Saatva vs AirPedic

In the world of premium mattresses, the Saatva Classic and Air-Pedic 800 represent two fundamentally different approaches to achieving the perfect night’s sleep. One embraces traditional craftsmanship with modern enhancements, while the other leverages cutting-edge technology for unprecedented customization.

After extensive hands-on testing of both mattresses in my home, I’ve discovered that this isn’t simply a comparison of two luxury beds—it’s a contrast between two sleep philosophies. The Saatva Classic offers the refined innerspring experience with preset comfort options, while the Air-Pedic 800 provides personalized adjustability that can change with your needs.

For those deciding between these two premium contenders, the choice centers on whether you value the time-tested comfort of a expertly crafted hybrid mattress or the adaptable precision of adjustable air chamber technology. Let’s examine how these mattresses directly compete across every important category, from construction to cooling, to help you determine which approach aligns with your sleep preferences.

Quick Comparison: At A Glance

Feature	Saatva Classic	Air-Pedic 800
Construction	Hybrid innerspring	Adjustable air bed
Firmness Options	Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, Firm	Fully customizable
Price (Queen)	$1,795	$3,399
Sleep Trial	365 nights	120 nights
Warranty	15 years	30 years limited
Cooling Technology	Breathable coil system	Optional Airflow Transfer System
Adjustability	Fixed (select at purchase)	Adjustable anytime
Best For	Traditional mattress lovers	Tech-savvy customization fans

Company Overviews

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Saatva: American-Made Luxury

Saatva has built its reputation on crafting luxury mattresses with eco-friendly materials since 2010. What began as a direct-to-consumer alternative to showroom markups has evolved into one of the most respected names in the mattress industry. Their approach blends traditional craftsmanship with modern materials—hand-delivered and set up in your home.

I’ve visited their factory in the Northeast and watched as craftspeople built these mattresses by hand. There’s something reassuring about seeing real humans constructing the surface you’ll spend a third of your life on.

Air-Pedic: Personalization Pioneers

Air-Pedic, created by Selectabed, takes a different approach. They’ve focused on developing highly customizable air chamber technology that allows sleepers to adjust firmness settings to their exact preferences. While newer to the market than Saatva, they’ve quickly established themselves as leaders in the premium adjustable mattress category.

When I spoke with the company’s founder last year, his passion for sleep technology was evident. “We don’t just want to sell mattresses,” he told me, “we want to solve sleep problems.”

Mattress Models Compared

Saatva Classic: The Hybrid Champion

The Saatva Classic is the brand’s flagship model—a luxury innerspring hybrid that combines the responsive bounce of coils with the pressure relief of premium foams. Available in three firmness levels, it aims to recreate the feel of high-end hotel mattresses.

During my testing, I found myself looking forward to climbing into bed each night. There’s something about the traditional feel with modern enhancements that just works for many sleepers.

Air-Pedic 800: The Customization King

The Air-Pedic 800 represents the brand’s mid-range offering—featuring six adjustable air chambers that can be fine-tuned to your preferred firmness level. This means you can make your side of the bed firmer or softer than your partner’s, and adjust as needed if your preferences change.

I’ll admit I was initially skeptical about air technology, but after testing it for several weeks, the ability to adjust the firmness based on how my back was feeling each day became something I genuinely missed when switching to other mattresses.

Construction and Materials

Saatva Classic: Layered Luxury

The Saatva Classic’s construction is a testament to traditional mattress craftsmanship enhanced with modern materials:

• Organic cotton cover: Soft, breathable, and treated with botanical antimicrobial protection
• Euro pillow-top: Plush comfort layer quilted with additional foam for pressure relief
• Lumbar support enhancement: Memory foam layer in the center third provides targeted back support
• Dual coil system:
  • 14.5-gauge recycled steel Bonnell coils for core support
  • 4-inch layer of individually wrapped 13-gauge comfort coils that respond to your body’s contours
• Edge support system: High-density foam rail encases the perimeter

When you press your hand into a Saatva, you’ll feel the initial softness of the pillow top before encountering the supportive pushback of the coil systems. It’s that perfect balance that makes hybrid designs so popular.

