Nolah Natural Mattress Review

Is the Nolah Natural Mattress for You?

Who’s Going to Love the Nolah Natural Mattress

• Back sleepers
• Lightweight stomach sleepers
• Hot sleepers

Who Should Steer Clear of the Nolah Natural Mattress

• Side sleepers
• Heavyweight stomach sleepers
• Memory foam mattress fans

Want the bottom line? Skip to the Nerd’s Take below.

Nolah Natural Mattress Video Reviews

More of a visual learner? No problem! Watch our video review for a closer look at the Nolah Natural.

Nolah Natural Mattress Firmness and Feel 

Nolah Natural Mattress Firmness

At Mattress Nerd, we like to rate firmness on a scale of 1–10, where a 1 is the softest and a 10 is like sleeping on bricks. With that in mind, the Nolah Natural clocks in at a 6 on our scale—a happy medium of firmness that appeals to most sleepers and sleeping positions. 

However, some lightweight sleepers may still find the Nolah Natural to be a touch too firm, since they won’t sink as far into the softer top layers, and some heavier sleepers may want something firmer than the Natural.

What Does the Nolah Natural Feel Like?

Since this bed is made from bouncy and supportive coils and Talalay latex, I felt myself getting plenty of support and solid pressure relief on my lower back. But, when I turned to my side, I felt less cushioned. The softest layer of the mattress is only two inches deep, so I also felt the firm support of the coils at the base of the bed. 

What Sleeping Position Is Nolah Natural Mattress Best For?

Body Type:	Back Sleepers	Stomach Sleepers	Side Sleepers
Lightweight< 130 lbs:	5	4	2
Average-weight130–230 lbs:	5	3	3
Heavyweight> 230 lbs:	4	2	3

1 = Very poor     2 = Not good     3 = Fair     4 = Good     5 = Excellent

Back Sleepers

Whether you’re a lightweight, average-weight, or heavyweight sleeper, the Nolah Natural is one of the best mattresses for back sleepers.There’s enough softness from the latex for the bed to cushion your shoulders, lower back, and hips, but you stay lifted on top of the mattress, which maintains spinal alignment.

Side Sleepers

The best mattresses for side sleepers do a good job of keeping pressure off of key areas like the shoulders and hips. However, the Nolah Natural runs into some issues with pressure relief, especially for lightweight side sleepers who need a mattress with more “sink”. 

As an average-weight side sleeper, I’d like to see more contouring around my shoulders, so I wouldn’t want to spend more than half of the night in this sleeping position. The same is true for heavyweight side sleepers.

Stomach Sleepers 

Usually, the best mattresses for stomach sleepers are firm enough to keep your hips from sinking down while keeping your aligned too.

Of all the sleeping positions, the Nolah Natural is great for back sleepers—regardless of your body type (lightweight, average-weight, or heavyweight). There’s enough softness from the latex for the bed to cushion your shoulders, lower back, and hips, but you stay lifted on top of the mattress, which maintains spinal alignment.

Combination Sleepers 

If you find yourself switching between sleeping positions throughout the night, chances are you’re a combination sleeper. For that reason, the best mattresses for combination sleepers are responsive and easy to move around. On the Nolah Natural, it’s very easy for lightweight, average-weight, and heavyweight sleepers to change positions, but it works best for combo sleepers who favor their back and stomach.

Nolah Natural Mattress Performance

Is The Nolah Natural Mattress Cooling? 

On paper, the Nolah Natural is one of the best cooling mattresses since aerated latex doesn’t retain much body heat and coils are incredibly breathable; however, we did notice a little heat retention in the cotton and wool mattress cover, which is why we rated the Natural 4/5 for temperature instead of a perfect 5/5.

Edge Support 

Solid edge support means your mattress can hold weight at its edges, something that’s especially important for seniors or couples who like to spread out. 

The edges of the Natural hold up well under weight and pressure. We did notice a little sinkage when sitting on the side of the mattress, but not while lying down, so you should feel secure spreading out or using the edges of the bed to get ready in the morning.

Responsiveness

Good news for combination sleepers—the Nolah Natural’s bouncy latex construction and coils are super responsive, letting you move around and change positions with ease.

Motion Isolation: Is it good for those who share a bed?

The best mattresses for couples have good motion isolation, meaning you won’t feel your partner tossing and turning all through the night. However, since the Nolah Natural is made from springy latex and coils, you won’t get the best motion isolation with this bed.

Noise

Sometimes, beds with coils can have unwanted creaking and noises. However, we didn’t notice any excessive noise when testing the Natural. Any sound came from our bed frame.

