Best mattresses without memory foam – hands-on performance test results

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These days, you’d think you’d be hard-pressed to find a good mattress that doesn’t contain any memory foam… but they’re out there. We dug deep and tested out all the foam-free brands we could find. Based on our hands-on testing process, we’re confident that the ones on this list are the best. Our Editor’s Choice is the Bear Natural.

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Best mattresses without memory foam and performance test results

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#1. Bear Natural

Pros

• Good for couples
• Suitable for all sleeper types
• Responsive and pressure relieving
• Naturally hypoallergenic

Cons

• May be too soft for some
• Edge support is average

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Why it’s the best

If you want a memory foam feel but not a memory foam mattress then the Bear Natural is your best bet. 

Made from a blend of Talalay latex foam and proprietary foam along with a pocketed coil unit, the Bear Natural mattress offers responsive support as well as the same contouring and compression that you would get from traditional memory foam (without the dreaded sinkage).

Pure latex foam is also naturally cooling and hypoallergenic, making the Bear Natural a great choice for those who tend to sleep hot as well as those who suffer from chronic allergies.

Here’s the thing though – Bear touts their Natural mattress’ firmness level as a medium-firm… but I find it more to be a medium-soft, which is great news if you sleep on your side but not so great if you’re a strict back or stomach sleeper.

Specs at a glance

Bear Natural Performance

Bear may call their Natural mattress a medium-firm but it’s too soft to even be called a medium – it’s a 4.5 at the very least on the mattress firmness scale (which is a medium-soft).

This makes it suitable only for those who sleep on their sides, since soft mattresses offer the most pressure relief. Back and stomach sleepers, on the other hand, may find the Bear Natural mattress to be a bit too soft to help them with proper spinal alignment.

We rate the Bear Natural a 9.5 when it comes to comfort and pressure relief.

Sleeping on the mattress feels as though you are sleeping on a fluffy cloud that’s also super responsive, which is perfect for side sleepers who also suffer from chronic body pain. Being a hybrid, it can accommodate heavier-set side sleepers with ease and offer them the extra support they need.

We rate the Bear Natural a 7.5 when it comes to cooling.

Like I mentioned, pure latex is naturally cooling. Because the mattress does not contain any memory foam, you won’t get much heat retention, which makes it an excellent choice for those that tend to sleep hot.

We rate the Bear Natural an 8.5 when it comes to motion isolation.

For a mattress that contains both a coil unit and a bouncier type of foam (yes, latex), the Bear Natural performs surprisingly well when it comes to motion isolation. I barely felt any motion transfer when I tried the mattress out with a partner.

We rate the Bear Natural a 7 when it comes to edge support.

Though not the worst I’ve tried, the edge support isn’t the best either. It does contain reinforced edges but I find it to be somewhat lacking.

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#2. Birch Natural 

Pros

• Suitable for all sleeper types
• Temperature-regulating
• Great edge support
• All-natural and certified organic

Cons

• Not suitable for couples
• Can be a bit too expensive for some

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Why it’s one of the best

If you are on the market for something that’s certified organic and all-natural, you can’t do any better than the Birch Natural.

Backed by not one, not two world-renowned ecological organizations but five (including the coveted Greenguard Gold), the Birch Natural mattress is made up of all-natural and sustainable materials such as natural latex, ethically sourced wool, organic cotton and plant-based fibers as well as recycled steel.

Responsive and pressure-relieving, the Birch Natural has a medium-firm feel that can accommodate most sleeper types including stomach sleepers and combination sleepers. 

Another thing I liked about the Birch Natural is that it’s naturally temperature-regulating thanks to its triple combo of latex foam, organic wool and coil unit. Wool, in case you didn’t know, helps you keep cool when it’s hot and keep warm when it’s cold.

Specs at a glance

Birch Natural Performance

The Birch Natural mattress sits on a 6.5 on the firmness scale giving it a medium-firm feel.

A medium-firm mattress can accommodate most sleeper types including back sleepers and stomach sleepers as well as combination sleepers. Although strict side sleepers will find the Birch Natural pretty comfy, those who weigh less than average might find the mattress to be a bit too firm.

Since the it’s a hybrid mattress, it’s good for those who weigh over 230 lbs. because it provides them with extra support.

We rate the Birch Natural a 7 out of 10 when it comes to comfort and pressure relief.

You can expect to get more than enough pressure relief from this mattress, no matter your preferred sleeping position.

We rate the Birch Natural a 9.5 out of 10 when it comes to cooling.

