Last Updated on March 8, 2023 by The Filtery
Sometimes you can find natural, non-toxic, and organic products at the same price as their more “conventional” alternatives. White other times, buying organic is more expensive. It usually just depends on the product category.
Mattresses are one of those categories where you’re just not going to be able to get a cheap mattress that’s truly non-toxic. We have yet to find one that’s under $500 (for a queen).
But don’t fret just yet; there is good news, too. Organic mattresses are becoming more affordable, while at the same time conventional mattresses have become slightly less toxic in recent years.
So in this article, we’re not only going to tell you where to buy the most affordable non-toxic mattresses, but we’ll also give you some tips on how you might be able to make mattress shopping a bit cheaper and less financially stressful.
By the way, here is our full guide to non-toxic mattresses, which you might also find helpful! And for the best kids’ mattresses, check out this article.
This article contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you decide to make a puiase. Pricing was accurate at the time of publication, but be aware that it may have changed since then.
Featured Image Credit: My Green Mattress
How Much Should a Mattress REALLY Cost?
It’s a great question! In general, the average price for a budget mattress is $600, the average for a mid-range mattress is $1,000, and the average for a luxury mattress is $1,800. (These prices are for queen sized conventional mattresses.)
When it comes to mid-range and luxury mattresses, the good news is that there are several non-toxic mattresses that can compete with conventional ones when it comes to price.
For example, the Organic Kiwi Mattress from My Green Mattress (featured below) costs $1,199 for a queen (before discounts). By comparison, the Casper Original comes in at $1,295 and the Purple Original is $1,299. So if you’re shopping at the mid-range to luxury level, you can actually get a fully organic mattress for cheaper than a conventional one! (So, why wouldn’t you?)
How to Choose the Best Mattress for You
There are a lot of things that go into mattress shopping, and budget is just one of them. You’ll also want to consider things like sleeping position, firmness level, and whether you prefer a foam, spring, or hybrid mattress.
We have a comprehensive mattress buying guide here, which goes through all of these different things. I encourage you to check it out at some point during your mattress shopping process.
When it comes specifically to finding a non-toxic mattress that’s within your budget, here are 5 tips that might help make things more affordable:
1. Know Your Priorities
When living a 100% non-toxic lifestyle is impossible and unrealistic, it’s important for each of us to decide what we will and what we will not sacrifice. This goes for mattresses as well as other consumer products, water filtration, etc.
If you have a tight budget for a new mattress, you can be intentional about making the best choice you can (even if it’s not the perfect one).
For example, you might decide that getting a mattress that uses Certi-PUR certified foam will be the bare minimum. The Certi-PUR label has some issues and it doesn’t mean the mattress is non-toxic, but I still think it’s better than nothing. And when so many conventional mattress brands now use Certi-PUR foam, there’s no reason why you won’t be able to get a cheap mattress that has it.
(P.S. You can learn more about Certi-PUR and other third-party certifications here.)
2. Wait for the Sales
The mattress industry is a competitive one, so brands have holiday sales all the time. And it’s not just for the big holidays—they also have sales for Memorial Day, July 4th, end of season, etc.
So if you pick out your mattress of choice and then wait a couple of months, you’re likely to be able to get anywhere from $100 to $500+ off your purchase. Even though we listed the regular pricing for the non-toxic mattresses below, there are a LOT more brands that will be available at under $1,500 if you wait for a sale. (So don’t forget to check out our full list of non-toxic mattresses, which will give you even more options.)
3. Considering Financing
Although financing is definitely not the best choice for everyone, it’s worth mentioning that most mattress brands offer financing through services like Affirm and Klarna.
If that’s an option worth considering for yourself, it can make things more accessible and allow you to make monthly payments instead of forking up the whole thing up front.
4. Check for Free Add-Ons
Sometimes brands offer extras like bedding bundles, free shipping and returns, or complementary recycling of your old mattress. These things can help bring the total cost down.
