Saatva Classic Mattress Review: Our Top-Tested Bed of 2023

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A comfy bed is vital to achieving a great night's sleep, but it can be difficult to choose the right mattress. At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we take mattresses seriously, testing mattresses of all kinds — from online mattresses to cooling mattresses to hybrid mattresses and every bed in between — so we can help you find the mattress of your dreams.

After extensive evaluations, Saatva's Classic Mattress has proved to be one of our top-rated beds for most sleepers and is our current best overall mattress. It consistently earns high ratings for comfort and quality of sleep, and it was even dubbed the "best mattress ever" by one of our reviewers.

In just over a decade, Saatva has risen to the top of the mattress game. The direct-to-consumer brand excels at offering luxury mattresses for a more affordable price, and we're especially impressed by the Classic mattress model. For this article, we worked directly with Saatva brand representatives to learn more about the features the Classic mattress has to offer. We also evaluated previous mattress testing data and recently surveyed our panel of product testers, who shared with us their personal experiences sleeping on Saatva's mattresses. More than 100 panelists responded to our survey, providing us with over 3,000 data points for analysis — highly valuable feedback from real users about sleeping on the Classic mattress. Plus, one of our Textiles Lab analysts was able to test out the bed herself to provide expertise firsthand.

Here's everything you need to know about the Saatva Classic Mattress, including sizing, pricing, delivery, material and real-user feedback.

Saatva Classic Mattress overview

Saatva Classic Mattress performance

Edge support

The edge support of the Saatva Classic Mattress is superior to other mattresses we've evaluated, especially compared with memory foam or softer hybrid models. Our Textiles Lab analysts and testers highlighted the bed's impressive structure, with one analyst noting, "The edge support is truly unparalleled."

A sturdy rail of foam surrounds the perimeter of the bed, allowing you to sit on or lie close to the edge without drastically sinking in or rolling off. The added stability can make it easier to get in and out of bed, which is ideal for those who have mobility issues.

Temperature

It's not technically a cooling bed, but the Saatva Classic Mattress is made with metal coils inside that allow for better airflow than a dense memory foam mattress. In turn, the innerspring construction can help maintain a comfortable temperature while you sleep at night.

Motion isolation

With two layers of springs, the mattress has a bouncier feel than standard hybrid or solid foam mattresses, so you could experience some motion transfer when your partner or pets move around at night. There's a thin layer of foam and a plush pillow top to absorb some movement, but your sleep may still be disrupted, especially if you're a light sleeper.

Off-gassing

Upon opening or unwrapping a new mattress, you may notice a chemical odor caused by the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and the odor tends to be stronger in beds made with lots of synthetic foam material or compressed bed-in-a-box models.

The Saatva Classic Mattress is designed with very little foam compared with other beds, so it's unlikely that you'll experience noticeable off-gassing; our analysts and testers who own the mattress haven't. If you do notice a chemical smell, it should dissipate quickly because of the breathable innerspring construction.

Who is the Saatva Classic Mattress best for?

Saatva's Classic Mattress is our best overall mattress pick and a Good Housekeeping 2022 Best Bedding Awards winner, loved by our survey panelists, testers and Lab experts. Although we think it's a great pick for most sleepers, here's who we think will appreciate it the most:

Value seekers

With Saatva's mattresses, you don't have to sacrifice quality for a reasonable price. The online direct-to-consumer brand is able to avoid wholesale markups and retail store expenses, so the Classic mattress costs $1,995 for a Queen model (and that amount is often lower with discounts!). The mattress rarely sells for MSRP, so keep an eye out for sales to make sure you don't pay full price. Our survey panelists say it's a "great value for the price." Its design is similar to a traditional luxury innerspring bed, but the mattress is more affordable, and it comes with free white-glove delivery and setup, along with old mattress removal.

It's important to note that the Classic mattress has been subject to regular price increases, which the brand claims are because of increases in material costs. That said, Saatva consistently offers discounts and sales, so there are plenty of opportunities to buy the mattress for less than the retail price.

Pain sufferers

The Saatva Classic is constructed with pressure-relieving foam and supportive coils that are ergonomically designed to target your lower back. Our testers with back pain give this model glowing reviews, with one stating, "I wake up with no low back pain!" and another sharing that their back pain "has much improved" since sleeping on the mattress.

Plus, that layer of structured foam around the edge of the mattress, which makes getting in and out of bed easier, is especially beneficial for seniors and people who have mobility issues.

Sweaty sleepers

Although the mattress isn't designed with any special cooling features, it's constructed with coils (shown here) that are inherently more breathable than solid foam, a feature that can help you stay cool at night.

One Lab analyst who slept on a memory foam mattress before switching to the Saatva Classic was "blown away" by the drastic difference in temperature she feels. She and her partner are now able to sleep soundly without having to move around on the mattress to escape absorbed heat. Our survey panelists agreed, with most of them stating that they sleep at a comfortable temperature with the Saatva Classic Mattress, and many sharing that they don't get as hot at night with this mattress as they did with their all-foam beds.

