On the outside, the Saatva Classic and Leesa Original are two very different mattresses, but they perform more similarly than you might think. While there are certainly key differences between the two, both of them are supportive, firmer-than-average mattresses that should appeal to back and stomach sleepers across the board.
To help you identify which of those key differences are dealbreakers for you, we tested both models side by side and laid out their strengths and weaknesses below so you can choose which model works best for your sleep style and preferences.
The Mattress Clarity team has tested more than 500 mattresses (including these two models) and helped over 43,000 readers find the perfect mattress for them, so you can count on us to know what actually matters when it comes to comfort and performance.
Product
Type
Score
Should You Choose the Saatva or Leesa?
Despite the Saatva and Leesa mattresses having different constructions from one another, the two models have more in common than you might think. Both are on the firmer side and performed well in our edge support and responsiveness categories, making them solid options for combination sleepers and those with mobility concerns. That said, the innerspring construction of the Saatva is a better pick for bigger bodies, while the Leesaโs superior motion isolation makes it a superior choice for couples.
| Who Should Choose the Saatva? | Who Should Choose the Leesa? |
| Heavy sleepers | Couples |
| Stomach sleepers | Hot sleepers |
| Combination sleepers | Side sleepers |
Saatva vs Leesa Mattress Video Comparison
Saatva vs Leesa Performance Scores
We test every mattress in our Charlotte, NC, studio using a consistent review methodology that evaluates both subjective and objective factors. Below, you can see how the Saatva and Leesa scores stack up against each other and how they compare to the average.
To find out more about each score, you can look at our full Saatva mattress review and Leesa mattress review.
| Test | Saatva Classic | Leesa Original | Average |
| Firmness | 7.5/10 โ Firm | 8/10 โ Very Firm | 6.7/10 โ Medium-Firm |
| Side Sleeper Comfort | Good | Good | Good |
| Back Sleeper Comfort | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| Stomach Sleeper Comfort | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| Pressure Relief | 4.5/5 | 4.4/5 | 3.9 |
| Edge Support | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4.1 |
| Cooling | 4/5 | 5/5 | 3.8 |
| Motion Isolation | 2.7/5 | 4/5 | 3.9 |
| Response | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4.3 |
| Sinkage Depth | 3.72โ | 2.75โ | 3.12โ |
| Sinkage Rating | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Bounce Height | 34.5โ | 17โ | 17.89โ |
| Bounce Rating | High | Moderate | Moderate |
| Noise | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4.5 |
| Sex | 5/5 | 4.7/5 | 4.3 |
| Trial Period | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4.2 |
| Warranty | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.6 |
| Unboxing & Moving | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4.3 |
| Off-gassing | N/A | 5/5 | 4.2 |
Trying the Saatva and the Leesa Back-to-Back
Mattress tester extraordinaire Riley Otis tested the Saatva and Leesa back-to-back to compare the two. Although both mattresses earned similar overall scores, she found they offered very different experiences.
โThe Leesaโs all-foam construction creates a slow-moving, contouring feel, while the Saatvaโs dual-coil design is much bouncier and easier to move around on,โ she said.
Riley also found the Saatva felt slightly softer, providing better cushioning around her shoulders and hips while keeping her spine aligned. She added that the Saatvaโs edge support was noticeably stronger, while the Leesaโs edges compressed more under weight.
Saatva and Leesa Prices
The key difference youโll notice immediately is that the Leesa is much cheaper than the Saatva. At full price, the Leesa is nearly $1,000 cheaper for a queen-size mattress. That said, the Saatva is a heftier mattress with pocketed coils and a Euro pillow-top cover, which explains the price difference. Whereas the Leesa Original is 10 inches tall and made up of a breathable knit cover layer and multiple layers of memory foam. Both brands frequently mark down their prices, so always keep an eye out for a deal around holidays.
| Saatva Price | Leesa Price | |
| Twin | $1399.00 | $849.00 |
| Twin XL | $1499.00 | $899.00 |
| Full | $1999.00 | $1099.00 |
| Queen | $2099.00 | $1299.00 |
| King | $2595.00 | $1599.00 |
| California King | $2599.00 | $1599.00 |
The above prices may not reflect current sales or promotions.