For example, even though Awara’s Natural Hybrid Mattress usually comes in at $1,898, they usually give you a free bedding bundle (sheet set, mattress protector, and pillow) when you buy a mattress, which can potentially save you several hundred dollars if you’re in need of all of those accessories, too.
Nest’s organic mattresses are definitely more expensive up front, but they offer a Lifetime Renewal Exchange which can save you money in the long run.
Of course, when it comes to things like shipping, returns, and warranties, just make sure to read the find print before buying so that you’re very clear on the expectations, what’s covered, and what’s not.
5. Spread Out the Spending
If you’re buying a new mattress, you may also be in the market for a new non-toxic bed frame, organic bedding, pillows, etc.
And while it would be nice to buy all of that at one time, it’s probably not necessary. If you’re getting a new mattress that’s a different size than your current bed frame, just keep it on the floor for a month or two and then get a bed frame later on. Or let your old bed sheets get worn out before buying new organic ones.
The point being that you can transition to a non-toxic bedroom slowly; you don’t have to do it all overnight!
Good News Regarding Conventional Mattresses
Before moving on to our recommendations for affordable non-toxic mattresses, there’s one more thing worth noting.
Although most conventional mattresses are still made from lots of petroleum-derived materials like PU foam and can contain things like phthalates, formaldehyde, and more, there is one thing you can worry less about, and that’s flame retardants.
While chemical flame retardants used to be required by law (despite the fact that they didn’t actually work), they are no longer legally required in the United States. Not only that, but many states have put bans on certain flame retardants, and California has banned ALL of them.
So in this one sense, almost all conventional mattresses are less toxic than they were a decade or two ago!
You can read more about flame retardants in our non-toxic sofa guide.
The Most Affordable Organic Mattresses (Under $1,500 for a Queen)
We looked through a lot of mattresses for both price and materials. So here are the most affordable non-toxic mattresses.
(Note that all of these prices were accurate at the time of publication, but obviously prices are subject to change. We will periodically update this article to try and make sure it’s as accurate and up to date as possible!)
1. Organic Kiwi Mattress from My Green Mattress ($1,174 with code THEFILTERY)
Coming in at $1,199 for a queen (before any sales or discounts), My Green Mattress’s Organic Kiwi Mattress is one of the most affordable organic mattresses on the market.
The Kiwi is made in the USA out of healthy ingredients like GOTS certified organic cotton and wool, combined with GOLS certified organic latex. The way the coil system is designed provides lots of body support and reduced motion transfer, so it’s a great option for a variety of body types and sleeping positions. You can learn more about their coil system (and other features) in this video.
Their mattresses also come with free shipping (in the contiguous US), a 365-Night Sleep Trial, and a 20 year warranty.
To complete your set, they carry a few non-toxic bed frames, pillows, and bedding as well.
Use the code THEFILTERY at checkout to get $25 off a twin mattress or larger (or $20 off the crib mattress)
Shop the Organic Kiwi from My Green Mattress
2. Avocado Eco Organic Mattress ($1,299)
You don’t have to make sacrifices to quality and safety with Avocado’s Eco Organic Mattress, which comes in at $1,299 for a queen (before sales or discounts).
It’s made out of healthy materials like organic latex, cotton, and wool. It comes with a handful of certifications like GOLS, GOTS, GREENGUARD Gold, and even MADE SAFE (which is one of the most comprehensive certifications in terms of material and ingredient safety!). It’s completely free from chemical flame retardants, petroleum-based foams, fiberglass, and adhesives.
If you’re on the fence about whether or not Avocado would be a good fit for you, you can actually schedule a free private video experience with an Avocado team member to ask them anything you want. Plus, they offer a 100-night trial and a 10-year warranty. And if the price point is still too steep for you to fork out all at once, they do offer financing through Affirm.
