Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress Review
Our Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress review pits our 25 year mattress industry veteran and mattress engineer up against a web favorite that combines a quilted luxury pillow top with memory foam pain and pressure relief and spine alignment. It’s also one of my best mattresses for side sleepers category, because of the extra generous layers of memory foam which prevents pinpoint pressure.
We’ll provide features and benefits, rate 10 objective performance values, and I’ll offer some quick notes about this 11.5″ tall medium firm feeling mattress that sells for $1,495 in queen, and $1,895 in king size. Unlike other bed in a box options, you also receive free delivery, setup, and removal of your old mattress which is included in the price.
The Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress is a pocket coil hybrid which combines a quilted pillow top section with a memory foam layer that is designed to actively move air, which keeps you cool.
Saatva mattresses are not rolled and compressed-they are shipped in box form in original factory configuration and installed by setup service in your home.
They are considered a luxury grade innerspring mattress, though the cost is about 40% less comparable retail store brands. Saatva sells direct to consumers and does not stockpile a lot of inventory.
This keeps costs down, and since mattresses are pretty much bench built to order in their USA factories, tighter control of logistics and shipping partners can insure timely delivery. This is unusual for a mattress company that strictly sells online, and virtually every other brand sold online follows the roll and compress format of packaging and shipping.
Unfortunately, and I’ve experienced this myself with mattresses I’ve designed and manufactured, but pocketed coils made using better grades of tempered steel can become become permanently mashed an damaged during this process.
What’s unique about the feel of The Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress is that despite it’s medium firm feel (I’d give it about a 7 out of 10), the pillowtop section, which is an organic exterior fabric combined with a 3″ layer of memory foam, specifically CertiPurUS® foams which are cleaner and free from harmful chemicals.
The quilted pillow top rests on a layer of independently pocketed coils that are highly responsive and react immediately to subtle body movements, keeping your spine elevated while at the same time contouring your body and allowing your hips and shoulders to immerse just enough to deliver pressure and pain relief.
What I personally like about The Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress is that even though it is fairly firm, you don’t sense how resilient the mattress actually feels because you experience a plusher and body contouring initial feel.
Plus, it’s lively and responsive, meaning that when you sink your fist into it, it immediately bounces back without that wet sand feel, or feeling like you have to dig your way out. This is due to the pocketed coil system being directly underneath the 3″ memory foam above. You get the pressure relief without that dead, melting in memory foam experience a lot of us dislike.
Along the entire perimeter edge of the mattress, the design also includes an element that is a real asset and is something that is completely left out of most “bed in a box” mattress options.
A denser yet highly flexible perimeter foam rail wraps the entire edge of the mattress, expanding the sleepable surface of the mattress as well.
I’ve reviewed and tested hundreds of mattresses sold online, and in most cases, because of edge collapse, sinkage, and inadequate support that requires you to cuddle towards the center, you’re actually paying for more sleep surface real estate than you pay for.
This edge support makes sitting to perform tasks like putting on shoes and transfer in and out of bed tasks you don’t think about, but it’s a common oversight.
The simple fact that this mattress is designed using the least amount of elements as possible speaks to the experienced design team that created this recently added Saatva favorite, the “most popular online luxury innerspring brand”.
I learned early on as a mattress designer myself of over 100 unique formulations for various mattresses that failure typically occurs by compression, dips, and gulleys forming in the area of body contact becoming visible and detectable by customers.
Much like your footprint on the beach, a typical bed in a box all foam mattress will form permanent indentations that are usually caused by poorer quality foams of lower density (and cost to the manufacturer). That’s why I always recommend buying a hybrid mattress that integrates both higher density foam, such as 4lb. density memory foam vs. 3lb, for example.
You can learn more about high density foams on my page about densities and foam quality here.
I rank a lot of hybrid mattress that combine an innerspring core with comfort layers above them much higher if there is a separate pillowtop piece that is designed to both distribute weight evenly and to have an effect on pain and pressure relief.
Features And Benefits
The Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress is designed to offer maximum comfort and support in an 11.5″ tall hybrid mattress option:
- 3″ cooling memory foam for a body-contouring feel and pressure relief.
- Pocket coil system for buoyant support, lift, and easy turning and transfer.
- Channeled and convoluted layers allow for great airflow, draws away body heat from body.
