Saatva Modern Foam Mattress Review
Is the Saatva Modern Foam Mattress for You?
Who’s Going to Love the Saatva Modern Foam Mattress
- Lightweight (< 130 lbs) and average-weight (130–230 lbs) folks
- Back sleepers
- Stomach sleepers
- Value shoppers who want a luxury mattress
Who Should Steer Clear of the Saatva Modern Foam Mattress
- Heavyweight (> 230 lbs) and plus size (> 300 lbs) folks—instead, the Titan mattress is built specifically for heavyweight and plus size sleepers.
- Side sleepers—instead, the Leesa Hybrid mattress is a pressure-relieving hybrid mattress that we recommend to side sleepers.
- Couples who are easily woken—instead, the Nectar mattress is a memory foam mattress with excellent motion isolation.
- Hot sleepers—instead, the Saatva Classic mattress is a naturally breathable alternative that stays cooler than the Modern Foam.
The Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid mattress combines responsive latex with contouring memory foam. It has a medium-firm feel that's best for back and stomach sleepers under 230 lbs. It's also lower cost than the Loom & Leaf memory foam bed by Saatva.
The Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid mattress combines responsive latex with contouring memory foam. It has a medium-firm feel that's best for back and stomach sleepers under 230 lbs. It's also lower cost than the Loom & Leaf memory foam bed by Saatva.
The Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid mattress combines responsive latex with contouring memory foam. It has a medium-firm feel that's best for back and stomach sleepers under 230 lbs. It's also lower cost than the Loom & Leaf memory foam bed by Saatva.
Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
365 Nights
Shipping Method
Free white glove delivery
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Shipping Method
Free white glove delivery
Trial Period
365 Nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period
365 Nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free white glove delivery
Price Range
$$$$$
Video Review
Want a truly visual look at the Saatva Modern Foam mattress? Check out our video review of this all-foam mattress.
Saatva Modern Foam Mattress Firmness and Feel
Saatva Modern Foam Mattress Firmness
Unlike other Saatva mattresses, the Modern Foam has only one firmness option—medium-firm. We gave it a 6.5/10 rating on the 1–10 firmness scale, which is slightly firmer than average.
Normally, this firmness works best for back and stomach sleepers under 230 lbs, and our lab testing confirmed that the Modern Foam aligns with this trend.
What Does the Saatva Modern Foam Mattress Feel Like?
The Modern Foam mattress initially feels soft and cushioning, but when you press harder into the layers, you bump up against the firm support foam. We stayed elevated on top of the mattress, but appreciated how the comfort layer cushioned our bodies, especially while on our backs. Overall, this mattress feels cushioning and supportive, but not contouring as we expected.
What Sleeping Position Is the Saatva Modern Foam Best For?
| Body Type: | Back Sleepers | Stomach Sleepers | Side Sleepers |
| Lightweight < 130 lbs: | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Average-weight 130–230 lbs: | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| Heavyweight > 230 lbs: | 3 | 2 | 2 |
1 = Very poor, 2 = Not good, 3 = Fair, 4 = Good, 5 = Excellent
Back Sleepers
The Modern Foam is a great mattress for back sleepers. These folks need a mattress that keeps the natural “S” curve of their spines maintained, and the Modern Foam does just that for lightweight and average-weight sleepers. Heavyweight back sleepers are more prone to their hips sinking out of alignment.
Side Sleepers
Despite the mattress supporting great spinal alignment and feeling initially soft, side sleepers’ curves don’t sink very deep into the mattress. With all body types, we noticed a concentration of pressure around the shoulders and hips, though there was less pressure near the hips of our male tester.
Overall, the Modern Foam isn’t the best mattress for side sleepers, unless you prefer a firm mattress.
Stomach Sleepers
The firmness level and support of the Saatva Modern Foam work really well for lightweight and average-weight stomach sleepers. Heavyweight folks should look for a firmer bed that keeps their hips elevated in line with their shoulders. For better options, check out the best mattresses for stomach sleepers and the best mattresses for heavy people.
Combination Sleepers
The Modern Foam is a very responsive mattress for combination sleepers, particularly for lightweight and average-weight back/stomach sleepers. Heavyweight combination sleepers will want a firmer, more supportive mattress—preferably one with coils.
Saatva Modern Foam Mattress Performance
Is The Saatva Modern Foam Mattress Cooling?
As an all-foam mattress, the Modern Foam doesn’t sleep cool, though it may stay temperature neutral for the average sleeper. The cover is breathable, but the foam layers are likely to hold onto your body heat. Hot sleepers should instead consider one of the best cooling mattresses.
