Do you sleep vegan? I’m not talking about dreaming about the perfect vegan burger – I mean vegan mattresses! If you’re wondering what on earth a vegan mattress is, and why a mattress WOULDN’T be vegan, it’s usually because of wool, a fact I only learned when I was mattress shopping myself (in spite of over a decade of being vegan).
But thanks to these brands you don’t need to worry – I’ve reviewed the best vegan mattresses, after carefully ensuring each mattress is vegan.
The best vegan mattresses:
Presidents Day Sale (until 2/29): $1,250 off Mattresses!
Price: $2799 - $3898
Firmness: medium or medium-firm
Price: $1034 - $2158
Firmness: Firm (one side), soft (other side)
Table of Contents
Vegan Mattress Comparison Table
4.6
|
4.2
|
4.1
|
3.9
|
$2799 - $3898
|
$1034 - $2158
|
$1399 - $2699
|
$659 - $1459
|
5.0
|
3.0
|
5.0
|
3.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
4.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
3.5
|
3.0
|
3.5
|
2.0
|
5.0
|
4.5
|
4.5
|
3.5
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
4.0
|
4.0
|
3.0
|
How we rate mattresses
- Off-gassing/materials – How long does it off-gas? Are the materials eco-friendly and safe?
- Coolness – how cool is the surface
- Length of the guarantee
- Motion transference
- Pressure relief
- Durability/lifespan
- Is it vegan? (ALL mattresses on this list are vegan!)
Each mattress received a rating out of 5 stars for each factor, and then a total rating.
Best Vegan Mattresses
You used to have to get a wool-free mattress on prescription from a doctor (!), a fact I only learned while researching this article. Thankfully, it’s much easier these days.
Mattresses are usually made out of polyurethane foam or latex and while you no longer need a prescription, many mattresses still contain wool as well.
Thankfully, more and more mattress companies are eschewing wool and making vegan mattresses, but if you go into the nearest mattress store near you, you’ll probably find they haven’t (yet) put big vegan labels on their mattresses.
So I’ve put together this list of vegan mattresses for you!
Read on to see the best vegan mattress brands for your vegan bedroom.
PlushBeds Vegan Natural Latex Mattress
Off-gassing | Cooling | Motion Transference | Pressure Relief | Lifespan | Guarantee | Total |
5 | 5 | 3 | 4.5 | 5 | 5 | 4.6 |
Pros
✅ 100% natural organic Talalay latex, offering pressure relief
✅ GOTS certified 100% organic cotton cover
✅ Uses the PlushBeds Eco Fire Barrier (fiberglass-free & made of plant fibers)
✅ GreenGuard Gold certified
✅ No mercury, lead, heavy metals, cyanide or PBDE flame retardants
✅ Latex is a naturally cool sleeping surface, traps less heat than memory foam
✅ Choose from medium (side sleepers) & medium-firm (275lb+ sleepers, stomach or back sleepers)
✅ Made in California
✅ 25 year guarantee
Cons
❌ Expensive
❌ Not as much motion isolation (if sleeping with a partner who moves a lot) as a memory foam mattress
PlushBeds’ mattresses are made in the US.
The PlushBeds Natural Bliss mattress is their vegan mattress option, made with 100% natural GOLS organic certified latex, and a GOTS 100% organic certified cotton cover. It’s hypoallergenic and wool-free and it’s our top pick of mattresses.
The latex foam PlushBeds use is GOLS certified organic and the cover is USDA certified organic cotton. The cover has their patented, fiberglass-free Eco Fire Barrier, made of plant-based fibers, and the cover is breathable and helps you maintain a cool body temperature.
This vegan latex mattress is also GreenGuard Gold certified, meaning it isn’t emitting harmful chemicals into the air your breathe. This is why this mattress got a 5/5 on off-gassing. Off-gassing occurs when a mattress releases VOC (volatile organic compounds) into the air. Have you ever heard of “new car smell”? That’s VOCs!
If you’ve ever noticed a new mattress or chair emitting a faint chemical smell, that’s off-gassing. Memory foam mattresses release the most, while latex releases least. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says VOCs can cause irritation, headaches and liver/nervous system damage. Therefore, opting for a mattress made of latex like this one can be a good idea from the perspective of VOCs. If you do end up choosing a mattress that off-gasses, try to leave it somewhere like a garage for a few weeks so it can off-gas without causing problems to you.
The PlushBeds vegan organic mattress doesn’t contain any mercury, lead, heavy metals, PBDE flame retardants or cyanide.