Pain Relief

Medium-firm to firm mattresses are generally a good fit for those with back pain. That’s true for the Nolah Natural with regards to back sleepers, but only for lightweight stomach sleepers. Average-weight or heavyweight stomach sleepers will need a firm mattress to keep their spine aligned and prevent lower back pain. Side sleepers with shoulder or hip pain should look for a mattress that offers more cushion around pressure points.

See More: Best Mattresses for Back Pain

Sex

The Nolah Natural is one of the best mattresses for sex: it’s responsive and cooling. And, as a bonus, the Natural is quiet as well.

Off-Gassing

Off-gassing is that new mattress smell when you first unbox it. The Natural doesn’t have the chemical off-gassing odor we sometimes experience when unboxing foam mattresses, but it does have a slightly sweet smell—probably from the organic wool in the mattress cover. The scent is non-toxic and should diminish with time.

Durability

The average mattress lifetime is about seven years. However, since the Nolah Natural mattress is made from durable steel coils and latex, you can expect to enjoy your Natural for about a decade. Also, as another perk, your mattress is warrantied for life with Nolah.

Nolah Natural Mattress Construction: What’s it made of?

The Nolah Natural is made with three inches of natural latex on top and a support layer of individually wrapped coils. The feel is more supportive than cushioning, though there is enough sinkage for the mattress to be considered medium-firm, not firm. Heavier folks will likely sink deeper into the mattress and may experience more cushioning.

Layer #1: Organic Cotton Cover

The Nolah Natural is wrapped in an organic cotton cover (GOTS certification) that’s soft and breathable. Directly beneath the cover, a layer of organic wool acts as a fire retardant and also wicks away sweat. The bottom of the cover is extra durable, and the sides include handles to make repositioning the mattress easier.

Layer #2: Talalay Latex Comfort Layer (2”)

The top layer of latex has a medium firmness level that’s soft, yet dense. It’s processed using the Talalay method, which essentially means that it’s more cushioning than synthetically made latex or latex processed using the Dunlop method.

Layer #3: Talalay Latex Transition Layer (1”)

A shorter, slightly firmer latex layer keeps you from feeling the coils below.

Layer #4: Coil Support Layer (8”)

A thick layer of individually-wrapped coils is divided into three zones—firmer and more supportive near the lower back and softer and more pressure-relieving near the shoulders and knees. This is also the layer that gives the mattress its bounce and the bulk of its support.

Layer #5: Organic Cotton & Wool Base Layer

Another layer of cotton and wool acts as a supportive base for the rest of the mattress, especially the coils.

How Much Does the Nolah Natural Mattress Cost?

Mattress Size	Price	Dimensions	Height	Weight
Twin	$	38” x 75”	11”	68 lbs
Twin XL	$	38” x 80”	11”	73 lbs
Full	$	54” x 75”	11”	91 lbs
Queen	$	60” x 80”	11”	108 lbs
King	$	76” x 80”	11”	135 lbs
California King	$	72” x 84”	11”	134 lbs
Split King	$	2 x 38” x 80”	11”	146 lbs

How Do the Policies Measure Up? 

Shipping & Unboxing

Nolah ships their mattresses for free within the contiguous U.S. Currently, they don’t offer shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, or Canada. The mattress is delivered to your doorstep compressed and rolled in a box.

It’s pretty heavy, so you’ll want the help of a friend to set it up. It took us one minute 36 seconds to unbox and set up on our bed frame. You can also store it on a sturdy box spring or adjustable base.

Warranty

The standard mattress warranty is around 10 years, but Nolah protects their mattresses with a Lifetime warranty for the original owner. If your mattress develops defects (ex: permanent indentations over 1”), you may be eligible for a replacement mattress or free repairs. Nolah doesn’t cover accidents like tears or spilled liquids, so consider using a mattress protector. 

The warranty is prorated with the following periods of coverage:

• 0–2 years: Free replacement or repairs
• 3–10 years: Mattress will be repaired and recovered for $99 transportation cost both ways  
• 11–25 years: You pay 50 percent of the original cost for a replacement mattress
• 26+ years: You pay 60 percent of the original cost for a replacement mattress

Nolah also offers a “Don’t Lose Sleep” option, which enables you to keep your original mattress and buy a new mattress after year two of ownership for 50–80 percent of the original cost. 

Trial Period & Returns

Online mattress companies offer at-home trial periods so you can decide if their mattress is the right fit after actually sleeping on it. The industry standard sleep trial is 100 nights, but Nolah gives you 120 nights.

If you aren’t happy with the mattress during this time, you can exchange it or return it for a full refund as long as you’ve given it a try for at least 30 nights. Nolah charges $99 for returns to cover the cost of picking up your used mattress.

