Birch Mattress Review for 2024

A good pressure-relieving mattress allows the heaviest body areas to sink enough so that no pressure builds up. Without this, excess pressure can accumulate in the shoulders, hips, knees, and lower back, causing or exacerbating pain. 

The Birch Natural’s medium-firm should fit most people, allowing just enough sinkage for optimal pressure relief. In addition, this mattress contains naturally pressure-relieving latex, so it’s unlikely pressure buildup would be any concern. However, we think the Birch may be too firm for petite sleepers, especially those who prefer sleeping on their side because they’re unlikely to sink deeply enough. 

Is Birch Mattress Good for Pain Relief?

The Birch mattress has a medium firmness that should work well for most people, depending on their body shape and weight. The bed is made from latex, and although it doesn’t have that slow-sinking feel you get from memory foam, it should do a good job of relieving pressure and pain. Some people may sink deeper than others, so they should experience variable levels of relief, but overall, we think the Birch is a good choice for those with achy shoulders, hips, and back.

Back Pain

We think the supportive coils and medium firmness of this bed should provide excellent relief for those who experience back pain. This is because the mattress has coils that help maintain spine alignment, reducing pressure in the lower back.

Hip Pain

Hip pain sometimes occurs (or worsens) because the hips sink too deeply into a mattress or if a bed is too firm. When it comes to the Birch, we think average-weight to heavyweight people should receive ample support in this area. However, lightweight sleepers with hip pain may experience too much pressure buildup due to the higher firmness level.

Shoulder Pain

The shoulders tend to bear a lot of weight for side sleepers. Luckily, this is something the Birch can help with by providing adequate relief since latex excels at pressure relief. However, sleepers of a lighter weight may want to consider a plush topper for some added cushioning toward the surface of the bed.

The Birch’s combination of a medium-firm feel, supportive coils, and bouncy latex should please most shoppers looking for proper spinal support. Latex is a durable material, and sleepers should experience plenty of pushback for spine alignment coming from the individually wrapped coils.

Together, the materials make this bed comfortable and supportive for various body types and sleeping positions.

As we said, Birch Natural may not be the best for motion isolation due to the buoyant latex and coil construction. By not isolating movement, the Birch Natural may not be a great choice for couples or other co-sleepers who are light sleepers as they may be disturbed by their sleep mate’s movements.

The Birch Natural has average cooling properties as it takes advantage of the naturally moisture-wicking and breathable properties of organic cotton, wool, and latex. In addition, the mattress also features pocketed coils that provide additional airflow so no heat stays trapped within the construction.

The combination of coils and latex makes this hybrid a bouncy, quick-responding mattress that could be suitable for combination sleepers, people with mobility, and sexually active couples. The construction is bouncy enough to allow easy repositioning without making you feel stuck inside the first few layers. Check the video to see Stuart pressing into the layers of this bed and how quickly they respond to that pressure.

“I’m also a huge fan of reinforced edge support,” Stuart shared. He goes on to say he feels like he could “utilize the entire mattress.” As we found through testing, the Birch Natural has reinforced edges that give you extra support if you sit or lie along the perimeter of the bed. You may notice some compression, but we think most people should feel nicely supported in this area without feeling like they could fall off.

Although sexually active couples should enjoy cooling and the bounce of this mattress, the Birch won’t be a good fit for all couples. We’re saying this because the Birch doesn’t isolate motion so well, meaning that some sleepers may be easily disturbed if they share their bed with a restless partner.

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.

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Discounts for Certain Groups

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

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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.

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Handcrafted in the USA

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. “Just slide the mattress out of the box, remove the protective sleeve, unroll, and wait for the mattress to decompress.“ Stuart explained. 

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.

Coupons, Trials, Warranties, and Shipping

• Shipping – Shipping is free within the United States.
• Trial – Sleepers get 100 nights to test this mattress and decide whether it’s the right choice for their needs.
• Warranty – The Birch Natural comes with a 25-year warranty.
• Return Policy – Helix offers a 120-night trial for the Birch Natural but requires you to keep the mattress for at least 30 days before deciding to return it. This way, they can be sure you truly tested the bed before asking for a full refund.

Sizes & Prices

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Birch Natural a good mattress?

Yes! We consider the Birch Natural by Helix a solidly-constructed, eco-conscious hybrid mattress. The hybrid construction made with latex and coils makes for an ultra-supportive, durable bed. Plus, its medium firmness should work for most people.

Should you flip the Birch Natural?

No, hybrid mattresses such as the Birch Natural aren’t flippable. The softer comfort layers are on the top and flipping the bed would alter the feel and function of the construction.

Is the Birch Natural made from all-natural materials?

Yes, the Birch Natural is made from all-natural, eco-conscious materials like organic cotton and natural Talalay latex that help promote sustainability.

Birch Natural vs Other Brands

Birch Natural vs Saatva

Who We Recommend the Birch NaturalFor

• Fans of bouncy beds
• Eco-conscious folks
• Hot sleepers

Who We Recommend the Saatva For

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

Explore our Saatva Mattress Review.

Birch Natural vs WinkBed

Who We Recommend the Birch Natural For

• Hot sleepers
• Organic shoppers
• Those who switch positions throughout the night

Who We 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 vs Helix Sunset

Who We Recommend the Birch Natural Mattress Original For

• Average-weight back sleepers
• Those uncertain of what firmness level they like
• Eco-conscious consumers

Who We Recommend the Helix Sunset For

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

Check out our Helix Sunset Mattress Review.

Our Verdict

We think the Birch Natural is a comfortable, supportive, and eco-friendly mattress that should work for an array of body types and sleep positions. It has a combination of pressure-relieving latex and individually wrapped coils that promote breathability for a cooler night’s rest.

One thing that stands out the most with this mattress is buoyancy. This is what makes it an excellent fit for combination sleepers, people with mobility issues, and sexually active couples. However, this is exactly what may be a drawback for some people, especially couples with different sleeping habits who don’t want to be awakened by a co-sleepers movements. Overall, we gave this mattress a 4 out of 5.