It seems like a new latex mattress comes out every week. This is not very surprising, as more and more sleepers are understanding the benefits of this material and all-natural mattresses in general. In short, all-natural mattresses are free of harmful chemicals, durable and eco-friendly.
Now, Helix has released its own latex hybrid mattress, the Birch Natural. It’s made with coils and memory foam, making it a good option for a variety of different sleepers.
This unbiased Birch mattress review will cover everything people need to know, including a full breakdown of the construction, pros and cons, firmness and feel, comfort, support, motion isolation, edge support, breathability, durability and much more.
Read on to see if the Birch is the right fit for you!
Birch Natural Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Warranty
25-year warranty
Price Range
$1373 - $2248
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Birch Natural Mattress
Birch is an eco-friendly mattress-in-a-box that’s made with natural latex and organic cotton and wool. It has a base layer of individually wrapped coils and comfort layers made with chemical-free latex foam.
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
25-year warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$1373 - $2248
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Birch Natural Mattress
Birch is an eco-friendly mattress-in-a-box that’s made with natural latex and organic cotton and wool. It has a base layer of individually wrapped coils and comfort layers made with chemical-free latex foam.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
25-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$1373 - $2248
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Birch Mattress Video Review
Birch Mattress Overview
Birch is an eco-friendly mattress-in-a-box that’s made with environmentally friendly materials such as natural latex and organic cotton and wool. It has a base layer of individually wrapped coils and comfort layers made with chemical-free latex foam.
Although Birch only sells two mattresses, customers have some customization options. If you prefer a firmer mattress, the original Birch Natural is the way to go. Those who want a softer mattress with a plush comfort layer can order a mattress cover or opt for the Birch Luxe mattress.
Just for context, you should know that I tested the Birch Natural mattress without a plush mattress topper.
Pros of the Birch Natural Mattress
- The Birch mattress has a bouncy feel that quickly responds to the sleeper’s body. You will feel like you are sleeping on top of the mattress rather than feeling stuck inside it.
- Most back and stomach sleepers will receive enough comfort and support from its foam and innerspring layers.
- This mattress boasts several certifications that guarantee it is made from all-natural, fair-trade textiles without harmful chemicals or pollutants. Its cover is made with Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified organic cotton and its Talalay latex is eco-INSTITUT certified for emitting no harmful pollutants during the manufacturing process.
- Mattresses with a hybrid construction are ideal for hot sleepers. The Birch also features an organic wool layer and a ventilated latex comfort layer to provide extra breathability.
Cons of the Birch Natural Mattress
- The Birch mattress is slightly firmer than average, which means it’s not a good match for most side sleepers. Side sleepers need a softer mattress for their shoulders and hips to gently sink into its comfort layer.
- The bouncy feel of this mattress makes for some high motion transfer. If you’re a couple worried about feeling each other’s movements on your side of the bed, I might look elsewhere.
- Fans of a slow-moving memory foam feel will find the Birch mattress too bouncy and responsive for their preferences.
Overall Rating
Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches personally test each mattress in categories such as materials, comfort, cooling, and support. Hover over the icons to learn more about these different topics, or scroll down for a more detailed analysis on each one.
Note: Motion transfer is beneficial for those who share the bed and don’t want to be woken up by another’s movements. Looking for a mattress that better absorbs motion? Check out our Best Mattresses for Couples.
Birch Mattress Firmness and Feel
Firmness and feel are two of the most important factors when deciding on a new mattress. Let’s dive a little further into how the Birch performs in these areas.
How Firm is the Birch Mattress?
I tried the Birch without the pillow-top and thought it was close to a 7/10 on the Mattress Clarity mattress firmness scale. The industry standard for medium firm is a 6.5/10, so the Birch is slightly firmer than average. The wool layers and latex are somewhat soft, but once you push down into the mattress, you hit some firmer support layers.
Sleeping On The Birch Mattress
While back-sleeping, the Birch was a good fit for me. My hips sank into the wool and latex layers, but they didn’t sink in too far. In addition, I felt the latex foam pressing up into my lumbar area to give me some cushioning and help prevent lower back pain.
When I was side sleeping, the mattress was too firm for me. So if you’re a side sleeper, it might be worth opting for the pillow-top. This will give you much better pressure relief on your shoulders and hips. In fact, the pillow-top version often lands on this roundup of the best mattresses for side sleepers.
While I was stomach sleeping, the Birch without the pillow-top was very supportive. I felt well-aligned, and the mattress did not allow me to bow in at the hips. I found it to be one of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers.
What Does the Birch Mattress Feel Like?
The Birch has a feel that you find with most latex mattresses—very bouncy. The combination of latex and coils make the mattress extremely responsive, so it’s easy to move around. You should sleep on top of the mattress without sinking in too far.
However, if you do decide to go with the pillow-top, this will give the mattress a plusher feel on top.
| Sleeper Weight | Back Sleepers | Side Sleepers | Stomach Sleepers |
| Lightweight (Under 130 lb) | Excellent | Good | Fair |
| Average (130 – 230 lb) | Excellent | Bad | Excellent |
| Heavyweight (Over 230 lb) | Excellent | Bad | Fair |
Is the Birch Mattress Good For Lightweight People (Under 130 lb)?
