Saatva Contour5 Review

In This Review
Performance Tests | Firmness | Support & Sleeping Positions | Design | Materials | Comparisons | FAQs

At NapLab, we put each mattress to the test.

We test 10 different factors that impact the performance, comfort, and value of the mattress. We then take the results of that test and compare to every mattress we’ve tested to date.

Check out the full performance table below to see how this mattress ranks:

Factor	Saatva Contour5	Average
Overall Score	8.88	8.61
Price (Queen)	$2,695	$1,151 (Memory Foam only)
Cooling – Score	9.0	8.7
Sinkage – Depth	1.85″	2.12″
Sinkage – Feel	Minimal	Moderate
Motion Transfer – Score	6.7	8.2
Motion Transfer – Acceleration	12.29 m/s²	8.73 m/s²
Response Time – Score	9.9	9.0
Response Time – Mostly Recovered	0.2 sec.	0.4 sec.
Response Time – Fully Recovered	0.4 sec.	0.9 sec.
Bounce – Height	4.32″	9.65″
Bounce – Feel	Very Low	Moderate
Edge Support – Score	10	8.6
Edge Support – Sitting	3.00″	4.02″
Edge Support – Lying	Outstanding	Good
Sex – Score	6.8	8.5
Pressure Relief – Score	10	8.7
Comfort Layer Thickness	6.25″	4.1″
Mattress Thickness	12.25″	12.0″
Off-Gassing – Score	9.2	8.3
Off-Gassing – Smell	Strong	Strong
Off-Gassing – Days	3 days	6 days
Company – Score	9.4	8.7
Trial	365 nights	175 nights
Warranty	Lifetime	23% have lifetime warranties, average of other 77% of mattresses is 13 years

How is Saatva Contour5 Different?

The Saatva Contour5 is a memory foam mattress with better overall performance than average, but also over 2.3X more expensive than the average memory foam mattress, which amounts to around $1.5K extra.

Advantages

Despite the higher cost, the Contour5 has a range of advantages that still make this a good option for many sleepers. Cooling is better than average and response time is faster than average also.

Edge support is exceptional with only 3.0″ of sinkage when seated directly on the edge of the mattress and the mattress has faster off-gassing (50% faster than average).

Neutral Factors

This mattress has minimal sinkage and very low levels of bounce, all tell-tale signs of a traditional memory foam feel.

Disadvantages

The Contour5 does have higher levels of motion transfer than average, which can be a disadvantage to couples or sleepers who are easily disturbed.

Low levels of bounce also means the sex score is below average. Again, this can be a disadvantage to couples, but might not be a critical issue for all sleepers.

The Saatva Contour5 has excellent cooling. During our tests, I did not feel any significant level of heat retention around my body.

• Baseline Temperature – the temperature of the mattress before anyone lies on it
• Maximum Temperature (0 minute) – the temperature of the mattress after lying on it for 15 minutes
• Ending Temperature (5 minute) – the temperature of the mattress after being lied upon and having no one on it for 5 minutes

On the positive side, the Contour5 uses gel-infused memory foam, quality foams that can breathe, and a thin cover.

These attributes help resist heat retention and keep air flowing through the mattress. That said, this is still an all foam mattress, so while cooling is good it is limited by the material design.

In our objective temperature testing, we measured a max surface level temperature of 89.7° F, which is 0.1 degrees warmer than the average.

After getting off the mattress the temperature declined by 6.7° from minutes 0 to 1, which is 2.0° cooler than average.

Heat Dissipation Over Time

The temperature declined by 8.9° from minutes 0 to 5, which is 1.5° cooler than average.

When we consider the objective data, subjective experience, and material analysis, I’m confident most sleepers will find cooling to be sufficient. 

The Saatva Contour5 has a minimal level of sinkage. During our tests, we measured 1.85” of pressure point sinkage. This is 0.28” less sinkage than the average of 2.13”.

The level of sinkage is documented in the image below.

Despite the more restrained sinkage depth, the mattress creates a dramatic body-contouring hug.

The thin cover allows the body to come into more direct and significant contact with the memory foam layers, which create the more classic memory foam contouring hug.

While pressure point sinkage depth is more restrained at 1.85”, I did feel a more moderate sinkage depth for heavier portions of my body. Overall, I’m pleased with the body contouring effect.

The Saatva Contour5 has a high level of motion transfer. During our tests, we measured a total acceleration range of 12.29 m/s². This is 40% more motion than the average of 8.75 m/s².

The level of motion transfer is also documented in the video below.

In my view, the greatest motion problem area for the Contour5 is the taut cover. While aesthetically it looks wonderful, the high degree of tautness means that motion is more easily transferred from side to side.

In our medicine ball drop test, you can see just how much the cover is being pulled toward the medicine ball. The silver lining is that the motion duration is incredibly short.

In our motion transfer chart, which visualizes our accelerometer data, we can see the motion peak from 0 to 0.22 seconds.

