So you’ve explored your options and decided a memory foam mattress is the right one for you. Good choice! People love memory foam for its pressure-relieving comfort and unique contouring ability. (And people who love it really love it: Memory foam mattress owners report the highest levels of satisfaction with their sleep surface.) But not all memory foam mattresses are alike. Here’s a closer look at the key differences between Saatva’s Loom & Leaf memory foam mattress and the Leesa mattress.
Editor’s note: This comparison features a previous mattress model from Saatva. If you’re currently looking for a premium memory foam mattress, check out our recent launch, the The most luxurious memory foam with adaptive cooling & body-hugging support
Comfort
Comfort is a tricky thing—what feels good to one person may not feel all that great to another. While some mattresses aim for a universal comfort level, others offer a range of firmness options, so you can tailor your sleep to your personal needs and preferences. Other factors that determine the comfort of a memory foam mattress: the number and type of layers, how it keeps you cool while you sleep, and whether it provides support where you need it most: in the all-important lumbar zone.
Do I have a choice of comfort options?
Loom & Leaf: Yes
Leesa: No
Loom & Leaf comes in two comfort levels: relaxed firm and firm. Relaxed firm is the most popular choice, as it offers a combination of cushioning for pressure relief and contouring support that works for back, side, and stomach sleepers. Firm is for anyone who like the feel of a firm mattress or for stomach sleepers who need added support.
The Leesa comes in one comfort level. It’s for those who prefer a medium-firm mattress.
The bottom line: More comfort levels equals more chances for you to find your best mattress match. (Need help figuring out which comfort level is right for you? Here’s how to choose based on your sleep style and body type.)
How many layers of foam are in the mattress?
Loom & Leaf: Four
Leesa: Three
From the bottom up, the 12-inch Loom & Leaf mattress has four layers. (Here’s a detailed view):
- a 5.5-inch support base made of 1.5-lb. density polyurethane foam;
- a 2-inch transition layer of 1.8-lb. polyurethane foam;
- a 2.5-inch layer of 5-lb. viscoelastic memory foam;
- a 2-inch layer of 4-lb. convoluted (wavy) memory foam infused with cooling gel.
The 10-inch Leesa mattress has three layers. Starting from the bottom, it has:
- a 6-inch support base of 1.8-lb. density polyurethane foam;
- a 2-inch layer of 3-lb. density memory foam;
- a 2-inch layer of 3-lb. density LSA200™ foam
The bottom line: The number of layers, and what’s in them, determine how a mattress feels, how well it performs, and how long it lasts. Despite the name, memory foam mattresses are not made only from memory foam. If they were, they’d be too soft to sleep on. Typically only the upper, or comfort, layers contain memory foam, while the base support layers are made from high-density polyurethane foam. The denser the foam, the more durable and supportive the mattress. The foam in Loom & Leaf is higher density than the foam in the Leesa mattress, which is designed so it can be compressed and packed in a box.
What kind of lumbar support does the mattress have?
Loom & Leaf: Spinal cooling gel and Lumbar Zone® Quilting in the center third of the mattress provide targeted back support.
Leesa: The Leesa mattress has no additional lumbar support.
The bottom line: Lumbar support is crucial when it comes to picking a memory foam mattress—or any mattress for that matter, especially if you experience pain in your back, shoulders, or hips while you sleep. Adequate lumbar support assures that hips won’t sink too deeply and the spine stays in neutral alignment, which means you won’t wake up sore or stiff. (Here’s how to keep pain from ruining your sleep.)
How does the mattress keep me cool?
Loom & Leaf: The top layer of Loom & Leaf contains a nontoxic cooling gel swirled into the memory foam. A panel of the same gel is layered onto the foam in the center third of the mattress, where body heat is concentrated, for added cooling and spinal support. Then the whole mattress is wrapped in organic cotton for maximum breathability next to the skin.
Leesa: The top layer consists of LSA200™ foam, a breathable latex alternative.
The bottom line: The more cooling features a mattress has, the more comfortably you’ll sleep. Sleeping hot is a common concern when it comes to memory foam. That’s because memory foam responds to temperature, softening as it warms and molds to your body. While contouring is what many people love about memory foam, it can also trap and retain heat close to the body.
Quality
Beyond judging a new mattress by comfort, it’s important to ensure your memory foam mattress is truly a quality product. You’re going to spend a lot of time on your mattress (here’s how much sleep you really need), so you want to choose a mattress that’s built to last. Understanding what your mattress is made of is a good indicator of mattress quality.
What kind of memory foam density does the mattress have?
Loom & Leaf: Loom & Leaf’s two memory foam layers are 5 pounds per cubic foot and 4 pounds per cubic foot, respectively.
