Saatva Mattress Review — Is It Really That Good?

There was a bit of a mixed bag of opinions among testers when it came to motion isolation tests, but the overriding sentiment did seem to be that the level of motion transfer across the surface of the Saatva Classic is comparable to other innerspring and hybrid mattresses, owing to its high level of responsiveness and bounce.

Many of the testers said that a decent amount of movement is noticeable. While anyone who is used to an innerspring or hybrid mattress should not find it anything out of the ordinary, couples may want to take the level of motion transfer into account, especially if one or both are easily disturbed.

The Saatva Classic uses thinner layers of foam in its comfort system than other hybrids due to the pocketed coils’ inclusion. However, the combination of the comfort foam with the relatively plush Euro top does absorb some motion, reducing movement across the bed’s surface to some degree, and the Plush Soft version will absorb more movement than the firmer versions.

Overall, the disruption and motion across the bed’s surface, while noticeable, was not found to be excessive, even with getting in and out of the bed. But the bounce and responsiveness mean the level of motion isolation provided by the Saatva Classic will never be on par with, say, a memory foam mattress.

Hot sleepers rejoice—the testers nearly unanimously agreed that temperature neutrality is one of the real strengths of the Saatva Classic.

Only one tester, who even admitted he was nitpicking, found it slept a little hot, though the majority found they did not heat up at all, and one even found it to sleep “exceptionally cool.”

The key to the cool-sleeping nature of the Saatva Classic is its construction. Mattresses with spring layers are more open, promoting airflow through the mattress’s interior, which prevents heat from building up. This is doubled in the Saatva Classic thanks to the two layers of springs in the base and comfort layers.

The comfort layer springs being located underneath the memory foam layer means the heat retention typical of memory foam should not be much of a problem. The relatively thin foam layer also contributes to not as much heat build-up.

The Plush Soft version may sleep slightly warmer than the firmer versions due to its deeper cushioning, which may reduce some surface airflow, but this was not highlighted as a problem.

To top it off, the organic knit cotton cover is breathable and helps to prevent surface heat build-up.

One of the best features of the Saatva Classic mattress, and one that makes it truly versatile and suitable for just about anybody, regardless of body weight, shape, or sleeping position, is its range of three firmness options.

The Plush Soft version is the softest and most conforming and would be best suited to light sleepers weighing 130lb or less, especially side sleepers who need a bit more cushioning around the shoulders and hips or those who like a soft, plush feel. At a 3.4 on the mattress firmness scale, it’s unlikely to be suitable for heavier people, especially stomach or back sleepers.

The Luxury Firm version comes in at a 6.2 on the firmness scale, placing it in the ever-popular medium-firm range. This version will have the broadest appeal and be best-suited to the widest range of sleepers. The luxurious Euro top allows for a medium amount of sinkage while not giving that melting into the bed feel or conforming as closely as the Plush Soft. It would suit anybody who enjoys that traditional innerspring or hybrid mattress feel.

The Firm version, while scraping just under what would be classed as truly ‘firm’ at averaging 7.9 on the firmness scale, the majority of testers classed it as an eight on the scale, which we think justifies rating it as a true firm mattress. This version is the least conforming and most supportive of the three firmness settings. It will suit heavier people weighing above 230lb, stomach and back sleepers, and those who prefer the feeling of a firm, supportive bed without too much sinkage or conforming.

One of the appealing features of the Saatva Classic is the thick Euro top that provides plenty of comfort without deep sinkage—this is far from a mattress that feels overly soft and unsupportive. Providing you pick the right firmness option, you’re not going to feel like you’re enveloped within the mattress. All testers noted how they felt supported on top of the mattress while still experiencing excellent comfort.

The key to the Saatva Classic’s high level of support is the coil on coil construction. The strong tempered steel Bonnell coils in the support base provide sturdy, robust support and mean the mattress can handle a combined weight of 600lb.

The base’s excellent support is enhanced by the contouring spine alignment of the individually pocketed steel coils in the comfort layer. These coils provide a tailored feel, conforming to the shape and curves of your body, while the combination of the two layers provides plenty of pushback so you won’t feel like you’re sinking or sagging into the bed.

The dual perimeter foam-encased edge support system made from durable foam adds a sturdy amount of edge support that testers found performed exceptionally well and that proved to be well above-average compared to other hybrids.

A finding common to all testers was that there was no significant sinkage when sitting on the bed’s edge. Likewise, when lying at the edge of the mattress, there was very little dipping or sinkage and a feeling of stability—no feeling like they were at risk of rolling off.

The result of the superior edge support is that the usable surface of the mattress is maximized, making it a good choice for couples.

