Written by Kenny Timper, Staff Writer
In this review, I’ll be putting two high-quality mattresses from the same luxury brand head-to-head: the Saatva Classic and the Saatva Contour5. Although these mattresses are from the same manufacturer, they couldn’t be any more different.
The Saatva Classic is the brand’s most popular mattress, a bed constructed with two supportive layers of coils for a classic innerspring feel. Saatva’s latest offering, the Contour5, is an all-foam bed that declares itself to be “the world’s most luxurious memory foam mattress.”
Both promise to deliver plenty of bang for your buck, but which one is going to help you sleep more soundly?
In this mattress comparison, I hope I can help you answer that question. I’m going to compare different aspects of both these beds, from their materials to their firmness levels and everything in between.
Short on time? Skip down to the review summary if you’re in a hurry.
Saatva vs Contour5
Product
Firmness
Score
Saatva vs Contour5
Saatva vs Contour5 Mattress Overview
Here’s a brief overview of the strong points of the Saatva and Contour5, as well as which type of sleepers are best suited for them.
| Saatva is best for… | Contour5 |
| Stomach sleepers | Couples |
| Sleepers with back pain | Hot sleepers |
| Seniors | Sleepers with back or hip pain |
Saatva vs Contour5 Video Review
Looking for a quick rundown of each mattress and who we recommend them for? Check out our Saatva vs Contour5 video review below.
Saatva vs Contour5: Top Similarities
- Warranty: Since both mattresses come from the same manufacturer, you get a 365-day trial period and lifetime warranty no matter which bed you choose. Saatva also offers a free white glove delivery service for all their mattresses, meaning they will move and unpack your new bed for no extra charge.
- Firmness: Both of these mattresses are a 6.5 on the firmness scale or medium-firm, which is the industry standard for most mattresses.
- Edge support: Both mattresses have strong edge support, which means you’ll be able to sleep all the way on the edges of these beds without feeling their sides collapsing under your weight.
Saatva vs Contour5: Top Differences
- Price: The Saatva Classic is cheaper than the Contour5. Saatva’s flagship mattress starts at $2,095 for a queen-size bed before discounts, while the queen-sized Contour5 starts at $2,995.
- Construction: The Saatva Classic is a luxury innerspring mattress featuring two layers of pocketed coils for extra support and durability. The Saatva Classic should be a good option for most back sleepers, especially those with lower back pain. The Contour5 is an all-foam bed with thick memory foam that conforms to your body and isolates motion, making it a better option for most side sleepers.
- Responsiveness: The Saatva Classic is much bouncier than the Contour5 due to its innerspring construction, making it a solid choice for combination sleepers.
Saatva vs Contour5: Construction & Feel Differences
Now that you know the major similarities and differences between the Saatva and Contour5, let’s discuss what these beds feel like. We’ll explore numerous categories, including firmness level, pressure relief, sinkage, motion transfer, and bounce.
Before diving into this discussion, remember that some factors are subjective. How I judge a bed will likely differ from how you would.
What’s the Firmness Difference?
Firmness isn’t one-size-fits-all when it comes to mattresses. Your size, weight, shape, and other factors all determine your ideal level of firmness. In other words, your preferences will likely differ from mine.
When testing a mattress for firmness, we try to capture the variance different people might feel. I test every bed with colleagues of various body shapes, types, and sizes, then average those responses to determine the final firmness score.
My colleagues and I gave the Saatva Classic mattress a 6.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale, putting it at the industry standard for medium-firm. For reference, the Saatva Classic and Contour5 come in multiple firmness and comfort levels to suit a variety of sleepers. Our team tested the Luxury Firm and Medium models, respectively.
The Contour5 also earned a 6.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale. Although these mattresses are equally firm, there are a lot of differences between the two when it comes to feel. We’ll get into those differences below.
What Does Each Mattress Feel Like?
The Saatva Classic is a luxury innerspring mattress, meaning most sleepers will find it supportive and responsive. When I tested the Saatva Classic, I found that I had plenty of support, thanks to its two layers of coils.
I also thought the Saatva Classic was super-bouncy and responsive. However, a super-bouncy and responsive mattress often indicates higher motion transfer and the Saatva is no exception. This means you will likely feel your partner moving on the other side of the bed if you’re a light sleeper.
The Contour5, on the other hand, provides a classic memory foam feel and features gel-infused foam that offers excellent pressure relief and support. While trying out the Contour5 for myself, I experienced some nice sinkage around my hips. However, I still felt lifted and didn’t feel like I was sinking in too much.
