Saatva Classic Mattress Review 2024: Sleep Tested By 25 Year Industry Pro

My review of the Saatva Classic Mattress tests and rates the dual innerspring hybrid mattresses sold on the web and not in stores. With 25 years of experience designing and manufacturing mattresses under my belt, I’ve observed that Saatva is distinctive by using fewer fillers and foam layers, relying on a more traditional design aesthetic with their lineup. Let’s explore what makes this brand unique.

Inside, it’s pretty different from other brands, boasting two specialized tempered steel coil systems under a soft foam quilted pillow top piece that is hand made using organic cotton and organic wool. It sells for $1,345 in queen, and $1,845 in king size.

Inside, it’s surprisingly simplistically designed, with not as many moving parts and pieces as with other brands that are stuffed with endless layers of seemingly high-tech components. I wanted to get inside of my test mattress sample, cut it open, and see what was going on.

If you order a Saatva mattress, it is shipped flat, inside the box, and the price you pay includes unpackaging and installation. The Saatva Classic is often pitched as America’s best-selling online luxury innerspring mattress, so I tested it, slept on it, and cut it open.

It’s Not Shipped Rolled And Compressed. I’ll Explain Why This Is A Plus…

I’m going to preface my Saatva Classic Mattress review by telling you that I spent 25 years manufacturing mattresses for many online mattress companies before I began reviewing hundreds of online mattress brands. I’ve been reviewing Saatva mattresses for years, but a fresh review of the Saatva Classic Mattress bumped up my score to 9.4 out of 10. Let’s take a look.. you can see my results below, with specific parameters.

If you’re considering a luxury mattress but are skeptical of the typical “slab of foam”, bed in a box mattress options sold pretty much everywhere on the web, I’d step back and consider this brand. At $1,695 in queen, this 11.5″ or 14.5″ tall foam and pocket coil combination mattress is not your typical “bed in a box”.

The manufacturer does not pre-compress or roll up any mattress in their line. Here are the big three reasons why:

1. The Saatva Classic Mattress is not loaded up with excessive layers of polyurethane foam that can mash down over time, won’t lose its springiness and support, and trap heat. Plant based memory foam is used in the design right up top where you need it for comfort and cushiness. A much firmer high density foam is used along the edges so you can sit comfortably without sliding off.
2. Using two separate coil systems, one a recycled tempered steel continuous coil and the other a pocket coil suspension, provide better support, proper spine alignment, and easy turning- resulting in more restorative sleep.
3. Offers a recognizable, traditional feel that is livelier and more yielding, not stiff like many all foam options.

Saatva is an Austin and New York City based company that strictly sells their mattresses online. They are not for sale in brick and mortar retail stores or in malls. They build just three mattresses that include The Saatva Classic Mattress (the most popular model) relying on a unique configuration of two separate coil modules built into them to deliver better support and a more responsive sensation.

The Saatva Classic Mattress: Components And Materials Analysis

In my Saatva Classic Mattress review, I also wanted to demonstrate why purchasing a mattress online that is not rolled, mashed down, and compressed, might be a consideration for you.

The Saatva Classic Mattress combines two layers of pocket coils, two layers of a high density foam, and a layer of memory foam. You can choose from three firmness options, unlike most online mattress brands, including Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm.

After testing, I found that The Plush Soft is about 4 on a 10-point firmness scale where 10 is extremely firm), the Luxury Firm falls at about 5-7, and the Firm version falls at about 7-8.

*Note: For bigger bodies and couples, I recommend opting for the Luxury Firm and Firm option, as the softest model might be too soft when cuddling in the middle and at the edge.

The Saatva Classic Mattress is also available in two height options: 11.5 inches and 14.5 inches. While the 11.5-inch version falls in the average thickness range, the 14.5-inch option is high-profile, so it may require deeper sheets.

This review will discuss the Saatva Classic Mattress in details, including how it’s made, how it performs, prices, customer service, warranty, and shipping information.

