Saatva vs. Nolah Mattress Comparison

Curious how the Saatva and Nolah mattresses compare? We used our testing methodology to look at these two products side-by-side.

Saatva vs. Nolah Overview

The Saatva Classic contains both memory foam and innerspring coils. It’s a great choice for back sleepers, sleepers with back pain, and anyone who sleeps hot. Choose from three firmness levels to find the right fit for you.

The Nolah comes in just one firmness, medium-firm. This all-foam mattress has good pressure relief and is also more affordable than the Saatva.

Saatva is best for…	Nolah is best for…
Hot sleepers	Side sleepers
Sleepers with back pain	Back sleepers
Sleepers who toss and turn	Sleepers with back pain

Who Should Choose the Saatva Mattress?

• Hot sleepers. If you often overheat while you sleep, the Saatva mattress should help you stay cool thanks to the dual coil layers that promote airflow.
• Folks with back pain. The combination foam and coils in the Saatva can help support proper alignment and relieve pain.
• All back sleepers. The Saatva will work for back sleepers of any body type.

Who Should Choose the Nolah Mattress?

• Lightweight and average-weight back sleepers. If you fall into these categories, you’ll likely find the feel of the Nolah to be just right.
• Side sleepers. The Nolah is specifically designed for side sleepers and would work best for lightweight and average-weight folks.
• People with back pain. If you sleep on your back, the Nolah may help relieve back pain.

Saatva vs. Nolah: Top Similarities 

• Both are made in the USA. The Saatva and Nolah mattresses are both manufactured in facilities based in the U.S.
• 15-year warranty. Both mattresses come with a 15-year warranty.
• Odorless and CertiPUR-US® certified. These mattresses both meet rigorous CertiPUR-US standards for emissions, content, performance, and durability.

Saatva vs. Nolah: Top Differences 

• Materials. The Nolah mattress is memory foam, while the Saatva contains innerspring coils.
• Firmness levels. The Nolah Original is a 6/10 on the firmness scale, which means it’s medium-firm. The Saatva Classic is available in three firmness levels: Plush Soft (3/10), Luxury Firm (6-6.5/10), and Firm (8/10).
• Airflow. The Nolah is a good basic option for hot sleepers. The Saatva takes things a step further and is ultra-cooling.

Saatva vs. Nolah: Firmness & Feel Differences

The Nolah comes in one medium-firm variety while the Saatva has three firmness levels.

What’s the Firmness Of the Saatva & Nolah Mattresses? 

The Saatva Classic comes in three firmness levels. From softest to firmest, these are Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm. Here’s where each model falls on our 1-10 firmness scale, with 1 being very soft and 10 being very firm:

• Plush Soft: 3/10
• Luxury Firm: 6-6.5/10
• Firm: 8/10 

The Nolah Original falls around medium-firm, or 6/10 on the firmness scale. This firmness level is a good fit for side sleepers because it will give enough to let their shoulders and hips sink into the mattress while providing enough support to keep their spine aligned.

What Do the Saatva & Nolah Mattresses Feel Like?

The Plush Soft version of the Saatva feels softer than the other two models. The Luxury Firm is considered a “middle of the road” feel while the Firm feels extra firm and supportive.

The Nolah is an all-foam mattress that has a thick, supportive feel. You’ll get plenty of pressure relief without feeling like you’re being “hugged” by the bed.

What’s It Like to Sleep On the Saatva & Nolah Mattresses?

Each of the Saatva mattresses feels slightly different. The Plush Soft version is a good fit for side sleepers who need extra cushioning on their joints. The Luxury Firm will cradle your body in the comfort layers — great for stomach and back sleepers — while the Firm model is best for spinal alignment issues. 

If you’re a heavier sleeper, the Nolah might feel more soft and plush. But overall, this mattress has a great balanced feel that combines cushion and support.

The Saatva vs. Nolah Mattresses By Body Type

Saatva Performance By Sleeping Position:

Body Type:	BACK SLEEPERS	STOMACH SLEEPERS	SIDE SLEEPERS
Lightweight (< 130 lbs):	5	5	3
Average weight (130 – 230 lbs):	5	5	4
Heavyweight (> 230 lbs):	4	3	4

Nolah Performance By Sleeping Position:

Body Type:	BACK SLEEPERS	STOMACH SLEEPERS	SIDE SLEEPERS
Lightweight (< 130 lbs):	5	4	5
Average weight (130 – 230 lbs):	4	3	5
Heavyweight (> 230 lbs):	3	2	4

1 = Very poor, 2 = Not good, 3 = Fair, 4 = Good, 5 = Excellent

Average-Weight Sleepers (130–230 lbs)

If you’re an average-weight back sleeper, you’ll do best on the Luxury Firm and Firm versions of the Saatva Classic. The Plush Soft feel would be suitable for average-weight side and stomach sleepers.

Average-weight back sleepers may find the Nolah Original to be just right or a little too soft. Side sleepers will be most comfortable on the Nolah Original, and stomach sleepers may want to look for a more medium-firm to firm mattress.

Heavyweight Sleepers (> 230 lbs)

Heavyweight back sleepers should choose the Firm model of the Saatva mattress, as it offers a bit more support. The Luxury Firm can help support more weight without sacrificing cushioning comfort. The Firm provides the durability and support required by heavyweight stomach sleepers. 