Motion declines significantly thereafter and by 0.50 seconds we’ve returned to near-zero levels of energy.

Mattresses with the lowest levels of motion are able to disperse all energy within 0.3 seconds.

The Contour5 isn’t quite at that level, but it’s not far off either. Overall, I found motion to be a mixed bag. Absolutely, it’s not ideal that we’re seeing high levels of motion spikes, but fortunately the motion is rapidly dispersed. 

The Saatva Contour5 has a very fast material response time. During our mostly recovered test, we measured a responsiveness speed of 0.2 seconds. This is 0.21 seconds faster than the average of 0.41 seconds.

During our fully recovered test, we measured a responsiveness speed of 0.4 seconds, which is 0.50 seconds faster than the average of 0.9 seconds.

The level of responsiveness is documented in the video below.

These speeds aren’t quite instant, but they are extremely close. I was impressed and surprised by the response speeds. Typically, memory foam has a slower material response.

However, that wasn’t the case with the Contour5 and it was able to rebound back to shape incredibly quickly. These responsiveness speeds ensure you’ll never feel stuck on the mattress.

The Contour5 has a very low level of bounce. During our tests, we measured a total bounce height of 4.32”. This is 5.37” less bounce than the average of 9.69”.

The level of bounce is also documented in the video below.

In an ideal world, I look for 8-12” of total bounce height. Bounce at this level facilitates ease of movement and also greatly improves sex.

At 4.32” of bounce the Contour5 is well below the ideal bounce I hope for. While the limited bounce does have a positive impact by limiting motion transfer duration, it also has a significant negative impact on sex performance.

The Saatva Contour5 has outstanding edge support for both sitting and lying. In our sitting edge support tests, we measured a sitting sinkage compression of 3.0”. This is 1.02” less sitting sinkage than the average of 4.02”.

The level of edge support while seated is documented in the images below.

Even when sitting directly on the edge I felt well-supported and there was no collapse of materials. Lying edge support is equally as impressive. While lying directly on the edge of the mattress I felt well supported in all sleeping positions.

The level of edge support while lying is documented in the images below.

The mattress lacks any type of explicit edge support system. However, it doesn’t seem to need it. The material choices, material quality, and the layered design are such that they create equally good support at the very edge and at the center of the mattress.

Overall, I’m impressed with the level of edge support and I expect most sleepers will find it to be more than sufficient. 

The Saatva Contour5 has a mediocre level of sex performance. On the positive side, the Contour5 earned perfect sex scores for edge support, noise, and pressure relief.

Sex Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Rating
Bounce	65%	5.2	Very Low
Edge Support	20%	10	Outstanding
Noise	5%	10	Minimal
Pressure Relief	5%	10	Outstanding
Cooling	5%	9.0	Excellent

In addition, the mattress earned a good 9 / 10 score for cooling. However, all of these factors cannot save it from the simple fact that it also has a very low level of bounce.

The very low bounce negatively impacts sex as it makes amorous activities more strenuous with the mattress working more against you instead of with you. Overall, the dance without pants performance leaves much to be desired. 

The Saatva Contour5 has an outstanding level of pressure relief. During our tests, I felt zero pressure points anywhere on my body.

The mattress is incredibly comfortable in all sleeping positions. My body felt gently contoured and comforted, while still achieving ample support.

The mattress is equipped with a 6.25” comfort layer. This is 2.16” more comfort material than the average comfort layer thickness of 4.09”.

This extra thickness, in combination with the high-quality nature of the foam layers (Contour5 uses an impressive 5.0 PCF memory foam), creates the right conditions for outstanding pressure relief performance.

The maximum PSI measured on our pressure mapping test is very impressive.

Pressure Map – Side Sleepers

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Side Sleepers	0.18	1.01

Pressure Map – Back Sleepers

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Back Sleepers	0.13	1.28

Pressure Map – Stomach Sleepers

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Stomach Sleepers	0.13	1.06

Off-gassing on the Saatva Contour5 is strong right out of the box and took 3 days for the odor to dissipate. The Contour5 ships uncompressed, which does help to limit off-gassing odors and duration of smell.

Comparing over 240+ mattresses tested to date, the average off-gassing duration is 6 days.

Saatva has a long 365-night trial period and a lifetime warranty. Honestly, it just doesn’t get much better than this.

Company Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Data
Trial Period	15%	10	365 nights
Warranty	10%	10	Lifetime
Shipping	5%	10	$0
Returns	20%	7.0	$99
Trust	50%	10	Outstanding
Country of Origin	0%		USA

Shipping is free and returns are $99. Having to pay anything for a return isn’t great, but considering the mattress ships with white glove delivery service, it makes sense.

Saatva mattresses ship uncompressed. Because of this, Saatva offers free in-room delivery and setup as well as removing your old mattress and foundation (also free.)

The Saatva Contour 5 is available in two firmness levels—medium and firm. We tested the medium version which has a feel of 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale.

This is the most popular firmness and ideal for most sleeping positions and body types.

