Dunlop vs. Talalay Latex – Which One Is Better for You?

Latex beds are one of the four most common mattress types you’ll run into, and there are many good things we could say about them. If you’re looking for a latex bed, you probably ran into a Dunlop and Talalay latex comparison. But what’s the difference? And which one of them is better for you? 

We created this short Dunlop vs. Talalay latex mattress guide to help you. Here’s what you should know. 

What Is Latex Foam?

Natural latex foam is a material made from rubber tree sap. However, there are other types of latex foam besides natural, but we’ll cover that later. 

Latex foam mattresses are known for their softness and comfort. The material is body-conforming, responsive, and very durable. Latex foam does an excellent job of motion transfer and pressure relief. It’s often compared to memory foam but wins in the breathability category. 

The biggest downside to latex foam is that it isn’t very affordable, but it’s an excellent long-term investment.

How Is Latex Foam Made?

But how do they turn the liquid sap from rubber trees into a whole mattress? 

Once they get the liquid latex from the rubber trees, they turn it into a frothy foam, so it’s filled with tiny air bubbles. This step of latex production is crucial for turning this natural material from a liquid form of thick rubber sap into a comfortable and luxurious mattress. 

The manufacturing process isn’t complete with just the liquid latex extract. Other materials, some natural and some not, have to be added so we can get the finished product. These additional ingredients, like natural soaps and sulfur, are usually used to foam, gel, or vulcanize the material. 

Finally, the mixture is poured into molds, where we get our manufacturing processes – Dunlop and Talalay. 

Natural, Blended, and Synthetic Latex

Before we get into more detail about these beds, let’s see what latex types exist. The three types are natural, synthetic, and blended.

As mentioned before, a natural latex mattress is made by getting the liquid latex from the rubber tree, working with it, and molding it. Natural latex mattresses are better, and they have a price to match. Natural latex beds are soft, responsive, pressure relieving, and good at temperature control. 

Not every natural latex mattress is 100% from natural raw latex, and they could still be partially synthetic. If you’re looking for an organic latex bed, check the certifications. 

Synthetic latex is made from styrene-butadiene rubber. Synthetic latex is cheaper than natural latex, but its features lack natural latex’s kick. In fact, because of its lack of temperature regulation, it could be compared to memory foam.

Lastly, blended latex is made as a combination of natural latex and synthetic latex. According to industry standards, at least 30% of it should be natural. Blended latex is better than synthetic latex but still worse than natural. 

What Is Dunlop Latex?

The oldest manufacturing process is the Dunlop method. Created in 1929, this latex is usually used to make 100% natural latex mattresses. 

The foamy sap is poured into a mold in its entirety and left to settle and bake in a vulcanization oven. Because of the settling and the vulcanization process, natural Dunlop latex has more high-density foam at the bottom, while the top is airier. 

Dunlop latex mattresses are firmer, which is why this material tends to be used as a support layer. Although, the firmness levels can vary. 

What Is Talalay Latex?

The Talalay process is newer and slightly different. Instead of pouring the entirety of the frothed sap into a mold, it’s partially filled, after which the mold is vacuum-sealed. 

The vacuum chamber causes the material from the rubber tree to expand and fill the mold, after which it gets flash-frozen. Flash freezing is a process that evens air bubbles and releases carbon dioxide gas into the mattress. The final step is baking the frozen material, and you get a Talalay latex bed. 

The Talalay latex mattress has the same firmness throughout the whole bed. This material tends to be lighter and airier. It’s usually used as a comfort layer material. 

Dunlop vs. Talalay Latex – Key Differences

Now that you know how they’re made let’s look at what makes them feel different. These differences are very slight, and most of them aren’t that noticeable. But keep them in mind when choosing the most suitable material for you! 

Feel

Even though these mattresses can have varying mattress firmness levels depending on the model, a Dunlop latex foam mattress is usually firmer. This is why Dunlop latex is often used in the support core, and Talalay latex is used for the comfort layers. 

Also, because of the manufacturing process, Dunlop latex tends to be firm on one side and softer on the other, while Talalay latex has a more consistent cell structure. 

