Embrace Ethical Living With These 6 Vegan Mattress Brands
Vegan, eco-friendly, and non-toxic mattresses are usually made out of plant fibers like organic cotton and latex foam. They are free of harmful chemicals, heavy metals, pesticides, and flame retardants. They also exclude any animal-based products like wool.
Why Should You Buy a Vegan Mattress?
The main question here is, why do vegans avoid wool? After all, sheep aren't routinely killed for wool production, are they? Although this may seem logical, sheep that are bred for wool are eventually slaughtered and sold for their meat. 'Dual-purpose' sheep generally live up to 5-6 years (less than half of their natural lifespan) before they're killed.
Not only are these sheep slaughtered, they also live under terribly inhumane conditions, often dying of hunger and/or hypothermia. On top of this neglect, there has also been documentation of physical abuse within the industry. So, going for a wool-free mattress is the most ethical choice, and is in the best interest of these sentient beings.
Vegan Doesn't Mean Chemical-Free
Just because a mattress contains no animal products does NOT mean it's free from toxins or safe for our planet. If you’ve ever wondered how your mattress could be affecting your sleep and overall health, you’ve come to the right place. Not only is purchasing a natural, high-quality, nontoxic mattress great for improving your sleep; it could also ensure a healthier home environment! You'll want to look for eco-friendly certifications from organizations like GOTS, GOLS, GREENGUARD, ECO Institut, or non-toxic certifications from Made Safe or Zero Toxics to be sure your mattress is safe.
No Toxic Chemicals
You may be surprised to learn that your mattress could be packed with toxic materials/hazardous chemicals that could be causing or worsening your skin, respiratory, and/or reproductive conditions. In fact, some of them are even carcinogenic! These may include:
Polyurethane Foam: Releases VOCs (volatile organic compounds) over time, which can cause adverse health effects. Some common examples of VOCs include propylene oxide (linked to breast cancer), toluene (a neurotoxin), and benzene (prolonged exposure can lead to anemia or immunological dysfunction).
Chemical Flame Retardants: Because foam is so flammable, mattresses are often treated with large amounts of harmful flame retardants in order to meet federal flammability standards. However necessary this may seem, toxic fire retardants like antimony and boric acid can cause respiratory irritation, delay puberty, disrupt your hormones, and harm your nervous system.
Boric Acid: This harsh chemical powder kills roaches and other pests that may seek refuge in your mattress. It’s also a flame retardant. However, it’s also poisonous to humans and can cause chronic poisoning over time. This can even lead to convulsions and damage to the respiratory system.
Formaldehyde: This is a common chemical found in many household items, and long-term, high-level exposure can cause cancer and lymphatic, neurological, or liver damage.
Synthetic Latex: A much cheaper and easier alternative to natural latex rubber, synthetic latex is used very frequently in the mattress industry. However, some health consequences of chronic exposure to synthetic latex include hearing loss, headaches, depression, and an increased risk of certain types of cancers.
Vinyl: In order to make your bed more resistant to bacteria, mattress manufacturers create a ‘covering’ out of vinyl. However, harmful substances like phthalates, antimony, and other toxic chemicals are often used to make vinyl. This can lead to respiratory problems and birth defects.
Is Latex Vegan?
Natural Talalay or Dunlop latex is 100% vegan, derived from rubber trees. However, not all latex mattresses are vegan. After all, some are topped with a wool cover or contain wool batting. Not only that — as mentioned above, some latex is synthetic and made out of harmful materials that can cause a host of health problems.
TIP: Try to go for GOLS Certified Latex mattresses when possible!
Mattresses Have A Large Carbon Footprint
Now you know why purchasing the right mattress is so crucial to your health, but — what about the environment? What kind of an effect does tossing this toxic chemical-ridden block of polyurethane foam a landfill have on our planet?
Firstly, mattresses aren’t simply tossed into a landfill. They are first broken down, which requires a ton of energy and contributes to their large carbon footprint. In addition to this, because they are so chock-full of chemicals and petroleum products, these toxins seep into the soil and water.
