Saatva Foam Mattress Topper review in a nutshell
The Saatva foam mattress topper will give your existing mattress a small but noticeable boost of comfort. (It only has a 1.5-inch profile.) We previously reviewed the graphite version and think it’s one of the best mattress toppers you can buy—you can read more about that in our Saatva Graphite Mattress Topper review. But how does the less expensive high-density foam model compare? After three weeks of sleeping on a double Saatva Foam Mattress Topper, here’s what we found out…
Specifications Saatva Foam Topper
internal: High density foam
cover: Organic cotton
Tapes: Yes
thickness: 1.5 in
Trial period: 180 nights
a guarantee: One year
MSRP: $195 – $390
It features a 1.5 inch high density foam layer wrapped in a breathable organic cotton cover. This lends it a medium-firm feel for a more subtle calm to your body. We found it excellent for sleeping on the side, especially since we paired it with a mattress that wasn’t suitable for this position. On the other hand, back and stomach sleepers may find that it does not provide enough support along the midsection.
Our lead tester did not wake up warm or sweaty, but we sooner recommend a suitable cooling blanket for those who are chronically hot sleepers. It’s a generally well-built top cover, but it did slip while sleeping, despite the corner straps. (The smooth surface of our mattress probably didn’t help either.) Meanwhile, the cover is prone to bunching in some areas, but will fade over time.
Twin retails for $195, MSRP for a queen is $295. It’s not discounted often, but you might find the rare deal when you shop for the best top-ranking deals. It comes with a 180-night trial, which is quite generous for a topper (and longer than we’ve seen included with some of the best mattresses), but the one-year warranty is minuscule for the price you’re paying.
However, as a low-cost way to bring signature Saatva comfort into your bedroom, it’s certainly an attractive option for side sleepers who don’t need to completely overhaul the feel of their existing mattress. Read on for our full Saatva Foam Mattress Topper review…
Saatva Foam Mattress Topper review: Materials and design
- 1.5 inch layer of high density foam
- Organic cotton cover has corner straps
- The cover is clean only
The Saatva Foam mattress topper consists of a 1.5-inch high-density foam core with an organic cotton cover. Saatva designed this medium firm topper to add pressure relief and cushioning to an existing mattress. Side sleepers in particular should handle it just fine, though the brand says it fits any position.
There are elastic straps at each corner to keep the top in place, but they are not adjustable. While the cover is removable, it is not machine washable. In the event of a stain or spill, you can clean the top area and air dry it.
Learn how to clean your mattress topper so it stays fresh every night. You’ll also want to wrap it in one of the best mattress protectors to help it last longer.
Saatva Foam Mattress Topper review: Prices and deals
- Top mid-range, from $195
- Rarely on sale, except for a rare 12% discount.
- A generous 180-night trial, but with only a one-year warranty
Saatva offers three types of mattress toppers: standard foam, latex, and graphite foam. The Saatva Foam Mattress Topper is the most affordable of the bunch, starting at $195 for a twin.
Here is the official 2023 pricing for the Saatva Foam Mattress Topper:
- Twin: $195
- Twin XL: $195
- full: $245
- queen: $295
- king: $345
- Cal King: $345
- The cursed king: $390
Saatva mattress sales are always going on but it is rare to find a bargain for any variation of the mattress topper. At most, we discovered a 12% discount that brought the Queen’s price down to $259.
The Saatva Foam Mattress Topper has a 1.5-inch profile, which is relatively thin compared to other toppers in this price range, which are a minimum of 2 inches. For example, file Serta Comfort Zone Memory Foam Mattress Cover (Opens in a new tab) It’s also 1.5 inches high but you can buy it for under $60 in any size.
However, Saatva does include a generous 180-night trial period. If you are not satisfied with the top product, you may return it within this time frame for a full refund. On the flip side, the Saatva warranty is only valid for one year, which we find short for a top of this quality – especially considering that brands like Molecule and Tempur-Pedic offer warranties from 5 to 10 years with their respective covers.
Saatva Foam Mattress Topper review: Performance
- Medium firmness foam topper suitable for side sleeping
- Subject to shifting while sleeping, despite the drawstrings
- We didn’t get hot, but this is not a proper cooling hood
Our lead tester, a medium sleeper (side/front), had just completed a Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress review when she got her hands on the Saatva Foam Mattress Topper. Since she didn’t find the Tempur-Adapt comfortable for a side sleeper, she was keen to see if adding a Saatva top would give her more comfort in that position.
After sleeping on the Saatva Foam Mattress Topper for three weeks, our tester felt it provided a lot of relief when sleeping on its side. In particular, she noticed a significant improvement in relieving pressure around her shoulders, which wasn’t easily found on a Tempur-Adapt mattress.
