Saatva Classic mattress review 2024: hotel-style luxury in your own home

Editor's note

• Original review date: February 2022
• No design changes, although wider Saatva range has been expanded
• MSRP has risen 

Updated: February 2024. 
Two years after we first reviewed it, the Saatva Classic remains one of the very best mattresses around. There have been no changes to the design, and it still stands out for its impeccable build quality and traditional yet elevated feel. As is the case with many sleep brands, MSRP has risen over the years (when we first reviewed this model, a queen was $1,695, compared to the current price of $1,995). There's almost always a sale on, so you'll never really need to pay ticket price, but you'll still generally be paying more than you would have done in the past. There are more options to choose from nowadays (including within Saatva's own range), but most brands are focusing on foams – there's still nothing similar to the Classic's coil-heavy design. 

Ruth Hamilton

Saatva Classic mattress: two-minute review

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. I slept on the 14.5 inch, queen size Saatva Classic, in a firm feel for three weeks for this review. Simply put, I loved it. In fact, the Saatva Classic holds the coveted top spot in TechRadar's best mattress guide. 

As I'll explain further in my Saatva mattress review, this bed has a fairly traditional, responsive, bouncy feel. I loved the mix of bounce, support and cushioning, with the top layer cradling my 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, and I definitely felt as though the lumbar support here was a big step above that of cheaper mattresses I've tested, including the Nectar Original (see our Nectar Mattress review for more).

The mattress itself is exceptional, but Saatva also offers perhaps the most comprehensive delivery service of any brand. There's free white glove delivery, which means the mattress is set up in your bedroom and packaging removed, and the delivery people will even take away your old mattress for free toor. This mattress is delivered flat rather than vacuum-packed and rolled (Saatva says this is to keep the premium design in tip-top condition), so having setup handled for you is brilliant. There's also a full year's trial and forever warranty, matching the best you'll find anywhere. In fact, my only minor complaint is the $99 fee for returns and exchanges.

The Saatva Classic sits near the lower end of the premium price bracket, and I think it justifies that slightly higher price with the quality of materials and overall service. If you're looking to invest in a mattress that will last, the Saatva Classic would make a great choice. I'll run through the various testing results in brief below, or read on for my full Saatva Classic mattress review.

Saatva Classic mattress review: design & materials

• Innerspring hybrid, with lots of coils and a bit of foam
• Choice of two heights (11.5 or 14.5") and three firmness levels
• Luxurious quilted Euro-top with organic cotton cover

The Saatva Classic is an innerspring hybrid mattress that's available in two different heights – either 14.5 inches, reviewed here, or 11.5 inches. The design includes five main layers.

The hotel feel begins with a three-inch Euro-style pillow-top with organic cotton cover and gold detailing. The cover is made from certified organic cotton, a breathable, natural material. (We count this amongst the best pillow-top mattresses around.)

Some bed brands make their covers removable for easier cleaning, but that's not the case here. I think is probably a good thing, as it would undermine the luxury feel that Saatva is going for here. The cover is treated with Saatva's own Guardin botanical antimicrobial treatment to prevent mold or bacteria, but you should probably pop a mattress protector on top anyway.

Within the pillow-top, the central third has something called 'lumbar-zone quilting', which is designed to give you extra support around your lumbar region to help you sleep comfortably in a range of positions. 

Beneath the cover is a section, just in the central third, dedicated specifically to helping protect your spine. It's made using high-density memory foam (that's the best type of memory foam) and 'Active Spinal Wire', which boosts the levels of support beneath the sleeper's lumbar region. This is one of the reasons why the Saatva Classic ranks amongst TechRadar's best mattresses for back pain.

(Do note, however, that if you're specifically after a mattress to tackle lower back pain, there are other Saatva models worth considering – the lead tester in our Saatva Loom & Leaf review experienced a marked improvement in her lower back pain after sleeping on that mattress, and the Saatva RX is specifically designed for to tackle this issue.)

Next up is a layer of 884 individual pocket coils crafted from 14.5-gauge recycled steel, and firmer in the central third, again to support the sleeper's lumbar. That sits on top of a base unit, also made of coils. These are continuous coils rather than pocket coils, which could contribute to the marginally higher levels of motion transfer I found with this mattress (more on that in the Performance section). The base coils are wrapped in a foam encasement to boost edge support and prevent sagging. It also means you can't feel the coils through the edge of the mattress, which always feels a bit more luxe.

Note, there's much less foam here than you'll find in many of today's best hybrid mattresses – the design is mostly coils, so expect a bouncier feel, with less of a sink-in sensation. The Saatva Classic is available in all the usual sizes (it features in TechRadar's best king size mattress guide), including a couple of split options.