The layers of this organic vegan mattress are: the organic cotton cover, the Eco Fire Barrier, the 100% natural Talalay latex comfort layer and the organic Arpico latex support core.
You can choose between varying thicknesses (6″, 8″ or 10″) and medium or medium-firm, as well as the full range of bed sizes from twin to California King.
Latex offers a naturally cool sleeping experience, which is why I recommend it for anyone who wants a cool surface to sleep on. Talalay latex is also fairly good for pressure relief (though memory foam has a slight edge).
These vegan mattresses made in California are handcrafted and come with a 25-year warranty. They also offer a 100 night sleep trial money back guarantee. Latex mattresses last a really long time and are one of the most durable materials for mattresses.
Shipping is free in the continental US (for other areas call them).
While latex is a great eco-friendly option, if your partner tosses and turns a lot in the night and wakes you, I’d recommend a memory foam mattress like the Emma mattress instead, as memory foam has better motion isolation than latex.
This is my top choice for the best vegan mattress. With over 200 reviews with an average rating of 4.9/5 stars, most customers seem to love their mattress, with comments like “it’s soft, yet provides perfect support.”
The only downside is price (if you’re looking for something less expensive, I recommend an Emma mattress instead), but if you’re looking for a latex mattress made without chemicals, this is our top pick.
Brentwood Home Crystal Cove vegan flippable mattress
Off-gassing | Cooling | Motion Transference | Pressure Relief | Lifespan | Guarantee | Total |
3 | 5 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 4 | 5 | 4.2 |
Pros
✅ 100% organic Dunlop latex
✅ Flippable, with softer side & firmer side
✅ Softer side with memory foam for pressure relief
✅ GreenGuard Gold certified
✅ Less expensive than PlushBeds mattress, which is also GreenGuard Gold certified (though it uses less expensive materials)
✅ No heavy metals, phthalates, formaldehyde or toxic flame retardants
✅ Made in Los Angeles
✅ 25 year limited warranty
Cons
❌ Hybrid, so contains coils (some people prefer a mattress without coils)
❌ Memory foam less eco-friendly than other materials, eg all natural latex
This charcoal infused memory foam mattress is wool-free and vegan.
The Brentwood Home Crystal Cove mattress is a dual-sided hybrid mattress, with up to 975 pocketed coils. It also contains Dunlop 100% organic latex.
It’s free from toxic flame retardants, heavy metals, phthalates and formaldehyde.
In spite of this, due to having a memory foam layer, that means it will have an off-gassing period, which is why it only received 3/5 in the off-gassing category.
As I mentioned before, VOCs, aka volatile organic compounds, are potentially harmful smells emitted which can negatively impact indoor air quality and your health. If you opt for this mattress, try to store it somewhere like a garage for a month or so (or until it no longer smells like chemicals) while it off-gasses. If you prefer a mattress you can use right away that won’t emit VOCs, a 100% natural latex mattress like the one from PlushBeds is a better choice.
It is made in Los Angeles and comes with a 25 year limited warranty. It’s also 100% carbon offset.
Brentwood Home supports several charitable initiatives, including planting 10,000 trees, and for every bed sold they donate a ReliefBed for homeless residents and people needing shelter during a natural disaster.
Personally, I’m not very into products that proclaim they use charcoal – it seems like a trend and often meaningless – however, charcoal does absorb odours so perhaps in a mattress it’s a good thing.
Because this wool free mattress is made of memory foam, it’s not as eco-friendly as some other options like the PlushBeds vegan mattress, but it does mean that it’s better suited to couples if your partner tosses and turns a lot in the night. Memory foam has much lower motion transference than other mattress materials.
Memory foam is made of polyurethane (plastic), rendering it not the most eco-friendly material. Latex mattresses are more eco-friendly, so if you’re looking for the most sustainable mattress option, I recommend the PlushBeds vegan mattress instead.
This mattress is a hybrid, meaning it has coils. Springs can provide a bouncier surface, and better airflow, than other mattress types, but it can tend to sag and doesn’t tend to be as well suited to heavier sleepers. Coil mattresses also don’t tend to last as long, and can be noisy, which is why some people prefer a foam mattress. This mattress is a hybrid, so has both coils and foam.
The mattress has an average rating of 4.8/5 stars with over 200 reviews.
