You ride your bike to work every day, you bring your reusable bags to the farmer’s market, and you’ve sworn off fast-fashion and plastic straws, but you’re still looking for ways to incorporate your passion for environmentally conscious living into other areas of your life. Natural and organic mattresses have become an increasingly popular corner of the mattress industry.

Helix Birch mattress VS. Avocado Green Mattress mattress
$1,349 – $1,999Price Range$1,399 – $2,599
$400 Off + 2 Free Pillows Code: PRESDAY400Offer 10% Off Use Code: SAVE10
  • People that want a firmer bed with natural materials
  • If you want a responsive mattress
Best For
  • Anyone that wants a natural/organic mattress
  • Stomach and back sleepers
  • People that want a firm, responsive mattress
100 NightsTrial Period365 Nights
25 YearsWarranty25 Years
Free Shipping and ReturnsShipping Options Free Shipping and Returns
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Avocado vs Birch Review

Several mattresses compete in the natural and organic corner of the market, and in this review, we’ll take a look at Birch vs Avocado mattresses. In this post, we will explore:

  • Feel — Though they are made with similar materials, Birch is softer than Avocado.
  • Construction — Birch is constructed with four different layers of material, while Avocado uses two (three if you choose to purchase the pillow-top).
  • Price — Birch is slightly more expensive than Avocado, with or without additional toppers.

Perhaps most impressively, both of these mattresses are created sustainably. We admire both brands for committing to clean, green products and giving back to the environment. Both mattresses use sustainably sourced all-natural materials that give their mattresses distinctive feels and constructions.

Environmentally savvy buyers will also be thrilled to learn that Birch and Avocado both support 1% For The Planet, meaning they donate 1% of all corporate revenues to environmental non-profits. Birch and Avocado have also pledged to offset their carbon emissions with the help of Carbonfund. So, as you can see, they’re dedicated to manufacturing eco-friendly products.

If these kinds of beds spark your interest, keep reading below for our Avocado vs Birch review.

  • Honest Youtube Video Review

In a hurry? Watch this video highlighting some of the similarities and differences between the two mattresses. Then, if you’re looking for more information, read on below.

Helix Birch
Helix Birch
Why it’s Great
Birch is the natural/organic mattress from Helix Sleep. It’s around a medium-firm and is responsive and resiliant.
Best for
People that want a firmer bed with natural materials
If you want a responsive mattress
Sleep Positions
Back, Side and Stomach
Product Details
Firmness
Medium
Type
Latex Foam
Temp
Breathable
Free Shipping
and returns
Trial Period
100 Nights
Warranty
25 Years
Made in
USA

$400 OFF + 2 FREE PILLOWS CODE: PRESDAY400

0 Off
PRESDAY400

For a little Birch background info, it’s owned by Helix, a popular mattress industry maven that has made it their mission to create a mattress that will suit every sleeper. They have several varieties of Helix mattresses that come in an array of firmness levels with all sorts of special features. Birch is Helix’s answer to the increasing demand for environmentally conscious alternatives.

Birch Mattress Topper Best List
An overhead look at the Birch mattress with their mattress topper

The Layers Inside Birch

Birch vs Avocado have fairly similar constructions. They both exist within the hybrid mattress category because they are primarily made of natural latex foam and pocketed steel coils. Birch, however, has a slightly softer construction and is made with 4 layers.

birch mattress layers
The layers that make up a Birch mattress
  • Base layer – Birch uses high quality wool in two layers: the batting base layer and the thick comfort layer at the top. This wool is sustainably sourced in New Zealand, and ensures that the other layers have a sturdy and durable foundation. Wool fibers have a natural elasticity which makes them durable and resilient while maintaining breathability and moisture wicking.
  • Support layer – Unlike traditional innersprings, Birch uses 8” of pocketed coils. This means that each coil, made from American steel, is individually encased to move independently of the others. This helps make the mattress responsive, while limiting motion transfer and also makes the coils themselves super durable because there is no chance of them rubbing up against the other coils and getting damaged.
  • Comfort layer – The coil layer is followed by a 2” layer of OEKO-TEX certified Talalay latex that provides the mattress with its distinctive soft and airy bounce. Natural latex is antimicrobial and made from the sap of rubber trees.
  • Top layer – This is also composed of thick Birch wool, which serves both as a source of cushion and softness, and as a natural fire retardant. By law, all mattresses have to have a fire retardant and often that means they are sprayed with a chemical fire-proofing agent, but wool is a great alternative.

