Nolah Natural Mattress Review

In This Review
Performance Tests | Firmness | Support & Sleeping Positions | Design | Materials | Comparisons | FAQs

At NapLab, we put each mattress to the test.

We test 10 different factors that impact the performance, comfort, and value of the mattress. We then take the results of that test and compare to every mattress we’ve tested to date.

Check out the full performance table below to see how this mattress ranks:

Factor	Nolah Natural	Average
Overall Score	9.42	8.56
Price (Queen)	$1,364	$1,575 (Latex Hybrid only)
Cooling – Score	10	8.7
Sinkage – Depth	2.55″	2.15″
Sinkage – Feel	Deep	Moderate
Motion Transfer – Score	9.5	8.2
Motion Transfer – Acceleration	6.04 m/s²	8.79 m/s²
Response Time – Score	10	8.9
Response Time – Mostly Recovered	0.2 sec.	0.4 sec.
Response Time – Fully Recovered	0.3 sec.	0.9 sec.
Bounce – Height	11.76″	9.51″
Bounce – Feel	High	Moderate
Edge Support – Score	8.4	8.6
Edge Support – Sitting	4.75″	4.04″
Edge Support – Lying	Excellent	Good
Sex – Score	9.4	8.4
Pressure Relief – Score	9.0	8.7
Comfort Layer Thickness	3.0″	4.1″
Mattress Thickness	11″	12.0″
Off-Gassing – Score	10	8.2
Off-Gassing – Smell	None	Strong
Off-Gassing – Days	0 days	6 days
Company – Score	9.1	8.6
Trial	120 nights	177 nights
Warranty	Lifetime	25% have lifetime warranties, average of other 75% of mattresses is 13 years

How is Nolah Natural Different?

The Nolah Natural mattress has a better overall performance than average as well as a price that is less than average—5% less than the average latex hybrid mattress for a savings of around $78 (for a queen-size mattress).

Advantages

Specific advantages for the Nolah Natural include exceptional cooling performance, 30% lower levels of motion transfer, faster material response time, 21%

Neutral Factors

This mattress has 19% more sinkage than average as well as 21% higher bounce. Both bounce and sinkage are considered preferential factors since they tend to be a moving target as far as what is ideal for each sleeper.

Disadvantages

Disadvantages include poorer edge support with 15% poorer edge support than average as well as a thinner comfort layer, only 3.0″ thick.

A thinner comfort layer is more problematic for heavier sleepers and can lead to pressure relief issues for support problems. But 3.0″ would still be sufficient for most lighter sleepers.

Cooling performance on the Nolah Natural mattress was outstanding. In our tests, we measured a maximum surface level temperature of just 88.3°.

• Baseline Temperature – the temperature of the mattress before anyone lies on it
• Maximum Temperature (0 minute) – the temperature of the mattress after lying on it for 15 minutes
• Ending Temperature (5 minute) – the temperature of the mattress after being lied upon and having no one on it for 5 minutes

Within 1 minute after getting off of the mattress, the temperature had declined to 84.4°, a drop of 3.9°. The drop from 0 to 1 minute is about average. However, the maximum temperature is 1.8° cooler than the average maximum temperature we have seen on all of the mattresses we’ve tested to date.

Heat Dissipation Over Time

Heat dissipation continued to gradually step down over the 5-minute testing period, however, the vast majority of heat dissipation is finished by 2 minutes. This indicates that the mattress can release most of any retained heat within 1-2 minutes.

During our cooling tests, I did not feel any level of heat retention or warming. The mattress breathed well and remained cool. Looking at the materials, it makes sense. The mattress is built from layers of natural latex and pocketed coils, neither of which retain significant heat.

While the latex won’t breathe as well as the coils will, the pocketed coil base provides an ample source of airflow for the mattress. This combination of materials works together to great effect to deliver exceptionally good cooling.

The Nolah Natural mattress has a slightly deep to deep level of sinkage. In our tests, we measured 2.55” of sinkage.

This is more than the average sinkage across all mattresses we’ve tested to date, which is 2.15”.

The level of sinkage is documented in the image below.

The top layers of latex create a more generalized level of contour on the body. This is in contrast to memory foam, which produces a more dramatic and exacting contouring hug.

The more generalized contour creates excellent pressure relief, but also helps to prevent any type of trapped feeling (another side effect of some memory foam mattresses).

