Birch vs. Avocado Mattress Comparison
You can’t talk about natural mattresses without talking about the Birch and Avocado. We are going to break down everything you need to know about these mattresses, from the types of sleepers who will like each mattress the best, to their performances in our hands-on testing.
Find out if the wool-covered Avocado or the cotton-covered Birch is the right natural mattress for you.
Birch vs. Avocado Overview
| Birch is best for… | Avocado is best for… |
| Couples and seniors | Lighter side sleepers |
| Hot sleepers | Sleepers with pain |
| Back sleepers | Combination sleepers |
Who Should Choose Birch?
- Couples and seniors: Both couples and seniors will appreciate the Birch mattress’s strong edge support which allows for easy movement and maximum bed space. See more—Best Mattresses for Couples
- Hot sleepers: While both mattresses are breathable, hot sleepers will feel a little bit cooler with the Birch’s cotton cover than the Avocado’s wool cover.
- Back sleepers: The Birch and Avocado mattresses are both firm, but back sleepers will enjoy the extra support and solidness that the Birch has to offer. See more—Best Mattresses for Back Sleepers
Read our full Birch Mattress Review to learn more!
Who should Choose Avocado?
- Lighter side sleepers: Although both mattresses are firm, lighter side sleepers will find the Avocado more effective at reducing pressure, while the Birch can put extra, unwanted pressure on the hips.
- Sleepers with pain: For sleepers looking to reduce pressure and aches, the Avocado comes out on top in terms of support and pressure relief.
- Combination sleepers: For combination sleepers who switch positions throughout the night, the Avocado’s latex and coils provide the right responsiveness and bounce.
Read our full Avocado Mattress Review to learn more!
Birch vs. Avocado Video Review
On the fence about the Birch and Avocado mattresses? Watch Mattress Nerds Loren and Corey as they walk through everything you need to know to pick the right mattress for you.
Birch vs. Avocado Key Similarities
- Organic: Both the Birch and Avocado are made from naturally derived materials, and neither mattress uses synthetic materials.
- Breathable: Since the Birch and Avocado mattresses both have latex and coils, hot sleepers will find either option cooling and breathable.
- Responsive: Since natural materials usually don’t “sink,” both the Birch and Avocado mattresses are responsive.
Birch vs. Avocado Key Differences
- Price: For shoppers looking to save, the Avocado mattress costs less than the Birch and comes with a more generous trial period too.
- Customizability: The Avocado mattress is more customizable than the Birch, with a vegan, no-wool option and pillow top too.
- Edge support: The Birch mattress’s coils provide extra support that will appeal to seniors and couples looking for extra room or support on their mattress.
Birch vs. Avocado: Firmness & Feel Differences
Here we will discuss the results of our testing on its firmness level and feelings from our hands-on testing and experience with hundreds of mattresses and accessories.
What’s the Firmness Of the Birch & Avocado Mattresses?
At Mattress Nerd, we classify firmness on a scale of 1 to 10—where 1 is like a kitten’s fur and 10 is like a concrete slab. Up first, the Birch comes in at a solid 8 on the firmness scale, and the Avocado comes in with a medium-firm feel at a 7 out of 10. If you’re looking to soften up your Avocado a little bit more, you can also add a pillow top.
Overall, both mattresses are a good fit for stomach and back sleepers.
What Do the Brand A & Brand B Mattresses Feel Like?
The Birch Natural provides a responsive, breathable, and firm surface with a bouncy feel. For sleepers with aches and pains, the mattress’s Talalay latex layer provides support and relief in needed areas. The latex, in addition to the Birch Natural’s strong edge support, also creates a bounciness that helps sleepers to move around on the bed and get on and off without hassle.
For back sleepers, the Avocado Green has a winning combo of support and softness across the board. However, for stomach sleepers, there just isn’t enough firmness to go around on the pillowtop version, except for maybe the lightest sleepers. And, for side sleepers, this bed is a little too lifted for lightweight side sleepers, but performs well for many sleepers over 130 lbs.
What’s It Like to Sleep On the Birch & Avocado Mattresses?
The Avocado Green is a hybrid mattress made from organic materials that’s great for back sleepers, hot sleepers, and combination sleepers too. However, this mattress doesn’t have the strongest motion isolation or edge support, making it less than ideal for couples and seniors.
The Birch Natural is for eco-conscious shoppers who like a firmer latex mattress and want a reasonable price point. If you’re a back or stomach sleeper who isn’t lightweight or are a combination sleeper who enjoys a firmer feel, this mattress is a great choice to consider.
The Birch vs. Avocado Mattresses By Body Type
Birch Performance By Sleeping Position:
| Body Type: | BACK SLEEPERS | STOMACH SLEEPERS | SIDE SLEEPERS |
| Lightweight (< 130 lbs): | 4 | 5 | 2 |
| Average weight (130 – 230 lbs): | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Heavyweight (> 230 lbs): | 5 | 5 | 4 |
Avocado Performance By Sleeping Position:
| Body Type: | BACK SLEEPERS | STOMACH SLEEPERS | SIDE SLEEPERS |
| Lightweight (< 130 lbs): | 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Average weight (130 – 230 lbs): | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Heavyweight (> 230 lbs): | 5 | 4 | 5 |
1 = Very poor, 2 = Not good, 3 = Fair, 4 = Good, 5 = Excellent
Average-weight Sleepers (130–230 lbs)
Average-weight stomach sleepers and average-weight back sleepers will find both the Avocado and Birch mattresses comfortable. However, the firm feel of both mattresses may not appeal as much to average-weight side sleepers looking for more cushion or “sink”. This is especially true for the Birch mattress which is firmer than the Avocado.
