Saatva vs Purple: Mattress Construction
The Saatva Classic Mattress is a luxury innerspring hybrid featuring a coil-on-coil design with a memory foam lumbar crown for extra support in the mattress middle. The Purple is a hybrid combining responsive foams and zoned coils for full body support.
Layers and Heights
The Purple is five layers and 13 inches high. Similarly, the Saatva Classic also has five layers but offers two height options, 11.5 inches or 14.5 inches, allowing you to choose the look you prefer.

Comparing Covers
Saatva’s Classic Mattress has a soft and cushiony Euro pillow top. The 3-inch padding has special Lumbar Zone® Quilting for extra support in the center third of the mattress, where back pain sufferers often need it. The organic cotton material is naturally breathable.
Purple’s top cover, made of polyester and elastic, is moisture-wicking. It stretches over a grid pad, maintaining freshness. The Purple and Saatva covers both have an anti-microbial treatment to resist bacterial, mildew, and mold growth.
Middle Layers Comparison
Purple has an elastic polymer grid pad that encourages airflow and cradles pressure points, while maintaining full-body support for proper spinal alignment. Below is high-comfort foam that conforms to the body for pressure relief.
Saatva has a gel-infused memory foam lumbar crown for pressure relief and a patented Lumbar Zone® Active Spinal Wire for healthy alignment. Below is a layer of 884 Lumbar Zone® individually wrapped coils. It is stronger and firmer in the mattress’s center third to prevent the spine from misaligning, which worsens back pain.
Base Layers
Saatva has a second coil layer as its base. The 13-gauge tempered steel coils are durable and enhance airflow. The Purple has an 8-inch pocket coil base with three zones for targeted support and body alignment.
Edge Support Features
Saatva designs its Classic Mattress with high-density foam rails for firmer edge support. Purple’s edge-to-edge coils increase support and durability. These features improve overall mattress stability, making it easier to get in and out of bed, and provide more usable sleep space, which many couples want.
Comparing Sizes
Saatva’s Classic Mattress comes in one additional size to Purple, which is the twin. A twin-size mattress is popular among kids, teens, and solo sleepers. The Classic is available in these standard US sizes:
- Twin
- Twin XL
- Full
- Queen
- King/Split
- Cal King/Split
Pros and Any Drawbacks: Saatva vs Purple Comparison
USA Made
Both mattresses are crafted in the USA, with globally sourced components. For shoppers who want to support domestic manufacturing, this feature is important. Saatva crafts its luxury mattress when you order it for fresh construction.
Proprietary Support for the Back
Both mattresses have unique support features. Purple’s hyper-elastic polymer grid instantly adapts as you move to conform while providing support and maintaining the spine’s natural curve to relieve back pain for some people.
Saatva’s patented Lumbar Zone® Technology promotes spinal alignment by targeting the center third of the mattress. Stronger, firmer coils in the lower back area and special cover quilting add support, reducing lower back stress that could otherwise lead to pain.
Pressure Relieving
A mattress with excellent pressure relief distributes body weight evenly, which reduces pressure on sensitive areas like the back. That may reduce or prevent lumbar pain when getting out of bed in the morning.
For example, Saatva’s luxury Classic Mattress has a dual-coil design that contours the body’s curves, preventing pressure buildup in areas such as the lower back. Purple’s comfort foam conforms to the body, gently cradling pressure points in combination with the flexible grid.
Chiropractic Seal of Approval
The Saatva Classic Mattress sets itself apart by earning recognition from respected chiropractic organizations. The ACA (American Chiropractic Association) evaluated the mattress for its spinal support and gave it their official endorsement. Also, the mattress bears the Seal of Approval from the Congress of Chiropractic State Association. The Purple model doesn’t have either endorsement but does have a zoned coil system for core body support.

Mattress Feel, Body Type & Sleep Style
The Saatva Classic Mattress has a plush pillow top and coil-on-coil construction for extra cushioning and pressure relief. It comes in three firmness options to suit a range of sleep positions, so you can decide which feel you want:
- Plush Soft – Lightweight side sleepers may prefer a soft mattress to feel contoured and comfortable.
- Luxury Firm – Most average-weight back pain sufferers who prefer side and back sleeping find medium-firm balances comfort and support well. So do some stomach sleepers.