All three of the options are designed to be more durable than a typical all foam mattress, less subject to depressions, and to deliver continuous lift and support without forming impressions over time, as warranted in the company’s 15 year warranty.

All of the components used in the production of this mattress are made in the USA, down to the fabric, thread, and foam components used in its construction.

Saatva Classic Mattress Reviews: It’s Considered A Luxury Brand, But Why Is It Not Overpriced?

The Saatva Classic Mattress is not sold in retail stores and can only be purchased online, so you can’t personally test them out before you buy. They also don’t pre-compress and mash their mattresses and stuff them in a box. Hmmm- quite a different business model that what I’m used to seeing.

I’ve tested hundreds of foam slabs that have been mashed and rolled, and was eager to watch my sample Saatva be brought inside in the original box and setup by a two man team. Very professional, no issues there at all.

Actually, I’ve known about Saatva for many years, and they were competitors of mine when I had my own brand of online mattresses called Habitat Furnishings. So, I was pretty eager to put this brand through the paces.

At $1696 in queen, I discovered that it’s about a third of the price of higher end “luxury” retail brands that in my opinion, can’t quite deliver on underlying support, pain and pressure relief issues, or durability. Saatva offers a straight up lifetime warranty that covers the defects that are pretty typical, like indentations and wear and tear.

Each mattress is handmade by an in-house staff of craftspeople at one of Saatva’s 18 facilities located strategically in the US, and each customers mattress is placed into a standard full size mattress sized box corresponding to size, hand delivered, and setup in your home, untouched and in original factory size and shape.

Here’s are a few of the quick thoughts I came away with after reviewing The Saatva Classic Mattress:

• Option of three firmness levels, which keeps you from feeling like you’ve rolled the dice and eliminates buyer’s remorse. Saatva experiences lower return rates due to this. Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, or Firm.

• Great for couples, chronic pain and pressure (choose as soft as you can take it for pain), primarily because of two synchronized coil systems inside. Most brands have only one unit. Also has additional tensioning wire support frame in coil unit that provides gentle, piston like lumbar support.

• Your nose is next to an organic cotton pillow top fabric, not buried in synthetic materials that include chemically treated fire barriers.

• You can sit on the edge of The Saatva Classic without sliding off or sinking. This was an important part of my Saatva Classic Mattress review, as all foam mattresses typically provide poor edge support.

• Turning is effortless (even on the Plush Soft version) keeping light sleepers asleep, instead of tossing and waking up their partner. This was a big bullet point for me.

• Free shipping, setup, removal of old bed. If you can’t handle lugging a mattress around, it’s a really cool feature and benefit of the Saatva Brand, and there is not additional fee for the service.

According to Saatva, a mattress relying largely on a coil design, and using minimal amounts of foam layers, lasts much longer, is far more supportive and durable, and is an investment rather than a repetitive purchase. It is surprisingly very affordable ($1,696 for a queen sized Saatva Classic Mattress).

I compared to big box brands like Sealy, Simmons, and Serta, and even their Black models (premium versions) were far more expensive and didn’t include dual innerspring systems.

Saatva Classic Mattress Review: Test Results And Performance Characteristics

According to the Saatva website, the model we tested, their “luxury firm” model, is the most frequently purchased version. We tested and reviewed it and rated it 6.5 out of 10 on our firmness scale, and also ranked it based on 1-10 scores (10 being stellar, 5 being fair) based on performance variables that help to determine comfort and support for several scenarios (solo sleeper, couples, heavier people, edge support and more), customer support, length of trial period, warranty.

Results Summary: The Saatva Classic Mattress performed better than comparable models I’ve reviewed tested, including The Beautyrest Black Mattress series, which can cost up to $3500.

