Saatva Contour5 Mattress Review: Responsive And Supportive Memory Foam
My love for memory foam mattresses is contradictory. I like to feel so cradled that my body leaves an imprint, but buoyant enough that I can comfortably switch positions no fewer than 25 times per night. So when I heard about Saatva’s latest attempt to strike a balance between sinking in and staying reasonably afloat, the Contour5 (which is offered in both a medium and firm feel), I had to give it a try. After two full months of sleeping on it, I’ve kissed my old mattress—and my chronic shoulder pain—goodbye.
I slept on the Saatva Contour5 for two months to see how the mattress performed as an option for … [+]
A mattress living up to its marketing claims is rare, especially in my line of work as a sleep journalist and product reviewer. Most mattress hype is just that. But the Saatva Contour5 really does walk the line between responsiveness and support, and it has dramatically improved my sleep quality. Here’s why.
Saatva Contour5 Mattress Construction, Firmness And Feel
High-Density Memory Foam With A Plush Core
The Contour5 is a memory foam model with seven layers. It’s made with foams certified by CertiPUR-US.
- Cover: The organic-cotton cover is soft, smooth and breathable, with a waterfall edge that has a flanged, taped construction for durability. It’s also been treated with Saatva’s botanical antimicrobial treatment, which helps keep bacteria, mold and mildew growth at bay.
- Flame barrier: Directly below the cover and surrounding the mattress entirely are nontoxic cellulose fibers derived from tree by-products. No fiberglass or chemical flame retardants are used.
- Lumbar support: The brand’s Lumbar Zone PCM Matrix keeps the foam in the center third of the mattress cooler, which Saatva says also adds more support. A 2-inch CoolVent System further regulates temperature.
- Comfort layer: This gel-infused, high-density memory foam layer is channeled to promote airflow. It also gives the mattress its body-contouring support and pressure relief.
- Plush core: The 3 inches of higher-density memory foam give the mattress its deep cradling sensation.
- Transition layer: The 2-inch loft layer, which serves as a transition between the comfort layers above and the base foam below, is available in your choice of firmness: medium or firm.
- Support base layer: The base of the mattress is composed of 6 inches of high-density foam.
The layers of the Saatva Contour5 Mattress.
When I first hopped onto the Saatva Contour5, I thought it was too firm. It dug into my hips and shoulders so much that I cursed myself for not choosing the medium option (which the brand recommends for side and back sleepers, like me). But after a week or so of sleeping on the firm model, I was a total convert.
While it definitely feels as though I’m sleeping more “in” the mattress than “on” it, I don’t sink as much as I did on my previous memory foam mattress, which I now believe was far too soft. Instead, the high-density memory foam layers provide a deep hugging sensation that supports my pressure points and reduces my chronic shoulder pain. Even when switching positions throughout the night, I never feel like I have to fight against the mattress or exert extra effort to move. It feels like the ideal mix of support and coziness.
Saatva Contour5 Mattress Features
Firm Support You Can Snuggle Into
During my two months of testing the Saatva Contour5, I was most impressed by how well it absorbed motion, made switching between positions easy and eliminated the muscle pain I had been dealing with for the past two years. I think these features alone make it a great option for couples, combination sleepers, back sleepers and people with chronic pain.
But not everything came up roses. The mattress was initially way too solid for my side-sleeping habits, which at first made me think I should have chosen the medium option instead of the firm. (However, my tune changed after sleeping on it for a week or so.) I also didn’t experience the cooling effect Saatva promises, and there was a bit of an off-gassing smell when my husband and I first unboxed it. But both of these issues were minor in comparison to the overall comfort and support I experienced. Here’s how it breaks down.
Pressure Relief
I’m a combination sleeper who switches between my sides and my back, and Saatva recommends the medium option for side, back and combination sleepers. But I wanted a more dramatic change from my old memory foam mattress, which was unbelievably soft and unsupportive. And dramatic it was.
The firm option is very firm, which is why Saatva suggests it only for stomach sleepers or people who really need it. At first, I felt some pressure on my shoulders and hips while lying on my side, but over time, that seemed to dissipate. If you’re a full-time side sleeper, I’d recommend opting for the medium model to alleviate any initial pressure points.
Cooling
Saatva markets the Contour5 as a cooling mattress, but I noticed no such effect. I don’t run especially hot while I sleep, and I keep my environment’s temperature down by using linen sheets and setting the air conditioner to 70 degrees. I never woke up hot while testing this mattress, but I didn’t notice any difference in temperature from my old memory foam mattress—neither cooler nor warmer.
