2021 Mattress Reviews & Comparison


The mattress market is inundated with options. It can be a struggle to even decide between two brands.

How do you know whether it’s a good idea to go with a shiny new company instead of one that’s been around for years? Sleep Number is a well-known brand that’s been around since the ’80s. Saatva is a little newer, having entered the mattress market in 2010.

If you’re trying to pick between these two brands, your best bet is to narrow down your priorities and specific needs. We’re here to help you sort through the clutter of information.

Below, we outline the differences — and similarities — between the two brands to simplify your shopping experience.

Here’s a quick comparison of the two brands:

Saatva

  • Known for: Their line of mattresses containing eco-friendly materials and mattresses that are good for back pain relief
  • Mattress types: Hybrid, foam, and adjustable air
  • Available sizes: Most models are available in twin to split California king
  • Price range: $699–$4,095
  • Certifications: Mattresses contain OEKO-TEX and CertiPUR-US certified foam
  • Trial and warranty: 180-night sleep trial and a 15-year warranty
Healthline

Sleep Number

  • Known for: Their lineup of smart adjustable air beds with high-tech features
  • Mattress types: Adjustable air
  • Available sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, split king, FlexTop king, California king, FlexTop California king, split California king
  • Price range: $999–$5,099
  • Certifications: Listed on the CertiPUR-US website, but they don’t mention being certified on the brand’s website
  • Trial and warranty: 100-night risk-free trial and a 15-year limited warranty
Healthline

Pricing guide

To help give you an idea of how these mattresses compare in terms of pricing, the mattresses below will be marked with one of the following, based on a queen-size mattress:

  • $ = under $1,500
  • $$ = $1,500–$2,000
  • $$$ = over $2,000

Saatva Classic Mattress

Saatva Classic Mattress
  • Price: $
  • Type: Hybrid
  • Height: 11.5 or 14.5 inches
  • Firmness: Plush soft, luxury firm, and firm
  • Good for: Depends on the selected firmness

The Classic Mattress was Saatva’s first release, and it remains one of their most popular entry-level options. It contains a blend of supportive coils, eco-friendly foams, and a plush pillow top.

While some people report that the mattress falls on the firm side, most reviewers say it’s incredibly comfortable. Customers also say it does a good job of regulating body temperature throughout the night.

Buy the Saatva Classic Mattress online.

Saatva Latex Hybrid Mattress

Saatva Latex Hybrid Mattress
  • Price: $$
  • Type: Hybrid
  • Height: 13 inches
  • Firmness: Medium firm
  • Good for: All sleeping positions (particularly side sleepers)

The Latex Hybrid is an organic mattress that features individually wrapped coils at its core and a layer of natural latex foam for added comfort.

Individually wrapped coils aren’t interconnected, so they’re ideal for limiting motion transfer and providing more targeted support.

We couldn’t locate any reviews for this model on the Saatva website. Still, reviewers on Healthline’s sister site, My Slumber Yard, say the organic mattress is supportive. They also say it has excellent edge support, which means you won’t feel like you’re falling off the bed if you’re close to the edge.

This mattress is also an ideal pick for those who dislike memory foam since this option contains more responsive (and eco-friendly) Talalay latex.

Buy the Saatva Latex Hybrid Mattress online.

Saatva Loom & Leaf Mattress

Saatva Loom & Leaf Mattress
  • Price: $$
  • Type: Gel and memory foam
  • Height: 12 inches
  • Firmness: Relaxed firm and firm
  • Good for: People wanting a more eco-friendly memory foam mattress

The Loom & Leaf Mattress is Saatva’s only all-foam option. The company says its thick construction and high-density foam make it more durable than other memory foam models. There’s also a top layer of gel foam, which is known to help regulate body temperature.

Reviewers love the feel of this memory foam mattress and say it delivers excellent pressure relief. They also agree that the Loom & Leaf has great edge support and a responsive foam that sleeps cool.

Buy the Saatva Loom & Leaf Mattress online.

Saatva Solaire

Saatva Solaire
  • Price: $$$
  • Type: Air bed with latex and memory foam
  • Height: 13 inches
  • Firmness: Adjustable
  • Good for: Couples with different sleeping preferences

This highly adjustable air bed allows you to select from 50 firmness options. Queen and king size mattresses have dual air chambers, meaning couples can control their firmness settings separately.

You can also purchase the “UpperFlex” version of the mattress that allows you and your partner to raise and lower your heads independently with an adjustable base.

The mattress has a Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified organic pillow top and a layer of Talalay latex, which is a cooler and bouncier alternative to memory foam. It also features a layer of gel-infused memory foam.

Reviews of the Solaire are overwhelmingly positive. Some people even credit the mattress for helping them with pain relief.

Buy the Saatva Solaire online.