Aside from pure latex which is naturally cooling, the mattress also contains organic wool which is temperature-regulating, making it a great choice for those who sleep extremely hot.

We rate the Birch Natural a 6 out of 10 when it comes to motion isolation.

I have to be completely honest, latex mattresses are notorious for being pretty bouncy. Add spring coils to the mix and you have the perfect recipe for a mattress that’s…not the greatest if you share a bed. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

We rate the Birch Natural an 8.5 when it comes to edge support.

This mattress contains reinforced edge coils which helps give it good edge support. You won’t be in any danger of rolling off the bed.

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Alternate pick: Birch Luxe Natural 

If you prefer something with much better motion isolation, check out the Birch Luxe Natural.

Similar in construction to the base model Natural but with a few added layers such as a Euro pillow top and an extra layer of latex foam, the Luxe Natural has better motion isolating properties, allowing you to sleep on more of the mattress surface.

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#3. SweetZzz Honey Hybrid

Pros

• Perfect for couples
• Cooling
• Affordable
• Offers responsive support

Cons

• Not as compressing as memory foam
• Medium version may be too firm for petite side sleepers

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Why it’s one of the best

All-natural and fully organic aren’t necessarily terms you’d associate with affordable, the in my opinion the Sweet Zzz Honey Hybrid manages to pull it off.

Made from a combination of GOLS-certified organic Dunlop latex and a spring coil unit, the Sweet Zzz Honey Hybrid also contains a layer of micro-coils that offers extra responsive support for those who weigh well above average.

Specs at a glance

SweetZzz Honey Hybrid Performance

The Sweet Zzz Honey Hybrid mattress comes in three different firmness options – medium-soft, medium-firm and firm.

The medium-soft version is best for strict side sleepers while the medium-firm version can accommodate most sleeper types including combination sleepers. The firm version is best for those who sleep mostly on their backs or stomachs.

We rate the SweetZzz Honey Hybrid mattress a 7.5 out of 10 when it comes to comfort and pressure relief.

You shouldn’t really expect the deep compression that you’d get with memory foam, but you should definitely expect extra responsive support because of the blend of pocketed coils and micro-coils.

We rate the SweetZzz Honey Hybrid mattress an 8.5 when it comes to cooling.

I know I sound like a broken record by now but you should know that pure latex is naturally cooling and wool is temperature regulating, which makes for a mattress that’s cool and fresh to sleep on.

We rate the SweetZzz Honey Hybrid an 8.5 when it comes to motion isolation.

For a mattress that contains two sets of coils plus a latex foam layer; it absorbs movement very well, which makes it a good choice for those who share a bed.

We rate the SweetZzz Honey Hybrid a 9.5 when it comes to edge support.

Aside from micro-coils, the mattress also contains reinforced edge coils which gives it an extra layer of support.

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#4. Naturepedic EOS Classic

Pros

• Customizable
• Natural and all-organic
• Pressure relieving
• Fiberglass-free

Cons

• Setting up is a two man job
• Expensive

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Why it’s one of the best

Sure, there are tons of mattress brands out there that offer different firmness options but very rarely will you find one that will let you change your firmness level whenever you like..

The Naturepedic EOS Classic features organic latex, organic wool, and organic cotton batting. You can open up the mattress and switch the layers around to get just the right firmness level.

All-natural and organic, the Naturepedic EOS Classic features materials that are ecologically and ethically sourced.

Specs at a glance

Naturepedic EOS Classic Performance

As I’ve mentioned, you can customize the firmness level of the Naturepedic EOS Classic, which means you can get any firmness level your heart desires –  and of course, your sleeping position requires.

We rate the Naturepedic EOS Classic a 9.6 when it comes to comfort and pressure relief.

While you get the responsive support most have come to associate with latex foam and pocketed coils, you also get enough compression from the organic wool and organic cotton batting that surprisingly feels similar to memory foam.

We rate the Naturepedic EOS Classic a 9.5 when it comes to cooling.

Once again, no surprises here when it comes to the cooling department – latex foam reigns supreme. With this mattress’ combo of latex foam, organic wool, and a pocketed coil unit; you get continuous airflow throughout. Which, of course, means extra cooling.

We rate the Naturepedic EOS Classic a 9.7 when it comes to motion isolation.

For a latex mattress that also contains a coil unit, it performs pretty well when it comes to deadening any cross mattress movement. I barely felt any motion transfer when I tried it out with a partner.

We rate the Naturepedic EOS Classic an 8.7 when it comes to edge support.

You’ll definitely notice the lack of reinforced edge coils, but it’s not too bad that you’ll fall off the bed or anything.

