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Tom's Guide
18-07-2025
- Health
- Tom's Guide
Man-made GlacioTex vs natural latex: which is the more effective cooling mattress material?
GlacioTex and latex are both used in cooling beds to assist temperature regulation. If you're deep into researching which of this year's best cooling mattresses to buy, you've likely come across various celestial-sounding materials including these two. Luckily, we're here to help you understand what these materials are and what they bring to your sleep health. It is literally my and my team of mattress testers' job to shift through mattress jargon and marketing waffle to help you find the best mattress for you and your sleep needs, and snap up the best deal in monthly mattress sales. Here we're zooming in on latex and GlacioTex, pitting them against one another in terms of price, design, feel and temperature control to help you decide which luxury mattress material is worth the splurge. GlacioTex is a man-made fabric composed of fibers with high thermal conductivity. Usually sewn into mattress covers, these fibers are able to pull heat away from the mattress surface and, therefore, your body while you sleep. It is also hypoallergenic and waterproof, providing a defense against spills, dust mites and bacteria building up in your bed. While nobody has patented latex, brands under the 3Z umbrella (we're talking Helix, Brooklyn Bedding and Nolah) commonly use GlacioTex in their mattress covers. While there are two types of latex foams (natural and synthetic), it is the natural form we are focusing on here. Natural latex is a foam derived from sap from rubber trees and manufactured into an open-cell foam. The sap is extracted from the tree, mixed with non-toxic materials, whipped until frothed, and then set into a foam. The next step determines whether the natural latex will be Dunlop or Talalay latex. With Dunlop latex, the froth is poured into a mold all the way to the top, then baked, removed from the mold, washed and then baked again. With Talalay, it only partially fills the mold, which is then vacuum-sealed so the liquid expands. Then it's frozen, baked, washed and dried. The result? Talalay has a softer, spongier feel offering the sleeper more cushioning. On the other hand, Dunlop is denser and firmer, providing a more responsive, robust surface. Latex can be found in most of the best organic mattresses and in luxury mattresses like the Birch Luxe Natural mattress and Saatva Latex Hybrid mattress. From the manufacturing process to how they feel when you sleep on them, these materials have several differences, which we will explore here… Firstly, it is important to note that GlacioTex is actively cooling — it pulls heat away from the body to cool you down. Meanwhile, latex is breathable and temperature regulating, meaning it keeps the bed temperature-neutral. While memory foams are notorious for trapping heat, latex is porous and the tiny air pockets allow air to circulate freely. This means heat and moisture are able to escape rather than getting sucked into the foam and trapped against your body. On the other hand, GlacioTex employs high thermal conductivity fibers which transfer heat away from the air and your body. This means GlacioTex fabric remains cool to touch. GlacioTex fabric is typically a 50/50 blend of polyester and polyethylene with high thermal conductivity fibers sewn into it to form a cool mattress or mattress topper cover. These thermal conductivity fibers are able to dissipate heat through the mattress surface. On the other hand, latex foams are used in support and cushioning layers of mattresses. With slight discrepancies between Dunlop and Talalay mentioned above, latex is typically a firm, sturdy foam. Used in top comfort layers and support cores of a mattress, latex has a much larger effect on the overall comfort of a mattress compared with GlacioTex, which is usually only in the thin mattress cover. As a spongy material, latex is known to be durable and bouncy. This property makes it ideal for combination sleepers who like to switch between positions during the night. Firmer than memory foam, it contours to your body while providing spinal support. Meanwhile, our mattress testers have found GlacioTex covers to be slippery in come cases, making it difficult for a fitted sheet to stay put. Besides this minor inconvenience, the GlacioTex doesn't alter the feel of the mattress too much. It simply adds a cool-to-touch surface. As premium mattress materials, neither GlacioTex or latex come particularly cheap. As a natural material used in many of the best organic mattresses you can buy, latex is pricey due to its natural production process. GlacioTex is often available in cooling cover upgrades (Helix GlacioTex cover starts from $187 in a queen size at Helix), incurring extra cost. But it is generally cheaper than latex. While both GlacioTex and latex can contribute to a cooler sleep experience, as we've explored here, latex is generally considered more effective for temperature regulation. This is mainly due to the fact that latex's open cell structure allows air to flow throughout the mattress, improving breathability even in deeper layers. Whereas, limited to the mattress cover, GlacioTex primarily focuses on surface-level cooling. While it can initially feel cool, GlacioTex may not be as effective at dissipating heat trapped within the mattress. In essence, if you're looking for a material that actively regulates temperature and keeps you cool throughout the night, latex is a better choice. If you're primarily concerned with surface-level cooling and a cool-to-the-touch feel, GlacioTex could be a suitable option, but it's less effective at long-term temperature regulation.