Edge Support
This mattress doesn’t have the worst edge support we’ve seen, but it definitely doesn’t have the best. This is pretty typical of all-foam beds, especially because the support foam on the Modern Foam is softer than average.
We don’t recommend it to those who prioritize edge support. For everyone else, you should feel more stable at the head and foot of the bed than along the sides.
Responsiveness
The Modern Foam is one of the most responsive foam mattresses we’ve tested, meaning it rapidly adjusts to changes in your position on the mattress. During testing, it was really easy for us to move around on the surface of the mattress, and we never felt stuck in one place.
Motion Isolation: Is it good for those who share a bed?
During our motion transfer tests, we noticed quite a bit of movement, which tells us that the Modern Foam is not the best mattress for couples who are concerned about motion disruptions.
Noise
This mattress was silent during testing, so we consider it to be a quiet mattress.
Pain Relief
While no mattress is likely to completely cure aches and pains, the right mattress can certainly help with pain relief. The Modern Foam does a great job of keeping all sleeper’s spines aligned (i.e. good sleeping posture) in all positions, and it incorporates extra lower back support.
These qualities make it a good mattress for back pain, particularly for back or stomach sleepers. While side sleepers should experience excellent spinal alignment, they don’t get much pressure point relief, so it’s not the best match for side sleepers with joint pain.
Sex
The Modern Foam is pretty responsive for an all-foam bed, and it’s also very quiet—both good qualities for sex. However, if you want a mattress that keeps you cool while working up a sweat, look for one with a coil base layer instead of foam.
Related: Best Mattresses for Sex
Off-Gassing
We noticed a very slight odor when we unboxed our Modern Foam mattress, but it didn’t bother us and went away after a day. Saatva mattresses have a CertiPUR-US certification, meaning they’re made without harmful chemicals and is produced with low emissions.
Durability
As a made-to-order, high-end foam mattress, we expect the Modern Foam to last at least six years. The mattress would likely last even longer if the support core foam at the base of the bed was denser.
Saatva Modern Foam Construction: What’s it made of?
The Saatva Modern Foam is a five-layer, all-foam mattress made with memory foam, polyfoam, and latex. With an 11” depth and medium-firmness, it’s best for lightweight or average-weight sleepers who want support and don’t need the bounce of coils.
Layer #1—Organic Cotton Cover: The Modern Foam cover is quilted with comfort foam. It’s breathable, hypoallergenic, and antimicrobial thanks to a botanical treatment called Guardin. The cover is layered with a natural thistle flame retardant.
Layer #2—Natural Latex (0.5”): A thin layer of latex under the lumbar region of the mattress improves lower back support and spinal alignment.
Layer #3—Convoluted Polyfoam (2”): “Convoluted” basically means egg-crate shaped. In other words, this polyfoam layer is molded with waves to improve airflow. It’s also soft and cushioning.
Layer #4—Gel-Infused Memory Foam (1”): You don’t feel this layer as much as the polyfoam layer above, but it does add a nice bit of contouring, and the gel draws excess heat away from your body.
Layer #5—Support Core Foam (7”): The base of the mattress is high-density foam. It’s not as firm as other base foams we’ve tested, which reduces the amount of weight the mattress can handle.
How Much Does the Saatva Modern Foam Cost?
| Mattress Size | Price | Dimensions | Height | Weight |
| Twin | $795.00 | 38″ x 75″ | 11” | 36 lbs |
| Twin XL | $1095.00 | 38″ x 80″ | 11” | 38 lbs |
| Full | $1395.00 | 54″ x 75″ | 11” | 47 lbs |
| Queen | $1495.00 | 60″ x 80″ | 11” | 55 lbs |
| King | $1895.00 | 76″ x 80″ | 11” | 70 lbs |
| Split King | $2190.00 | 76″ x 80″ | 11” | 76 lbs |
| California King | $1895.00 | 72″ x 84″ | 11” | 70 lbs |
Looking for the best price? Check out our Saatva mattress coupons!
How Do the Policies Measure Up?
Shipping & Unboxing
Saatva is not your typical bed-in–a-box online mattress company—they include free white glove delivery and old mattress removal with each mattress purchase, meaning you won’t need to do any heavy lifting when your mattress is delivered.
Saatva mattresses aren’t rolled or compressed when shipped, so you’re unlikely to notice an off-gassing odor when your mattress is removed from the packaging.
Warranty
The Saatva Modern Foam’s Lifetime warranty it’s way years longer than the 10-year industry average. It covers defects in workmanship and materials, though Saatva doesn’t specify what those are.