Leesa: 3 pounds per cubic foot
The bottom line: The higher the foam density, the more supportive and durable the mattress. Loom & Leaf’s higher foam density means it provides durability and support. The foam used in Leesa’s mattress is lower density so that it can be more easily compressed into a box.
How soon can I sleep on the mattress?
Loom & Leaf: Immediately
Leesa: After it’s unboxed, taken out of plastic, and expanded
The bottom line: A multi-layer, high-density foam mattress can’t be flattened and shipped in a box. Loom & Leaf mattresses are never crushed or compressed, so you can sleep comfortably on them from the moment they’re delivered. Beds in boxes, like the Leesa, need a few minutes to inflate once they’re taken out of the packaging. Leesa recommends giving the mattress a full 24 hours to decompress for the optimal sleep experience. Boxed beds also need some time to air out: Vacuum sealing and wrapping in plastic concentrates odors. (Learn about mattress off-gassing here.)
What flame retardant material is in the mattress?
Loom & Leaf: Eco-friendly natural thistle
Leesa: Fire-retardant sock
The bottom line: When it comes to mattresses, toxic ingredients are most likely to turn up in fabrics and components treated with fire retardants, such as covers and foam padding. Loom & Leaf’s fire barrier is made from an all-natural material—thistle pulp woven into a mesh—without the use of harmful chemicals.
Leesa uses a fire retardant sock made up of a proprietary blend of fibers, without the use of chemical treatments.
What is the mattress cover made from?
Loom & Leaf: Organic cotton
Leesa: Polyester/lycra blend
The bottom line: Cotton is the most popular bedding material because it’s naturally cool and breathable. Organic cotton has the added benefit of being produced without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers, which means it’s hypoallergenic and unlikely to irritate the skin. Loom & Leaf’s fabrics are certified by Oeko-Tex to be free of harmful chemicals.
Leesa’s mattress cover is made from a blend of polyester and lycra. It is not organic.
Value
Last but certainly not least, we come to value. When you’re buying a new mattress, cost is often one of the biggest factors. But to decide whether you’re getting the most for your money, consider comfort guarantees, delivery policies, warranty terms, and customer service.
How much does the mattress cost?
Loom & Leaf: $2,395 (queen)
Leesa: $1,299 (queen)
The bottom line: The Loom & Leaf mattress costs more than Leesa. That’s because it’s a premium mattress made with quality materials, hand-delivered and set up in your home. Don’t get us wrong: Boxed beds are a great choice for some shoppers—they’re convenient and affordable. But at Saatva, we believe you can’t fit true luxury into a cardboard box.
How is the mattress delivered?
Loom & Leaf: Free white-glove delivery
Leesa: Free shipping via UPS or white-glove delivery for $100
The bottom line: Saatva does all the heavy lifting for you—from delivery of the Loom & Leaf mattress to set up to taking away your old mattress. Leesa has two shipping options: You can either have the mattress shipped free and dropped off on your doorstep via UPS (a queen Leesa in the box weighs 76 pounds), or you can pay $100 for white glove delivery. To have your old mattress removed, you’d need to pay an additional $50 on top of the white glove delivery fee.
How long is the at-home trial period?
Loom & Leaf: 365 days
Leesa: 100 days
The bottom line: With Loom & Leaf, you get 365 days to decide whether or not you’re happy with your mattress. If not, we will exchange it for another mattress or take it away for donation or recycling. In the case of a return, you are responsible only for a $99 processing fee.
Leesa will cover the shipping costs if you decide to return the mattress. The company requires customers to keep the mattress for 30 days before it can be returned.
How long is the warranty?
Loom & Leaf: Lifetime warranty
Leesa: 10 years
The bottom line: The Loom & Leaf memory foam mattress carries a lifetime warranty. The warranty works like this: If a mattress is deemed defective during the first two years, Saatva will replace it with a brand-new mattress, free of any charge. Starting in year three and for as long as you own your mattress, Saatva will repair and re-cover your mattress. You will be responsible only for a $149 processing fee.
Leesa’s warranty is 10 years. If the mattress is deemed defective during that 10-year period, Leesa will replace or repair the mattress, minus any processing or shipping costs.
What about customer support?
Loom & Leaf: Noncommissioned sleep guides are available in Saatva’s New York operations center to answer questions about Loom & Leaf 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Leesa: Leesa representatives are available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, minus major holidays.
The bottom line: Concierge service is the Saatva standard. Call or chat with us anytime, day or night. Our representatives are always at the other end of the line.
Still haven’t made up your mind? Read our reviews. Ready to buy a mattress? Head on over to saatva.com now.