Saatva Vs. Tuft & Needle – which one is better? If you are not a demanding sleeper, and you do not like when beds are too firm or too soft, then T&N is the mattress for you. For those who are more indecisive or have a preference, Saatva’s range of options is wide enough so that everyone can find the right fit.
There are no rules in the mattress industry, but somehow it became a standard for a brand to have a wide range of mattresses in their offer, including different collections, lines, variety of models in different firmness levels or constructions. But, then there are those newer brands which offer only one or two mattress models, and that is it, they put their focus and development mostly on a one, flagship model.
The brands we will be comparing today use that business model very successfully, so stay tuned to see what makes their beds so great for the majority of sleepers, and why they do not feel the need to make so many others. Their constructions are not the same, as well as their prices, and as you read on you will notice that these two mattresses are pretty different and that their target group of sleepers are not the same, keep up reading to find more about these two online mattress giants.
The companies we are talking about today can both be considered as “young” since they are on the mattress market for less than ten years. However, that did not stop them to come out with excellent products and gain a lot of customers and their trust.
Founded it 2010, Saatva got its name after the word in Sanskrit, sattva, which means pure. Since then, this brand works exclusively online, without any brick-and-mortar stores. Saatva is based in New York City and sells their beds under three different brands: Saatva, Loom and Leaf and Zenhaven. Loom and Leaf is their memory foam mattress, Zenhaven is a latex bed, and their flagship Saatva mattress is an innerspring mattress, and that is the one we focus on today. So with only three models, Saatva covered three different types of mattress constructions, which are known as the best ones, and also as the most expensive.
This brand is known as simply T&N, and it was founded in 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona. The company was founded as an e-commerce business with the idea to simplify mattress shopping and optimize the costs, but quickly changed their mind and opened up a showroom in Phoenix in the following years. At the moment, they have five retail stores, but their products can also be found in certain Walmart or Lowe stores across the US.
Currently, they offer only two bed-in-a-box mattress models, Mint Mattress, and Tuft & Needle Original Mattress, which we will be reviewing today. In 2018 another major bedding company, Serta Simmons Bedding, bought T&N, but they still work and function as two separate brands.
Saatva offers their flagship Saatva model in six standard sizes, three levels of firmness, and two options of profile thickness for each size, so although it is technically only one mattress, there is plenty of room for customization.
Two thickness options are 11.5 and 14.5 inches, and the price remains the same regardless of the height, it varies by size. Saatva offers a suitable adjustable base for their 11.5 inches tall beds at an additional charge from $1200 to $2500, which can be split in king size for maximal comfort and customization.
Saatva’s standard luxury mattress comes as 14.5 inches high, but their custom slim version of it was redesigned in 2017. to be compatible with the adjustable base. However, their quality, construction, and feel remained completely the same.
When it comes to construction, in its core, Saatva uses highly durable hourglass-shaped steel coil support system, which will prevent any sagging and secure long-lasting performance. In the upper portion of the mattress, they placed a layer of individually wrapped up coils, which are very responsive and contouring. Above them is a comforting memory foam layer called Lumbar Support Enhancement, which provides pressure relief and reduces the tension and stress from the lower back. For the final touch, there is a luxury appealing Euro-Top cover which offers a lot of cushioning material beneath the outer cotton cover, which has antimicrobial features and uses Guardin botanical antimicrobial treatment. For better edge support, Saatva mattress has the Dual Edge Perimeter Support System, a foam encased anti sagging support, which goes around the edges to fortify them, and secure an even, and more durable sleep surface.
This model is available in three comfort levels: plush soft, luxury firm, and firm.
Plush soft is their softest version, and it can be described as a 3, on the 1 to 10 firmness scale. It is an excellent option for all the sleepers who like being hugged by their mattress, but without sinking in too much since the core provides enough firmness and support to prevent that. Plush soft is recommended to side sleepers because it will gently cradle their shoulders and hips, but also for back sleepers. Stomach sleepers will probably struggle with it, and they can even develop back aches because there would not be enough support to enable proper spinal alignment.
The luxury firm is their medium-firm mattress, described as a 5 or 6.5, which is makes it suitable to the needs and preferences of the vast majority. This is the perfect blend of comfort and support for all types of sleep positions, but also for couples since it is the medium solution and offers the best from both worlds.
