is better suited to sleepers who want a thick, springy, and cushioning latex feel.
Plus, it’s a great solution when you don’t know what you want exactly. I personally appreciate flippable mattresses because sometimes I have different comfort preferences. For example, I like to use the Medium side for restorative post-workout sleep or when my sensitive joints act out, and the Firm side for stronger back support after sitting all day for work.
When I was reviewing this product, I rated its medium side as a 6.5 on the firmness scale and its firm side as a 7. The medium side was more cushioning for relieving tension from my shoulders and hips, and I was quite comfortable on my side. Comparatively, the Peace Lily’s medium side is 0.5 points softer than the Noa. That means latex lovers who prefer resting on their side may find the Peace Lily’s softer side more comfortable.
Based on Our Review
I liked how the flippable design on the Peacelily felt during testing. This design ensured I felt comfortable sleeping in different positions.
Pros:
- This bed is firm enough to support back and stomach sleepers comfortably;
- This mattress provided excellent motion isolation during my review;
- The latex construction made this bed feel very cool, which hot sleepers will enjoy.
Cons:
- I wasn’t impressed with the edge support on this mattress;
- Lightweight sleepers may find this bed to be too firm.
Best Latex Hybrid — Lazycat Spring Mattress
Highlights
- The latex layer and coils make this hybrid uniquely responsive and spongy;
- The competitive pricing helps make this hybrid more affordable to sleepers on a tight budget;
- The cool cover, gel air foam, and breathable layers help to disperse heat, keeping your temperature neutral.
The Lazycat spring mattress is my best latex hybrid due to its supportive sinkage, balanced bounce, and cooling qualities.
Latex is known for its spongy, pressure-relieving qualities and generalized contour. I got a distinct feeling of sleeping on latex while testing the Lazycat. Its soft gel memory foam layer allows me to sink through to the comfort foam and latex layers below. I was pleasantly contoured, with an emphasis on keeping my spine neutral. During my tests, I measured a sinkage of 1.7 inches, which is assisted by the latex layer for better spinal support.
The Lazycat had more minimal sinkage than the Peace Lily’s medium side by 0.31 inches, meaning the Lazycat’s latex is better suited for sleepers who prefer being ‘on’ instead of ‘in’ a mattress.
The Lazycat’s latex layer also assists in providing bounce with the coil system. From my review, the Lazycat had a bounce of 9.6 inches, responding quickly to my weight and keeping me evenly supported and buoyant. The Lazycat had a higher bounce than the Ergoflex 5G by 3.1 inches, making the Lazycat the better option for effortless movement and a buoyant feeling.
Another feature that the Lazycat excels at is its ability to keep hot sleepers cool. Latex is inherently non-heat retaining, which is further emphasized by the breathable layers, gel foam, and coils within the Lazycat. In light of my tests, the mattress reached a temperature of 30.4 degrees Celsius. I was comfortably cool and free of night sweats during the testing phase.
The Lazycat was slightly outclassed by the Peace Lily in heat dispersion by only 0.2 degrees, meaning both are suitable options for hot sleepers.
Based on Our Review
Through my tests, I found the latex layer was especially helpful in creating a supportive, spongy surface. My shoulders didn’t sink in as much when I was on my side, but I was still comfortable and experienced pleasant contouring. My hips remained pleasantly lifted, and I could easily toss and turn.
Pros:
- Excellent spinal support from the latex layer;
- Excellent bounce from the coils;
- Excellent price point for budget sleepers.
Cons:
- Non-removable cover;
- Too firm for light-weight side sleepers.
Why You Should Trust Me
I’ve researched and tested many mattresses over my years in the mattress industry. From what I’ve learned, most of the highest-quality mattresses have similar traits of excellent comfort and support. However, each mattress brand reaches this in different ways. I’ve determined through quantitative tests how to best measure how comfortable a mattress is. I test for qualities like pressure relief, support for the spine, and buoyancy. I also test for coolness and edge support.
When it comes to the best latex mattresses in Australia, I examine these qualities closely. The mattresses that excelled in areas like pressure relief ranked higher on my list. The higher the rank, the better I think the mattress is for your home. You can learn more about my methodology for testing mattresses here.
Who Will Benefit from Sleeping on a Latex Mattress?
