Awara vs. Birch
better sleep, naturally
Picking out a new mattress should be a joyful experience. You’re getting the new bed that you’ve so desperately needed to finally obtain a restful night’s sleep. Instead, when you check which mattresses to buy online, you’re bombarded with all kinds of options. What separates the good ones from the bad ones? We wrote this simple compare page to help you better understand what you should be looking for.
When you finally decide on a mattress, it’s hopefully because you’ve done the research to figure out which pros and cons really matter to you and compared the best mattresses on the market. We know you don’t take getting a new mattress lightly, a good mattress is like a family pet — it’s a vital part of your life, and frankly, it just makes life more fun. That’s why we’ve done the research part of this job for you.In this article, we’ll outline some key similarities and differences between Awara and one of its competitors, the Birch mattress. We know that you’re curious about the design, materials, trial periods, warranties, shipping and return processes -- so here’s a one-stop shop where you can see it all in one spot, on one webpage, and with a handy graphic to compare them.
It’s time to eliminate the guesswork from your search for the best mattress. Remember, the best dreamy night’s sleep always starts with an amazing mattress. OK, let’s get the lowdown on how these two stack up against each other.
Hybrid Design
Hybrid designs have become the go-to process to create a bed that is best of both worlds when it comes to both support and comfort. That’s because the design allows for the traditionally supportive design of pocketed coils (an update to the classic inner-spring design) while also having a top comfort layer of latex material. Awara perfects this design. Not only does the Awara mattress have a premium individually-wrapped pocketed coil system, but it is paired with natural GOLS-Certified organic latex. That gives you the perfect mixture of a velvety, plush comfort layer and a super supportive base. It’s the sort of mattress that completely relaxes you by relieving your body of a long day on your feet, while still supporting traditional problem areas like the lower back and neck. That’s the perfect recipe for an effortless and sumptuous night’s sleep.
Birch is also a hybrid mattress. It uses a combination of wool and natural latex in the comfort layers, with a base layer made of wool batting and steel. The coils along the outside of the mattress are firmer than the ones on the inside, though it still does have the motion isolation that the Awara coils have. Their designs are comparable, though we think the consistency of the Awara mattress makes it a better option here.
Latex
Awara’s comfort layer is made from GOLS-Certified organic latex that also is VOC-free, certified by the eco-INSTITUT. That’s because Awara has made the pledge that it’s not just important to give you a great night’s sleep, but to also make sure that we consider the impact on our planet.
Awara uses natural and organic Dunlop latex. It is great at contouring to your body as you sleep, and also super durable -- meaning it’s going to sleep the same night after night. That’s perfect for alleviating tension and giving relief to aching bones. You can also sleep with a clean conscience, knowing that your mattress was made with a minimally-invasive process so that the earth can be around for even longer as your mattress. Sleep with a clean conscious and an even cleaner Earth.
Birch also has made the pledge to use sustainable practices for its mattresses, and from what we can tell, they seem to live up to those promises. Their latex is OEKO-TEX certified and is hypoallergenic and antimicrobial. Unfortunately, they use Talalay latex which isn’t as durable as the Dunlop latex of the Awara, or as environmental since it requires extra processing.
Latex Layer
Awara mattresses have 4” of organic Dunlop latex that is designed to form perfectly to your body, no matter what kind of sleeping position you’re in. It also gives a remarkably responsive and cushioning bounce that offers the right amount of spinal support. You’ll definitely notice the difference when you wake up in the morning. Less achy, less tired, and able to find plush comfort in the 4” of natural latex that makes up this layer.
Birch’s design is a bit different. They break their comfort layer into three distinct sections, an FR cover made of wool, a comfort layer that integrates Birch wool and latex, and finally the pressure relief layer of natural latex. Unfortunately, none of these layers are as thick or as plush as the Awara. While they may have more layers, none is providing the relief that our community loves about the Awara.
Euro Top
Awara puts the luxury back in “eco-luxury” with their Euro top. Topping every Awara mattress, this cover is made of ultra-soft certified-organic cotton and wool. They’re specifically designed to maximize airflow and keep the temperature of your sleep regulated throughout the night. No more waking up because your mattress is too hot. The Euro top also contributes to the perfect medium-firmness rating that makes the Awara so intriguing to sleepers. It retains its firmness and support but definitely doesn’t skimp on the comfort. It’s great because back, side, and stomach sleepers all get the exact same amount of love on an Awara.
