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Your bedroom should be your sanctuary—it shouldn’t trigger a runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, or coughing. But if you have allergies, chemical sensitivities, or are one of the 8% of U.S. adults with asthma, your current mattress may be preventing you from getting a restful sleep [1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most Recent National Asthma Data. May 10, 2023. Found on the internet at https://www.cdc.gov/asthma/most_recent_national_asthma_data.htm .
Mattresses can harbor common allergens like dust mites, mold, mildew, and pet dander, which can irritate allergies or trigger asthma attacks. Even some of the best mattresses may contain chemicals and synthetic materials that can irritate sleepers.
“Look for mattresses that contain organic or natural materials, such as latex, organic wool, and cotton,” said Mohammad A. Younus, a medical doctor board-certified in internal medicine and allergy and immunology.
Younus advised avoiding mattresses with polyester and other synthetic fabrics. These fabrics trap heat and moisture, creating a more welcoming environment for dust mites and mold.
While no mattress is 100% allergen-free, allergy-friendly mattresses can help prevent allergen buildup. Like organic mattresses, hypoallergenic mattresses contain natural materials like cotton, wool, and Talalay latex.ⓘ A natural rubber material that offers breathability and temperature regulation . These materials help minimize exposure to dust mites, mold, and other common allergens, and create a healthier sleep environment.
Warning
If you have a latex allergy, breathing in latex fibers or directly touching the material will likely cause an allergic reaction. Latex mattresses may be safe for sleepers with latex allergies since you’re not directly exposed to the material when sleeping on the mattress. Latex is encased within the mattress and doesn’t come into contact with sleepers.
We recommend speaking with the mattress manufacturer if you’re considering a latex mattress and have concerns about an allergic reaction.
To help you find the best mattress for allergies, our Reviews Team considers mattress firmness, support, motion isolation motion isolationⓘ The ability of a mattress to keep movement on one side of the bed from affecting the other side. , and edge support edge supportⓘ This refers to the bed’s stability along the edges. , in addition to allergy-friendly materials and construction.
Saatva Latex Hybrid is our top allergy-friendly mattress. It contains natural, organic cotton, wool, and latex and has undergone antimicrobial treatment. Saatva offers some of the best customer policies: a one-year trial period, free white-glove delivery (free shipping and installation of new mattress and removal of old mattress), and a lifetime warranty.
| Mattress type | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Mattress height | 12 inches | 11.5 inches | 12.5 inches | 11 inches | 11 inches |
| Warranty | Lifetime | 10 years | Lifetime | Lifetime | 25 years |
| Material | Organic cotton, natural latex, recycled steel coils | Memory foam, steel coils | Organic cotton, wool, Talalay latex, recycled steel coils | Organic cotton, wool, Talalay latex, recycled steel coils | Organic cotton, wool, natural latex, steel coils |
A hypoallergenic mattress contains fewer allergens and irritants than a standard mattress because of its material and construction. “Hypoallergenic” doesn’t mean a product is 100% free of allergens—it’s simply less likely to cause an allergic reaction or irritation [3] Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Hypoallergenic or Allergy Free: Science or Marketing Hype? May 24, 2023. Found on the internet at https://community.aafa.org/blog/hypoallergenic-science-or-marketing-hype .
When choosing the right mattress to help prevent allergies, consider the mattress material, your sleeping position(s), personal preferences, and budget. There’s no “best” mattress for everyone, but our recommendations can help you narrow your choices to find the right hypoallergenic mattress for your lifestyle and budget.
When shopping for a hypoallergenic mattress, focus primarily on the mattress material. While no mattress is completely free of allergens, certain materials may deter allergens and be less irritating than others.
Look for mattress covers made of natural materials, such as organic cotton or wool. Cotton and wool naturally draw moisture away from your body, creating a dry environment that helps prevent bacteria, mold, and mildew growth. While neither material is antimicrobial, cotton and wool are lighter and more breathable than synthetic fibers, making them less irritating to sensitive skin.
Memory foam and latex mattresses have dense structures less hospitable to dust mites, dust, and pet dander than innerspring mattresses.
Remember that your hypoallergenic mattress will be more effective when paired with allergy-friendly bed sheets and pillows. Choose bed sheets containing natural, hypoallergenic materials and foam or latex pillows. Avoid down-filled pillows and comforters since down feathers may cause an allergic reaction.