Our tester occasionally flopped on her stomach, and she preferred the firmer feel of the Tempur-Pedic mattress to the slightly softer Saatva cover in this position, specifically around her hips. The same is true for sleeping on the back, although Labs don’t usually sleep in this position. (In our Saatva Graphite Mattress Topper review, we found it very supportive for back sleepers.)
Our tester’s happy surprise was that she didn’t wake up sweaty while sleeping on the Saatva Foam Mattress Topper—especially after the Tempur-Adapt mattress caused her to overheat most nights. She used cotton and polyester bedding, wore lightweight pajamas, and kept her room temperature between 70 and 73 degrees Fahrenheit.
Our tester was baffled by this because this isn’t even the Saatva’s custom cooling model. I assumed that the organic cotton cover might have played a role in wicking away moisture and allowing air to circulate. Additionally, the Saatva mattress topper likely acts as a barrier between our tester and the Tempur material, which is prone to heat retention.
The most obvious problem we had with the Saatva Foam Mattress Topper was that it often shifted while we slept, even though we had the mounting straps on each corner tight. The smooth surface of the Tempur-Adapt mattress likely contributed to this movement, but we think this issue could have been mitigated if the Saatva topper had adjustable straps such as the Viscosoft Active Cooling Mattress Topper to ensure a better fit.
Saatva Foam Mattress Topper Review: Delivery and Extras
Our Saatva foam mattress topper arrived in a brown box, rolled and vacuum sealed. It took a while for the top to expand properly once we popped it open – but it was packed away for a few weeks before we got to try it. Setup is easy enough for one person, though this may vary depending on your mobility.
There was no obvious gassy smell, which was a different experience than when we tested the graphite version of this cap a year ago. (Even then, the smell was slight and brief, though we had to open a window.) Saatva uses CertiPUR-US-certified foam in its products, so it contains minimal levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that produce harmless but Harmless, unpleasant “chemical” smell.
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We were able to attach the topper to our bed using the elastic straps on each corner. One minor issue we noticed is that the cotton cover bunched up in a few areas, especially during the initial setting period. However, this did not affect the overall performance of the top cover, and the cover flattened naturally over time.
Plugins are a mixed bag here. There is a 180-night trial, so you can try it out across multiple seasons and scenarios. However, the warranty is only valid for a year. Although we are confident in Saatva’s reputation for producing quality beds and mattresses, the one-year warranty is considered very short compared to other major brands that offer 5-10 years of coverage against defects.
Saatva Foam Mattress Topper: customer reviews
- It has a rating of 4.8/5 stars from limited reviews
- Praised for adding some softness to a firmer bed
- However, some people wish it was more than that
The Saatva mattress topper is only available for purchase from the brand directly. It has a rating of 4.8 stars out of 5 from over 150 reviews as of March 2023. Note that this is a cumulative score for all three versions.
Reviews of the standard foam version say it does just enough work to make a firm mattress softer. (There are many accounts from customers who have purchased a Saatva mattress that felt too hard for them.) There is also praise for Saatva’s pressure relief, material quality, and attentive customer service.
Among the few 4- and 3-star reviews are sleepers who say this top sleeps snug and not soft enough for their liking. Of course, firmness is subjective—but this top is only 1.5 inches high, so it’s not designed to be super luxurious.
Should you buy a Saatva Foam Mattress Topper?
If your mattress doesn’t need a drastic change in comfort, the 1.5-inch Saatva Foam Mattress Topper should do the trick, especially if you’re a side sleeper. Our tester thought it complemented the Tempur-Adapt mattress perfectly—it added pressure relief that was sorely lacking along her shoulders.
For stomach and back sleepers, your mattress may make for a touch too soft around your hips and lumbar region. For back sleepers, we recommend the 3-inch Saatva Graphite Mattress Topper instead because it provides better all-around support. On the other hand, stomach sleepers may prefer the 1.5-inch Saatva Latex Mattress Topper.
Our tester didn’t sleep warm on the Saatva Foam Mattress Topper, but keep in mind that this is not a proper cooling topper. If you suffer a lot from night sweats, we suggest opting for the graphite version of the Saatva topper or checking out the 3-inch Molecule CopperWELL Mattress Topper.
We wish the warranty was longer than a year and the fixing straps were adjustable. However, the 180 night experience is the longest we’ve seen it offered to anyone premium, so you’ll have plenty of time to see if it’s a good fit for your needs.
Bottom line: If a full-size Saatva mattress is out of your budget, the Saatva Foam Mattress Topper is an affordable alternative that still offers the brand’s luxurious comfort and support.
