What to Look for When Choosing the Best Mattress
Whether it’s an innerspring or foam type of mattress, there are important considerations when shopping for a quality mattress. We’ve researched many mattress brands and will share what we’ve learned about finding the best mattress.
Contouring and Pressure Relief
Your new mattress should contour and conform to your body’s natural shape. Some mattresses also include a plush comfort layer on top. For example, the Saatva Classic luxury innerspring mattress starts with a 3” Euro pillow top with Lumbar Zone® Quilting. This layer cushions your body and relieves pressure in the spine and joints. Extra tight stitching in the middle third of this comfort layer helps keep the lower back properly aligned.
Directly below the pillow top is the high-density memory foam lumbar crown. This contouring layer provides pressure relief while the Lumbar Zone® Active Spinal Wire helps maintain spinal alignment.
The Lumbar Zone® pocketed coils in the Saatva Classic mattress provides additional contouring pressure relief. The individually wrapped coils move independently to conform and cradle your body.

Support for Proper Alignment
Support is just as important as pressure relief when searching for the best mattress. A mattress should provide adequate support to prevent sinking and to keep the spine, shoulders, and hips aligned.
Some quality mattresses offer targeted support to key areas, such as the spine, shoulders, and hips. In the Saatva Classic, for example, the top layer of coils includes sturdier coils in the center third of the mattress. The bottom layer of coils prevents sagging and provides sturdy support for the entire body.
Edge Support
Edge support is important for several reasons. It prevents sagging, especially around the perimeter of the mattress. A sturdy edge makes it easier to sit on the side of the bed and get out of bed. Edge support also increases the useable surface of the mattress.
A variety of materials can provide edge support, including reinforced springs and high-density foam. The Saatva Classic has high-density foam rails that create a stable and durable edge.
Responsiveness
A contouring layer should bounce back to its original shape after you change position. This responsiveness prevents permanent impressions from forming in the mattress surface. Along with contouring, Saatva Classic’s Lumbar Zone® pocketed coils adapt as you move, providing much needed bounce.
Temperature Control
Temperature control is another important feature to look for when shopping for the best mattress. For example, the Saatva Classic is made with breathable materials that help keep things cool. The Euro pillow top is made of breathable organic cotton that allows airflow to draw body heat away from the mattress.
The two layers of pocketed coils add even more air circulation and more temperature regulation. The cooling features of the Saatva Classic mattress are a great example of what you should look for in a mattress.
Motion Isolation
Couples who are shopping for the best mattress should look for models that offer motion isolation. Materials that adapt to your changing positions —such as memory foam or individually wrapped coils — provide motion isolation. For example, the Saatva Classic’s pocketed coils prevent motion from transferring to the other side of the mattress. When you move around or get out of bed, your spouse or partner will sleep undisturbed.
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Selection of Sizes
A new mattress has to be a good fit for your home. You may have a small bed in a studio apartment or a king size model in a master bedroom. Look for a top mattress brand that offers a wide selection of sizes, such as the Saatva Classic:
- Twin
- Twin XL
- Full
- King
- Split King
- California King
- Split California King
The Saatva Classic is also available in two thicknesses: 11.5” and 14.5” (except for Split California King).
Choice of Firmness
When it comes to finding the best mattress, firmness level is a matter of personal preference. Mattress firmness is rated on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 the firmness. With the Saatva Classic, you can choose from three firmness levels:
- Plush soft: Rated 5 on the firmness scale, it has extra padding to provide pressure relief.
- Luxury firm: with a 5-7 firmness level, offers a balance of support and comfort.
- Firm: Rated 8 on the firmness scale, creates the feeling of sleeping on top of the mattress instead of being cradled.
Body Type and Sleep Style
Body type and sleep style are additional factors to keep in mind. For example, people who weigh less than 130 pounds may find a softer mattress more comfortable. Heavier sleepers that weigh more than 230 pounds often prefer a firmer mattress to prevent sinkage.
When shopping for the best mattress for your needs, look for a model that helps maintain spinal alignment. Your usual sleep position is an important factor. If you sleep on your side or back, you may want to look for a mattress that offers extra contouring and a balance of comfort and support. Stomach sleepers typically need a firmer mattress to prevent their midsection from sinking lower than their hips and shoulders.
Quality Materials
The best mattresses will be made from quality materials, such as organic fibers and advanced memory foams. For example, the Saatva Classic mattress has a pillow top cover made of organic cotton that is finished with GuardinTM antimicrobial treatment. The mattress has a nontoxic, fiberglass-free flame barrier made from natural thistle pulp.
What a mattress does not contain is just as important as what goes into it. The memory foam in the Saatva Classic is CertiPUR-US® certified to be free of harmful chemicals. The foams do not ozone depleters, heavy metals, or other toxic substances.
Other Considerations When Searching for the Best Mattress
We’ve looked at the quality of the mattress itself. There are, however, other factors when shopping for a mattress. From delivery method to warranty, let’s look at a few additional considerations.
Delivery Method
These days, many mattresses are compressed, rolled, and shipped to your door in a box. While this is a convenient service, some top mattress brands won’t pack their product in a container. The Saatva Classic is always delivered with white glove service, complete with in-room setup. They’ll even remove your old mattress.
Trial Period
When you find the best mattress for you sleep needs, it still takes time to adjust to your new mattress. The typical break-in time lasts at least 30 days, so we think Saatva’s 365-day home trial is pretty impressive. You can return the mattress for a refund (minus a restocking fee) during the 365-day trial. With an entire year to try the Saatva Classic in your home, you can feel confident about your final purchase decision.
Generous Warranty
A generous warranty provides peace of mind and shows that the mattress company has confidence in their product. The Saatva Friends for Life warranty is a good example. This lifetime warranty covers manufacturer defects for as long as you own the Saatva Classic mattress. If the mattress is found to be defective, Saatva will repair or replace the mattress.
As with many lifetime warranties, Saatva charges a processing fee after the second year of the warranty. Before you buy a new mattress, always check the latest warranty terms, because a warranty can change at any time.
Concluding Thoughts on How to Find the Best Mattress
Finding the best mattress depends on many factors, including sleep style, body type, and personal preferences. We can, however, make general recommendations based on our research of mattress brands.
Finding the right firmness level and balance of support and contouring are key factors in choosing a mattress. Other features, such as temperature control, motion isolation, and quality of materials are also important. A wide selection of sizes makes it easier to find the best mattress for your home. And of course, delivery method, trial period, and warranty terms should all be considered.
From customizable firmness to balanced support and contouring, we believe that the Saatva Classic has the features and qualities that make it a good example of what to look for when finding a quality mattress. We hope that these tips will make it easier for you to fin the best mattress for your sleep needs.