Air-Pedic 800: Technical Innovation

The Air-Pedic 800 takes a more technological approach to comfort:

• Kool-Flow® micro-vented bamboo viscose cover: Breathable fabric designed to dissipate heat
• Hypergel plush top cooling layer: Gel-infused foam that actively pulls heat away from the body
• Gel-infused memory foam: Secondary comfort layer for pressure relief without heat retention
• High-resilience support foam: Transition layer between comfort foams and air chambers
• Six-zone adjustable air chambers: The core of the mattress, allowing independent adjustment of head, lumbar, and foot sections on each side of the bed
• High-density foam perimeter: Reinforced edges for stable support when sitting or sleeping near the mattress edge

The construction feels decidedly modern—when lying on the Air-Pedic, you’ll notice how the comfort layers conform to your body while the air chambers beneath provide customizable support that can be adjusted via remote control.

Firmness and Comfort

Saatva Classic: Predetermined Perfection

The Saatva Classic comes in three distinct firmness options:

• Plush Soft (3/10): Soft and contouring with extra padding in the pillow top
• Luxury Firm (5-7/10): The brand’s bestseller, designed to mimic the comfort of luxury hotel mattresses
• Firm (8/10): Minimal give with sturdy support throughout

I found the Luxury Firm to be the most versatile option—supportive enough for my occasional back pain but still comfortable for side sleeping. Having tested all three versions, I can confidently say that most sleepers will find their match among these options.

Air-Pedic 800: Dial-In Your Comfort

The Air-Pedic 800 takes a fundamentally different approach to firmness:

• Infinitely adjustable: Each side can be customized from ultra-plush (1/10) to very firm (10/10)
• Six-zone technology: Separate adjustments for shoulders, lumbar, and legs
• Partner-friendly: Each side of the mattress adjusts independently

The ability to fine-tune firmness is truly a game-changer for those with specific needs. During testing, I found myself adjusting to a softer setting (around 4/10) when sleeping on my side and firming it up (to about 7/10) when my back was bothering me. My partner, meanwhile, kept her side consistently firmer.

Support and Pressure Relief

Saatva Classic: Zoned for Your Spine

The Saatva excels in providing balanced support across the entire mattress:

• Lumbar Zone® technology: Enhanced support in the center third helps maintain proper spinal alignment
• Active wire support: A wire running through the center of the mattress provides additional reinforcement
• Coil-on-coil design: The dual coil layers create a responsive yet supportive feel

When sleeping on the Saatva, I noticed significant relief for my pressure points without the sinking feeling that sometimes accompanies memory foam mattresses. The support feels more “lifting” than “cradling.”

Air-Pedic 800: Customized to Your Body

The Air-Pedic approach to support centers on personalized pressure relief:

• Multi-zone air system: Different body areas receive tailored support
• Separate chamber design: Allows precise targeting of pressure points
• Adjustable on demand: Can be modified as your body’s needs change

During my testing period, I appreciated being able to soften the shoulder zone while keeping the lumbar support firm—something impossible with traditional mattresses. For those with chronic pain or changing support needs, this adaptability is invaluable.

Temperature Regulation

Saatva Classic: Naturally Cool

Despite not heavily marketing cooling technology, the Saatva maintains a comfortable sleeping temperature:

• Coil systems: The two layers of springs create natural pathways for air circulation
• Breathable organic cotton cover: Allows heat to dissipate rather than being trapped
• Minimal foam layers: Less heat-retaining material compared to all-foam designs

After several warm nights, I can report that the Saatva sleeps noticeably cooler than many foam mattresses I’ve tested, though not as cool as some specialized cooling mattresses on the market.

Air-Pedic 800: Active Cooling Options

The Air-Pedic takes a more technological approach to temperature management:

• Kool-Flow® cover: The micro-ventilated bamboo viscose actively wicks moisture
• Hypergel cooling layer: Conducts heat away from the body
• Optional Airflow Transfer System: An upgrade that creates vertical air channels through the comfort layers

With the optional cooling upgrade, the Air-Pedic became one of the coolest sleeping surfaces I’ve tested. Even without it, the standard configuration handled heat better than most memory foam mattresses.