The Birch mattress also uses organic cotton and wool. While they don’t advertise it as a “Euro-top” the design seems similar. This one might be a little more on the firm side, however
Organic Materials
Not only is Awara’s latex layer made from 100% GOLS certified organic latex, but it’s also topped with an organic knit cover that helps wick heat away. These breathable materials are better for the environment and for getting you a good night’s sleep. The use of these materials means that it’s better for the Earth, but also means that you’ll never get that chemically artificial smell that permeates other mattresses.
While Birch also boasts that it uses organic cotton and wool, it does skimp a bit on its latex. As noted, it uses Talalay latex which isn’t GOLS-certified. While that process is more expensive and more difficult to manufacture, Awara understands just how important it is to offer a product with these organic standards.
This is really where Awara sets itself apart. The Awara mattress offers a trial period of a full year, that’s 365 nights to experience the benefits of an all-natural mattress before having to decide on if you’re buying it or not.
That means you can sleep through every season and see how the mattress responds -- cool in the summer, comforting in the winter. That’s so important to most people when making a decision about a big purchase in their lives. You want to know exactly how this bed is going to support your best sleep before you commit.
Unfortunately, Birch mattresses only come with a 100-day trial period. While this does fall in line with the industry average, it’s woefully short of the 365 day trial of the Awara - not even a third of the time you get with Awara.
Free Shipping: Both Awara and Birch feature free shipping. There are no bad surprises at checkout or hidden fees with either brand. They both offer similar timetables on the time it takes to get there.
Free Returns: Both Awara and Birch also offer free returns. For both companies when you decide to return your mattress you can get a full refund with no hidden fees or “return services”. That being said, the trial period for an Awara is a full year, where the Birch is 100 days, so you’ll have to make that decision in a much shorter time in order to take advantage of the free returns. That’s definitely worth noting when deciding on return policies. Both companies are able to work with you to get your unwanted mattress donated locally or disposed of. That can be a load off your mind when making these decisions.
Mattress Setup/Removal: Awara offers a setup and removal service. The White Glove Service offers delivery straight to your door, where a team of White Glove service partners will set up your new bed in the room of your choosing. They also will remove and dispose of the packaging and will remove your existing mattress (as long as it’s reasonably clean). This service is offered for an additional $149.
Birch does not offer set up of any kind. They deliver the item to your door where it is your responsibility to set it up and dispose of the waste. It is also your responsibility to deal with your old mattress.
Awara sets the gold standard for warranty offers. The Awara mattress comes with a lifetime guarantee, that makes it the industry leader. If by unlikely chance, your mattress has a manufacturing defect or degrades over the course of its lifetime, Awara guarantees that they will replace or fix it. This depends on how long you’ve owned the mattress. Very few other mattress companies have the ability or confidence to offer the same.
Birch’s warranty is better than the industry average (about ten years) but significantly less than the Awara Warranty. They have a 25-year warranty, after that, you’re looking at a sunk cost if something bad happens with your mattress. It’s easy to see which warranty situation is better for the consumer.
We Never Compromise
Certifications
Certifications are a big deal because they let you know that a third party has verified the claims made by your mattress. That’s why Awara has so many, we’ve taken the steps to show that we’re serious about the wellbeing of you AND the environment. You can rest easy knowing that we use GOLS-Certified latex, which is also certified by the eco-INSTITUT to be free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), persistent organic compounds, heavy metals, pesticides, formaldehyde, and phthalates. Awara takes this a step further by also being free of petroleum-based polyurethane foam, chemical adhesives, chemical fire retardants (uses a non-chemical retardant certified by the SGS), and memory foams. We also use only Certified organic cotton and wool.
Birch also has many certifications. Their wool is compliant with the PGC Wrightson Wool Integrity Program which guarantees best farming practices for their wool. They are also OEKO-TEX certified, though their Talalay latex doesn’t take the same steps to be certified that the Awara does.
Natural Sleep
Find Better Sleep Naturally
Awara is significantly more luxurious than the Birch Mattress. It measures 13” in height vs the 11” of a Birch Mattress. While both use quality materials, Awara goes the extra mile to provide certified organic cotton and uses Dunlop latex instead of Talalay latex. They both are hybrid mattresses and are both quality products.
Where the Awara really distinguishes itself is on the price point. The cost of a Queen-sized bed for a Birch mattress is $1,499. Compare that to a Queen-sized Awara which is only $1,149. That means you’re getting the quality of organic without the price. The money you save means that you can get added perks like the White Glove Delivery Service and still come out significantly ahead.
While both companies are extremely eco-conscious and use organic alternatives that other standard mattress companies avoid, the Awara takes the extra step to make sure that the price point is reasonable for all consumers. That’s our gift to you. Give it a try and experience the difference of an Awara sleep.