Overall, I would recommend the Contour5 to most side sleepers and couples who enjoy using the entire surface of the mattress. On the other hand, I think the Saatva Classic is a strong contender for combination sleepers and individuals with back pain.
How Does The Construction Differ?
Saatva vs Contour5 Per Body Type
Every bed will feel different to each person depending on their attributes and preferences, such as body weight and sleeping position. Next, I’ll compare how the Saatva and Contour5 mattresses perform for various sleepers.
Saatva Body Weight Scale
| Body Weight | Side | Back | Stomach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light (under 130lbs) |
unpleasant | good | good |
| Average (130-250lbs) |
good | excellent | good |
| Heavy (over 250lbs) |
unpleasant | excellent | unpleasant |
| Body Weight: Light (under 130lbs) | |
|---|---|
| Side Sleeper | unpleasant |
| Back Sleeper | good |
| Stomach Sleeper | good |
| Body Weight: Average (130-150lbs) | |
| Side Sleeper | good |
| Back Sleeper | excellent |
| Stomach Sleeper | good |
| Body Weight: Heavy (over 250lbs) | |
| Side Sleeper | unpleasant |
| Back Sleeper | excellent |
| Stomach Sleeper | unpleasant |
Contour5 Body Weight Scale
| Body Weight | Side | Back | Stomach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light (under 130lbs) |
unpleasant | good | good |
| Average (130-250lbs) |
good | excellent | good |
| Heavy (over 250lbs) |
good | unpleasant | unpleasant |
| Body Weight: Light (under 130lbs) | |
|---|---|
| Side Sleeper | unpleasant |
| Back Sleeper | good |
| Stomach Sleeper | good |
| Body Weight: Average (130-150lbs) | |
| Side Sleeper | good |
| Back Sleeper | excellent |
| Stomach Sleeper | good |
| Body Weight: Heavy (over 250lbs) | |
| Side Sleeper | good |
| Back Sleeper | unpleasant |
| Stomach Sleeper | unpleasant |
Saatva vs Contour5 Comparing Mattress Performance
Temperature
Several factors can impact a bed’s cooling ability. One of the first things I consider is its construction. The materials inside the mattress largely contribute to whether it will trap heat or let it flow freely.
I tested both mattresses’ cooling features using our thermal gun, which uses thermal imaging to display how much a bed heats up after I lie down on it for five minutes. I found that the Contour5 mattress performed better overall, but only slightly. According to our trusty thermal gun, the Contour5 only went up 7 degrees after laying on it.
Meanwhile, the Saatva went up 9 degrees. This increase in temperature is likely due to the Saatva mattress not having any specialized cooling features. However, the Saatva’s pocketed coils should help promote airflow throughout the mattress and regulate its temperature.
Motion Isolation
If you have a restless partner or pet, you’ll need a mattress with better motion isolation so you don’t feel them roll around at night. If that’s not an issue for you, or you’re a combination sleeper who switches between different positions throughout the night, a more responsive mattress is a bonus.
To measure each bed’s motion transfer, I perform a few tests to determine if a mattress is good at isolating movement in one spot. One of those tests consists of dropping a steel ball from various heights and measuring the disturbance it causes using a seismometer.
After performing this test on both mattresses, I found that the Saatva Classic had higher motion transfer overall, which is typical for an innerspring mattress. If you’re worried about disturbing your partner at night, I would choose the Contour5 mattress. The Contour5’s all-foam construction helped ensure that motion didn’t travel far from the impact site, meaning your partner shouldn’t feel your movements if you toss and turn a lot.
Edge Support
When testing the edge support on the Saatva and Contour5, I didn’t experience much sinkage as I sat on the edge of both mattresses. However, I thought the Saatva mattress performed better between the two. The Saatva uses a reinforced edge support system that combines coils and firm polyfoam, leading to fantastic results. When I measured the sinkage with a yardstick, the layers of the Saatva sank less than a half inch under my weight. The Contour5 also has solid edge support, only sinking one inch during the same test.
Pain Relief
After thoroughly testing out both mattresses, I think the Saatva Classic and Contour5 are good options for back pain. The support of the coils in the Saatva Classic should keep the spine in a healthy, neutral position, while the dense foams in the Contour5 should help relieve tension at the lumbar region.
My colleague, a back sleeper who experiences chronic back pain, noted that she felt fantastic pressure relief in her lower lumbar area while testing both mattresses.
However, side sleepers, especially those with sensitive hips, should go with the Contour5 or one of our best mattresses for side sleepers. Since the Contour5 is an all-foam bed, it does a better job overall at contouring to your body and providing pressure relief around your joints.
