Avocado Green Mattress Review: I Upgraded to a Non-Toxic Organic Mattress for Better Sleep and Health
Updated: Jan. 25, 2024
If you're curious about what it's like to sleep on an organic mattress, we tested the best-selling Avocado Green mattress to review its features and benefits. Sweet dreams!
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When I moved to a new apartment, I finally had enough space for the ultimate adult luxury: a king-size bed. While I was upgrading in terms of space, I decided it was also time to think more carefully about the materials my mattress is made from.
I wanted a non-toxic mattress, not just for better sleep and health, but also to lessen my environmental impact. And I needed a supportive mattress to help with occasional back pain. It was time to go organic with an Avocado Green mattress.
I’ve been sleeping on it for over a year, and this is my Avocado Green mattress review. What makes me an expert? As a former luxury hotel inspector and reviewer, I’ve slept on and evaluated hundreds of luxury mattresses. I also spoke with two sleep doctors for their professional takes.
While you’re at it, also explore the Saatva mattresses if you can’t agree on the firmness level of the mattresses with your partner.
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What is an Avocado Green mattress?
Avocado brought organic mattresses to the mainstream. Each mattress is handcrafted in Los Angeles using 100% certified organic materials—most sourced from their own farms. Unlike conventional mattresses, organic mattresses are made with natural materials like wool, cotton and latex. They’re free of potentially toxic foams, chemical fire retardants and off-gassing materials. Each Avocado Green mattress is screened against 6,500 known and suspected harmful chemicals. Avocado is on its way to becoming the world’s first zero-waste certified mattress factory and runs on renewable energy.
Avocado Green mattress review first impressions
The Avocado Green mattress arrived at my front door in a large cardboard box with minimal branding to reduce ink use. The compressed mattress was tightly wrapped in two layers of recyclable plastic. At 76 by 80 by 11 inches, pulling the king-size mattress out of the box required two people. First, we removed the top layer of plastic and unrolled the mattress. It was pretty flat, but after peeling off the second plastic layer, the mattress started to slowly decompress and puff up. Within about 30 minutes, it was almost fully formed with a few wrinkles in the top layer of cotton.
Does the Avocado Green mattress smell? Sort of! But not how I expected. Instead of the harsh chemical scent I’ve come to associate with the off-gassing of cheap plastics and products, the Avocado Green mattress smelled faintly (and pleasantly) of wool. I noticed it the most on the first night, but the odor faded within a few weeks. I asked a few friends to smell the mattress to ensure I hadn’t become nose blind and they assured me there was no noticeable scent.
My first impression of the mattress was how nice it looked and felt. Of course, I covered it with sheets and a down comforter, but the light green edges and hand-pulled yarn rosette tufts on the super soft organic cotton pillow top were obviously high quality. I also appreciated the two upholstered handles sewn onto both sides of the mattress, which made it much easier to move around. You can’t see them underneath a fitted sheet either. And while you’re upgrading your mattress, here are the best pillows for every type of sleeper.
When I laid down and rolled around, it immediately felt comfortable and supportive all the way to the edges—the steel-reinforced perimeter does its job. I was excited to get to sleep and do the reporting of an Avocado Green mattress review.
How we tested the Avocado Green mattress
Like I said, I used to review luxury hotel mattresses. I’ve tossed and turned on my fair share of expensive, but sagging, beds and woken up with an achy back. For this Avocado Green mattress review, I did the hard work of going to sleep.
This mattress is rated seven out of 10 on the firmness scale, but adding the pillow top makes it a six out of 10. That means it has a medium-firm feel, called “gentle firm” on the Avocado website. This is ideal for anyone experiencing back pain (me), heavier sleepers or if you’re a back or stomach sleeper. Side sleepers (also me) should purchase the pillow-top version of the Avocado Green mattress, which adds an extra two inches of support on the mattress surface for additional pressure relief.Â
With my last memory foam mattress, I usually slept on my side with a pillow between my knees for better alignment. It got to be such a habit I didn’t even realize I was doing it. With the Avocado Green mattress, I ditched the pillow. The interior of the mattress features 3,136 individually pocketed coils made from recycled steel. When combined with 21 layers of organic and natural latex, wool, mohair, silk, flax and cotton, you’ve got an extremely comfortable and supportive mattress. In fact, the Avocado Green mattress is endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association.
The innerspring layer is divided into five support zones designed to evenly distribute weight across the mattress. This smart system provides immediate pressure relief for the shoulders, back and hips. The side zones provide edge support so active sleepers won’t feel as if they are rolling off the bed.
The coils are individually wrapped to reduce motion transfer. To test motion isolation, I put a glass of water on one side of the mattress and rolled around on the other. The glass didn’t move. Couples who are disturbed by their partner’s nighttime movements will appreciate that. I often share my bed with my small dog, and I don’t feel him circling around at night, looking for a sweet spot.
As for temperature control, above the coils a two-inch all-natural latex foam serves as a comfort layer. Most sleepers find the latex cooler than memory foam, which is known to trap heat. The button-tufted top layer is crafted from super soft organic cotton, and its moisture-wicking properties aid in keeping the mattress temperature neutral. I’m not a hot sleeper, but I find that when paired with cooling sheets, the Avocado Green mattress feels cool throughout the night. I’ll soon be swapping over to a flannel sheet set for winter. (Really hot sleepers should check out our Dreamcloud mattress review.)