Avocado vegan mattress
Off-gassing | Cooling | Motion Transference | Pressure Relief | Lifespan | Guarantee | Total |
5 | 5 | 2 | 3.5 | 4 | 5 | 4.1 |
Pros
✅ GOTS certified organic cotton
✅ PETA approved vegan
✅ GOLS certified Dunlop organic latex
✅ GreenGuard Gold certified
✅ Less expensive than PlushBeds mattress, which is also GreenGuard Gold certified (though it uses less expensive materials)
✅ Choose from the medium-firm standard, or the gentle-firm pillowtop
✅ Handmade in Los Angeles
✅ 25 year limited warranty
Cons
❌ Only comes in medium-firm or gentle-firm
❌ Hybrid, so contains coils (some people prefer a mattress without coils)
❌ Spring mattresses tend to last longer than memory foam, but not as long as all-latex mattresses
The Avocado vegan mattress is a mix of GOLS certified latex, GOTS certified organic cotton and up to 1,414 support coils. The mattress is made in America, is vegan and is PETA approved. They don’t use polyurethane foam, polyester or toxic fire retardants. It is also hand-tufted and GreenGuard Gold certified. It’s handmade in Los Angeles.
If you’re looking for a latex mattress that won’t off-gas (emit VOCs, or Volatile Organic Compounds, which can be harmful to health and indoor air quality) but have a limited budget, this is the mattress I’d recommend. Similarly to the PlushBeds latex mattress, it gets 5/5 stars as it doesn’t emit VOCs.
It won’t last as long as a 100% latex mattress like PlushBeds, because it’s a hybrid (it has springs as well as a latex layer), and hybrid mattresses don’t tend to last as long as springs don’t have as long of a lifespan. A hybrid mattress will typically last 7 to 10 years, while a natural latex mattress has a lifespan of 15 to 20 years.
Choose between the standard mattress, which is medium-firm and suitable for back and stomach sleepers, or the pillowtop mattress (with an additional layer of latex rubber foam), suitable for all side and combination sleepers and is gentle firm.
With over 800 reviews, this mattress has an average rating of 4.6/5, with customers saying it feels like “sleeping on a cloud.”
Emma vegan memory foam mattress
Off-gassing | Cooling | Motion Transference | Pressure Relief | Lifespan | Guarantee | Total |
3 | 3.5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3.9 |
Pros
✅ Zero motion transference so it’s perfect if you’re a light sleeper or you partner moves a lot
✅ Memory foam is good for joint or back pain, pressure relief
✅ Suitable for all sleepers (back, side, stomach, combination)
✅ Trusted by 2 million sleepers in 26 countries
✅ More affordable option (foam tends to cost less than a latex mattress)
✅ Great reviews from Emma customers
✅ 10 year guarantee
Cons
❌ Memory foam traps more heat than a latex mattress
❌ Memory foam less eco-friendly than other materials, eg all natural latex
❌ Some sleepers don’t like the feel of memory foam “holding” their shape
❌ Memory foam mattresses last as long as spring mattresses, but not as long as latex
If you’re looking for vegan memory foam mattresses, then look no further. Emma makes a memory foam mattress that’s vegan too! (And is available in 26 countries around the world. UK readers: Click here for the UK website.)
I have an Emma hybrid from Emma UK (which I paid for myself) and have been sleeping on for 115 nights so far. I selected it because I’m in the UK and the other mattresses on this list aren’t available here, and also because memory foam is good for zero motion transference – and when you share your bed with a very bouncy dog, that’s a very good thing.
I find the mattress incredibly comfortable, and personally I didn’t have an adjustment period (it was comfortable from the first night) – but one thing I wish I knew before I bought it was just how long it takes to off-gas (this is the smell new mattresses emit). I was very lucky in that I purchased the mattress while doing home renovations and staying with friends, so it had a full month to stop smelling before I started sleeping on it – and it took the entire month. If you can, I’d advise putting yours in a garage or a spare room for a month before swapping it for your old mattress.
The Emma Original mattress is made with German engineered memory foam and is suitable for ALL sleepers (back, stomach, side, combination) and body types. It also has zero motion transfer.
They offer free delivery and a frontline worker discount. It has a 100-day free trial and a 10 year guarantee.
They have good customer reviews on Trustpilot, and customers are happy with their mattress. I’d just like to see a more eco-friendly option from them.
This is my top pick of mattress for light sleepers who sleep with a partner who moves a lot in the night. Thanks to the memory foam, which has much lower motion transference than latex mattresses, you’ll feel their movements a lot less. Memory foam is also great if you have any back or joint pain.
