Birch Natural Mattress Review

Birch Natural Mattress Review
✔️Last updated: January 2023
✔️ Customer Rating: 4.6/5 | |
✔️ Mattress Advisor Score: 9.2/10 | |
✔️ Type: Latex Hybrid | |
✔️ Firmness: Firm | |
✔️ Free Shipping & Returns | |
✔️100-Night Sleep Trial | |
✔️ 25-Year Warranty |
Get 25% Off Sitewide + 2 Free Eco-Rest Pillows
Our conclusion: The Birch Natural Mattress by Helix is a medium-firm mattress made with natural and organic materials including organic wool batting, an organic cotton cover, and natural latex. This bed is great for all sleep positions, back sleepers especially. You get a 100-night trial and a 25-year warranty.
Who Is the Birch Natural Mattress Best for?
Birch Natural is best for: | Birch Natural may not be best for: |
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Birch Natural Mattress Review Highlights

Helix has created a mattress made from natural materials for all you eco-conscious sleepers out there. Want to check out how it did in our lab testing? We’ll cover the test scores plus highlights, purchase information, product specs, and FAQs all in our comprehensive review. Keep reading to find out more.
Key Features:
- The Birch Natural is made with quality, natural materials. The foams are non-toxic and GREENGUARD Gold Certified, and the wool is organically sourced from New Zealand.
- These natural materials allow the Birch mattress to be pressure relieving by contouring to your body and relieving major pressure points.
- Birch mattresses are carefully crafted and handmade, allowing them to offer a generous 25-year warranty.
Score Breakdown
We give a weighted score out of 10 for each test and assessment we conduct on a mattress in our lab. This score is based on performance and functionality; read more about our review process here. For now, let’s see how the Birch Natural did in our Mattress Advisor tests.
Mattress Advisor Test | Score (Out of 10) |
Shipping | 9 |
Trial Period | 8.5 |
Return Policy | 10 |
Warranty | 9.5 |
Set-Up | 8.5 |
Motion Transfer | 7 |
Edge Support | 10 |
Pressure Relief | 8.5 |
Spine Alignment | 9 |
Responsiveness | 9 |
Cooling | 8 |
Durability | 10 |
Customer Service | 9 |
Social Impact | 10 |
⭐Total Score for the Birch Natural Mattress: 9.2/10⭐
The Pros and Cons
✅ Pros
- Edge Support: This mattress has good edge support, meaning you can lie near the edge securely, and feel supporting sitting there to get ready in the morning.
- Responsiveness: The natural responsiveness of latex really comes through in the Birch mattress. It was both easy and comfortable to move on the mattress surface.
- Social Impact: The Birch collection of sleep products is made from natural and organic materials, great for both your health and the Earth.
- Durability: Backed by a 25-year warranty, this mattress will likely last for many years thanks in part to its strong coil system.
❌ Cons
- Motion Transfer: We noticed the Birch mattress didn’t isolate motion very well and was squeaky when we had our tester get in and out of it, both of which could be problematic for couples who don’t want to disturb each other.
- Cost: A lot of care went into getting the mattress materials for Birch and the price reflects that. This is more of a luxury buy and may not appeal to budget shoppers.
- Smell: While the Birch Natural doesn’t come with the common off-gassing smell that other bed-in-box mattresses come with, we could smell the natural materials when unboxing.
Motion Transfer
Sleeping with a partner, pet, or kids can mean constantly getting woken up by their tossing and turning, midnight snack cravings, or bathroom breaks. You want a mattress that won’t jostle you as your bed partner moves or gets up. The Birch mattress didn’t do so well in this category, likely due to the coiled support layer. If you sleep with a partner, consider the Helix Midnight, which scored higher in this category.
Check out our top picks for the best mattresses for couples.

Durability
A mattress is an investment you should enjoy for many years to come. A mattress with good durability is sure to last its entire lifespan with proper care. This is especially important for plus-size sleepers or those who sleep with a partner, as their mattresses tend to wear down more quickly. Thanks to their naturally sourced and handmade materials, the Birch mattress is built to last, earning a perfect 10/10.
Spine Alignment
You’ve probably heard that bad posture can lead to nerve constriction and poor digestion, so you should sit up straight. Well, posture is just as important when you’re lying down as when you’re standing up. Your mattress should allow your spine to be straight and maintain its natural curve as you sleep. The Birch mattress’s latex layer allows your spine to stay straight while it relieves pressure points.
Explore our top picks for the best latex mattresses.

