Type: Hybrid
Firmness option: Soft, Medium, Firm
Height: 11.5" or 14.5"
Sizes: 8
Sleep trial: 365 nights
Warranty: Lifetime
Price: from $1,395 at Saatva
Shipping: Free white glove delivery
Type: Hybrid
Firmness: Medium firm
Height: 11"
Sizes: 6
Sleep trial: 100 nights
Warranty: 25 years
Price: from $1,099 at Birch
Shipping: Free shipping in a box
A high quality mattress might be an investment, but it's one that pays you back in good sleep – and the Saatva Classic and Birch Natural are among our favorite mattresses on the market. But which is right for you?
The Saatva Classic takes the number one spot in our guide to the best mattress of the year, impressing our sleep experts with its versatile feel and luxury finish. But don't write off the Birch Natural Mattress – its breathable and eco-friendly support stood out for our review team.
In this guide we'll break down the differences (and similarities) of these high-quality hybrids, based on the hands-on testing of our sleep experts. Keep reading to discover if the Saatva Classic or Birch Natural mattress is better for you...
Saatva Classic vs Birch Natural Mattress: Price & trial
- The Saatva Classic is a premium mattress, Birch is upper mid-range
- Saatva has better benefits, with a lifetime warranty and year trial
- Birch offers bigger discounts, often with up to 20% off
A queen size Saatva Classic has an MSRP of $2,095, but monthly Saatva mattress sales and deals mean you don't often have to pay full price. If there's not a discount – and you aren't in a rush to buy – it's worth waiting for the next sale.
The Birch Natural is, for the most part, cheaper than the Classic (smaller sizes of the Classic are sometimes cheaper, depending on the sale). A queen Birch has an MSRP of $1,873.75, but an evergreen mattress sale reduces it to $1,499. That's competitively priced for one of the best organic mattresses we've tested as latex is among the most expensive mattress materials.
When it comes to benefits, however, Saatva is the clear winner. As well as a lifetime warranty (compared to 25 years at Birch) the Classic also comes with a full year's sleep trial – Birch offers just 100 nights. And while Saatva offers free white glove delivery, you have to pay for the same from Birch (but standard delivery is free).
Saatva Classic vs Birch Natural Mattress: Materials & design
- Both are hybrid mattresses with springs and comfort materials
- Saatva Classic is an innerspring hybrid with quilted pillow top
- Birch is crafted with organic cotton, wool, and latex
The Saatva Classic and Birch Natural Hybrid are among the best hybrid mattresses, we've reviewed, meaning they both feature springs and comfort materials. However, while you'll find plenty of coils inside 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 tempered steel springs, surrounded by foam edge support. This is topped with another layer of springs – this time 14.5 gauge – with a firmer central third.
Next is a lumbar crown: supportive foam zoned to the central third of the mattress. Finally, the quilted pillow-top provides pressure relief and determines the firmness of the mattress (but more on that later).
You'll find a layer of coil support at the base of the Birch as well, sitting on top of a layer of wool (for stability). Above this is a layer of eco-INSTITUT certified natural latex, for bouncy pressure relief. This is followed by a double layer of organic wool, providing both cushioning and natural fire protection. The cover is made of an organic cotton blend with a tight top finish.
The double-coil layer provides the Saatva Classic with a responsive feel, similar to a traditional innerspring mattress. And like a traditional mattress, the Classic is delivered flat. The Birch, on the other hand, is compressed and rolled, like all of this year's best mattresses in a box.
Saatva Classic vs Birch Natural mattress: Comfort & support
- Saatva Classic is available in three firmness levels
- Birch Natural is a medium-firm mattress that suits all sleep styles
- Both have a 'lifted' feel without much sink
There's one major comfort advantage when it comes to the Saatva Classic: it's 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 in that scale. The Plush Soft (3 out of 10) is best for side sleepers, the Luxury Firm (5-7) suits all sleep styles, while the Firm (8) is for back and stomach sleepers.
In our Saatva Classic Mattress review we tested the Luxury Firm and it impressed our entire testing panel. There's little 'sink', but the quilted top yields to the touch points to provide pressure relief. The support is strong across the body, with the reinforced central third helping reduce back pain.
The Birch Natural might not have the multiple options of the Classic, but as one of the best medium-firm mattresses it can suit a lot of sleep styles. Birch rates it as a 6-7 on the firmness scale and our Birch Natural Mattress review panel agreed. However, firmness is subjective and sleepers with a light build might find it firmer than expected.
With wool and latex cushioning, instead of traditional memory foams, the Birch doesn't offer much of a 'hug'. We described it as a "lifting feel", helping maintain neutral body alignment. There's good pressure relief, but some side sleepers might prefer a softer mattress.
Both mattresses earned plenty of praise from our team for support, including edge support – you can sit on the sides without risking collapse. However, the Saatva Classic comes out on top for bed sharers, with full marks for motion isolation. We found the Birch Natural has a bit of bounce, 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 regulation
- While neither are specialist cooling beds, both sleep neutral
- Classic has a coil-heavy design that aids air circulation
- Birch uses naturally breathable materials including latex and cotton
The best cooling mattresses keep temperatures down during the night, to avoid night sweats and disrupted sleep. The Saatva Classic and Birch Natural aren't packed with cooling tech, but our testers found both beds to be cooler and comfortable, earning full marks for temperature regulation.
The Saatva Classic achieves this cooler feel through a breathable build; with two coil layers, there's ample room for hot air to move and disipate. The Birch also features open coils, while the natural materials enhance the overall air flow.
Saatva Classic vs Birch Natural mattress: Which should you buy?
Buy the Saatva Classic Mattress if...
✅ You want a softer mattress: The Saatva Classic comes in three firmness levels, including a Plush Soft. This has more of a cushioned feel, for extra pressure relief.
✅ You share a bed: With full marks for motion isolation from our team, the Saatva Classic is able to absorb movement. Your partner might be tossing and turning but you won't feel it.
✅ You want a luxury feel: A sumptuous quilted pillow-top surface gives the Saatva Classic a hotel-like luxury that you'll struggle to resist – we all enjoyed a quick lie down.
Buy the Birch Natural Mattress if...
✅ You want eco-friendly sleep: The Birch Natural is made using organic materials and is GOTS and GREENGIARD GOLD Certified.
✅ You're a combination sleeper: Combining a bounciness that's easy to move around on with a versatile medium-firm feel, the Birch is great for sleepers who like to adjust during the night.
✅ You're on a tighter budget: The Birch Natural is competitively priced for an organic mattress and while it's not cheap, it's less pricey than the Saatva Classic. And you get two free pillows.
