Saatva Classic vs Big Fig: Which hybrid mattress is better for couples?

If you share a bed with your partner, you’ll know the difference the right mattress can make to your sleep. Not only do you need a mattress that you can both be comfortable on, but you also need to ensure that it has excellent motion isolation to prevent you being disturbed at night. With all this in mind, should you buy the Saatva Classic or the Big Fig mattress?

The Saatva Classic is our top pick in this year's best mattress guide, providing an exceptional balance of comfort and support. But there’s plenty to recommend the Big Fig too and it’s one of our best mattresses for heavy people, supporting up to a combined 1,100lbs in weight.

With extended Presidents’ Day mattress sales giving you the chance to make big savings, now could be the perfect time to invest in a new mattress, so let’s take a closer look under the covers...

Saatva Classic vs Big Fig Mattress: Price & Trial

  • Expect discounts of between 12-15% on the Saatva Classic
  • The Big Fig has an evergreen discount of $300, which rises as high as $500 during major sales events
  • Saatva has a 365-night trial compared to the Big Fig’s 120

Regular Saatva mattress sales mean you shouldn’t need to pay MSRP for the Saatva Classic, with discounts of between 12-15% being the norm. There’s currently $400 off all sizes in the extended Saatva Presidents’ Day sales, but you’ll need to buy promptly to take advantage of this offer.

The discount takes a queen down to $1,699 (MSRP $2,099) and you’ll only see this discount around major sales events. If you’re not ready to buy now though, it’s worth keeping an eye out for Saatva’s flash 15% sales.

Big Fig has an evergreen mattress sales giving you $300 off, but this increases to $500 at major sales events. This means that you can currently pick up a queen size for $1,399 (MSRP $1,899).

Extras wise, the Saatva is the winner here with free white glove delivery and removal of your old mattress, a 365-night trial and a lifetime warranty. You will pay $99 for returns though. In comparison, the Big Fig comes with a 120-night trial, 20-year warranty and free delivery to your door. You can upgrade to white glove delivery for $199. These are perfectly decent benefits but obviously Saatva's are superior.

Saatva Classic Mattress:was $1,399now $999 at Saatva

Saatva Classic Mattress: twin was $1,399 now $999 at Saatva
The Saatva Classic is the best hybrid mattress in the world, offering sturdy support, exceptional pressure relief and superb temperature regulation. Available in three firmness options and two heights to suit all styles of sleeper, the Saatva Classic is the best all-rounder on the market. In the extended Presidents’ Day sales, you can get $400 off all sizes, taking a queen down to $1,699 (MSRP $2,099).

Our review: ★★★★
User score:
★★★★ (3,700+ reviews)

Big Fig mattress: was $1,499now $999 at Big FigUser score: ★★★★1/2

Big Fig mattress: twin was $1,499 now $999 at Big Fig
There’s an evergreen discount of $300 on the Big Fig, one of the best mattresses for heavier bodies. But in the extended Presidents’ Day sales, you can get $500 off all sizes, which means a queen is down to $1,399 ($1,899).

User score:
★★★★1/2 (8,400+ reviews)

Saatva Classic vs Big Fig Mattress: Materials & Design

  • Both mattresses are hybrids, but the Saatva Classic is a hybrid innerspring
  • The Saatva comes in a choice of two heights (11.5” and 14.5”)
  • The Big Fig is 13” high

Although both mattresses are hybrids, they’re designed differently under the covers. The Saatva Classic is a hybrid innerspring mattress, made from a combination of foams and coils. At the top of the Saatva Classic is a 3” thick Euro pillow top made with organic cotton and zoned quilting in the middle for extra lumbar support.

Underneath this, in the center third of the mattress, you’ll find a CertiPUR-US certified memory foam layer that’s specifically geared towards healthy spinal alignment, followed by a layer of individually wrapped 14.5-gauge recycled steel coils. These contour to the body and are firmer in the center for more lumbar support. Finally, a support base of 13-gauge steel coils and a foam encasement around the perimeter provide structure and stability to the mattress.

An exploded diagram of the Saatva Classic showing each layer

(Image credit: Saatva)

The Big Fig mattress starts with a soft quilted top made with ThermoGel heat-wicking technology to regulate temperature. Underneath is a perforated layer of gel-infused latex for breathability, followed by a layer of comfort foam to provide pressure relief.

Next up are two dense layers of responsive polyurethane foam for a firmer support. The mattress is supported by a layer of individually wrapped coil springs, made from 15-gauge spring steel. The coils rest on a layer of polyfoam for durability and stability. And the entire mattress is hand-tufted in 16 places to prevent the foams from slipping over time. It’s designed to accommodate heavier bodies, with a combined weight limit of 1,100lbs.