Sleep Number Classic Series

  • Price: $
  • Type: Adjustable air bed
  • Height: 8–9 inches
  • Firmness: Adjustable
  • Good for: People looking for an affordable adjustable air bed

There are two mattresses in the Classic Series: the c2 Smart Bed and the c4 Smart Bed. The two mattresses are almost identical, except the c4 is an inch thicker than the c2. These mattresses are the thinnest in the Sleep Number lineup.

Most reviewers describe this mattress line as soft and comfortable, and they appreciate the customizability. They also say the mattresses help improve their sleep quality.

However, some customers say these mattresses are akin to a cheap camping bed and that the air pump is noisy. A few reviewers recommend adding a thick mattress topper to help add comfort.

Others complain about defects and malfunctions, like air leakage and dips in the middle of the bed. A few reviewers also note a powerful off-gassing smell upon arrival.

Buy the Sleep Number 360 c2 Smart Bed online.

Buy the Sleep Number 360 c4 Smart Bed online.

Sleep Number Performance Series

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: Adjustable air bed
  • Height: 10–11 inches
  • Firmness: Adjustable
  • Good for: People seeking pressure relief and people who sleep hot

The Performance Series has three total mattresses: the p5, p6, and pSE (special edition) Smart Beds.

These mattresses are thicker than the mattresses in the Classic Series because they have a thicker foam layer intended to provide better pressure relief.

The p6 is the thickest of the three, but this plush feel comes with a premium price tag. The p6 and pSE also have added cooling features that the p5 doesn’t have.

Many reviewers report having a better night’s sleep on these mattresses. Some people even say they have less back pain after getting their new mattress, but several customers say the mattress made matters worse. Like the Classic Series, some reviewers say they had to add a mattress topper to get comfortable.

A handful of reviewers remain unimpressed with the smart technology, saying the pump system is loud and functions poorly. There are also multiple complaints from people who had air pumps malfunction.

Buy the Sleep Number 360 p5 Smart Bed online.

Buy the Sleep Number 360 p6 Smart Bed online.

Buy the Sleep Number 360 pSE Smart Bed online.

Sleep Number Innovation Series

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: Adjustable air bed
  • Height: 12–13 inches
  • Firmness: Adjustable
  • Good for: People seeking pressure relief and people who sleep hot

The Innovation Series has three total mattresses: the i8, i10, and iLE (limited edition) Smart Beds.

This series features the brand’s thickest mattresses. They have a total of 6–7 inches of foam, designed to provide even more pressure relief than the Performance Series mattresses.

The i8 and i10 feature breathable fabric that’s supposed to help you sleep cool. The iLE doesn’t have this cooling layer, but it does have temperature regulating materials.

Many reviewers say these mattresses are comfortable, but quite a few also complain that the pressure relief isn’t particularly impressive. Some reviewers also report having issues with the smart features and companion app.

Buy the Sleep Number 360 i8 Smart Bed online.

Buy the Sleep Number 360 i10 Smart Bed online.

Buy the Sleep Number 360 iLE Smart Bed online.

Each brand has varying elements to consider:

Price point

Both brands offer mattresses at varying price points and have similarly priced entry-level models.

Sleep Number’s more expensive mattresses have bonus features, like added pressure relief and cooling. But, the materials used, thickness of each mattress, and adjustability technology don’t differ much between models.

For Saatva, the more expensive mattresses are notably different than the affordable options. You’ll pay much less for the Classic Mattress (which is a hybrid) than you will for the Solaire (which is adjustable).

We’d recommend first focusing on which type of mattress you want to help determine your preferred price point. If you definitely want an adjustable air bed, for example, Sleep Number’s Classic Series is a cheaper alternative to the Saatva Solaire.

Type

All of Sleep Number’s smart beds are adjustable air beds, so there’s not much in the realm of choice. Saatva, on the other hand, has more varied offerings, including a foam, hybrid, and adjustable air mattress.

So, which type is right for you?

A bed with adjustable air chambers is highly customizable. Air beds are also a great pick for couples who prefer different firmness levels. There’s also research that suggests adjustable air beds may help people with back pain.

Foam mattresses provide excellent pressure relief and motion isolation, but some people don’t love the “sinking in” feeling some foam mattresses have. They can also trap heat depending on the type of foam used.

A hybrid mattress features layers of foam (or a pillow top) for comfort with the added support of an innerspring core. Hybrid mattresses are good for all body types and tend to be more durable (and more expensive) than foam mattresses.

Firmness

Everyone has different mattress firmness preferences. But research suggests that a medium-firm mattress is likely to be comfortable for most sleepers.

Having the ability to adjust the firmness yourself is also a plus. An adjustable mattress, like one from Sleep Number or Saatva, allows you to pick your perfect firmness level. But, if an adjustable model isn’t in your budget, most of Saatva’s offerings are available in multiple firmness options.

