The Saatva Classic mattress has been the Strategist’s No. 1 mattress pick for years — even before I became the site’s sleep writer. I’d briefly tried it myself in my previous job as a mattress reviewer and thought it was a high-quality option, so I had no issue keeping it in the top spot. But since I’m always looking out for what’s new in the mattress world, and constantly reevaluating our guide to the best ones, I felt like I ought to revisit the Saatva with a full IRL assessment. So I asked the company to send me their classic mattress for review, and I’ve been sleeping on it at home since early October.
It isn’t a bed-in-a-box
The Saatva Classic is a rare innerspring mattress in a market dominated by all-foam mattresses and hybrids. If you’re in your mid-20s or older, an innerspring mattress — made mostly of springs, without much padding on top of those springs — is likely what you grew up sleeping on. But there aren’t nearly as many true innersprings for sale as there used to be, now that mattresses with thick foam comfort layers have become so popular. The Saatva Classic has two different kinds of springs, with a layer of modern pocketed coils over a base of more traditional interlocking coils. This gives the bed a strong, responsive foundation and a supportive sleeping surface that doesn’t have too much motion transfer.
Even though Saatva is a newer company that mostly sells its mattresses online, it is not a bed-in-a-box brand. Saatva does not compress its mattresses for shipping, and instead includes complimentary white-glove delivery with all mattress purchases (even if the cost is built into the mattress price). I scheduled a delivery date and time to receive my mattress, and the process was smooth and easy. A delivery team brought the mattress straight into my home and set it up for me; they’ll also haul your old mattress away if you want.
It actually feels high end
Once the Saatva was on my bed frame, I was struck by how substantial it felt. The Saatva’s higher level of construction and materials was noticeable right away. Where other brands often use polyester, the Saatva has an organic cotton cover. For the minimal comfort layer, it has a quilted Euro top, which gives the mattress a comfy, elevated tufting. (The tufting is somewhat visible through a fitted sheet, which doesn’t bother me, but take note if you’d prefer a perfectly smooth look.)
Cheaper mattresses often have zippered covers that fit around the mattress like a six-sided mattress protector. The Saatva has tape edging instead, which is more binding and helps prevent the cover from loosening or bunching over time. It also has a reinforced edge made of foam that’s wrapped around the entire perimeter, giving it some of the strongest edge support I’ve ever seen — there is almost no sinkage when I sit on the edge of the bed. This is an obvious benefit if you tend to roll toward the side of the bed when you sleep, or you like to sit on the edge to pull on jeans or put on shoes. But it also makes it easier to get in and out of bed, and points to the greater durability of the mattress.
It made me appreciate the perks of firm (but gentle) support
So what does it actually feel like to sleep on? Broadly, the Saatva Classic offers a lot of back support with a dash of cushioning, plus a springy, “on top of the bed” feel. It’s firm but gentle. (If you are a die-hard memory-foam fan who’s looking for a lot of cradling and sinkiness, the Saatva is probably not for you.) It comes in three firmness levels: Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm. I had previously tried all three at a Saatva showroom and decided to test the Luxury Firm model, which is the middle-ground firmness and the most popular model, according to the brand. I’d rank it around 6.5 or 7 on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the firmest. The quilted Euro top provides a little bit of cushioning, but overall there isn’t much to “sink into.”
I have always preferred softer mattresses, so the Saatva initially felt much firmer than I’m used to, but it was an easy adjustment. I am a back and side sleeper, and this mattress is especially comfortable when I lie on my back. While it doesn’t have any full layers of foam like a hybrid mattress would, it does have a band of memory foam running horizontally across the mattress, to provide extra lumbar support. This narrow section of foam keeps an otherwise fairly firm mattress from feeling too harsh on my lower back; combined with supportive springs, I never feel like my spine is sinking out of neutral alignment.
When sleeping on my side, I am much more aware of the lack of “sink,” which sometimes causes my shoulder to feel a bit jammed. However, when my colleague Simone Kitchens tested this exact same mattress, she found it ideal for side sleeping. So if I were to do it over again, I might opt for the Plush Soft version to prioritize that extra bit of pressure relief for my shoulder. (You can exchange firmness levels up to three times during Saatva’s 365-night trial period, though the brand does charge a $99 processing fee for returns and exchanges.)
Even so, after a few months of sleeping on it, I have come to really appreciate how well this mattress supports my back. And though I don’t sleep on my stomach, the Saatva is also a good choice for those who do. I’d recommend either the Luxury Firm or Firm model, as stomach sleepers want to be sure their hips aren’t sinking into their mattress (sinking hips can create an arch in the back).
It’s a solid ‘everyperson’s mattress’
My partner, Sam, a mattress layperson, told me he’s been happy with the Saatva overall. He said it feels right in the middle, firmness-wise, and didn’t notice any particular standout features (he has yet to learn the intricacies of superior edge support). His take makes a lot of sense, though, and it’s why I’m standing behind the Saatva as our top-pick mattress: It’s the platonic ideal of a mattress that can work for almost anyone.
It gets the job done with a balance of support and comfort, plus it has a luxurious feel that’s a good value for the price. (At $2,000 for a queen, the Saatva Classic is not cheap, but the materials and build earn that price tag — plus it’s often on sale for less.) With three firmness options to choose from, most sleepers will find a Saatva Classic they are happy with and that will keep them comfortable long term, even if it takes some time to get used to.
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