Tom's Guide
18-06-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
The luxury organic mattress I recommend to everyone is up to $843 off in early 4th of July sale
I've found the perfect mattress for me. It's cool, comfortable and as an added bonus, organic. The Birch Luxe Natural is currently 27% off at Birch when you use the code TOMS27 at checkout, saving you up to $843.48 on this all-natural luxury bed. This deal brings the price of a queen size down to $1,915.52 (was $2,624), saving you over $700, and I think it's well worth the investment. After sleeping on some of this year's best mattresses for all sleepers, I know when something feels high-quality, well-made and supportive. After being let down by memory foam mattresses that made me feel claustrophobic, I opted for the Birch Luxe Natural, which is a hybrid mattress made up of organic latex and wool. Since switching, I fall asleep fast, sleep through the night (even during heatwaves) and feel supported no matter my sleeping position. And now with this early 4th of July mattress sale, it's a great time to invest and enjoy cool sleep for the summer. Here's why. Birch Luxe Natural: twin was $1,624 now $1,185.52 at BirchLike the best hybrid mattresses we've tested, the Birch is responsive and supportive, right up to the edge of the mattress. During the testing period for the Birch Luxe Natural mattress review, I loved the feeling of sleeping on top of the mattress rather than sinking into it. While the plush wool Euro top contoured around my hips, shoulders and knees when I slept on my side, I stayed elevated and buoyant. The layers of natural latex provide a degree of bounce, so the mattress responded to my movements even when I was tossing and turning at night. While the Luxe Natural inevitably comes at a high price point (natural materials cost more to source), this 27% off deal means you can get a queen for $1,915.52 (was $2,624). That's the biggest discount we've ever seen on this mattress, so well worth taking advantage of. You'll also get a free Eco-Rest Pillow Set, free shipping, a lifetime warranty and a 100-night sleep trial. As an average-weight side sleeper, the Birch Luxe feels perfect to me. It has a medium-firm feel (we rated it as a 7 out of 10), but the more plush Euro top offers a little extra cushioning. While I do think some lighter weight side sleepers might find it too firm, you can opt for an additional mattress topper to soften up the surface. If that's you, I recommend checking out our guide to the best mattresses for side sleepers. Back sleepers should find the zoned, targeted support excellent for keeping the hips lifted and the lumbar supported. There's just enough pressure relief for the mattress to feel luxury, but not enough to compromise the robust support. Hot sleepers should also find relief in this clean, natural mattress. The cotton cover is naturally breathable and the three wool layers can wick away moisture, meaning that you can wake up feeling fresh, even if you tend to sweat the bed. Although, if you experience hot flashes, consider one of this year's best cooling mattresses with dedicated tech to keep you comfortable. instead Who wouldn't I recommend this mattress to? The Euro top will most likely be too plush for those who lie on their front, which could put strain on the lower back. Instead, check out our best mattresses for stomach sleepers guide to find a suitable alternative. The Birch Luxe is an outstanding mattress, but if it's still beyond your budget even with 27% off, there's another option from Birch that comes in at a less extravagant price.... Birch Natural Mattress: twin was $1,373.33 now $1,002.54 with TOMS27 code at BirchThe Birch Natural mattress is the cheaper option from Birch, but it's still a quality bed packed with natural and organic materials. As we note in our Birch Natural Mattress review, we found that this is a great medium-firm mattress that's suitable for all sleep positions and has decent edge support and cooling features. It doesn't feel quite as luxurious as the Birch Luxe but it's comfortable in all sleeping positions. There's 25% off in the Birch early 4th July sale, but with our TOMS27 code you can get 27% off instead, which means that a queen size can be yours for $1,361.70, reduced from $1,865.33, with a pair of pillows included as well as a 100-night trial, free shipping and a lifetime warranty.