And it’s comfortable, too—we tried it! (Stay tuned because our full review on this mattress is coming soon.)
With medium firmness (5/10), the Eco Organic Mattress is recommended for all sleeping positions (making it a great option for couples). It’s suitable for those with back and hip pain as well, providing just enough support while still being soft enough to contour to your body.
Plus, it’s a good option for hot sleepers. Instead of memory foam (which traps your body heat as you sleep, increasing the temperature of the bed throughout the night), the natural materials and individually-pocketed coils allow for plenty of airflow.
All of Avocado’s mattresses are handmade in their own Los Angeles-based factory. They have all kinds of sustainability initiatives throughout their entire manufacturing process, from the blockchain verified material sourcing, to low- and zero-waste processes, to paper mattress wraps (instead of plastic), and more. Avocado is also a B Corp company, a member of 1% for the Planet, and Certified Climate Neutral.
Check out Avocado’s Eco Organic Mattress
3. Eco Terra ($1,299)
Eco Terra’s Hybrid Latex Mattress comes in at $1,299 for a queen before any sales or discounts.
It’s made in the USA out of natural latex, organic cotton, and organic wool, and it comes with a couple of different certifications (such as GOTS and OEKO-TEX).
For firmness level, you can choose between Medium or Medium-Firm. Each mattress comes with a 90-night sleep trial, free shipping and returns, and financing is available through Klarna.
Shop Eco Terra’s Hybrid Latex Mattress
4. Birch ($1,399 with code THEFILTERY400)
Birch carries two kinds of organic mattresses: the Birch Natural and the Birch Luxe Natural. Although the normal price of the Birch Natural Mattress comes in at $1,799, you can get $400 off with our promo code (plus 2 free pillow, too!).
This fully certified GOTS mattress is made out of Talaylay latex, cotton, and wool. It also comes with a handful of other third-party certifications such as OEKO-TEX, Fair Trade, GREENGUARD Gold, and more. They’re made in the USA and come with free shipping, a 100-night sleep trial, and a 25-year warranty, too.
The Birch Natural mattress by itself is on the medium-firm side, but you can add a plush mattress topper to make it softer if you want.
Shop the Birch Natural Mattress and use code THEFILTERY400 at checkout for $400 off + 2 free pilows.*
5. Happsy ($1,399)
Happsy is actually owned by the same company as Naturepedic, which is one of the best brands for non-toxic and organic mattresses. Naturepedic’s mattresses, however, can be more expensive, which is why their team created a more affordable version with Happsy!
Happy’s Organic Mattress starts at $1,399 for a queen size, with financing available through Affirm or PayPal Credit.
This organic mattress comes rolled up in a box, so delivery and setup is pretty easy. It’s made with natural materials like latex and GOTS certified organic cotton and wool. In addition to being free from things like flame retardants and polyurethane foams, they’ve also completely eliminated all adhesives and glues from the design.
Plus, you get a 120-night sleep trial as well as free shipping and returns and a 20-year warranty.
Shop Happsy’s Organic Mattress
6. EcoSleep Hybrid ($1,499)
The Eco Sleep Hybrid mattress is Brooklyn Bedding’s eco-friendly option. It starts at $1,499 for a queen before any sales or discounts are applied, and financing is available through Affirm.
Like the mattresses above, EcoSleep is made in the USA using safe materials like organic cotton, wool, and latex for a cool and comfortable night’s sleep. The thing that sets this mattress apart is that it’s flippable! It’s got medium firmness on one side and is firmer on the other, so you can try both sides out and see what works best for you and your partner.
The EcoSleep is also delivered in a box for easy delivery and setup. It comes with a 10-year warranty, a 120-night sleep trial, and free shipping & returns.
Check out the EcoSleep Hybrid Mattress
Honorable Mention: Brentwood Home Cypress Affordable Memory Foam Mattress ($799)
This is NOT an all-natural mattress (it uses a blend of both plant-based and petroleum-derived foam), but we’re including it as ones of the best options that comes in under $1,000 for a queen.
