Saatva Youth Mattress 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 feel of the mattress. We then take the results of those tests and compare them to every mattress we’ve tested to date.

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

Factor	Saatva Youth	Average
Overall Score	8.14	8.52
Price (Queen)	$739	$827 (Kids only)
Cooling – Score	9.0	8.6
Sinkage – Depth	1.93″	2.25″
Sinkage – Feel	Minimal	Moderate
Motion Transfer – Score	4.2	8.2
Motion Transfer – Acceleration	17.93 m/s²	8.76 m/s²
Response Time – Score	9.5	8.8
Response Time – Mostly Recovered	0.2 sec.	0.4 sec.
Response Time – Fully Recovered	0.9 sec.	1.0 sec.
Bounce – Height	13.80″	8.65″
Bounce – Feel	Very High	Moderate
Edge Support – Score	10	8.7
Edge Support – Sitting	2.75″	3.85″
Edge Support – Lying	Outstanding	Good
Pressure Relief – Score	7.0	8.6
Comfort Layer Thickness	3.13″	4.35″
Mattress Thickness	12.00″	12.31″
Off-Gassing – Score	10	7.9
Off-Gassing – Smell	None	Strong
Off-Gassing – Days	0 days	8 days
Company – Score	8.8	8.8
Trial	365 nights	193 nights
Warranty	Lifetime	40% have lifetime warranties, average of other 60% of mattresses is 13 years

How is Saatva Youth Different?

The Saatva Youth is a dual-sided 12.00″ kids mattress with an overall performance level that is worse than average and a price tag that is less expensive than average.

Advantages

Advantages of the Saatva Youth include better cooling performance, fast material responsiveness, exceptional edge support, and virtually no off-gassing. This mattress ships uncompressed and is delivered with full service delivery and setup.

Neutral Factors

This mattress has minimal sinkage and very high levels of bounce. It is designed as a dual-sided mattress, but I found both sides to be quite firm.

Disadvantages

This mattress has higher levels of motion transfer, over 2X more than the average level, and also a lower pressure relief score.

The Saatva Youth has excellent cooling. During our tests, I did not feel any significant level of heat retention around my body. This mattress uses a simple, but proven design that helps deliver better cooling.

First up, we have an organic cotton cover that breathes well, allowing for air to flow in and out of the mattress. In addition, we have a support layer of coils that brings plenty of air into the mattress.

Lastly, we have a thinner comfort layer and also foams that are lower density. Lower density foams don’t retain heat to the same degree that many higher density foams will.

• 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

While that limited comfort layer and lower foam density isn’t great for pressure relief, for cooling it is beneficial.

In our objective temperature tests, we measured a max surface level temperature of 91.1° F. This is 0.8° warmer than the average of 90.3° F, based on all of our tests to date.

After getting off the mattress, the temperature declined by 3.8 degrees from minutes 0 to 1, which is 1.0 degrees less cool than the average 0 to 1 minute decline of 4.8 degrees.

When we consider the combination of objective data, my subjective experiences, and an analysis of the materials, I’m confident in my view that cooling is excellent.

The Saatva Youth has minimal sinkage. During our tests, we measured a pressure point sinkage depth of 1.93″. This is 0.32″ less sinkage than the average sinkage depth of 2.25″, based on all of our tests to date.

The mattress creates only a slight body contouring hug and delivers a significant floating feel.

The level of sinkage is documented in the image below.

The floating feel, sometimes called a buoyant feel, causes the body to lie more “on” the mattress as opposed to sinking down “in” the mattress.

This feel is accompanied by high bounce, fast material recovery speed, and very little hug, all of which are to be expected from a mattress with this more classic coil mattress design.

The Saatva Youth has an extremely high level of motion transfer. During our tests, we measured a total acceleration range of 17.93 m/s². This is 105% more motion transfer than the average of 8.76 m/s².

The higher motion transfer is the product of the extremely high level of bounce, which is a product of the firm feel, minimal sinkage, buoyant feel, and thinner-than-average comfort material. This mattress creates a ton of bounce, response, and pushback.

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

In our motion transfer chart, which visualizes our accelerometer data, we can see the highest motion peaks from 0 to 0.25 seconds.

Motion declines thereafter, but we do see a notable secondary energy spike from 0.5 to 0.75 seconds and a tertiary energy spike from 0.9 to 1.1 seconds. At 1.28 seconds, we’ve returned to near-zero levels of energy, which is 0.38 seconds longer than the average motion duration of 0.90 seconds.

When we consider the motion duration and motion intensity, there is simply no sugarcoating: this mattress has an extremely high level of motion transfer.

If there is a silver lining, it’s that motion is typically not a major issue for kids, since most kids will be solo sleepers.

That said, if you often co-sleep with your child or snuggle at bedtime, the higher motion could be problematic as it’s more likely to cause your child to stir and wake when you move around or get in / out of bed.