In certain places with less access to public sanitation services, people tend to toss their mattresses straight into rivers and streams. This is an even greater issue for the planet, since there’s no telling where they will end up, and meanwhile they are contaminating the local water supply.
In order to help improve this environmental crisis, you can recycle or donate your mattress after using it. However, next time you purchase a new one, you’ll want to go for a healthier, more eco-friendly option, so as to not contaminate our planet or your home environment. However, as a vegan you’ll also want to go wool and cruelty-free! So, keep reading to discover some of our favorite natural, eco-friendly, vegan mattresses!
Greenwashing Red Flags To Watch Out For!
Just because a mattress is labeled 'eco', 'green', 'vegan', or 'sustainable' does not necessarily mean it's actually better for the planet. Nowadays, plenty of brands make these claims, but simply do not have the regulations and certifications to back them up.
The problem is, "eco-friendly" is not a heavily regulated term in marketing. So, just about any brand may make false claims about their products' sustainability with little to no repercussions. So, how do we as consumers protect ourselves from these lies?
Find out how to easily identify a greenwashed 'eco' mattress below.
"Made With Recycled Plastic"
Not all recycled products are better. These materials often travel long distances from different regions or countries, and are processed with an energy-intensive procedure to turn them into the new desired materials. To make a product out of recycled plastic also means you're using the exact same materials that are found in standard synthetic options.
So, when mattresses are made of recycled plastic, this means they will still contain the contaminants found in those made with virgin plastic. So, these mattresses may not be free from phthalates and bisphenols, which have long been proven to cause long-term damage to several organ systems.
"Infused with Biobased Materials"
Ideally, plant-based mattresses would be made entirely of organic cotton, natural latex, and other natural materials. However, some brands claim that their mattresses are infused/made partially with plant-based/biobased materials, without mentioning the percentage or what materials they're referring to. More often than not, this will mean that only a small percentage came from plants, and the majority was made using petroleum-based materials.
Although this is still slightly better for the planet than a fully petroleum-based mattress, it's still not ideal for your health and could be contaminated with harmful chemicals.
"Made With Eco-Friendly Materials"
If the brand in question makes this statement, but does not list the exact materials used, this could likely be an unjustified or outright false claim. You'll certainly want to dig a bit deeper, or contact the company for more info if this is the case.
Alternatively, they may give their materials a "green" name, like "Eco Infinity 3000" or "Green Life Foam" to make it seem as though they are new and innovative, when in fact they could be almost identical to the most commonly used materials.
No Certifications
The truth is, authentic eco-friendly materials can be expensive, which makes them totally worth certifying. This way, the brands can reassure their clients, and get their money's worth by going the extra mile. So, when a brand claims to use natural alternatives, but has no certifications to back up these claims, you can take this as a major red flag!
Keep reading to discover some of the most reputable eco certifications you can look for in your non-toxic vegan mattress.
Best Vegan Mattresses
Ready to find a new mattress for your eco-friendly, non-toxic home? Keep reading to discover some of our favorite natural vegan mattresses!
Key Features By Brand
Best Budget Vegan Mattress
Brentwood Home Crystal Cove Mattress
Price | $899.00 - $1,899.00
Ethos | CertiPUR-US Certified Foam, Climate Neutral Certified, Eco Institut Certified, Fairtrade Certified Cotton, FSC Certified, GOLS Certified Latex, GREENGUARD Certified, Certified Vegan, 25-Year Warranty.
Get the best of both worlds with this dual-sided nontoxic mattress made with zero animal-based fibers! A hybrid mattress for all types of sleepers, one side features activated charcoal-infused memory foam for energy and recovery, while the other features 100% natural latex, which provides extra comfort, support and relief. This California-made mattress boasts a one-year trial, free shipping, a 25-year warranty and eco-friendly certifications, like:
Certi-PUR-US Certified memory foam
Eco-INSTITUT Certified natural latex
GREENGUARD Gold Certification by UL Environment
Certified Vegan by vegan.org
NOTE: We find it important to let you know that this mattress does contain a 2-inch layer of PU-based memory foam, which is petroleum-based. However, because the brand offsets its carbon emissions, tests with Eco Institut for emissions and content analysis, and this portion only accounts for half of the mattress, we decided to keep it on our list, while sharing the information you need to make a conscious decision. That said, we still consider the Brentwood Home Crystal Cove Mattress an eco-friendly and safe alternative that aligns well with our core values of sustainable and practical vegan living!