Even though it’s not organic, it’s the most non-toxic memory foam mattress we’ve found, and it does come with several different certifications such as OEKO-TEX, GREENGUARD Gold, and Certi-PUR.
Brentwood Home’s mattresses are also made in Los Angeles and are carbon neutral. They offer free shipping, a 1-year sleep trial, and financing is available through Affirm. Like Avocado (they are actually owned by the same company), you can schedule a Video Retail Experience if you’d like to virtually talk to a sales representative before you make your purchasing decision.
Check out the Cypress Affordable Memory Foam Mattress from Brentwood Home
Just OKAY Mattress Brands at Affordable Price Points
If the above brands don’t meet your preferences, here are a few more options to check out. The following brands are “okay” brands in terms of materials… They have a few things going for them, but they’re not made from natural or organic materials.
1. Leesa Studio ($799), Original ($1,199), & Original Hybrid ($1,499)
Leesa’s mattress are made from synthetic PU foam, so they are not natural. However, their Original and Studio mattresses come with GREENGUARD Gold certifications (as well as CertiPUR). They’re also a B Corp company with a social impact mission.
2. Tuft & Needle Original ($995)
Similarly, Tuft & Needle’s Original mattress has a GREENGUARD Gold certification and social mission as well. But it’s made from PU foam.
3. Bear Original ($998)
Like the brands above, the Bear Original is made from PU foam but is at least GREENGUARD Gold (and CertiPUR) certified, which is better than other conventional mattress brands. They also use a water-based bonding solution instead of toxic glues.
Are IKEA’s Mattresses Toxic?
IKEA is of course one of the most affordable and accessible brands for furniture, including mattresses. So do they have any affordable non-toxic mattresses?
Although most of their mattresses are made from synthetics like memory foam, they do have one option for a safe mattress made from majority natural materials. The VATNESTRÖM ($799 for a queen) is a hybrid mattress that’s made mostly using cotton, wool, linen, latex, and steel.
On top of that, IKEA has some good policies in place when it comes to toxic materials for their entire product line. They don’t use any PFAS, flame retardants (except where required by law, which is not the U.S.), and their list of banned and restricted substances tends to be more robust than other conventional furniture brands.
You can read more in our deep dive about IKEA.
What If You Can’t Afford a New Non-Toxic Mattress?
If you’re stressed about the financial burden of buying a new mattress but you’re really trying to reduce the amount of toxins in your life, try to remember that transitioning to a low-tox lifestyle is a process, and switching your mattress is probably not an urgent matter. Try to be patient and flexible with yourself and just do what you can.
Here are some free and less-expensive things you can do in the meantime:
- Open the windows and get some fresh air. Chemicals that off-gas from furniture and other products get trapped inside. In fact, indoor air can actually be even more toxic than outdoor air!
- Clean regularly. Toxic chemicals from furniture get attached to dust and then we end up inhaling them. This is one of the primary ways we end up ingesting things like PFAS and flame retardants.
- Ditch the conventional candles, air fresheners, and sprays.
- Prioritize healthy sleep (regardless of what kind of mattress you’re sleeping on). It can help our bodies’ natural detoxification and recovery processes and can make a big difference in our overall longterm wellbeing.
- Make changes in less-expensive categories first. Things like laundry detergent, dish soap, and shampoo are much cheaper than a new mattress.
If you have any more questions about mattresses, check out our comprehensive mattress guide or feel free to leave a comment below.
And if you want some more quick tips and other recommendations for non-toxic products delivered to your inbox each week, sign up for Filtered Fridays.
*A few terms for the Birch Promo Code: Discount must be applied at time of purchase. Only one promo code permitted per order. Maximum of 2 free Eco-Rest Pillows per order. Pillows will be automatically added to your cart with any mattress order on birchliving.com.