Thoughts after sleeping on the Avocado Green mattress for one year
After I got through the initial 100-night Avocado Green mattress review and decided my new mattress was a good sleep fit, came the real test: How did the Avocado Green mattress hold up after a year? Vacations aside, I’ve slept on the Avocado Green mattress for an entire year and I’m thrilled to report that I’m just as happy with it now as I was on the first night.
The Avocado Green mattress has held up to the addition of my boyfriend and his dog on most nights. I haven’t experienced any sagging, worn spots or discomfort. And I sleep better knowing my loved ones aren’t inhaling fire retardants through the night. Sleeping with a pillow between my knees is a distant memory.
The only change I’ve made was to invest in a mattress protector to keep the Avocado clean and free from stains and spills. Here’s how to clean a mattress. I’ve recommended the Avocado to multiple friends who are also thrilled with the upgrade to better sleep with fewer chemicals.
What experts say about organic mattresses
Dr. Michael Breus, a PhD with a subject matter expert on sleep, explained that organic mattresses have been around for quite awhile as a fringe category for people with allergies or who want to live a more organic lifestyle. With health on everyone’s mind during the pandemic, he noticed an increase in interest with organic products. His main concern with the organic label is that it can be confusing to consumers. He suggests shoppers look for beds based on their function of spinal alignment, comfort and sleep posture.
That’s why I like Avocado, they’re upfront about where their organic materials and accreditation comes from. And the Avocado Green mattress is loaded with high quality features to promote spinal alignment and comfort.
Po-Chang Hsu, MD, is a proponent of organic mattresses. He says, “One of the biggest benefits of organic mattresses is, of course, their safety. Natural models do not use harmful chemicals during manufacturing (for instance, volatile organic compounds, benzene, propylene oxide, formaldehyde, naphthalene and others). Therefore, organic mattresses do not emit chemical off-gassing that can cause unpleasant health side effects such as headaches, eye/nose/throat irritation, allergic skin reactions, nausea, fatigue and dizziness.”
Dr. Hsu also explains that there are spinal benefits to organic mattresses, specifically those with latex, like in the Avocado Green mattress. He states, “Natural mattresses are also great for back health. Using latex, they typically offer close conforming. This allows organic mattresses to promote even weight redistribution, reducing tension in one’s body and aiding proper spinal alignment.” That explains why I don’t need a pillow between my knees anymore!
Are Avocado mattresses environmentally friendly?
While neither sleep expert I interviewed specifically endorses the Avocado Green mattress (since they haven’t slept on one), Dr. Hsu encourages shoppers interested in organic mattresses to look for safety and organic certifications. Avocado’s long list of organic certifications includes Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS), and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program.
Along with using organic materials such as GOTS-certified cotton and wool, Avocado as a company emits net-zero carbon emissions, making its Avocado Green mattress and PETA-approved Avocado Vegan mattress solid mattress choices for eco-conscious shoppers like myself.
Avocado Green mattress pros
- Seriously supportive and comfortable with layers of plush materials and pocketed coils
- Made in Los Angeles; fewer shipping delays and supports the American economy
- Bonafide organic, fair-trade, and non-toxic credibility backed by environment and sustainability groups
- Natural materials and renewable energy in production lessen the company’s environmental impact
- I sleep better knowing my dog and I aren’t inhaling or touching toxic chemicals
- Reduced my back pain and helped me sleep more soundly
- Full replacement for the first 10 years, and 25-year limited warranty
- Stays cool throughout the night and reduces motion transfer
- Endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association
- Over a year of constant use and going strong!
Avocado Green mattress cons
- There are cheaper mattresses on the market (but they’re not domestically made with high quality materials)
- Slightly sweet wool smell took a few weeks to disappear
How much does the Avocado Green mattress cost?
The Avocado Green mattress comes in six sizes, from twin to California King. Prices starts at $1399 for a twin and go up to $2599 for a California King. You can also add an optional attached pillow-top to any mattress for an additional cost. Organic crib mattresses are available for little ones, too. Vegans can opt for a hybrid mattress made without wool. There’s also a latex mattress without springs.
If you’re looking for a high quality mattress on a budget, our Senior Shopping Editor tested the top-selling Zinus mattress.
Avocado has a current early holiday deal! Save 10% off everything sitewide, including mattresses, with code SAVE10 through January 9, 2023.
Is there a return policy or sleep trial?
Unlike most mattress companies, Avocado actually makes their own products in Los Angeles. That’s why they have a 25 year (!) limited warranty. For the first 10 years, you get full replacement value and free return pickup services. Avocado also gives you an entire year sleep trial with the mattress to decide if you want to keep it. It’s hard for me to imagine what my sleep needs will be in 25 years, but I can’t imagine going back to a standard mattress.
Where to buy the Avocado Green mattress
Why is it called Avocado Green mattress? Because avocados are green, and everyone loves them. The fruit and the mattress have a lot in common. If you live in New York City, New Jersey, Los Angeles or San Diego, you can check out Avocado Green mattresses and sleep products in person at a sleep experience store. Otherwise, virtually visit avocadogreenmattress.com to watch videos, chat with a customer support specialist, and add a good night’s organic sleep to your cart.
Sources:
- Dr. Michael Breus, PhD and subject matter expert on sleep, www.thesleepdoctor.com
- Po-Chang Hsu, MD, and a Medical Content Expert at SleepingOcean.com
Originally Published: December 06, 2021
