Birch Mattress Review for 2024, Expert Tested

The Birch provides pressure relief through latex layering. While latex doesn’t have that slow-moving feel you’ll find with memory foam, it shouldn’t be overlooked here. Loren found that Birch Natural provided great overall pressure relief for her. I didn’t experience any noticeable discomfort from too much pressure. With these findings in mind, I gave the Birch a 4 out of 5 for pressure relief. 

Learn More: Best Mattresses for Pressure Relief

Is the Birch Natural Mattress Good for Pain Relief?

With the contouring latex layers and the supportive base, this bed should provide solid pain relief for many sleepers. I didn’t feel much pressure buildup, and the Birch Natural also did a great job with spinal alignment. 

This bed initially feels like jiggly jelly, so it’s understandable that you may be concerned about how well it supports you. However, just like a delicious “PB and J,” the soft upper layers and the supportive base work well together. 

Although you sink down a little at first, you are then quickly and comfortably lifted. I loved how straight it kept my spine, but I think the height of your pillow will play a big role in your overall alignment. I didn’t deduct a point for this because it is something you can control with the swap of a pillow. 

The Birch Natural doesn’t have great motion isolation, which isn’t surprising given its high bounce. Loren and I moved around on the bed and could feel when the other changed positions. The seismograph reading backed up our evaluations. Although it showed some small waves, there were enough big ones that I deducted 1.5 points. However, if you sleep alone or your partner isn’t restless, this shouldn’t cause much concern for you. 

When I first touched it, the Birch Natural cover wasn’t cool to the touch, which made me a little skeptical about its cooling capabilities, but it shouldn’t have. This mattress is made with naturally cooling materials, including Talalay latex, organic cotton, and wool, and the open cell structure of the coils allows air to flow freely. This combination of products and construction produces a bed that does a good job of regulating temperature.

I used a temperature gun to gauge how much this Birch bed heated up, proving the mattress’s ability to keep sleepers cool. The initial reading showed a temperature of 69.4 degrees. After I lay on it for five minutes, it rose to 78.4, and at the 10-minute mark, the Birch Natural had a reading of 79.3. Less than a 10-degree raise is good, and I was a fan of how it only went up one degree between five and 10 minutes. I deducted a half point because the cover didn’t offer crisp coolness. 

The Birch Natural’s bed bounce was top-notch during every test we ran. From lacrosse and medicine ball drops to flipping, flopping, and even jumping on the bed, the bounce on this mattress didn’t falter. Neither Loren nor I felt stuck. The mattress quickly responded to our weight, and the coil unit lifted us while keeping our spines aligned. It was an easy perfect score from me for the Birch Natural’s bounce performance. 

The Birch Natural’s coils reminded me of your favorite neighborhood’s pub bouncer because they are all about security. To reach this conclusion, the other testers and I sat and lay on the edge of the bed for a minute each to see how secure we felt. We had no concerns about falling off the bed in either position. 

I deducted a point because the squishy Talalay latex could potentially be a problem for those with mobility issues, but for most folks, I think this bed should keep you safe and sound when you’re close to the perimeter. This can be a helpful feature for couples who like to utilize the whole sleeping surface. 

Birch and their owner, Helix, seem committed to making this mattress safe and accessible to as many people as possible. In addition to using as many natural and organic materials as possible, they offer in-house mattress setup and removal if needed. Although it costs extra, I think it is a reasonable amount to pay for the services provided. 

Birch mattresses can also be found in showrooms across the country, giving people an opportunity to try one out before purchasing. The company provides military, student, teacher, and first responder discounts and an accessibility widget. I appreciated all the steps the manufacturer has taken to make their mattresses easily accessible, which is why it earned a 5 out of 5 from me.

Birch’s customer service is solid. You can call, email, or chat with a representative if you have any questions. The online chat is my preferred method, and after entering your name and email address, you have to select one of four areas for help. It took the chat assistant a couple of minutes to find a live person, and then it took the representative three to four minutes to answer my general inquiry question (how much weight a Birch Natural Queen mattress can hold). 

 I also appreciate that the chat and phone representatives were friendly and helpful. Although the customer service lags a little behind other mattress companies, I was still very satisfied with it overall. 

The Birch Natural could be a great fit for sexually active couples because the bounce and responsiveness make it a breeze for repositioning. It also has good edge support, which allows couples to utilize the entire surface of the bed without worrying about falling off the side.

Sleeping beside someone can sometimes cause your temperature to rise more than if were alone in the bed, and the Birch Natural’s cooling capabilities can help with this. The reason that I deducted a point for couples is because of the lack of motion isolation. If you sleep with a restless partner, you will likely be disturbed by their movements. 

Preference-Based Features

Optional Topper

Medium-firm support is versatile and should work well for a variety of sleepers, but some people may still prefer a softer feel. In this case, Birch offers a plush topper made of wool and latex foam, making it easy to soften the bed for additional contouring and comfort.