- Lightweight sleepers should find the Birch to be very comfortable while they’re back sleeping. It will have just the right amount of support for these sleepers.
- Side sleepers who weigh less than 130 lb will likely find the Birch too be too firm. They’d do better with the pillow top version, which would provide some initial cushioning.
- Since lightweight sleepers won’t sink deeply into the top of the mattress, their hips will be well-supported when stomach sleeping.
Is the Birch Mattress Good For Average Weight People (130 – 230 lb)?
- Average weight back sleepers should feel very comfortable on the Birch mattress. The latex foam provides nice contouring for the lower back, and the latex layers allow hips to slightly sink into the mattress.
- Those who weigh between 130 and 230 lb may find the Birch mattress feels too firm while they’re side sleeping. Similar to lightweight sleepers, these sleepers may prefer the Birch mattress with the optional pillow-top.
- Stomach sleepers should feel well-supported on the Birch mattress without the pillow-top. The firmness level prevents hips from dipping too far into the top layer, which helps keep the body in alignment.
Is the Birch Mattress Good For Heavyweight People (Over 230 lb)?
- Heavyweight back sleepers should find that the Birch mattress offers a great deal of comfort. The firm construction can easily support heavier weights, and it allows heavy sleepers’ hips to sink into the top layer the right amount.
- While side-sleeping, heavyweight sleepers may find that the Birch mattress adds too much pressure on their shoulders and hips. Generally, side sleepers will want a mattress with a substantial comfort layer that can ease pain on pressure points.
- The Birch mattress may not be a great fit for heavier stomach sleepers, as the mattress isn’t supportive enough to keep the body in proper alignment. Instead, they should take a look at the best mattresses for heavy people.
Birch Mattress Construction
What’s the Birch mattress made with, exactly? Let’s take a look at its construction, layer by layer.
Cover
The cover is made of organic cotton and feels soft, stretchy and breathable.
Comfort Layers
There’s a layer of wool underneath the organic cotton cover, which helps keep the top of the mattress soft and breathable. It also makes the Birch a flame-retardant mattress, which should give you peace of mind when it come to sleeping not only soundly, but safely.
Next, you’ll find a layer of ventilated Talalay latex for even more pressure relief. Like most latex, this layer feels responsive and allows people to sleep on top of the mattress rather than “in” it.
You can choose to add a mattress topper to your Birch Natural mattress. The pillow-top adds 3” of comfort, so you should feel better pressure relief on your shoulders and hips.
Support Layer
The support layer consists of individually wrapped coils, which are highly supportive, durable and breathable. They rest on a base layer made of wool batting.
Mattress Height
The Birch mattress is 11” tall. The additional mattress topper will add another 3” to the height of the Birch mattress.
Birch Mattress Size Options and Price
Check out this handy chart to learn more about Birch’s size options and price levels.
| Size | Dimensions | Price |
| Twin | 39" x 75" | $1373.80 |
| Twin XL | 39" x 80" | $1498.80 |
| Full | 54" x 75" | $1686.30 |
| Queen | 60" x 80" | $1873.80 |
| King | 76" x 80" | $2248.80 |
| California King | 72" x 84" | $2248.80 |
Birch is an eco-friendly mattress-in-a-box that’s made with natural latex and organic cotton and wool. It has a base layer of individually wrapped coils and comfort layers made with chemical-free latex foam.
Use code SPRING20 and save 20% off sitewide + 2 free pillows with mattress purchase
Birch Mattress Performance
Now, let’s take a deeper look at the Birch mattress’ performance. Read on to learn about its cooling features, motion transfer and edge support.
Sleeping Hot or Cold
The Birch should be a cooler-sleeping mattress. The Birch is a hybrid mattress, and the coils promote airflow through the mattress, making it very breathable. The wool and aerated latex also add some breathability to the top of the mattress. Hot sleepers should take a look at the Birch without question.
Motion Transfer
When it comes to handling motion transfer, latex and coils are not really the best materials. If you want a mattress to cut down on the disturbances made by a sleeping partner, memory foam or some soft foam is usually a better choice.
To test out the Birch’s motion-isolation capabilities, I placed a glass of water on the mattress. When I pressed into the other areas of the mattress, I saw quite a bit of disturbance. Also, I laid down on the mattress while Marten got in and out of bed and mimicked the movements of another sleeper, and I definitely felt his movements on my side of the bed. This is fairly common with latex mattresses, as they tend to be more responsive and springier than other beds.
All of this is especially worth considering if you sleep with a partner, and one or both of you is easily woken up at night. Those who want the best mattress for couples will probably some motion transfer on the Birch. While that may not be a deal-breaker for many folks, it’s still something to keep in mind.
As you’ll see, the Birch has some selling points for couples as well. So let’s go into some of those.
Edge Support
If you’re looking for a couples mattress, you should also think about edge support. Will you be able to sleep toward the edge of the mattress, or will you have to sleep closer to the middle?
When I sit on the edge of the Birch, I don’t feel like I’m going to pitch forward. I feel secure enough to lean over and tie my shoes. I also feel like I can lie down close to the edge without feeling like I am going to fall off.
