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Saatva has quickly become known as one of the best online mattress companies to shop with. Today, I wanted to review one of their products, the Saatva Mattress Topper, and see if it’s worth the hype. I will give you the insider scope of how the initial unboxing went, as well as the pros and cons of this topper based on my years of experience in the mattress industry.
So, without further ado, let’s review the Saatva Mattress Topper and see how it works.
| Rating | Category |
|---|---|
| 9.5 | Off-gassing |
| 9.5 | Firmness |
| 10 | Edge support |
| 10 | Motion Transfer |
| 9.5 | Sinkage |
| 9 | Cooling |
| 9 | Response |
| 9 | Bounce |
| 10 | Topper Movements |
| 9 | Sex (Sinkage + Edge Support + Cooling + Topper Movement / 4) |
| 9.45 | Overall Score |
Read more about our criteria and how we test our toppers here. Our toppers are tested on a medium-firm mattress, which is typically the most popular type of firmness.
Saatva Mattress Topper Review: Construction and Design
To start our review, the Saatva Mattress Topper is made of 1.5 inches of high-density foam. I noticed the high-density foam felt firmer than the memory foam toppers I have tested previously, like the Ghostbed Topper.
Wrapping the topper is a breathable, moisture-wicking cover made of organic cotton. This is useful for drawing away moisture, and excess heat, which I noticed helps me feel cooler. The four bottom corners of the topper come with elastic straps to fasten to the mattress below. I liked how the corner straps were easily applied, and the topper was securely fastened to my mattress.
This differs slightly from the Puffy Mattress Topper, which we reviewed here. Instead of straps, the Puffy uses a stretch pocket and an anti-slip bottom, which works similarly and takes about the same time to set up.
The Ghostbed Topper, which we reviewed here, also uses stretch pockets. One key difference between the Saatva and Ghostbed is that the Ghostbed’s cover is removable, while the Saatva is non-removable and spot-clean only. If you like taking drinks to bed, considering a mattress protector may be worth it, in this case.
Unboxing and Off-Gassing of the Saatva Mattress Topper
During the initial unboxing, I noticed it took about 12 hours to expand fully. At this time, there was mild off-gassing. I had the topper in a well-ventilated room. However, it should be noted that off-gassing may take longer in an unventilated room.
In the first 2 hours, I found the topper was thick enough to be used. These expansion and off-gassing performances were faster than the Puffy, but not by much.
The Saatva was also faster than the Ghostbed by two times, as the Ghostbed took 24 hours to off-gas completely. I rate the unboxing and off-gassing of the Saatva Mattress at 9.5.
Saatva Topper Firmness
The Saatva Topper is made of high-density foam, which is meant to feel firmer than memory foam. However, density plays a role in the subjective feeling of how a topper feels while lying down. When testing the topper, I noticed moderate compressions while my body was well-supported, so I rated 6.5 on my firmness scale. This kind of firmness and support can help relieve tension in the back, and I felt I could count it among good mattress toppers for back pain.
In comparison, the Ghostbed felt softer at 6, while the Puffy felt a bit firmer at a 7.
Cooling of the Saatva Topper
The Saatva Topper uses a breathable cover, and high-density foam doesn’t conform as closely to the body or retain as much heat as memory foam. That makes Saatva a moderately cooling option, despite no dedicated cooling technology like the Ghostbed Topper. During our review, the Saatva Topper had a recorded temperature of 83.7 degrees Fahrenheit, cooling the mattress by 2.1 degrees.
I noticed Saatva cooled its mattress almost twice as much as the Puffy. However, the Saatva was outperformed by the Ghostbed by almost twice as much, mainly due to the Ghostbed’s cooling technology. Having said that, I was comfortable and free of night sweats while testing the Saatva Topper, earning a rating of 9.
Sinkage of the Saatva Topper
When measuring the sinkage of the Saatva Topper, I recorded about 2.03 inches, which is right in line with the Puffy at 2.02 inches. Even though both have similar sinkage, I felt more support on the Saatva, while the Puffy’s high-density memory foam compressed for effective weight re-distribution, giving it a slightly more firm feel than the Saatva. The Ghostbed had slightly more sinkage than the Saatva and Puffy, so I would say the Saatva certainly feels more firm than the Ghostbed Topper.
I would rate the Saatva’s sinkage at 9.5, as it does allow for compressions without conforming too closely to the body.
Also Read: Mattress Toppers to Soften Too Firm of Mattresses
Response
The Saatva had an excellent response from compressions. I measured a partial recovery after 0.46 seconds and a full recovery after 0.86 seconds. This is only 0.1 slower than the Puffy, making both toppers incredibly similar.
The Saatva was faster than the Ghostbed by 0.1 for its partial recovery and 0.3 seconds for its full recovery, which is still quite similar. I was unrestricted in my movement while lying on the mattress but still enjoyed moderately slow compressions, earning a rating of 9.
Bounce of the Saatva Topper
During my trial and error with the Saatva Topper, I noticed that the topper was moderately bouncy, as high-density foam’s firmness usually lends itself to be. When dropping a heavy bottle of water, I measured compressions at 2.5 inches, with its highest rebound at 6 inches for a total bounce of 8.5 inches. This is a high enough bounce to suit couples who need a responsive topper, earning a rating of 9.
Edge Support
When testing the edge support of the Saatva Topper, I noticed its firmness come into play quite well, firming up my mattress by 0.3 inches. The compression measured with the topper at the edge was 5 inches, firming the mattress 0.4 inches more than the Puffy and Ghostbed. That means The Saatva is an excellent option if you want to firm up the edges of your mattress.
I gave it a rating of 10 in this category, as I never felt like I would roll off due to the addition of the topper.
