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Spindle Mattress Review

Derek Hales

Written by: Derek Hales

Updated On:

COUPON: Use promo code NapLab to save $100 off any Spindle mattress order.

Spindle cover photo
9.69 Overall Score
Tested With Scoring System 1.1
9.5 Cooling
10 Motion Transfer
10 Response Time
9.5 Edge Support
9.9 Sex
9.5 Pressure Relief
9.4 Off-Gassing
10 Company

Best For

  • Sleepers looking for adjustable firmness
  • Extremely fast response time
  • Extremely low motion transfer
  • Higher levels of bounce (great for sex performance)

Considerations

  • Off-gassing takes over a week to fully dissipate
  • May not have the right hug and contour if you like deeper hug and contour (like memory foam)

Our Verdict

The Spindle mattress is an organic natural latex mattress that has three interchange layers of latex foam. It has a zippered cover that allows you to access the foam layers and adjust them in a number of different configurations.

In our performance tests, the Spindle mattress had excellent cooling, moderate sinkage, extremely low motion transfer, extremely fast response time, high bounce, excellent edge support, excellent sex performance, excellent pressure relief, very good off-gassing, and exceptional company policies.

Overall performance on Spindle is fantastic. It’s one of the best latex mattresses we’ve tested to date.

Type: Latex Foam
Firmness: Interchangeable (Soft, Medium, or Firm)
Best For: All Sleeping Positions, Sleeper Under 250 lbs.

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

YouTube video

How Did We Test?

The Spindle mattress comes with 3 standalone organic natural latex layers, a soft layer, medium, and firm.

Those 3 layers can be configured and stacked in any order, allowing sleepers to create different feels.

Spindle materials
Spindle foam layers

For our tests, we went with a typical medium-firm configuration, with the medium layer on top, soft layer in the middle, and firm layer on the bottom.

Performance Tests

At NapLab, we put each mattress to the test.

We test 10 different factors that impact the performance, comfort, and value of the mattress. Testing categories include:

Test Rating
CoolingExcellent
SinkageModerate
Motion TransferExtremely Low
Response TimeExtremely Fast
BounceHigh
Edge SupportExcellent
SexExcellent
Pressure ReliefExcellent
Off-GassingVery Good
CompanyExceptional

How is Spindle Different?

The Spindle mattress has above-average overall performance and a price tag that is below average—22% less than the average latex foam mattress for a savings of $429 for a queen-size mattress.

Advantages

Beyond price alone, other advantages to the Spindle include better cooling performance, less motion transfer, faster material response time, better edge support, and better sex performance.

This mattress also has a 365-night trial. Over twice the length of the average trial (161 nights).

Neutral Factors

Neutral factors include bounce in sinkage, which are largely preferential issues. The Spindle has slightly deeper sinkage than average, as well as 20% more bounce than average.

Disadvantages

Possible disadvantages to the Spindle may include a thinner overall mattress thickness—only 10″ thick compared to the average mattress (which is 12″). That also means this mattress has slightly less comfort material than average (4.0″ compared to the 4.2″ average).

The high levels of bounce any longer off-gassing periods may also be a disadvantage to some, depending on what you’re looking for in a mattress.

FactorSpindleAverage
Overall9.699.51
Price$1,599$2,028 (Latex Foam only)
Cooling9.59.4
Max Sinkage2.25″2.17″
Total Motion Transfer4.01 m/s²8.52 m/s²
Response Time0.2 sec.0.4 sec.
Total Bounce11.59″9.65″
Edge Support – Sitting Sinkage4.00″4.11″
Mattress Thickness10.0″12.0″
Sex Overall9.99.6
Comfort Material4.0″4.2″
Off-Gassing – SmellStrongStrong
Off-Gassing – Days8 days5 days
Trial365 nights161 nights
Warranty10 years26% have lifetime warranties, average of other 74% of mattresses is 14 years
9.5

Cooling Test

Cooling performance on the Spindle mattress is excellent. During our tests, I felt no significant level of heat retention. Looking at the material construction, it makes sense.