Materials

While air beds have adjustable air chambers to alter firmness, they also feature comfort layers that are usually made of foam. Varying types of foam can have a different feel. The thicker the layer, the plusher it feels. Sleep Number’s air beds have a single comfort layer, while the Saatva Solaire has two.

If you’re not keen on memory foam, Saatva has a mattress that uses latex foam. Latex foam is known for having a little more bounce, trapping less heat, and being more eco-friendly.

Here’s how the delivery services for Saatva and Sleep Number compare.

Saatva

Unlike Sleep Number, Saatva offers free white-glove delivery, including setup and removal of your old mattress.

Sleep Number

A Sleep Number air bed will need to be set up by someone upon arrival. While current procedures may vary because of the COVID-19 pandemic, delivery typically costs $199 and includes setup. Those in Alaska or Hawaii have to pay additional delivery fees.

We recommend checking out Sleep Number’s checklist to help you prepare for mattress delivery.

Here’s how the company policies compare.

Saatva

At 180 nights, Saatva has a lengthier trial period than Sleep Number. They also have a 15-year limited warranty.

If you decide to return your mattress, you’ll have to pay $99 to cover transportation.

Sleep Number

You’ll have 100 nights to try out your new Sleep Number mattress. However, you can’t initiate a return or exchange until you’ve tried it for at least 30 days. Returns and exchanges also come with additional fees from $199 to $249.

Sleep Number offers a 15-year limited warranty with a prorated system for repairs. This means the warranty coverage reduces over time. The warranty starts a year after your purchase.

Here’s an overview of each brand’s certifications.

Saatva

Saatva foams are CertiPUR-US certified. Additionally, Saatva mattresses have a seal of approval from the American Chiropractic Association. Some of Saatva mattresses also contain certified organic materials.

Sleep Number

Like Saatva, Sleep Number foams are CertiPUR-US certified.

Here’s a comparison of brand reputation and transparency for Saatva and Sleep Number.

Saatva

Saatva has a good reputation based on the following criteria:

  • The company is BBB accredited and has an A+ rating, with an average rating of 4.83 out of 5. Saatva has responded to most of the complaints to the satisfaction of the customer, and 88 out of 99 complaints have been closed.
  • Saatva has no product recalls and no recent lawsuits concerning their business practices.

Information about where Saatva’s mattresses are made and what they’re made of is easily accessible on Saatva’s website.

Saatva handcrafts and manufactures its mattresses in the United States. Additionally, each mattress model has a detailed FAQ page.

Sleep Number

Sleep Number has a decent reputation based on the following criteria:

  • The brand has a respectable Better Business Bureau (BBB) A+ rating. They’re also accredited by the BBB and have an average customer review rating of 4.54 out of 5. They’ve also responded to most of the complaints logged on the website.
  • They’ve had no recent mattress recalls. However, we did find a foot-warming accessory recall for 360 beds.
  • In a 2015 lawsuit, customers claimed that Sleep Number didn’t honor their warranty when a bed stopped working. In 2018, the case was vacated and remanded.

Unlike Saatva, company’s website contains limited information about mattress construction and manufacturing.

A note on Sleep Number health claims

All Sleep Number smart beds have built-in SleepIQ technology. The company claims that this technology can give you insight into your sleep using biometrics, like heart rate and breathing.

We know sleep tracking technology can be exciting for tech savvy sleepers, but some companies make claims that their technology can improve your sleep or overall health. These claims are often hard or impossible to validate.

We always recommend picking a mattress based on the mattress itself rather than any sleep tracking technology that comes with it. If you’re having trouble sleeping, talk with your doctor about potential solutions before making your big mattress purchase.

Healthline

Saatva

Sure, they’re a newer company, but Saatva still has a slew of glowing reviews and far fewer customer complaints than Sleep Number.

Most reviewers with negative things to say about their Saatva mattress aren’t entirely happy with the firmness level. Many say the mattresses are firmer than they expected. A few reviewers also mention less-than-stellar delivery experiences.

Sleep Number

Customer reviews for Sleep Number mattresses are generally positive. However, there are a few common complaints about the air beds that crop up repeatedly, including:

  • dipping in the middle
  • unevenness and sagging
  • deflating
  • durability issues, including premature breakdowns
  • customer service issues

Because Saatva and Sleep Number have such different mattress offerings, your first step will be figuring out what type of mattress you want: adjustable air, hybrid, or foam.

If you’re looking for a hybrid or all-foam option, Saatva is your best bet. But if you’re looking for an adjustable air mattress, you’ll need to decide your comfortable price point. You’ll also want to dig into each company’s reviews, reputation, and policies to determine which mattress is right for you.


Steph Coelho is a freelance writer with chronic migraine who has a particular interest in health and wellness. When she’s not click-clacking away on her keyboard, she’s probably nose-deep in a good book.

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