If you and Saatva have a dispute about whether or not your mattress is defective, you can choose the Fairness Replacement Option—where you get to keep the original mattress and buy a new one for a percentage of the original price. Otherwise, Saatva will replace your mattress for free during the first two years and repair and recover it for $99 shipping both ways during the remaining years of the warranty.
Make sure you use a supportive enough bed frame, box spring, or adjustable base or you could void your warranty.
Related: Saatva Mattress Warranty Breakdown
Trial Period & Returns
Saatva includes a 365-night trial period with all of their mattresses. This gives you a full year to adjust to the feel of the bed before making a final decision. During this time, you can return the mattress for a $99 transportation fee. Saatva will arrange for the mattress to be picked up and donated, and you’ll receive a full refund.
Saatva’s return policy and trial period are both better and worse than other online mattress companies. Saatva’s trial period is way nights longer than the 100-night industry standard, but most companies offer free returns.
Addressing Saatva Modern Foam Mattress Complaints
Doesn’t Feel Like Memory Foam
Customers shopping for a memory foam mattress usually expect a certain feel—contouring, dense, with a slow response and characteristic “hug” from the foam. Saatva labels the Modern Foam a memory foam bed, but it has only a single 1” memory foam layer that sits below a 2” polyfoam top layer.
It doesn’t have a traditional memory foam feel, so it’s better for those expecting a balanced foam feel rather than that of traditional memory foam. If you’re not a fan of the Modern Foam mattress, remember that you can return it during the 365-night trial period.
Too Firm
Saatva considers the Modern Foam to be a medium-firm mattress, and we agree; however, they recommend it to side sleepers, but we think it’s a bit too firm for most side sleepers.
If you purchase the Saatva Modern Foam mattress, and it’s too firm for your comfort, you can return it during the sleep trial. Alternatively, you can request a mattress topper to soften the feel of the mattress.
Comparing Different Saatva Mattresses
Saatva Modern Foam vs. Saatva Classic
Product
Firmness
Score
| Saatva Foam Mattress is Best For: | Saatva Classic Mattress is Best For: |
| Lightweight to Average-Weight Sleepers | Back & Stomach Sleepers |
| Back & Stomach Sleepers | Hot Sleepers |
| Budget-Conscious Shoppers | People with Back Pain |
The Saatva Classic mattress is Saatva’s namesake bed. It’s a traditional innerspring mattress that’s made with two layers of coils and a soft euro pillow top. Unlike the Modern Foam, the Classic is offered in three firmness levels, so you can choose from Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm.
Both beds work well for back and stomach sleepers, though the Classic is better for hot sleepers and those who want more bounce. It’s also backed by a Lifetime warranty. Price-wise, the beds are similar, so choosing between them depends more on the feel you want.
Read our full Saatva Mattress Review for more details.
Saatva Modern Foam vs. Loom & Leaf
Product
Firmness
Score
| Saatva Foam Mattress is Best For: | Loom & Leaf Mattress is Best For: |
| Lightweight to Average-Weight Sleepers | Back Sleepers |
| Back & Stomach Sleepers | Memory Foam Lovers |
| Budget-Conscious Shoppers | Couples |
The Loom & Leaf is also a memory foam mattress from Saatva. It has a similar construction to the Modern Foam, though the Loom & Leaf has more memory foam, so it has more of the contouring hug typically associated with memory foam beds.
The Modern Foam is a more budget-friendly option, but with the Loom & Leaf, you get more cooling features and two firmness options, as opposed to one. Both mattresses are best for back and stomach sleepers.
Read our full Loom & Leaf Mattress Review for more information.
Saatva Modern Foam vs. Zenhaven
Product
Firmness
Score
| Saatva Foam Mattress is Best For: | Zenhaven Mattress is Best For: |
| Lightweight to Average-Weight Sleepers | Back & Stomach Sleepers |
| Back & Stomach Sleepers | Hot Sleepers |
| Budget-Conscious Shoppers | Sleepers With Lower Back Pain |
The Zenhaven is made primarily of eco-friendly Talalay latex, making it a cooler mattress than the Saatva Modern Foam. It’s also more versatile—it has a softer side and a firmer side, so you can choose which feel better aligns with your comfort preferences.
The Modern Foam is lower cost, so it’s a better option for shoppers on a budget, but for those willing to pay a higher price, the Zenhaven is almost fully organic, flippable, and supportive.
Check out our full Zenhaven Mattress Review for more details.