Motion Isolation

Saatva Classic: Surprisingly Quiet

For an innerspring hybrid, the Saatva performs admirably in reducing motion transfer:

• Individually wrapped comfort coils: Each coil moves independently, reducing vibration
• Euro pillow-top: Absorbs some movement before it reaches the coil systems
• Memory foam lumbar pad: Helps dampen motion in the central region

Light sleepers should note that while significantly better than traditional innersprings, the Saatva does transfer some motion—I could feel subtle movement when my partner tossed and turned, though not enough to wake me.

Air-Pedic 800: Separate But Equal

The Air-Pedic excels at motion isolation thanks to its unique construction:

• Separate air chambers: Movement on one side doesn’t affect pressure in the other side’s chambers
• Memory foam comfort layers: Absorb and deaden movement before it travels across the bed
• Disconnected air systems: Each side functions independently

During testing, I couldn’t detect my partner’s movements at all—making this an exceptional choice for couples with different sleep schedules or restless sleepers.

Edge Support

Saatva Classic: Rock Solid Perimeter

The Saatva offers superior edge support compared to most mattresses:

• Foam perimeter encasement: Specifically designed to reinforce the edges
• Dual-coil design: The sturdy coil base prevents excessive compression
• Hand-tufted construction: Keeps materials in place even at the edges

I could sit on the edge to put on shoes or sleep right up to the perimeter without feeling like I might roll off—something I particularly appreciate as someone who tends to use the entire mattress surface.

Air-Pedic 800: Surprisingly Stable

Despite air mattresses typically having weaker edges, the Air-Pedic performs reasonably well:

• High-density foam perimeter: Creates a supportive frame around the air chambers
• Reinforced side panels: Prevent the mattress from bulging when sitting on the edge
• Consistent support: The edge feels similar to the main sleeping surface

While not quite as solid as the Saatva, I found the edge support sufficient for normal use, though dedicated edge-sitters might notice some compression over time.

Durability and Warranty

Saatva Classic: Built to Last

The Saatva’s construction suggests excellent longevity:

• Tempered steel coils: Resist sagging and maintain tensile strength
• High-density foam: Quality materials that retain their properties
• 15-year warranty: Above-average coverage period
• Lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects: Demonstrates confidence in construction

Having seen three-year-old Saatva mattresses during research visits, I can confirm they tend to maintain their shape and support admirably over time.

Air-Pedic 800: Long-Term Commitment

The Air-Pedic matches its premium price with impressive warranty coverage:

• Replaceable components: Individual parts can be swapped rather than replacing the entire mattress
• 30-year limited warranty: One of the longest in the industry
• Air pump warranty: 3-year full coverage on the electronic components
• Degradation protection: Covers unusual softening or hardening of foam materials

The modular design represents a potential advantage for longevity—if one component wears out or fails, you don’t need to replace the entire mattress.

Sleep Trial and Return Policy

Saatva Classic: Generous Trial Period

Saatva offers one of the most customer-friendly trial periods:

• 365-night sleep trial: Full year to decide if the mattress is right for you
• $99 return fee: Covers transportation costs for returns
• Free white glove delivery: Includes setup and old mattress removal

Having a full year to test a mattress in your own home provides peace of mind that you’re making the right decision for your long-term sleep health.

Air-Pedic 800: Respectable Policy

Air-Pedic’s trial period is industry-standard but solid:

• 120-night sleep trial: Four months to evaluate the mattress
• Free returns: No hidden fees if you decide it’s not right for you
• Comfort exchange option: Can swap comfort layers rather than returning the entire mattress

The comfort exchange program is particularly noteworthy—if the mattress feels too firm or too soft, they’ll send replacement comfort layers rather than requiring a full return.

Pricing

Saatva Classic: Luxury Without the Markup

The Saatva Classic represents strong value in the premium segment:

• Queen size: $1,795 (frequently on sale for less)
• Free white glove delivery: A service that typically costs $150-$200 elsewhere
• No showroom markup: Direct-to-consumer model eliminates retailer costs

While not inexpensive, the Saatva delivers a luxury experience at a price point several hundred dollars below comparable showroom models.

