The classic innerspring mattress dominates the sleep market for good reason. It has the springy, responsive quality that, for many people, is what a mattress should feel like.
Today’s versions of this traditional style are also souped up with the latest mattress technology, including memory foam, cooling gel, and pillow top layers to accommodate a wide variety of sleep preferences.
That means there’s something for everyone-but along with those options comes the potential for confusion. How are you supposed to decide which innerspring mattress is best for you?
Here, we break down the key differences between two popular innerspring mattresses: the
America’s best-selling online luxury innerspring
and the Simmons Beautyrest Black® C-Class, starting with how they feel.
Comfort
Comfort is a tricky thing. What feels good to one person may not feel all that great to another. Most manufacturers place their comfort levels on a numerical scale, with 1 being the softest and 10 the firmest-though it’s important to note that no two manufacturers’ scales are exactly the same. (Simmons flips its comfort scale, with 10 the softest and 1 the firmest.)
Overall, what makes one innerspring mattress more comfortable than another is a function of the type of springs, how they’re arranged, and the materials and construction of other layers in the mattress.
How many comfort levels are offered?
Saatva: Three (Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm)
Simmons Beautyrest: Three (Plush, Medium, and Firm)
The bottom line: Saatva and Simmons both offer a variety of firmness levels. That’s important, because the more comfort levels you have to choose from, the better the chance of finding your perfect innerspring mattress match.
Need some help deciding the right comfort level for you? Here’s how to choose based on your sleep style and body type.
What kind of springs are in the mattress?
Saatva: A “coil on coil” system, consisting of a steel coil support base, plus a second unit of individually wrapped comfort coils
Simmons Beautyrest: T3 Pocketed Coil® Technology
The bottom line: The most important feature when it comes to the performance of an innerspring mattress is, well, the springs.
The Saatva Classic is made with “coil on coil” construction. A support base made of tempered recycled steel coils provides durability and resistance to sagging.
A second layer of individually wrapped coils in the top portion of the mattress adds contouring ability and reduces motion transfer (so one bed partner isn’t jostled when the other shifts position or gets up during the night).
The top layer of coils is encased in foam for increased edge support, better durability, and more sleep surface.
Beautyrest’s T3 Pocketed Coil® Technology uses three strands of wire twisted to form coils that are then wrapped in individual fabric pouches to help enhance support and pressure relief, reduce motion transfer, and increase durability of the mattress.
The Beautyrest Black® C-Class features alternating rows of T3 Pocketed Coils® and normal pocketed coils in different thicknesses. The single layer of coils is encased in a ventilated foam edge.
What kind of lumbar support does the mattress have?
Saatva: Lumbar Zone® Pocketed Coils, Lumbar Zone® Active Spinal Wire, and Lumbar Zone® Quilting for targeted back support
Simmons Beautyrest: No added reinforcement in the lumbar region
The bottom line: The Saatva Classic takes a three-pronged approach to lumbar support. The first is our Lumbar Zone® Pocketed Coils. The coils in the center third of the mattress are firmer than the rest for better back support.
Next is our Lumbar Zone® Active Spinal Wire that strengthens the center third of the bed to ensure this part of the mattress is firmer. Finally is our Lumbar Zone® Quilting.
This tighter stitching in the middle of the mattress offers more support and body impression resistance in the center third. (Here’s how to find the best mattress if you suffer from back pain.)
The Beautyrest Black® C-Class doesn’t have targeted lumbar zone reinforcement. Support and pressure relief come from layers of different types of foam above the single layer of coils.
What kind of pillow top does the mattress have?
Saatva: Euro pillow top
Simmons Beautyrest: Standard top or pillow top
The bottom line: Most premium innerspring mattresses have a layer of cushioning material on top to enhance comfort and add extra contouring and support. The Saatva Classic has a Euro pillow top.
Unlike a conventional pillow top, which is sewn onto the top surface of the mattress, the padding of a Euro pillow top is inserted underneath the mattress cover, flush with the mattress edges. That creates a cleaner look and a more durable pillow top that won’t shift around or lose its shape.
With the Beautyrest Black® C-Class, you can choose between no pillow top or a traditional pillow top. The optional pillow top comes in Plush or Medium and costs an additional $400.
Quality
You’re going to be spending a lot of time—and money—on your mattress, so you want one that’s built to last. Beyond mere comfort, you’ll need to consider the factors that affect mattress quality and longevity, such as coil thickness, edge support, and eco-friendly materials.
What is the coil gauge?
Saatva: 13 gauge in the support layer of coils, 14.5 gauge in the top layer of coils
Simmons Beautyrest: Undisclosed
The bottom line: Coils come in different thicknesses, known as gauge. The higher the gauge number, the thinner and more flexible the coil. The lower the number, the thicker and more supportive. A premium mattress should have a coil gauge between 12 and 15.
Saatva’s base layer of coils is made of thicker tempered steel for durability; the individually wrapped comfort coils are thinner and more flexible so they can respond and contour.
Simmons doesn’t disclose the coil gauge in its Beautyrest Black® C-Class mattress.
What kind of edge support does the mattress have?