Addressing Nolah Natural Mattress Complaints

Too Firm

A couple of customers complained that the Nolah Natural was too firm for comfort; they expected it to be a softer mattress. We consider the Natural to be medium-firm, though it may feel firmer to those with lightweight body types, since they won’t sink as far into the comfort layer of latex. If you’re still uncomfortable sleeping on the Natural after a couple of weeks, you can return it during the trial period.

Causes Shoulder Pain

Some people mentioned developing shoulder pain when sleeping on the Nolah Natural mattress. If you’re a side sleeper, you may notice pressure buildup near your shoulders since the Natural doesn’t offer very deep sinkage around wider curves. As such, we don’t recommend it to strict side sleepers, though sleepers over 130 lbs who spend only part of the night on their sides should be OK if they don’t have preexisting shoulder pain.

Comparing Different Nolah Mattresses

Nolah Natural vs. Nolah Original 10”

Product

Firmness

Score

Product

Nolah Natural Mattress

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6/10

Score

4.2 / 5

Check Price

Read Nolah Natural Mattress Review

Product

Nolah Original 10″ Mattress

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6/10

Score

4.7 / 5

Check Price

Read Nolah Original 10″ Mattress Review

Nolah Natural Mattress Is Best For…	Nolah Mattress Is Best For…
Hot sleepers	Foam mattress fans
Combination sleepers	Side sleepers
Back sleepers	Budget shoppers

The Nolah original mattress is similar to a traditional memory foam mattress, but it’s made with a proprietary foam (AirFoam) that’s springier than memory foam. Instead of an organic cotton and wool cover, it has a breathable TENCEL cover. 

The original Nolah has a more conforming feel than the Natural, and its high-density foam base layer does a better job of isolating motion than the Natural’s innerspring coil base.

Side sleepers should go with the original Nolah, while hot sleepers should stick with the Natural. Back and stomach sleepers could go either way. The Nolah is lower cost, but both beds come with Nolah’s 120-night trial period and Lifetime warranty.

Check out our full Nolah Mattress Review for more information.

Nolah Natural vs. Nolah Signature 12”

Product

Firmness

Score

Product

Nolah Natural Mattress

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6/10

Score

4.2 / 5

Check Price

Read Nolah Natural Mattress Review

Product

Nolah Signature 12″ Mattress

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6/10

Score

3.0 / 5

Check Price

Read Nolah Signature 12″ Mattress Review

Nolah Natural Mattress Is Best For…	Nolah Signature Mattress Is Best For…
Hot sleepers	Budget shoppers
Back sleepers	Lightweight stomach sleepers
Firm mattress fans	Combination sleepers

The Nolah Signature used to be a flippable foam bed, but now it’s one-sided with a medium-firmness. We recommend it to back sleepers, lightweight stomach sleepers, and combination sleepers. The Signature is made with Nolah AirFoam, a high-resilience foam transition layer, and a dense foam base layer.

Those concerned about overheating should stick with the Nolah Natural, since its construction allows for much better airflow. The Natural is more expensive by a few hundred dollars, and comes with the same 120-night trial period and Lifetime warranty as the Signature.

Check out our full Nolah Signature Mattress Review for more information.

Nolah Natural vs. Nolah Evolution 15”

Product

Firmness

Score

Product

Nolah Natural Mattress

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6/10

Score

4.2 / 5

Check Price

Read Nolah Natural Mattress Review

Product

Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress

Firmness

Score

4.8 / 5

Check Price

Read Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress Review

Nolah Natural Mattress Is Best For…	Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress Is Best For…
Back sleepers	Sleepers needing pressure relief
Stomach sleepers	Side sleepers
Budget shoppers	Luxury shoppers

The Nolah Evolution 15” mattress pairs foam layers with a coil support layer. Nolah calls the Evolution their best bed for spinal alignment, and we agree. It also offers better contouring around pressure points than the Natural, so it’s the better option for side sleepers. Stomach and back sleepers could go with either mattress and should base their choice on their preferred materials and feel.

The Evolution is pricier than the Natural, since it incorporates luxury cooling technologies and an impressive 15” height. Both mattresses come with Nolah’s 120-night trial period and Lifetime warranty.

Check out our full Nolah Evolution Mattress Review for more information.

