Comparisons > Mattress brand comparisons

How does Novosbed compare to Saatva?

Mattresses, materials, policies, purchasing, and other important factors compared.

Last update: April 6, 2018

Comparison summary

Saatva

Construction: Spring coils, memory foam
Foam density: Unknown
Selection: Three different firmness options
Sizes: All standard sizes
Available: Online only
Sleep trial: 120 nights
Cover: Not removable, not washable
Warranty: 15 year warranty
Price (Queen): $999 USD

Novosbed

Construction: Premium memory foam
Foam density: High density foam
Selection: Three different firmness options
Sizes: All standard sizes
Available: Online only
Sleep trial: 120 nights
Cover: Removable, washable
Warranty: 15 year warranty
Price (Queen): $999 USD

Highlights

Saatva mattresses are made of steel coils, memory foam, and various fibres. Novosbed mattresses are designed with only high density memory and support foam.
Saatva and Novosbed mattresses can be purchased in three levels of firmness.

Both Novosbed and Saatva sell their mattresses exclusively online and include free shipping, but only Novosbed offers a full refund for returns.
Novosbed has an aggregate review score of 92% compared to Saatva's 90%.

Mattress materials

Novosbed and Saatva mattresses have significantly different qualities. Aside from the fact that they are both mattresses, there are very few other similarities since the materials used in mattress construction directly impact properties like bounce, contouring ability, and motion transfer. In this case, Saatva makes innerspring mattresses and Novosbed makes memory foam mattresses.

Mattress construction

The main difference between spring and memory foam mattresses is the primary component of the mattress. An innerspring (or spring) mattress relies on layers of linked coil springs to support your body while you sleep, while a memory foam mattress utilizes layers of memory and polyfoam to create a supportive sleep surface. While both types of mattresses provide a degree of support, they provide unique properties in terms of comfort, price, and longevity.

Saatva sells a mattress that features “coil on coil” construction. The mattress’ core consists of individually wrapped coils supported by a lower row of steel Bonnell Coils. The top layer of Saatva’s mattress is a cotton euro pillow top. Saatva does use memory foam in their mattresses, although there is a distinct difference in application. Under the pillow top, Saatva mattresses have a single layer of memory foam “lumbar support enhancement” layer. Saatva doesn’t disclose the memory foams’ density or thickness so the foam’s quality is uncertain.

Novosbed mattresses are a 100% foam mattress, constructed with high density memory foam top and transition layers on top of a premium support layer. Novosbed uses 3.7 - 5 lbs/ft3 of memory in the comfort layer, 4 - 5 lbs/ft3 memory foam in the transition layer, and 1.8 lbs/ft3 of premium support for the mattress base. This means that every layer offers high durability, contouring support, and lasting comfort. In contrast to the inconsistent support created by mattresses built with an innerspring structure, Novosbed’s memory foam layers create precise contouring support and a gentle mattress hug that help relieve pressure points. In addition, innerspring mattresses don’t have the same durability of memory foam due to inevitable wear and tear of the mechanical springs.

Motion Transfer

As motion transfer can be problematic for co-sleepers, you’ll want to consider how different materials affect it.

Since spring coils in an innerspring mattress are often connected via a metal frame, one coil can transfer motion to surrounding coils, even when they are individually wrapped like in the pocket coil design used in Saatva mattresses. This results in movement transferring between you and your partner.

On the other end of the spectrum, memory foam is well-known for absorbing motion. Novosbed’s memory foam layers isolate motion and inhibits a lot of movement transfer. Unlike innerspring mattresses’ immediate springy response, memory foam compresses and responds slowly, generating no bounce or transfer of motion.

Cleanliness

Even mattresses constructed from hypoallergenic materials may not remain completely hypoallergenic. The empty spaces inside innerspring mattresses can accumulate allergens, dust mites, and other materials such as hair and skin. Mattresses constructed out of dense foam only have small bubbles of space, which creates less room for irritants and other materials to collect in the mattress.

Some mattresses address cleanliness by having a removable, washable cover. The ability to give your mattress a surface cleaning will help prolong the life of the mattress. Saatva’s pillow top cover is not removable or washable, but Novosbed mattresses are fitted with a removable, washable cover so you can quickly and easily refresh your Novosbed.

Maintenance

Since spring coils are metal, they will fatigue and lose integrity over time, eventually compacting and losing their ability to spring back. Therefore, it’s recommended that spring mattresses be rotated every three months to distribute wear on the springs and maintain a level sleeping platform longer. Many spring mattresses also need to be flipped on occasion to further distribute the wear on the springs.

Rotating and flipping a mattress can be an awkward task, especially since it’s such a large, heavy object. In Saatva’s case, as with other pillow tops, the mattress can only be rotated and can’t be flipped to lengthen the life of the mattress.