The Saatva Youth has an extremely fast mostly recovered response time and a fast fully recovered response time.

In our mostly recovered test, we measured a recovery speed of 0.2 seconds, which is 0.22 seconds faster than the average of 0.42 seconds, based on all of our tests to date.

In our fully recovered responsiveness test, we measured a recovery speed of 0.9 seconds, which is 0.12 seconds faster than the average of 1.02 seconds. The 0.2 mostly recovered response time is tied for the fastest we’ve tested to date.

The level of responsiveness is documented in the video below.

While the full material recovery speed is a touch slower, it’s still better than average and should be more than fast enough for most sleepers.

The faster material recovery speed ensures the mattress is easy to move around and won’t leave kids feeling stuck in the mattress.

The Saatva Youth has a very high level of bounce. During our tests, we measured a total bounce height of 13.80″. This is 5.15″ more bounce than the average of 8.65″, based on all of our tests to date.

The incredibly high level of bounce is a result of the firm feel, minimal sinkage, and limited comfort layer. These factors work together to create more resiliency and pushback, delivering greater energy and bounce to the surface of the mattress.

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

The higher bounce helps to make this mattress incredibly easy to move around on. That said, the higher bounce is also a significant reason we measured higher levels of motion transfer.

The Saatva Youth has outstanding sitting edge support and outstanding lying edge support. In our sitting edge support test, we measured a sitting sinkage compression of 2.75″. This is 1.10″ less sitting sinkage than the average of 3.85″, based on all of our tests to date.

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

While lying directly on the edge of the mattress, I felt that the support was outstanding in all sleeping positions. This mattress is equipped with a full perimeter of reinforced foam along the edge. That support foam is 3” wide along the edges, 8” wide at the head / foot, and 5” tall.

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

The combination of reinforced edge support foam, minimal sinkage, and firm feel creates the right environment to deliver incredibly strong edge support for both sitting and lying.

The Saatva Youth has a fair level of pressure relief. During our tests, I felt a slight to moderate level of pressure points on my body.

The mattress is equipped with 3.13″ of comfort material, which is 1.23″ less comfort material than the average comfort layer thickness of 4.35″, based on all of our tests to date.

Beyond the fact that we simply have less comfort material than is ideal, the mattress also creates a firm feel and minimal sinkage. These feel attributes partly caused the buildup of pressure points along my body during the test.

To be fair, I’m an adult tester on a kids mattress. As such, the thinner comfort layer profile should be less of an issue for kids. Even so, being less of an issue doesn’t mean it’s a non-issue.

In my view, younger kids will likely find the feel is fine, as younger kids typically are more flexible with the types of mattresses that they can comfortably sleep on. That said, I do think older kids, especially those 8 and up, are more likely to find this mattress is simply too firm.

The firm feel, floating feel, minimal sinkage, and slight contour create a more polarizing comfort dynamic that won’t be well liked by all sleepers.

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Side Sleepers	0.10	0.41

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Back Sleepers	0.08	0.66

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Stomach Sleepers	0.08	0.41

Lastly, in our objective pressure mapping tests, we measured a max PSI of 0.66, which is within the 1.0 PSI threshold that I hope to see all mattresses within.

When I consider our objective pressure mapping tests, material thickness, material quality, and my subjective experience on the mattress, I’m confident most sleepers will find the pressure relief to be fair.

The Saatva Youth had no smell upon initial arrival. The mattress smelled for 0 days. This is 7.6 days shorter than the average smell duration of 7.6 days.

Saatva mattresses come with a 365-night trial period and a lifetime warranty. Shipping is free. Returns are $99.

Company Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Data
Returns	40%	7.0	$99
Trial Period	30%	10	365 nights
Warranty	20%	10	Lifetime
Shipping	10%	10	$0
Country of Origin	0%		USA

Comparing 118+ brands tested to date, the average trial period is 193 nights, 172 nights less than Saatva offers. Saatva mattresses are also backed by a lifetime warranty, which can be advantageous for sleepers thinking about the long haul.

The Saatva Youth is available in one dual-sided firmness option, with one side to accommodate younger, smaller bodies (ages 3-7) and the other for slightly older, bigger kids (ages 8-12).

Saatva describes the 3-7 side as having a “plush soft” feel that is a 3 out of 10 on the firmness scale, where 10 is the most firm. On the flip side, for ages 8-12, they describe it as having a medium-firm feel that lies somewhere between 5-7 out of 10 on the firmness scale.

I strongly disagree with these ratings.

Based on my personal experience with the Saatva Youth and an examination of its materials and design, I believe both are much more firm than what Saatva describes.

There simply isn’t enough comfort material to create a soft feel, nor is the material dense enough.

Therefore, after lying on both sides during our tests, I would rate both sides as having a firm feel that falls at an 8 out of 10 on the firmness scale, where 10 is the most firm.