Comparing Nolah to the Competition

Nolah Natural vs. GhostBed Natural

Product

Firmness

Score

Product

Nolah Natural Mattress

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6/10

Score

4.2 / 5

Check Price

Read Nolah Natural Mattress Review

Product

GhostBed Natural Mattress

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6.5/10

Score

4.8 / 5

Check Price

Read GhostBed Natural Mattress Review

Nolah Natural Mattress Is Best For…	GhostBed Natural Mattress Is Best For…
Hot sleepers	Sleepers needing pressure relief
Combination sleepers	Side sleepers
Heavyweight back sleepers	Luxury mattress shoppers

The GhostBed Natural is another medium-firm mattress made of latex, coils, wool, and organic cotton. The GhostBed has only a 2” comfort layer of latex, compared with 3” in the Nolah, but the GhostBed provides better pressure relief and is the better choice for side sleepers. Both beds work equally well for back and stomach sleepers.

The GhostBed costs a little more than the Nolah, but a Queen size in either bed stays under $2,000, especially with seasonal discounts. Nolah offers a longer sleep trial and warranty period, but GhostBed still offers a 101-night sleep trial and generous 25-year warranty.

Check out our full GhostBed Natural Mattress Review for more information.

Nolah Natural vs. Birch

 

Product

Firmness

Score

Product

Nolah Natural Mattress

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6/10

Score

4.2 / 5

Check Price

Read Nolah Natural Mattress Review

Product

Birch Natural Mattress

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6.5/10

Score

4.5 / 5

Check Price

Read Birch Natural Mattress Review

Nolah Natural Mattress Is Best For…	Birch Mattress Is Best For…
Hot sleepers	Firm mattress fans
Combination sleepers	Side sleepers
Lighter back sleepers	Sleepers wanting pressure relief

The Birch is a latex hybrid mattress by online mattress company Helix Sleep. It has a similar construction to the Nolah Natural, though there are thicker layers of organic wool at the top of the Birch mattress. Both beds are medium-firm, with the Birch offering a slightly firmer feel than the Nolah.

Pricewise, they are similar after seasonal discounts, though the Birch has a 100-night trial period (compared with Nolah’s 120 night trial period) and 25-year warranty instead of a Lifetime warranty like the Nolah. Both mattresses work best for back and stomach sleepers, though side sleepers can add a plush mattress topper to the Birch for an added cost.

Check out our full Birch Mattress Review for more information.

Nolah Natural vs. Saatva Latex Hybrid

Nolah Natural Mattress Is Best For…	Saatva Latex Hybrid Mattress Is Best For…
Back sleepers	Luxury mattress shoppers
Sleepers needing pressure relief	Firm mattress fans
Budget shoppers	Sleepers with allergies

The Saatva Latex Hybrid mattress has a similar construction to the Nolah Natural, including an organic cotton and wool cover, a 3” latex comfort layer, and a pocketed coil base layer. The biggest difference is that the Saatva incorporates luxury touches, like a hand-tufted pillow top, botanical antimicrobial treatment, and free white glove delivery. It also costs more than the Nolah.

Both beds accommodate similar types of sleepers. They’re best for back and stomach sleepers, but can work for folks who spend only part of the night on sides. The Saatva is firmer than the Nolah, so it’s even better for those who like to feel “on top” of their bed.

Check out our full Saatva Latex Hybrid Mattress Review for more information.

Nolah Natural Mattress FAQs

What is the Healthiest Kind of Mattress?

Shoppers looking for natural mattresses typically go with beds made of natural latex and organic materials. A few of our favorite natural beds include the Saatva Latex Hybrid, the Awara, the Birch, the Brooklyn Bedding EcoSleep, the Avocado Green, the PlushBeds Botanical Bliss, and the GhostBed Natural.

Is the Nolah Mattress Non-Toxic?

Nolah mattresses are made with CertiPUR-US certified foams, meaning they pass tests ensuring they have low emissions and are made without toxic chemicals. The Nolah Natural mattress is made with organic cotton and wool and natural Talalay latex.

Are Nolah Mattresses Good?

Nolah is one of the more affordable bed-in-a-box mattress companies, and they offer a mattress for every kind of sleeper. The original Nolah mattress is a good entry-level all-foam mattress that’s made with Nolah’s exclusive AirFoam. The Nolah Signature and Evolution mattresses are luxury upgrades with added cushioning and cooling.

The Nerd’s Take: What’s the Bottom Line?

The Nolah Natural is a latex mattress supported by breathable coils. This bed is a great fit for those who frequently change positions at night, since it’s so easy to move around on, but it does allow some motion transfer and retains some heat, which couples should be mindful of.

The Nerd’s Scores for the Nolah Natural Mattress

Performance Factor	Out of 5
Motion Isolation	3
Pressure Relief	4
Ease of Movement	5
Edge Support	4
Temperature Control	4
Durability	5
Total	4.2/5

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