Dunlop vs. Talalay Latex | What's The Difference?

On the hunt for your next mattress? Choosing a mattress type is the first decision you’ll have to make—and the most important. Each type of mattress has a distinctive feel and unique advantages, and the construction you choose determines how much your new mattress will cost and how long it’ll last.

Natural latex mattresses may not be the most affordable, but they are the most environmentally friendly. Plus, they’re soothing, supportive, and ultra-durable. If you’ve decided on latex for your next bed, rest assured; it’ll be a worthwhile investment!

As you explore your options, you’ll come across terminology that may be unfamiliar if you’ve never purchased a latex mattress. So, to help you find your ideal sleep setup, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to two of the most common forms of latex used in mattresses: Talalay latex and Dunlop latex.

Introduction to Latex in Mattresses

Talalay and Dunlop are both natural latex foam varieties. Their main ingredient is liquid latex, sustainably harvested from rubber trees. You may see synthetic latex mattresses while you shop around, but in this article, we’ll focus on the good stuff: eco-friendly, natural latex.

What Is Latex Foam?

How does the sap-like liquid extracted from Hevea brasiliensis trees become a cushioning mattress material? It’s made into a foam with the help of heat, air, water, and a few additives, depending on the manufacturer.

While Dunlop and Talalay latex use the same base material, these mattress foams undergo different manufacturing processes. Their unique processing methods set Dunlop and Talalay latex apart and yield foams with distinct properties.

Note: A single mattress may use all Talalay latex, all Dunlop latex, or both! As we’ll discuss later on, Talalay and Dunlop have distinct qualities and work best for different applications.

How Dunlop Latex Is Made

Of the two natural latex types, Dunlop latex foam is the simpler to produce. Learn more about the five-step process below:

1. The liquid latex is mechanically whipped until it has a frothy texture
2. The froth is poured into a mold, filled all the way
3. The mold is baked in a vulcanization oven
4. The foam is removed from the mold and washed
5. The foam is baked a second time, removing moisture

How Talalay Latex Is Made

Manufacturing Talalay latex foam requires a more intensive process than Dunlop. Here’s how it’s made:

1. The liquid latex is mechanically whipped until it has a frothy texture
2. The froth is poured to partially fill the mold
3. The mold is vacuum sealed, and the frothy liquid expands
4. It's flash frozen
5. The mold is baked, which sets and solidifies the foam
6. The foam is removed from the foam, extensively washed, and dried

Talalay Latex and Dunlop Latex Differences

These mold filling, setting, and baking processes may not sound drastically different, but they produce two unique mattress materials. Let’s compare the main differences between Dunlop and Talalay latex in essential areas for sleep comfort.

Feel

Both Dunlop and Talalay latex gently contour to your curves, relieve pressure, and have a responsive touch. Latex foam is known for its buoyancy and bounce—when you remove pressure, it instantly returns to its original shape. This quality makes latex popular for restless sleepers. However, it does give latex less motion isolation than memory foam.

Density is where Talalay and Dunlop latex differ. Dunlop is denser, making it more common for support layers in latex mattresses. With a lower density, Talalay latex feels more cushioning and is favored for the comfort layers in latex and latex hybrid mattresses.

Note: While Dunlop latex is denser than Talalay, both foam types can be engineered in a range of firmness levels.

Breathability

Talalay latex has a more breathable structure than Dunlop latex, so it sleeps slightly cooler. This difference stems from the vacuum seal and expansion step of creating Talalay latex, which results in a more porous foam.

That said, both Talalay latex and Dunlop latex have temperature-neutral formulas. It's also common for latex mattresses to have perforated foam layers, which further promotes cooling air circulation.

Durability

All natural latex foam is exceptionally resilient, far outlasting memory foam and other polyfoams. However, because of its higher density, Dunlop latex is slightly more durable than Talalay.

Consistency

During the Dunlop latex manufacturing process, the liquid latex settles in the mold, and the heaviest particles sink to the bottom. As a result, Dunlop latex has a bottom-heavy feel. With Talalay latex, the frothed liquid is vacuum sealed and expands to fill the mold, creating a uniform consistency throughout the foam.

