Photography: Julia Forbes
Based on the advertised deep contour and pressure-relieving AirCradle foam, I expected the pressure relief to be a standout feature, but it wasn’t. That’s not to say that pressure relief was absent in testing, but it was minimal compared to that of firmer hybrid mattresses I’ve tested, like the Hybrid DreamCloud or the Wolf Firm Premium Hybrid Memory Foam. Which brings me to the firmness: according to my measurements, this was not an “average” mattress. Saatva rates this mattress between 5 and 7 on the firmness scale, so it falls into the medium-firm range. Unless you weigh more than 200 pounds or have a larger figure, your body mass would cause more sagging. It felt like a true firm mattress, which I would rate between 7.5 and 8 out of 10. For context, the firmer hybrid mattresses we tested, like the Firm Luxe Board And Hybrid Elite Bearare between 8 and 10 on the firmness scale.
Let’s be clear, a firm mattress is not a bad thing at all. The light padding on my pressure points, especially my hips, was perfect for the back and stomach sleepers. Paired with the spinal alignment support you get from this mattress, this is a excellent choice for these two sleeping positions. Side sleepers, I hesitate a lot more. During my two-week testing period, I also tried this mattress with Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Mattress Topper, what was included in the winter package. This helped significantly in creating more cushion to sink into. The downside is that it is not included with the mattress and costs extra. Athletes will have this available to them in Colorado Springs, but I can’t help but wonder if, for LA28, it might have been more strategic to opt for the Saatva Classic mattress, with its three customizable firmness levels and two heights. However, I can’t even begin to consider the logistical headache this would entail; I’m just a humble mattress tester.
The Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid did a good job of maintaining a bouncy feel that supported me as I moved between sleeping positions. It also maintained good motion isolation, keeping the bed stable so my husband wasn’t disturbed on his side when I tossed and turned. I wouldn’t call this a cooling mattress, even with the graphite-infused topper. It remained more temperature neutral, not accumulating excess body heat, but it also didn’t feel cool to the touch.
Personal file
Photography: Julia Forbes
Overall, this is a high-quality offering from Saatva, and based on my testing history with the brand, I expected nothing less. It also comes with Saatva’s free white glove delivery service, which includes delivery, mattress installation, and transport of your old mattress. As someone who transports beds every week, this is part of your purchase is a pretty big deal. Add in a 365-night sleep trial with no minimum “break-in” period, plus a lifetime warranty offered by Saatva, and you’ll probably start to understand why I’ve always considered this brand one of the best in the game: they know what they’re doing.
