The classic innerspring mattress dominates the sleep market, and 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 Saatva Classic innerspring and the Stearns & Foster Estate Hurston.
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.
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.
Do I have a choice of comfort levels?
Saatva: Yes (Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm)
Stearns & Foster: Yes (Plush, Cushion Firm, and Firm)
The bottom line: Saatva and Stearns & Foster 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
Stearns & Foster: IntelliCoil® HD, a coil-within-coil design
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 steel coil support base, made with tempered, recycled steel, 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.
The Stearns & Foster Estate Hurston, on the other hand, is made with coil-within-coil construction. This dual-coil system consists of outer and inner coils made from the same wire.
The outer coil is longer and responds more easily to pressure, while the inner coil adapts to the shape and weight of the sleeper.
What kind of lumbar support does the mattress have?
Saatva Classic: Lumbar Zone® Pocketed Coils, Lumbar Zone® Active Spinal Wire, and Lumbar Zone® Quilting for targeted back support
Stearns & Foster: Estate gel memory foam layer for back support
The bottom line: Both mattresses offer extra lumbar support in the center third of the mattress, where most people’s body weight is concentrated. (Here’s how to find the best mattress for back pain.)
What kind of pillow top does the mattress have?
Saatva: Euro pillow top
Stearns & Foster: Standard top or pillow top
The bottom line: Saatva’s innerspring mattress has a Euro top, which is constructed differently than a conventional 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 Stearns & Foster Estate Hurston, you can choose between no pillow top or a traditional pillow top. The optional pillow top comes in Plush or Firm and costs an additional $200.
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 technology, 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
Stearns & Foster: 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 sturdy tempered steel for durability; the individually wrapped comfort coils are thinner and more flexible so they can respond and contour.
Stearns & Foster doesn’t disclose the coil gauge in its Estate Hurston mattress.
What kind of edge support does the mattress have?
Saatva: Foam-encased coils
Stearns & Foster: Coil border
The bottom line: Edge support makes it possible to sit or lie on the edge of the bed without the mattress collapsing. Saatva and Sealy approach edge support in different ways.
In the Saatva Classic mattress, the upper comfort coils are encased in a foam border for solid edge support.
Stearns & Foster uses a flexible coil border around the perimeter of the mattress.
What is the flame retardant made of?
Saatva: Natural plant-based thistle
Stearns & Foster: 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 wood pulp, and is free of harmful chemicals.
Stearns & Foster doesn’t disclose what it uses as a flame retardant in its Estate Hurston mattress.
Is the mattress cover organic?
Saatva: Yes
Stearns & Foster: No
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 for the environment.)
The Stearns & Fosters mattress cover is made from a stretch knit fabric featuring Tencel™—a sustainably-sourced fiber—to wick away moisture.
Value
When you’re buying a new mattress, the 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: $1,995 (queen)
Stearns & Foster: The manufacturer’s suggested price for a queen is $1,949
The bottom line: The Saatva Classic costs slightly less than the Stearns & Foster Estate Hurston. When you purchase a Saatva, you’re getting premium components like a strong, durable coil-on-coil base and breathable organic cotton at a 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.
Stearns & Foster 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
Stearns & Foster: Free white glove delivery, which includes delivery and setup of the mattress and free removal of your old mattress
The bottom line: Both Saatva and Stearns & Foster offer free white glove delivery with mattress purchases. Note that with Stearns & Foster, you can only receive white glove delivery if you order directly from their website. It’s not an option if you buy one of their mattresses from a third-party retailer.
How long is the risk-free trial period?
Saatva: 365 nights
Stearns & Foster: 90 nights if you purchase directly from Stearns & Foster’s 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.
Stearns & Foster offers a 90-night home trial if you order directly from their website. You must sleep on your mattress for at least 30 nights before you can return or exchange it. If you’re not fully satisfied, you can exchange or return the mattress for a $175 shipping fee.
Third-party retailers will have a different home trial policy. For example, Mattress Firm, which sells Stearns & Foster 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
Stearns & Foster: 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.
Stearns & Foster, on the other hand, offers a 10-year limited warranty. If your mattress is deemed defective during the warranty period, they’ll repair or replace it for free, but you’ll be responsible for any transportation costs.
What about customer support?
Saatva: Noncommissioned sleep guides are available to answer questions 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Stearns & Foster: Customer service representatives are available Monday to Friday during business hours. They’re closed Saturday and Sunday.
The bottom line: Concierge service is the Saatva standard, with helpful representatives at the other end of the line any time of the day or night.
Improve your sleep with Saatva's high-quality innerspring mattress
Saatva Classic Innerspring Mattress
Our flagship luxury mattress is expertly engineered with coil-on-coil construction for durability, a layer of memory foam for enhanced back support, and a cushiony Euro pillow top for extra comfort.
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. Simmons Beautyrest
- Saatva Classic vs. Casper Nova Hybrid
- Saatva Classic vs. Helix Midnight Luxe
Ready to buy a mattress? Head on over to saatva.com now.