While I didn’t notice a cooling effect while sleeping on the Saatva Contour5, I never woke up hot.
Motion Transfer
My husband and I share a bed with our cat, who loves to jump on and off at will. So when I didn’t wake up during his usual middle-of-the-night antics, I was impressed. The Saatva Contour5 does an excellent job of absorbing motion and keeping you from feeling your partner’s (or pet’s) movements throughout the night. Even my husband slept soundly when I woke up early for work.
Support
One perk of choosing a firmer mattress is that there’s plenty of firmness to go around. The edges of the Contour5 were very sturdy. I frequently use my bed as a seat to pull on my socks and shoes, and I never feel like I am sinking down. The same goes for sleeping near the edge; rolling off in the middle of the night was never a concern.
Saatva claims the Contour5 can support up to 300 pounds per sleeper, and considering the overall support and sturdiness, I can believe it. It’s a great option for heavier individuals or anyone who needs edge support they can rely on due to mobility issues.
The Saatva Contour5 supports up to 300 pounds per sleeper, according to the brand.
Ease Of Movement
This is one of the few memory foam mattresses I’ve come across that I can actually describe as kind of bouncy. Of course, the Contour5 doesn’t have nearly the kind of responsiveness as an innerspring or latex mattress. But it’s not difficult to switch positions, which is something I struggled with so much on our prior mattress that I developed a painful muscle pull in my sternum. After two weeks of sleeping on the Contour5, that pain went away, and I think it was largely due to the ease with which I could toss and turn.
About Saatva
If you’ve gone down the mattress shopping rabbit hole, Saatva is a name you likely recognize. The brand leans toward the more luxurious end of the spectrum, with many of its made-to-order mattresses appearing on best lists here at Forbes Vetted and elsewhere. Saatva mattresses have a reputation for being durable, supportive and well-made. Perks like generous warranties, lengthy sleep trials and complimentary white glove delivery are nice upgrades as well.
Trial Period And Returns
The Contour5 comes with a 365-night trial period, so you can sleep on it for a full year before making a decision. Returns are free within that trial period if you decide the Contour5 isn’t for you. You’ll get a full refund minus a $99 processing fee (to cover the company’s transport and disposal cost). If you do choose to return it, Saatva will donate it to a veterans’ shelter or offer it at cost to employees and associates.
Warranty
Saatva extends a lifetime warranty on the Contour5 Mattress, which covers materials and workmanship defects. The brand’s “Friends for Life” warranty means that your mattress will be replaced for free in the first two years; after that, Saatva will repair or re-cover it for a $149 fee for the lifetime of your purchase.
The brand also has what it calls a “Fairness Replacement Option.” In the event of a warranty claim, you can keep the original mattress and receive a new mattress for a discounted rate. For example, during years three to five, Saatva will deliver and set up an identical mattress for 50% of the original full retail price at the time of purchase.
Other Mattresses From Saatva
Saatva offers about a dozen different types of mattresses, from memory foam to innerspring builds. Here are two of our favorites.
Final Thoughts
I think the Saatva Contour5 is a worthy investment if you enjoy the cradling feel of memory foam but don’t like feeling trapped in your bed. Saatva recommends the firm option for stomach sleepers and the medium option for side, back and combo sleepers. However, I’m a combo sleeper (I sleep on both my side and back) and found the firm option comfortable after a week or so of breaking it in. Ultimately, I recommend this mattress for frequent tossers and turners who need ease of movement and support above all else.
The Contour5’s superior motion isolation works well for couples and pet owners, while the surprisingly stable edge support is a great fit for people with mobility issues. According to Saatva, the mattress features adaptive cooling technology, but I didn’t notice much in the way of cooling prowess. It didn’t make me feel overheated, but I didn’t find that it cooled me down particularly well, either.
How I Tested The Saatva Contour5 Mattress
I spent two months scrutinizing every inch of this mattress, evaluating it for support, comfort, cooling ability and motion isolation. I documented things like whether or not I felt my cat jump on and off the bed, if I woke up feeling sweaty, how well my partner slept alongside me and, most importantly, if it had any impact on my chronic shoulder pain. I also researched the company’s policies and warranties, read reviews from other customers and fact-checked their claims.
My Expertise
I’m a sleep journalist and Forbes Vetted contributor who covers health, wellness and sleep topics. I’ve tested everything from an “As Seen on TV” bamboo pillow to a handheld breathing coach for better sleep. I’ve also researched and written many stories about mattresses and sleep, including the best mattresses for pressure points and how to choose a mattress.