Saatva: Foam-encased coils
Simmons Beautyrest: Foam-encased coils
The bottom line: Edge support makes it possible to sit or lie on the edge of the bed without the mattress collapsing. Saatva and Simmons Beautyrest both use a foam border for solid edge support.
What is the flame retardant made of?
Saatva: Natural plant-based thistle
Simmons Beautyrest: Undisclosed
The bottom line: All mattresses are required by law to have a flame retardant, but some manufacturers use chemicals in their fire barrier.
The Saatva Classic’s fire barrier is made from all-natural material, chiefly thistle pulp, and is free of harmful chemicals.
Simmons doesn’t disclose what it uses as a flame retardant in its Beautyrest Black® C-Class mattress.
What’s the mattress cover made of?
Saatva: Organic cotton
Simmons Beautyrest: Undisclosed
The bottom line: The Saatva Classic innerspring mattress is covered in organic cotton and finished with Guardin®, our exclusive plant-based antimicrobial treatment that inhibits bacteria and prolongs the life of the fabric.
(Learn more about why natural, breathable organic cotton is a healthy choice for you and the environment.)
The Beautyrest Black® C-Class mattress cover is made out of a fabric with cooling technology and is referred to as BlackICE™️. Simmons doesn’t disclose the materials in the mattress cover.
Value
When you’re buying a new mattress, cost is often one of the biggest factors. But to determine whether you’re truly getting the most for your money, look beyond what’s printed on the price tag to value-adds such as comfort guarantees, delivery policies, warranty terms, and customer service.
How much does the mattress cost?
Saatva Classic: $1,995 (queen)
Simmons Beautyrest: The manufacturer’s suggested price for a queen starts at $3,599, but prices vary by retailer
The bottom line: The Saatva Classic costs less than the Beautyrest Black® C-Class. When you purchase a Saatva, you’re getting premium components like a strong, durable coil-on-coil base and breathable organic cotton at a significantly better price.
What’s more, with the Saatva Classic innerspring mattress, you’ll always know exactly what the price is because the mattress is sold directly from the manufacturer to you.
Simmons sells its mattresses through third-party retailers, so prices vary widely depending on where the customer makes the purchase.
How is the mattress delivered?
Saatva: Free white glove delivery, which includes delivery and setup of the mattress and free removal of your old mattress
Simmons Beautyrest: Free white glove delivery, which includes delivery and setup of the mattress and free removal of your old mattress, if you purchase directly from Simmons’ website; prices vary when you purchase from a third-party retailer
The bottom line: Saatva’s free white glove delivery policy comes standard with every mattress the company sells.
Simmons offers free white glove delivery if you order directly from their website—however, a third-party Beautyrest Black® C-Class retailer may charge for delivery, as well as the removal of old bedding.
For example, Mattress Firm, which sells Simmons mattresses, offers free dropoff but charges $79.99-$119.99 for in-home setup and removal of your old mattress.
How long is the risk-free trial period?
Saatva: 365 nights
Simmons Beautyrest: 100 nights if you purchase directly from Simmons’ website; home trial length varies when you purchase from a third-party retailer
The bottom line: All new mattresses have a break-in period. With the Saatva classic innerspring mattress, you get 365 nights to try the mattress at home and see if it’s right for you. If you’re not fully satisfied, you can exchange or return the mattress for a $99 processing fee.
Simmons offers a 100-night home trial if you order directly from their website. You can return or exchange a mattress for free during this period.
Third-party retailers will have a different home trial policy. For example, Mattress Firm, which sells Simmons mattresses, has a 120-night home trial. They ask you to sleep on the mattress for a minimum of 21 nights before returning or exchanging it. After that, you can exchange the mattress once for a $99.99 return delivery fee.
How long is the warranty?
Saatva: Lifetime warranty
Simmons Beautyrest: 10 years
The bottom line: The Saatva Classic innerspring mattress carries a lifetime warranty. The warranty works like this: If a mattress is deemed defective during the first two years, Saatva will replace it with a brand-new mattress, free of any charge.
Starting in year three and for as long as you own your mattress, Saatva will repair and re-cover your mattress. You’ll be responsible only for a $149 processing fee.
Simmons offers a limited 10-year warranty on its Beautyrest Black® C-Class, valid only if the mattress is purchased from an authorized dealer.
If the mattress is deemed defective, the company will replace it free of charge. Customers are responsible for any processing fees, inspection costs, and costs associated with the removal of the mattress (except in California).
What about customer support?
Saatva: Noncommissioned sleep guides are available to answer questions 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Simmons Beautyrest: Simmons representatives are available Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 pm EST and 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. EST on Fridays.
The bottom line: Concierge service is the Saatva standard. Call or chat with us anytime, day or night. Our representatives are always at the other end of the line.
Still haven’t made up your mind? Read our reviews. We’ve also put together a variety of additional comparisons to show you how our Saatva Classic stands up to other popular innerspring mattresses:
- Saatva Classic vs. Sealy Posturepedic Spring II
- Saatva Classic vs. Casper Nova Hybrid
- Saatva Classic vs. Stearns & Foster Estate Hurston
- Saatva Classic vs. Helix Midnight Luxe
Ready to buy a mattress? Head on over to saatva.com now.