Tom's Guide
17-06-2025
- Health
- Tom's Guide
Birch Luxe Natural mattress review 2025: Naturally cool sleep for year-round comfort
The Birch Luxe Natural is the most premium mattress in Birch's lineup, sitting above the Birch Natural which is currently one of our top picks in this year's best organic mattress guide. It comes in one firmness option, which is medium-firm, and it stands at 11.5' tall. Most importantly, this bed incorporates natural materials, promising cool, clean sleep, including latex, wool and cotton. First up are three individual layers of Birch wool that make up the more plush Euro top section of the mattress, which is covered in organic cotton. This sits above two GOLS-certified latex layers. Beneath this, 1,000 individually wrapped coils cradle the body. The result? A mattress that is buoyant and responsive. Despite the more plush wool, don't expect to sink into this mattress. Instead, you'll find the hips and lower back remain fully lifted and supported, with the softer layers giving just enough to relieve pressure around key areas, like the shoulders, hips and knees for side sleepers. As a side sleeper myself, I found the balance of pressure relief and support pretty much perfect. The mattress didn't necessarily contour around my body, but it did soften enough for me to get comfortable quickly and stay comfortable throughout the night. Personally, I prefer this to a super soft marshmallow mattress that sinks beneath me. With the Birch Luxe, I remained on top of the bed without compromising comfort and it never felt too firm. With the Birch Luxe, I remained on top of the bed without compromising comfort and it never felt too firm While this is subjective, we did objective tests on pressure relief, too. This involved placing a 56lb weight in the middle of the mattress and measuring how much it sank. We'll dive more into the full results of these tests below, but the Birch Luxe performed exceptionally well across the board, which makes me think it's a mattress that'll suit most sleeping styles. My husband, who often sleeps on his back, can attest to this too. He said he felt 'a lot more supported' than on a previous, softer memory foam mattress we were sleeping on. Being used to dense foam mattresses with excellent motion isolation, I expect the bouncy latex to let me down here. However, the individually wrapped coils did a fantastic job of stopping movement from traveling from one side of the bed to the other. This meant that despite having very different schedules, my husband and I didn't wake each other up during the night. Combine this with strong support right up to the edge of the mattress and I think it's up there with the best mattresses we've tested this year, especially for couples who want to use the full area of the bed without disturbing the other. As expected, the Birch Luxe Natural mattress does have a premium price tag. A queen is priced at $2,623.75 at full MSRP, but regular mattress sales run between 20% and 27% off during major mattress sales, such as Black Friday. Right now there's 25% off, which brings the price of a queen down to $1,968. It's undoubtedly still very expensive, but reasonably priced for the quality of the materials you're getting and the excellent craftsmanship, I personally think it's well worth the investment. These organic, natural materials take a lot more effort to source, and you can rest easy knowing that you're supporting sustainable, ethical practices. Compared to our other top organic mattress picks we've tested, the Birch Luxe Natural has a similar price. Despite the MSRP of a queen being $2,623.75, it's almost always sold at the 20% discount, taking it down to $2,099. Right now there's 27% off when you use the code TOMS27 at checkout, bringing a queen down to $1,915.52. This is still significantly more than the Birch Natural mattress we reviewed, which is sold at $1,499 for a queen, but the Luxe does boast two extra layers of wool incorporated into a plush Euro top. Below are the MSRPs for the Birch Luxe Natural, as well as the sale price it's usually sold for throughout the year: Birch is fairly generous with its mattress sales throughout the year. We often see discounts jumping up to 25% off during major sale events, and even up to 27% off during major sale events. Right now there's 27% off the Birch Luxe Natural when you use the code TOMS27 at checkout. This takes a queen down to $1,915.52, plus you'll get two free pillows. (We've never seen it drop lower than this.) While a 100-night mattress trial is most likely enough for you to decide whether this mattress is right for you, we'd expect a slightly longer time frame considering the luxury price point. For context, the Avocado Green mattress (rated as our number one best organic bed) offers a full 365-nights to sleep on the bed. We're more impressed