Motion Transfer
Regarding motion transfer, the Saatva Topper outperformed all previous toppers we have tested to date, which I was pleased with. When testing, I only noticed significant motion from the glass of water at a distance of 1.5 inches between the compression tests and the glass. That minimal space between the two means the topper absorbs shock rather well, earning it a rating of 10.
You can use the topper as a motion absorber, as this measurement means couples will feel fewer movements from their partner for less disturbed sleep.
Saatva Topper Performance for Sex
From my review, the Saatva Mattress Topper doesn’t have too much regarding sinkage, so I never felt stuck in the layers. Saatva has an average cooling ability but cools better than the Puffy.
The Saatva’s edge support is excellent, as it firms up the mattress instead of increasing sinkage, to create a more stable space. I also recorded no movement of the topper, so I don’t have to struggle with a loose topper when changing positions.
These factors together produce a rating of 9, making Saatva a good option for sex.
Topper Movements During Sleep
From my first-hand experience, the Saatva Topper performed excellently regarding topper movements during sleep. I detected no topper movements while sleeping or doing my intensive tossing, turning, and jumping tests. The topper stayed together with the mattress throughout the testing phase, earning a rating of 10.
This excellent rating is mainly due to the elastic bands the topper uses, as I noticed they were durable, well-made, and meant to wrap around a mattress firmly.
How It Feels for Different Types of Sleepers
The Saatva Mattress Topper will feel different depending on your sleeping habits and weight. Heavier sleepers will sink more deeply in the layers, while lighter sleepers will feel less pressure relief. Below I tested the topper in different sleeping positions and recorded my findings.
Side sleepers
Sleeping on my side was quite comfortable. The firmness of this topper is well-suited to all weight categories, as it's not firm enough to make lightweight sleepers feel uncomfortable. Heavier sleepers over 230 pounds who want a bit of hug will also find that the Saatva is firm enough to support them.
Also Read: Mattress Toppers Best Suited for Side Sleepers
Back sleepers
While sleeping on my back, I noticed it evenly distributed my weight, and my spine was straight. Both light-weight and average-weight sleepers under 230 pounds should feel excellent back support while sleeping on their back. Heavier sleepers over 230 pounds, however, may find that their hips sink too deeply in the layers, and won't have enough lift to prevent their spine from bending out of alignment.
Stomach sleepers
The high-density foam does an excellent job of keeping my hips lifted, so I was supported while lying on my stomach. Lightweight and average-weight stomach sleepers should feel comfortable and at ease while on their stomachs with the Saatva Topper. Heavier sleepers over 230 pounds may not feel supported enough for this to be a good option. Instead, heavier sleepers could look at other, more firming mattress toppers for stomach sleepers.
Sleeping Positions: Summary
| Sleeping Position | My experience |
|---|---|
| Side Sleepers | I felt a well-balanced cradling while on my side, so I think this would work for most side sleepers, depending on your preferences. |
| Back Sleepers | I was moderately supported with just enough sinkage to keep my hips and lumbar in alignment while providing firm cushioning. Overall, I felt rather comfortable on my back. |
| Stomach Sleepers | I was supported with my hips not sinking too deeply in the layers, keeping my spine comfortably neutral while sleeping. |
Also Read: Best Mattress Toppers for a Heavy Person
Other Important Information
There are several other important pieces of information regarding the Saatva Mattress Topper to complete our review, including its trial period, warranty, the fact that it’s made in the USA, and price.
The Saatva Mattress Topper offers a 180-night trial with its topper. This is higher than the Puffy and Ghostbed, as the Puffy offers a 101-night trial, and the Ghostbed offers no trial. So, if you were on the fence about trying out the topper, Saatva offers one of the longest trials on the market.
The Saatva Topper provides a 1-year limited warranty, covering any manufacturer defects that don’t include stains or other cosmetic discolorations. This is a massive difference compared to Puffy, which offers a lifetime warranty that covers similar defects. The Ghostbed Topper provides a 5-year warranty nearly identical to the Saatva, covering manufacturer defects in the first year at no cost. Still, in the subsequent years, you incur a steadily increasing prorated charge to replace the topper. Of these, the Puffy Topper’s warranty is the best.
The Saatva Mattress Topper is wholly made in the USA, which means it meets stricter industry guidelines. These guidelines include being free of toxins like volatile organic compounds and heavy metals like mercury or lead. This ensures the topper is safer to use in the short and long term. These stricter guidelines also lend themselves to the idea that the toper is more durable and will last longer due to the strict guidelines.
Regarding price, the Saatva Topper is moderately well-priced, making it affordable if you need a quick solution to firm up a mattress.
Summary
The Saatva Mattress Topper is an excellent topper for its firming high-density foam and its ability to support. I felt pretty comfortable lying on my back and stomach and only noticed mild pressure build-up while on my side, which may be some sleepers’ preference. For the price and offering some of the longest sleep trials I’ve seen in a topper, the Saatva Mattress Topper can satisfy most homes needing a firm, low-profile and comfortable topper.
Recommended For:
- Sleepers who want value for money. This topper will work if you want value in your topper, as this is a good middle-range topper that’s not very expensive but offers good value for its price.
- Couples. This topper offers a good mix of bounce, edge support, and motion isolation, allowing you to enjoy less disturbance from a partner’s tossing and turning while having freedom of movement across the bed’s width.
- Sleepers who want a firmer bed. High-density foam is typically firmer than memory foam, which is a good option if you prefer feeling ‘on’ a mattress instead of ‘in’ it like other memory foam toppers can sometimes feel.
Pros:
- Good value for money
- Excellent support for the spine and lumbar
- Able to keep you cooler throughout the night
- Longer than average on the market trial period length
Cons:
- Non-removable cover, which makes it challenging to clean
- Not as conforming to the body as memory foam toppers