Saatva and DreamCloud are some of the biggest names in sleep. These specialist stores sell all sorts of bedroom furniture, from bed frames to foundations, as well as bedding products, such as pillows, sheets, and comforters.
These brands also make some of the best mattresses you can buy. Each seeks to strike the perfect balance between comfort and support. We decided to pit these brands against each other and see which came out on top.
In the interests of a fair fight, we wanted to test a similar mattress from each store. We settled on the Saatva Latex Hybrid and the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress. Both claim to combine the responsive feel of an innerspring mattress with the support you get from foam. With such similar marketing, it can be hard to split the difference between the products.
That's where we come in. Our experts slept on these mattresses for months, if not years, to monitor their performance over time. Alex tested the Saatva, while Camryn tried the DreamCloud, and found that these mattresses suit different sorts of sleepers. We've laid out the pros and cons to help you decide for yourself. We've evaluated each mattress on the basis of comfort, cooling properties, edge and weight support, motion isolation, sustainability, and the all-important price.
Saatva vs DreamCloud − Overall
Plush on the top yet filled with supportive spring coils, these mattresses bring the best of both worlds. They're also hypoallergenic and made from sustainable materials, so they're suitable for sensitive and eco-conscious sleepers.
The Saatva comes in every size from Twin through to California King, including a Split King bed for couples who share a bed, but not a sleep style. Saatva sells this medium-firmness mattress as a versatile option for all sorts of sleepers.
The DreamCloud is firmer, but it's deeper, and cheaper, too. Where the Saatva is stuffed with natural latex, this mattress is filled with memory foam, which molds to the curves and contours of your body to relieve pressure. Memory foam is super supportive, but it sleeps a little hot, so it's less suitable for warm climates.
- Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King, Split King, Split Cal King
- Materials: Organic cotton, New Zealand wool, natural latex, recycled steel
- Height: 12"
- Firmness: Medium
- MSRP: $1224 - $2224
For
- Bouncy and springy
- Breathable
- Minimal motion transfer
- Can't feel the coils
Against
- Poor edge support
- On the more expensive side
- Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King
- Materials: High-density gel memory foam, cashmere-blend cover, innerspring coils
- Height: 14"
- Firmness: Medium-firm
- MSRP: $699 - $1299
For
- Suitable for all sleepers
- Superior edge support
- Breathable
- Incorporates memory foam
Against
- Some motion transfer
- Less plush
Saatva vs DreamCloud − which is more comfortable?
WINNER: Saatva
The Saatva is a medium-firm mattress, designed to suit all sorts of sleepers. Our tester, Alex, is a front sleeper, so she needs a firm surface to stop her from sinking. She never once woke up with aches and pains, in all those months of testing, because the Saatva maintained the natural alignment of her spine. Alex's husband sleeps on his back, so he needs a firm mattress that provides plenty of lumbar support. He loved the Saatva, too, so that's a check in the comfort column.
Camryn sleeps on her side, and she found the DreamCloud very comfortable. There's enough give that her hips and shoulders could sink in, though she never felt swallowed up. Camryn's partner wasn't so keen. He prefers a softer surface that cradles his body, and he couldn't get comfortable on the DreamCloud.
Saatva vs DreamCloud – which is better for keeping cool?
WINNER: Saatva
It all comes down to the materials. The Saatva is filled with natural latex, which features thousands of tiny air pockets that make it more breathable than thicker synthetic foams, such as the polyurethane inside the DreamCloud mattress.
With that said, the Luxury Hybrid mattress is infused with cooling gel to offset the heat retention of the memory foam. Camryn tends to sleep hot, while her partner sleeps cool, and both agree that the DreamCloud provides great thermoregulation.
Saatva vs DreamCloud – which is better for edge support?
WINNER: DreamCloud
The DreamCloud provides far superior edge support. Camryn shares a queen-sized bed with her partner and their 50-pound dog. She's used to being pushed for space and often sleeps at the edge of the bed. Since the DreamCloud features thicker coils around the mattress perimeter, she felt supported while she slept.
