Natural latex mattresses are an investment in healthy sleep: Öko-Test tested eleven models. We’ll show you which mattress test winners are worth your money.
A good and suitable mattress has a positive effect on your night’s sleep and helps prevent health problems such as back or hip pain. A mattress’s job is to support the spine while you sleep, keeping it in its natural position while you sleep and your muscles are not active.
No matter which mattress you choose, experts advise not to wait too long before investing in a new mattress. Although high-quality mattresses can last a long time if well cared for, they should usually be replaced after eight to ten years.
Mattress test winner 2025: Many “good” mattresses, but also harmful substances
The consumer magazine Öko-Test tested eleven natural latex mattresses for issue 12/2024 and republished the test results in the Öko-Test Guide to Building and Living 2025. If the manufacturers have announced changes in the meantime or new scientific findings have emerged, the mattresses were tested again.
The pleasing result: eight mattresses received a “good” grade, only three scored “satisfactory” or “sufficient”. However, no mattress made it to a “very good” rating and not all of them are free of pollutant residues.
Öko-Test found increased nitrosamine levels and optical brighteners in some models: Nitrosamines are considered carcinogenic and can evaporate from the mattress – problematic since we spend around a third of our lives in bed. Optical brighteners are difficult to degrade and pollute the environment. In addition, they are completely unnecessary for the function of a mattress and only serve to make the cover material appear whiter.
In the following section we have selected some of the best models from the test for you.
You can read all the test results of the latex mattress test in the Öko-Test ePaper.
Price-performance tip: Malie Pure Green natural latex
The “Malie Pure Green natural latex mattress” is our price-performance tip in the Öko-Test test field: It is the cheapest “good” model with no abnormalities in the pollutant test. Optical brighteners or increased nitrosamine levels could not be detected. The model is particularly suitable for medium-sized and medium-heavy people.
Buy: from around 760 euros at Belama, Betten Prinz or Amazon
Tip for tall and heavy people: LaModula latex mattress Julian
The “LaModula latex mattress Julian” was the only “good” mattress in the test, which according to Öko-Test is suitable for all body types – including tall and/or heavy people. While most other test winners are only recommended for small to medium-sized people, the LaModula also offers optimal support for heavier people. Here too, the pollutant test did not reveal any abnormalities. However, Öko-Test detected optical brighteners.
Buy: from around 1,040 euros at LaModula
You can read all the details and test results in the Öko-Test Guide to Building and Living 2025 or online at ökotest.de.
Natural latex mattresses: properties and special features
Natural latex mattresses are made from natural rubber and are considered a sustainable alternative to synthetic mattresses. They are characterized by their excellent point elasticity – this means that they only give in where they are put under pressure and should therefore adapt optimally to the contours of the body. This property makes them particularly interesting for people with pronounced body contours.
Advantages:
- Very good adaptation to the body due to high elasticity
- Durable and robust with good care
- Manufactured from renewable raw materials
- Suitable for allergy sufferers (with appropriate covers)
Disadvantages:
- Comparatively difficult
- Higher acquisition costs than other types of mattresses
- Typical latex smell that can be perceived as disturbing
- Less suitable for people who sweat heavily
Care tips for your natural latex mattress
To extend the life of your mattress and ensure a healthy sleep, regular care and attention to a few important points are essential.
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Regularly flip and rotate: Flip and rotate your mattress regularly to ensure even wear and prevent sagging. Important with natural latex mattresses: Since they are comparatively heavy, you should pay attention to grip loops when buying – this makes handling much easier.
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Use the right bed linen: Make sure not to use sheets that are too tight so as not to impair the elastic properties of the natural latex mattress. This property ultimately determines the quality of natural latex.
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Adequate ventilation: Ensure that the bedroom is well ventilated to remove moisture and prevent mold growth. For new natural latex mattresses: Allow the mattress to air out without bedding for a few days before first use to reduce the typical latex smell that occurs in almost all models.
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Cover care: Most covers can be machine washed at 30-60 degrees Celsius. Follow the manufacturer’s care instructions to avoid discoloration or shrinkage of the cover. A clean cover contributes to hygiene and reduces exposure to harmful substances.
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Use a mattress protector: You can use a mattress protector to additionally protect your mattress from dirt and moisture. You can wash this separately and potentially increase the lifespan of your mattress. You can get recommended mattress protectors online, for example from Allnatura, Lidl or Amazon
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If you have a house dust mite allergy: pay particular attention to good hygiene and wash the cover at at least 60 degrees Celsius to kill mites. Consider purchasing special allergy mattress covers that can provide additional protection. You can get such covers in different sizes online, for example from Otto or Amazon.
You can also find further tips to protect yourself from mites as an allergy sufferer in this article:
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