Online shoppers

Saatva provides the convenience of an online mattress retailer, but it's one of the few that's not offering a mattress in a box. So if you prefer to browse models on a website rather than in a store, but you don't want a boxed mattress, Saatva is a perfect fit.

Saatva Classic Mattress materials

The Saatva Classic Mattress is an innerspring mattress that's made primarily of coils and is crowned by a plush pillow top, all of which you can see broken out in the graphic below. The layers of material do vary slightly among the firmness levels, which are Plush Soft, Luxury Firm and Firm. Here's a breakdown of the materials used, starting with the bottom layer:

1. Base coils: Each mattress has steel base coils, which add durability and help prevent the mattress from sagging over time. Plus, the coils allow for airflow, keeping the mattress cooler. According to the brand, a "spinal wire" is attached to the coils around the lumbar zone of the bed for added spinal support.

2. Foam rails: Surrounding the base coils are rails of high-density foam, which add structure around the perimeter of the bed, making it easier to get into and out of. This is a favorite design element of our survey panelists and testers, who often highlight the bed's superior edge support. One panelist added, "I can sleep on the very edge and not worry about rolling off because the edges stay firm."

3. Pocketed coils: On top of the initial base coils are individually pocketed steel coils that are ergonomically designed to be stronger in the center of the mattress for added lumbar support, which can potentially help prevent and alleviate back pain.

4. Memory foam: Next is a thin layer of high-density memory foam for pressure relief and comfort. The Plush Soft option has more padding and is softer than the Luxury Firm, while the Firm option is made with the firmest, most structured foam.

5. Pillow top: The mattress is finished off with a tufted, quilted pillow top for a comfortable feel. The Plush Soft mattress has the fullest, softest pillow top; the Firm option has comparatively minimal foam fill. Pictured here is the Luxury Firm pillow top, which has slightly more cushion than the Firm option but still maintains a medium-firm feel.
   

6. Cover: All of the layers are encased in a breathable organic cotton cover. Note that one Lab analyst who tried the mattress noticed significant fraying and loose threads coming from the mattress cover after just a few nights of sleep, and one survey panelist (of more than 100 respondents) also noted experiencing this issue.

Saatva Classic Mattress ordering and delivery

Saatva is a direct-to-consumer business that uses an online platform to sell its mattresses, cutting out the storefront to save on some expenses. Unfortunately, this means you're unable to test the mattress out in person beforehand unless you live near one of the brand's viewing rooms or the flagship store in New York City. But Saatva's online interface is user-friendly, and the brand is willing to work with you to pick out your perfect mattress. According to our survey panelists and testers, Saatva's customer service is "superb," with one reviewer sharing, "[It's] the best customer service I have ever seen. Everyone at Saatva is so knowledgeable and kind."

When it comes to delivery, Saatva offers white-glove service and setup, and old mattress removal, which our panelists overwhelmingly rated with perfect scores for being quick and simple. Here's what you need to know about ordering and delivery:

Ordering

Simply buy it online directly from Saatva's website. The user-friendly site makes it easy to select your preferred mattress size, height and firmness level. Our tests confirmed the site's ease of use: The ordering process got great reviews from our testers. And if you need help making a decision, Saatva's customer service representatives are not only willing to assist, but they excel when it comes to helpfulness and expertise — 0ur panelists and testers were wowed by their customer service experience.

At Saatva, all mattresses are made to order, which means the beds aren't sitting in a warehouse waiting to be shipped out. Instead, once a customer places an order, the brand's team of craftspeople assembles the mattress.

Delivery

Mattress delivery is free. Saatva works with delivery partners who will contact you after you've made a mattress purchase to schedule a delivery date. The day before your scheduled delivery date, you'll receive a four-hour window for the mattress to be delivered. You can always adjust your time and date or cancel your delivery for no additional fees.

Setup

The delivery partners do all the heavy lifting, so you don't have to. They'll bring your mattress and any additional accessories, like a bed frame or base, into your room and will assemble everything for you. Plus, when they're done setting up your brand-new bed, they'll remove your old mattress and foundation for free (though note that conditions apply).

Trial and returns

Good news: You can test the Saatva Classic Mattress out before fully committing. It can be tough to commit to such a large and important purchase without being able to experience it first. Saatva offers a 365-night trial period, so you can sleep on the mattress for up to a year before deciding if it's the perfect pick for you. If you ultimately decide the mattress isn't the one, or if you want to switch to another firmness level, you can receive a refund — minus a $99 return fee. Saatva will send movers to your home to retrieve the unwanted mattress, and they'll replace it with a new Saatva mattress if you choose.

