Sleepopolis is supported by readers. Product links on Sleepopolis are referral links. If you use one of these and buy something Sleepopolis makes a little bit of money. See how it all works here.Do I need a mattress pad or mattress protector for my new Casper, Tuft & Needle, Leesa, Saatva, or other online mattress? This is by far one of the most common questions I receive on my blog, and it’s long over due for a quick question and answer post. First off, it’s important to note the differences between mattress pads and mattress protectors. A mattress pad is a relatively thick piece of quilted material that sits on top of your mattress, but below your sheets. A mattress pad can help to protect your mattress to some degree from general wear and tear, and help reduce allergens, but in general you’d purchase a mattress pad to add comfort to your mattress. The primary reason I would suggest buying a mattress pad is because you’re unhappy with your current mattress and a mattress pad can be a nice short term solution to add comfort to an older or uncomfortable mattress.
If you’re buying a brand new mattress, whether it’s foam, innerspring, or otherwise, there is really no need to purchase a mattress pad. Mattress toppers would be a similar option if you’re seeking a temporary solution to add comfort, but that’s another blog post. A mattress protector also sits directly on the surface of your mattress, but below your sheets. It’s similar to a fitted sheet in the way it covers the mattress. They are generally made from cotton, polyester, or other materials, and are designed to help repel liquid and prevent other sources of damage (dirt, dust, allergens, etc). The most common use for a mattress protector is simply as a liquid resistant protector. In the event you were to spill a drink, have an accident prone child or pet, or have a sexy-times accident, the mattress protector will help to ensure your expensive mattress stays fresh, clean, and unsoiled. I would highly recommend a mattress protector to anyone who is purchasing a new mattress, or already owns a mattress without a mattress protector.
They are an inexpensive way to ensure your mattress stays nice for years. Most mattress protectors are fairly thin. They don’t have to be thick to do their job if they are made well. As such, they have very little impact in terms of the feel and comfort of the mattress they are on. My wife and I have been using a pretty good and inexpensive mattress protector we purchased from Amazon when we bought our mattress. We’ve slept several times with it off to get a sense of the feel and I cannot tell any noteworthy difference in feel, comfort, or sound when the mattress protector is on vs. with it off. In addition to protecting your mattress from damage, liquids, etc. they can also aid in reducing allergens, dust mites, and asthma issues. If you have an older mattress that you’re not terribly happy with I would recommend a mattress pad. Mattress pads are an inexpensive way to add a little life to older or otherwise uncomfortable mattresses. If it’s a new mattress, there is no need to purchase a mattress pad (assuming you are happy with the mattress).
A mattress protector on the other hand is all but required. It’s inexpensive, protects your investment, has no visible impact, and shouldn’t dramatically change the way the mattress feels. In my book it’s a no brainer. Below are my favorite mattress protectors and mattress pads:Saatva mattresses are handcrafted in the United States. Our specialized construction includes hand-upholstered filling materials, a euro pillow top and a 'coil on coil' construction, which is the best design to prevent sagging. 'Coil on coil' construction allows us to use a heavier (13") gauge steel unit for our support base within the Saatva mattress and we then place our comfort coil unit (14.5" gauge) on top for a perfect blend of healthy, balanced support. Our upper comfort coils are individually wrapped and pocketed. They are designed to mold and contour to your body shape and sleeping positions. Here are instructions on how to get the best performance out of an ultra premium euro pillow top mattress.
A mattress can never be the absolute cure to a severe back issue. Ultra premium mattresses such as ours, will mold and contour to your body shape and sleeping positions while relaxing pressure points more commonly felt on less expensive beds. As in all ultra premium luxury mattresses there will be some level of natural impressions as the bed acclimates to your specific body shape and sleeping positions. Ultra premium mattresses have far more cushioning then less expensive promotional beds and will naturally settle into their final positions that have adapted to your body. The extra cushioning along with our specially engineered 'coil on coil' construction is what allows for maximum performance and healthy/balanced support. If you are sleeping on a King or Queen mattress, your bed frame must have a center leg support. Although not vital, we do recommend that you rotate your mattress once a year for balance and long term sustainability. This process should start with an initial rotation after the first six months.
If your mattress should become soiled we recommend a small amount of antibacterial soap and a warm damp sponge for cleaning. If you are choosing to use a mattress pad, we recommend no specific brand for your new bed. We do strongly recommend an 'all cotton' mattress pad that breathes, with a minimal amount of padding, as our mattresses are designed with the proper amount of cushioning. Additionally, Saatva beds have 2 coil units and are covered in an organic cotton cover that breathes so you would not want disrupt or stifle the beds air flow with any type of synthetic in your cover. Each Saatva bed is handcrafted with multiple components that result in a mattress that is heavier than most. We always recommend that two people rotate the bed when the time comes. Saatva mattresses are designed to last 10 to 15 years with normal usage. We receive free products to review and participate in affiliate programs, where we are compensated for items purchased through links from our site (at no cost to the buyer).
See our disclosure page for our list of comped products and affiliate programs. Saatva is one of the few companies that sells an innerspring mattress exclusively online. It does offer great value (See how Saatva compares to leading brands HERE), but I do have a few complaints as well. If you are used to innerspring mattresses (and many people are), you will probably be right at home with the Saatva. It has a smart construction that has that traditional spring feel while being available at a very affordable price. It has nice bounce and you definitely feel that you are sleeping “on” the mattress rather than “in” it. Having said that, it’s not going to be for everyone, as there are certain type of feels that some people prefer more (like a slow-moving memory foam feel). Read further for my full Saatva mattress review. Who Should Be Interested In Saatva? You Want To Buy Online– Buying a mattress online is becoming more and more popular, and Saatva is one of the few innerspring companies that sells online.
You Want Good Value– The online-only business model let’s Saatva compete very well on price compared to more mainstream innerspring brands (think Beautyrest or Stearns & Foster) You Hate Sleeping Hot– Saatva is an innerspring mattress with bio-based foam on top. It does not sleep hot at all. You Want A Mattress With Great Construction and Support– I won’t get into the nitty-gritty details of the construction, but the “coil-on-coil” system the company uses is a major step up from other innerspring competitors at the lower price range. Get Saatva at Factory Direct Prices Why You Might Not Want To Look At Saatva You Want A Memory Foam Feel– Those who are used to memory foam or are seeking out that memory foam feel will not get experience from Saatva. I would look at other alternatives if this applies to you. You Like To Sink Into The Mattress– Because it isn’t pure foam, you don’t really get the feeling where the mattress envelops around you.
You feel you sleep “on” the mattress, rather than “in” the mattress. You Absolutely Need To Try The Mattress Out In A Store– Saatva is available only online, so you won’t know the exact feel beforehand. See how Saatva compares to leading mattress brands Saatva Motion Transfer Test One thing that people worry about with spring mattresses is motion transfer. This is a concern if you’re sleeping with a partner, especially if one of you is known for moving around throughout the night. The Saatva performs well for motion transfer, see the video below: Saatva Firmness and Feel Most people have not slept on a hybrid mattress before, and even if you have, each hybrid is different; some feel more like a spring mattress, while others feel more like a memory foam mattress. Watch the video below to get an idea of the feel and firmness of the Saatva (the Luxury Firm is shown). The Company Is Somewhat “Greener” Than Most– The company uses bio-based foams and recycled steel.