I tested the Saatva Classic mattress and this feature is a game changer for seniors (I've already sent the link to my 69-year-old mom)

This image shows mattress tester Lauren Jeffries sitting on the edge of the Saatva Classic mattress on a bed frame in our testing studio. In the top right corner is an inset image showing a close up of a 10kg weight balancing easily on the edge of the Saatva Classic mattress. — (Image credit: Future)

Whenever I get a mattress to test I always ask my parents to help me evaluate one feature: its edges. No one's fussier than my 69 year old mom when it comes to how supportive a mattress's edges are, which is why I wished I could take the Saatva Classic mattress, now only $1,779 for a queen at Saatva with our $400 off links, home with me when I tested it.

Okay, that's just one of the reasons I wanted to sneak off with this luxury bed — it's more than earned its place atop our best mattress guide — but if you're like my mom and want a stable side to press against when getting in and out of bed, the sturdier edges of the Saatva Classic are a huge bonus.

What is edge support?

Edge support is term used to describe the strength at the perimeter of the mattress. You might be able to sit comfortably on the middle but how supported do you feel sitting on the side?

Our mattress testing methodology includes several tests for edge support: we sit on the mattress, we place different weights on the mattress and measure their sink and bounce back time.

This image taken during our edge support test on the Saatva Classic shows one of our mattress testers placing a 25kg cast iron weight three inches in from the edge of the Saatva. The weight hardly sinks, showing the robust edge support of the Saatva Classic. — (Image credit: Tom's Guide, Future Plc)

We also use the roll-off test — how much can you dangle off the edge of the bed before you go thwack onto the mattress beneath?

The Saatva impressed on all three, largely thanks to its high density foam rails which create a literal support wall around the bed.

So why does this matter for seniors?

It's estimated around 25% of those over 55 will experience knee pain and you might find your knees are extra creaky in the morning.

This can make it harder to get out of bed, particularly if your mattress is as soft as a marshmallow at the sides. You sit on the edge ready to push down and get up, but instead find yourself sliding unceremoniously out of the sheets.

A tester sits on the edge of the Saatva Classic mattress to test its support. — (Image credit: Future)

Good edge support means rather than starting your morning with a jolt of pressure on the knees, you can lean on your mattress (literally) and enjoy a less painful awakening.

3 other mattresses that earned my mom's seal of approval

I'm lucky enough to try a variety of mattresses for my job as Senior Sleep Writer at Tom's Guide. Here's three with edge support so good even my mom was impressed.

Ruth is an experienced Senior Staff writer at Tom’s Guide, covering all things sleep and mattresses. She writes to help people sleep better, from how-tos to the latest deals to mattress reviews, and has interviewed an array of experts who share her passion. She is also our specialist on memory foam — she’s flown around the world to see memory foam being made — and leads our hotel mattress content. She has a deep interest in the link between sleep and health, and has tried enough mattresses, from Helix to Nectar to Simba, to know the right bed really can make a difference to your wellbeing. Before joining the team at Tom’s Guide, Ruth worked as a sleep and mattress writer for our sister website, TechRadar.

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