Birch Firmness And Feel

Since Birch stacks a slab of latex foam on top of an innerspring layer, we think this mattress feels supportive and responsive. Then with the softer Talalay latex, coupled with the generous portion of wool on the mattress, we think the firmness level lands at medium-firm.

However, with their optional pillow top, it’ll soften up the feel to around a medium.

Edge Support

Birch Mattress edge support
JD testing out edge support on Birch and he approves

Because the Birch mattress, with the addition of the pillow-top, is close to medium in firmness, we think couples may really like this bed. Especially couples who struggle to agree on a mattress. The firmness profile differs depending on the amount of pressure that a person’s body weight exerts on the mattress.

Motion Isolation

Couples should also consider motion isolation. Most modern mattresses do a decent job of limiting motion across the bed, but we find that latex foam, because it is so bouncy and responsive, is not always the best at motion isolation.

When it comes to Birch vs Avocado, the thick layer of wool Birch wool really helps deaden any movement better than the bouncy latex top layer on Avocado. So if your significant other has a tendency to roll or kick in their sleep, you won’t feel much of that movement on the other side of the bed.

Avocado Green Mattress
Avocado Green Mattress
Why it’s Great
The Avocado Green Mattress is the most sought after natural/organic mattress online. It’s supportive, comfortable, and constructed with high quality materials.
Best for
Anyone that wants a natural/organic mattress
Stomach and back sleepers
People that want a firm, responsive mattress
Sleep Positions
Back, Side and Stomach
Product Details
Firmness
Firm
Type
Latex Foam
Temp
Breathable
Free Shipping
and returns
Trial Period
365 Nights
Warranty
25 Years
Made in
USA

10%  use code:  SAVE10  in cart

10% Off
SAVE10

Out of all the natural and organic mattresses within the online bedding market, Avocado is definitely among the top. They offer organic crib beds, a latex mattress without pocketed coils, and even a vegan mattress. Like Awara, their focus is eco-friendly beds that feel comfortable, and supportive.

avocado green mattress review
An overview of the Avocado mattress with the added topper

Avocado Mattress Construction

Without the additional pillow top from Avocado (which we highly suggest), this bed has a simple 2-layer construction, and it utilizes eco-friendly, sustainable, and recycled materials. Here is a breakdown of the bed’s different layers:

avocado mattress review construction latex coils organic cotton cover
Avocado’s hybrid construction
  • Base layer – Avocado, just like Birch, uses 8” of American-made coils to provide support and spring to their mattress. On their website, Avocado declares that their recycled steel coil layer uses 1,414 individual coils arranged in five ergonomic zones to provide support in the right areas.
  • Comfort layer – A 3” thick latex layer made using the Dunlop process. This process makes it GOLS certified, which means it’s at least 95% composed of fully organic raw rubber sap. The comfort layer also includes organic fibers that add extra cushion.

The whole mattress is then covered in a 100%organic cotton cover — hand-tufted in Avocado’s Los Angeles factory. Hand tufting leaves behind cotton-yarn buttons, a look that is distinctly Avocado.

The Feel Of An Avocado Mattress

avocado mattress review firmness graphic

We think Avocado feels similar to Birch due to its similar latex and innerspring layers, but Avocado is slightly firmer because it omits the wool layer. That’s why we rated the Avocado as a firm on our spectrum.

With the additional 2” Euro pillow topper, however, which we’d definitely recommend for petite to average sized side sleepers, brings the mattress closer to a medium-firm.

