Organic pocket coil mattresses versus organic latex mattresses : which is better?

Organic pocket coil mattresses have become much more popular recently. For years, organic latex mattresses have dominated the market. Now you have an additional organic option — and both have advantages and disadvantages including cost, customization options, and mattress support. But first, if you aren't familiar with the construction of a pocket coil or latex mattress, here is a brief overview.

What Is an Organic Pocket Coil Mattress?

An organic pocket coil mattress is made with a base of individually pocketed support coils — metal springs that are individually wrapped in and connected by fabric. This is different from a traditional spring mattress where all springs are tied together with steel wire. In a traditional spring mattress, when one person moves, the other side of the mattress moves as well. With a pocket coil mattress, since the springs are held together with fabric rather than wire, there is less motion transfer between partners as well as more accurate support and pressure relief. As one body part sinks in, the coils compress in that specific location. The base of pocket coils is often covered with a layer of natural latex (also called an organic hybrid mattress), and the entire mattress is then covered with an organic cotton and wool encasement.

What Is an Organic Latex Mattress?

An organic latex mattress is made with either a single layer or, more often, multiple layers of natural latex that can be customized to a specific firmness level. The natural latex layers are then covered with an organic cotton and wool mattress encasement. An all-latex mattress is also excellent for dampening motion transfer between partners.

Cost

One advantage of an organic pocket coil mattress is cost. Generally, pocket coil mattresses are more economical than an all-organic latex mattress. For someone looking to get into an organic mattress while keeping the price closer to a non-organic mattress, a pocket coil might be the way to go. See, for example, our Royal Pedic Coil Mattress — an excellent pocket coil mattress.

Customization

One of the main advantages of most organic latex mattresses is the range of customization options. Many come with different layers of latex that can be customized to different firmness levels — soft, medium, and firm. For example, if you have a mattress with three 3" layers of latex, and each layer can be customized independently, and you can customize each side of the bed as well, you have a remarkable range of firmness combinations. A great example of this is the Bella Sera Nove 3 Organic Mattress.

Feel and Support

Another difference between an organic pocket coil mattress and an organic latex mattress is how they feel. If you are used to sleeping on a spring or coil mattress and like it, an organic pocket coil might be a great match. If you are used to sleeping on foam or memory foam and like it, an organic latex mattress might be the better fit.

With a pocket coil mattress, the support has a more defined feel — you can feel the coils providing push back as you lay down, which may feel familiar if you are used to a spring mattress. With an organic latex mattress, the support is more subtle. It initially feels softer and you don't feel metal springs pressing against you — so at first you may think you need firmer latex layers for proper support. However, latex provides excellent support even with softer layers. It just does not initially feel that way, since the support is more subtle without the push back of the metal coils.

Note that on many of our latex mattresses, there is a comfort guarantee option. Almost all of our customers who take advantage of the comfort guarantee end up choosing softer layers of latex — which tells us that latex can be more supportive in a softer configuration than you would expect.

The Bottom Line

Regardless of which option you choose, both are healthy, chemical-free mattresses made without chemical flame retardants. Both provide excellent body support and help keep motion transfer between partners to a minimum. Browse our full selection of organic pocket coil mattresses and organic latex mattresses at The Natural Sleep Store, or call us at 1-866-663-0859 and we will help you find the perfect fit.