Baseline Temp.

78.0° F

Max Temp.

87.9° F

Ending Temp.

81.8° F

Natural latex as a material type breathes well and simply doesn’t retain significant levels of heat (especially compared to what poly foam and memory foam can retain).

Max Temp.

Spindle before cooling test
Spindle before cooling test

Ending Temp

Spindle after cooling test
Spindle after cooling test
  • 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

Our objective data showed a maximum temperature of 87.9° Fahrenheit, which is a massive 1.8° cooler than the average max temp of (based on all of our tests to date) of 89.7°.

While objective max temperature isn’t always a perfect comparative metric, to see such a huge temperature difference is absolutely noteworthy. To have 1.0° max temp lower than the max temp average would be notable, so 1.8° difference is huge.

Heat Dissipation Over Time

Heat Dissipation Chart Spindle
Heat Dissipation Chart Spindle

The heat dissipation curve looks solid as well. From minutes 0 to 1 we saw a decline of 3.2 degrees. From minutes 0 to 5 the decline is 6.1°.

Looking at our subjective experience, objective data, and material construction, I am pleased with the cooling performance. This is basically as good as cooling performance gets in an all-foam mattress.

Sinkage Test

The Spindle mattress can be configured in multiple ways. Each different configuration will change the level of sinkage.

In our primary tests, we placed the medium firmness latex layer on top (with soft latex in the middle and firm latex on the bottom). With this configuration, we experienced a moderate level of sinkage (2.25″).

Sinkage Depth

2.25″

Sinkage Feel

Moderate

The level of sinkage is documented in the image below.

Spindle sinkage test
Spindle sinkage test

Latex has a very distinct feel when it comes to contouring hug. The contour around the body is far more generalized, creating something akin to a generalized circular depression around the body.

This is in contrast to memory foam, which creates a precise exacting contour around the body. Neither is better or worse, but without question, there is a difference and there are those who prefer the feel of latex and those who prefer memory foam.

If you place the soft version of the latex foam on top you’ll end up with more sinkage and of course, you’ll experience less sinkage with the firm latex layer on top.

10

Motion Transfer Test

Motion transfer on the Spindle mattress was surprisingly very low. I say surprisingly because natural latex as a material type typically has a higher level of motion transfer, but we don’t see that here.

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

In our tests, we measured 4.01 m/s² of acceleration range. This is 1.92 m/s² lower than the average motion transfer of 8.51 m/s² (based on all of our motion transfer tests to date).

Max. Acceleration

1.97 m/s²

Min. Acceleration

-2.04 m/s²

Accel. Range

4.01 m/s²

Without a doubt, the 1.0” quilted cover is having a positive impact on motion transfer. It’s thick enough and soft enough to disperse a significant level of energy. Looking at our motion transfer chart, we see a higher level of motion transfer up until 0.36 seconds.

Spindle motion transfer chart
Spindle motion transfer chart

Moderate motion persists up until 0.71 seconds before returning to near zero levels. The best mattresses are able to return to near-zero levels of motion within 0.3 seconds.

However, those mattresses almost always contain memory foam. The motion peaks and total motion duration of the Spindle are very well restrained. For most sleepers, I don’t expect motion transfer will be a significant problem area.

10

Response Test

Response time on the Spindle mattress was extremely fast. In our tests, we measured a total response time of 0.2 seconds to mostly recover and 0.3 seconds to fully recover.

Mostly Recovered

0.2 sec.

Complete Recovery

0.3 sec.

This is tied with a number of other high-performance mattresses for the fastest response time we have tested to date. It just doesn’t get faster than 0.2 / 0.3 seconds.

The level of responsiveness is documented in the video below.

The Spindle mattress is also significantly faster than the average.

On average, based on all of our tests to date, we see mattresses mostly respond within 0.52 seconds and fully recover by 0.94 seconds.

When it comes to fast material response it just doesn’t get any better than latex.

Natural latex is incredibly springy, bouncy, and responsive. This ensures that the mattress quickly adapts to changes in movements and makes it easy to move around on the mattress.