Key Differences Between the Saatva and Leesa
The most noticeable discrepancies between the two mattresses during testing were in the motion isolation and edge support categories. See what our testers had to say about these differences below.
The Leesa Isolates Motion Better
Like many innerspring and hybrid mattresses, the Saatvaโs coils contribute to its high motion transfer. During testing, we gave the Saatva a motion isolation score of 2.7/5 because our testers could feel every movement coming from the opposite side of the bed. In other words, if you sleep with a restless pet or partner, you are sure to notice every little toss and turn.
โThe Saatvaโs motion isolation leaves a lot to be desired,โ said mattress tester Livvi DiCicco. โOn this mattress, I could feel every little movement my testing partner made on his side of the bed, to the point where I could have described everything he was doing.โ
As expected, the Leesa Originalโs all-foam construction excelled at absorbing movement and limiting motion transfer across the surface. Our testers awarded it a 4/5 for motion isolation, making it a solid choice for couples who donโt want to be disturbed by a partnerโs movements during the night.
The Saatva Has Stronger Edge Support
The culprit behind one of the Saatva Classicโs greatest weaknesses is also the reason for one of its best strengths. The Saatva Classic earned a rare 5/5 edge support score, thanks to its reinforced dual-coil layers. On this mattress, you receive just as much support at the far reaches as you do in the center of the bed.
This stellar edge support is great news for sleepers who gravitate toward the edge of the bed, people with mobility concerns, and shoppers who want to buy a mattress without worrying about it sagging over time.
The Leesa Original also had solid edge support, earning a 4/5 from our testers. That said, since the Leesa is an all-foam mattress, sleepers with bigger bodies are more likely to notice sinkage around the perimeter because there are no coils to lift them back up.
The Leesa Stays Cooler
The Leesa Original mattress also has a slight edge over the Saatva mattress in cooling and temperature regulation. The Leesa earned a perfect 5-star score in this category because of its stellar performance in our thermal gun test. One of our in-house mattress testers used a thermal gun to measure the surface temperature of the Leesa mattress before and after lying on it for 5 minutes and found that its temperature increased by 4.5 degrees, placing it in the same league as our best cooling mattress picks.
The Saatva performed well in the cooling category as well, earning a solid 4/5 from our testers. That said, other testers pointed out that its plush Euro-top cover layer was more susceptible to heat retention than simpler models without a pillow-top.
Similarities Between the Saatva and Leesa
Despite their differences, the Saatva and Leesa scored similarly in numerous categories. Learn more about what they have in common below.
They Are Both Firmer than Average
Our in-house experts found that the Leesa and Saatva mattresses were on the firmer side. The Leesa Original and Saatva Classic fell at 8 and 7.5 out of 10 on our mattress firmness scale, respectively. For reference, the industry standard is 6.5 out of 10 (or medium-firm).
Firmer mattresses are ideal for back sleepers, stomach sleepers, and folks with heavier bodies who need something stable to keep them elevated and maintain a neutral, healthy spinal positioning.
They Both Effectively Relieve Pressure
Both mattresses performed similarly in pressure relief. Their firmer feel is especially beneficial for back sleepers, helping prevent the hips and lower back from sinking too deeply and promoting healthy spinal alignment. This was made apparent in our testing, as across the board, our mattress experts enjoyed lying on their backs on both models.
โThe Leesa mattress is really good on my back. Itโs filling in my lower lumbar section,โ said mattress tester Sosha Lewis. โItโs relieving any pressure in my lower back, and my shoulders feel really great.โ
Our chief medical product tester, Dr. Hannah Habeeb, shared a similar opinion on the Saatva Classic.
โThe Saatva provides really great contouring at my hips and lower back while also giving me sturdy support,โ she said. โIt is soft, but not too soft. My spine feels aligned, and I have good lumbar support. My upper back also feels really cushioned, and Iโm not feeling any pain anywhere.โ
That said, the feedback from side-sleepers was mixed. Generally, both mattresses were a bit too firm for this position; however, some testers thought the Euro-top cover on the Saatva felt quite nice on their hips and shoulders.