Overall, the feel is premium. The design uses high-end materials and the build quality is impeccable, and all the materials feel high-end. Obviously, it's hard to make definitive calls on durability after just a few weeks of testing, but this mattress certainly feels built to last. I expect it to stand up to years of use, proving to be a good investment for the long-term. 

• Design score: 5 out of 5

Saatva Classic review: Price & value for money

• Sits in the premium price bracket, even with regular discounts
• Look out for a $400 off deal – usually delivers the cheapest prices
• Quality of materials and service mean it's well worth the investment

The Saatva Classic mattress is a luxury innerspring hybrid and therefore costs more than the average hybrid. There's usually a Saatva mattress sale or deal available (Saatva coupons are rare), but even with discounts, it always sits in the premium price bracket. As with many bed brands, the price has crept up a bit over 2023. 

I feel that it's well-priced for the build quality and materials used, the level of customization you get in terms of firmness and height, and the overall customer service. You'd pay a lot more for a handcrafted bed of this quality in store, and it's far cheaper than the luxury models from the likes of Purple, Tempur-Pedic and even Casper. 

A queen-size Saatva Classic currently retails for $1,995, but for most of 2023 it has been discounted to $1,695. Bigger discounts than that are rare, but TechRadar does sometimes have a semi-exclusive deal that knocks $400 off MSRP, which is well worth taking advantage of. Here's the official 2023 pricing for the Saatva Classic mattress: 

• Twin: MSRP $1,095
• Twin XL: MSRP $1,395
• Full: MSRP $1,895
• Queen: MSRP $1,995
• King: MSRP $2,495
• Split king: MSRP $2,790
• Cal king: MSRP $2,495
• Split Cal king: MSRP $2,790

Your best bet for the lowest prices are the Black Friday mattress deals at the end of November, but it's also worth keeping an eye out in the Labor Day mattress sales in September, the Presidents' Day mattress sales in February, the Memorial Day mattress sales and the 4th of July mattress sales.

If the Saatva is out of your budget, it's worth checking out the DreamCloud. As you'll learn in our DreamCloud mattress review, this hybrid delivers a surprisingly high-end feel for a mid-range price. (See exactly how the two compare: Saatva Classic vs DreamCloud mattress.)

• Value score: 4.5 out of 5

Saatva Classic mattress review: Comfort & support

• Choose between Plush Soft (3/10), Luxury Firm (5-7) or Firm (8 – reviewed)
• Comfortable cushioning rather than a sink-in memory foam feel
• Excellent lumbar support for back and side sleepers 

The design of the Saatva Classic is very spring-focused and contains relatively little foam (there's only that bit in the central third, and the foam rails around the edges). The quilted pillow-top provides some comfortable cushioning, and the overall feel is more traditional, responsive, and bouncy. Don't expect a the deep, sink-in sensation associated with classic memory foam – something like the Helix Midnight or the Tempur-Adapt is a better choice if you're looking for that.

There are three different firmness options to choose from, and I'll get into who should buy which one below, but for the moment, let's focus on the Firm version, which is the version slept on for my review. 

Fear not – 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. When I placed a 50lb kettlebell weight in the middle of the Saatva Classic to test for pressure point relief, the sinkage was 1.5 inches, which is minimal.

During my review testing I found the Saatva Classic delivered excellent lumbar support, cradling the spine, hips, shoulders and knees well. I was comfortable in all positions while sleeping and relaxing. Overall I 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. (It ranks highly in TechRadar's best firm mattress guide.)

However, your mileage may vary, and the Firm option won't be perfect for everyone. Here's a closer look at the different options, and who they might suit:

The Plush Soft option has extra padding in the pillow top, and is recommended for lightweight people who don't sleep well on a firm bed, as those side sleepers who enjoy more of a contouring hug. 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. 

As a rule, the best mattresses for side sleepers tend to be on the softer side, to allow the shoulder and hip to sink into the mattress surface a little preventing pressure from building up while still ensuring the spine is properly aligned. But we'd still usually recommend a minimum firmness of around five out of 10, for all but the lightest weight side sleepers. 

Back and stomach sleepers should opt for something firmer, and usually need a firmness of seven or above to ensure the hips don't drop too far into the mattress, leaving the spine poorly supported. However, you should also factor in body weight (the heavier you are, the firmer the mattress you need) and, of course, personal preference. 

Mattress firmness is subjective and a number of different factors play into how comfortable you will find the Saatva Classic. That's why, in addition to conducting our own review, we also analyze other customer reviews to see what customers think of it too.

Saatva Classic mattress review: Performance

• Good motion isolation, but not as complete as memory foam mattress
• Excellent temperature – no issues with overheating
• Edge support is fantastic

As well as comfort and support, there are other factors that play into how comfortable a person will find a mattress. This section focuses on three of these factors: motion isolation, temperature regulation and edge support.