with the warranty though. The limited lifetime warranty means you'll be covered for the lifespan of your mattress, which will be longer than other innerspring and foam mattresses, thanks to the durability of latex. Birch Luxe Natural: twin was $1,623.75 now $1,185.52 at Birch with code TOMS27Being an organic mattress, the Birch Luxe Natural sits at a premium price point. Currently, an incredible 27% off sale brings the price of a queen down to $1,915.52 (was $2,623.75) when you apply the discount code TOMS27 at checkout. That's the lowest price we've ever seen on this mattress, so it's well worth taking advantage of. The Birch Luxe Natural is a Euro-top mattress, which means it incorporates extra plush layers within the top section of the bed. This Euro top is made from three layers of Birch wool, which is naturally breathable and moisture wicking. This makes it a great addition to the top of the mattress which is closest to your skin. To top it off, it's covered in a soft cotton cover, which is also breathable. I loved the feel of this cover. It's soft, but not silky, which means the bed sheets stay nice and snug, even when I'm tossing and turning. Beneath the wool is a layer of GOLS-certified latex with a medium feel, before another layer of softer latex which offers targeted pressure relief and ergonomic contouring. While I didn't think this mattress contoured to the body (and other members of the Tom's Guide testing team agreed), I think the combination of these two latex layers with the wool make up that perfect medium-firm feel which is neither too firm nor too soft. It's just supportive enough, but more on that later. After the latex, we have a layer of up to 1,000 individually wrapped coils which, like in the best hybrid mattresses, adapt to movement and cradle the body. These are also reinforced lengthways, which explains the excellent edge support. So far, a lot of the mattresses I've slept on that have said they have a medium-firm feel have been a lot softer than I had imagined. After all, firmness is subjective. However, when I lay down on the Birch Luxe Natural, it felt like the ideal balance of cushioning comfort and support. Instead of sinking into the bed or having the mattress contour around me, it kept its shape, giving just enough around key areas like my hips, shoulders and knees. I think the Euro top is to thank here. Without it, it'd be a pretty firm bed, but the layers of soft wool are the perfect material to top the firmer latex layers. For side sleepers and back sleepers, this results in a comfortable bed that keeps the sleeper lifted and elevated. However, I'd be hesitant to recommend it to front sleepers. I think the Euro top might give a little too much at the hips, which would put strain on the lower back. The buoyant, adaptive surface makes the Luxe a dream for combination sleepers like me I personally love how responsive the latex in this mattress is. I think when combined with the coils, the buoyant, adaptive surface makes the Luxe a dream for combination sleepers like me. I toss and turn throughout the night, alternating what side I sleep on (and even occasionally settling on my back), and I found this a constant struggle with even the best memory foam mattresses. I'd be fighting the slow-moving material all night. But with the Luxe, the mattress almost instantly adapts to my movements, allowing me to get comfortable straight away. We do think that there's the potential for lighter weight side sleepers to find it slightly too firm. But if that's the case, Birch suggests adding its Plush Organic Mattress Topper, which will soften the mattress so it feels more around a 4-5 out of 10. That means you'll feel more cushioning and sinking, helping to relieve even more relief: 4 out of 5 We've tested this year's best mattresses in a box, so we're well-versed in what makes a practical, easy and quality set up. In part, this includes minimal off-gassing, a quick expansion time and easy manoeuvring. The Birch, while being a heavy mattress, has a relatively simple set-up process and we were impressed with its ease. It comes vacuum packed, rolled in plastic and packaged in a box. Getting it onto a bed frame was easy with two people, but lifting it on your own could be tricky. After we cut through the plastic, the mattress expanded very quickly. While Birch suggests leaving it to expand for two hours, we felt as if it was ready for sleeping on within half an hour. A stand-out feature was the lack of smell. This felt like a breath of fresh air (literally) after being used to sleeping on slightly smelly memory foam mattresses Off-gassing is caused by VOCs (volatile organic compounds) being released into the air from chemical materials like memory foam. However, because of the all-natural materials, there was absolutely no smell. I even pressed my