They Are Both Responsive
The Leesa Original and Saatva Classic are both highly responsive mattresses that are easy to move around on because of their firmer-than-average feel. Since you wonโt sink very far into either of these beds, you shouldnโt have to deal with feeling โstuckโ after lying in one position for too long. Not to mention, the two layers of innerspring coils in the Saatva Classic make it incredibly bouncy, further adding to that responsive feel.
During testing, our team gave both mattresses a perfect 5-star score in the responsiveness category, making them both fantastic picks for combination sleepers.
Which Bed Is Better For Your Body Type?
Lightweight Sleepers (Up to 130 lbs)
Both mattresses could be viable options for lightweight sleepers who lie on their backs and stomachs. Back sleepers in this weight category should feel comfortably supported on both mattresses, with enough lift to keep their spines in a healthy, neutral alignment throughout the night.
That said, lightweight side sleepers and those with joint sensitivities will probably want to avoid both models, as neither will offer enough contouring to cradle those high-pressure areas.
Average-Weight Sleepers (130-230 lbs)
The Leesa and Saatva mattresses should work well for average-weight back and stomach sleepers who prefer a firmer sleep surface. Both beds offer sufficient support to keep the spine aligned while preventing the hips from sinking too far into the bed.
As with lightweight sleepers, average-weight people who sleep on their sides may find both mattresses too firm. Side sleepers might find that these models donโt provide enough cushioning around the shoulders and hips for comfortable pressure relief.
Heavyweight Sleepers (230 lbs and Up)
Sleepers with larger bodies will likely find the Saatva Classic to be the better choice between the two beds. The Saatva boasts a taller profile and dual layers of innerspring coils to provide more robust support and help prevent excessive sinkageโboth of which should help these sleepers maintain healthy spinal alignment.
While the Leesa Original is firmer than many all-foam mattresses, its thinner all-foam construction isnโt as well-equipped to support sleepers over 230 pounds, especially over the long term.
Saatva vs. Leesa Construction and Materials
| Saatva Classic | Leesa Original | |
| Type of Mattress | Innerspring | Foam |
| Number of Layers (Including the Cover) | 5 | 4 |
| Height | 11.5โ or 14.5โ | 10โ |
| Pillow Top | Yes | No |
| Organic Materials | Yes โ organic cotton cover | No |
In terms of construction, the Saatva and Leesa beds are polar opposites. The Leesa Original is a memory foam mattress with no innerspring coils. The Saatva is technically a hybrid mattress, since it has foam and innerspring coils. However, the use of memory foam is so minimal in its construction that it is advertised as an innerspring bed because of its traditional feel.
Saatva vs. Leesa Company Policies
| Saatva | Leesa | |
| Trial Period | 365-night trial | 120 nights |
| Warranty | Lifetime warranty | Limited lifetime |
| Shipping | White-glove delivery and free shipping in the 48 contiguous states | Free shipping in all 50 states. |
| Return Policy | Free returns minus a $99 processing fee | Free returns within the 120-night trial period (after the first 30 nights). $100 return fee for customers in Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada. |
Saatva vs. Leesa: Clarityโs Conclusion
In many ways, Saatva and Leesa have more in common than not, despite being completely different types of mattresses. Both models are excellent choices for combination sleepers and back and stomach sleepers seeking an extra-firm sleep surface. That said, each mattress holds an advantage in different areas. The Leesa, for instance, is better suited to couples because it isolates motion more effectively. Meanwhile, the Saatva is better suited for heavy sleepers who need a stable surface to prevent them from sinking too far into the bed.
Product
Type
Score
Frequently Asked Questions
Do these mattresses come in multiple firmness options?
Only the Saatva Classic comes in multiple firmness levels. You can choose between Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm, while the Leesa Original is available in just one medium-firm feel.
What is the main difference between the Saatva and Leesa?
The biggest difference is their construction. The Leesa Original is an all-foam bed-in-a-box, while the Saatva Classic combines foam comfort layers with a dual-innerspring coil system that provides a more responsive, supportive feel.
Which mattress is more durable?
While both mattresses are built with quality materials, the Saatva Classic has the edge in durability. Its sturdy innerspring support system is more resistant to sagging over time than the Leesaโs all-foam construction.
