Saatva Classic mattress review in brief
- Three firmness options: plush soft, luxury firm or firm
- Great lumbar support for all sleep positions
- Excellent build quality with premium materials
The Saatva Classic mattress is a luxury innerspring hybrid that comes in your choice of three firmness levels and two heights, to suit a wide range of sleeping positions and body types. The Saatva Classic sits at the top of both our best mattress and best hybrid mattress guides, thanks to its exceptional build quality and high levels of support and comfort, and all for a reasonable price compared to what you would pay for a similar handcrafted premium mattress sold in store.
Also known as the Saatva Mattress, the Classic is one of the more affordable hybrids in the brand's luxury sleep range, with a starting price of $995 for a twin size. The Saatva Classic is made using two layers of coils, two layers of polyfoam, and a layer of contouring memory foam. It's stunning to sleep on.
As we'll explain further into our saatva Classic review, this mattress has a responsive, bouncy feel, coupled with a good deal of cushioning for your entire body. It's designed to relieve major pressure points in your back, neck and shoulders, and comes in two heights (11.5 inches or 14.5 inches) and three firmness options: plush soft (3 out of 10 on the firmness scale), luxury firm (5-7), and firm (8). We tested a queen size Saatva Classic mattress, choosing the 14.5" height and a firm feel.
MSRP has crept up over the course of 2022. When we tested it, the full price of a queen was $1,770. It's since jumped to $1,795 and is now sitting at $1,995. But despite the increase in RRP, the Saatva Classic still undercuts many of its luxury rivals, especially when Saatva mattress sales are a regular occurrence. We do want to stress that this rise in retail costs is not exclusive to Saatva, as inflation has caused many top mattress brands to hike up their prices, too.
Best for: All sleep positions; back support
Type: Innerspring hybrid
Trial: 180 nights
Guarantee: 15 years
Firmness: 3 to 8 (out of 10)
Materials: Organic cotton, memory foam, pocketed coils
Depth: 11.5" or 14.5"
Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, split king, Cal king, split Cal king
Although MSRP has gone up, the brand has added value in other ways; the trial period has been extended from 180 nights to 365 nights, and the warranty has gone from 15 years to a lifetime warranty.
Saatva also offers free White Glove Delivery, a premium shipping method that involves the brand's installation team delivering the Classic to your bedroom, then setting it up so that it's ready for you to sleep on. As we discovered during our review process, the Saatva Classic is heavy and it's delivered flat rather than vacuum-packed and rolled, so having this aspect handled for you is brilliant.
Free White Glove Delivery isn't exclusive to Saatva, but many brands will charge a bit extra for it. Another perk that's usually paid-for, but free with Saatva, is old mattress disposal (you'll need to arrange this in advance). That makes it slightly surprising that you'll incur a $99 fee if want to return or exchange the Classic. Most bed brands don't charge for this.
We tested the Saatva Classic for three consecutive weeks and enjoyed sleeping on it. While the Firm version won't suit everyone, we loved the mix of bounce, support and cushioning, with the top layer cradling our back, shoulders and hips through a range of sleeping positions. Saatva makes a lot of fuss about its patented Lumbar Zone technology to ensure good spinal alignment. In fact, it has earned a Seal of Approval from the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations. We feel as though there is good lumbar support here compared to cheaper mattresses we have tested, including the Nectar Original (see our Nectar Mattress review for more).
Overall, the Classic performed very well during testing and we'd recommend it to all sleepers looking to upgrade to a more plush, comfortable and supportive mattress. It regulates temperature well (good news for warm sleepers prone to overheating), and is built to a high standard. The pressure relief is excellent too, but there is a degree of motion transfer on the softer versions due to the bouncy nature of the Classic. It isn't a deal-breaker, but something we'd flag up to couples sharing a bed. Read on for our full Saatva Classic review, which looks in-depth review at every major aspect of this mattress, including comfort, pressure relief, motion isolation, temperature regulation and edge support, to help you figure out if it's the right choice for your sleep or not.
(opens in new tab)Saatva Classic mattress review: Materials
- The Saatva Classic is made with foam and coils
- It sports a breathable organic cotton cover
- The fabric has an antimicrobial treatment
The Saatva Classic consists of five layers. The luxury hotel feel begins with an organic cotton Euro pillow top crated with Lumbar Zone Quilting. The idea behind this design is to give you extra support around your lumbar region to help you sleep comfortably in a range of positions.