However, if you tend to run hot while sleeping or live in a hot and humid climate without air conditioning, memory foam may not be for you as it traps heat. One thing to note is that the Emma Original mattress is all foam and so it can be hot depending on the climate of where you live. Their hybrid mattress is designed to sleep cooler (this is what I got, but I haven’t yet slept on it during the summer, so watch this space).
As mentioned before, memory foam (made of polyurethane) is not the most eco-friendly option. A latex mattress will stay cooler at night and is a lot more eco-friendly – if you have the budget for it that is (it will be double or triple the price). Personally, I didn’t have the budget for a latex mattress, which is why I went for the Emma mattress in the end (plus I have a very bouncy dog, so I a mattress with zero motion transference was a benefit).
More vegan mattresses
The Futon Shop vegan mattress collection
The Futon Shop has a selection of vegan mattresses, such as their Vegan Cocomax non toxic mattress which is made of GOLS certified organic coconut coir, or their Organic Cotton Plus Latex mattress.
FloBeds
Flo Beds is a family owned business that has been making mattresses since 1971 and they have three vegan mattress options: the Vegan Select Natural mattress, the Vegan Duluxe Natural mattress and the Vegan vZone natural mattress.
More plant based mattress options:
Gardner mattress: organic vegan option
Naturepedic vegan mattress on request – Naturepedic will make a vegan mattress, on request only (you need to contact them and ask for wool-free vegan options)
IKEA Hirasund mattress & Tistedal topper (according to this interview with Vegconomist, these two IKEA products are vegan, if you’re looking for an affordable vegan mattress option)
Cozy Pure (on request) – Cozy Pure will make a wool free vegan mattress on request
Vegan mattress UK options
Emma mattress
Best: vegan mattress UK
The Emma memory foam mattress, is vegan and it’s the mattress I own (I have the hybrid version, which I paid for myself).
The Emma Original mattress is suitable for all sleepers, whether you sleep on your back, side or stomach, and is ideal for you if you wake up easily because it has zero motion transfer.
The hybrid incorporates springs and is designed to be less hot (the Original is all foam, which as a material tends to run hot). I haven’t yet slept on it in summer but it’s been fine for me in winter!
It has a 200-day free trial and a 10-year guarantee.
They offer free delivery. They give a key worker discount and a student discount.
This is my top pick of UK vegan mattresses.
More vegan mattresses UK:
Cottonsafe vegan mattress (Vegan Society certified)
IKEA: Hirasund mattress
IKEA vegan mattress topper: Tistedal
Photo by charlesdeluvio on Unsplash
FAQ
Are mattresses vegan? If not, why aren’t mattresses vegan?
Some mattresses are vegan! However, some aren’t, usually due to wool being used as one of the layers or for the top covering — because it’s breathable and therefore good for temperature regulation.
Thankfully, many mattress manufacturers now offer an alternative with cotton or organic cotton, which is a naturally breathable and vegan material!
Wool is also sometimes used in mattresses as a fire retardant in lieu of chemical fire retardants.
Vegan-friendly mattress manufacturers have found a number of alternatives, thankfully, such as PlushBeds Eco Fire Barrier, using plant-based fibers as a fire retardant.
Avocado mattresses use graphite instead of wool; graphite powder is naturally fire resistant.
Some mattresses also contain down or feathers in the mattress topper. As well as not being vegan, have you ever had the experience of a feather poking you from inside a pillow or duvet? It’s really unpleasant and thankfully the best vegan beds are even more comfortable because you are guaranteed not to have a feather scratch you in the middle of the night!
The vegan mattress options in this post are free from animal products and instead use materials like organic latex, organic cotton, hemp, coconut and/or memory foam instead.
What makes a mattress vegan?
A vegan mattress is, simply, a mattress free from any animal products. Some mattresses on this list have even been certified vegan by PETA or the Vegan Society.
When buying a mattress, check if it contains any animal products (most commonly wool or down/feathers).
While mattress shops haven’t started labelling vegan mattresses (yet), you might be able to find an accidentally vegan mattress at a mattress shop near you. Or, choose from the list in this post and order your mattress online!
Most come with a trial period so you can return them if you need to; so even if you don’t get to try them out in-store you won’t be stuck with one if it doesn’t work for you.
Is memory foam vegan? What is a plant based memory foam mattress?
Memory foam is vegan; it’s made out of polyurethane. So, you can’t rest assured a memory foam mattress is vegan, if perhaps not the most eco option.
A plant based foam mattress is a relatively new invention wherein part of the memory foam is made out of bio-based oils and is purported to be more eco friendly, but this can vary by the percentage of bio oils used so I recommend checking this.