Edge Support

The steel coils used in the support layer are specifically reinforced along the sides of the mattress, making for great edge support. Couples who share a bed, especially smaller beds, often hug the side a bit, so edge support is really important to ensure that you don’t feel like you’re going to fall off the bed.

Motion Isolation

Because this mattress is made with bouncy materials (latex and springs), it isn’t the most motionless bed we’ve seen here at the Slumber Yard. Though, with that said, we don’t think it moves so much that it causes a big disruption for you or your partner.

Birch vs Avocado Mattress Prices

So how much is this going to cost me? You may be wondering. Well, keep in mind that you spend hours and years with your mattress, so buying a mattress that is going to last a long time and will provide the kind of comfort and support that you need is an investment that we think is pretty wise. You gotta spend green to go green.

SizeBirchAvocado
Twin$1049$899
Twin XL$1099$999
Full$1299$1199
Queen$1499$1399
King$1799$1799
CA King$1799$1799

Birch is just a hair more expensive than Avocado, at around $1500 without the topper, and $1900 with the topper. Avocado is going to be about $1400, with the optional topper also adding around $400 on top of the base price. These are certainly not the most expensive mattresses that we’ve seen, at under $2000, we still think they are a pretty reasonable price, especially considering the length of the warranty that these companies offer.

The price tag really reflects that you are investing in better sleep and a better world. We also will always try to find you the best discounts and coupons on our Mattress Deals page, so check there and check the current listings on the Birch or Avocado websites to make sure you are getting the best price possible.

Sleeper Type Analysis

Owen Birch Mattress stomach sleeper
Without the topper, he Birch mattress is ideal for back and stomach sleepers
  • Side Sleepers
    Not So Good For

    Birch and Avocado both lean towards the firm end of the spectrum, and as such, will probably be too firm for most side sleepers. However, with the topper, Birch leans towards the medium range of the firmness scale and would be accommodating enough for petite to heavy side sleepers. If you’re a side sleepers you might want to read our Best Mattress for Side Sleepers list.

  • Back And Stomach Sleepers
    Good For

    If you’re a heavy back or stomach sleeper, the Avocado or Birch Mattress would probably work wonders for you. They are firm enough to keep your spine in proper alignment and prevent your back from sagging into the mattress, plus they offer an ample amount of support.

  • Combo Sleepers

    We think combo sleepers will be okay on these mattresses, just as long as they don’t favor their side. In that case, we’d suggest a softer mattress that offers a more plush, pressure reliving feel.

Body Type Analysis

  • Petite To Average Individuals

    Unless you’re a back or stomach sleeper, this mattress might feel a little overkill in the firmness and supportive department. We also want to note that petite individuals can save money and get away with an all-foam mattress, whereas both Avocado and Awara are made with a pocketed coil base.

  • Heavy Individuals

    Both Birch and Avocado are supportive enough to support the weight of all sleepers, including heavier individuals who weigh over 230 lbs. We always recommend hybrid mattresses to heavier folks because they offer more long-lasting and durability, as opposed to all-foam mattresses which may not last as long.

avocado green mattress review heavy side sleepers
Heavy side sleepers like Jack love Avocado, but you’ll like the topper if you’re more petite

Avocado vs Birch Mattress Review Verdict

Now that you’ve learned a bit more about how these mattresses are made and what sets them apart from one another, you have a job to do: choose one. We try to do as much work as possible to make this job easy for you, but ultimately it is a decision that can only be made by each individual because we are all looking for something different in our mattress. To help with your decision, here are a few things to consider for Birch vs Avocado:

  • What is your max price point? Birch is slightly more expensive than Avocado, which might tip the scales.
  • If you share your bed with somebody, what are both of your body types and sleeping styles? If you are really different sleepers, you might want a mattress that is softer and closer to medium in firmness level, like Birch. Avocado tends to be firmer.
  • Do you put a lot of stock in eco-friendly production certification? If so, Avocado’s laundry list of certifications and partnerships is hard to top.