nose into the cotton cover, but it was completely neutral. This felt like a breath of fresh air (literally) after being used to sleeping on slightly smelly memory foam mattresses. A minor bug bear of our Tom's Guide mattress testing team is when a bed doesn't have handles sewn into the side. It's a simple design feature which makes moving the bed around so much easier. Unfortunately, the Birch doesn't have handles, and being a latex mattress, it's significantly weighty. For this reason, if you live alone or don't feel particularly strong, we'd suggest opting for one of Birch's delivery services. These include removal of your own mattress only, set-up of your new mattress only or removal and set up. Delivery & set up: 4.5 out of 5 Edge support refers to how sturdy the perimeter of the mattress feels in comparison to the rest of the bed. Hybrid mattresses usually have good support around the edges, thanks to the reinforced coils in the structure of the bed, and the Birch Luxe is no different here. We were very impressed with the edge support. Sitting on the side of the bed, you feel very stable. The bed didn't collapse at all beneath me or my husband's weight as we sat on the edge to get ready in the mornings. I enjoy sleeping right up to the edge of my bed and had no issue feeling the same level of support you find in the center of the bed. I even reached for my phone on the floor multiple times and even this distribution of weight didn't affect the support around the edges. This was reflected in our objective mattress tests, too. We placed a 15lbs weight on the edge of the bed and measured how much it sank, comparing it to the sinkage in the center of the mattress. In the center, the xxlbs weight sunk around two inches, and this was the same at the edge of the bed, too. I will say that the edge support does not hold up at the foot of the bed. Here, the mattress feels particularly squishy and not supportive at all. In fact, the bed collapsed so much that it almost ducked under the bed frame. This isn't likely to pose an issue for most sleepers, but if you rely on using the foot of the bed for support, you won't find it as sturdy as the rest of the bed. Overall, the fantastic edge support makes the Birch Luxe a great mattress for couples. We were able to utilize the full area of the mattress, making it feel spacious and roomy. Edge support: 4 out of 5 Motion isolation refers to the mattress's ability to stop movement from traveling across the bed, and it's particularly important if you share your bed with a restless partner, fidgety children or twitching pets. My husband and I have different sleep schedules, which means I often go to bed hours before he comes to bed, or even gets home. I have high expectation for motion isolation, considering I didn't even feel him come into the bed on our previous memory foam mattress. But the Birch Luxe did not disappoint. Despite the latex being very responsive, the individually wrapped coils do a fantastic job at stopping the movement from traveling. I think the soft wool Euro top also helps to absorb some motion, too. While I'm likely to vaguely notice my husband coming to bed, I don't feel him moving throughout the night at all. Our tests confirmed this, too. When we dropped a 15lbs dumbbell 12' away from a wine glass from four inches high, the wine glass barely wobbled. This was to simulate someone getting into bed. We then moved the weight closer, just eight inches away to act like someone tossing and turning next to you and again saw a very minimal wobble. Only when we reached four inches away from the wine glass did it fall. This shows that even if your partner is getting in and out of bed, or moving around a lot, you're unlikely to feel the motion. Motion isolation: 4 out of 5 Temperature regulation is where the Birch Luxe really impressed us, which is no surprise considering the materials and design. The layers of Birch wool do a fantastic job of moisture wicking and keeping the mattress breathable. I've never once woken up feeling sweaty or clammy, like I previously had on my foam mattress. In fact, this mattress feels incredibly fresh every day. I think the cotton cover also helps this fresh feeling, allowing air to flow through the top of the mattress. This airflow can also be attributed to the hybrid, latex design. Latex has a naturally open structure, so, when combined with the open coil layer, there's plenty of space for air to circulate, cooling the sleeper down. Despite temperatures increasing and living in a very small, stuffy first floor flat with big glass windows, my husband and I slept cool with a duvet on the bed. While I think this mattress will keep most sleepers comfortable, if you have experience hot flashes or night sweats, it might be worth considering one of this year's best cooling mattresses which