Quick Take
The My Green Mattress Kiwi is the organic mattress I recommend when families want legitimate GOTS/GOLS certifications without the Naturepedic or Avocado price tag. It is handmade by a family-owned company in Illinois, carries the same certifications as premium options, and costs $200-400 less. For most families prioritizing organic materials, this is the smart buy.
Why I Researched This
I kept seeing My Green Mattress recommended in organic parenting communities, but the brand is not as well-known as Naturepedic or Avocado. I wanted to understand if the certifications were legitimate, how the quality compared, and why the price was lower. After researching their manufacturing and testing the mattress, I am convinced this is the best value in organic kids mattresses.
What We Evaluated
This review uses R3's kids-mattress methodology v1.0.0, evaluating 30 factors across 6 pillars: Safety (35%), Efficacy (30%), Value (15%), Usability (10%), Sustainability (5%), and Suitability (5%).
Safety Analysis (35% weight)
GREENGUARD Gold Certified: Yes (10/10) Full GREENGUARD Gold certification from UL Environment. This means the finished mattress - not just individual components - has been tested for over 10,000 chemicals and meets strict emission limits for children's products.
GOTS Organic Cotton: Yes (10/10) The cover and quilting layer use GOTS-certified organic cotton. The certification number is published on their website, which means you can verify it through the GOTS database. This is full GOTS certification, not just 'made with organic cotton.'
GOLS Organic Latex: Yes (10/10) The latex layer is GOLS-certified organic Dunlop latex. This certification verifies organic and sustainable farming practices for the rubber tree plantations that supply the latex.
Natural Wool Fire Barrier: Yes (10/10) My Green Mattress uses natural wool to meet federal flammability standards. Wool is naturally fire-resistant and does not require chemical treatment. The wool is eco-INSTITUT certified, meaning no harmful substances.
No Chemical Flame Retardants: Yes (10/10) No spray-on flame retardant chemicals, no chemical barriers, no PBDEs. The wool does the work naturally.
OEKO-TEX Standard 100: Yes Additional certification verifying no harmful substances in the textiles. Class 1 certified (the strictest class, specifically for baby products).
Material Transparency: 9.5/10 My Green Mattress publishes all materials and certifications. They will send you material samples if requested. Full transparency about what is in their mattresses and where it comes from.
Off-gassing: 9/10 Minimal off-gassing reported by families. Natural wool has a faint lanolin smell that dissipates within 24-48 hours. No chemical off-gassing because there are no synthetic foams or chemical treatments.
Why Is It Cheaper Than Naturepedic?
This is the question everyone asks. The Kiwi has similar certifications to the Naturepedic Verse but costs $200-300 less. After researching both companies, here is what I found:
Lower Marketing Spend: My Green Mattress is a smaller operation that relies on word-of-mouth and organic search. They spend less on advertising than major brands.
Simpler Distribution: They sell direct-to-consumer only. No retail partnerships, showrooms, or wholesale margin.
Family-Owned Efficiency: Based in Illinois, the company is family-owned and operated. Decisions are made quickly without corporate overhead.
Focused Product Line: They make mattresses. That is it. No pillows, sheets, bed frames, or accessories to manage.
The certifications are identical - GREENGUARD Gold, GOTS, GOLS. The quality of materials is comparable. You are just paying less for brand recognition and marketing.
Performance & Efficacy (30% weight)
Spinal Support: 9/10 The Kiwi uses a combination of pocketed coils and organic latex for support. The coil unit provides foundational support while the latex adds contouring. Good spinal alignment for growing bodies.
Firmness Options: 9/10 Available in Medium and Medium-Firm options. Most kids do well with Medium-Firm, which provides proper support without feeling too hard. The ability to choose firmness is a significant advantage.
Temperature Regulation: 9/10 Excellent breathability from the wool/latex/coil combination. Wool naturally wicks moisture and regulates temperature. The coil core allows airflow through the mattress. Parents report cool sleep even in warm weather.
Durability: 9/10 High-quality construction with premium materials. Expected lifespan of 10-12 years. The 20-year warranty backs up durability claims with one of the longest coverage periods in the industry.
Edge Support: 8.5/10 Good edge support from the coil system. Not quite as robust as thicker premium mattresses, but adequate for kids who sleep near the edge.
Motion Isolation: 8/10 The pocketed coil and latex combination provides decent motion isolation. Some transfer with larger movements, but minimal disruption from restless sleepers.
Value Assessment (15% weight)
Price: 9/10 $749 for a twin size with full organic certifications. This is $250 less than Naturepedic Verse and $450 less than Avocado. For the certification stack, this is exceptional value.
Warranty: 10/10 20-year warranty covering defects and sagging beyond 1.5 inches. Non-prorated for the first 10 years, then prorated years 11-20. One of the best warranties in the industry.
Sleep Trial: 10/10 365-night trial with free return pickup if you are not satisfied. Full year to determine if the mattress works for your child. No return fees.
Free Shipping: Yes Free shipping within the continental US. They ship the mattress compressed in a box for convenient delivery.
Cost Per Year Calculation At $749 lasting 10 years = $75/year. For GOTS/GOLS certified organic materials, this is remarkable value. Cheaper than many non-organic mattresses on a per-year basis.
Usability Factors (10% weight)
Setup: 9/10 Ships compressed in a box. Easy to carry upstairs and unbox. Allow 24-48 hours for full expansion and for the wool smell to dissipate.
Cover: 9/10 Removable, washable organic cotton cover. Quality zipper construction. Soft against skin with attractive quilted pattern.
No Waterproof Layer The Kiwi does not include a built-in waterproof barrier. For potty-training kids, you will want to add a separate waterproof mattress protector. My Green Mattress sells organic cotton protectors, or you can use any compatible protector.
Size Options: 9/10 Available in Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, and King. All sizes use the same certification stack and materials.
Sustainability & Company Ethics (5% weight)
Manufacturing: 10/10 Handmade in their own facility in Illinois. Not contract-manufactured overseas. Quality control maintained in-house.
Family-Owned: 10/10 Tim Masters founded the company after researching mattresses for his own family and being disappointed by what he found. The company mission aligns with customer values.
Certifications Verified: 10/10 All certifications can be verified through their respective databases. GOTS certificate numbers published. GREENGUARD Gold listing available on UL website.
The Bottom Line
The My Green Mattress Kiwi offers the same certification stack as mattresses costing $200-400 more. The quality is comparable to premium brands. The 20-year warranty and 365-night trial reduce purchase risk. For families who want organic materials without overpaying for brand recognition, this is the pick.
Who Should Buy This
- Families who want GOTS/GOLS/GREENGUARD Gold certifications
- Budget-conscious parents who prioritize value
- Those who do not need brand name recognition
- Kids ages 3+ who have outgrown crib mattresses
- Families who appreciate supporting small, family-owned businesses
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Families who want built-in waterproofing (add a protector instead)
- Those who prefer retail purchasing with showroom testing
- Anyone who needs a crib or toddler-specific size
- Families who want Made Safe certification (Naturepedic has this)