The cover is made from certified organic cotton, a naturally breathable material treated with Saatva's own Guardin botanical antimicrobial treatment to prevent mold or bacteria from growing on your mattress.
Underneath lives Saatva's Lumbar Zone Active Spinal Wire, there to ensure your spine stays neutrally aligned during sleep (this is good news for your posture). This second layer is also home to high-density memory foam to kick-start the ample pressure relief we experienced from the Saatva Classic during testing.
The Classic also uses 884 Lumbar Zone Pocketed Coils crafted from 14.5-gauge recycled steel, plus a further layer of 13-gauge coils in the base coil unit. These enhancements provide increased pressure relief and lumbar zone support to reduce tension in your lower spine. We'd note, however, that if you're specifically after a mattress to tackle lower back pain, Saatva's all-foam Loom & Leaf mattress may be a better option – in our Saatva Loom & Leaf review our lead reviewer experienced a marked improvement in her lower back pain after sleeping on it.
Finally, the Classic is wrapped in a foam encasement that provides excellent edge support, stability and helps prevent sagging.
Saatva Classic mattress review: Prices and deals
- A queen size Saatva Classic retails for $1,995
- Often on sale with up to $250 off the bigger sizes
- Despite price increases, it's still a great value for a luxury bed
The Saatva Classic mattress is a luxury innerspring hybrid and therefore costs more than the average hybrid. However we feel that it's well-priced for the build quality and materials used, and for the level of customization you get in terms of firmness and height. You'd pay a lot more for a handcrafted bed of this quality in store, and it's regularly discounted by $250 (or more, with one of the exclusive codes that we often manage to negotiate around big sales events). You might also get worthwhile savings through Saatva coupons.
A queen-size Saatva Classic currently retails for $1,995, which is a $200 jump from even a few weeks ago. Prior to that, the RRP for a queen Saatva Classic was $1,770. It's more expensive than the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid, (a queen usually costs $999 (opens in new tab)), and the WinkBeds Mattress (a queen is typically $1,499 (opens in new tab)), but cheaper than the Casper Wave Hybrid (usually $2,895 for a queen (opens in new tab)) and the Purple Hybrid (around $2399 (opens in new tab)).
Here's the official 2023 pricing for the Saatva Classic mattress:
- Twin: MSRP $995
- Twin XL: MSRP $1,355
- Full: MSRP $1,895
- Queen: MSRP $1,995
- King: MSRP $2,445
- Split king: MSRP $2,710
- Cal king: MSRP $2,445
- Split Cal king: MSRP $2,710
As with all of Saatva's beds, the Classic comes with a 365-night trial, giving you a whole year to test it for yourself to ensure it's the right choice. If you change your mind during the trial, you will have to pay a $99 processing fee to return the Classic or to exchange it for a different firmness.
Saatva does not resell mattresses that are returned, and instead either donates them to veterans' shelters or gives them to employees. As part of the brand's free white glove delivery service, the Saatva installation team will remove your old mattress and foundation for free as long as they aren't stained.
Saatva Classic mattress review: Firmness and comfort
- We reviewed the Firm version (8 out of 10)
- Great lumbar support for back and side sleepers
- Might be too firm for lightweight side sleepers
There are three different versions of the Saatva Classic mattress: a Plush Soft (rated 3 out of 10 on the firmness scale), a Luxury Firm (rated 5-7 out of 10) and a Firm (8 out of 10) feel.
The softest feel is the Plush Soft, designed with extra padding in the pillow top and recommended for side sleepers who enjoy more of a contouring hug, plus lightweight bodies who don't sleep well on a firm bed.
The Luxury Firm is the most popular choice according to Saatva, and is chosen by 82% of people who buy the Saatva Classic. This firmness is designed to closely match that of luxury hotel beds and is suited to most sleeping styles and body types.
We reviewed the Firm version and were surprised at just how true it was. Since both our reviewers prefer a firm-ish mattress, we rated it a 5 out of 5 for firmness. That said, it’s not at all like sleeping on a board since the plush pillow top provides some sink-in value and makes for a very comfortable night's sleep.
Remember, mattress firmness is subjective and your height, weight, and sleep needs play a role in how comfortable you will find the Saatva Classic. That's why, in addition to conducting our own review, we also analyze user reviews to see what customers think of the it too. We'll come to those shortly.