Responsiveness

Dunlop and Talalay latex foam respond fast to the body, but Dunlop is more springy, while Talalay is the bouncier latex. 

This means that Dunlop mattresses are elastic – the material bounces back into shape fast when you remove the pressure. On the other hand, Talalay latex mattresses feel bouncier while you’re lying on them. 

Since they’re very responsive, these mattress materials are loved by couples for their nighttime activities.

Breathability

One of the biggest problems foam materials, like polyurethane foam and memory foam mattresses, have is trapping body heat. Latex foam, especially natural latex foam, has better temperature neutrality, but it could still feel warm to hot sleepers. Avoid synthetic latex if this is a problem since it tends to trap heat from the human body.  

If you want a more breathable and cooling mattress, go for Talalay. It has better air circulation than Dunlop latex because of the vacuum sealing process, but neither is terrible. 

Durability

Latex beds are the way to go if you’re looking for a durable mattress and a long-term investment. Because of its firmness and manufacturing process, Dunlop foam is slightly sturdier and more durable, which is why it’s often used as a support layer. Talalay and Dunlop foam is very resilient in comparison with other mattress types, like memory foam.   

Smell

Off-gassing is a process that happens when you first open your mattress but don’t worry. It just needs to be aired out. While natural latex is better, synthetic latex emits more volatile organic compounds, which can irritate your lungs.

As long as it’s natural, it doesn’t matter if it’s Dunlop or Talalay. Remember that a Dunlop latex foam mattress has more natural materials if you’re looking for an organic mattress that won’t off-gas.

Eco-Friendliness

Speaking of organic latex mattresses, there’s a slight difference in how these two are made. The Dunlop process is used more often for all-natural and organic mattresses because additional agents are also usually natural. So the Dunlop process is the way to go if sleeping organic is your thing. Talalay latex is never all-natural because it needs synthetic ingredients. 

Also, the Dunlop is a less energy-intensive process, so it has a lower environmental impact than creating Talalay latex. But as long as it’s natural latex, the mattress will be eco-friendly. 

Price

Because a Dunlop latex mattress is simpler to make, it’s also cheaper. Although this can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, Talalay latex mattresses are usually more expensive than Dunlop. 

Dunlop Latex – Pros and Cons

Every mattress material has its pros and cons. Here’s what you should know about Dunlop latex. 

Pros

Dunlop latex is a bit firmer and more supportive, making it more durable. It’s often used as the material for a mattress topper, pillow, or other latex products. These accessories also tend to last a long time. 

If you’re looking for a completely organic latex bed that doesn’t use as much energy during manufacturing, you’ll find one made from Dunlop latex. 

Cons

Because of the manufacturing process, Dunlop latex is firm on the bottom and softer on the top. Not everyone enjoys this difference, but if you’re the type who likes to flip their mattress and sleep on a different mattress firmness, this might be the bed for you. 

Talalay Latex – Pros and Cons

Talalay mattresses also have good and bad sides. Here’s what you need to know.

Pros

Talalay foam is more homogenous, so the firmness is the same on every level. The manufacturing process also means that the material tends to be softer and has more bounce. 

Cons

Talalay latex can never be 100% natural because of the added synthetic material needed to make it. This makes it a less eco-friendly option for sleepers. Also, it’s less durable and more expensive in comparison to Dunlop latex. 

Which One Should You Get?

In the end, it all boils down to your personal preferences. Dunlop and Talalay latex are very similar, and the differences are incredibly slight. 

If you want a firmer and more durable mattress, Dunlop latex could be the right choice for you. And if you want a softer feel with more bounce, go for a Talalay latex mattress. 

And if you’re looking for a 100% natural organic latex bed, Dunlop latex is the only option. It’s also cheaper than a Talalay mattress, so it’s the better option if you’re looking to save some bucks. 

In the end, you can always get a mattress that uses a combination of Talalay and Dunlop processes.

Final Thoughts

To summarize, Talalay and Dunlop latex are different because of their manufacturing processes. These mattresses are very similar, but their slight differences might mean something to you. 

Remember always to choose a mattress based on your personal preferences. Good luck and have a good night of sleep!