Support on the Saatva Youth is good. During our tests, I felt well supported on my stomach and back, but the mattress was simply too firm for side sleeping.

Support Factor	Data
Comfort Layer	3.13″
Support Layer	8.88″
Firmness	Firm
Body Contour	Slight
Zoned Support	Yes
Reinforced Edge	Yes

The mattress is equipped with an 8.88″ support layer. This is 0.91″ thicker than the average support layer thickness of 7.96″, based on all of our tests to date.

For a mattress to create ideal support, it needs to do two big things. First, we need it to support the body, delivering a neutral spinal alignment. And second, it simply needs to be comfortable, creating enough pressure relief.

This mattress struggled with both of these. With respect to neutral spinal alignment, there were no issues while on my stomach or back. However, the mattress is too firm for side sleeping and pushes the midsection out of alignment with the rest of the body.

In addition, the thinner-than-average comfort material meant that pressure relief wasn’t especially good either. The comfort material was further compounded by the buoyant sleep “on” the mattress feel and the firm feel. An 8 out of 10 firmness is quite firm, even for kids.

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

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

While many younger kids may be adaptable enough to find it acceptable, in my view, many older kids are likely to find this level of firmness to be simply too much. In our objective material analysis tests, we measured foam densities in the 1.41 to 1.60 PCF range.

This is certainly on the lower side, but also what we expect for a more classic coil-style mattress, especially one tuned and priced to the needs of kids. The coil gauge measured in at 13.25, which is a fairly thick wire.

When we consider all factors, I think most younger kids are likely to find this mattress a perfectly fine choice. Younger kids can sleep on many surfaces, and if nothing else, this mattress is highly responsive and firm enough to prevent kids from sinking down too deep into the mattress.

That said, I do think older kids are likely to find this comfort dynamic is simply too polarizing. Based on all of my tests to date, an analysis of the materials, and my subjective experiences, I’m confident most sleepers will find support on the Saatva Youth is good.

The Saatva Youth is a dual-sided 12.00″ kids mattress that is designed with a Medium-Plush side (for kids 3-7) and a Medium-Firm side (for kids 8-12).

Despite the firmness that Saatva describes, I found this mattress to be much firmer than expected. It has a quilted cover and is fiberglass-free.

Design Factor	Data
Type	Kids
Thickness	12.00″
Cover Type	Quilted
Weight	61 lbs.
Has Handles	No
Fiberglass-Free	Yes
Ships in a Box	No

The Saatva Youth mattress is not shipped in a box and, instead, is shipped uncompressed with full service delivery, where a team fully sets up the mattress in the room of your choice and removes all packaging.

The Saatva Youth is 12.00″ thick and contains a combination of poly foam, coils, and fiber batting. From top to bottom, here is a full list of the materials used in this mattress:

Layer Type	Thickness	Manufacturer’s Specs	Tested Specs
Quilted Cover	2.00″	Not Available	1.44 PCF
Poly Foam	1.00″	Not Available	1.60 PCF
Fiber Batting	0.13″	Not Available	Not Available
Coil Unit	5.50″	13.5 Gauge	13.25 Gauge, 1.51 PCF
Fiber Pad	0.13″	Not Available	Not Available
Poly Foam	1.00″	Not Available	1.44 PCF
Quilted Cover	1.50″	Not Available	1.41 PCF

Regardless of which side you are lying on, the Saatva Youth mattress has a 2.0″ quilted cover that is made of organic cotton and includes a botanical antimicrobial treatment to help prevent the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew.

It also contains a fire barrier made of natural thistle instead of fiberglass or a chemical-based fire barrier.

Depending on which side of the Saatva Youth you are on, the comfort layer will vary slightly. On the Medium-Firm side (for kids 8-12), there is a 1.00″ poly foam layer followed by a 0.125″ fiber batting layer.

When on the Medium-Plush side (for kids 8-12), the comfort foam is 1.25″ thick and uses a convoluted poly foam combined with the 0.125″ fiber batting.

The support layer is 8.88″ thick and made of a 5.5″ coil unit and a secondary layer of 0.125″ fiber batting. This batting fully encases the coil unit, as well as perimeter foam that helps to improve edge support and provide a bit more structure.

Product Evolution

The Saatva Youth mattress was officially launched in October 2019. Since its release, there have been no major changes made to the mattress.

In 2021, Saatva added a crib mattress to expand its collection for children.

And in 2022, the company updated the language around their certifications, taking special note to mention:

• Organic cotton cover
• Natural thistle flame barrier
• GREENGUARD Gold
• Botanical Antimicrobial treatment

Other Mattresses to Consider

Not sure if the Saatva Youth is the right pick for you? Check out these three other top-rated kids’ mattresses for alternatives you may want to consider.

Frequently Asked Questions

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