I Tested and Rated Every Avocado Mattress − These Are My Top 3

'Avocados are green, healthy, and everybody likes them,' says Mark Abrials, the Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Avocado Green Mattress. I'm asking him where the unexpected name 'Avocado' came from, on a press trip with the brand in Newport Beach, California.

The day began with a woodshop tour, followed by a full mattress factory tour. I've seen how every single layer of an Avocado mattress is produced, stitched, and finished, and tested each and every one, one after the other, in their Fullerton store, a short drive from the factory.

Here's everything I learned, which I deemed the very best mattresses from the brand, and exactly why.

Inside the Factory in Fullerton, California

I've never toured a mattress factory before, and wasn't sure exactly what to expect. What struck me most was the humming activity − in one corner, a factory worker is using a large German quilting machine to create the design on the top of a mattress. In the other, tape edging is taking place, which is done by hand and involves pulling heavy machinery all day. 'I have a lot of respect for these guys,' says Oscar Ruiz, Chief Manufacturing Officer, as he tours us around.

We meet Jose, too. He's one of two people in the entire factory who's trained to do the side stitching, the all-important step that makes sure every layer on the Grand Luxe Mattress stays in place. No adhesives are used, and this task alone takes eight hours − they can make over 100 standard mattresses in the time it takes to make one Grand Luxe. It's no wonder they're currently training a employee to undertake this painstakingly long and precise task.

The tufting is also done by hand. The mattresses are compressed vertically first, before a long needle is pushed through one way and pulled out the other side. This keeps everything tight, prevents migration of the materials, and means body impressions don't happen so quickly, helping to make these organic mattresses last longer.

The part that we're all most intrigued to see is how these colossal mattresses are roll-packed for shipping. The answer is a huge machine that squashes them down to around one inch before they come out rolled, are dropped into a box, closed up, and shipped across the U.S., as well as to Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada. The only variations are the Grand Luxe and Luxury Organic Mattresses, which ship flat, and the Crib Mattresses, which are shipped in plastic to prevent potentially harmful dust from collecting in transit.

Approximately two weeks of inventory are kept in the factory at any one time, and up to 700 pieces, across mattresses, toppers, and more, are made every day.

Mattress Testing at Avocado's Fullerton Store

After the woodshop and factory tours and a brief stop for lunch, it's time for some mattress testing, armed with a clipboard.

My obvious favorite, which is also a top seller for the brand (and America's best-selling organic mattress), is the Avocado Green Mattress. It's comprised of an organic cotton cover over organic latex and wool, which acts as a natural flame barrier, and it's available in five comfort levels, from Extra Firm to Ultra Plush. My preference falls straight down the middle, in the Medium feel.

This mattress suits all sleep positions, which likely contributes to its popularity. Its tight-top sleep surface combines GOLS-certified organic Dunlop latex with moisture-wicking wool layers to cushion pressure points while quickly springing back into shape when you get up.

It doesn’t have that classic sink-in feel, however. If you prefer a plusher, more enveloping sleep surface, the Plush and especially the Ultra Plush versions are better suited to you. The latter features an attached three-inch box-top made from pure Talalay latex, creating an exceptionally soft, squishy feel.

This mattress holds six finished-product certifications: GOTS at the finished product level, OEKO-TEX Standard 100: Class I, EWG Verified, MADE SAFE, and GREENGUARD Gold with UL Formaldehyde-Free. Of 679 PFAS substances screened, none were detected.

If I had to choose one mattress from Avocado, it would be the Green, which we awarded 4.5 stars in our in-depth review, but I'm also equally impressed by Avocado's Wool Mattress. This is Avocado's only completely latex-free organic mattress, which is designed with a hand-tufted tight top to suit side, back, and combination sleepers. It's particularly made with hot sleepers (wool is naturally thermoregulating, so it works to keep a bed cool) and those with latex sensitivity in mind.

Unlike the Green Mattress, this one is available in just one feel − a true Medium, which perfectly suits me. There's no latex or foam at all; instead, the coils contour to your body. The micro-coils, of which there are up to 1,209 depending on the size, at the surface of the mattress are held under more compression than the base coils, which offers immediate give without softening the support below. Sitting at a height of 11.75 inches, this mattress includes two layers of organic wool over premium natural alpaca, along with the coils and an organic cotton canvas cover.

It's impressively comfortable to lie on, with a supportive sleep surface that suits me on both my back and side. It's a mattress I can see myself investing in and enjoying for many years.

My final favorite requires a bigger budget − the Avocado Luxury Organic Mattress, which we recently reviewed, combines seventeen layers of organic and natural materials, in three comfort levels from Medium to Ultra Plush.

Across the Luxury Organic line, you'll find a patented seven-zone innerspring, wound in-house from recycled steel, a reinforced steel perimeter, organic wool, two inches of natural alpaca, organic silk, and hemp. Unlike the Green and the Wool mattresses, my favorite feel in this iteration is Plush, which is the second bestseller for Avocado after the Medium-feel Green.

At the time of writing, it costs $5,799 in a Queen size, and is suitable for side and back sleepers who prefer contouring and pressure relief over a firm surface. An attached pillow-top with contour-cut Dunlop latex provides the plushness, while a micro-coil layer isolates motion and resists settling. For that reason, though a plush sleep surface, with this pick I experienced contouring comfort, without any sink.

If the price is a concern, a recent review from Allyson enthuses, 'I did extensive research on mattresses and chose Avocado for many reasons. Sustainably sourced, organic materials that are better for me and better for the Earth were the main reasons for my choice. The mattress is so comfortable that I do not want to get out of bed in the morning, and I look forward to going to sleep at night.

'My hip and shoulder no longer hurt when sleeping, and I do not toss and turn… I actually sleep! [...] Thank you for designing and making such an ecologically sound, high-quality mattress! I love it!'

Another, written by Barb, adds, 'I shopped around a lot for a new mattress. The Luxury Avocado is exactly what I wanted. It is worth the extra money. No smell, perfect firmness for side or back sleepers, and made of springs, latex, cotton, and wool that are much better for our environment than typical mattress materials.'

While we haven't reviewed this particular pick yet, one of my freelancers is currently testing it in their own home for 30 nights before putting together a comprehensive review.

I do have to give a special mention to Avocado's Extra Firm Mattress. As a side sleeper, it's not suitable for me, but the extremely firm feel is becoming very popular as it fills a unique need. It's also the only certified-organic mattress built for orthopedic-grade support with zero sink and no soft spots. Lying on it feels not far off lying directly on the floor − it's recommended for back and stomach sleepers who need alignment, athletes, and tall or plus-size sleepers, and it supports up to 1,100 pounds. It's a 10 out of 10 on the firmness scale, so side sleepers like me will likely find it far too firm, but lying on it, I appreciate how much it's unlike any mattress I've ever tried before. You certainly won't need to take steps to make a mattress firmer or fix a sagging mattress with this pick.

I've also now seen the Avocado Crib and Kids Mattress, and sampled each and every best pillow available from Avocado. The Side-Sleeper Green Pillow is my favorite (and I'm still using it back home).

More to Shop

Below, shop three more of my tried-and-tested Avocado favorites.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Whichever mattress you choose, it's a good idea to invest in one of the best mattress protectors.

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