incorporate specialist tech to keep temperatures down. Temperature regulation: 5 out of 5 While I personally loved the Birch Luxe Natural, and so did our expert panel of mattress testers, everyone wants something different out of their mattress. The Birch Luxe Natural has over 680 reviews at the time of writing this, with a 4.3 star average. After analyzing these reviews, it seems the majority of four and five star comments note how the Birch Luxe offers fantastic support. Because of this, many users mentioned how it helps to reduce their aches and pains. The best mattresses for back pain are often a medium-firm to firm feel, like the Birch Luxe, which helps keep the spine aligned and reduce any unnecessary strains on the joints. Positive user reviews state that the mattress is comfortable for all sleeping positions, which is something that my husband and I can attest Other positive user reviews state that the mattress is comfortable for all sleeping positions, which is something that my husband and I can attest, being combination sleepers. I think this is because of the combination of the firm latex with the softer wool Euro top. Many of the more negative reviews cite issues with the mattress upon delivery, like incorrect dimensions or snags in the fabric. Subsequently, they mention poor customer service when reporting these issues. For us, our mattress arrived in great condition, so it's difficult to comment on this problem. Similarly, we haven't encountered customer service issues. And, as expected, there are negative reviews complaining that the mattress is far too firm and others complaining that it is far too squishy. As we've mentioned, firmness is subjective, and we usually see this mix of reviews for every mattress we test. While I think many different types of sleeper will enjoy this bed, inevitably, it's not for everyone. If you want to sink into a cozy bed, you'll probably be disappointed by the Birch Luxe Natural. While the Euro top offers a little cushioning, the mattress doesn't contour around your body. So, if you're a lightweight side sleeper, you might want something more plush. On the other hand, if you're a stomach sleeper, you'll probably want a firmer surface. The best mattresses for stomach sleepers don't offer much sink at all in order to keep the hips elevated, and we think the wool layers might be a tad too soft. Who would I recommend it to? Side and back sleepers will find equal parts support and comfort from this mattress, as well as a super clean, non-toxic sleep. Heavier weight sleepers will also feel comfortably supported on the Birch Luxe. The durable latex and coils mean you can expect a solid bed surface that won't develop indentations quickly. Even taking into account regular sales, it's certainly a premium purchase. However, we've tested a lot of mattresses and it's clear the Birch Luxe is a high-quality bed, made from genuinely premium materials, so we feel the price is justified. If you're looking for a non-toxic, natural mattress that will support side and back sleeping while taking the pressure off your joints, the Birch Luxe Natural mattress is a fantastic choice. The Avocado Green is our number one rated organic mattress. It has a very similar structure to the Birch Luxe, combining wool, cotton and latex with a coil layer. It's a little firmer than the Birch Luxe, meaning that heavier weight sleepers and stomach sleepers will likely prefer it. You'll also get a full 365-night trial, compared to Birch's 100 nights, so you can take your time deciding whether it's right for you. Read our full Avocado Green mattress review to find out more. It's around the same price point, with a queen Avocado's MSRP at $2,099, but usually selling for $1,899. If you like the sound of the Birch Luxe Natural but are working with a smaller budget, we rate the Birch Natural, the brand's entry level model. Instead of the three-layer wool Euro top, this mattress has a single layer of wool. For this reason, it's best suited to back and stomach sleepers, but in our Birch Natural mattress review, we thought it was excellent value for money. You'll get all the same benefits of the Birch Luxe, but a queen MSRP is $1,873.75, but is on sale for $1,499. If you're looking for an organic mattress that'll deliver that indulgent sinking feeling you're craving, especially if you're a side sleeper, the PlushBeds Botanical Bliss will be a great choice. Made up of cotton, wool and latex, but without the coil layer, this mattress offers exceptional pressure relief. It's a slightly more plush feel, so those looking for softer cushioning will benefit from it. With a queen MSRP of $3,349, it seems like a much more expensive option, but it's always on sale for $1,500 off, bringing the price down to $1,849. Read our PlushBeds Botanical Bliss mattress review to find out more.