The lack of edge support is Alex's biggest disappointment with the Saatva. She couldn't even sit on the side of the bed to tie her sneakers. The mattress edges simply caved, unable to bear her weight.
Saatva vs DreamCloud − which is better for motion isolation?
WINNER: Saatva
The best part of our mattress testing process is the motion isolation test. We take a full cup of water, set it on the bed, and roll around beside it. The less water spills, the better the motion isolation.
Alex decided to take the test one step further and let her kids jump around the uncovered cup. No water splashed over the sides and the cup didn't even topple. This level of motion isolation means that your partner could toss and turn on the other side of the Saatva and you wouldn't feel a thing.
No water spilled during the DreamCloud cup test, though the glass did bounce around a little. It was at night that Camryn felt the full effects of the poor motion isolation. Whenever her partner moved, she felt it, especially when he climbed into bed. I definitely wouldn't recommend this DreamCloud mattress to light sleepers.
Saatva vs DreamCloud – which is better at bearing weight?
WINNER: Saatva
Alex's husband is six-foot-five, weighs 240 pounds, and he didn't even make a dip in the Saatva mattress. That's thanks to Saatva's zoned firmness. There are five ergonomic zones of each side of the bed, which offer independent support to each sleeper.
Camryn used two 10-pound dumbbells to test the DreamCloud's ability to bear weight. She set the weights in the middle of the bed, where they sunk in and created a small divot, around an inch at most. That level of give is typical for firm mattresses: it's just not quite as impressive as the Saatva.
Saatva vs DreamCloud − which is more sustainable?
WINNER: Saatva
It's a close fight, but the Saatva takes it. The Hybrid Mattress is filled with natural latex and New Zealand wool, covered with organic cotton, and set on an eco loft pad. It's certified nontoxic by GREENGUARD, as well as the eco-INSTITUT, with no fiberglass or sock flame retardants added.
The DreamCloud is filled with CertiPUR-US certified foam. That means this mattress is free from thousands of harmful materials and makes minimal emissions.
Saatva vs DreamCloud – which should I buy?
I like almost everything about the Saatva Latex Hybrid, apart from the price. It's over $1000 more expensive than the DreamCloud equivalent. Then again, it did perform better on test. The Saatva mattress boasts excellent motion isolation, and it's one of the most comfortable beds we've ever tested. If you're shopping for the best mattress, and you're prepared to splurge, I'd choose the Saatva.
If you're on a budget, it might be better to go for the DreamCloud. That's especially true if you like to sleep on the side of the bed, since this mattress offers far superior edge support. In fairness, the DreamCloud performed well in all of our test categories – just not as well as the Saatva.
See our Saatva Latex Hybrid and DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid reviews for a full evaluation of each mattress.
How we test
We've written an entire feature on how we test mattresses. It takes a lot more than sleeping on the job. If you don't have time to read the whole thing, here's what you need to know.
Our expert testers sleep on mattresses for months, if not years, to monitor their performance over time. We sleep through heatwaves and harsh winters, with pets and partners. We note how often we wake in the night and whether the mattress keeps us cool.
We assess the firmness of each mattress using weights to see how far the bed sinks. The further the weight dips, the softer the mattress. From there, we decide which mattress suits which sort of sleeper. Front sleepers should plump for the best firm mattress to keep their hips and spine aligned, while side sleepers might prefer a softer surface.
Our motion isolation test is a fun one. We set a full glass of water on one side of the bed, then toss and turn across the mattress to see if the water spills. The more water spills, the poorer the motion isolation. Our edge support test is simpler: all we do is sit on the edge of the bed and think.
We record all of the materials in each mattress in the search for eco-friendly fabrics. Finally, we consider the asking price, as well as any warranties and sleep trials, to determine value for money.
Meet the team
Alex is a journalist and content marketing writer who specializes in health and wellness content. You can find her work in the Huffington Post, Women's Health, Today's Parent, and many other publications. For this review, Alex tested the Saatva Latex Hybrid Mattress.