An exploded chart showing the internal layers of the Big Fig Mattress for heavy people

(Image credit: Big Fig)

Saatva Classic vs Big Fig Mattress: Comfort & Support

  • The Saatva Classic is available in three firmness options (3, 5-7 and 8 out of 10)
  • The Big Fig is rated medium firm to firm at 7-8 out of 10
  • You’ll lie on top of both mattresses rather than sinking in

In our Saatva Classic mattress review, we tested the Luxury Firm option (5-7/10) and found it suitable for all sleeping styles. We rate it as one of the best medium firm mattress you can buy, but the mattress also comes in other options to suit different sleepers.

Lighter weight side sleepers will probably appreciate the Plush Soft (rated at 3/10, although we think it sleeps a little firmer). There’s also a Firm option that’s ideal for stomach sleepers. The Saatva Classic is a mattress you lie on top of, rather than sinking into and that’s true whichever firmness you choose.

The enhanced lumbar support is a godsend for anyone with aches and pains, while the cushioned pillow top feels luxurious and provides enough body contouring to help avoid pressure points building up at the shoulders and hips. During our testing, we gave the Saatva full marks for motion isolation, making it a fantastic choice for couples as you’re unlikely to be disturbed by a restless partner. And, if you have differing sleeping styles the all-round comfort of the Luxury Firm option is likely to suit nearly everyone.

A tester sits on the edge of the bet fiberglass-free mattress, the Saatva Classic

(Image credit: Future)

Rated to support up to 1,100lbs, the Big Fig is an excellent choice for couples, who will appreciate the strong edge support and motion isolation. This is a firmer mattress than the Saatva and while it’s ideally suited to heavier sleepers due to its superior support, we do think that side sleepers may find it too firm.

Again though, the fact that you sleep ‘on’ this mattress rather than sinking into it makes it an excellent choice for back and stomach sleepers – both of whom will appreciate the lumbar support and good spinal alignment provided by the mattress.

The Big Fig has the highest maximum weight capacity of all the mattresses rated by us for heavy sleepers but if you weigh under 250lbs, you’re likely to find it far too firm. So, if you’re a couple of differing weights this isn’t the best option. But as the Saatva only supports a combined weight of 600lbs, it’s the obvious choice for heavier couples.

A couple sat on the Big Fig mattress laughing and smiling

(Image credit: Big Fig)

Saatva Classic vs Big Fig Mattress: Temperature Control

  • The Saatva Classic has a breathable cover and a double layer of coils that provides lots of space for air to circulate
  • The Big Fig uses ThermoGel fabric, gel-infused latex and open coils to keep sleepers cool
  • Both mattresses do a good job of regulating temperature

Although neither mattress is a specialist cooling one, both do a good job of keeping sleepers cool overnight. We’d describe the Saatva Classic as temperature neutral, meaning it doesn’t cling on to excess heat and that its cover helps to wick away sweat and moisture. The small amount of foam and double layer of coils also contribute to excellent airflow, keeping the mattress comfortable.

The Big Fig features a cover made from a ThermoGel knit blend. This is a fabric blended with a gel material to keep the mattress cool and help to dissipate heat. Under this is a layer of gel-infused latex that’s also perforated to provide airflow and open coils back this up to further aid temperature regulation. Although both mattresses do a good job if you’re a very hot sleeper you might want to consider investing in one of the best cooling mattresses to keep you even more comfortable.

Saatva Classic vs Big Fig Mattress: Which should you buy?

Buy the Saatva Classic if…

You want to customize your mattress: With three firmness options and two heights to choose from, it’s easy to customize the Saatva Classic to suit your exact sleeping preferences.

You have a combined weight of under 600lbs: The Saatva Classic is the best choice for those weighing under 300lbs each as it’s designed to suit lightweight and average sized sleepers as well.

You want better edge support: With foam reinforcements all around the perimeter, you can stretch out and use the full width of the Saatva, which is ideal if you’re sharing your mattress with a bit of a bed hog.

Buy the Big Fig if…

You and your partner each weigh over 250lbs: Supporting up to a combined weight of 1,100lbs, the Big Fig is one of the best mattresses for heavy people. But if you weigh under 250lbs, you’re likely to find it too firm.

You’re a heavier sleeper who sleeps on their back or stomach: With its firmer feel and durable build, the Big Fig is ideal for back and stomach sleepers, but side sleepers are likely to find it too firm.

You want free returns: Unlike the Saatva with its $99 return fee, the Big Fig is free to return. On the flip side, you will need to pay $199 if you want white glove delivery.

Jo Plumridge
Mattress tester and sleep writer

Jo Plumridge is an experienced mattress reviewer with several years' experience covering all things mattresses and sleep, and who tests memory foam, hybrid and organic mattresses. What Jo doesn't know about a boxed mattress isn't worth knowing, so naturally we tasked her with producing a series of features for Tom's Guide looking at all aspects of mattresses, from how to pick between latex and memory foam (it's a tricky one), to the seven mistakes people make when buying a mattress for the first time. When testing the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid for Tom's Guide, Jo said: "I loved the back support and pressure relief it offered. Plus, it looks far more expensive than it is." When she isn’t writing about sleep, Jo also writes extensively on interior design, home products and photography.

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