Jackson leads editorial product recommendations at Sleep Foundation, transforming the data from our sleep product test lab into real world takeaways for consumers. He has spent over half a decade developing protocol to evaluate and measure the impacts of products on sleep quality. As a cited sleep product expert, Jackson helps guide millions of shoppers to find personalized recommendations for everything from pillows to bedding to mattresses.
Our team at Sleep Foundation performs hands-on pillow tests to bring you the most helpful and data-driven recommendations and reviews. Our testing methodology incorporates objective and subjective evaluations from our expert testers. Below are some guidelines that inform our testing process:
Testers lie on each pillow to evaluate cushioning, support, and overall feel. We test each pillow in different sleep positions to determine if the pillow is better suited for side, back, or stomach sleepers. We closely handle the pillows to evaluate loft and moldability, and we use thermal sensors to measure heat retention.
Our testers represent a wide range of sleep positions, body types, and personal sleep references. This helps ensure that our pillow reviews and recommendations will reflect as wide a range of sleepers as possible.
Each member of our testing team has extensive experience in the sleep product industry. We draw on our in-depth knowledge to bring you the most trustworthy pillow recommendations.
Saatva is an online luxury mattress company founded in 2010. Its mattresses are made in the United States, and the majority of the materials used in its products are sourced in the U.S. as well.
In addition to mattresses, the company sells a variety of bedding products, including sheets, toppers, blankets, and pillows. The Saatva Pillow is the flagship pillow model from the company. This pillow has a removable inner pillow so sleepers can adjust the height to meet their needs.
The other Saatva pillow models are:
The Saatva Memory Foam Pillow: A memory foam pillow with both graphite and gel-infused memory foam.
The Saatva Down Alternative Pillow: A hypoallergenic pillow made with lofty down alternative fibers.
All three pillows are slightly oversized. Saatva recommends sleepers purchase Saatva pillowcases, which are designed to fit their pillows appropriately.
We’ll focus primarily on the flagship Saatva Pillow, breaking down its construction, materials, pricing, and performance for sleepers of various positions and weights. We’ll also detail the shipping, sleep trial, and warranty policies.
Saatva Latex Pillow Video Review
Watch the video below to see how the Saatva Latex Pillow performed when put to the test in our lab.
Saatva Pillow Review Breakdown
The original Saatva Pillow is a medium soft pillow constructed with shredded American Talalay latex and down alternative, encased in a 100% organic cotton cover with gusseted sides. Sleepers can remove the inner pillow to adjust the loft if they desire.
The pillow conforms to the sleeper’s head and neck. Sleepers will experience a feeling of sinking into the pillow, rather than lying on top of it. However, the pillow holds its shape well and should not flatten over time.
Sleepers can try the Saatva Pillow risk-free during the 45-day sleep trial. The model is particularly suitable for side and back sleepers under 230 pounds, but it is not ideal for stomach sleepers.
We’ll focus on details of the flagship Saatva Pillow, but we will also include some information about the two other pillow models from Saatva.
Materials and Options
There are three available pillow models from Saatva: the Saatva Pillow, the Saatva Memory Foam Pillow, and the Saatva Down Alternative Pillow. The dimensions, materials, and loft vary among these pillow options. Unlike the other two pillows, the Saatva Pillow features a removable inner pillow that allows owners to adjust the loft.
The pillow options are slightly larger than standard sizes. Saatva recommends sleepers purchase Saatva pillowcases to ensure the correct fit.
Product
Size Options
Loft
Interior Materials
Cover Materials
Saatva Pillow
Queen: 28″ x 18″
King: 34″ x 18″
Adjustable, 2” to 8”
Shredded 100% American Talalay Latex, Down Alternative
100% Organic Cotton
Saatva Memory Foam Pillow
Queen: 28″ x 16″
King: 34″ x 16″
8”
Graphite Memory Foam, Gel-Infused Memory Foam
Organic Cotton Quilted with Phase-Change Material
Saatva Down Alternative Pillow
Queen: 28″ x 16″
King: 34″ x 16″
8”
Lofty Microdenier Down Alternative, Down Alternative Fibers
100% Organic Cotton
Pricing Information
As customers shop for a new pillow, they will discover that the cost of pillows ranges widely, with some options as low as $20 and others over $200. Size and construction materials are important factors in determining cost.
While all the pillows offered from Saatva come in similar size options, they range in cost. The Saatva Pillow and Saatva Memory Foam Pillow are composed of more complex and high-end materials, and are more expensive as a result.
When comparing pillow prices, customers should consider the quality and feel of the materials, as well as how those materials may affect one’s overall sleep quality.
Saatva Pillow Pricing
Product
Price
Saatva Pillow
Queen: $145 King: $165
Saatva Memory Foam Pillow
Queen: $145 King: $165
Saatva Down Alternative Pillow
Queen: $95 King: $115
Pillow Performance Ratings
To help shoppers determine if this is the pillow for them, we’ll focus specifically on the performance of the original Saatva Pillow, and not the other pillow models sold by Saatva.
Pillows have varying performance strengths and are unlikely to excel across all categories. When selecting a pillow, it’s important to prioritize the performance categories that are most important to you.
One of the Saatva Pillow’s greatest strengths is its shape retention. The gusseted design helps the pillow maintain its loft throughout the night while resisting flattening over time. Another strength is its minimal odor potential. Because the Saatva Pillow core is made of Talalay latex, it is less prone to off-gassing and resists other odor-causing issues like mildew. The down alternative layer allows for cooling airflow, which also helps inhibit excess moisture.
