Futon or natural latex mattress – which suits whom?

In short: a futon lies flat and firm, a natural latex mattress contours and lets you sink in. If you like to lie firm, have slept on futons before and prefer your back, the futon is for you; if you need pressure relief at the shoulder and hip, sleep on your side or change position often, choose the natural latex mattress. In between sit latex futons and futon-style natural mattresses.

What a futon is

The classic futon comes from Japan: a simple natural mattress made entirely of cotton. The cotton is laid down in layers and tufted so that the layers cannot shift. Our cotton futon consists of six layers of pure cotton at 500 g/m² and is traditionally laid on a tatami or on the floor. It lies exceptionally firm and should be rolled up regularly to keep the filling airy.

There are developments of it too: the coconut futon gains a 3 cm layer of latexed coconut fibre for slatted frames and sofa beds. The latex futons 4/2, 6/2 and 6/3 carry a core of 4 or 6 cm natural latex between four layers of cotton and lie medium-firm. The hemp latex futon is made for sofa beds, and the latex sandwich combines cotton futon, natural latex and a coconut core.

What a natural latex mattress is

Natural latex is obtained from the sap of the rubber tree and foamed, vulcanised, washed and dried into an elastic, shape-retaining material. The cores of our natural latex mattresses are made entirely of it: the Basicline at 14 cm, the Comfortline at 20 cm. The material is point-elastic – it yields exactly where the body exerts pressure and keeps supporting right next to it. Futons and natural latex mattresses from our workshop are both tested for harmful substances by the eco-INSTITUT in Cologne.

The difference in feel

On a futon you lie on the surface, not in it: the cotton gives only minimally, shoulder and hip barely sink in, and the spine lies stretched out. Back sleepers with futon experience find that pleasant; for side sleepers the pressure relief of a pure cotton futon is rather ascetic. A natural latex mattress, by contrast, takes the body in: depending on the firmness, shoulder and pelvis sink in noticeably, the spine stays straight even on your side, and the material responds immediately when you turn.

Height differs too: a futon is flat and suits low futon beds or the floor; a 20 cm Comfortline makes getting up easier.

Care and base

A cotton futon needs attention: roll it up daily, shake it out occasionally, stand it up during the day if it lies on the floor. Coconut and latex futons are easier to care for and may go on a rigid slatted frame. A natural latex mattress belongs on a slatted frame – rigid or flexible – that ventilates it; it is turned from time to time, and the cover stays on the mattress.

What the two cost

As at October 2026 the cotton futon starts at €207, the coconut futon at €229, and the latex futons at €406 (4/2), €478 (6/2) and €526 (6/3). The Basicline Soft natural latex mattress starts at €558 (promotional price until 31 December 2026, regular €620), the 20 cm Comfortline Medium at €775.80 (regular €862) – each in 80 × 200 cm. All sizes are listed in our guide What does a natural latex mattress cost?.

Who suits what

• Cotton or coconut futon: back sleepers with futon experience, guest beds, tatami or floor, smaller budgets.
• Latex futon or latex sandwich: the futon look with more give, medium-firm, also for slatted frames and loft beds.
• Natural mattress Aman or Aman Plus: very firm and flat, on any surface – the Aman also for small children.
• Natural latex mattress Basicline (14 cm): point-elastic, three firmness levels, the budget-conscious way in.
• Natural latex mattress Comfortline (20 cm): more depth and comfort height, sandwich constructions for side sleepers and heavier bodies.

In the end, lying on them decides. At our bed store in Berlin-Charlottenburg you can compare futons, natural mattresses and natural latex mattresses directly.

Frequently asked questions

Is a futon healthier than a mattress?

Neither – both are natural mattresses without synthetic foams or metal, and both are tested for harmful substances by the eco-INSTITUT. What is good is what suits your body: a futon that is too firm gives side sleepers pressure points, and a mattress that is too soft is no better. What counts is your sleeping position, your weight and the feel you find comfortable.

Can I use a futon in an ordinary bed?

The pure cotton futon belongs on a tatami or the floor. The coconut futon, the latex futons and the latex sandwich are suited to slatted frames – ideally rigid ones – and so to an ordinary bed; the coconut layer or coconut core prevents contact with the slats.

Is there a middle way between futon and natural latex mattress?

Yes, several: the latex futons 4/2, 6/2 and 6/3 put a natural latex core into the futon construction, and the latex sandwich adds a coconut core against sinking in too far. The Aman Plus natural mattress carries a layer of natural latex on the surface over firm coconut. All of them lie firmer than a pure latex mattress but noticeably more yielding than a cotton futon.