Saatva Classic Mattress Review: Analysis Of 10 Data Point Test

1. Overall Comfort: 9 out of 10

Since The Saatva Classic Mattress is available in three different firmness options, each of the models is going to feel a bit different. The options are Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm. Based on our firmness scale of 10 offering minimal compression and immersion, and 1 being plush, cradling and very body contouring, I would rank them as follows:

• Plush Soft: 4.5 out of 10, immersive, easily compressible, sinks significantly at hips and shoulder, but not excessive. Owners reviewing online report that turning and edge support is pretty good (note that all three models have a perimeter foam edge for sitting and transfer support that is the same on all three models). Definitely had what I’d call a “panda’s belly” feel which was nice.

• Luxury Firm: I’d give it a 6.5 out of 10, this models offers significant resistance when you bury your fist into it, and has about half of the immersion when on your side than the plush soft version. If you want firm but still seek some yielding and give that makes it easier to move and change positions, or if you are a light sleeper, or a couple who tends to gather in the middle of the mattress, this option is a great choice.

• Firm: A solid 8 out of 10, quite firm, little immersion, though still easy on hips and shoulders because of the pillow top design. If you are a back sleeper, a larger person or couple, or if you have slept on traditional firmer innerspring mattresses before, this is a good option. For couples though, especially if one person prefers a slightly softer option, opt for the Luxury Firm version.

2. Support: 9 out of 10

All three versions of the Saatva Classic Mattress are made with identical components except for modifications in the top layer of pocketed coils. Underneath the pillow top in each version of firmness is a layer of CertiPUR-US®  certified high-density memory foam followed by a few hundred individual 14.5-gauge coils (884 in a queen) and what Saatva calls its ‘active wire’.

Both the memory foam and the “active wire” are responsible for enhancing support and providing pressure relief. Meanwhile, the individual coils work together to contour to your body’s shape and movements, as well as providing breathability and better airflow.

I have lower back issues and during my Saatva Classic Mattress review, found that after about an hour while on my back, that the reason I was experiencing less pain was that the pocketed coil component near the top was pushing back enough to give me support. This probably meant that I wasn’t experiencing muscle fatigue and lactic acid buildup- a typical problem with all foam mattresses.

I’d rate Saatva overall as being one of the most conscientious brands as far as their ability to develop new models that consistently offer superior support. While The Saatva Classic is ideal for anyone seeking an alternative to the high priced big name retail brands in stores, they offer other models, including The Saatva HD Mattress, specifically designed to support larger people, and couples with higher combined weights of 400lbs and more.

For spine alignment, neck positioning, and leg support, The Saatva Classic Mattress outperformed virtually any other brand of mattress I’ve reviewed, whether sold in retail stores or online. This is due to the use of the continuous coil superstructure at the very bottom of the mattress which is super effective at pushing weight to the side and away from your body.

Combining that feature with the independent pocket coil just above, which control small areas of pressure and movement much like the keys on a piano, the total effect provides for better pressure and pain relief no matter what position you are lying.

If you are a belly sleeper, though, most owner reviews seem to prefer the two firmer options so that you don’t end up “swaybacked” while immersed in the torso area- the plush option is probably not the best fit unless you weigh less than 130-140 pounds. Opt for the medium or firmest versions if you are a belly/side sleeper, otherwise simply use my guidelines based on sleep position preference.

The Saatva Classic Mattress provides what I believe to be the most optimized support qualities in virtually any mattress I’ve reviewed. This means that there was a lot of thought put into not just the ingredients of the mattress, but how it was laid out and designed.

3. Solo Sleeper: 8.5

If you are on the hunt for a really luxurious mattress that you are going to keep a while, and you want to make a mattress investment rather than just a purchase, this mattress should likely be a strong consideration.

For the money, at $1,695 in queen, and $2,120 in king, I found that you experience going more discernible comfort and more buoyant support than any luxury innerspring brand you can find online, or even in retail settings.

When you compare popular foam mattresses sold in a “bed in a box” format, you might find brands that sell for right around $600-800, but anything that will deliver worthy comfort and support, and won’t compress or mash down over time might be hard to find.

