Best For
- Exceptionally good cooling
- Near instantaneous material response – tied for 1st
- High bounce and good edges create great sex performance
Considerations
- Sitting edge support is good, but not great
- Medium feel may not be appropriate for heavyweight sleepers (especially stomach and back sleepers)
Our Verdict
The Nolah natural mattress is a latex hybrid that uses hole-punched Talalay latex with pocketed coils to provide comfort, support, and exceptionally good cooling. It has an 11″ profile and a plush feel.
In our performance test, the Nolah had exceptionally good cooling, moderately deep sinkage, low motion transfer, very fast response time, moderately high bounce, very good edge support while sitting, excellent edge support while lying, and excellent pressure relief.
The Nolah Natural has a more generalized contouring around the body. This is on contrast to the more dramatic hug that memory foam creates. It’s a more traditional feel that emphasizes pressure relief, cooling, and softness.
Type: Latex Hybrid
Firmness: Medium (5)
Best For: All Sleeping Positions, Sleepers Up to 250 lbs.
In This Review
Performance Tests | Firmness | Support & Sleeping Positions | Design | Materials | Comparisons | FAQs
Performance Tests
At NapLab, we put each mattress to the test.
We test 9 different factors that impact the comfort and feel of the mattress. Testing categories include:
| Test | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cooling | Exceptional |
| Sinkage | Deep |
| Motion Transfer | Very Low |
| Response Time | Extremely Fast |
| Bounce | High |
| Edge Support | Very Good |
| Sex | Excellent |
| Pressure Relief | Excellent |
| Off-Gassing | Exceptional |
| Company | Excellent |
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 excep[tioanl cooling performance, 30% lower levels of motion transfer, faster material response time, 21%
Neutral Factors
This mattress has 17% 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.
| Factor | Nolah Natural | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 9.67 | 9.51 |
| Price | $1,679 | $1,757 (Latex Hybrid only) |
| Cooling | 10 | 9.4 |
| Max Sinkage | 2.55″ | 2.17″ |
| Total Motion Transfer | 6.04 m/s² | 8.52 m/s² |
| Response Time | 0.2 sec. | 0.4 sec. |
| Total Bounce | 11.76″ | 9.65″ |
| Edge Support – Sitting Sinkage | 4.75″ | 4.11″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 11.0″ | 12.0″ |
| Sex Overall | 9.8 | 9.6 |
| Comfort Material | 3.0″ | 4.2″ |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | None | Strong |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 0 days | 5 days |
| Trial | 120 nights | 160 nights |
| Warranty | Lifetime | 26% have lifetime warranties, average of other 74% of mattresses is 14 years |
Cooling Test
Cooling performance on the Nolah Natural mattress was exceptionally good. In our tests, we measured a maximum surface level temperature of just 88.3°.
Baseline Temp.
77.7° F
Max Temp.
88.3° F
Ending Temp.
80.9° F
Max Temp.
Ending Temp
- 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.
Sinkage Test
The Nolah Natural mattress has a slightly deep to deep level of sinkage. In our tests, we measured 2.55” of sinkage.
Sinkage Depth
2.55
Sinkage Feel
Moderate
This is more than the average sinkage across all mattresses we’ve tested to date, which is 2.17”.
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).
Motion Transfer Test
The Nolah Natural mattress has a low level of motion transfer. In our tests, we measured 6.04 m/s² of acceleration.
Max. Acceleration
3.04 m/s²
Min. Acceleration
-3.0 m/s²
Accel. Range
6.04 m/s²
This is just less than the average acceleration across all mattresses we’ve tested to date, which is 8.52 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 Test
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.
Mostly Recovered
0.2 sec.
Complete Recovery
0.3 sec.
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.
Bounce Test
The Nolah Natural mattress has a moderately 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 9.65”.
Max. Depth
6.09″
Max. Rebound
5.67″
Total Bounce
11.76″
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.
Max. Sinkage Depth
Max Bounce Height
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.
Edge Support Test
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 just more than the average edge compression across all mattresses we’ve tested to date, which is 4.11”.
Max Sinkage
4.75″
Lying Support
Excellent
The level of edge support while seated is documented in the images below.
Sitting, 140 lbs.
Sitting, 200 lbs.
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.
Lying on Edge, 140 lbs.
Lying on Edge, 200 lbs.
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.
Sex Test
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 | 60% | 10 | High |
| Edge Support | 20% | 9.1 | Very Good |
| Noise | 10% | 10 | Minimal |
| Pressure Relief | 5% | 9.5 | Excellent |
| Cooling | 5% | 10 | Exceptional |
For the Nolah natural mattress, these individual factors generated a sex score of 9.8.
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 Test
Pressure relief on the Nolah Natural 11” mattress was excellent. The top layers of natural latex create a more generalized contour around the body.
Comfort Layer
3.0″
Support Layer
8.0″
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.
Off-Gassing Test
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.
Initial Smell Strength
None
Off-Gassing Period
0 days
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
The company score takes a look at factors that may influence your experience with the mattress.
Factors include length of the trial period, warranty, shipping / return costs, and country of origin.
| Company Factor | Factor Weight | Score | Data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trial Period | 25% | 9 | 120 nights |
| Warranty | 25% | 10 | Lifetime |
| Shipping | 25% | 10 | $0 |
| Returns | 25% | 9 | $99 |
| 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.
How firm is the Nolah Natural?
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.
Support & Sleeping Positions
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.
Type
Hybrid
Thickness
11″
Firmness
5
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.
For Edge Support
Birch by Helix
Cotton + Wool Cover
If edge support is critically important, you may want to consider the Birch mattress. Birch also uses hole-punched Talalay latex but had less sinkage when sitting directly on the edge.
For Heavier Sleepers
Titan Luxe Hybrid
6 out of 10 Firmness
The Titan Luxe has a 4.0″ comfort layer (25% more than the Nolah). It also has a slightly firmer feel, but considering it is designed for heavier sleepers, the firmer feel helps to provide adequate support.
For Overall Score
WinkBed
3 Firmness Levels
The WinkBed mattress is another high-performance hybrid with an overall score of 9.93 that trumps even the top-rated Nolah. However, it notable does not include latex.
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.
The cost of a Nolah mattress varies depending on what size you’re looking for. Here are the current prices, with any sales or promotions reflected below:
Twin: $999
Twin XL: $1,099
Full: $1,199
Queen: $1,199
King: $1,499
Cal. King: $1,499
*Note: Sales prices are subject to change without notice or warning.
120 nights
No. The Nolah Natural mattress is only available online. The best way to test it out is to take advantage of the 120-night trial period.