Comparing Saatva to the Competition
Saatva Modern Foam vs. Casper
Product
Firmness
Score
| Saatva Modern Foam Mattress is Best For: | Casper Mattress is Best For: |
| Lightweight to Average-Weight Sleepers | Average-Weight Side Sleepers |
| Back Sleepers | Sleepers with Back Pain |
| Stomach Sleepers Under 230 lbs | Back Sleepers Under 230 lbs |
The original Casper mattress is similar to the Saatva Modern Foam in that it’s an all-foam bed that works best for folks under 230 lbs. The Casper is a little softer than the Modern Foam, so it’s a better fit for side sleepers, while the Modern Foam is better for stomach sleepers.
The Modern Foam is better if you want to feel more supported, and the Casper is better for those who want more cushion. Casper is also the more affordable mattress, though it has a shorter trial period and warranty (100-night trial period and 10-year warranty).
Read our full Casper Mattress Review for more details.
Saatva Modern Foam vs. Nectar
Product
Firmness
Score
| Saatva Modern Foam Mattress is Best For: | Nectar Mattress is Best For: |
| Lightweight to Average-Weight Sleepers | Couples |
| Back & Stomach Sleepers | People Seeking Pressure Relief |
| Budget-Conscious Shoppers | Memory Foam Lovers |
The Nectar mattress is a more traditional memory foam mattress, with two top layers of memory foam, compared to just one in the Saatva Modern Foam. You’ll sink deeper into the Nectar mattress and rest more on top of the Modern Foam.
We recommend the Nectar to side sleepers and those looking for cushion around their pressure points. The Modern Foam is a bit firmer, so it’s better for stomach sleepers. The Nectar is the lower cost bed.
Read our full Nectar Mattress Review for the full scoop.
Saatva Modern Foam vs. Helix Midnight Luxe
Product
Firmness
Score
| Saatva Modern Foam Mattress is Best For: | Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress is Best For: |
| Lightweight to Average-Weight Sleepers | Side Sleepers |
| Back & Stomach Sleepers | Hybrid Mattress Shoppers |
| Budget-Conscious Shoppers | People Seeking Pressure Relief |
The Helix Midnight Luxe is a hybrid mattress, whereas the Modern Foam is an all-foam mattress. The Modern Foam will feel cushioning and buoyant (i.e. it keeps you lifted on top of the mattress), and the Midnight Luxe will be bouncier because of the coil base layer.
The Midnight Luxe is better for hot sleepers, side sleepers, and couples. The Modern Foam is better for stomach sleepers, shoppers on a budget, and those who want a longer trial period (365 days for Saatva vs. 100 days for Helix).
Check out our Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress Review for more details.
Saatva Modern Foam Mattress FAQs
Can I try out Saatva mattresses before I buy one?
Saatva gives their customers a 180-night home trial when they buy a new mattress, so they can try out the bed before making a final decision. Otherwise, the only way to try all the different mattresses from Saatva is their viewing room in New York City.
Are Saatva mattresses worth the cost?
As a mattress brand, Saatva is committed to value for its customers. They use high-quality materials, offer free white glove delivery, and keep their price tags relatively low for a luxury online mattress brand. For example, a Queen size Saatva Modern Foam mattress is only $1,495, while competitors cost $2,000+.
Where are Saatva mattresses made?
Saatva mattresses are made to order in the USA. Most of the materials are also sourced in the U.S. Saatva has 19 factories and 145 shipping centers throughout the country, so thereu2019s a good chance your mattress wonu2019t travel more than 100 miles from the shipping center to your doorstep.
The Nerd’s Take: What’s the Bottom Line?
The Saatva Modern Foam mattress will deliver good support for back and stomach sleepers under 230 lbs. It doesn’t have a traditional memory foam feel, so we hesitate to recommend it to those who want the characteristic hug or deeply contouring feel of memory foam.
You can expect it to sleep a little warm and allow some motion to transfer between sleeping partners, but it’s very responsive and buoyant, which is good for combination sleepers and sex. Overall, we think there are better Saatva mattresses to choose from for the cost.
The Nerd’s Score for the Saatva Modern Foam
| Performance Factor | Out of 5 |
| Motion Isolation | 2 |
| Pressure Relief | 3 |
| Ease of Movement | 5 |
| Edge Support | 2.5 |
| Temperature Control | 2 |
| Durability | 3 |
Haven’t made a decision yet? Check out these other Saatva mattress reviews:
- Saatva Classic Mattress Review
- Saatva Solaire Mattress Review
- Saatva Youth Mattress Review
- Saatva Latex Hybrid Mattress Review
- Saatva HD Mattress Review
- Loom & Leaf Mattress Review
- Zenhaven Mattress Review
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