What is the Bear Natural mattress and should you buy it?

The Bear Natural mattress pictures on a wooden bed frame in a neutral bedroom
(Image credit: Bear)

Introduced in February, the Bear Natural is the brand’s first latex hybrid mattress, promising a 100% natural and non-toxic sleep. And right now, there’s 35% off all sizes in Bear’s flash sale, taking a queen down to $1,578 (was $2,427).

You’ll find mattresses from Bear featured in our best mattress guide, but how does the new Bear Natural measure up? It’s not unusual to see latex used in premium organic mattresses and the foam is well-known for its cooling, hypoallergenic properties and deep pressure relief.

With Bear’s generous mattress sales taking 35% off, this could be the perfect time to invest in a new organic mattress. But is the Bear Natural the right choice for you? Let’s find out more…

Bear Natural Mattress: Overview

  • Made of naturally breathable and hypoallergenic latex
  • Zoned coils for targeted lumbar support
  • Greenguard Gold certified
  • Medium firm to suit a variety of sleepers

  • Expensive
  • No reviews as yet

Like many of the best organic mattresses, the Bear Natural uses natural latex foam to provide a supportive and responsive sleep surface. Standing 13” tall, the mattress uses Talalay latex, which is a plush latex foam with a consistent and breathable feel. The latex is backed up by an organic cotton cover, comfort foam and a layer of coils.

These coils are zoned, which means they’ve been arranged to provide targeted support where it’s needed, helping to keep the spine aligned and provide pressure relief. Latex is, of course, naturally breathable and hypoallergenic, so this mattress could also be a great choice for both hot sleepers and allergy sufferers.

As you might expect from a natural mattress, the Bear Natural isn’t cheap, with a queen coming with an MSRP of $2,427. But Bear normally has discounts of 30% on its mattresses, with the discount rising to 35% at major sales events, so right now is a great time to snap it up. Alongside this you’ll also get a 120-night trial, lifetime warranty and free shipping.

Bear Natural Mattress: was from $1,999now from $1,300 at Bear

Bear Natural Mattress: was from $1,999 now from $1,300 at Bear
There’s no getting away from the premium price tag but Bear’s flash 35% off sale takes a queen down to $1,578 (MSRP $2,427). And you’ll also get two free pillows into the bargain. This a good price for a premium organic mattress, plus you’ll get a 120-night trial, lifetime warranty and free shipping included.

Bear Natural Mattress: Price & Trial

  • Bear’s current sale takes 35% off all sizes of the Bear Natural
  • You’ll also get two free pillows included
  • 120-night trial and lifetime warranty included

The Bear Natural is a premium mattress, even with discounts but, normal Bear mattress sales take 30% off, with the discount rising to 35% at major sales events. You’ll also get two free pillows included with the mattress.

Here are the MSRPs for the Bear Natural:

  • Twin: $1,999
  • Twin XL: $2,141
  • Full: $2,284
  • Queen: $2,427
  • King: $2,856
  • Cal King: $2,856
  • Split King: $4,283

In terms of extras, you’ll get a 120-night trial, lifetime warranty and free shipping to your door. There’s also the option to upgrade to white glove delivery, with prices starting from $100.

This is a little disappointing for a mattress with prices comparable to many of the best luxury mattresses — we’d hope to see at least a year’s trial on offer and maybe free white glove delivery.

Bear Natural Mattress: Design & Materials

  • A 13” hybrid mattress made with latex, comfort foam and coils
  • Lumbar zoned coils for support where it’s needed
  • Talalay latex for an even and consistent feel

As you’d probably expect from a premium mattress, the Bear Natural has several mattress certifications proving its quality. The mattress is Greenguard Gold certified and CertiPUR-US certified, meaning it’s free from any harmful chemicals.

Starting at the top, you’ll find an organic quilted cotton cover that’s designed to be breathable and soft to the touch. Up next is the natural Talalay latex layer, designed with a medium firm finish for cushioning and pressure relief.

The layers of the Bear Natural mattress in a diagram

(Image credit: Bear)

The latex layer is backed up by a layer of comfort foam to aid with pressure relief and motion isolation. Underneath this is the layer of individually encased zoned coils. Higher gauged coils have been placed in the center to help enhance lumbar support and keep the spine aligned.

The edges of the coil layer have also been reinforced to help provide extra edge support along the perimeter. Finally, the mattress is finished off with a layer of DuraDense base foam to absorb shock and provide support and durability to the mattress.