The Saatva Classic provided good pressure relief overall for all weights in all sleeping positions when measured in sensory pad tests. One caveat that must be mentioned is given the firmness options available, pressure relief to a large extent does rely on picking the right model for your weight, preferred sleeping position, and level of cushioning and comfort.

The Plush Soft version provided better pressure relief for lighter people, especially side sleepers, weighing 130lb or less. The Luxury Firm and Firm versions were more supportive and conforming, thus offering better pressure relief for heavier people from 130-230lb+.

The soft yet responsive Euro top and the comfort layer coils that contour to the body provide the bulk of the pressure relief, both cradling the body and evenly spreading weight across the mattress surface.

One tester did find the Luxury Firm did not provide the best pressure point relief, especially around the hips and shoulders. Still, the overwhelming consensus was that the Plush Soft would give the best pressure relief for light people under 130lb, especially curvy people; the Luxury Firm should suit most sleepers in the 130-130lb range, and pressure relief from the Frim version will be best for those weighing over 230lb.

The verdict from both testers and customers is that smell and off-gassing is not an issue at all with the Saatva Classic.

There are a few factors that work in its favor that means smell is not a problem. Firstly, the open, airflow-promoting construction means any little smell that may be emanating from the mattress once you receive it will dissipate quickly.

Secondly, the mattresses are made to order and not compressed and then packed into a box. They are stored unboxed in a warehouse before being shipped, so they have a chance to breathe and off-gas before delivery. The foams are already stable by the time you will receive your mattress, so it should be ready to sleep on the first night after you receive it with no issues or having to air it out in a ventilated room for hours or days.

The foams used in the Saatva Classic conform to CertiPUR-US® standards for health and environmental safety. The flame retardant barrier is made from natural thistle pulp rather than chemical sprays.

The Saatva Classic is a great couples mattress and very conducive to sexual activity.

Testers found the Euro top to be nice and conforming, and it provides very good traction without letting you sink too far into the surface.

The springs provide plenty of bounce and pushback and make for a very responsive surface that is easy to move around on and switch positions.

As mentioned already, the sturdy edge support means that the mattress’s entire surface can be utilized without the fear of sinking at the edge or rolling off.

The testers all rated this mattress exceptionally highly as a couples mattress that is great for sex, with one even saying it was one of the best mattresses for sex they’d tested. Others noted that it rates higher than most other innerspring and hybrid mattresses in this area.

It was pointed out that the steel springs could develop some amount of creaking over time, but overall, it’s also a quiet (and therefore discreet!) mattress.

While the Saatva warranty covers the Classic for 15 years, the consensus of testers and owner experiences suggest that it should have a lifespan of between 6-8 years, which is on par with the average innerspring and hybrid mattress.

The coil on coil structure along with the perimeter support system means it is sturdily constructed. The support layer’s Bonnell coils are made from thick, resilient steel, and the comfort layer coils add reinforcement.

The durability of the dual steel coil construction means it should hold a significant amount of weight over time without any pronounced deterioration or sagging.

Euro tops are prone to deterioration over time; the foam may develop permanent impressions due to the softer, less resilient materials used, so rotating the mattress every 3-6 months should extend its life.

Ease of movement is truly one of the strengths of the Saatva Classic. One tester even went so far as to say it was a highlight and rated it “exceptional” with a 10/10.

Hybrid mattresses are typically quite responsive, but the dual spring layers combined with polyfoam make this one exceptionally responsive and bouncy. This bounce and responsiveness mean rolling side to side and changing positions should feel relatively effortless, especially on the firmer and less plush Luxury Firm and Firm versions.

The ease of movement and changing positions means the Saatva Classic is an excellent choice for combination sleepers and those who prefer a responsive, “on top” of the mattress feeling rather than the melting, sinking in feeling of a material like memory foam.

The simple reason the Saatva Classic received this rating is that there is no setup or handling required—white glove service comes as standard with the free delivery, meaning it is delivered directly to your desired room and set up for you.

One caveat is this is not a small or light mattress, so when it comes time to rotate it every 3-6 months or shift it to a new room, it will likely be a two-person job.

A common theme from the Saatva Classic testers was their surprise at just the amount of mattress, including its size, construction, and features, that you get for your money.

It was commonly noted that the value you get with the Saatva Classic is highly competitive compared to store-bought mattresses of comparable quality. More than one commented that it is a luxury option that you’d pay twice as much for in-store, or the same price for half the thickness.

The luxurious feel, quality construction and materials, and durability mean there’s a lot of value packed into the Classic, making it a good investment.

The overall consensus is that the price you will pay is hard to beat for the quality you get. And the fact that you can choose different firmness levels and profiles without any additional cost is an attractive bonus, as is the free white glove delivery, which you would typically pay between $100-$150 for from other brands.