For most sleepers, 2.55” of sinkage shouldn’t be problematic. However, heavier-weight sleepers, especially those over 300 pounds may find the sinkage depth is too deep that it creates support problems (especially for back and stomach sleepers).

The Nolah Natural mattress has a very low level of motion transfer. In our tests, we measured 6.04 m/s² of acceleration.

This is 31% less than the average acceleration across all mattresses we’ve tested to date, which is 8.79 m/s². Ideally, I like to see motion levels at 5.00 m/s² or less, but 6.00 isn’t so far off that I’m concerned.

The level of motion transfer is documented in the video below.

Natural latex and pocketed coils both create more motion compared to memory foam and many poly foams. As a result, it’s reasonable to expect less than incredible motion transfer. There’s no doubt, all foam and memory foam mattresses will have less motion transfer.

If ultra-low motion transfer is important to you then you may want to opt for a different mattress. The Layla Hybrid (2.33 m/s²), Purple Hybrid Premier 3 (3.45 2.33 m/s²), and Bear Elite Hybrid (3.74 m/s²) all have notably lower motion transfer, while still being hybrids.

Looking at our motion transfer chart (which visualizes our accelerometer data), we can see that most of the motion peaks within the first 0.37 seconds. Moderate energy persists up until 0.80 seconds. After 0.80 seconds most of the energy is expended and motion transfer returns to no zero levels.

Response time on the Nolah Natural was fantastic. In our tests, we measured a mostly recovered response time of 0.2 seconds and a full material recovery of 0.3 seconds.

The level of responsiveness is documented in the video below.

This is tied for 1st with several other mattresses and is essentially as fast as it ever gets. The latex and pocketed coils work together to deliver an exceptionally fast response.

A faster response helps sleepers to never feel stuck and also makes it easier to move around on the mattress. 

The Nolah Natural mattress has a very high level of bounce. In our tests, we measured a total bounce height of 11.76”. This is notably more than the average across all mattresses we’ve tested to date, which is 9.51”.

Bounce is more of a preferential factor, more isn’t necessarily better or worse. However, more bounce does improve sex, makes it easier to move around on, and gives the mattress a more traditional feel. While the bounce of the Nolah Natural is certainly on the higher side, it’s nothing too extreme.

The level of bounce is also documented in the video below.

It’s only just a little outside of what I would consider to be a moderate level. For most sleepers, the level of bounce should be a non-factor. It’s plenty high enough to experience the benefits of improved sex and ease of movement, but not so high as to create new problems.

The overall edge support on the Nolah natural latex mattress was good. In our sitting edge support tests, we measured 4.75” of sinkage while sitting directly on the edge of the mattress.

This is 0.71″ more than the average edge compression across all mattresses we’ve tested to date, which is 4.04”.

The level of edge support while seated is documented in the images below.

Ideally, I like to see 4.0” of sinkage or less. As a result, sitting edge support on the Nolah Natural 11” is good, but not great.

While sitting edge support leaves something to be desired, edge support while lying on the mattress was excellent.

The level of edge support while lying is documented in the images below.

In my tests, I found the edge to be fully supportive in all sleeping positions. The edge did not collapse, supports sleepers, and still feels comfortable

In the images above you can see how the Nolah Natural drops the shoulder and hips deeper into the mattress. This helps to bring the spine into a neutral position, which ultimately alleviates pressure points.

The best mattresses for sex have high bounce, good edge support, quiet materials, and good pressure relief and cooling.

These 5 factors make up the NapLab sex performance score.

Sex Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Rating
Bounce	65%	9.8	Very High
Edge Support	20%	7.8	Fair
Noise	5%	10	Minimal
Pressure Relief	5%	9.0	Excellent
Cooling	5%	10	Outstanding

This is a fantastic score and given the fact that this mattress is a latex hybrid, I’m not entirely that surprised. The Nolah has fantastic bounce, is quiet, has great pressure relief, and has exceptional cooling.

Edge support is the only category where I would have liked to have seen a bit better performance. Even so, considering that edge support is only 20% of the overall score, it wasn’t a huge strike against the Nolah by any means.

This mattress is active, engaging, and great for enhancing sex performance.

Pressure relief on the Nolah Natural 11” mattress was excellent. The top layers of natural latex create a more generalized contour around the body.