The worst part is, that as a solo sleeper, you’ll need to either get some help to move to maneuver your pre-compressed mattress, which is going to be wedged inside of a tight box, to get in on your bed frame. My Saatva Classic Mattress review was a lot different that dealing with a conventional bed in a box, because there is no waiting time or having to flop the mattress up and down to help it expand.

A bed in a box mattress can still weigh 80-125 lbs, and if you are by yourself, it’s a lot of work, much more so that in the lovingly edited videos which show couples or two guys manhandling their scrunched up mattress out of the box. The Saatva brand offers a totally upside down concept- even with online shipping.

Saatva does not compress and roll up their mattresses. If you order The Saatva Classic Mattress, it will arrive in exactly the same configuration it was in while it was being handcrafted for your order. Shipping is free and included in the price, as is in home setup.

As part of what the company describes as White Glove setup, every customer also has the option to have their old mattress removed at no charge. Honestly, if you are a solo sleeper, free shipping, setup, and old mattress removal is a real value added proposition.

Say you ordered a “bed in a box” slab of foam kind of mattress, but wanted to hire a setup service to install your mattress and take away your old mattress. The cost could easily top $250, and in some settings, such as New York or San Francisco, we were quoted as much as $500 or more for this service.

4. Couple Experience: 9 out of 10

Keep in mind that we reviewed a queen size Saatva Classic Mattress and also sampled many online reviews as well as conducted our own testing for couples. From a comfort perspective, depending upon which level of firmness you choose, couples responded highly to snuggling and spaced apart sleeping, describing the mattress with comments like “inviting, with no sense of crowding or getting stuck”, and experiencing a comfortable level of immersion without feeling trapped.

I’ve reviewed hundred of foam mattresses that are the typical variety of “bed in a box” style where couples find it difficult to find a mattress where this a tradeoff between settling on too firm an option to keep from collapsing in the middle.

That’s why the “good old reliable” innerspring concept has stood the test of time and mattress engineers at Saatva realized that you cannot roll up and mash down certain kinds of coil systems without damaging them, something I’ve found to be true also.

For couples who prefer a much firmer sleep surface, the Firm option is certainly going to belly up to the bar. I’ve built custom mattresses for people who claim that they have never been able to find a mattress firm enough to accommodate them, particularly when they are plus sized people.

And while Saatva’s HD Mattress is specifically designed for this market, the Saatva Classic Mattress offers a slightly less rigid option-but still firmer than almost any other hybrid I’ve reviewed tested after 25 years in the business.

Why the 8 out of 10 then? If anything, for most couples the softer, more plush model is likely going to be way too soft, as it is fairly immersive and not a good option. The Luxury Firm and Firm versions totally make up the difference, though and are ideal even when couples are snuggled up in the middle.

5. Edge Support: 10 out of 10

Singlehandedly the best edge support over all that I’ve seen for any mattress, regardless of type, including hybrid and all foam mattresses. Saatva uses a high density foam “rail” that wraps the entire perimeter of the mattress to provide excellent support for sitting and getting in and out of bed.

People with disabilities should also consider this mattress as a viable option. You can also check out my Best Mattress For People With Disabilities page for enhanced information. It’s one of few options that include free shipping, setup service, and removal of existing bedding, and Saatva also offers a full line of products like sheets, mattress protectors, adjustable bases, and other top of the bed products.

6. Sex And Intimacy: 9 out of 10

Actually, 7 out of 10 is not bed for an intimacy rating, as people who consider this an important option when mattress shopping re pretty picky. Generally, more bouncy surfaces like Natural Latex Mattresses are preferred as are mattresses with better immersive qualities, allowing for better “grip” on bodies, as sliding around on a mattress during intimacy is generally a negative factor.

For cuddling in the middle, all three versions of The Saatva Classic Mattress are pretty decent, though and unless this consideration is super important, I’d still consider it. Some reviewers have mentioned that if they prefer a firmer mattress for intimacy, they opt for the Luxury Firm or Firm options.