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Best Firm Vegan Mattress
FloBeds Vegan Mattresses
Price | $1,499.00 - $4,299.00
Ethos | GOTS Certified Organic Euro-Knit Cotton, 100% Oeko-Tex Certified Natural Talalay Latex, FSC Certified Ponderosa Pine Foundation, Certified B Corporation, Complies With Federal Open-Flame Standard, 20-Year Goldilocks Guarantee, 100-Day Money Back Guarantee, 20-Year Product Warranty.
These vegan, natural latex, nontoxic mattresses come in 3 varieties:
Vegan Select Natural Mattress (9”): 2 layers of Talalay latex, organic cotton cover, egg-crate topper.
Vegan Deluxe Natural Mattress (12”): 3 layers of Talalay latex, supports a wider range of body types.
Vegan vZone Natural Mattress (12”): targeted pressure relief, additional lumbar support.
FloBeds Vegan Mattresses are not just an alternative to wool-filled mattresses; they're a completely high-quality, cruelty free option. Made from organic materials like euro knit cotton, they're a great choice for anyone who wants to sleep on something that doesn't contain any animal byproducts. With this mattress, you’ll get a 20-year ‘mattress firmness’ guarantee, a 100 day money-back guarantee, and a 20-year warranty.
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Best Eco-Friendly Vegan Mattress
Avocado Vegan Mattress
Price | $1,099.00 - $2,099.00
Ethos | PETA-Approved Vegan, 100% GOTS Certified Organic Cotton, GOLS Organic Certified Latex, Made Safe Certified, GREENGUARD Gold Certified, Climate Neutral Certified, FSC Certified, Certified Vegan, 25-Year Warranty, No PU Foams or Polyester, Free From Toxic Fire Retardants.
An award-winning GOTS Certified Organic Cotton, GREENGUARD Gold Certified, GOLS Certified, Climate Neautral, and PETA-Approved, Certified Vegan mattress? You’ll want to take a look at this one! Featuring organic latex, organic cotton, and no polyurethane foam, polyester, or toxic flame retardants, Avocado Mattresses provide a balanced firmness level and support, as well as luxurious comfort! It’s needle-tufted by hand, with 1,414 steel coils in five ergonomic zones to alleviate pressure points and provide the right support for your back and body.
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Best Luxury Vegan Mattresses
Essentia Organic Mattresses
Price | $2,448.00 - $10,505.00
Ethos | GOTS 4.0 Factory Certification, OekoTex Certified, Green America Gold Certified, GOLS Organic Certified Latex, EuroLatex ECO-Standard, Beyond Organic, GREENGUARD Certified Adhesives, Independently Tested For VOC Emissions By Exova Labs, ISO Certified, Founding Member of Well Living Lab, Worker Safety Tested, Hippocrates Health Institute Approved, 20-Year Warranty, 120 Night Sleep Trial.
Choose from four different Essentia categories to find the right fit for you:
• Lifestyle: A vegan alternative made naturally with certified organic and natural materials to reduce your exposure to common toxins in your environment. Fiber batting and wool-free, as well as allergy-friendly, you won’t go wrong with this one!
• Performance Mattress: The “World’s Only Natural Memory Foam Mattress”, Essentia’s performance selection boasts a wide range of benefits, including improved blood circulation, posture support, spinal support, plus all of those included in their Lifestyle collection!
• Whole Body Recovery Mattress: You won’t find a vegan mattress like this anywhere else! Essentia’s whole body recovery mattresses help your body recover using its own healing abilities — the best and most natural method. With temperature control, carefully adjusted conditions to help you maintain deeper sleep, spinal support, pressure relief, and ‘zero-gravity’ comfort, you’ll achieve the best night’s sleep of your life!