Whatever you decide, we hope this has helped you get a better handle on the Birch vs Avocado mattress, and natural and organic mattresses in general. If you are still searching, you may want to visit our other mattress comparisons for more suggestions. Thanks for visiting the Slumber Yard!

Comparing Company Policies

Birch and Avocado both compete in the online “bed-in-a-box” industry, and they follow similar standards.

  • Shipping – Both will be shipped for free right to your front door in a box about the size of standard golf bag. It is actually pretty insane, once you get your mattress unboxed and set up, to think that something so sturdy and resilient was ever able to fit in a box small enough to easily make it through your front door.
  • Trials – The Birch mattress comes with a 100-night trial window, which is a pretty standard period from what we’ve seen with other companies. Avocado, on the other hand, allows for a full year of sleep and consideration before you make the final decision on your mattress.
  • Warranty – If you end up loving your mattress, whether it be Birch or Avocado, both companies offer a 25 year warranty.

Certifications

Birch certainly uses high-quality materials and abides by policies that value the environment, but Avocado goes above and beyond to ensure that every scrap of materials used in their mattress is as sustainable and high-quality as it can be. Some consumers may not really care where the materials in their mattress came from, as long as it is comfortable, but we assume that, if you are seriously considering a green mattress, then it is because you actually do care about where that cotton or wool or latex comes from, and how the plants and the people involved in making it have been treated.

Both Birch and Avocado have received Greenguard Gold certification from UL Environment, a third-party regulation group. This certification verifies that the mattresses were made with low emissions and low exposure to chemicals and pollutants.

Avocado owns both of its factories in Los Angeles and India to ensure quality and transparency throughout the mattress’s whole production. Their factories and New Jersey headquarters are wind powered facilities, certified as clean energy partners by Arcadia Power, and whatever energy they do use in the production process is balanced out through annual emission offset payments. In fact, Avocado is climate-neutral certified and was the first mattress brand to reach net zero emissions.

Avocado pledges to stand by two pillars: sustainability and social responsibility. This is really exemplified in their FSC certified co-owned farmer’s society and factory in India where they source and produce all of their latex and wool products. This certification means the factory meets stringent standards for responsible resource management and sustainable rates of consumption. Avocado’s factories and farming partners, both in India and America, are also GOLS and GOTS certified. This is in line with the USDA’s National Organic Program’s endorsement. Additionally, Avocado is one of only three mattress brands to be Made Safe certified, meaning the products, and the people making them, have had absolutely no exposure to harmful toxins.

If you can believe it, this isn’t even an exhaustive list of all of Avocado’s certifications and partnerships, to read more, check out Avocado’s certifications page, and maybe even click through to their magazine which has some great articles about living a greener lifestyle.

By no means is this to say that, because Birch does not possess as many certifications as Avocado, it is not an incredibly high-quality mattress made with sustainability in mind. The fact of the matter is, however, that Avocado has truly gone the extra mile to achieve all of the rigorous certifications that it has, which certainly makes it an impressive mattress and a company worth putting your money behind.

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Why Trust Us

Get the kind of sleep you’ve only dreamed of with some help from our team of mattress experts. We personally test more than 175 of the best sleep solutions from over 60 leading brands on site, so you can be sure you’re getting unbiased reviews, fair comparisons and personalized recommendations.


The Review Team

  • dillon lopez slumber yard

    Dillon Lopez

    Combo Sleeper

  • reynoso

    Jack Reynoso

    Combo Sleeper

  • Owen Poole

    Side Sleeper

  • kenzie

    McKenzie Dillon

    Combo Sleeper

Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don’t like my mattress?

No worries! Both companies come with a free trial period. Birch comes with a 100 night trial window, while Avocado gives you a full year, 365 days.

Can I purchase these beds at a physical location?

No. Currently both Birch and Avocado beds are available on the company websites only. Avocado, however, does have experience centers in New Jersey and California.

How often do these beds go on sale?

You’ll find some seasonal offers, for instance, both Birch and Avocado held $200 off during Fourth of July specials.