Discounts for Certain Groups

This brand provides a 15-percent discount for military personnel, teachers, first responders, and students.

Adjustable Base Compatible

The Birch is an excellent match for most foundations, but you can also use it on an adjustable base if you want more customization.

Construction: What’s Inside the Birch Natural?

The Birch Natural mattress is called “natural” for a reason. The construction is made with natural cotton, wool, Talalay latex, and steel coils. This 11-inch bed starts with all-natural cotton. As Stuart shows in his video review, the cover has a tiny bit of stretch, allowing the surface to cradle you.

• The first layer is made from wool mixed with rayon, acting as the bed’s natural flame retardant. 
• The second layer also has organic wool designed to cradle your body all while wicking away excess heat and moisture to keep you comfortably cool. 
• The third layer is made from Talalay latex, which is where the pressure relief starts. Latex conforms to your shape to help relieve pressure and pain in the joints while keeping the construction temperature-neutral and responsive. 
• The fourth layer is where the individually wrapped coils are located. The coils have an excellent ability to deliver tailored support for your body while isolating motion thanks to the wrapping of each coil in fabric. Plus, the bed also has additional coils in the perimeter for edge support. 
• The fifth layer is made of flame-resistant wool batting to stabilize the coils and provide a sturdy foundation for the upper layers to perform their best. In addition, this layer is a natural fire resistance barrier. 

If you choose the optional topper, your bed should have an extra 3 inches of wool and latex for extra cushioning.

*Note that the company does not publish the full measurements of the bed’s layers online.

Unboxing & Off-Gassing

The Birch Natural arrives at your door compressed into a box, making it easier to carry from your front door to the bedroom. Any flat surface, foundation, or adjustable base should suit this mattress. All you need to do is take the mattress out of the box, remove the protective cover, let it unroll, and then wait for it to expand to its full size.

Since this bed utilizes more natural materials, off-gassing shouldn’t be an issue. However, if you notice any new mattress smells that are bothersome, just let the mattress air out for a day or two before using it. 

Certifications

• eco-INSTITUT Certified
  The latex materials in Birch were tested in a lab and found to contain no VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and emissions.
• GREENGUARD Gold
  This certification by one of the leading environmental health agencies in the world tests for formaldehyde, phthalates, pollutants, chemical exposure, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
• Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
  The entire mattress has achieved this status, thanks to the organic materials and socially responsible manufacturing of textiles throughout the entire process of sourcing and construction.

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Birch Natural vs. Other Brands

	Birch Natural Mattress	Saatva Mattress	WinkBed Mattress
Rating	4.8/5	4.8/5	4.6/5
Firmness	Medium-firm: 6.5/10	Multiple firmness options	Multiple firmness options
Material	Hybrid	Innerspring	Hybrid
Cooling
Warranty	25-year warranty	Lifetime warranty	Lifetime warranty
Shipping	Free shipping	Free white glove delivery	Free shipping
Trial Period	100 nights	365 nights	120 nights
Best For	Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Hot Sleepers, Seniors	Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Hot Sleepers, Seniors	Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Hot Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Hip Pain, Seniors
	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price

Who I Recommend the Saatva For

• Those who want firmness options
• Folks who want a plush surface
• People with back pain

Explore our Saatva Mattress Review.

Who I Recommend the WinkBed For

• Heavyweight sleepers
• Couples
• Those who like a classic innerspring feel

Interested? Read our full WinkBed Mattress Review.

Birch Natural vs. Other Helix Models

	Birch Natural Mattress	Helix Sunset Mattress	Helix Midnight Mattress
Rating	4.8/5	4.6/5	4.5/5
Firmness	Medium-firm: 6.5/10	Medium: 5.5/10	Medium-firm: 6/10
Material	Hybrid	Hybrid	Hybrid
Cooling		—	—
Warranty	25-year warranty	10-year warranty	10-year warranty
Shipping	Free shipping	Free shipping	Free shipping
Trial Period	100 nights	100 nights	100 nights
Best For	Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Hot Sleepers, Seniors	Joint Pain, Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers	Couples, Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers
	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price

Who I Recommend the Helix Sunset For

• People on a budget
• Those who enjoy a softer mattress
• Side sleepers

Check out our Helix Sunset Mattress Review.

Who I Recommend the Helix Midnight For

• Sleepers with back pain
• Average-weight sleepers
• Those looking for pressure relief

Read our Helix Midnight review if you think it is right for you

My Verdict of the Birch Natural Mattress

If you want to give Mother Nature a hand while being lovingly hugged by Jell-O, the Birch Natural may be the choice for you. Ok, that sentence was a little odd, but this bed is not. With its top-of-the-class bounce support and cooling performance, it should be a hit with many sleepers. Additionally, the squishy latex provided a comforting hug-like feeling that did a great job relieving pressure. 

The one significant drawback of this Birch mattress is its lack of motion isolation. However, this should only be a problem if you sleep with a restless partner. Overall, I gave the Birch Natural a 4.4 out of 5.