Torn between a hybrid or an all-foam bed? This Saatva vs Nolah comparison will help you decide by breaking down each mattress's construction, feels, and key similarities and differences.
Saatva believes that a comfortable, luxury experience should be affordable to all sleepers. On the other hand, Nolah’s soft, all-foam design promises deep pressure relief for those who enjoy a cradling sensation.
In this comparison, we break down similarities, differences, and how they performed in the studio so you can determine which mattress best fits your needs.
Quick Comparison: Saatva vs. Nolah
- Classic innerspring feel
- Exceptional support
- Three firmness options
- Saatva Review
- All-foam design
- Good pressure relief
- Medium-firm feel
- Nolah Review
Who I’d Recommend the Saatva For
- Those who want solid support – With two coil systems, this product should provide ample support for sleepers of all kinds. The reinforced edges should maintain stability across the bed’s entire surface.
- Shoppers looking for options – Shoppers can choose between three different comfort options and two different height models of this bed. Stomach sleepers may be drawn to the two firmer options.
- Combination sleepers – This product should offer a good amount of bounce due to the coils. Combined with the fast response of the comfort materials, this should allow sleepers to move around easily. Explore our picks for the best mattresses for combination sleepers.
Who I’d Recommend the Nolah For
- Those with pressure buildup – Shoppers should notice enhanced pressure relief due to the all-foam nature of this product. The comfort materials should compress under body weight to relieve pressure from pushback against the body.
- Side sleepers – This mattress should feel softer than the Saatva, which should have a medium to medium-soft feel. This should make this item a good choice for side sleepers who prefer a soft comfort level.
- Co-sleepers – There should be very little bounce present in this all-foam mattress, but the materials should respond quickly to prevent you from feeling “stuck.” This product should promote enhanced motion control to minimize sleep disruptions.
Comparing Saatva vs. Nolah: Top Similarities
- Cooling – Both beds should be good for hot sleepers as they combine multiple cooling features that help prevent overheating.
- Both are good for couples – Saatva has more bounce, so it’s best for sexually active couples, while Nolah focuses more on motion isolation. With this, it’s better for partners with different sleeping habits.
- Both are good for side sleeping – Nolah has a soft feel that’s good for side sleepers. On the other hand, Saatva has three firmnesses, one of which is soft enough for those who like sleeping on the side.
Comparing Saatva vs. Nolah: Key Differences
- The construction – The most notable difference between the two beds is that the Saatva mattress has coils, while the Nolah bed is made entirely of foam.
- The price – Saatva is more expensive than Nolah.
- Firmness options – Saatva is available in three firmness options, allowing you to pick based on your preferred sleeping position. On the other hand, Nolah is only available in medium plush.
Comparing Firmness, Support & Feel
Firmness
We used our comfort scale to compare the feel of these two beds. This system places items on a firmness scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is incredibly soft, and 10 is very firm.
The Saatva is available in a Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, or Firm option. We’ve rated the Luxury Firm at a 6.5, which should feel like a medium to medium firm, depending on the person. Nolah has a 5, which should be experienced as medium plush.
Support
Saatva has an exceptional support design that should suit a range of sleepers. This bed has two coil layers working together to support your body in various sleeping positions. However, the support level varies depending on the firmness you choose. In other words, the softest Saatva is likely the least supportive out of the three, even with the two coil units.
The Nolah mattress has a thick support core that prevents the upper layers from sagging under your weight. As such, it does a good job of keeping the body aligned, so sleepers should feel well-supported even with the softer feel.
Feel
Saatva has three firmnesses that feel differently from one another. The softest model is the one that will give you the deepest hug and contouring. The firmest one feels the most supportive, but you should still experience a bit of sinkage for pressure relief.
Nolah has a mid-range firmness that allows a comfortable cradle, preventing the pressure from building up around sensitive areas. When you first lie on it, you’ll feel the plush cover and a quick-responding layer of Nolah AirFoam™.
Comparing Sinkage and Bounce
The lumbar section of the Saatva should respond slightly slower than the rest of the mattress, which should provide a quick response time. The Nolah should offer a faster response time than traditional memory foam as its proprietary AirFoam™ is designed to perform more like latex.
Both beds should offer a gentle cradle that keeps you closer to the top of the mattress.
Saatva should provide ample bounce from the supportive coil systems. The all-foam material of the Nolah should offer minimal bounce, but you should never feel “stuck” in the mattress as the foams respond quickly and should reshape easily as you move around.
Comparing Motion Transfer
Motion transfer is not often an important consideration for most shoppers. If you do happen to be looking for a mattress that can help minimize disruptions due to restless partners, this section may be of particular interest to you.
Containing two different coil systems, the Saatva may provide a medium amount of motion transfer. Nolah should keep motion transfer at a minimum as its all-foam design should absorb energy and prevent it from moving throughout the mattress. Couples who share their bed with other sleepers or pets may want to consider the Nolah if they sleep exceptionally light.
Comparing Cooling
Both of these beds are good mattresses for hot sleepers as they incorporate several cooling features. The Saatva mattress is an innerspring model, and with that, it has better breathability. The coils allow more air to circulate, which prevents the construction from overheating.