7. Bounce, Liveliness, And Motion Transfer: 9.5 out of 10

We found that the Saatva Classic Mattress offer noteworthy benefits when it comes to dampening motion transfer, a common complaint from couples, especially when there are light sleepers and restless sleepers in the mix.

The pilowtop section, which has quilted form an and organic outer fabric covering, has a lot of motion dampening ability. Generally mattresses made with smooth-top coverings, where the fabric is not quilted and is very thin, will transfer motion directly to the surface.

Many people want a mattress with a lot of bounce and spring action to it, as it is much easier to turn on surfaces that are highly responsive. For excellent motion dampening, though, pillowtop mattress are hard to beat. When you combine a pillow top mattress with an innerspring support system you create the perfect storm of subtle bounciness without the jiggle factor that keeps light sleepers awake.

8. Cost vs. Value Delivered: 9.5 out of 10

If you’ve read anything online at all about Saatva Mattresses, you already know that is considered a luxury online brand. You can’t buy them in retail stores, though the company makes it extremely easy to order a mattress online, have it shipped and set up in your home, and offers an outstanding, 365 day no questions asked trial period.

When you consider the cost, and factor in the concierge level delivery and the complimentary setup service you receive, I find the value of The Saatva Classic Mattress to be extremely high. Also, with a lifetime warranty that covers workmanship and defects (including depressions, rutting, and upholstery), online reviews by actual owners reflect confidence and trust in the brand.

9. Trial Period, Warranty, Customer Service 10 out of 10

10. Shipping And Delivery Experience 10 out of 10

Shipping and delivery is typically reliable with most online mattress companies, but with enhanced services, the ability to coordinate production and scheduling in home setup services takes some effort. I did it for years with my own online mattress companies.

Even more difficult is handling COI’s (certificates of insurance) often required by co-ops, apartment buildings, and condos before a delivery can be made. Saatva will handle that for you provided you send them a copy of the building COI prior to delivery date, a really nice feature that takes the consumer out of the loop.

Why The Saatva Classic Mattress’s Unique Double Suspension Design Provides Better Support And Improves Restorative REM Sleep

We investigated how The Saatva Classic Mattress can vary in firmness, since the importance of having a softer and inviting initial body contact feel right up top was one of the hallmarks of the brand. Regardless of which level of firmness you choose, Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, or Firm, you’ll get similar pressure and pain relief, even if you and your partner weight up to 200 lbs. each or so.

I’ll be honest, for bigger bodies and larger couples, I’d recommend checking out The Saatva HD Mattress since it is specifically designed with a stiffer coil structure and design approach to prevent collapsing into the middle of your mattress. This often a failure of big retail brands, and many dissatisfied customers return so-called luxury innerspring mattresses because of this flaw.

Safer, Chemical Free Foams, Recycled Steel, And Organic Cotton Fabric

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Available In Two Different Heights, For Taller Or More Petite People

The Saatva Classic Mattress is available in three different levels of firmness, which helps you dial in a more customized feel. The company also offers each of the three firmness option in two different heights as well. Often, people 5’4″ or under have a bit more of a difficult time getting in and out of a tall mattress, especially when you place it on top of a foundation and the underlying frame or platform.

I always advise doing a test yourself, and find out the ideal finished height, the height of everything stacked up, so that you can comfortably get in and out of bed (this is called transfer ability). Saatva also sells several foundation and adjustable base options here to choose from as well to pair with The Saatva Classic Mattress.

Dramatically Increase Your Comfort With A Saatva Adjustable Base Bed Frame Or Upholstered Platform Bed When You Buy A Saatva Classic Mattress

Read, Write, Work Or Relax On Your Saatva Classic Mattress With A Saatva Adjustable Base

Handcrafted And Upholstered Bed Frames For Your Saatva Classic Mattress