Tired of tossing, turning, and slowly sinking into the center of my too-soft foam mattress, I finally admitted it: My beloved bed-in-a-box had let me down. What started as a cozy, conveniently quick-shopping dream turned into an overheated and painful (for my hips and back, especially) nightmare. So when my partner and I decided to upgrade from a queen to a king, I saw it as my opportunity to right past wrongs. I dove headfirst into mattress research — spreadsheets, pros and cons lists, the whole nine yards. I wanted something supportive, breathable, and built to last. After weeks of digging, I landed on the Saatva Classic innerspring mattress. Here’s how it held up after more than 100 nights.
A quick look
- Best for: All types of sleepers; couples who have different mattress preferences
- Firmness: 5-7 out of 10; “luxury firm.” Also available in 3 out of 10 plush soft and 8 out of 10 firm.
- Price Range: $1,199-$2,698 (Queen: $1,799)
- Trial and Warranty: 365-day trial, lifetime warranty
- Shipping: Free in-room delivery and setup; free old mattress removal
As I did my research, I compiled the pros and cons based on the website’s description and other reviews I’d read. Hopefully, they help you skip a few steps.
Pros:
- Back and joint pain reduction
- Made for all kinds of sleepers
- Ideal for couples with different firmness levels
- Eight sizes (from twin to California king)
- Two different height options (11.5 inches or 14.5 inches)
- Three firmness options (plush soft, luxury firm, and firm)
- Made from CertiPUR-US certified materials and constructed in the U.S.
- Lifetime warranty and one-year sleep trial
- Free delivery and set-up with free old mattress disposal
Cons:
- More expensive (but also more luxurious)
- May be too firm for some side sleepers or those who are lighter in weight
- Delivery can take up to two weeks
- Must be home for delivery and setup
- Motion absorption isn’t as intense as that in all-foam mattresses
Design and materials
With ample support throughout the entire bed, the Saatva Classic is designed to satisfy all kinds of sleepers thanks to its construction of five distinct layers. Some side sleepers might find it too firm, but we did not. (More on that later.) The plush top offers a body-contouring layer, while cooling foam below it regulates temperature and bolsters the center of your body. While foam mattresses are king for motion absorption, Saatva is up for the challenge. There are hundreds of individually wrapped recycled steel coils inside to help isolate movement and prevent you from feeling anyone else’s tosses and turns. The coils are firmer in the center of the bed, where the bulk of your body weight lies. Beneath the first layer of coils, there’s another layer of larger, stiffer coils that help with airflow and serve as a sturdy base.
My honest review of the Saatva Classic mattress
My boyfriend and I are polar opposites when it comes to how we sleep, so finding that Goldilocks mattress for us has been a years-long endeavor. As a hot sleeper, I really appreciate the airflow that the cotton cover and double-coil system of the Classic provide. Instead of waking up drenched in sweat, sometimes I actually need to grab another blanket. I usually sleep on my side and stomach, and no matter how I position myself, I no longer wake up with nagging pain in my hips or back (like I have on other mattresses).
My boyfriend, however, sleeps on his back and side. He said this is the first mattress that has ever made a noticeable difference in his sleep. We previously upgraded his 30-plus-year-old mattress to an all-foam model, and he didn’t feel any changes, so the fact that he noticed an improvement with the Saatva Classic is a huge endorsement.
He also tends to wake up earlier than I do, but I never notice him getting out of bed anymore, thanks to the Classic’s motion isolation. On nights when my legs are restless, I can get up and walk laps around the house and crawl back into bed later, all without him even realizing I left.
Even our dogs try to commandeer our bed during the day, which wasn’t the case with our old mattress. At night, it’s a serious struggle to get them to go to their own beds, but sometimes we cave and let them enjoy the extra plush sleep.
Why you should try a Saatva mattress right now
We’ve secured an exclusive discount of up to $400 off mattresses of $1,000 or more for KCM readers for Memorial Day weekend only — no code needed, just use our link. If you’ve been dreaming of a mattress that doesn’t leave your joints begging for mercy every morning, Saatva is the way to go.
Shop more Saatva mattresses below
Best for Adjustable Bases: Contour5
Saatva
It can be hard to find a comfortable mattress that fits an adjustable bed base, but the Contour5 model fits both Saatva and non-Saatva bases (except for the split king model, which must be paired with a Saatva base). If you’ve been wanting to swap your mattress for something more supportive or entirely memory foam, this is for you. It comes in medium-firm or firm options, and the all-foam construction actually helps reduce allergens like dust mites, leading to an environment that’s more hypoallergenic than a traditional mattresses.
Best for Cooling: Zenhaven
Saatva
Natural latex can be more cooling than memory foam or spring mattresses when it’s poked full of tiny vent holes that increase airflow, like the Zenhaven. This model is specifically made for hot sleepers, as wool and cotton top layers pull heat away from the body, while the perforated foam layer helps dissipate it. This is also a dual-sided model, so it can be flipped over should you ever want a firmer or softer feel over time. Latex offers a cloud-like feel that reduces pressure points, and it’s recommended for all kinds of sleepers.
Best for Joint Paint: Rx
Saatva
Made with two more layers than the Classic, the Rx is celebrated by those with joint pain. Justine Carreon, our team’s affiliate content manager, struggles with arthritis in her hip and knees and found this mattress to finally give her some relief. “I didn’t even realize my hips weren’t being supported properly until I slept on this Saatva mattress. After years of sleeping with pillows awkwardly stuffed under my knees, I am finally waking up without painful spasms.”