Camryn is a writer and product reviewer who specializes in home, kitchen, and pet appliances. In her time as a product tester, she's tested hundreds of items first-hand, including the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress for Homes & Gardens.
Emilia is our resident sleep writer at Homes & Gardens. She spends her days searching the web for the best bedding deals and spends her nights testing the best bed sheets, comforters, and mattresses.
Saatva vs Dreamcloud FAQs
Are these the best mattresses Saatva and DreamCloud make?
Not necessarily: it depends on your sleep needs. We picked the Saatva Latex Hybrid and the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid in the interests of a fair fight, but both of these brands make many more mattresses.
For our money, the Saatva Classic is the best mattress on the market. This hybrid mattress combines soft memory foam with supportive steel coils to give you the best of both worlds. As for DreamCloud, their Premier Rest Mattress is a bestseller, and it's easy to see why. Thick and plush, yet infused with cooling gel, this mattress should keep you comfortable all night long.
How should I choose a mattress?
We've written an entire feature on how to choose a mattress. If you don't have time to read the whole thing, here's what you need to know.
Size
This one is fairly obvious. Consider how much space you need to sleep. If you share a bed with a partner, or you like to cuddle up with your pets, then you might need more room.
As a general rule, a twin-sized mattress is suitable for kids, tweens, and teens, while a Twin XL could work well for a shorter adult in a smaller space. A full-sized bed can accommodate most single sleepers, as well as shorter couples, though most couples will be more comfortable in a Queen. A king-sized bed can fit a whole family, though taller sleepers might prefer a California King, which is slightly longer.
It goes without saying, but the price of your mattress will increase with the size.
Firmness
This is partly down to personal preference, but more a matter of how you sleep. You're looking for a mixture of comfort and support.
Front sleepers should opt for a firmer mattress, which lifts your hips to keep them in line with your spine. It should minimize aches and pains. If you sleep on your side, you might prefer a softer mattress that supports your hips and shoulders, contouring to the curves of your body. Back sleepers should go for a medium-firm mattress, so that you don't sink in while you sleep. This should stop your spine from flexing too much but still cushion your shoulders, hips, and lower back.
Cooling properties
If you're a hot sleeper, or you live in a warmer climate, you'll appreciate a mattress that can keep you just the right side of cool and dry. The best cooling mattresses are supported by springs, which promote airflow, or they're infused with cooling gels. Watch out for memory foam, as such dense material tends to hold heat.
Is a Saatva mattress worth it?
We think so, yes. The Saatva Latex Hybrid beat the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid in almost all of our categories. It's more comfortable, it sleeps cooler, and it provides better motion isolation and weight support. Plus, it's a more sustainable option.
This mattress retails for just under $2000 in a queen size. That sounds like pretty good value to me, but if you're on a tighter budget, you might not be able to stretch to it.
The biggest reason not to buy the Saatva Latex Hybrid is its lack of edge support. Alex couldn't even sit on the edge of her bed to tie her shoes. If you tend to sleep towards the sides of the bed, you'll be better served by the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress.
Is a DreamCloud mattress worth it?
Yes. If you aren't too fussed on getting the best of the best, then you can get great value for money at DreamCloud.
If you tend to sleep towards the sides of the bed, you'll appreciate the superior edge support of their Luxury Hybrid Mattress. This mattress bears weight well, keeps you cool, and provides decent comfort, though it's on the firmer side. The biggest disappointment was the lack of motion isolation. I wouldn't recommend the Luxury Hybrid Mattress to light sleepers.
But it's so much more affordable than the Saatva. In a Queen size, this mattress retails for around $800, which is less than half the price of the Saatva Latex Hybrid. If you're on a budget, and you just want a decent mattress, then you can't go far wrong with the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid.
Final thoughts
If you aren't too fussed about brand names, but you know you need a new mattress, take a look through our best mattress guide. From firm to soft, cooling to organic, we've found the best mattresses for every sort of sleeper.
If you're keen to upgrade your sleep, but you're on a budget, you're in luck: we've reviewed all the best affordable mattresses.
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