We estimate the firm version to be around an 8 out of 10, giving it a firm feel.

This firmness would likely be a better option for heavier sleepers or those who sleep on their back or stomach.

The Saatva Contour5 has an outstanding level of support. During our tests, I felt well-supported in all sleeping positions. The mattress uses a 6.0” support foam. This is thinner than the average 7.87” support layer.

Despite the lower-than-average support layer, it didn’t seem to have any impact on performance. Certainly, being topped with an extra thick, high-quality foam comfort layer is also having a positive impact on the total support experience for the mattress.

The Contour5 is available in 2 firmness levels, medium and firm. We tested the medium version.

Check out the tables below to see the sleeper weights and sleeping positions that would be best suited for this mattress.

Medium Version

Sleeper Weight	Stomach Sleepers	Side Sleepers	Back Sleepers
Under 150 lbs.	Yes	Yes	Yes
150-250 lbs.	Yes	Yes	Yes
250-300 lbs.	Yes	Yes	Yes

Firm Version

Sleeper Weight	Stomach Sleepers	Side Sleepers	Back Sleepers
Under 150 lbs.	Maybe	No	Maybe
150-250 lbs.	Yes	Maybe	Yes
250-300 lbs.	Yes	Yes	Yes

Having 2 firmness levels helps further improve support, as sleepers with different needs, body types, weights, sleeping positions, and preferences can get the ideal firmness that is most appropriate to their body’s needs.

Design

The Saatva Contour5 is a 12.25″ thick memory foam mattress that is available in two firmness levels—medium or firm. It has a luxury, modern feel and includes a 6.25″ comfort layer.

Materials

In total, there are four distinct layers that make up the total thickness of the Saatva Contour5.

• 1.25” gel-infused memory foam
• 3” memory foam
• 2” poly foam
• 6” support foam

The Cover

The Saatva Contour5 has a thin, knit cover made of organic cotton. A waterfall edge design takes the knit finish and carries it into the side of the mattress.

The cover has an antimicrobial finish and a GREENGUARD Gold-certified flame barrier on all 6 sides of the mattress.

This mattress contains no fiberglass or chemical flame retardants, making it a clear choice if you’re concerned about material toxicity.

The Comfort Layer

The comfort layer is made of two primary foams. The first layer is a channel-cut 1.25″ gel memory foam (blue foam). The channel-cut design and infused gel helps to improve cooling performance and limit retention.

It has a high density of 4.0 PCF (pounds per cubic feet; a measure of foam density), which provides good contour and pressure relief. Saatva says this layer is 1.5″, but ours measured a little short of that—right at 1.25″ thick.

Below this gel foam is a 3.0″ memory foam (black foam). This foam has a density of 5.0 PCF. and provides much of the comfort from this mattress.

There is a transitional layer below the 3.0″ memory foam—a 2.0″ poly foam. This poly foam helps transition sleeper weight between the comfort material and the support layer below.

The Support Layer

The support layer is a 6.0″ high-density support foam, designed to provide support and stability.

Product Evolution

The Saatva Contour5 was newly launched in June 2024. This is Saatva’s first all foam memory foam mattress since launching the Loom and Leaf in 2015. While Loom and Leaf is still available for sale here, it seems likely that Saatva will discontinue Loom and Leaf in the coming months.

Saatva previously had a mattress called the Saavta Modern Foam, which contained a mix of latex foam and memory foam, but this mattress was later discontinued and replaced by the Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid.

Loom & Leaf vs. Saatva Contour5

Loom & Leaf and the Saatva Contour5 has a similar thickness and use similar materials, but do have differences in performance and feel.

Check out the table below for a side-by-side performance comparison. As you can see, the Contour5 is a little pricier, has less sinkage, more motion transfer, faster material response, significantly better edge support, and a lifetime warranty.

Factor	Loom & Leaf	Saatva Contour5
Price (Queen)	$2,095	$2,695
Cooling	Excellent	Excellent
Sinkage – Depth	3.09″	1.85″
Sinkage – Feel	Extremely Deep	Minimal
Motion Transfer – Acceleration	5.02 m/s²	12.29 m/s²
Response Time – Mostly Recovered	0.6 sec.	0.2 sec.
Response Time – Fully Recovered	1.6 sec.	0.4 sec.
Bounce – Height	4.72″	4.32″
Bounce – Feel	Very Low	Very Low
Edge Support – Sitting	6.25″	3.00″
Edge Support – Lying	Excellent	Outstanding
Comfort Layer Thickness	4.5″	6.25″
Mattress Thickness	12.0″	12.25″
Off-Gassing – Smell	None	Strong
Off-Gassing – Days	0 days	3 days
Trial	365 nights	365 nights
Warranty	25 years	Lifetime

Other Mattresses to Consider

Not sure if the Saatva Contour5 is the right pick for you? Check out these three other top-rated memory foam mattresses for high-performing alternatives you may want to consider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Check out some of the top FAQs on the Saatva Contour5 mattress below and get the answers you’re looking for.