For many folks, the Nolah Original mattress’s contouring and cushioning feel will make for a good night’s rest. But heavyweight back and side sleepers will likely find that it’s too soft to offer them enough support. The same is true for heavyweight stomach sleepers.

Lightweight Sleepers (< 130 lbs)

Lightweight back sleepers will be a good match for the Luxury Firm and Firm versions of the Saatva Classic. The Plush Soft version is best for lightweight side sleepers. And the Luxury Firm adds a touch of softness that lightweight people need for comfort as a stomach sleeper. 

Lightweight back, side, and stomach sleepers will likely find the Nolah Original to be just right. The Nolah Original is specifically built for side sleepers.

Differences In Mattress Construction 

The most significant difference between the materials in the Saatva and Nolah mattresses. The Saatva has both foam and coils, while the Nolah only contains foam.

Saatva Mattress Materials	Nolah Mattress Materials
Euro Top with Organic Cotton Cover	TENCEL Cover
Memory Foam Lumbar Support	AirFoam Comfort Layer
Pocketed Coil Transition Layer	Supportive High-Resilience Foam
Active Wire Lumbar Support	High-Density Base Foam
Durable Support Coils
Reinforced Edge Support

Cover

The Saatva’s organic cotton cover is quilted with a thick layer of pressure-relieving foam and coated with Guardin®, a plant-based antimicrobial substance designed to block bacterial growth. The Nolah’s cover is made of TENCEL — a soft, breathable, sustainable material that wicks away body heat to help you sleep cool.

Comfort Layers

The Saatva’s comfort layer is made of slow-response memory foam for added contouring and support below your hips and spine. The Nolah’s comfort layer is composed of 2” of AirFoam with air pockets that help relieve pressure.

Support Layers

The Saatva is 11.5″ tall with a 4” support coil layer. It also comes in a 14.5” tall version that includes a 7” support layer. Individually encased coils add a bouncy, responsive feel and deliver targeted support and pressure relief.

The Nolah has a transition layer made of supportive high-resilience foam and an added 7” of high-density polyfoam to provide a solid, durable structure for the mattress.

Saatva vs. Nolah Pricing

Size	Saatva Prices	Nolah Prices
Twin	$	$
Twin XL	$	$
Full	$	$
Queen	$	$
King	$	$
California King	$	$

For exclusive discounts, see our Nolah Mattress coupons.

Saatva vs. Nolah Mattress Performance Ratings & Differences

Temperature

In this category, the Saatva receives a 5 and the Nolah receives a 3. The Saatva incorporates dual coil layers that facilitate airflow, providing impressive temperature neutrality for especially hot sleepers. The Noah is also breathable thanks to its TENCEL cover and AirFoam construction.

Motion Transfer

In this category, the Saatva receives a 3 and the Nolah receives a 4.5. The Saatva Classic does a decent job at absorbing motion, but with two coil layers, it’s not the best hybrid mattress for light sleepers. The Nolah Original offers excellent motion isolation thanks to its all-foam construction.

Edge Support 

In this category, the Saatva receives a 5 and the Nolah receives a 2. The Saatva has some of the most supportive and comfortable edges that we’ve experienced here at Mattress Nerd; the edges are extra sturdy because they’re reinforced with high-density foam. And unlike some memory foam mattresses, the Nolah also demonstrates good edge support.

Pressure Relief 

In this category, the Saatva receives a 3 and the Nolah receives a 3.5. The Saatva’s soft cover and durable coil layer provide decent pressure relief while the Nolah cradles your pressure points equally as well.

Pain Relief 

Both the Saatva Classic and the Nolah Original are helpful for people with back pain. The Saatva’s firmness options and extra support allow it to support proper alignment for all body types and sleeping positions. The Nolah will help with pain relief for back sleepers.

Durability

In this category, the Saatva receives a 5 and the Nolah receives a 3. The Saatva Classic is among the most durable innerspring mattresses on the market and should last well over 10 years. Nolah uses proprietary foams, like AirFoam, to boost its longevity, but still falls short of the Saatva in this category.

Shipping, Returns, & Warranties 

Saatva

Saatva offers a free white glove shipping and delivery service. The Saatva Classic mattress comes with a lifetime warranty. After the mattress is delivered, Saatva also offers a 365-night sleep trial period.

Nolah

Nolah mattresses ship for free in the 48 contiguous U.S. states and will arrive within 5-10 days. Nolah offers a lifetime warranty on their original 10” mattress with a 120-night sleep trial period.

Other Models Available

Our Final Take

If you sleep hot, the top-rated Saatva can be a great choice for you. But for sleepers who have back pain and/or sleep on their side, the Nolah is likely the better fit.

Saatva & Nolah FAQs

Do Saatva mattresses sag over time?

No, the Saatva mattress should not sag over time. Memory foam mattresses often have trouble with sagging, but the Saatva also includes a stiff coil layer to add extra support. The Saatva is very durable and should last well over 10 years.

How firm is a Nolah mattress?

The Nolah Original falls around medium-firm, or 6/10 on the firmness scale. Side sleepers tend to sleep best on medium-firm mattresses that can cradle their hips and shoulders to provide pressure relief, so if you’re a side sleeper, you should be very comfortable on the Nolah Original mattress.

Is a Nolah mattress made in the USA?

Yes. All Nolah mattresses are manufactured in the U.S. The company states that its mattresses are made in one of its 8 factories across the US. All of the materials used in Nolah’s mattresses, including the foam and cover, are also 100 percent made in the U.S.