When it comes to finding the right mattress, a key piece of advice is to match the mattress to your sleep style and body type. If you’re a high-weight person, for example, there are certain features you should look for in a mattress to make sure you get the support and comfort necessary for restorative, quality sleep.
Mattresses designed to meet the needs of bigger bodies are relatively new to the market. Most of them are hybrid mattresses, meaning they combine a supportive innerspring coil base with plush comfort layers made of foams and/or latex. Here, we take a closer look at the differences between two hybrid mattresses made specifically for people who weigh between 300 and 500 pounds:
The first luxury hybrid innerspring for bigger bodies
and Titan by Brooklyn Bedding.
The following information is up-to-date as of May 31, 2019.
Comfort
Most manufacturers use a numerical scale to describe their comfort levels, with 1 being the softest and 10 the firmest—though it’s important to note that no two manufacturers’ scales are exactly the same. A firmer mattress is usually better for higher weights, as this will help maintain proper spinal alignment without sagging or dipping. The ideal is a mattress that provides support but doesn’t trade off comfort—a function of the type of springs, how they are arranged, and the materials and construction of other layers in the mattress.
How many comfort levels are offered?
Saatva HD: One
Titan: One
The bottom line: The comfort level of a mattress is determined by the layers of cushioning above the coil spring base. Saatva HD and Titan both offer a single comfort level. On Saatva’s 1-10 scale, HD feels like a 5-7, the same as the best-selling Luxury Firm Saatva Classic. Titan describes its mattress as firm. (Here’s how to find out which comfort level is right for you.)
What kind of coils are in the mattress?
Saatva HD: 12.5-gauge tempered steel coil unit
Titan: 13.5-gauge individually wrapped coils
The bottom line: At the heart of any innerspring mattress, including the hybrid variety, is a support core made of tempered steel coils. For those coils to provide optimal spinal support, they need to be strong and durable. Quality support springs will have a gauge, or thickness, between 12 and 15. The lower the number, the thicker and stronger the coil; the higher the number, the thinner and more flexible.
The Saatva HD coil unit is made with 12.5-gauge tempered steel, the strongest in the industry, for maximum durability and resistance to sagging. The coils are then threaded with a 17-gauge helical wire for added contouring ability and reduced motion transfer.
Titan’s coils are made with 13.5-gauge steel and individually wrapped to provide contouring and reduce motion transfer. Unlike the Saatva HD, however, Titan comes rolled up in a box. Strong, durable coils can’t be easily flattened, folded, and rolled—meaning Titan’s coils are not as sturdy as the HD’s. (Learn more about why you can’t stuff a quality innerspring mattress in a box.)
How thick is the mattress?
Saatva HD: 15.5 inches
Titan: 11 inches
The bottom line: Thicker mattresses are usually the best option for bigger body types, as they offer support without dipping or sagging and contain more specialized comfort layers.
Saatva HD is approximately 15.5 inches thick, with the following layers:
- 2.5-inch organic cotton cover and pillow top
- 1.5-inch firm Talalay latex with five support zones
- 1.5-inch contouring memory foam
- 2-inch ultra-durable polyfoam
- 6-inch coil unit
- 2-inch base support layer
Titan is approximately 11 inches thick, with the following layers:
- 1-inch layer of quilted, gel memory foam
- 2-inch layer of TitanFlex™ foam
- 6-inch core of individually wrapped coils
- 2-inch foam base
What kind of lumbar support does the mattress have?
Saatva HD: Lumbar Zone® Active Spinal Wire and 5-zone natural latex in the center third of the mattress
Titan: No added reinforcement in the lumbar region
The bottom line: Lumbar zone reinforcement strengthens the mattress in the center third, where most people’s weight is concentrated. The Saatva HD adds lumbar support with our Lumbar Zone® Active Spinal Wire, which encircles and strengthens the area from shoulders to hips. A layer of 5-zone natural latex offers additional back support.
The Titan mattress does not have targeted lumbar zone reinforcement. (Here’s how to find the best mattress for back pain.)
What does the mattress do to keep me cool?
Saatva HD: Strategic layering of breathable organic cotton, natural Talalay latex, and open coil construction
Titan: A layer of gel memory foam and an optional cooling top panel for an added cost
The bottom line: Sleeping hot is a common concern for some people in the high-weight category, so the more cooling features a mattress has, the more comfortable you’ll sleep. In general, the coil core of hybrid innerspring mattresses promotes easy airflow and cooler sleep. Titan sells an additional cooling top panel for an extra charge ($250 for a queen-size).
Quality
You’re going to be spending a lot of time—and money—on your new mattress, so you want one that’s engineered to last. Beyond mere comfort, you’ll need to consider the details that affect mattress quality and longevity, such as mattress construction, edge support technology, and eco-friendly materials.
How soon can I sleep on the mattress?