The layers of organic wool and organic cotton further help to provide pressure relief without compromising the natural state of the mattress. During my tests, I felt that the Nolah Natural provided ample pressure relief in all sleeping positions.

There was zero off-gassing smell on the Nolah Natural mattress. There is a moderate level of smell, but it’s the smell of new natural latex, organic cotton, and wool.

I wouldn’t say it’s not a strong smell, but it’s not offensive in the same way that poly foam off-gassing is. On average, we see mattresses have a strong off-gassing smell for 2.75 days.

Company Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Data
Trial Period	15%	8.0	120 nights
Warranty	10%	10	Lifetime
Shipping	5%	10	$0
Returns	20%	7.0	$99
Trust	50%	10	Outstanding
Country of Origin	0%		USA

As a company, Nolah has pretty good terms and conditions. They offer a 120-night trial period with a lifetime limited warranty.

Shipping is free and the Nolah is made in the USA. However, returns do cost $99 to cover the cost of gas and labor for the pickup.

Nolah offers a live chat feature for customer service requests. I tested out the feature and found that the representative was a little bot-like.

Instead of answering simple questions with simple answers, the Nolah rep spat out lengthy paragraphs chock-full of marketing terminology that added unnecessary complexity.

That being said, their website is easy to navigate and many questions about the mattress can be answered on your own.

The Nolah natural mattress is around a 5 out of 10, where 10 is the most firm. I would say this is a pretty widely accepted firmness for most sleepers. It’s firm enough to support most weights, but not too firm to be uncomfortable.

That being said, I will add the caveat that there is a bit more sinkage in the midsection than I expected. This affects overall firmness and can make the middle of the mattress feel slightly softer.

Overall, support on the Nolah Natural mattress was good. During our tests, I felt well-supported in all sleeping positions.

You can see in the table below how wide of a net the Nolah casts in terms of being acceptable for many types of sleepers.

That being said, I do have some concerns over support for heavier sleepers—especially sleepers over 300 pounds.

Sleeper Weight	Stomach Sleepers	Side Sleepers	Back Sleepers
Under 150 lbs.	Yes	Yes	Yes
150-250 lbs.	Yes	Yes	Yes
250-300 lbs.	Maybe	Yes	Maybe

The Nolah Natural 11” mattress has a medium-soft feel. For lighter and moderate-weight sleepers this is perfectly fine. However, for heavier-weight sleepers, I don’t think the firmness or top layers of natural latex are going to provide an appropriate level of support.

If you weigh more than 250 pounds (especially if it’s 300+) you may want to consider the Nolah Evolution, Winkbed Plus, Helix Plus, or Titan Hybrid Luxe mattresses, all of which are designed and more capable of providing the type and level of support that heavier bodies need.

Design

The Nolah is a natural latex hybrid mattress, which means that it combines the best of natural latex foam with pocketed coils for comfort and support.

The materials are broken down into three distinct layers—two layers of latex foam followed by one layer of pocketed coils.

Materials

You can see a more detailed breakdown of the materials below.

• 2.0″ natural latex
• 1.0″ natural latex
• 8.0″ pocketed coils

The Cover

The cover of the Nolah natural mattress is soft and has a good amount of stretch to it. It uses organic cotton which is designed to help wick away moisture and keep you cool.

The sides of the mattress are reinforced a bit and have a thicker fabric than the thin feel of the top. On the sides, there are also carrying handles, which make it easier to maneuver the mattress, as needed.

The Comfort Layer

The comfort layer on the Nolah includes two slabs of latex foam. The first layer of latex is a hole-punched Talalay latex, which offers better breathability and improved cooling performance. This layer is 2.0″ thick.

The second slab of latex foam is a 1.0″ thick piece, also hole-punched Talalay latex. These two layers work together for good comfort, pressure relief, and contour while maintaining a cool sleeping surface.

The Support Layer

Beneath the latex foam is the 8.0″ thick layer of pocketed coils. These coils are zoned to provide more support along the midsection where pressure is greater and more subdued support at the ends, where pressure is lighter.

Product Evolution

The Nolah natural mattress was launched in June 2021. Since it was introduced, there have been no changes or design updates to this mattress.

Other Mattresses to Consider

Still not sure if the Nolah Natural latex mattress is right for you? Check out some of our other top recommendations below for other mattresses to consider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Check out some of the top FAQs on the Nolah Natural mattress below and get the answers you’re looking for.