Saatva Classic mattress review: Performance
- Naturally breathable organic cover
- Strong edge support (good for couples)
- Regulates temperature well
Our main reviewers for the Saatva Classic are side and back sleepers. We slept on a 14.5" tall, queen size Saatva Classic mattress for a number of weeks and were very pleased with the lumbar support, cooling and edge support. The Classic is well designed and looks like a luxury hotel mattress with its organic pillow top cover and gold stitching.
During our review period, we looked at all major areas of performance including pressure relief; the Classic provides excellent lumbar support and cradles the spine, hips, shoulders and knees well. Edge support was also superior and never once did we feel as though we were going to roll off while sleeping. Here's what we discovered when testing the Saatva Classic mattress...
Setup
Score: 5/5
The Saatva Classic is shipped for free via Saatva’s White Glove Delivery service. Our testing model arrived via two delivery personnel who carried it in and set it up in our bedroom. They also unwrapped the plastic covering the Classic, then placed the mattress on our bed frame.
This free premium delivery is handy as the Saatva Classic is heavy, weighing roughly 120lbs for a queen size. A Cal king size weighs around 145lbs, so having an installation team to do all the heavy lifting is necessary.
Overall, set-up of the Classic is quick, professional and simply requires a signature. There are no boxes, plastic wrap or packaging to dispose of here, and the team will also remove your old mattress if you need them to, though they won't remove it if it's stained.
Off-gassing
Score: N/A
Some new mattresses produce a very noticeable smell and is part of the off-gassing process for some types of mattresses, especially memory foam. In a nutshell, off-gassing happens when Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are released from an unboxed and unwrapped bed (or other furniture).
There is no off-gassing process with the Saatva Classic since it’s a hybrid innerspring and coil model, not an inflatable foam mattress packaged into a box. With that in mind, there was no noticeable new mattress or plastic smell from the Classic when it was delivered, or within the first few hours or days after delivery.
Pressure relief
Score: 5/5
We placed a 50lb kettlebell weight in the middle of the Saatva Classic to test for pressure point relief. The mattress sunk about an 1.5", which is minimal. During our review testing we also noticed that pressure points such as the spine, hips, shoulders and knees felt well supported and comfortable in all positions while sleeping and relaxing.
As mentioned above, our reviewers were side and back sleepers, and both said they were very comfortable at all times. However stomach sleepers may find the Firm model a little too firm. Most people have specific sleep positions and preferences when it comes to firmness, so your mileage may vary.
Overall we found the Saatva Classic in a Firm feel to be a fantastic choice and believe that if you enjoy a firm mattress, you will likely be pleased with the level of support and comfort here. The Purple Plus Hybrid is another good choice for excellent support yet with a deceptively cushioned sleep experience, and that retails for $1,899 in a queen size (opens in new tab) at Purple.
Motion transfer
Score: 4.6/5
Our chief reviewer on the firm feel Saatva Classic noted that she barely noticed her partner moving in bed next to her. However, we have seen user reviews that say this isn't the case with the softer versions of the mattress, due to the responsive, bouncier nature. To simulate motion isolation outside of actually testing it with two people on the mattress, during testing we dropped a 10lb weight from a distance of four inches, then from eight inches on one side of the bed where a person would lie, and on the other side of the bed we set an empty wine glass where another person would lie – about 10-12" apart.
During both drop tests the wine glass barely moved and never tipped over on the Firm Saatva Classic. This backed-up our real-life experience that motion on one side of the bed rarely transfers to the other side; ideal if you share with a restless sleeper or someone who has a different sleep schedule to you.
However, and as mentioned above, when looking at user reviews for the Plush Soft and Luxury Firm models, we spotted comments about motion transfer occurring. It isn't a deal-breaker, but something to be aware of if you are buying the softest version.
Temperature regulation
Score: 4.5/5
One member of our review panel is a hot sleeper, but during testing they didn't feel warm when sleeping on the Saatva Classic. The breathable organic cotton cover does a good job at keeping the mattress feeling airy and refreshing. Plus, the dual coils are designed to allow air to travel more easily through the mattress and to disperse body heat. We found that it remained cool to the touch throughout the night.
For full transparency, we used cooling jersey fabric sheets beneath a percale cotton duvet and a down comforter. Since bedding can make a difference in whether a mattress feels warm or cool, you may want to experiment with different sheets and comforters until you find the most cooling type for you.