Some manufacturers and advertisers claim that natural latex mattresses are a universal pick regardless of your weight, preferred sleeping position, and age.
But is this really true?
Well, every sleeper is somewhat unique, so your experience even with the best latex mattress in Australia may vary based on your health and personal preferences. But it will likely to be positive if you’re:
- A mixed sleeper. Latex feels more spongy and bouncy than the traditional memory foam, and won’t interfere with position shifting through the night. Plus, studies show that the latex mattress has better pressure-relieving effects than the polyurethane foams (1), which make the most of memory foam beds. Latex is also some of the best materials for the best mattresses for side sleepers in Australia, as it can cradle the shoulders and hips while keeping you buoyant and free in the layers.
- A hot sleeper. Natural latex sleeps cool and will prevent you from overheating even on a hot summer night. Plus, most manufacturers make the latex layers in the mattresses perforated, which enhances the airflow even further.
- A sensitive sleeper. Latex has the motion absorption level similar to memory foam, so you can expect good motion isolation and uninterrupted sleep if your partner is restless.
- A sleeper with allergies. Although some people — such as medical personnel, dentists, or laboratory staff who use rubber gloves consistently — can develop latex allergy over the years, it’s unlikely that you get outbreaks if you sleep on a latex mattress (2). Moreover, natural latex is found to be immune to mold growth and dust mites that are one of the most common allergens in the world.
- An eco-enthusiast. Natural latex is basically a sap collected from rubber trees that are native to Brasilia, Congo, Sri Lanka, and other countries. It’s also considered a renewable material because rubber trees need to be replanted every 30-32 years. So, if you consider switching to a more eco-conscious lifestyle, you may start with upgrading your mattress.
“Natural latex mattresses are considered the most long-lasting mattress type. They can offer you great support for nearly 15 years (3), whereas other mattresses need to be replaced every 7-10 years.”
Dunlop and Talalay Processes Explained
Source: https://organicmattresss.com/dunlop-vs-talalay-latex/
While choosing the latex mattress, you may often stumble upon labels ‘Dunlop’ and ‘Talalay’.
But what exactly do they mean?
Dunlop and Talalay are the names of manufacturing processes used for making latex foam. They use the same raw material - the rubber tree sap and some additives to make the foam denser and more elastic. The technology, however, is different and reflects in the properties of a final product.
So, the Dunlop process involves fewer steps than Talalay, along with utilizing fewer resources and energy. This makes the Dunlop latex more eco-friendly and a bit cheaper than Talalay. Also, the Dunlop latex isn’t homogenous and typically features a slightly denser bottom and more foamy top, which makes it more durable and suitable for active use.
The Talalay process, on the other hand, is more resourceful and uses more additives to create a softer product. The latex made with this technology is a bit softer and has a more even density than Dunlop. This, however, reflects in the higher cost as well.
Here’s the deal, though:
The difference between the Dunlop and the Talalay latex is almost unnoticeable to the average user. You will sleep equally well on both. So it’s really a matter of preferences (and eco-awareness).
“Some manufacturers can offer you the so-called ‘synthetic latex’ which is basically a blend of chemicals similar to the ones used for making memory foam. It can be a more cost-efficient alternative to natural latex but note that the durability and supportive properties of synthetic latex can be inconsistent.”
Also Read: How Do I Get Rid of an Old Mattress?
Things to Consider When Choosing a Good Latex Mattress
So, you’ve addressed your health issues and defined the type of latex that will feel comfortable for you.
Now the only thing left is to consider some general recommendations to make your choice tailored to your needs:
- Firmness. Firmness perception is a subjective thing, however, it may depend on your weight and preferred sleeping position. Typically, the more you weigh, the firmer your mattress should be. And while the medium-firm mattress is the optimal firmness level for most positions, you might want to go down and choose a medium bed if you sleep on your side. As a general rule of thumb, the best mattresses for bad backs have a firmer feel to support the spine better.
- Thermoregulation. Thankfully, natural latex sleeps cool and will keep the temperature in your bed comfortable. However, if your mattress isn’t made of latex from top to bottom and features other materials, be sure to opt for the ones with a potent cooling effect, such as gel or copper-infused foams, breathable cover fabrics, and individually wrapped coils instead of solid foam core.