Bear Natural Mattress: Comfort & support

  • Made of a combination of latex and coils with a medium firm finish
  • Zoned coils to provide extra lumbar support
  • Hybrid design for a combination of support and comfort

We haven’t yet slept on the Bear Natural, but we see this bed as being best suited to those wanting a responsive surface that allows sleepers to move around easily.

Latex is a naturally breathable material as well, meaning this bed should be a great fit for hot sleepers – especially as the latex is backed up by a breathable cotton cover and a layer of coils for greater airflow.

A close up of the surface of the Bear Natural mattress on a bed frame, next to a wooden bedside table

(Image credit: Bear)

That slightly bouncy feel does mean that this mattress may not be the best choice for those sharing their bed with a restless sleeper, as there may be a little too much motion transfer through the mattress. The Bear should have good edge support with its reinforced perimeter coils.

Like many of the best mattresses for back pain, the Bear Natural has higher gauge coils in its center third to provide more lumbar support and help keep the spine aligned.

This could well make it a good choice for those suffering with aches and pains. With its medium-firm feel, we’d expect the Bear to appeal to a wide range of sleepers, although it’s possible it may be a little too firm for lightweight side sleepers.

If you're unsure whether latex is for you, read our 5 signs that you should buy a latex mattress instead of memory foam.

Bear Natural Mattress: Should you buy it?

Buy the Bear Natural mattress if…

You sleep hot: Latex and cotton are both naturally breathable materials, meaning this could be a strong choice if you’re a hot sleeper. The addition of a coil layer will also help to keep air moving through the mattress.

You suffer with allergies: Latex is hypoallergenic, making this a solid option for allergy sufferers.

You want a responsive sleep surface: The slightly bouncy nature of latex means that anyone who wants a mattress that responds to movement would do well here. It’s also a great fit for combination sleepers, who will find it easy to change position overnight.

Don’t buy the Bear Natural mattress if…

❌ You share your bed with a restless sleeper: Latex is a bouncy foam, meaning there could be a little motion transfer on this mattress.

❌ You’re on a budget: The Bear Natural is a premium mattress, even with a 35% discount.

❌ You want plenty of sinkage: You’ll lie on top of a latex mattress, rather than sinking into it, so if you like to feel hugged by your bed this isn’t the best choice; instead look at one of the best memory foam mattresses.

Alternatives to consider

1. Birch Natural Mattress: $1373.33now from $1,030 at Birch

1. Birch Natural Mattress: was $1373.33 now from $1,030 at Birch
The Birch Natural offers fantastic temperature regulation and is an ideal fit for combination sleepers. There's currently 25% off and you'll get two free pillows as well. This takes a queen down to $1,399 (MSRP $1,865.33), and you'll get free shipping, a 100-night trial and limited lifetime warranty.

2. Nolah Natural Mattress: $1,499now from $974 at Nolah

2. Nolah Natural Mattress: was $1,499 now from $974 at Nolah
The Nolah Natural mattress is a great responsive option, with a much lower price tag than most organic latex mattresses. A queen is reduced by 35% to $1,364 (MSRP $2,099) and you'll get two free pillows included with your purchase, as well as a 120-night trial, free shipping and a lifetime warranty.

3. Avocado Green Mattress: $1,499now from $1,274.15 at AvocadoHONOR15

3. Avocado Green Mattress: was $1,499 now from $1,274.15 at Avocado
Our favorite organic mattress has a firmer feel that back sleepers will particularly appreciate. It's not often discounted so this 15% discount for Memorial Day is well worth taking advantage of, bringing a queen down to $1,784.15 (MSRP $2,099) with code HONOR15. This mattress comes with a one-year trial and free shipping, plus a 25-year warranty.

Jo Plumridge
Mattress tester and sleep writer

Jo Plumridge is an experienced mattress reviewer with several years' experience covering all things mattresses and sleep, and who tests memory foam, hybrid and organic mattresses. What Jo doesn't know about a boxed mattress isn't worth knowing, so naturally we tasked her with producing a series of features for Tom's Guide looking at all aspects of mattresses, from how to pick between latex and memory foam (it's a tricky one), to the seven mistakes people make when buying a mattress for the first time. When testing the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid for Tom's Guide, Jo said: "I loved the back support and pressure relief it offered. Plus, it looks far more expensive than it is." When she isn’t writing about sleep, Jo also writes extensively on interior design, home products and photography.

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