If you’re looking for a more eco friendly mattress option the best option is natural latex and organic cotton, like this PlushBeds mattress.
Are Nectar mattresses vegan?
Nectar says their mattresses are eco-friendly and made with tencel and a vegetable-based polyurethane cover, cotton, wood-based cellulose, gel memory foam and base foam, but they don’t use the word vegan, so it’s best to ask about the model you’re looking at to be sure. Try Emma mattresses instead, as they’re vegan.
Are Casper mattresses vegan?
Casper’s UK website states they are vegan, so yes – in the UK!
Are Emma mattresses vegan?
Yes! Emma mattresses state on their FAQ that their mattresses are 100% vegan and free from animal products.
Is Avocado mattress vegan?
Some of Avocado’s mattresses are vegan but not all! They have one vegan mattress that is very clearly called vegan (kudos to them for this!): the Avocado vegan mattress. This is their wool-free vegan option.
Be sure to select the vegan mattress! They used to have a second vegan model but have discontinued it as they say they’re modifying the range (fingers crossed they come out with more vegan models).
What should you look for in a mattress?
There are a few factors to consider when looking at a mattress and certain kinds of mattress (material/type and firmness) better suit back, side and stomach sleepers or combination sleepers, and also depending on the weight of the sleeper. First of all, mattress type:
- Innerspring – these were traditionally the most popular but other types have become more popular in recently years. They tend to be less expensive but don’t always have the best motion isolation or pressure relief.
- Foam – memory foam mattresses have become very popular in recent years. They tend to mould to the body and thus offer good motion isolation as well as pressure relief; they’re good for couples and side sleepers.
- Hybrid – these have a combination of springs and foam or latex. They are good for heat dissipation and also offer a bit of bounce. They’re good for all positions of sleepers, depending on sleeper’s build.
- Latex – natural and organic latex is a great option for eco-friendly mattresses. They have a good bounce, tend to last a long time and offer some contouring to the body.
- Airbed – the first thing that springs to my mind when I hear airbed is an inflatable mattress used for guests or camping, but airbed mattresses have air as their support core with other layers. They are good for couples because each can set the firmness on their own side.
Firmness
Another factor to consider is firmness. Mattress firmness is measured on a scale of 1 to 10. Different levels of firmness suit different builds of sleeper as well as sleep positions. However, it’s also down to individual preference and may vary depending on preference and other factors such as injuries or back pain.
Side sleepers generally do better with a softer mattress.
Back sleepers tend to prefer a medium firm mattress.
Stomach sleepers, on the other hand, benefit from a firm mattress, as do those who have back pain or weigh over 230 pounds.
Combination sleepers should choose based on the position they most frequently sleep in during the night, or go for medium to medium firm as a compromise.
For couples in which one partner tosses and turns a lot, a medium firm mattress tends to isolate motion better, as do memory foam, latex and innerspring mattresses.
Airbeds with dual chambers allow you and your partner to choose the firmness of your preference on your side of the bed.
Allergy considerations
You may also want to consider allergies. Latex and foam are both antimicrobial and dust mite resistant, and be sure you use an allergen free cover (organic cotton is good for many people).
Eco-friendliness
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly option, natural organic latex and organic cotton are great picks, as is hemp, a very eco-friendly material.
Look for certification such as GOLS organic latex and GOTS organic cotton.
If you’re concerned about chemicals and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) look for certifications such as CERTI-PUR or GreenGuard Gold.
Durability
I also recommend (whether for eco reasons or budget reasons!) purchasing the best quality, longest-lasting mattress you can afford.
Many come with long-term warranties which is a good sign. A good mattress should last you many years.
To make your mattress last longer, rotate it head to toe (if suitable for the type of mattress you have), use a mattress protector, regularly wash bedding, use the proper support/base and clean your mattress with the vacuum (as well as cleaning up any spills as needed).
While rotating the mattress head to toe is a good idea, flipping it over may not be. Many older mattresses needed to be flipped, many newer ones have a comfort layer that mean they shouldn’t be (the comfort layer is meant to be on top), so check your mattress type.
Pin this for later
Looking for more vegan decor? Check out my guides to vegan furniture and to all vegan sofas. Find my more specific guides to vegan leather sofas and vegan leather chairs.
If you want to make your bedroom extra cosy, find my guide to vegan candles.
Want to veganise your wardrobe too? I’ve got guides to vegan clothes, vegan shoes and vegan handbags.
Find all my vegan lifestyle guides.
Main photo: Photo by Antonio Caverzan on Unsplash