Cost

As previously mentioned, the Talalay process is more labor-intensive than the Dunlop process. In turn, Talalay latex costs more. Click here to learn more about the average mattress cost in 2023.

Pros and Cons of Dunlop and Talalay Latex

Dunlop Latex

Pros

• Natural and eco-friendly
• Hypoallergenic
• Pressure-relieving
• Responsive
• Temperature-neutral and breathable
• More durable than Talalay latex

Cons

• Less breathable than Talalay latex
• Bottom-heavy

Use

• Often used for support layer in all-latex and latex hybrid mattresses

Talalay Latex

Pros

• Natural and eco-friendly
• Hypoallergenic
• Pressure-relieving
• Responsive
• Highly durable
• Temperature-neutral
• More breathable than Dunlop latex
• Consistent feel

Cons

• Costs more than Dunlop latex
• Slightly less durable than Dunlop latex

Use

• Often used for comfort layer in all-latex and latex hybrid mattresses

Consumer Guide: Choosing the Right Latex for You

Now that you know the ins and outs of each natural latex type, you can make an educated decision for your sleep setup. But remember, Talalay and Dunlop latex are very similar and both are excellent options. The critical decision isn't between Talalay and Dunlop; it's between latex foam and other materials like our Nolah AirFoam™ or memory foam.

Latex Mattresses

Our Recommendation: Dunlop and Talalay

For an all-foam latex mattress, we suggest a combination of Dunlop and Talalay latex. Look for a model with Talalay latex comfort layers for maximum cushioning and Dunlop latex underneath for optimal support.

Latex Hybrid Mattresses

Our Recommendation: Personal Preference

Latex hybrid mattresses pair latex foam with a coil core for even deeper support. These two-in-one mattresses are ultra-durable, and coils maximize edge support. Higher-end models may also have advanced features like zoned, individually-wrapped coils for targeted relief and heightened responsiveness.

With multi-layer construction, hybrid mattresses offer a healthy balance of comfort and support. Talalay and Dunlop latex work great for hybrid applications, adding responsiveness and pressure relief. We don't recommend one over the other—the ideal option comes down to your personal preference. You may also see hybrid models that use both.

SHOP THE NOLAH NATURAL LATEX HYBRID MATTRESS

Mattress Toppers

Our Recommendation: Personal Preference

Both Dunlop and Talalay latex mattress toppers add pressure relief and support to a mattress. We recommend choosing the material based on the shortcoming you want to fix. If your mattress doesn’t offer enough cushioning, choose Talalay. If you want a slightly denser feel, go with Dunlop. Either way, buying a mattress topper will improve the feel of your bed and help it last longer.

Pillows

Our Recommendation: Talalay

Cooling is key for pillows, so we suggest Talalay latex, the more breathable option. Look for an option with a breathable cover material as well, like Tencel™, or organic cotton.

SHOP OUR TALALAY LATEX PILLOW

Natural Comfort with Talalay or Dunlop

Hopefully, this guide has clarified the key differences between the two natural types of latex foam and helped you pick the right composition for your next mattress. But whether you choose Dunlop, Talalay, or a combination of both, you're ultimately investing in a sustainable, durable, and comfortable sleep solution. You’ll enjoy latex foam’s responsive bounce, gentle contouring, and soothing pressure relief for years of restorative nights supported by nature!

Frequently Asked Questions: About Talalay vs. Dunlop Latex

Which is softer, Talalay or Dunlop latex?

Manufacturers can engineer both Talalay and Dunlop latex in a range of firmness levels. However, Dunlop is denser and more commonly used for support layers. Conversely, Talalay is typically softer than Dunlop and often reserved for upper comfort layers.

What’s more eco-friendly, Talalay or Dunlop latex?

Both Talalay and Dunlop latex come from a sustainable source: rubber trees. They use less chemicals than synthetic mattress foams, last longer, and are biodegradable. However, producing Dunlop latex is less energy-intensive than Talalay, making it slightly more eco-friendly.

How long does a latex mattress last?

A high-quality latex mattress can last about 15 to 20 years with proper care.

Disclaimer: Nolah does not provide medical advice. All resources on the Nolah blog, including this article, are informational only and do not replace professional medical counsel. Talk to your doctor about any health, mental health, or sleep-related issues.