The firm is their third comfort level, perceived as an 8, so it is the firmest out of three, and it is recommended to sleepers who like their mattress firm, but not hard. The plushy cover will provide just enough comfort, but you will still be able to feel the firmness and supportiveness of this mattress while being cozy. We highly advise side sleepers to avoid this one, since it will feel uncomfortable and could cause sore shoulders. On the other side, its firm surface is what makes it perfect for back and stomach sleepers. So if you prefer floating on top of a mattress rather than sinking in, this is the one for you.
T&N mattress also comes in all six standard sizes, and they can work well with all types of platforms, foundations, adjustable or slatted frames which you already may have. Its construction is simple, but the materials they used are not cheap, and if you are worried about any harmful chemicals, do not be, because they all have CertiPUR-US, Oeko-Tex and GreenGuard certifications for their materials.
So, as we said, the construction is so simple that it has only two layers, 7 inches thick base layer made of dense and firm polyfoam which secures the support, and the upper 3 inches thick layer of T&N Adaptive foam. This proprietary foam mimics the features and feel of standard memory foam and latex by offering a high level of comfort and pressure relief, without the usual drawbacks such as, for example, heat conductive properties of memory foam. Heat regulation is achieved with the addition of graphite and cooling gel. For the cover, they used a blend of polyester and micro polyamide which is often used as a substitute for cotton. However, the cover is not removable, and it can be spot cleaned only.
Like with most all-foam beds, the edges are not performing well once you sit on them, or lay close to them, and the construction does not offer any reinforcement for this area.
When it comes to firmness, T&N mattress comes in only one option, which is a medium firm, rated as 5 or 6 on the scale. The top foam layer gives it a bit of bounce, it is also very responsive and soft to the touch, while if you press down, you will be able to feel just how firm the support layer is. Its universal firmness level makes it excellent for all sleep positions. Average and lightweight sleepers should not have any problems with it, while overweight sleepers should try it out first, especially if they prefer sleeping on their side because it might be uncomfortable.
After reviewing these two beds, now it is time to compare their prices and see which one fits your budget. You will notice the difference between the prices, but remember their constructions and features, one is more simple and straightforward while other comes with more options. The prices for Saatva are the same for both profiles and they also have a special offer if you decide to purchase a standard base together with the mattress of both profiles, and the base also comes in two heights, 4.75 and 8.75 inches.
| SAATVA | Mattress | Mattress and Foundation |
| Twin | $600 | $760 |
| Twin XL | $750 | $910 |
| Full | $1000 | $1210 |
| Queen | $1100 | $1360 |
| King | $1500 | $1820 |
| California King | $1500 | $1820 |
| TUFT & NEEDLE | Mattress price |
| Twin | $349 |
| Twin XL | $399 |
| Full | $499 |
| Queen | $599 |
| King | $749 |
| California King | $749 |
Regardless of how much you are paying for the mattress, you do not want any unexpected or hidden additional charges or misunderstandings to occur, which is why it is essential to gather enough information about the mattress itself and the companies’ terms and obligations. See what these two brands offer and how they compare in the chart below.
| Features | Tuft & Needle | Saatva |
| Warranty | 10 years non-prorated | 15 years non-prorated |
| Sleep trial period | 100 nights | 120 nights |
| White glove delivery | Not available | Free |
| Old mattress removal | Free in California | Free |
| Shipping | Free | Free |
| Refund | Full | Full, minus the transportation |
It is never easy to opt for one mattress when they are similar, but when they are different as the two models we reviewed today, we cannot tell which one is better because they offer diverse features. Perhaps the most significant thing is their price, which can make or break the deal, but their construction is also an essential part of the decision making process. If you are not a demanding sleeper, and you do not like when beds are too firm or too soft, then you should not wander much around because T&N is the mattress for you. For those who are more indecisive or have a preference, Saatva’s range of options is wide enough so that everyone can find the right one. The only drawback is that you cannot try them all out at once in a store. Here is our list of reasons why you should choose one of these two mattresses.
You Should Buy Saatva if:
You Should Buy Tuft & Needle if:
She would be a morning person if mornings started at noon. Art historian, taurus, coffee lover, traveler, F1 fan who hates to drive, and well experienced insomniac with one life goal, to sleep like a coala for up to 20 hours per day.
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