There aren’t federal regulations for hypoallergenic products, but the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and Allergy Standards Limited (ASL) have created an asthma and allergy-friendly certification for everyday household products, including bedding.
Firmness doesn’t affect a mattress’s protection against allergens, but you’ll need the right firmness to comfortably support your sleeping position, body weight, and personal preferences. Generally, a medium mattress accommodates most sleepers, but depending on your needs, you may need a softer or firmer mattress.
We recommend a softer, more cushioning mattress for side sleepers. The soft surface helps relieve pressure in the shoulders and hips. Stomach sleepers usually need a firmer mattress to prevent their hips from sinking into the mattress and out of alignment with their spine. Firm mattresses are also generally the best mattresses for higher-weight people since they offer reinforced support without too much sinkage.
Determine your budget when shopping for a hypoallergenic mattress. Mattresses are an investment, especially since we spend a third of our lives sleeping [4] National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Brain Basics: Understanding Sleep. Found on the internet at https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/public-education/brain-basics/brain-basics-understanding-sleep . Still, many high-quality, affordable mattresses are available to accommodate different budgets.
Generally, hybrids and latex mattresses are more expensive (about $1,500–$2,200 for a queen) compared to foam and innerspring mattresses (about $700–$1,200 for a queen). All mattresses in this review include free shipping. Some mattress brands offer white-glove delivery for an additional fee, which may include mattress setup, old mattress removal, or both.
When comparing mattress prices, also compare each brand’s trial period, return policy, and warranty.
If you have allergies, we recommend avoiding traditional innerspring mattresses. These mattresses have a more open structure than hybrid or foam mattresses, which may make it easier for dust mites, pet dander, and other allergens to settle in.
Down-filled and foam mattresses with synthetic materials may also irritate sleepers with allergies or chemical sensitivities. Look for CertiPUR-US- and GREENGUARD-certified mattresses when shopping for hypoallergenic mattresses. Contact the manufacturer if you want to know more about a mattress brand’s materials and manufacturing practices.
Mattress brands usually offer discounts throughout the year, with the best promotions running during holidays like President’s Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday.
Many brands also offer discounts for military members, first responders, health care workers, and educators, but these discounts usually cannot be combined with other discounts.
A hypoallergenic mattress isn’t completely free from allergens, but some mattresses may be more allergy-friendly than others. We recommend the Saatva Latex Hybrid as the best hypoallergenic mattress. The mattress contains natural, organic materials and botanical antimicrobial treatment. Saatva also offers customer-friendly policies such as a one-year trial period, free white-glove delivery, and a lifetime warranty.
We also recommend the Helix Midnight, WinkBed EcoCloud, Nolah Natural, and Birch Natural. There’s no one-size-fits-all mattress, so consider your sleeping position, budget, and personal preferences when shopping for an allergy-friendly mattress.
Over time, allergens like dust mites, mold, and mildew may build up in your mattress. These allergens can cause frequent sneezing, coughing, congestion, watery eyes, or a running nose. Hypoallergenic mattresses contain natural and synthetic materials designed to deter allergens.
The best mattress for allergies varies for each sleeper, but memory foam or latex mattresses are generally recommended. Memory foam and latex are antimicrobial, and the dense materials are less likely to attract and gather dust, bacterial growth, dust mites, and pet dander than innerspring mattresses.
Most latex mattresses are safely encased in a mattress cover and shouldn’t irritate sleepers with a latex allergy, but those with latex allergies should still be cautious when shopping for a mattress.
A memory foam mattress can be good for allergies because it’s naturally antimicrobial. Memory foam’s dense structure makes it difficult for bacteria, mildew, mold, and other microorganisms to grow and thrive in the material. Some memory foam mattresses contain polyurethane, a petroleum product that may aggravate allergies. Look for certifications like CertiPUR-US and GREENGUARD when shopping for a memory foam mattress.
A removable mattress cover isn’t guaranteed to make your mattress more allergy-friendly. Consider a hypoallergenic mattress containing natural and synthetic materials designed to repel allergens. Our top allergy-friendly mattresses are the Saatva Hybrid Latex, Helix Midnight, WinkBed EcoCloud, Nolah Natural, and Birch Natural.
Have questions about this article? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.