People can see the good edge support in the photo below.
Durability
The Birch Natural is made with high quality and durable materials that shouldn’t sag over time. Because of this, I expect it to last 7–10 years.
RELATED: Best Mattresses that Won’t Sag
Off-Gassing
It’s common to notice a slight smell when opening a new mattress. Because the Birch is made with all-natural materials, however, I did not smell any chemical odor. Off-gassing should not be an issue with this mattress.
Noise
The only component that could possibly create sound is the coil layer, and it was not squeaking when I tested the Birch mattress. Overall, I think this will be a quiet mattress.
Sex
Couples looking for one of the best mattresses for sex should consider the Birch. This mattress is very firm and bouncy, making it easy to move around and change positions. Partners will feel like they are lying on top of the mattress rather than inside it.
Company Policies
Before investing in a new mattress, it’s always a good idea to read the company’s fine print. Let’s take a closer look at the Birch’s warranty information, sleep trial and return policy.
Warranty Info
Birch offers a 25-year warranty. For the first 10 years, Birch offers a full warranty. From years 11–25, customers will have limited prorated coverage.
Sleep Trial
Birch offers a 100-night sleep trial.
Old Mattress Removal
Birch has partnered with LoadUp to give customers the option to add a mattress removal service to their purchase. This way, customers don’t have to deal with the hassle of getting ride of their old bed.
Return Policy
If you aren’t happy with your Birch mattress during the sleep trial, you can return it for a full refund. Birch recommends customers try out their bed for at least a month, because it often takes a few weeks to determine whether a new mattress is a good fit.
Common Birch Mattress Complaints
The Birch mattress has received many positive reviews, but a few reviewers claimed it was not firm enough for their liking. If you are back sleeping or stomach sleeping on a mattress that is too soft, your mattress could be causing hip and back pain from the lack of support.
Some reviewers also mentioned that the mattress’ latex comfort layer made it unusually bouncy. How responsive your mattress should be is up to personal preference, although bouncier mattresses tend to also be firmer and better for back and stomach sleeping.
How Does The Birch Natural Compare To Other Mattresses?
There are tons of bed-in-a-box brands out there. Before pulling out your wallet, it’s a good idea to check out some of the mattress’ competitors. Let’s see how Birch stacks up in comparison to other popular options.
Birch Mattress Vs. Avocado
Product
Firmness
Score
Product
Avocado Green MattressFirmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10Score
Both the Birch and Avocado mattresses are made with organic materials, so they’re great options for those who want to be green. I found the Avocado mattress to be slightly firmer than the Birch, making it a better option for stomach sleepers.
In terms of construction, the Birch and Avocado are very similar. Both options have layers of coils and memory foam. The base models are both 11” tall, with the option to add an additional pillow-top. The Birch mattress topper is more plush than the Avocado, making it a great option for side sleepers. I found the Avocado mattress is better at isolating motion, while the Birch has better cooling features.
The two mattresses have similar price ranges, but the Birch is slightly more affordable when you apply coupons.
| Who Should Choose the Birch Mattress? | Who Should Choose the Avocado Mattress? |
| Those who want a firmer mattress | Side sleepers |
| Hot sleepers | People looking for a long-term investment |
Read our full Avocado mattress review.
Birch Mattress Vs. My Green Mattress
Product
Firmness
Score
Product
My Green Mattress Natural EscapeFirmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10Score
Both the Birch and My Green Mattresses are great picks for those who want a bed made with non-toxic materials. Those looking for a variety of options may want to consider My Green Mattress, because they have all-foam, latex-free and hybrid mattresses.
My Green Mattress’ Natural Escape is the most similar to the Birch because it’s made with coils and memory foam. Both mattresses feel responsive and bouncy, but I found the Birch mattress feels more supportive. The Birch has better edge support and cooling features, while My Green Mattress is better at isolating motion.
| Who Should Choose the Birch Mattress? | Who Should Choose the My Green Mattress? |
| Hot sleepers who want a ventilated latex comfort layer | Couples looking for good motion isolation |
| Heavier back and stomach sleepers | Those looking for a zoned support system |
Read our full My Green Mattress Natural Escape review.
The Takeaway
The Birch mattress is one of the best organic mattresses I’ve ever reviewed. Most back sleepers and average weight stomach sleepers will find a balance of comfort of support on its responsive latex comfort layer. Its hybrid construction and pocketed coils give it a bouncy feel, which may not work for couples or fans of a slow-moving memory foam feel.
FAQs
How firm in the Birch mattress?
In our testing, I found the Birch mattress to be slightly firmer than average, making it a good fit for back sleepers.
Can you flip the Birch mattress?
No, you cannot flip a Birch mattress. It is designed with coil layers on the bottom and memory foam on top. Flipping it would alter the intended firmness and feel.
What if I don’t like my Birch mattress?
If, during the initial 100-day sleep trial period, you decide you don’t like the Birch mattress, you can return it for a full refund. Birch Mattress asks its customers to test out the mattress for at least a month before returning, because it often takes people several weeks to determine whether it’s the right fit for them.