Saatva Classic Mattress firmness levels

Although there's more to choosing a mattress than sleep position alone, it can be helpful to consider when making your decision. Saatva's Classic Mattress is available in three firmness levels, and some are more comfortable for stomach, back and side sleepers:

• Firm: The Firm mattress is meant to feel like you're sleeping on top of the mattress, rather than sinking into it, which is great for a stomach sleeper who needs structure. The sturdier foam helps to align your spine, hips and shoulders while you're sleeping. This is also a good choice for those with a higher body weight.

• Luxury Firm: This is the most popular firmness level. If you sleep on your back, the Luxury Firm level is firmer than a standard medium-firmness level mattress, which means it will provide adequate support. It's also the brand's recommendation for combination sleepers who find themselves sleeping on their stomach, back and sides. While it's firm enough to support you while you're on your back or stomach, it's also just plush enough for you to comfortably sleep on your side. A brand representative shared that it's "great for couples who can't agree on firmness" as well.

• Plush Soft: Side sleepers, especially lightweight side sleepers, can benefit from sleeping on a mattress with more cushioning because it allows the shoulders and hips to sink into the mattress for pressure relief. Some of our panelists and testers found even the Plush Soft model to be too firm, so keep that in mind if you prefer a mattress with more cradling cushion.
  
  Note: If you weigh more than 250 pounds, you may not get the support you need from the foams and coils used in the Saatva Classic Mattress. Instead, you may be interested in trying Saatva's HD mattress, designed specifically to provide support for "bigger bodies."

Pro tip: When it comes to choosing a firmness level, don't second-guess yourself. It can be tempting to pick the most popular mattress, the Luxury Firm, but several users told us that they initially went for the popular option and wished they had gone with their gut and picked either the Plush Soft or Firm mattress instead.

How long does a Saatva Classic Mattress last?

According to a brand representative, with proper maintenance, a Saatva Classic Mattress can last for 10 to 15 years. In our latest survey of more than 100 Saatva mattress users (some of whom have had their beds for nearly a decade), many respondents reported that the beds maintain their quality and firmness, even after years of nightly use. The brand does offer a lifetime warranty and will replace or repair defective mattresses under certain conditions.

Of the 100-plus users surveyed, two spoke of the foam rails around the edge losing structure with use, and three respondents — one who has been sleeping on the mattress for just seven months, one for two years and one for seven years — complained specifically of mattress depressions and sagging. According to our panelists and testers who had these issues, Saatva's customer service team was efficient at helping to resolve their problems. If you experience significant depressions in your mattress or sagging, it could be the result of the base you use. Here are some tips for handling mattress sagging:

• Use a quality foundation: Not every mattress requires the same style of base or foundation, so it's best to check with the brand to determine what kind of base you should use. If you choose a slatted base, make sure the slats are fairly close together so the mattress doesn't sink, and look for a foundation with additional legs in the middle of the bed for extra support. Saatva offers its own foundation and bed frames that are compatible with its mattresses and recommends using a base with "slats spaced less than four inches apart and a center support for Queen and larger sizes."

• Rotate your mattress: Sleeping in the same position night after night creates pressure in targeted areas of a mattress that can eventually lead to dips or sagging. Rotating your mattress, or switching the direction of the foot and head of your mattress, can help maintain the longevity of the mattress by distributing the pressure across different areas. Saatva recommends rotating your mattress after the first six months of use and to continue rotating it on a yearly basis.

• Add a topper: A mattress topper evens out your sleeping surface, so it can serve as an extra layer of protection for your mattress and an extra layer of support for you. If your mattress is already sagging, adding a topper isn't going to resolve the issue fully, but it can help you sleep more comfortably and may help prevent further sagging.

Pro tip: Remember to regularly clean your mattress according to the manufacturer's instructions to prolong the life of your mattress and keep it in tip-top shape.

Final verdict: Is the Saatva Classic Mattress worth buying?

Although there's no one perfect mattress for everyone, the Classic is suitable for most people and gets great feedback from plenty of testers. Even better, the Saatva Classic Mattress is an incredible value: $1,995 for a Queen model made with high-quality materials that are breathable, supportive and potentially helpful for providing pain relief. Plus, the Classic continues to receive excellent ratings from our testers and survey panelists for comfort and overall sleep quality. Because it's primarily constructed with innersprings and only one layer of pressure-relieving foam, it may not be the mattress for you if you prefer the soft, conforming cushion of a memory foam bed. If you're on the fence, you can always test out the Saatva Classic Mattress for a whopping 365 nights before committing.

Other top-tested Saatva beds

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Amanda Constantine joined the Good Housekeeping Institute in 2022 as a home and apparel reviews analyst. She has reviewed other mattresses for the GH Institute, including Tempur-Pedic's mattresses, and written about bedding like duvet covers, down comforters and waterproof mattress protectors. For this article, she tested out the Saatva Classic Mattress, analyzed the Textiles Lab's mattress-testing and survey data regarding the mattress, spoke with representatives from the Saatva brand and worked with Textiles Lab Executive Director Lexie Sachs for more insight.

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