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#5. WinkBeds EcoCloud

Pros

• Good for back and stomach sleepers
• Exceptional edge support
• Suitable for heavier-set people
• Actively cooling

Cons

• Poor motion isolation
• Not suitable for strict side sleepers

Why it’s one of the best

Back sleepers and stomach sleepers make up a minority of the population and they sometimes get left on the wayside. But the WinkBeds EcoCloud feels like it was made specifically for those who sleep on their backs or stomachs.

Made up of latex foam and recycled steel coils, I found that the WinkBeds EcoCloud not only provides support for back and stomach sleepers but helps provide them with pressure point relief as well.

Slight little caveat though – while medium-firm mattresses can usually accommodate most sleeper types, the WinkBeds EcoCloud can be a tad too firm for strict side sleepers who weigh less than average.

Specs at a glance

WinkBeds EcoCloud Performance

The WinkBeds EcoCloud sits on a 6 on the mattress firmness scale giving it a medium-firm feel.

While medium-firm mattresses are generally good for all sleeper types, I personally found the WinkBeds EcoCloud to be a little bit firmer than advertised. This could be an issue if you’re a side sleeper, especially if you weigh less than average.

We rate the WinkBeds EcoCloud a 7 out of 10 when it comes to comfort and pressure relief.

If only it were a little softer. I would have given it a higher rating but the medium-firm feel just isn’t right for everyone. It is perfect though for strict back and stomach sleepers, giving them the right amount of pressure point relief that they need.

We rate the WinkBeds EcoCloud an 8.5 out of 10 when it comes to cooling.

Out of all the latex types, Talalay latex is the most high-end, which also means it’s the most cooling.

We rate the WinkBeds EcoCloud a 6.5 out of 10 when it comes to motion isolation.

For a mattress that almost ticks all the boxes, it falls a little short on the motion isolation department. I find it to be a tad springier than most latex hybrid mattresses. You will experience quite a significant amount of motion transfer.

We rate the WinkBeds EcoCloud an 8.5 out of 10 when it comes to edge support.

Reinforced edge coils surround the perimeter of the entire mattress giving it excellent edge support.

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#6. Happsy

Pros

• Offers responsive support
• Cooling
• Budget-friendly
• Certified organic

Cons

• Slight motion transfer
• Poor edge support

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Why it’s one of the best

Mattresses that do not contain even an ounce of memory foam do usually contain latex foam, which can be expensive.

But Happsy has found a way to use the normally expensive material at a price that’s not too hard on the budget.

The Happsy mattress is made up of organic latex foam, organic cotton, and wool; combined with a coil unit that I found helps add more support.

Specs at a glance

Happsy Performance

You get two firmness options with the Happsy mattress – medium-firm and medium-soft.

Being a hybrid mattress, it can support heavier-set sleepers.

We rate the Happsy mattress an 8 out of 10 when it comes to comfort and pressure relief.

The latex foam layer and wool-and-cotton batting offers contouring and compression that’s quite similar to memory foam. This means you get more than enough pressure relief, no matter your preferred sleeping position.

We rate the Happsy mattress a 9 out of 10 when it comes to cooling.

All the materials used in the mattress are cooling and temperature regulating. I think this mattress is a solid choice if you tend to sleep hot.

We rate the Happsy mattress a 7.5 out of 10 when it comes to motion isolation.

Although you can feel a small amount of motion transfer, it shouldn’t really be an issue. If you share your bed with a significant other who is much heavier than you, however, it might be noticeable.

We rate the Happsy mattress a 6 out of 10 when it comes to edge support.

Despite the reinforced edge coils, I found that the edge support on this mattress was average at best. Not terrible by any means, but nothing to write home about.

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#7. Eco Terra Latex Hybrid

Pros

• Suitable for all sleeper types
• Comes in two firmness options
• Responsive and pressure-relieving
• Cooling and hypoallergenic

Cons

• Slight motion transfer
• Has an earthy smell that sticks around for a bit

Why it’s one of the best

Oh, you think we were done with the affordable latex mattresses, huh?

Not quite yet.

The Eco Terra Latex Hybrid mattress is pretty affordable for a brand that’s made from premium latex foam and upcycled steel coils.

Pure latex such as the one used in the Eco Terra Latex Hybrid mattress is naturally cooling and hypoallergenic, making it a great choice for those who suffer from chronic allergies.

Specs at a glance

Eco Terra Latex Hybrid Performance

You get to choose between two different firmness options with the Eco Terra Latex Hybrid mattress – a medium and a medium-firm.