Heavyweight Sleepers (> 230 lbs)
Like average-weight sleepers, heavyweight stomach sleepers and back sleepers will appreciate the firmness of the Birch and Avocado mattresses. However, unlike average-weight sleepers, many heavyweight side sleepers can sink down comfortably into the Birch and Avocado mattresses. Usually, the best mattresses for heavy sleepers are on the firmer side.
Between the two mattresses, stomach sleepers will enjoy the Birch’s extra firmness, while side sleepers will like the Avocado’s support.
Lightweight Sleepers (< 130 lbs)
Lightweight back sleepers and side sleepers will want the least firm of the two mattresses—the Avocado. For lighter sleepers, it’s important for a mattress to have enough softness to relieve pressure at the hips and shoulders.
For lightweight stomach sleepers, both mattresses work equally well and provide a comfortable level of firmness. While lightweight sleepers generally want more softness in their mattresses than heavier sleepers, the Birch and Avocado’s firmness keeps the back aligned and hips elevated.
Differences In Mattress Construction
The Birch and Avocado mattresses have a few commonalities in their construction, such as they both have steel coils and are 11 inches tall. Additionally, they both have latex incorporated into the mattresses as well.
| Birch Mattress Materials | Avocado Mattress Materials |
| Cotton Cover | Wool Cover |
| Wool | Latex |
| Talalay Latex | Dunlop Latex |
| Steel Coils | Steel Coils |
Cover
The Birch mattress’s cover is made of organic cotton, while the Avocado’s is made of natural wool. This means that the Birch’s cover material is more cooling than the Avocado’s. However, Avocado also offers a vegan cotton cover option too.
Comfort Layers
Below the covers, both mattresses use latex for their comfort layers, but the Birch mattress uses two inches of Talalay latex and wool, and the Avocado mattress uses three inches of Dunlop latex. The difference between the two latex options is that Dunlop latex is more firm and durable than Talalay. The Avocado mattress can also include an optional two more inches of Dunlop latex to reduce the mattress’s firmness.
Support Layers
Next, both the Birch and Avocado mattress use eight inches of steel coils in their support layers for a breathable, bouncy feel. However, the Birch mattress’s coils have extra reinforcement around the edges which boosts the beds edge support.
Sizing & Price Comparisons
| Size | Birch Prices | Avocado Prices |
| Twin | $1,349 | $1,199 |
| Twin XL | $1,399 | $1,299 |
| Full | $1,599 | $1,499 |
| Queen | $1,799 | $1,699 |
| King | $2,099 | $2,299 |
| California King | $2,099 | $2,299 |
Birch vs. Avocado Mattress Performance Ratings & Differences
Motion Isolation
Both mattresses have coils and latex in their construction, meaning the Birch and Avocado have a lot of bounce and a lot of motion transfer too. Essentially, for either mattress, you’re likely to feel your partner moving around during the night.
Edge Support
In this mattress match-up, the Birch has the edge on edge support, or how well the mattress edges hold up weight. While both mattresses are strong around the edges, the Birch’s reinforced perimeter of steel coils beats the Avocado.
Looking for more info? Check out our edge support page.
Pressure Relief
The Birch and Avocado mattresses both relieve pressure for heavyweight, average-weight, and light weight back and side sleepers. However, lightweight side sleepers may find that the Birch feels too firm and places too much pressure on the hips. For other pain relief options, check out the best mattresses for hip pain.
Durability
While the Birch and Avocado have a similar construction, the Avocado’s durable Dunlop latex layers and steel coils make it a mattress that you can enjoy for a long time.
Temperature
Hot sleepers can enjoy either the Birch or Avocado mattress because both have breathable latex and coils in their construction. However, because the Birch has a cotton cover (instead of the Avocado’s wool cover), you can expect to sleep a little bit cooler on the Birch.
Shipping and Returns for Birch and Avocado
Birch Mattress
With the Birch mattress, you can expect free shipping and returns in the United States. If you’re not sure about your Birch, you’ll also get a 100-day trial to sleep on it. Once you’ve got your Birch set up, you can enjoy its 25-year warranty.
Avocado Mattress
Just like the Birch, the Avocado mattress comes with free shipping and returns, but this mattress comes with a generous 365-day free sleep trial. If you’re still enjoying your Avocado after that year, you’ll also get a 25-year warranty too.
More Birch Mattresses
This mattress is no longer available for purchase. To help you find your next mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses available on the market now.
See Birch Luxe Mattress Review to learn more.
More Avocado Mattresses
This mattress is no longer available for purchase. To help you find your next mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses available on the market now.
This mattress is no longer available for purchase. To help you find your next mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses available on the market now.
Haven’t made a decision yet? Check out these other comparisons:
Our Final Take
The Birch and Avocado are both firm, cooling, and organic mattress options. If you’re a back sleeper, looking for a firmer mattress, or looking for extra edge support, the Birch will be the better fit for you. On the other hand, if you want pressure relief, a more affordable mattress, or if you’re a combination sleeper, the Avocado will work better for you.
Birch & Avocado FAQs
Is Birch or Avocado Better for Couples?
Most couples will like that the Birch mattress is made of slightly cooler materials, such as cotton, and has stronger edge support which allows for maximum space on the mattress. However, both mattresses lack motion isolation and have steel coils which can create unwanted noise.
Do the Birch and Avocado Mattresses Smell?
Off-gassing, or the new mattress smell, can sometimes be strong and last for days after a new mattress is unboxed. Since the Birch and Avocado mattresses are both made of natural and organic materials, you can expect a temporary earthy smell from the cotton and wool.
Is the Birch or Avocado Better for Seniors?
When it comes to mattresses, seniors often look for strong edge support and pressure relief. Between the Birch and Avocado, the Birch has more edge support, making it easier to get up, while the Avocado has more pressure relief for sleepers with aches and pains.
