Type: Hybrid
Firmness option: Soft, medium, firm
Height: 11.5″ or 14.5″
Sizes: 8
Sleep trial: 365 nights
Warranty: Lifespan
Price: from $1,395 at Saatva
Dispatch: Free delivery of white gloves
Type: Hybrid
Firmness: Medium firm
Height: 11″
Sizes: 6
Sleep trial: 100 nights
Warranty: 25 years
Price: from $1,099 at Birch
Dispatch: Free shipping in a box
A high-quality mattress may be an investment, but it’s one that will pay for itself when you sleep well – and the Saatva Classic and Birch Natural are among our favorite mattresses on the market. But which one suits you?
The Saatva Classic is number one in our guide to the best mattress of the year and impressed our sleep experts with its versatile feel and luxurious finish. But don’t write off the Birch Natural Mattress: its breathable and eco-friendly support stood out to our review team.
In this guide we list the differences (and similarities) of these high-quality hybrids, based on the practical tests of our sleep experts. Read on to discover whether the Saatva Classic or Birch Natural mattress is better for you…
Saatva Classic vs Birch Natural Mattress: price and trial period
- The Saatva Classic is a premium mattress, Birch is the upper middle segment
- Saatva has better benefits, with a lifetime warranty and a one-year trial period
- Birch offers larger discounts, often up to 20% off
A queen-size Saatva Classic has a suggested retail price of $2,095, but monthly Sales of Saatva mattresses and offers mean you don’t often have to pay full price. If there’s no discount – and you’re not in a hurry to buy – it’s worth waiting for the next sale.
The Birch Natural is largely cheaper than the Classic (smaller sizes of the Classic are sometimes cheaper depending on sales). A Queen Birch has a suggested retail price of $1,873.75, but is an evergreen mattress sales drops it to $1,499. That’s competitively priced for one of the best organic mattresses we tested it because latex is one of the most expensive mattress materials.
However, when it comes to benefits, Saatva is the clear winner. In addition to a lifetime warranty (compared to 25 years with Birch), the Classic also comes with a full year warranty sleep trial – Birch only offers 100 nights. And while Saatva offers free supply of white glovesyou have to pay the same at Birch (but standard delivery is free).
Saatva Classic vs Birch Natural Mattress: Materials and Design
- Both are hybrid mattresses with springs and comfort materials
- Saatva Classic is a hybrid with innerspring and a quilted top layer
- Birch wood is made from organic cotton, wool and latex
The Saatva Classic and Birch Natural Hybrid are among the best hybrid mattresseswe rated it, which means they both feature springs and comfort materials. While you’ll find plenty of coils in both designs, these mattresses take a different approach to cushioning.
The Saatva Classic is a hybrid with a dual-coil design. The durable coil base features 13-gauge hardened steel springs surrounded by foam edge support. This is topped with another layer of springs – this time 14.5 gauge – with a sturdier central third.
Next is a lumbar crown: supportive foam zoned to the central third of the mattress. Finally, the quilted top layer provides pressure relief and determines the firmness of the mattress (but more about that later).
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At the base of the birch you will also find a layer of spiral support, on top of which is a layer of wool (for stability). Above this is a layer of eco-INSTITUT certified natural latex, for resilient pressure relief. This is followed by a double layer of organic wool, which provides both cushioning and natural fire protection. The cover is made of an organic cotton blend with a sleek top finish.
The double coil layer gives the Saatva Classic a responsive feel, comparable to a traditional innerspring mattress. And just like a traditional mattress, the Classic is delivered flat. The birch, on the other hand, is compressed and rolled, like all other species this year best mattresses in a box.
Saatva Classic vs Birch Natural mattress: comfort and support
- Saatva Classic is available in three hardness levels
- Birch Natural is a medium-firm mattress that is suitable for all sleeping styles
- Both have a ‘lifted’ feel without much sinking
There is one big comfort advantage when it comes to the Saatva Classic: it is available in three firmness levels. We rate firmness on a scale of one to 10 (one soft, 10 hard) and the Saatva Classic covers almost every number on that scale. The Plush Soft (3 out of 10) is best for side sleepers, the Luxury Firm (5-7) is suitable for all sleeping styles, while the Firm (8) is suitable for back and stomach sleepers.
In our Saatva Classic Mattress Review we tested the Luxury Firm and it impressed our entire test panel. There is little ‘sink’, but the padded top yields to the contact points and provides pressure relief. Support is strong throughout the body, with the reinforced central third helping to reduce back pain.
The Birch Natural may not have the many options of the Classic, but it is one of the best medium firm mattresses it suits many sleeping styles. Birch rates it a 6-7 on the firmness scale and our Review of birch natural mattresses panel agreed. However, firmness is subjective and sleepers with a light build may find it firmer than expected.
With wool and latex cushioning, rather than traditional memory foam, the Birch doesn’t really offer a ‘hug’. We describe it as a ‘lifting feeling’, which helps maintain the neutral body position. There is good pressure relief, but some side sleepers may prefer a softer mattress.
Both mattresses received high praise from our team for support, among other things edge support – you can sit on the sides without the risk of falling. However, among bed sharers, the Saatva Classic comes out on top, with full marks motion isolation. We found the Birch Natural to be a bit springy, which isn’t unusual for a latex mattress, but it can be disruptive if you share a bed with a restless sleeper.
Saatva Classic vs Birch Natural mattress: temperature control
- Although neither are specialist cooling beds, they both sleep neutrally
- Classic has a spiral-heavy design that promotes air circulation
- Birch uses naturally breathable materials, including latex and cotton
The best cooling mattresses keep the temperature low at night to avoid night sweats and disturbed sleep. The Saatva Classic and Birch Natural aren’t packed with cooling technology, but our testers found both beds cooler and more comfortable, earning full marks for temperature regulation.
The Saatva Classic achieves this cooler feeling through a breathable construction; with two coil layers there is plenty of room for warm air to move and dissipate. The Birch also features open coils, while the natural materials improve overall airflow.
Saatva Classic vs Birch Natural mattress: which one should you buy?
Buy the Saatva Classic Mattress if…
You want a softer mattress: The Saatva Classic is available in three hardness levels, including Plush Soft. This feels more cushioned, for extra pressure relief.
You share a bed: With full marks for motion isolation from our team, the Saatva Classic is able to absorb motion. Your partner may toss and turn, but you don’t feel it.
You want a luxurious feeling: A lushly padded cushion surface gives the Saatva Classic a hotel-like luxury that you’ll find hard to resist – we all enjoyed having a lie-down.
Buy the Birch Natural Mattress if…
You want to sleep in an environmentally friendly way: The Birch Natural is made from organic materials and is GOTS and GREENGIARD GOLD certified.
You are a combination sleeper: Combining a springy, easy-to-move feel with a versatile medium-firm feel, the Birch is ideal for sleepers who like to adjust during the night.
You have a tighter budget: The Birch Natural is competitively priced for an organic mattress and while it isn’t cheap, it is less pricey than the Saatva Classic. And you get two free pillows.
