Avocado Vs. Birch: Which Eco-Friendly Mattress Brand Should You Try?

If you’re struggling to get quality sleep—whether you can’t fall asleep, stay asleep, or both—you've likely considered a new mattress. But have you thought about the materials it's made with? In testing the best nontoxic mattresses, our team is fairly split on Avocado vs. Birch.

The toxic materials found in many synthetic mattresses can off-gas into the surrounding space for years. In fact, a 2022 study1 simulated memory foam mattress off-gassing and found that chemical emissions were still present at the one-year mark. These VOCs, flame retardants, and phthalates can have subtle but potentially serious long-term effects on our health.

Avocado and Birch both a lot to offer when it comes to sustainability, especially compared to memory foam options. The two brands also excel in comfort, support, and materials.

Known for its sustainable practices, Avocado is a popular mattress company with a number of organic mattresses and bedding options. 

The brand values the health of the planet (and its people) and sells mattresses at affordable prices while being environmentally conscious, ethical, and living up to sustainable business practices. 

Avocado is a “Best for the World” Certified B Corporation, Climate Neutral and Fair Trade certified, and the Pinnacle Award Winner from 1% for the Planet. 

Despite being a bed in a box, Birch mattresses are among some of the most eco-friendly hybrid mattresses on the market. 

Crafted with organic materials such as cotton, wool, and latex, Birch mattresses are made in the United States. 

In fact, the brand has garnered a few standout certifications, including Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Eco-INSTITUT, and GREENGUARD Gold. 

Made with organic New Zealand wool, organic Fair Trade cotton, natural Talalay latex, and hundreds of steel coils for optimal support, the Birch Natural Organic Mattress is hypoallergenic and it has reinforced side edges that maintain the bed’s structure and shape over time. 

It’s a great choice for back and stomach sleepers, with a firm-yet-springy feel. Hot sleepers will also love the breathable, cooling wool surface.

The latex doesn’t have the same cradling sensation as memory foam, but will keep your hips and body in alignment.

The Luxe model is the upgraded version of the Birch Natural Mattress. This one is a medium-firm hybrid of Talalay latex, steel coils, and comfortable layers of GOTS certified organic cashmere and organic wool (which has been Wool Integrity NZ-certified). 

How does it differ? Well, the design includes increased lumbar support (which could be helpful for those dealing with back pain) and reinforced edges (for more durability and room). 

Back, stomach, and heavy sleepers, rejoice: This latex mattress from Avocado is the brand’s firmest option yet. 

The Avocado Latex Mattress gives the supportive (yet incredibly luxurious) feeling of laying on your mattress rather than sinking deep into it. 

It’s held up by 9 inches of 100% GOLS organic certified Dunlop latex and has a bouncy yet firm feel. 

If your lifestyle choices keep you from purchasing mattresses made with animal products, you’ll love Avocado’s Vegan Mattress. 

This mattress is also featured on our list of the best organic mattresses, after impressing us with its stellar motion isolation (all thanks to its carefully distributed 1,400+ coils). 

Avocado’s vegan mattress is made from 100% organic cotton batting, which is ethically harvested from family farms in India. 

The Eco Organic Mattress is made from GOLS-certified Dunlop latex, GOTS-certified organic wool, organic cotton, and recycled steel coils. 

Like all Avocado mattresses, this pick is biodegradable, uses no toxic chemicals, fiberglass, or polyurethane foam, and even has a MADE SAFE non-toxic seal for your safety. 

Avocado mattresses start at $775 and go up to $2,800, while Birch mattresses are a bit more expensive, ranging from $1,124 to $2,811. 

Holistic sleep specialist Sarah Silverman recommends opting for a mattress made from organic cotton, organic wool, and natural latex. 

Both Avocado and Birch offer mattresses with several (if not all) these materials. Avocado’s mattress materials are entirely biodegradable and ethically harvested from the brand’s own farms in California. 

Birch mattresses are sustainably sourced from Southeast Asia, Africa, Brazil, and New Zealand. 

At the bare minimum, your mattress should be CertiPUR-US certified, but we recommend looking a bit further. 

Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS), Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), OEKO-TEX Standard 100, Greenguard GOLD, and MADE SAFE are all superior certifications indicating that the brand uses healthier materials without the unsavory chemicals.

Avocado’s certifications include Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX, Greenguard Gold, GOTS, GOLD, and Forest Stewardship Council.

The great thing about Avocado is that there’s a mattress in the lineup for everyone.

The brand’s softer Avocado Green Mattress is one of the best mattresses for side sleepers, while the Avocado Latex Mattress is an excellent choice for back sleepers or those who prefer an extra-firm mattress.

For those who appreciate the convenience of a bed in a box and value sustainability, Birch is a solid choice. 

If you’re a hot sleeper or someone who sleeps with a partner, you’ll appreciate Birch mattresses’ temperature regulation and edge support. 

The blend of wool, latex, and coils help keep you cool throughout the night, while the strong edge support allows for easy movement and maximum bed space.