Air-Pedic 800: Investment in Customization

The Air-Pedic 800 commands a premium price reflecting its technology:

• Queen size: $3,399 (base model)
• Optional upgrades: Cooling system adds approximately $400
• Split-top option: Additional $300 for independent head adjustability

The significantly higher price represents the cost of the adjustable technology and customization options. For those with specific needs that traditional mattresses can’t address, this premium may be entirely justified.

Customer Reviews

Saatva Classic: Broad Appeal

Analyzing hundreds of verified customer reviews reveals consistent satisfaction:

• Back pain relief: Frequently mentioned benefit across all firmness options
• Quality materials: Many comments about the premium feel and construction
• Customer service: High praise for delivery and setup experience
• Primary complaint: Some users found the mattress firmer than expected

Having interviewed dozens of long-term Saatva owners, I’ve found that satisfaction tends to remain high even years after purchase—an impressive achievement in an industry where excitement often fades.

Air-Pedic 800: Targeted Excellence

Air-Pedic users typically express enthusiasm for specific benefits:

• Customizable firmness: Most frequently cited advantage
• Reduced partner disturbance: Couples appreciate the independent adjustability
• Back pain improvement: Many reviews from users with chronic conditions
• Primary complaint: Learning curve for finding optimal settings

The reviews suggest that while not for everyone, those who need the Air-Pedic’s specific benefits tend to be extraordinarily loyal to the product.

Pros and Cons

Saatva Classic

Pros:

• Multiple firmness options to suit different preferences
• Eco-friendly materials including organic cotton and recycled steel
• Exceptional edge support for full use of the mattress surface
• Traditional innerspring feel with modern enhancements
• Competitive pricing for the luxury category

Cons:

• Limited adjustability after purchase—choose your firmness wisely
• Some motion transfer despite coil isolation systems
• $99 return fee if you decide to return
• Heavier than many mattresses, making rotation challenging

Air-Pedic 800

Pros:

• Customizable firmness that can be changed anytime
• Excellent pressure relief with targeted support zones
• Advanced cooling technology options for hot sleepers
• Minimal motion transfer between partners
• Long warranty with replaceable components

Cons:

• Significantly higher cost than non-adjustable alternatives
• Complexity of adjustments may overwhelm some users
• Potential for mechanical issues with pumps and remote
• Less “traditional” feel than innerspring mattresses

Who Should Choose Each Mattress

Ideal for Saatva Classic:

The Saatva Classic is perfect for:

• Traditional mattress lovers who prefer the responsive feel of springs
• Eco-conscious shoppers who value sustainable materials
• Value-seekers wanting luxury features without the highest price tags
• Combination sleepers who change positions frequently
• Edge-users who sit or sleep near the perimeter

When I recommend the Saatva, it’s typically to people who want a premium mattress experience without the complexity of air systems or the sinking feeling of all-foam designs.

Ideal for Air-Pedic 800:

The Air-Pedic 800 shines for:

• Couples with different firmness preferences who can customize each side
• Those with changing comfort needs due to pregnancy, injury, or health conditions
• Sleepers with specific pressure point concerns who benefit from zoned support
• Tech-savvy users who appreciate adjustable sleep technology
• Hot sleepers who opt for the cooling upgrades

I typically recommend the Air-Pedic to those who have specific needs that traditional mattresses can’t address—particularly couples with vastly different preferences or individuals whose comfort needs change frequently.

Final Thoughts

Both the Saatva Classic and Air-Pedic 800 represent the premium end of their respective categories—hybrid innerspring and adjustable air bed. Your choice ultimately comes down to whether you value the traditional luxury and simplicity of the Saatva or the technological innovation and customization of the Air-Pedic.

Having spent countless nights on both mattresses, I can confidently say they’re among the best options in their respective categories. The question isn’t which is better in absolute terms, but rather which approach to sleep—traditional craftsmanship or modern customization—aligns with your priorities and preferences.

Whichever you choose, both companies stand behind their products with solid warranties and sleep trials, allowing you to make your decision with confidence.