The pillow has average durability. Pillows made with latex or down tend to last longer than those made with memory foam. The Saatva Pillow is also designed to conform to the sleeper’s head and neck, which helps support proper spine alignment. While the Saatva Pillow holds its shape well, it is not very receptive to being molded into other shapes. Sleepers who desire more control over the shape of their pillow may prefer a shredded memory foam pillow.
Saatva Pillow
Durability
The Saatva Pillow is constructed with high-quality materials that should last an average amount of time compared to other models. The outer pillow is machine-washable. This ensures it will hold up longer than other pillows that cannot be washed. Saatva recommends replacing the pillow after 3 years of use.
Firmness Options
Only a medium soft option is available. Many sleepers will find this firmness meets their needs. However, sleepers who prefer a firmer or significantly softer pillow may need to consider another option.
Shape Retention
Both the gusseted pillow cover and the responsive Talalay latex help the pillow keep its shape. The Saatva Pillow rates above average for shape retention. If the pillow starts to lose its shape or flatten, sleepers can fluff it back to its original form.
Moldability
Unlike memory foam pillows, the Saatva Pillow does not take very well to being shaped to the form the sleeper desires. Instead, the pillow tends to retain its original shape and can be fluffed back to that shape.
Conforming
Talalay latex is responsive and conforms to the head and neck to provide support. This helps ensure proper spinal support as well. Sleepers will find they sink into the pillow rather than lying on top of it.
Temperature Control
Latex pillows like the Saatva tend to sleep cooler than memory foam pillows because they provide better airflow. The moisture-wicking pillow cover sleeps cool. Additionally, the down alternative layer is designed to promote cooling airflow.
Odor Potential
The pillow off-gasses less than comparable pillows. Most sleepers won’t notice a smell after a few days of use, if at all. The Talalay layer resists mildew. Sleepers can also wash the outer layer of the pillow. Saatva recommends cleaning the pillow twice a year.
Sleeping Style and Body Weight
Sleep experiences with pillows depend greatly on sleeping style, body weight, and mattress firmness. We’ll break down how the original Saatva Pillow performs for sleepers of different styles and weights.
Side Sleepers
For a comfortable night of sleep, side sleepers require a pillow with a loft that fits the space between the shoulder and head. The pillow should not be too thin, or the sleeper’s head will angle down too far. The loft of the Saatva Pillow is adjustable, so sleepers can customize their experience by removing the inner pillow.
Side sleepers who weigh less than 130 pounds will likely have the best experience and feel properly supported in the head and neck. Side sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds will also receive adequate support from the pillow. However, because the Saatva Pillow is medium soft and conforms to the shape of the head, sleepers over 230 pounds may find themselves sinking into the pillow too deeply, which can cause the head to angle down too far. These side sleepers may prefer a firmer pillow that also provides the higher loft necessary for support.
Back Sleepers
Back sleepers require pillows with a low or medium loft in order to prevent the neck from being pushed too far up or down, risking hyperextension. Because the Saatva Pillow conforms to the head and neck, back sleepers under 130 pounds will find the pillow supports the neck quite well. This conforming nature is also good for back sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds. Sleepers in both of these groups will find that they sink into the pillow slightly.
Back sleepers over 230 pounds may find the Saatva Pillow less comfortable. They may sink too deeply into the pillow and therefore not experience proper support for the head and neck. This could make it difficult for these sleepers to keep the neck and spine aligned properly.
Stomach Sleepers
Although the loft is adjustable, the Saatva Pillow is not ideal for stomach sleepers of any body weight. Stomach sleepers with high loft pillows are at risk for neck pain and disrupted sleep. Because of its loft, the Saatva Pillow is not thin enough for most stomach sleepers, who need to ensure their necks are not pushed up too high. This angle can become more pronounced based on body size. Sleepers with a higher body weight can find this especially problematic because they sink more deeply into the mattress. Though there is some adjustability to the Saatva Pillow, stomach sleepers will likely benefit more from a pillow with a lower loft.
The Saatva Pillow is only available online from the Saatva website. It can be shipped to most addresses in the United States.
Shipping
The Saatva Pillow ships to addresses in the United States. Some products can be shipped to P.O. boxes, but Saatva is not currently able to ship to military APO addresses. The pillow is typically shipped by UPS Ground.
Rather than compressing the pillow, Saatva ships it full-sized, wrapped in plastic, and in a standard box. Shipping for the Saatva Pillow is free. Shipping times vary depending on the delivery address. Saatva has a calculator on its website to estimate delivery times for your zip code.
Trial
The Saatva Pillow has a 45-day sleep trial that begins the day of delivery. Customers who return the pillow before the trial period ends are eligible for a full refund. The refund will be issued to the original form of payment.
There are no restocking fees, but Saatva asks that bedding be washed before returning.
Warranty
The Saatva Pillow, like other bedding from Saatva, has a 1-year limited warranty.
The warranty covers defects in workmanship, but does not cover discoloration, stains, or abuse of the product.
Still have questions?
Our product experts have extensive experience testing just about every sleep product on the market. Send an email to [email protected] or call us at (877) 672-8966 with your questions and we'll help you find exactly what you're looking for.
Jackson leads editorial product recommendations at Sleep Foundation, transforming the data from our sleep product test lab into real world takeaways for consumers. He has spent over half a decade developing protocol to evaluate and measure the impacts of products on sleep quality. As a cited sleep product expert, Jackson helps guide millions of shoppers to find personalized recommendations for everything from pillows to bedding to mattresses.