Edge support
Score: 5/5
The edge support on the Saatva Classic is excellent. Sitting on the edge of the bed is comfortable and there was never a time when we felt as though we would roll right off while sleeping.
To go the extra mile, we placed our 50lb kettlebell weight on the edge of the bed and noticed it barely registered, sinking in about the same 1-1.5 inches that it did in the middle. In fact, our 50lb dog can sit quite comfortably right on the edge. An adult can probably perch here comfortably without any problem.
The Classic wraps all Saatva’s layers in a heavy-duty foam encasement, with high-density foam rails used around the mattress to create a stable edge. This increases your sleeping space as well as making it easier to get out of bed.
Durability
Score: 5/5
After a few weeks of testing, the mattress is no worse for wear and looks and feels brand new, but of course this is very early days. However we can say that with the high build quality and use of premium and durable materials, the Classic should stand up to years of use, proving to be a good investment for the long-term.
Saatva's own antimicrobial treatment, Guardin, is a great addition too as it prevents the growth of mold, mildew and bacteria on the Classic, so it will sleep fresher and healthier for longer. Even so, we'd recommend using the best mattress protector you can afford to keep your new bed safe from stains.
Saatva Classic mattress review: User reviews
In order to give you a comprehensive overview of what the Saatva Classic mattress is like to sleep on, we have also analyzed the available user reviews published on the brand's website. Unfortunately, Saatva doesn't sell its range at any third party retailers so we can't look at reviews from elsewhere.
There are nearly 3,000 reviews of the Classic on the Saatva site, most of which are positive and give the Classic a collective rating of 4.8 out of 5. Other rating sites like Reseller Ratings and Google Reviews also consist of mainly 5-star ratings.
Many customers praised the Saatva Classic for back pain relief, and how it's supportive and comfortable for all sleeping positions. The most recent user reviews focused on the customer service, with one customer saying: 'their customer service is amazing. I truly enjoyed calling them, even if it was to return our mattress.' Another praised the comfort, describing the Classic as, 'Soft but supportive, it feels like it cradles my body.'
Of the negative reviews we came across, which were in the minority, most were from people who didn't like the firmness they chose. One customer who bought the Luxury Firm described it as too firm, saying: 'We both have back pain with the Saatva mattress but not when sleeping on other mattresses in hotels or in our home.' They were offered a mattress topper as a solution but that didn't resolve it.
Another customer simply stated: 'While I don't have anything bad to say about it, we never fell in love with it. It definitely didn't give us that comfy cant wait to crawl into bed feeling.' There we also review comments about motion transfer on the Plush Soft version, and to some extent on the Luxury Firm version.
Several others complained about the $99 processing fee for returns and exchanges. Most companies do not have such a return fee, so Saatva definitely loses points here compared to other leading online mattress manufacturers.
Should you buy the Saatva Classic mattress?
The Saatva Classic is a luxury hybrid mattress focused on all-over comfort and support. We found the firm model to be perfect for side and back sleeping, though combination and stomach sleepers may prefer the Plush Soft or Luxury Firm models as these will offer higher levels of contouring and cushioning.
Motion isolation is good in the Firm model and the edge support system is superior, but customers have mentioned that motion transfer occurs in the softer models. The Saatva Classic mattress is a great choice for single sleepers and for couples who don’t go to bed at the same time. However we make this statement based on our experience of testing the Firm version, so you may have a different experience and feel more bounce with the Plush Soft.
If you like the sound of Saatva as a brand but prefer memory foam, you might want to consider the Loom and Leaf, which costs from $1,195 (opens in new tab), and impressed in our review). Or, if you have a smaller budget, a good cheaper alternative is the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid (usually $899 for a queen (opens in new tab)). This hybrid also features enhanced back support; you can find all the details in our DreamCloud Mattress review. Or for a luxury alternative, check out the Nolah Evolution 15" mattress, a seven-layer hybrid that delivers great motion isolation and plenty of comfort; it's available from $1,119 (opens in new tab) right now.
Ultimately, with its 365-night trial, lifetime warranty and choice of firmness and heights, we feel the Saatva Classic is a worthy investment for your sleep, especially if you want a tall, luxurious innerspring hybrid to deliver ample levels of support, comfort and temperature regulation.
First reviewed February 2022
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