I still wouldn’t recommend either mattress to lightweight sleepers with sensitive joints, as they will likely think these beds are too firm.
Durability
Overall, I would argue that the Saatva Classic is more durable than the Contour5. While both beds are equally firm, the Saatva Classic has two layers of pocketed coils, adding to its durability. However, I still think the Contour5 is a good choice for shoppers who need something for the long haul and have to have a memory foam bed. The Contour5 features a layer of high-density foam and a highly durable support foam base, meaning you should get plenty of mileage out of it for years to come.
Company Policies
Saatva Policies
- Trial Period – 365-night trial
- Shipping – Free shipping and white glove delivery
- Mattress Warranty – Lifetime warranty
Saatva Customer Service Rating
- Good: I gave Saatva this rating because I had to wait 25 minutes to be paired with a live agent using their website’s live chat function. The agent answered my question, but the waiting took longer than I would have liked. I also considered the bed’s warranty and trial period in my rating. Saatva’s 365-night trial and lifetime warranty (as high as you’ll find in the sleep industry) help them quite a bit here.
Comparing Saatva vs Contour5 Price
When deciding between the Saatva and Contour5 mattresses, your decision may boil down to price. So, take a peek at my price table below to see how these two beds compare side-by-side. And don’t forget that you can always visit our Saatva mattress coupon page to save big on either of these beds.
Prices listed are before discount or offer on each size.
| Size | Saatva Classic | Contour5 |
| Twin | $1,395 | $1,895 |
| Twin XL | $1,495 | $1,995 |
| Full | $1,995 | $2,795 |
| Queen | $2,095 | $2,995 |
| King | $2,595 | $3,595 |
| Split King | $2,990 | $3,990 |
| California King | $2,595 | $3,595 |
Other Saatva Mattress Comparisons
Wondering how the Saatva Classic stacks up to some of its competitors from other online mattress companies? Take a look at some of our other comparisons below.
Saatva
- Saatva vs Purple
- Saatva vs DreamCloud
- Saatva vs Helix
- Saatva vs Aireloom
- Saatva vs Sleep Number
- Saatva vs Allswell
- Saatva vs Loom & Leaf
- Saatva vs Amerisleep
- Saatva vs. WinkBeds
- Saatva vs Casper
- Saatva vs. Simmons Beautyrest Black
- Saatva vs Tempur-Pedic
- Saatva vs Loom & Leaf vs Zenhaven
Comparing Other Mattress Models
Saatva vs Contour5 Frequently Asked Questions
How do the Saatva Classic and Contour5 mattresses ship?
Saatva offers free shipping on all their mattresses. Saatva also provides a white glove delivery service, where they will deliver and move your new mattress for free.
What are the return policies for the Saatva Classic and Contour5 mattresses?
Saatva offers a 365-night trial for all their beds. If you decide you don’t like your mattress within this period, you can return it for a full refund.
Are the Saatva and Contour5 mattresses good for hot sleepers?
The Saatva Classic is a luxury innerspring mattress with pocketed coils, while the Contour5 is a memory foam bed with gel infusions. Both beds should help you keep cool through the night. However, extra hot sleepers might prefer one of our best cooling mattresses.
How long do the Saatva Classic and Contour5 mattresses last?
With thoughtful construction and quality materials, the Saatva Classic and Contour5 mattresses should last folks between 7 to 10 years. To lengthen the life of your mattress, we recommend rotating it 180 degrees every 6 to 12 months.
Our Final Take
Before we wrap up this comparison, I’d like to highlight what I like most about the Saatva and point out some of my complaints.
As we wrap up this comparison, I’ll leave you with what I enjoyed the most about the Contour5 and where I thought it fell short.
Our Review Process
Our Sleepopolis reviewers personally test each mattress. We start by unboxing the mattress to figure out how difficult (or easy) it is to get the mattress from the box to the bed. Then, we spend time laying on the bed in different positions, taking time to assess it on our backs, stomachs, and sides. Next, we perform our Sleepopolis tests, using specialized tools to measure qualities like motion transfer, bounce, and pressure relief. Our last step is to open up the mattress and take a look at each layer. These steps allow us to give our final verdict on the mattress. Jump back to our mattress picks.
Kenny Timper
Staff Writer
About Author
Kenny is a Staff Writer at Sleepopolis. He tests the good, the bad, and the ugly of all things sleep, so you can skip the trial and error and jump straight into a good night’s rest. Kenny graduated from William Peace University with a degree in English and a minor in communication. Outside of testing and writing about mattresses, he enjoys hiking, biking, and avoiding the pit at your local heavy metal concert.
Stomach Sleeper