Motion isolation 

Motion isolation refers to how well a mattress absorbs movements. I share a bed, and while sleeping on the firm feel Saatva Classic, I barely noticed my partner moving in bed next to me. However, don't expect complete motion isolation – I have seen user reviews that say there is some movement on softer versions of the Classic, in particular. 

To simulate motion isolation outside of actually testing it with two people on the mattress, I 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 I 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 my real-life experience. 

That's a surprisingly strong result, given that mattresses with a higher proportion of springs (like this one) tend to suffer from more motion transfer. I'd say the Saatva Classic will be suitable for most bed-sharers, although if you're a very light sleeper and need total stillness, you might be better off shopping amongst the best memory foam mattresses – these typically deaden movement most effectively.

• Motion isolation score: 4 out of 5

Temperature regulation 

One member of my 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 allow air to travel more easily through the mattress, boosting breathability and dispersing body heat. I found that this mattress remained cool to the touch throughout the night.

During my review, I 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. 

• Temperature regulation score: 4.5 out of 5

Edge support 

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 I felt as though I might roll right off while sleeping. 

To go the extra mile, I placed my 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, my 50lb dog can sit quite comfortably right on the edge of this mattress. 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.

• Edge support score: 5 out of 5

Saatva Classic mattress review: Customer service

• Free white glove delivery to bedroom, option free old mattress delivery
• Delivered flat rather, so some maneuvering room required
• 365 day trial and forever warranty

Saatva offers the most comprehensive delivery service of any mattresses I've come across. White glove delivery is included as standard, for free, including setup in your room of choice. That's helpful because unlike many modern mattresses, this is not a bed-in-a-box – it's delivered flat, rather than vacuum-packed and rolled. So you will need some maneuvering room, but you won't need to do the maneuvering yourself. The higher proportions of springs means this mattress is also pretty heavy. 

My test model arrived via two delivery personnel, who carried it in and set it up in my bedroom. They also unwrapped the plastic covering the Classic, then placed the mattress on my bed frame.

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 for free if you need them to. This is the only bed brand I know of to include old mattress removal for free, though do note Saatva won't remove it if it's stained.

Some new mattresses produce a very noticeable smell and is part of the off-gassing process for some types of mattresses, especially memory foam. There is no off-gassing process with the Saatva Classic since it's a hybrid innerspring and coil model, and I didn't notice any new mattress or plastic smell from the Classic when it was delivered, or within the first few hours or days after delivery.

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. That fee is fairly unusual, and one of the few things I have to complain about regarding the Saatva customer service offering  as impressed with during my review.

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.

• Customer service score: 5 out of 5

Saatva Classic mattress review: Specs

Saatva Classic mattress review: Other reviews

In order to give you a comprehensive overview of what the Saatva Classic mattress is like to sleep on, I have also analyzed the available user reviews published on the brand's website. Saatva doesn't sell its range at any third party retailers so I can't include reviews from elsewhere. 

There are over 3,200 reviews of the Classic on the Saatva site (Nov 2023), most of which are positive and give the Classic an average 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 praise the Saatva Classic for back pain relief, and how it's supportive and comfortable for all sleeping positions. There's also plenty of praise for customer service. 

Of the negative reviews I came across, 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 the issue.

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?

Buy it if...

✅ You want a luxurious mattress: The Saatva Classic is the closest thing you can get to a hotel mattress in your own home. The high-end styling, pillowy cushion top  and high build quality, deliver a luxurious feel, and the taller of the two options is particularly sumptuous. 

✅ You're happy to invest in a mattress that will last: The Saatva is a premium priced mattress, and I think the quality is well worth the price. A year-long trial and forever warranty give added peace of mind. 

✅ You suffer from back pain: The design has several features specifically geared towards keeping your back aligned and lumbar supported. The ability to choose your firmness also means you can pick the perfect option for your body type and sleep style.

✅ You don't want to deal with setup: Saatva offers the most comprehensive delivery service I've come across, with white glove delivery included as standard. You won't have to deal with lugging any boxes anywhere, disposing of packaging, or even getting rid of your old mattress. 

Don't buy it if...

❌ You want a memory foam hug: The Saatva Classic has a bit of memory foam, but the overall feel is bouncy and responsive. If you're seeking that quicksand feel, something like a Tempur-Pedic  is a better choice.

❌ You're on a lower budget: Not everyone can stretch a premium mattress. A much lower-priced alternative that hits some of the same marks is the DreamCloud mattress. You'll only have one firmness option, though. There's never not a DreamCloud deal on, and prices typically sit in the lower-mid or mid-range brackets.

❌ You're very short on space: Because Classic is delivered flat, you will need enough room for the delivery people to physically get it into place – those with tight corners or cramped elevators to negotiate, beware. 

• First reviewed: February 2022