Saatva Classic Mattress review: A luxurious innerspring with zoned support and a lengthy sleep trial

When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

Your weight isn't evenly distributed across your body, so why should a mattress offer the same feel from your head to your toes? Zoned support is crucial for optimal comfort when looking for the best mattress. The zoned support of the Saatva Classic Mattress provides pressure-point relief around the hips and shoulders and firmer foam in certain areas to keep your spine aligned.

The Saatva Classic has three comfort levels: Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, or Firm, and it's available in two heights, 11.5 and 14.5 inches. I tested Luxury Firm. It's made of eco-friendly materials and has impressive edge support and heat dissipation properties. Saatva offers free in-home setup and old mattress removal, a yearlong sleep trial, and a lifetime warranty on its mattresses. 

As a sleep reporter for Business Insider, I've tested more than 90 mattresses in the last 5 years. Based on my experience, I recommend the Saatva Classic in Luxury Firm for back sleepers, stomach sleepers, and couples. Read on to learn why.

Design and specs

Saatva mattresses are made to order in the US and use eco-friendly materials wherever possible, including organic cotton, recycled steel coils, CertiPUR-US foams (meaning it's made without ozone depleters, formaldehyde, heavy metals, and other harmful materials), and flame-retardant barrier made from natural thistle pulp.

The Saatva Classic Mattress has a unique dual-coil design with zoned support and pressure-point relief. The 3-inch Euro pillow top is made of organic cotton for a cooler feel and a layer of  CertiPUR-US memory foam that is firmer in the middle third for better back support. The pocket coils below are also firmer in the middle and designed to contour to your body. Next, the base coil layer helps with durability and airflow. High-density foam borders the springs for superior edge support. 

The bed's heights, available in 11.5- and 14.5 inches, are truly cosmetic and have no difference in feel. The 14-inch design does have handles to make moving the bed a little easier.  However, only the 11.5-inch mattress is compatible with adjustable bases, should you decide to use one. 

Our review of the Saatva Classic Mattress

Delivery

I was surprised when Saatva told me delivery people would set up the Classic Mattress. Free white-glove delivery is almost unheard of with beds at this price point. They also remove your old mattress and foundation for free.

The delivery people called to schedule a time for delivery and arrived on time. They delivered two mattresses, and it took 10 minutes to complete the setup. I was impressed.

Comfort

When purchasing the mattress, you can pick from three comfort options: Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, or Firm. I tested Luxury Firm, which was firmer than I preferred when lying on my side. Yet, it felt much better on my back and stomach and kept my spine aligned. Senior home editor Jaclyn Turner also spent more than a year sleeping on the Saatva Classic mattress as a back sleeper also appreciated its gentle firm support with just the right amount of cushion, thanks to the euro-top. It reminds her of a hotel-style bed. 

Edge Support

In addition to sleeping on mattresses for 14 nights, I put every bed through several objective tests. I test edge support by sitting on the side and using a ruler to measure how much it sinks. On average, mattresses sink about 3.5 inches. The Saatva Classic Mattress only dropped 2 inches.

I lie on the edge and see how far I can roll before falling off. My body was virtually perpendicular to the bed before I tumbled. The Saatva Classic has the best edge support I've seen, making it great for effortlessly getting up in the morning and sleeping with a bed hog who almost pushes you off the mattress.

Heat Dissipation

Each morning, I used a laser thermometer to measure the surface temperature of the mattress when I awoke and again two minutes after getting up. Then, I compared the temperatures to determine how well it dissipated heat. The Saatva Classic isn't the best cooling mattress I've tested, but it's still an excellent option for hot sleepers.

Motion isolation

The motion isolation properties of the Saatva Classic are just so-so. I didn't feel others' movements too strongly when lying on the bed. But when I dropped a bowling ball so that it landed a foot from a soda can, the can fell over each time, suggesting the motion isolation was subpar. The bowling ball bounced significantly, which couples might appreciate for activities other than sleeping.

Trial and warranty

Many of the best mattress-in-a-box companies, including Casper and Leesa, offer a 100-night risk-free home trial. Saatva's trial is significantly longer: 365 nights. However, it isn't risk-free. Saatva deducts $99 from your refund if you return the mattress. Most top brands give you a full refund.

The Saatva Classic's lifetime warranty is also longer than the 10 years the top brands offer. The warranty features common stipulations. For instance, the bed must only be used on a solid surface or slats spaced less than 4 inches apart. 

During the first two years of the warranty, Saatva will replace the defective mattress with a brand-new one at no cost. After that, they will repair or re-cover the mattress for a fee. Or you can get a steeply discounted new mattress.

Cons to consider

As mentioned above, the Luxury Firm Saatva Classic will likely be too firm for most side sleepers. My hips and shoulders couldn't sink in enough for optimal spinal alignment. I'd recommend side sleepers try the Plush Soft comfort option instead. I also found the motion isolation properties average, and I don't love that there is a return fee if the mattress doesn't meet your expectations. Saatva cites that the return fee covers labor and gas. 

What are your alternatives? 

I'd recommend the Luxury Firm Saatva Classic to most back and stomach sleepers, especially if you sleep hot. Side sleepers might instead prefer the Plush Soft Saatva Classic, which I haven't tested yet. The best mattress for side sleepers I've tested is the WinkBeds EcoCloud mattress. 

The firmness, edge support, and bounce will appeal to couples, but due to the poor motion isolation, you may want to look elsewhere if you share a bed with someone who tosses and turn. The  Leesa Sapira Hybrid Mattress is one of my favorite mattresses for couples.

If the Saatva Classic isn't a good fit for your needs or budget, check out our best mattress guide for other options. 

The bottom line

While the Saatva Classic in Luxury Firm wasn't ideal for side sleepers, stomach and back sleepers will love it. I was impressed with the free white-glove delivery and mattress removal. And its heat dissipation properties kept me from overheating. If these features sound appealing and you're looking for a luxury experience at an affordable price, the Saatva Classic is the way to go.