- Thicker memory foam in lumbar area maintains healthy spine alignment, relieves back pain.
- Organic cotton fabric cover treated with our Guardin® botanical antimicrobial treatment, inhibits bacteria, mold, and mildew growth.
- Fire barrier made of thistle pulp infused fabric, not chemicals.
How The Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid Performed In Our Test And Review
- Overall Comfort– initial feel, level of immersion, initial body contact experience 9
- Support– spine alignment, pain relief, pressure relief in 30 minutes or less 9.2
- Solo Sleeper– overall impressions with comfort, ease of turning, back and side 8.6
- Couple Experience- sink in middle, snuggling rating, motion transfer 9.2
- Edge Support– as experienced by 190lb test subject 9.8
- Sex– as reported by online reviews and voluntary reporting 8.6
- Bounce, Motion Transfer, And Liveliness 8.8
- Cost Value– 1-10 rating based on the quality and value compared to other brands 9.4
- Trial Period, Warranty, And General Customer Service Appeal 10
- Shipping And Delivery Experience– ease of delivery, ship time, setup 10
We tested The Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress in a simulated bedroom environment with solo sleepers and couples (mattress placed on solid deck surface of platform bed, queen size. All of the ratings were based on averages of the subjects who participated, and data for reviews was obtained by evaluating actual owner reviews found on different third party review web sites.
10 Datapoint Rankings : A Detailed Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress Review, Scored By An Industry Veteran
1. Overall Comfort: 9 out of 10
Since The Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress is available in only one firmness that Saatva describes as “Medium Firm”, it is designed to accommodate a wide audience, and fits a swath of potential owners that are looking for support, but don’t want to crash into the bottom of their mattresses.
Owners who’ve reviewed the mattress online
A solid 8.5 out of 10 firmness wise, rigid, resilient, quite firm, very little immersion, very little sinking, much easier to turn on, great for belly sleepers. I found it way too hard, but I’m a plush guy. If you are seeking something similar to a very firm futon, or bordering on a tight feeling innerspring mattress, this would be a great option
2. Support: 9.2 out of 10
Always the important consideration in all of my mattress reviews. Saatva has a different tactical approach to mattress design than the “slab of foam” approach of other online retailers, and puts a lot of emphasis on the pillow top section of The Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress.
Saatva’s design team was pretty good at selecting the optimal level of firmness for this mattress, being firmer than I’ve typically observed, since Saatva ships their mattresses uncompressed.
In many cases where coils are combined with foam layers, they can be way too soft and don’t really contribute to the comfort of the mattress.
Use of pocket coils can increase the lifespan of a mattress by as much as 10 years, and has become a highly attractive feature of many retail brands.
With the typical “bed in a box” mattress being compressed and rolled though, many mattress manufacturers have to compromise to be able to “mash and squeeze” their mattresses to the side of a shipping box that Fedex or UPS can manage.
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 Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress 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.
Overall, great support and excellent for light sleepers, because of the ease of turning, good fill in between upper back and hips due to pillowtop loft, and superior edge support .
I’d rate it among my top 5-6 best mattresses for seniors as well, because of it’s ability to move weight away from the body.
Because of the attention to detail with the tightly quilted lumbar area of the top of this mattress, you’ll experience better “fill-in” where that little pocket of space exists between your upper back and your hips.
This properly cradles and lifts your spine, whether or not you’re on your side or back. For belly sleepers, I’d advise taking a look at The Saatva Classic Mattress, which reduces swayback a bit more effectively.,
Offering what I’d call best in class back support, it’s also cushy and billowy enough to be helpful for neck and cervical issues as well, especially if you use a low profile pillow since you’ll get some immersion of the pillow.
Here’s a nutshell about my recommendations when considering the support offered by The Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress:
- Great for side sleepers, especially when pain and pressure is present
- Easier to turn on and transfer in/out than traditional innerspring mattresses
- No digging your way out or feeling trapped in the middle of the mattress
- No loss of support when couples are in close proximity
- Maintains proper spine alignment more effectively than other hybrid innersprings I’ve reviewed
- Minimal motion transfer for couples keeps light sleepers asleep thanks to 3″ quilted memory foam layer near the very top of the mattress
The Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress is $200 less than the Saatva Classic Mattress we’ve also reviewed. 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.
