Best Latex Mattresses in Canada: Top 5 Comfortable Picks and Buyer’s Guide

Best Cooling Option — GhostBed Classic

Next up on our list of the best latex mattresses in Canada is the GhostBed Classic. It’s a mattress model that would be an excellent option for hot sleepers as it exudes an always-cool surface, even when in use.

The mattress’s medium-plush firmness level offers sufficient cradling while ensuring that the support needed for spinal alignment is available. I found this to be true while testing the GhostBed Classic; even though it generously hugged my hips and shoulders, I didn’t feel restricted, thanks to the dense support and proprietary bounce layer.

Another feature I particularly liked about the GhostBed Classic is how breathable the mattress is. It features a gel-infused comfort layer, an open-celled transition layer, and a GhostIce fabric mattress cover, all adept at thermoregulation and heat dispersal. Despite using it on a warm summer night, I slept cool all through the night.

Based on Our Tests

I was out to test if the GhostBed Classic is really the coolest bed in the world. Indeed, the cover is made of a special phase change material that helps draw heat away and I felt the foam to be really cooling and didn't feel hot or sweaty.

Best Value for Money - Naturelle

Why You Should Trust Me

I’ve checked many latex mattresses in Canada, testing each of them for about a week and considering their most important characteristics. While testing them, I investigated the factors related to firmness, thickness, the support core, contouring ability, and material thoroughly. These factors specify whether a latex mattress is an organic one, provides enough support, manages to respond to movements accordingly, and relaxes the body. I also try to consider the price, return-policies, trials, and how credible the manufacturer is, so I only introduce the product I trust.

With these factors in mind, I came up with a few final products better than the other latex mattresses. To finalize my choices, I checked the cover material to see if they’re hypoallergenic or made from natural material like cotton, helping with sanitization. When I had everything I needed to know, with the help of my methodologies and extensive tests, I made a list to make the decision-making process easier on you.

Latex Mattresses Explained: Types and Differences

Searching for a good latex mattress involves learning a couple of new terms and what differences between the models you may come across. To help you navigate the mattress market easier, let’s take a look at the most common types you can encounter when shopping.

Firstly, all latex types can be divided into 3 main groups:

• Natural. The source of natural latex is the sap from the rubber trees. It is considered to be one of the safest and most eco-friendly materials as there are no synthetic chemicals in the composition of natural latex. Some agents can be added in the process of curing and molding, but as long as they make up less than 5%, a mattress can be considered natural. 
• Synthetic. Being less expensive than the previous type, synthetic latex is produced using petrochemicals. It can mimic the feel of natural latex but may have a slight rubber off-gassing for the first few days after unpacking. 
• Blend. Many manufacturers use a blend of natural and synthetic latex in their mattresses. The ratio may vary but it is oftentimes listed on the product page. Typically, manufacturers use more synthetic than natural latex, which may concern some shoppers.

Also read: Best King Size Mattresses in Canada

There are also 2 types of latex depending on the way it is produced, and each of them has its own peculiarities:

• Dunlop. Making Dunlop latex involves whipping, stirring, molding, and baking the liquid rubber tree sap. This process causes most of the sediment to accumulate at the bottom, making the Dunlop latex foam denser and heavier on one side. Dunlop usually costs a bit less to produce than Talalay, therefore such mattresses tend to be a bit cheaper.
• Talalay. When making Talalay latex, the liquid rubber is poured into the mold (but only half-way). Then it is vacuum-sealed and flash-frozen before the baking process. This makes the material expand and creates tiny airways all through the foam surface. Such an airy structure may help with cooling when sleeping on a mattress. Talalay latex is typically softer and lighter than Dunlop and can often be used for comfort layers, while Dunlop usually serves as the base. 

A quick note: you may find all-latex mattresses that combine multiple layers of latex, each being of a different density to maintain a certain feel. However, there are also latex hybrids, which some manufacturers label “latex mattresses”. Such hybrids can combine an innerspring core with latex comfort layers. You can also find a latex + memory foam combo, although it’s not that common.

Understanding Latex Density and ILD

Density and Indentation Load Deflection (ILD) are the two criteria that determine the overall feel of latex.

Density is measured in kilograms per cubic meter, or kg/m3. Most latex mattresses range between 60 and 95. The denser the material, the more durable your mattress would be. Models using denser latex also tend to have a firmer feel and deliver more support.

However, density isn’t what measures the firmness of a mattress. ILD, or Indentation Load Deflection does. This rating determines how much pressure has to be applied to latex to make it compress to a certain extent. So, the higher the ILD, the more pressure (or force) is required to make it compress, which means the firmer it feels.

Now, the latex used in mattresses varies from around 15 ILD to 35 and up. Anything between 15 and 25 has a softer feel and would be ideal for side sleepers as they require a generous amount of sinkage for the protruding hips and shoulders. The 24-31 ILD gives a mattress a medium to medium-firm feel, which would work for heavier side sleepers or average back sleepers. And anything above 34 ILD is considered firm (with 39 being extra-firm), which would suit strict stomach sleepers or overweight back sleepers.

Also read: Mattress for Back Pain

Are Latex Mattresses Really Worth It?

No mattress can be perfect for everyone (despite what some manufacturers may say).

Therefore, it’s important to consider all the advantages and potential disadvantages of latex mattresses. Hopefully, this will help you understand whether this mattress type would work for you or not.

So, let’s start with the pros:

• Latex conforms closely to one’s body, which allows for proper weight distribution. This aids healthy spinal alignment and makes latex beds ideal for those who want to maintain proper posture during sleep. This material is also suitable for people dealing with chronic pain, back issues, arthritis, or fibromyalgia.
• Latex can offer more than decent pressure relief as it offers gentle contouring and alleviates tension. Of course, latex doesn’t offer such a deep hug (unlike memory foam, for example), but it’s still good for above-average pressure relief.
• If you share your bed with a partner and need good motion isolation in order not to disturb each other, latex would be suited for that. This material feels rather springy, but it absorbs motion well and can help you reduce nighttime disturbances.
• Thanks to its natural bounce, latex recovers fast from applied pressure. This makes latex mattresses suitable for sexually active couples and restless sleepers who change positions frequently during sleep.
• Latex mattresses make minimal to zero noise when bearing weight.
• Latex doesn’t tend to trap heat, which makes it suitable for hot sleepers. Additionally, comfort layers typically use Talalay latex, which is airy and allows for unobstructed air circulation that may have a slight cooling effect.
• Latex is naturally resistant to dust, mildew, and mold. This means it is safe for allergy-prone people and can be a good option for those who want their bed to always feel fresh.
• This material is very durable. In fact, latex mattresses are famous for their prolonged lifespan, which can be up to 25 years (if we’re talking about natural latex).

Now, moving on to the cons of using a latex mattress:

• This mattress type is pricier than most other beds, which can be an issue for shoppers on a budget.
• Latex may not provide enough hug for some sleepers, especially those who are used to memory foam.
• Rubbery smell is common for both synthetic and natural latex, so such mattresses often have a slight off-gassing upon arrival.
• Most latex mattresses have mediocre edge support (unless latex is paired up with an innerspring core). This may be an issue for users who need more sleeping space or rely on mattress edges to press with their hands and get out of bed (like people with slight mobility issues, for instance).

Latex mattresses are rather heavy and may be hard to relocate when needed.

“Although latex is naturally hypoallergenic, you should try airing it as often as possible. This process allows trapped heat and other allergens to escape, leaving your mattress all the more healthier.”