Pressure Relief
We measure pressure relief capabilities using a special pressure map tool. If an area is blue and green it means it provides excellent pressure relief. Spots with yellow and red indicate an area of pressure buildup. As you can see below, the map was all blues and greens when our heavier tester lay on their back and side.


Our lighter tester also had blue and green areas when they lay on their back. However, when we had our lighter tester lie on their side, we noticed slight pressure buildup in their hip area. If you are a lighter sleeper who tends to sleep on their side, you may want to consider one of our best mattresses for side sleepers, like the Saatva Classic.


Firmness Level
Birch Natural has a firm feel, landing at about an 8/10 on the firmness scale. This firmness level is preferred by those that want more support than a plush mattress can give. It had a bouncy, elevated feel when we lay on it. For those looking for a plusher mattress, consider the Birch Luxe Natural Mattress, which includes two additional comfort layers.
Check out our top picks for the best firm mattresses and best extra-firm mattresses.

Sleeping Position Compatibility
The Birch Natural Mattress works well for three sleeping positions:
- A good mattress for back sleepers and good mattress for stomach sleepers: Sleep on top of the mattress rather than in it, which helps with alignment.
- A mattress for combination sleepers: Easily change positions on its sleep surface.
We don’t recommend the Birch Natural for side sleepers, primarily because of its 8/10 firmness. Side sleepers need their hips to sink into the surface a bit to avoid pressure buildup, which is why soft, medium, or medium-firm mattresses usually match up best for that sleeping position.
Check out our roundup of best mattresses for side sleepers.

Temperature Regulation
Birch has a few temperature regulating layers, including latex foam and wool batting. While latex is a naturally cool material, the cotton and wool layers bring too much insulation to be completely cooling. We gave this mattress an 8/10 for cooling since it’s slightly above average cooling mattresses.
Explore our top picks for the best mattresses for hot sleepers.

Which Body Types Does Birch Support?
There is a 1,000-lb weight capacity for Birch, meaning it can support heavier people. Latex foam is one of the most durable, supportive mattress materials around.
Compatible Foundations
A foundation is not required for the Birch mattress, but it is recommended. We prefer a bunkie board, boxspring, or a slatted base with slats no wider than 5″ apart. The slats should also be firm, flat, and thick.

A Peek Inside
There are four core layers to the Birch mattress alongside a natural and organic cover and fire resistant layer. The materials inside are GOTS, OEKO-TEX, eco-INSTITUT, and Rainforest Alliance certified, meaning this mattress is made with certified natural and organic materials.

