I Tested Saatva's Rx Mattress and Can Confirm It's the Best Thing for Back Pain
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Buying my first mattress was a core memory. Like many, I had spent the early years of my life sleeping on mattresses others had given to me: my parents, my university, or former tenants who didn't want to schlep their mattress to their next apartment. So when it was finally time to fork up my own cash to buy a new mattress, I went with an affordable, Live Better Award-winning option from Zinus.
I was super happy with my purchase for years until I suffered from a running injury in 2022. I developed sciatica and found myself struggling to sleep on my once beloved bed-in-a-box mattress. I began seeing a chiropractor for treatment, and he recommended Saatva's Classic Mattress to help alleviate my pain. I was familiar with the brand as it's tested and approved by our editors, but like my first foray into mattress buying, the prices were still a bit jarring. I let the mattress sit in my cart for weeks while trying to convince myself I didn't really need it, but life has its way of surprising you beyond your wildest dreams.
Rx Mattress
$2801.00
About a month after my chiropractor suggested Saatva, I started a new job as Deputy Digital Editor at House Beautiful and was asked to review the Saatva Rx: The brand's first mattress "designed for sleepers with chronic back and joint conditions." (You really can't make this stuff up.) And despite my former hesitation to splurge on a high-quality mattress, now that I've slept on the Rx for eight months, I can confidently say you can't put a price on pain relief.
Delivery and Install
Unlike many internet brands, Saatva mattresses are proudly "never stuffed in a box." They are made to order and the brand offers a free, white glove delivery service. The team reached out via email a few days before the delivery date to provide a four-hour window and gave me a heads-up call 15 minutes ahead of arrival.
Despite having a difficult space to navigate, the two-man delivery team worked swiftly to remove my Zinus mattress and replace it with the new Rx. The entire installation process took less than 10 minutes.
Saatva Rx Performance Review
The 15-inch Rx mattress has seven layers and is plush, but very supportive. The top layer is made with hypoallergenic cotton and treated with Saatva's exclusive Guardin™ botanical antimicrobial treatment to keep your mattress mold-free—a standard across all of the brand's models. But what separates the Rx is its extra layers of pressure-relieving support. The Patented Lumbar Zone® Quilting, which offers more support in the center third of the mattress, helps to align your spine while you sleep. This feature works in tandem with the layer of gel-infused memory foam to support your lower back while you're sleeping. There is also a second high-density foam layer and a layer of 1,628 flexible, 1-inch micro-coils (in the Queen model) to cradle your body and relieve pressure points. All of this is stacked on top of the "groundbreaking" Therapeutic Support Core, which is made up of foam-wrapped coils that eliminate motion transfer, provide edge support, and offer pressure relief.
Firmness
The Rx claims to be "best suited for side sleepers, but also great for back and combination sleepers who suffer from chronic back & joint conditions." As a combination sleeper with sciatica, I have found it very supportive, whether I sleep on my back or side. Thanks to the varied layers and materials, the firmness isn't one note like my former memory foam mattress. Each section of the Saatva Rx is catered to support a different part of your body resulting in the feeling of being cradled, which I love.
Edge Support
I currently sleep alone, so I get to sleep smack dab in the middle of my Saatva Rx, but when I have shared the bed I experienced no issues with the edge support. Unlike some mattresses that will kind of roll you off as you attempt to get out of bed in the morning, the Saatva Rx holds steady. This is thanks to firm spring coils around the mattress's perimeter. They coils provide support without sacrificing comfort due to the layer of foam on top of them.
Motion Isolation
The only motion in my bed most night's is my Chiweenie, and at 9 pounds he isn't necessarily the best judge of the motion impact from shifting weight. With that being said, you'll see with the wine glass test video that it held steady when pressure was placed near it. And overall I haven't felt disturbed my my dog or anyone else's movement.
Temperature Regulation
While the Saatva Rx mattress has cooling features, it is not designed specifically for hot sleepers, so you might need to invest in a cooling mattress cover.
Saatva Rx Pricing and Sizing
Although it's not the most expensive mattress on the market by a long shot, the Saatva Rx is an investment, but definitely one worth making if you suffer from chronic back and joint pain. The queen-sized mattress I tested retails for $3,295. However, Saatva constantly offers major deals, and if you only suffer from minor aches and pains, the Saatva Classic is a more affordable luxury alternative at $1,995. Plus, Saatva offers financing with Affirm at zero percent APR.
Pros and Cons
Rx Mattress
Saatva
$2795.00
My Final Verdict
I will not claim this mattress cured my sciatica. (If only it were that simple!) But from the first night I slept on the Rx, my sleep life has improved drastically. Every fancy, patented feature that Saatva touts really does cradle your body into proper alignment. My hips often feel achy from sitting in meetings all day, and my previous mattress was offering no reprieve. Now I actually find myself daydreaming about the sweet relief I know I'll feel at bedtime, and I wake up feeling well rested and pain-free. The Rx has an incredible warranty, so I don't plan on purchasing another mattress in this lifetime, but I can now confidently say I would. So, if like me, you've been suffering from chronic pain but are hesitant to shell out the cash for a luxury mattress, take this as your sign to splurge.
Saatva Rx Mattress FAQs
How is the Saatva Rx delivered?
Saatva offers free white glove delivery and they remove your old mattress also free of charge. The process was seamless and much better than waiting for a bed-in-the-box mattress to inflate.
Is the Saatva Rx compatible with an adjustable base?
Yes, according to their site, the "Saatva Rx is compatible with most foundations, box springs, platform beds, and adjustable bases." It fit perfectly with my bed frame from Zinus.
Does the Saatva Rx come with a sleep trial?
Yes, Saatva offers a 365-night home trial. If you opt to return or replace your mattress, you will need to pay a $99 pickup fee.
Does the Saatva Rx come with a warranty?
Saatva mattresses have a lifetime warranty. For the first two years, they will replace your mattress free of charge. Once you hit year three, they will repair and/or recover your mattress for a $149 fee.
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