- Firm – Heavier individuals, many stomach sleepers, and some back sleepers prefer the feel of a firm mattress.
Purple’s mattress has a medium-soft, cloud-like feel. It may suit side sleepers with back pain, especially lightweight and average-weight individuals looking for pressure relief. Its adaptive support is also likely to be conducive to restless or combination sleepers. Back and stomach sleepers (average-weight and plus-size) may find they need a firmer mattress for adequate support.
Motion Transfer and Back Pain
A mattress with low motion transfer means you’re less likely to feel your partner move on their side. That can interrupt your sleep and potentially aggravate back pain. The dual coil layers of Saatva’s Classic mean it has some motion transfer, although its bounce can be helpful for those who experience back pain while changing positions or getting up. Purple’s grid layer is flexible to absorb movement well, especially in combination with its foam layer.
Cooling and Breathability
Hot sleepers with back pain will look for cooling features like Purple’s moisture-wicking cover and flexible grid. The mattress also has breathable foam, and its responsive coils, like those in the Saatva Classic, encourage airflow. The Saatva mattress has a second coil layer, providing enhanced airflow, a naturally breathable cover, and cooling gel-infused memory foam.
For Those with Sensitivities
Back pain sufferers with sensitivities will likely prefer a fiberglass-free mattress. Both spotlighted models meet this requirement. Both are also CertiPUR-US® certified, meaning the foams used contain no formaldehyde, ozone-depleting substances, phthalates, or heavy metals like lead.
This certification also means lower levels of VOCs (volatile organic compounds), minimizing the off-gassing smell that often accompanies new mattresses that contain foam. The Classic Mattress is GREENGUARD Gold certified, too, meeting strict standards for low chemical emissions.
Does the Saatva Classic Mattress sound like a good fit for you? See what else buyers have to say.
See Buyer Reviews
More to Compare: Pricing, Shipping, Trials & Warranties
We appreciate that Saatva offers a luxury mattress at an affordable price. Purple is a slightly higher price. Both mattresses are reasonable, in our opinion, for the back support features they offer. The mattress-in-a-box construction of both mattresses helps keep the costs down as the brands do not have the additional costs of a physical showroom. The brands pass those savings onto shoppers like you with a lower price tag online.
Free Shipping
Saatva’s Classic Mattress has free in-room delivery and setup within the continental US, as well as a complimentary mattress removal service. Saatva doesn’t ship directly to Alaska or Hawaii, but can help you coordinate delivery, per its US site.
Purple has free shipping to your residence in the contiguous US. In-home setup is available for an additional charge, and Alaska and Hawaii orders have a shipping fee.
Sleep Trials
Purple and Saatva offer sleep trials with their mattresses. Saatva is 365 nights from the delivery date, and Purple is 100 nights. Being able to try out the mattress at home and return it within the specified period for a refund, based on brand policy, if it does not meet your needs, is a great feature.
Warranties
A warranty can add to a mattress’s value. Purple covers its spotlighted mattress with a 10-year warranty, which includes the opportunity for repair or replacement as the original owner within that timeframe.
Saatva’s lifetime warranty for the Classic Mattress protects you as the original owner against certain manufacturing defects as long as you own it. Replacement or repair of the mattress depends on the warranty year when the approved claim is made. Reading the warranty policy can improve your understanding of coverage and more.
Saatva vs Purple Conclusion
Based on our research, the Saatva Classic Mattress stands out as a top choice for back pain sufferers seeking targeted lumbar support and customizable firmness. Its coil-on-coil construction and patented Lumbar Zone® Technology promote spinal alignment and pressure relief.
Endorsed by chiropractic organizations, the Saatva mattress offers durable comfort for individuals with a variety of sleep styles and body weights. Its eco-conscious certifications and breathable features add to the value of this affordable luxury mattress.
We conclude that the proprietary back support technology, generous 365-night trial, and lifetime warranty make the Saatva Classic Mattress worthy of consideration for those prioritizing back support.
Note: Our recommendation of the Saatva Classic Mattress for back pain relief is our personal opinion only. We have not conducted clinical research, and we do not give medical advice. Please see a doctor for medical conditions, including back pain. This article does not replace a doctor’s recommendation regarding backaches or any other type of body pain.