- Motion response. This, again, depends more on the base layer of the mattress. If you want a model with the coil system, note that they remain on the bouncier side even if there is a thick foam cushion above. All-latex mattresses, while having a more spongy feel than foam beds, have a less pronounced motion response and may work for active sleepers and their partners.
- Edge support. Many latex mattresses lack edge support due to the adaptive nature of this material. Weak edges can be an issue if you require more sleeping space or use the edges of your mattress as a little boost to get up (a common problem for people with slight mobility issues). In this case, you might look for a firmer latex mattress, as they typically have sturdier edges. Another option is a hybrid model that uses latex for comfort layers. In this scenario, you will get proper edge support from the coils.
- Comfort adjustments. If you aren’t sure about what firmness level you need exactly, look for mattresses that allow users to swap the latex layers inside for firmness adjustments. A flippable model would also come in handy in this case.
- ILD. Indentation Load Deflection can often confuse shoppers, but it’s better to learn about this aspect as it’s quite important. ILD is used to measure the firmness in latex mattresses. As a rule of thumb, the higher the ILD number, the firmer the latex would feel.
Also read: TOP 5 Best Mattresses in a Box
Best Firm Mattresses in Australia
FAQ:
What is the best thickness for a latex mattress?
Typically, a latex mattress between 8 and 12 inches is enough to feel the springy cradling of latex while being evenly supported. If you are looking for a latex-memory foam mix, a mattress with a latex layer of at least 2 to 3 inches is enough to feel the latex's bouncy cradling. This thickness also strengthens the latex layer, helping it last longer.
What are the disadvantages of a latex mattress?
There are some slight disadvantages of latex mattresses, like a slightly higher price tag than some all-foam or hybrid mattresses. Latex mattresses also tend to be heavier due to the natural weight of latex. This higher price tag and greater weight are mainly due to the density of the material, which is a mark of high quality that will last a long time.
Final Word
Latex beds truly deserve their good reputation. They’re durable, can offer you great contouring and cool sleep. To choose a perfect latex bed, you need to address your health issues, look for certified brands, and toggle the choice according to your personal preferences. Typically, the Dunlop latex is the best choice for active use, whereas the Talalay latex will suit for the fans of a luxurious feel. And if you choose a mattress that features other materials along with the latex, be sure to make the most of your trial period.
Having tested all three mattresses in this review, we can surely recommend the Peacelily mattress as a good pick for almost everyone. It has an optimal firmness, good edge support, and breathable design, and can suit both single sleepers and couples.
What are your considerations for choosing a latex mattress? And which model suits them? Share your feedback below!
References
- Fan-Zhe Low, BEng, Matthew Chin-Heng Chua, Ph.D., Pan-Yin Lim, BEng, and Chen-Hua Yeow, Ph.D. (2016, October 21). Effects of Mattress Material on Body Pressure Profiles in Different Sleeping Postures. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5310954/
- Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (April 2019). Latex Allergy. Retrieved from https://www.allergy.org.au/patients/other-allergy/latex-allergy
- Abe Abbas (2020, May 8). When to Replace a Mattress? Retrieved from https://www.thespruce.com/how-often-to-replace-mattresses-1391234
Allana Wass is the Co-Founder and Editor-in-chief at Comfybeddy. She was trained at the Spencer Institute to become a Certified Sleep Science Coach and has been featured in VeryWellMind, U.S. News, and Bustle. She has tested over 50 sleep products, which include mattresses, mattress toppers, and pillows. She has spent countless hours researching the mattress industry and learning about its cutting-edge technology for over four years, helping you improve your sleep. With her wealth of experience, she thoroughly reviews mattresses and other sleep products to give the best recommendations for each kind of sleeper.
Our research
45
Mattresses Considered
150
Hours of Research
2
Sleep Experts Consulted
How long can I expect a quality latex mattress to last?
A quality latex mattress is built to last, and you can expect it to have a longer lifespan compared to many other mattress types. On average, a well-maintained latex mattress can last around 10 to 15 years or even longer. The durability of latex, along with its resilience to sagging and wear, makes it a solid investment for long-term comfort.
Thank you so much for this fantastic article! It has truly been a valuable resource in my quest to find the perfect latex mattress. Your insights and information have been incredibly helpful in making an informed decision.
I’m thrilled to know that the article has been a valuable resource for your mattress research. Wishing you many nights of peaceful and restful sleep on your new latex mattress!