Memory foam mattresses, particularly the high density variety, retain their integrity longer, and don’t need to be flipped or rotated. If you sleep with a partner who is a significantly different weight, however, it may be helpful to rotate the mattress on occasion to distribute the wear. Compared to innerspring, memory foam mattresses require significantly less maintenance and attention to prolong the life of the mattress.

Company	Primary material	Comfort layer	Manufacturing
Saatva	Spring coils	Euro pillow top	USA
Novosbed	Premium memory foam	3.7 - 5 lbs/ft³ memory foam	USA

Mattress selection

Decision making can be difficult and stressful when there are too many options, especially when it comes to something as important as your sleep.

Novosbed and Saatva sell different types of mattresses, but both brands recognize that there is no “one perfect firmness”. Instead, Saatva and Novosbed offer mattresses in three different firmnesses.

There is no standardized mattress firmness scale, but many brands use a numbered firmness scale to help describe the firmness of their mattresses. Saatva uses a firmness scale that ranges from 1 -10 where their three different firmness models are positioned: their Plush Soft is rated between 2 - 4, their Luxury Firm is rated between 5 - 7, and the Firm is rated 8. Something for shoppers to keep in mind is that since this firmness scale is not standardized, comparison shopping can be difficult.

Saatva also offers all of their mattresses in two different height options. You can opt for either 14.5” or 11.5” tall mattresses, effectively expanding Saatva’s available mattresses to six models. According to Saatva, the thickness doesn’t affect feel and is purely a visual preference. While it may not be overwhelming, these add up to a few extra things to consider when shopping Saatva mattresses.

Novosbed offers three levels of firmness to satisfy a range of sleeping needs. They are clearly and simply named to remove any ambiguity or confusion about how they feel: Soft, Medium, and Firm. Every mattress is created with the same materials, appearance, and features, meaning the only decision you have to make is the firmness level.

Saatva mattress

Name	Price (Queen)	Thickness	Firmness	All sizes
Plus Soft Premier Luxury	$999 USD	14.5"	2-4	Yes
Plus Soft Custom Slim	$999 USD	11.5"	2-4	Yes
Luxury Firm Premier Luxury	$999 USD	14.5"	5-7	Yes
Luxury Firm Custom Slim	$999 USD	11.5"	5-7	Yes
Firm Premier Luxury	$999 USD	14.5"	8	Yes
Firm Custom Slim	$899 USD	11.5"	8	Yes

Novosbed mattresses

Name	Price (Queen)	Thickness	Firmness	All sizes	Washable cover
Novosbed Soft	$999 USD	11"	Soft	Yes	Yes
Novosbed Medium	$999 USD	11"	Medium	Yes	Yes
Novosbed Firm	$999 USD	11"	Firm	Yes	Yes

Purchasing options

Novosbed and Saatva mattresses are available online to customers in the US and Canada, though Saatva mattresses are currently only available in Canada to the western provinces and Ontario. By selling online, direct to customers, both brands have eliminated middlemen and their respective costs. Selling direct also enables Saatva and Novosbed to offer the same service and policies to everyone.

Company	Availability	Middle-men	Policies
Saatva	Online only	No	Same for everyone
Novosbed	Online only	No	Same for everyone

Policies

By selling direct online only, both Saatva and Novosbed can offer centralized customer service and consistent policies. Although their respective policies share many similarities, there are major differences:

Sleep trial

Online mattress retailers usually offer sleep trials so customers can be assured their new mattress is the right fit. Both Saatva and Novosbed offer a 120 night sleep trial period with their mattresses.

Shipping and returns

Novosbed offers free shipping and returns for their products within Canada and the US.

Saatva offers free white glove delivery and mattress removal. They do provide refunds, but do not refund your full purchase price should you decide to return your mattress. An amount of $99 for transportation fees is excluded from refunds.

Both Novosbed and Saatva approach returns with full hands-on service, coordinating pick up and donation of returned mattresses. Neither company re-sells returned mattresses.

Policy comparison

Company	Sleep trial	White glove	Firmness guarantee	Free shipping	Refunds
Saatva	120 nights	Free	No	Yes	Partial*
Novosbed	120 nights	No	Yes	Yes	Full

* Delivery fees are not refunded

Customer satisfaction

Saatva and Novosbed both have numerous online reviews from a variety of sources. As of the last update date of this article, Novosbed’s aggregate review score is 92% compared to Saatva’s 90%.

Note: Review scores are current as of last update.

Company	On site	Reseller Ratings	Amazon	Sleep Sherpa	Sleep Like the Dead
Saatva	4.9/5	9.4	n/a	8.5/10	81%
Novosbed	4.8/5	9.5/10	4.8/5	9.1/10	82%

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