Saatva HD: Immediately
Titan: After it’s unboxed, taken out of plastic, and expanded
The bottom line: Saatva mattresses, including the Saatva HD, are never crushed or compressed, so you can sleep comfortably on them from the moment they’re delivered. Beds in boxes, like Titan, need some time to inflate once they’re taken out of the packaging. Titan recommends allowing your mattress to sit for three to five hours before lying on it. Beds in boxes also need some time to air out: Vacuum sealing and wrapping in plastic concentrates odors. (Learn more about mattress off-gassing here.) According to Titan, “the natural odor in your mattress may take up to 24 hours after unpacking to entirely dissipate.”
What kind of edge support does the mattress have?
Saatva HD: High-density foam rail encasement
Titan: Coil support core
The bottom line: Edge support makes it possible to sit or lie on the edge of the bed without the mattress collapsing. A firmer, more supportive edge also makes it easier to get in and out of bed. The Saatva HD uses a perimeter of high-density foam encasing the coil unit on all four sides, while Titan’s coil support core reinforces the edges of the mattress.
Is the mattress hand-tufted?
Saatva HD: Yes, 30 tufts (queen size)
Titan: No
The bottom line: Hand tufting is the mark of a high-quality mattress. It’s a method of securing the top layer to the layers underneath it. The process entails inserting a string through the layers from top to bottom to keep them in place and prevent shifting that can ultimately lead to sagging. This makes for a durable, long-lasting mattress.
Is the mattress cover organic?
Saatva HD: Yes
Titan: No
The bottom line: Organic materials are gentler to the environment and soft against your skin. The Saatva HD is covered in organic cotton treated with Guardin®, a plant-based antimicrobial that inhibits bacteria and prolongs the life of the fabric. (Learn more about why natural, breathable organic cotton is a healthy choice for you and for the environment.) Titan’s cover is made from a blend of cotton and polyester. It is not organic.
What is the flame retardant made of?
Saatva HD: Natural plant-based thistle
Titan: Fire-retardant sock
The bottom line: All mattresses are required by law to have a flame retardant, but some manufacturers use chemicals in their fire barrier. Saatva HD’s fire barrier is made from all-natural material—thistle pulp woven into a mesh—without the use of harmful chemicals. Titan uses a sock made of a non-woven silica/rayon/polyester/cotton blend that does not contain any flame-retardant chemicals.
Value
When you’re choosing between mattresses, cost is often a determining factor. But to know whether you’re truly getting the most for your money, look beyond the price tag to value-adds such as home trials, delivery policies, warranty terms, and customer service.
How much does the mattress cost?
Saatva HD: $3,295 (queen)
Titan: $1,249 (queen)
The bottom line: A mattress made with premium materials, designed for the needs of the heavier sleeper, doesn’t come cheap. And the Saatva HD costs more than Titan. But that’s because we created the Saatva HD to be unique on the market: a luxury mattress, engineered to deliver the plush comfort of the hotel-quality sleep experience, exclusively for people who weigh 300 to 500 pounds.
How is the mattress delivered?
Saatva HD: Free white glove delivery, which includes delivery and setup of the mattress and free removal of your old mattress
Titan: Free shipping via FedEx
The bottom line: Saatva does all the work for you—from delivery of the HD mattress to set up to taking away your old mattress. Titan is delivered to the customer’s doorstep, but setup is your responsibility. A boxed queen-size Titan weighs 100 pounds.
How long is the risk-free trial period?
Saatva: 365 days
Titan: 120 days
The bottom line: All mattress have a break-in period, especially if it’s a type of mattress you’ve never slept on before. HD’s trial is longer than Titan’s. If at any point during your HD trial you decide to return the mattress, Saatva will pick it up and refund the purchase price, less a $99 processing fee. Titan requires you to sleep on the mattress for at least 30 days before returning. According to Titan, the 120-day trial “can only be used once per customer per calendar year.” If you decide to return a Titan mattress, the company will refund your money in full. In most cases, Titan will ask you to donate the mattress. It is your responsibility to coordinate pickup from a charity.
How long is the warranty?
Saatva HD: Lifetime warranty
Titan: 10 years
The bottom line: The Saatva HD 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 charges. 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.
Titan offers a 10-year non-prorated warranty, during which it will repair or replace the mattress for free.
What about customer support?
Saatva HD: Noncommissioned sleep guides are available in Saatva’s New York operations center to answer questions 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Titan: Titan representatives are available Monday-Friday 7 a.m-7 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m.-7:30 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
The bottom line: Concierge service is the Saatva standard, with helpful representatives at the other end of the line any time of the day or night.
Improve your sleep with our high-quality hybrid innerspring mattress
Saatva HD Mattress
This luxury hybrid innerspring mattress is specifically engineered to support people weighing between 300 and 500 pounds. Plush upper layers made of foam and latex deliver comfort, while a high-durability coil base offers support.
Still haven’t made up your mind? Read our reviews. Ready to buy a mattress? Head on over to saatva.com now.
Interested in reading more Saatva comparisons?
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- Saatva vs. Stearns & Foster
- Saatva vs. Casper
- Saatva vs. Helix
- Saatva vs. Awara
- Saatva vs. Nectar
- Saatva vs. Dreamcloud