Tom's Guide
02-06-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
I've been sleeping on an organic mattress for a week and now latex is my favorite mattress material — here's why
I've been sleeping on the Birch Luxe Natural for a week now, and I have to say I'm impressed. Birch is a brand behind some of the best organic mattresses on the market, so I was eager to 'clean up' my sleep and ditch chemical, man-made materials such as memory foam. Type: HybridMaterials: Latex, wool, coilsBrand-rated firmness (1-10): 6.5/10Height: 11.5"Trial period: 100 nightsWarranty: Limited lifetimePrice: From $1,624 at Birch The Luxe Natural is a hybrid mattress that combines nine layers of coils, latex, wool and cotton. It starts with a pillow-top layer to provide some extra cushioning, and beneath that you'll find a layer of GOLS-certified latex which gives the bed a bit of a bounce. By incorporating natural materials, like some of this year's best mattresses that we've tried and tested, the Luxe Natural promises exceptional temperature regulation, durability and support. Birch describes it as having a medium feel of around 6.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale, meaning in theory it should suit all sleeping styles. So, we're putting it to the test. While I'll write a full review after a month of sleeping on the Birch Luxe Natural, these are my first thoughts, from unboxing and set-up to my first night on the bed. Organic mattresses inevitably come at a premium price because of the high-quality, natural materials used. And the Luxe is Birch's most expensive option, sitting above the entry-level Birch Natural mattress. However, throughout the year you can expect to see at least a 20% off mattress sale on the Birch Luxe Natural, which takes a queen down to $2,099 (MSRP $2,624). Right now, there's 20% off plus you'll get two free pillows worth $149 with every purchase. Below are the MSRPs of each size of the Birch Luxe Natural, but you can usually get each one at 20% off: The current 20% off deal is pretty standard but does offer decent value for money, especially when you throw in the free pillows. However, if you want to buy it at the lowest possible price we would suggest waiting until after the summer where we expect to see the discount increase to 27% off during the Labor Day sales. The perks offered by Birch include a limited lifetime warranty, free shipping and a 100-night trial. While we'd like to see a slightly longer sleep trial considering the premium price tag, 100 nights will likely be more than enough to decide whether it's the right bed for you. Birch Luxe Natural mattress: was $1,624 now from $1,299 at BirchThis hybrid, pillow-top mattress is a luxury purchase, even with the 20% off sale that runs throughout the year. Head to Birch today and you'll see the queen size reduced to $2,099 (was $2,624) with an Eco-Rest pillow set included. That discount drops to $1,915.52 for a queen after a 27% off sale, which we expect to see return for Labor Day in September. Regardless of when you buy you'll get a 100-night sleep trial, a limited lifetime warranty and fast free shipping. The Birch Luxe Natural comes vacuum packed and boxed. The best mattresses in a box we've tested have minimal off-gassing (that chemical smell you sometimes get from new foam mattresses) and inflate quickly. The Luxe Natural certainly ticked these boxes. In fact, our team of expert mattress testers reported absolutely no off-gassing, even when we pressed our noses right up to the fabric. This is because the materials used (latex, wool and cotton) are all-natural. Off-gassing is caused by VOCs (volatile organic compounds) evaporating, but these compounds are mainly found in chemical-based, man-made materials, like memory foam. Despite Birch saying the mattress only needed 2 hours to expand fully (which is a short period of time anyway), we found it was fully inflated after just 30 minutes, making the whole setup process quick, easy and practical. Our one gripe is the lack of handles. Dense latex is a heavy material, so moving the mattress around without side handles can be tricky. We'd suggest