Bounce Test

The Spindle has a high level of bounce. In our tests, we measured 11.59” of total bounce height.

Max. Depth

5.92″

Max. Rebound

5.67″

Total Bounce

11.59″

This is notably more than the average bounce height of 9.65” (based on all of our mattress tests to date).

While the bounce is what I would describe as “high”, it’s still within the ideal bounce range of 8-12” that I look for.

Max. Sinkage Depth

Spindle bounce depth
Spindle bounce depth

Max Bounce Height

Spindle bounce height
Spindle bounce height

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

This is enough bounce to make it easy to move around on the mattress and improve sex, but not so high as to introduce motion transfer or other problems.

As with fast material response, latex mattresses almost always have a higher bounce. Natural latex is springy and pops back to shape immediately. It’s this feeling that so many people enjoy with a latex mattress.

9.5

Edge Support Test

Edge support on the Spindle is a mixed bag. Sitting edge support is great, but lying edge support leaves something to be desired. With respect to sitting edge support, we measured 4.0” of compression while sitting directly on the edge of the mattress.

Max Sinkage

4.00″

Lying Support

Fair

This is 0.64” better than the average sitting edge compression of 4.64”. Concerning sitting edge support, I’m most impressed with mattresses that are 4.0” or less. The Spindle meets that mark.

As a result, while sitting on the edge I felt fully supported by the mattress.

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

Sitting, 140 lbs.

Spindle edge support
Spindle edge support

Sitting, 200 lbs.

Spindle edge support - with vest
Spindle edge support – with vest

That said, I was not overly impressed with edge support while lying.

While lying on my back in particular I felt a significant level of material collapse at the edge. This is not uncommon for latex mattresses.

Spindle edge support - back sleeping with vest
Spindle edge support – back sleeping with vest

While latex has many benefits, support all the way to the perimeter edge isn’t among them.

I felt more supported while lying on my side at the edge, but even there, I don’t love the lying edge support.

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

Lying on Edge, 140 lbs.

Spindle edge support - side sleeping
Spindle edge support – side sleeping

Lying on Edge, 200 lbs.

Spindle edge support - side sleeping with vest
Spindle edge support – side sleeping with vest

With that said, you should note that different layer configurations will have slightly better / worse edge support. In our primary tests, we stacked the layers medium > soft > firm. Having soft in the core is what creates less than great edge support while lying.

When I stacked the layers soft > medium > firm I experienced far better edge support at the edge. This is simply because you have a softer material on top, while the firmer materials make up the support structures of the mattress.

In any configuration that uses the soft latex layer in the center is going to have less than amazing edge support.

9.9

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 FactorFactor WeightScoreRating
Bounce60%10High
Edge Support20%9.5Excellent
Noise10%10Minimal
Pressure Relief5%9.5Excellent
Cooling5%9.5Excellent

For the Spindle mattress, these individual factors generated a sex score of 9.9.

This is one of the best scores we’ve seen to date and looking at the performance of the primary scoring factors, I’m not surprised.

Spindle edge support - sitting
Spindle edge support – sitting

Being organic natural latex foam, the Spindle mattress has ideal bounce performance for sex, which is coupled with a fast response time.

Sitting edge support is good, it is a quiet mattress, has good pressure relief, and latex doesn’t retain heat as notably — all factors that are great for sex.

9.5

Pressure Relief Test

The Spindle mattress has excellent pressure relief. Natural latex as a material type creates fantastic comfort.

Comfort Layer

4.0″

Support Layer

6.0″

There is a moderate level of sinkage, while at the same time, the mattress still creates robust transitional support. This helps to create an equilibrium between robust support and pressure-relieving comfort.

Spindle dog
Spindle dog

The Spindle rides the balance fantastically well. Being able to swap the three latex layers around is an added bonus, as you can create a more precise firmness and pressure relief dynamic that works better with your body.

When it comes to pressure relief I don’t have any major complaints on the Spindle.