• Hybrid Mattress: Incredible support and comfort and premium GOTS certified materials create the best sleep experience possible in Essentia’s Hybrid Mattress collection. Highly adaptable and supportive, this type of mattress provides pressure relief and edge support!
Not only do you have tons of options to choose from, but Essentia’s mattresses are also all made using GOLS and GOTS certified materials in a GOLS and GOTS certified factory! In addition, they are all 100% Vegan and Beyond Organic Certified! Take care of your health and that of our planet with this vegan product.
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Naturepedic EOS Trilux Organic Mattress
Price | $2,599.00 - $4,999.00
Ethos | GOTS Certified, Made Safe Certified, UL/GREENGUARD Certified and Validated Formaldehyde Free, Zero Toxics Registered Product, 1% For the Planet Members, 20-Year Limited Warranty, 90-Day Sleep Trial.
Although on the pricier side of our list, this Naturepedic vegan mattress provides an incredible, luxurious night’s sleep and customizable comfort levels! To make it vegan, simply contact them to order their “wool-free vegan” option. This firm mattress is Organic Certified by Control Union, Made Safe Certified, GREENGUARD Gold Certified, and a partner of 1% For The Planet! It also comes with a 20-year limited warranty, free shipping, and a 90-day trial!
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Plush Beds Natural Latex Mattress: The Natural Bliss
Price | $2,399.00 - $3,398.00
Ethos | Handcrafted In the U.S.A., 100% GOLS Certified Natural Latex, 100% GOTS Certified Organic Cotton Cover, GREENGUARD Gold Certified, Eco Institut Certified, USDA Certified Organic, 100-Night Sleep Trial.
This USA-handcrafted vegan mattress is made wool-free with a patented natural fire barrier, sustainable materials like certified organic cotton, and 100% natural latex. It's also free from synthetics and harmful chemical-based products. It’s also GOTS, Oeko-Tex Standard 100, and GREENGUARD Gold Certified! With tons of size, height, and firmness options, you can customize it to fit your unique individual needs. You’ll also get a 100-night free trial period, free shipping/returns, and a 25-year warranty with your mattress purchase!
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Products We Considered, And Why We Didn't Include Them
Vegan Cocopedic Coconut Mattress
The Vegan Cocopedic mattress is clean, sustainable, and has all the certifications to back it up. The problem we found was, it only has a 10-15 year life expectancy. Natural products can be longlasting, too, as our other picks clearly demonstrate! All of the mattresses we recommend offer a 20-25 year warranty. Buying a new mattress every decade, eco-friendly or not, does not fit our definition of sustainability.
Nest Bedding The Quail Love & Sleep Mattress
We also reviewed Nest Bedding's famous Love & Sleep Mattress, which has been promoted as a vegan mattress on various other sites. However, this brand shared little info about their mattress' materials. In fact, they don't mention 'vegan' anywhere on their site, except on a page where they mention an option to customize your mattress to make it vegan. However, we did not find this option on their site, so it could be an outdated blog post. Nonetheless, this suggests to us that their products are not vegan by default.
In addition, this company gives their materials names like "Thermic Phase Change Cooling Cover" or "Energex™ Temperature Responsive Foam", but ultimately gives buyers no info about the raw materials that go into each component. They say it's not made of latex, and there is no mention of organic cotton. Their foam is CertiPUR-US certified, and the product is GREENGUARD Gold certified for low chemical emissions, but this seems to be all the info they share. So, although this mattress is a bit more affordable than the products on our list, it can't seem to reliably back up the standards of ethics, quality, and safety we feel comfortable recommending.
Ready to experience the best sleep of your life, knowing that your health, the animals, and our planet were not harmed in the process? Clear your mind and drift into a deep sleep with any one of these incredible, natural, eco-friendly mattresses! Let us know which one caught your eye in the comments below. To your vegan success!