having at least one other person to help you unbox it. Before the Birch Luxe Natural, my husband and I were sleeping on the Nectar Ultra Hybrid, which has soft, sinking foams. So, when we tried out the Luxe Natural, we were relieved to feel a firmer, responsive surface. Birch describes it as a 6.5 out of 10 for firmness, but I think it feels slightly firmer than this; maybe around a 7. The latex layers mean that this bed has some bounce to it, and after weeks of sinking into slow-moving foam, this was a pleasant surprise. When I lay down on it, ready to fall asleep, I was a little apprehensive about how firm it was. As a side sleeper, I need extra pressure relief around my shoulders, hips and knees. I wasn't sure the Luxe Natural could deliver this. However, I became almost immediately comfortable. I think this was thanks to the pillow-top made from organic cotton and wool, which adds a subtle layer of cushioning. The best pillow-top mattresses make great mattresses for side sleepers. Another stand-out feature was the edge support. I like to sleep right up to the edge of the bed, and I felt fully supported – just as much as I would be in the middle of the bed. I never really knew what people meant when they said organic mattresses give you a 'clean' sleep, but it started to make sense after sleeping on this Birch bed. Because of the breathability of the cotton and the moisture wicking of the wool, the bed felt really cool and dry. I also enjoyed knowing I was sleeping on something that was completely natural; no harsh chemicals to breathe in at night, just latex, wool and cotton. My husband loved that it has a more 'traditional' feel, too. The spring layer combined with the firm latex means you sleep on top of the mattress, rather than sinking into it. I think this also contributed to that 'clean' feel. I couldn't tell if I was just excited about the Luxe Natural on night one because I had become so sick of memory foam mattresses, or because it's genuinely a good mattress. But over the course of the week, I only became more convinced that this is the best mattress I've slept on yet. During the week, my nighttime wake-ups became less and less frequent. I think this was because I was able to stay in one position throughout the night, without feeling claustrophobic from sinking into the mattress or overheating. Despite the mattress feeling a little bouncy, I wasn't disturbed by my husband's movements. We often have different schedules, so motion isolation is important to us, but the Birch Luxe Natural didn't transfer movement between us much at all. It's not as impressive as the best memory foam mattresses, but it's more than enough to limit nighttime disruptions. The support delivered by this mattress is excellent. I felt like my body was always buoyant, my hips were always lifted and my spine was always aligned. I think it'll make a great mattress for back pain because of this. My husband and I are average-weight combination sleepers, primarily side and back sleeping. Because we found the mattress comfortable and supportive in every position, we think it'll suit most sleepers. However it's worth noting that very lightweight side sleepers might want a softer mattress for extra contouring around the body. There's very minimal contouring in the Birch Luxe Natural. You might have guessed by now, I'm a big fan of this mattress. So far, I think it's a great all-rounder that combines subtle cushioning with robust support to create a surface that'll suit most sleepers. Everyone obviously has their own personal preference, so if you're looking for a marshmallow soft, cozy bed, this isn't it. But you will get a mattress that feels incredibly high-quality. You can feel just how durable this bed is, thanks to the latex and natural materials. It's no surprise Birch offers a limited lifetime warranty, as latex mattresses usually have a lifespan of up to 20 years. I think back sleepers and stomach sleepers will love this mattress, and depending on preferences, most side sleepers will, too. I'll write a full review of my experience after sleeping on the mattress for a month, so watch this space.