- Mattress Cover: An organic cotton cover provides breathability and a soft surface.
- Retardant: The Birch uses rayon fibers and organic fiber as a natural fire retardant.
- Comfort Layer: This layer uses natural wool to add comfort and temperature regulation.
- Pressure Relief Layer: A natural Talalay latex layer supports your body weight while simultaneously relieving pressure.
- Support Layer: A system of hundreds of pocketed coils support your body and help isolate motion, so couples feel menial motion from their partner at night.
- Base Layer: This layer serves as a second fire-retardant layer to provide safety and durability.
Related: Latex Mattress Pros and Cons
Birch Natural Mattress Sizes, Dimensions, and Pricing
Since the Birch Natural is handmade, products may vary by up to 1″ on any given side.
Size | Dimensions | Weight | Price* |
Twin | 39″ x 75″ x 11” | 63 lbs | $999 |
Twin XL | 39” x 80” x 11” | 67 lbs | $1,049 |
Full | 54” x 75” x 11” | 87 lbs | $1,249 |
Queen | 60” x 80” x 11” | 105 lbs | $1,449 |
King | 76” x 80” x 11” | 130 lbs | $1,749 |
Cal King | 72” x 84” x 11” | 130 lbs | $1,749 |
*Prices listed are standard without sales or Mattress Advisor exclusive discounts. Check price using the button below for the best Birch deals.
What’s Unboxing Like?
The Birch mattress comes rolled up in a tall cardboard box, delivered to your door. It took our testers two minutes to unbox and took its full shape quickly. While we didn’t notice any off-gassing smells, we did smell the natural materials used in the mattress, which may be unappealing to those with a sensitive nose.
Birch Natural Mattress Buying Guide
Policy | Details |
Delivery | Compressed and rolled in a box. Delivered in 5-10 business days. |
Trial Period | 100 nights |
Warranty | 25-year warranty |
Return Policy | Free returns |
Financing | Available through Klarna and Zibby |
How Much Does Shipping Cost?
Shipping and delivery are free when you order the Birch mattress. It should arrive anywhere between 5-10 business days. Because FedEx delivers these packages, you do not need to sign for your mattress when it arrives.
Using Your Trial Period
You have 100 nights to try your new Birch mattress and make a free return if you don’t like it. That means you get to take three months to really make sure this bed is for you. They only ask that you give yourself up to 30 nights to break in your new bed first.
Warranty Breakdown
Because latex is such a durable material, you get a 25-year warranty with your Birch mattress. You get full coverage for your first 10 years and prorated coverage for the last 15. This warranty covers
- Impressions deeper than 1″
- Physical flaws resulting from proper handing
- Manufacturing defects
To file a claim, you are responsible for sending the mattress back to Birch and providing proof of purchase. You will be reimbursed for any shipping cost up to $100.
Customer Service
You can contact customer service in a few different ways:
- Live chat on the Birch website. This is a great option if you just have a quick question.
- Email help@birchliving.com.
- Fill out a contact form on their website.
How Do Returns Work?
You can return Birch for free during your sleep trial. You don’t even have to worry about shipping it back. Birch will either handle donating your mattress to a charity of your choosing or they’ll recycle it. Your refund will be issued after the donation or recycling process.
Is Birch Natural for You?
Let’s recap the pros and the cons of Birch to help you decide if this is the right mattress for you.
Birch is a bed-in-a-box mattress made with organic and natural materials. This natural mattress is great for eco-friendly people, heavier sleepers, and all sleep positions. You get 100 nights to try it out and a 25-year warranty if you decide to keep it.
You might want to keep shopping if you find yourself on a budget or if you tend to sleep hot. It’s also not a great mattress for those that sleep with a partner and want a bed with motion isolation. If you check either of those boxes, consider checking out the Tuft & Needle Mint mattress.
Birch Mattress Comparisons
Birch Natural vs. Avocado
Criteria | Birch Natural | Avocado Green |
Mattress Advisor Score | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
Firmness | Firm: 8/10 | Medium-Firm to Firm: 7/10 (6/10 with European pillow-top option) |
Material | Latex Hybrid | Latex Hybrid |
Who’s It Best For? |
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The Birch and Avocado mattresses are both organic mattresses with latex hybrid constructions. They both work well for back sleepers and stomach sleepers, but side sleepers should opt for the Birch because of its pressure-relieving qualities. However, if you are prone to shifting between positions in the middle of the night, we recommend the Avocado Green mattress.
With Avocado’s strong spine alignment scores, it’s a good option for those with back pain; however, Birch outperformed Avocado in motion isolation, making the Birch a better option for those that sleep with a partner. Additionally, while both mattresses performed pretty well in terms of durability, the Birch obtained a perfect 10/10, making it a great long-lasting mattress.
Read our full review of the Avocado mattress.
Birch Natural vs. Awara
Criteria | Birch Natural | Awara |
Mattress Advisor Score | 9.2/10 | 8.8/10 |
Firmness | Firm: 8/10 | Medium-Firm: 7/10 |
Material | Latex Hybrid | Latex Hybrid |
Who’s It Best For? |
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The Birch and the Awara mattresses are made using natural and organic materials. While the Awara works best for back and stomach, the Birch works for any sleeping position. If you sleep with a partner, both mattresses have high responsiveness scores; however, the Awara scored better for motion transfer, meaning you are less likely to feel your partner move around in the middle of the night.
The Birch comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 25-year warranty, while the Awara comes with a 365-night sleep trial and a lifetime warranty. If these additional perks drive your purchasing decisions, you may consider the Awara.
Check out our full Awara mattress review.


Q.
Should I flip my Birch mattress?
A.
No. The Birch mattress has a one-sided design. Because they are built to last, you don’t have to rotate them either.
Q.
Is the Birch mattress eco-friendly?
A.
Yes! The Birch mattress materials are made from 4 key ingredients in nature: wool, latex, cotton, and steel. You can even take a materials tour on their website.
The foams used in the Birch mattress are non-toxic, meaning they do not off-gas at all.
Q.
Can I finance my Birch mattress?
A.
Yes! Helix offers financing for the Birch Natural Mattress through both Klarna and Zibby. However, Klarna is not available for customers in West Virginia, Iowa, or New Hampshire.