On the other hand, the Nolah mattress has the brand’s proprietary AirFoam™, which is a temperature-neutral material that ensures no heat builds up on the surface. This bed also has a Tencel™ cover, good for those who tend to sweat while sleeping.
Comparing Construction (Materials & Quality)
Saatva Construction
This is an innerspring mattress that ships fully formed, not compressed.
The 3-inch Euro Top cover should feel plush and inviting and is treated with antibacterial GuardinⓇ which may reduce allergens. This product is available in 14.5 inches and 11.5 inches. We will focus on the 14.5-inch version with differences between the two noted as necessary.
- Below the pillow top is a layer of memory foam in the middle of the bed that’s designed to provide added support to the back’s lumbar region.
- The second layer is a unit of pocket coils. This layer helps promote airflow for better breathability, while also providing responsiveness and motion isolation.
- The bottom coil unit has recycled steel coils that give the bed the support it needs. This support should help prevent sagging and extend the lifespan of the bed.
- The perimeter is comprised of high-density foam for optimum edge support.
Nolah Construction
This bed is made entirely of foam and is delivered in a box. The construction has three layers, starting with a diamond-pattern cover. The Tencel™ cover of this 10-inch bed should prevent overheating and wick moisture away from the sleeper. The material is highly breathable and should help with cooling as it allows air to circulate in and out of the bed.
- The first layer is a 2-inch Cooling Nolah AirFoam™. This should promote a cooler sleep experience as air circulates through the material. The foam offers enough sinkage to relieve pressure in the hips, knees, and shoulders.
- The second layer consists of a 1-inch Supportive High-Resilience Foam. This material has a quick response time to aid in easy repositioning.
- The base layer holds High-Density Base Foam at 7 inches thick. This should provide stability to the upper comfort materials.
Comparing Company Policies & Price
- Warranty – Saatva and Nolah both offer a lifetime warranty.
- Shipping – Both companies offer free shipping to the contiguous US. Saatva also offers free white glove delivery, while Nolah charges for professional installation.
- Trial Period – Saatva gives you a full year to test the mattress, while Nolah offers a 120-night trial.
- Returns – Nolah will take the mattress back for free, while Saatva charges a 99-dollar processing fee.
- Price – Nolah may be more suitable for those on a budget since it’s more affordable than Saatva.
| Size | Saatva Price (w/o discount) | Nolah Price (w/o discount) |
|---|---|---|
| Twin | $995 | $699 |
| Twin XL | $1,355 | $899 |
| Full | $1,895 | $999 |
| Queen | $1,995 | $1,149 |
| King | $2,445 | $1,349 |
| Cali King | $2,445 | $1,349 |
| Split King | $2,710 | $1,798 |
Saatva vs. Nolah Compared Side-by-Side
| Features | Saatva | Nolah |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 11.5” or 14.5” | 10” |
| Cover | Cotton Euro Pillowtop with blended foams | Tencel™ |
| Materials | Memory foam, pocket coils, steel coils, reinforced foam perimeter | AirFoam™ and polyfoams |
| Cooling | Double coil systems | AirFoam™ and Tencel™ cover |
| Firmness | 6.5/10 (Luxury Firm) | 4.5/10 |
| Support | Great | Great |
| Motion Transfer | Medium | Minimal |
| Edge Support | Exceptional | Good |
| Sinkage | Gentle Cradle | Gentle Cradle |
| Bounce | Moderate | Minimal |
| Warranty | Lifetime | Lifetime |
| Trial Period | 365 nights | 120 nights |
| Certifications | CertiPUR-US® | CertiPUR-US® |
| Adjustable Base Compatible | Yes (only in 11.5”) | Yes |
| Shipping | Ships in the United States, White Glove Delivery service is free within contiguous U.S. | Free in the contiguous United States |
| Made in the USA | Yes, a factory in Toronto serves customers in the Ontario area | Yes |
| Read Full Review | Saatva Mattress Review | Nolah Mattress Review |
| Shop Now | Saatva Mattress | Nolah Mattress |
Final Thoughts
These two beds should provide very different comfort feels. Saatva’s innerspring should provide solid support with lots of bounce and a consistent feel from edge to edge. Nolah should offer enhanced pressure relief with minimal bounce and enhanced motion control.
Which one do you think would fit your needs the most? Nolah is a good option for side sleepers, while Saatva should fit a range of sleepers as it’s available in three firmnesses.
Be sure to check out our in-depth mattress reviews of each mattress for a closer look at how each item performs.
Quick Comparison: Saatva vs. Nolah
- Classic innerspring feel
- Exceptional support
- Three firmness options
- Saatva Review
- All-foam design
- Good pressure relief
- Medium-firm feel
- Nolah Review
More Saatva Comparisons:
More Nolah Comparisons:
Jill Zwarensteyn is the editor for Sleep Advisor and a certified sleep science coach. She is enthusiastic about providing helpful and engaging information on all things sleep and wellness.
Based in Los Angeles, she is an experienced writer and journalist who enjoys spending her free time at the beach, hiking, reading, or exploring new places around town.
She’s also an avid traveler who has a personal goal of being able to successfully sleep on an airplane someday.