The medium option is best for side sleepers and combination sleepers. The medium-firm version is best if you sleep mostly on your stomach or on your back.

We rate the Eco Terra Latex Hybrid a 9.3 out of 10 when it comes to comfort and pressure relief.

I found that the mattress provides contouring and pressure point-relief for all sleeper types. But don’t expect the deep compression you would get with a memory foam mattress though. It is, after all, made out of latex which is a much denser material.

We rate the Eco Terra Latex Hybrid a 9.1 out of 10 when it comes to cooling.

The mattress contains temperature-regulating wool and naturally-cooling latex, making it cool enough to sleep on if you’re a hot sleeper. I normally wake up covered in sweat, but was able to sleep through the night on this one.

We rate the Eco Terra Latex Hybrid an 8.8 out of 10 when it comes to motion isolation.

This mattress is great for couples. It did an excellent job of suppressing any mattress movement, even when my partner was tossing and turning.

We rate the Eco Terra Latex Hybrid a 9.5 out of 10 when it comes to edge support.

Surprisingly enough, the mattress doesn’t contain any reinforced edge coils. But the so-called Quantum coils more than make up for that fact. The edge support on this mattress is solid.

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#8. Latex for Less Hybrid

Pros

• Affordable
• Suitable for all sleeper types
• Eco-friendly
• Offers responsive support and pressure relief

Cons

• Might be too firm for petite side sleepers
• Edge support is average

Why it’s one of the best

Simply constructed, the Latex for Less Hybrid only has two layers: natural and organic Dunlop latex and pocketed recycled steel coils, all encased in a breathable organic cotton cover.

But don’t be fooled by its simple construction and more affordable price.

When I tested it out, I found that the Latex for Less Hybrid mattress packs a punch in all the ways that actually matter when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep.

Specs at a glance

Latex for Less Hybrid Performance

You get to choose between two different firmness options with the Latex for Less Hybrid mattress – medium and firm.

The medium option is good for all sleeper types. The firm option is best for stomach and back sleepers.

We rate the Latex for Less Hybrid a 9.6 out of 10 when it comes to comfort and pressure relief.

The mattress contains a thick layer of natural latex foam. I found that it provides enough contouring and compression. It really takes a lot of pressure off the body’s main pressure points.

We rate the Latex for Less Hybrid a 9.3 out of 10 when it comes to cooling.

As you may already know, pure latex foam is naturally cooling and temperature-regulating. Like all latex mattresses, this one is a great choice if you’re a hot sleeper.

We rate the Latex for Less Hybrid a 9.2 out of 10 when it comes to motion isolation.

I know a lot of latex mattresses don’t do well when it comes to motion isolation, but this one is a notable exception. I barely felt any motion transfer when I tried the mattress out with a partner.

We rate the Latex for Less Hybrid a 9.3 out of 10 when it comes to edge support.

The edge support on this mattress is solid, likely thanks to the thick-gauge coils surround the perimeter.

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How we chose these mattresses

We picked these mattresses based on a complete list of factors that we believe make up a great mattress without any memory foam. This is the criteria we used:

• Pressure relief – Everyone has pressure points, so this is important when it comes to choosing the right mattress. We chose mattresses that offer maximum pressure relief.
• Cooling – Sleeping hot is the number one cause of sleeplessness. Choosing mattresses that offer superb cooling capabilities is crucial to getting a good night’s sleep.
• Firmness – Mattress firmness correlates to one’s preferred sleeping position, so we chose mattresses that suit the needs of side sleepers in particular.
• Motion isolation – Picking a mattress that offers good motion isolation is important if you share a bed with a partner. We chose mattresses that are suitable for couples.
• Edge support – Not only does edge support help (and protect) those who prefer sleeping close to the edge of the bed, having a mattress with good edge support also provides you with a wider mattress surface.
• Durability – We chose mattresses that we know will last long and ones that come with reasonable return policies.

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Conclusion

Memory foam mattresses are everywhere. A lot of people love them, but not everyone wants the unmistakeable sinkage that comes with it – not to mention the heat retention.

I personally tried and tested each brand on this list, and I can confidently state that they are the best memory foam-free mattresses available on the market today.

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How we rate mattresses

We personally test and rate mattresses using the following strict quantitative criteria:

1. Comfort
2. Structural integrity and durability
3. Firmness and support
4. Cooling capabilities
5. Pressure relief
6. Edge support
7. Motion isolation

Learn more about our mattress rating process and methodology here

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Psst… the sleep review industry is full of liars, sharks, and thieves. It’s a modern-day version of getting ripped off at your local mattress store. So, why should you trust us?