3. Solo Sleeper: 8.6 out of 10
The Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress is a good option for solo sleepers, particularly if you are seeking a firmer option with a small amount of cushiness and immersion, but don’t want to sink far enough to limit turning and mobility.
Since there is no issue with motion transfer as well, the medium firm feel along with the pressure relief provided by the 3″ quilted memory foam layer provides effective body contouring too.
Another thing often left out when you are buying a more upscale innerspring mattress in general is handling the giant box once it arrives at your door, unpacking, and setting up. With any Saatva model, that problem is completely eliminated thanks to the free delivery, setup, and old mattress removal service provided.
A typical bed in a box mattress can still weigh 80-160lbs, and if you are by yourself, it’s a huge amount 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.
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.
When you buy a typical “bed in a box” mattress online, but wante 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: 9.2 out of 10
I can’t even tell you how many mattresses I’ve reviewed for couples, who often can be the hardest group to find a mattress for. It involves a lot of compromise, so mattresses today are designed more and more to be universally acceptable by utilizing more and more sleep study data and technology, like cooling, pressure reduction- but especially motion transfer.
Oddly enough, and NIH study suggested that couples who have a partner who moves around a lot during the night, causes both partners to sleep lighter, and increases their auditory threshold for awakening during their sleep cycle. Bottom line- invest in less motion transfer.
The Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress delivers on investing a lot of design elements that can benefit couples.
Because the quilted pillow top is tightly upholstered and is not “blousy” or loose, couples don’t end up rolling into one another, and also get beneficial lumbar support thanks to the design.
Calling it “quilted lumbar support”, the upper part of the mattress, including the 3″ pressure relieving gel memory foam layer, provides that sweet spot of added support.
The chief complaint couples will mention when testing or trying out mattresses: the worry that lower back pain will increase on a new mattress.
The Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress was designed to attack this issue head on, and is a reason why is is a popular choice with both younger and older couples.
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 Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress 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.
5. Edge Support: 9.8 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.
The rigid foam rail built into the side of the Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress (and in other models they build) provides support when sitting or transferring, and it also prevents deterioration and mashing of the memory foam layers and pocketed coil edge.
The continuous coil unit does not have sit directly at the edge of the mattress either, and the foam rail contains it to prevent damage to the outer fabric.
It is unlikely that you will find this feature in any rolled and compressed bed in a box option because mashing and compression could easily damage this component.
Also, by incorporating a perimeter foam rail, you also increase the available surface area of the mattress, which is ideal for couples, and when the entire family comes on board.
People with disabilities should also consider this mattress as well. 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: 8.6 out of 10
It’s astonishing how many people factor in intimacy as a key bullet point when mattress shopping. Even just 10 years ago, it was not something brought up online, and was certainly never mentioned in a retail showroom with a hovering mattress salesperson.
Generally, more bouncy and highly responsive 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.
If you are looking for a calmer and less reactive intimacy friendly mattress, this is a great mattress to put on your top two or three, for sure.
For cuddling in the middle, The Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress is amazing in our opinion, and reviewers have mentioned that if they prefer a firmer mattress for intimacy.
7. Bounce, Liveliness, And Motion Transfer: 8.8 out of 10
We found that the Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress offers 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, thanks mainly to the 3″ layer of specialized gel/memory foam that Saatva uses. 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 pillowtop 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: 9.4 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 Memory Foam Hybrid 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.
Priced at $1,616 for a queen, and $1,976 for a king, I feel that the Saatva Memory Foam Mattress might be a bit overpriced for a hybrid memory foam and coil option, but when you consider the free delivery, setup service, and old mattress removal, the value is pretty evident.
9. Trial Period, Warranty, Customer Service 10 out of 10
Saatva’s premium delivery and setup service, factory and fulfillment network of 15 strategically located facilities helped drive up my score for this category.
The turnaround time of 9-21 days to receive your mattress is acceptable considering each mattress is made to order and not rolled and compressed, collecting dust in a dusty warehouse.
Customer service is something I thoroughly checked out too, with 6 different chat questions regarding pretty technical questions being answered rapidly and effectively.
Best part about their customer service: NO BOTS on the chat line. Genuine human beings. That alone is worth a healthy five stars!
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.