9.4

Off-Gassing Test

Out of the box, the Spindle had a strong smell. If we had a “very strong” I’d say it’s very strong. The smell filled the entire studio.

Initial Smell Strength

Strong

Off-Gassing Period

8 days

Natural latex has a very strong smell and this is 9″ of 100% natural latex, so it makes sense. The smell was that of the natural latex specifically. It smelled like rubber.

It took a full 8 days before the mattress stopped smelling.

10

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 FactorFactor WeightScoreData
Trial Period25%10365 nights
Warranty25%1010 years
Shipping25%10$0
Returns25%10$0
Country of Origin0%USA

The company score of the Spindle was excellent. They offer a 365-night trial period with a 10-year warranty. Shipping and returns are both free.

Note: If you choose to also purchase the matching Spindle foundation, that item is non-refundable. Even if you decide to return the mattress, you cannot get a refund for the foundation.

Spindle mattress
Spindle mattress

If you are unsure if the Spindle is the right mattress for you, you may want to purchase the mattress first and then purchase the foundation after you have received the mattress and like the feel.

25-Year Comfort Life Guarantee

Spindle also offers a 25-year comfort guarantee. This policy allows you to buy another layer of latex at a 30% off discounted price to alter the feel or firmness of your mattress.

How firm is the Spindle?

The firmness of the Spindle mattress varies depending on how you stack the layers. Here is a list of the 3 configurations (layers listed from top to bottom) and their associated firmnesses:

Soft Firmness

Soft > Medium > Firm (layer configuration)

firmness - 4 out of 10 - soft

After publishing this review Spindle reached out to me asking if I would re-test the soft firmness. In their view, my assessment is too soft. Per their request, I did re-test the soft configuration and confirmed that I do still believe the soft > medium > firm layer stack offers a 4 out of 10 firmness.

In Spindle’s view, the mattress is more likely to have a 5 out of 10 firmness. Certain body types are more likely to experience the 5 out of 10 firmness compared to others.

Very light weight sleepers, heavier weight sleepers, and sleepers with curvier / thicker bodies / larger shoulders / wider hips are all more likely to experience a little more firmness.

Medium Firmness

Medium > Soft > Firm (layer configuration)

firmness - 6 out of 10 - medium

Firm Firmness

Firm > Soft > Medium (layer configuration)

firmness - 7.5 out of 10 - medium firm

Support & Sleeping Positions

Support on the Spindle mattress is excellent. The mattress uses 9.0” of organic natural latex and a 1.0” quilted cover.

The specific configuration of the latex layers will change the type of support and firmness it’s able to create.

This is an amazingly valuable feature, as it allows you to make precise adjustments to the mattress after purchasing, creating the type of support your body needs. My only concern with respect to support is for very heavy-weight sleepers.

Sleeper WeightStomach SleepersSide SleepersBack Sleepers
Under 150 lbs.YesYesYes
150-250 lbs.YesYesYes
250-300 lbs.NoNoNo

In my view, the Spindle won’t be great for sleepers over 250 pounds, as it lacks sufficient support for those weights.

Even Spindle explicitly says that their “mattress is not designed for people whose BMI is 31 or over.

Two of the natural latex layers (6.0” of the 9.0”) are soft and medium, which are great as comfort or even transitional support layers, but aren’t doing much when it comes to deep compression support.

Spindle tag
Spindle tag

That deeper support is required for heavier-weight bodies. With that carve out in mind, for all other body types, I don’t foresee any significant support issues.

Natural latex as a material type has been widely used within the mattress industry for decades. Its supportive, springy, and balanced contouring properties make it a great choice to create robust support that many sleepers enjoy.

Design

The Spindle is a customizable latex foam mattress. It is made of three layers of foam, each with a varying degree of firmness.

Type

Latex Foam

Thickness

10″

Firmness

4, 6, 7.5

Depending on the feel you’re looking for, you can swap the order of the layers for a different firmness. The firmness range goes from 4 out of 10 (soft) up to 7.5 out of 10 (firm).

Spindle side
Spindle side

Materials

The top surface of the Spindle is a 1.0″ quilted cover, made in the USA. It is made of organic cotton and filled with an organic wool batting [Oeko-Tex Certified & Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)].

This cover feels thicker than a thin Tencel cover, but not as thick as a Euro-style plush cover or pillow topper. To access the latex foams, there is a zippered cover at the top edge of the Spindle.

Spindle open cover
Spindle open cover

Once you unzip the 1.0″ quilted cover, you will find each layer of latex foam in its own zippered cover.

The three layers of foam include:

  • 3.0″ organic natural latex (medium)
  • 3.0″ organic natural latex (soft)
  • 3.0″ organic natural latex (firm)
Spindle material-layers
Spindle material-layers

The latex layers are made in the Sri Lanka and are comprised of organic Dunlop latex [Oeko-Tex 100 – Class I Certified, Global Organic Textiles Standard (GOTS) Certified, Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) Certified].

These latex foams are perforated for better cooling performance, a faster response time, and limited motion transfer.

Spindle materials
Spindle materials

Most other mattresses have an identified “comfort layer” and a separate “support layer”, but that’s not really the case with the Spindle. Whichever layer is on the bottom will become the “support layer” and vice versa for the comfort layer.

Spindle materials
Spindle materials

The entire composition of this mattress is easy to mix and match for a feel that is more suited to you.

Testing Notes

I will add that it is fairly difficult to get the layers exactly lined up within the mattress cover. I did it alone, but having 2 people would be much easier.

Without question, latex is more difficult to move around. It’s heavy and floppy to move.

As a result, setting up the layers, swapping around the layer configuration, and getting the layers perfectly lined up within the cover is more difficult and tedious…especially compared to other mattresses that simply unroll themselves to decompress.

Product Evolution

The Spindle mattress was launched back in 2013 and has undergone no major changes since it was introduced. As changes happen, this section of the review will be updated to keep a record of those changes.

Spindle sinkage
Spindle sinkage

Other Mattresses to Consider

Still not sold on the Spindle mattress? To consider other options, check out the three top-rated alternative mattresses below.

For Heavier Sleepers

Birch Luxe material layers

Birch Luxe

Supports Up to 1,000 lbs.

The Birch Luxe mattress has an 11.5″ profile height and uses natural latex as well as pocketed coils for support. It has better edge support than the Spindle as well as the ability to support up to 1,000 lbs. or 500 lbs. per side.

Read Review

For Flippable Firmness

Nest Bedding Robin material layers

Nest Bedding Robin

10″H Flippable Hybrid

The Nest Bedding Robin is a flippable hybrid that has a side with a medium-firm firmness (6 out of 10) as well as a firmer side (8 out of 10). There is no zippered cover, like there is with the Spindle, but instead, the whole mattress flips over.

Read Review

For Pillow Top

Avocado Green material layers

Avocado

Standard or Pillowtop

The Avocado Green mattress is another latex hybrid, similar to the others above. It has a medium firmness of 6.5 out of 10 and an overall score of 9.61. This mattress is available with a standard quilted cover or an ultra-plush pillowtop cover.

Read Review

Frequently Asked Questions

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

How much does a Spindle mattress cost?

Here are the current prices, with any sales or promotions reflected below:

Twin: $1,149
Twin XL: $1,199
Full: $1,499
Queen: $1,699
King: $1,999

*Note: Sales prices are subject to change without notice or warning.

Is Spindle mattress organic?

Yes. The Spindle mattress uses organic certified materials like organic cotton, organic wool, and naturally derived organic Dunlop latex.

Is Spindle mattress good for kids?

Yes. The adjustable firmness levels, organic materials, and thinner 10″ profile make the Spindle mattress a good option for children.

About Derek Hales

Derek Hales

Derek Hales is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of NapLab.com. He has been featured in Fast CompanyReader's DigestBusiness InsiderRealtor.com, Huffington Post, Washington Post, AskMen, and She Knows. Derek has personally tested over 320+ mattresses and hundreds of pillows, sheets, beds, and other sleep products.