Graphite vs High-Density Foam: Which Saatva mattress topper should side sleepers buy?

Saatva has plenty of mattresses for side sleepers, but the luxury brand's mattress toppers are the next best thing if you're not in the market for a new bed.

While the brand offers a diverse collection of mattress toppers, our favorites for side sleeping are the Graphite Memory Foam Mattress Topper and the Saatva High-Density Foam Mattress Topper.

Both have premium materials that can also be found in the year's best mattress, the Saatva Classic, such as an organic cotton cover and a botanical antimicrobial treatment.

However, despite being two of the best mattress toppers you can buy online, there's a lot of differences between the Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Mattress Topper and the Saatva High-Density Foam Mattress Topper.

In this Graphite vs High-Density Foam comparison guide, we'll take a closer look at their price, design, and feel, so all types of side sleepers browsing the mattress topper sales can choose the ideal one for their sleep needs and budget.

Saatva Graphite vs High-Density Foam Topper: Price

• Both come with a 180-night sleep trial and one-year warranty
• Neither are ever included in Saatva's sale events
• A queen Graphite is always $295 and a queen High-Density Foam is $245

While none of Saatva's mattress toppers are ever included in the Saatva mattress sales, both the Graphite and High-Density Foam can be described as a much more accessible way of experiencing the brand's signature luxury than buying its mattresses.

Both mattress toppers offer the same benefits: a 180-night sleep trial, a one-year warranty, and free shipping. (We feel the 180-night sleep trial is rather generous for a mattress topper trial, but the one-year warranty is below the average topper warranty of around three to five years.)

Where the mattress toppers differ in terms of budget and extras, are their MSRPs. The Saatva High-Density Foam Mattress Topper is the cheaper of the two (and the entire Saatva bed topper collection) at just $245 for a queen and $175 for a twin.

The Graphite Memory Foam Mattress Topper costs slightly more at $295 for a queen and $215 for a twin.

However, whichever one you buy, you're getting a luxe topper in the mid-range tier of mattress topper prices.

Saatva Graphite vs High-Density Foam Topper: Materials & Design

• The Saatva Graphite is made of 3" of graphite-infused memory foam
• The High-Density Foam topper has a 1.5" build of dense foam
• Both have organic cotton covers with straps and an antimicrobial treatment

First, lets look at the similarities in both toppers' designs and materials. Both have organic cotton covers with anchor straps in all four corners to keep the topper in place on your bed, and they also have a botanical antimicrobial treatment to inhibit the growth of allergens such as mildew, mold and bacteria.

However, they differ in term of their foam-builds. The Graphite Memory Foam Topper consists of a 3" slab of memory foam infused with cooling graphite.

Image 1 of 2

The High-Density Foam Mattress Topper, on the other hand, features just a 1.5" layer. While we always recommend a mattress topper thickness between 2" and 4" for optimal comfort and support, the High-Density Foam Mattress Topper compensates for its short stature by using ultra-dense foam.

Saatva Graphite vs High-Density Foam Topper: Comfort & Support

• Saatva says both are for "all sleep positions, especially side sleepers"
• The cooling medium-firm Graphite supports side and back sleepers
• The plush, temperature-neutral High-Density Foam is ideal for side sleeping

While Saatva says both mattress toppers are ideal for all sleep positions, we don't feel that either are the best choice for stomach sleepers due to their lack of firmness.

However, the Saatva Graphite (which we rate a medium-firm 6 out of 10) is firm enough to provide plenty of support for side and back sleepers, with our lead tester for our Saatva Graphite mattress topper review praising the back support it offered while she recovered from an injury.

Side sleepers, meanwhile, may take some time to adjust to the firmness, but will be well supported nonetheless.

Image 1 of 2

Our testers for the Saatva High-Density Foam Mattress Topper review adored the dense foam topper for side sleeping, stating that the plush feel provided "loads of comfort" when sleeping on her side. However, it seemed a little too soft for back sleeping, lacking the lumbar support of the Graphite.

In terms of temperature regulation, the breathable cotton cover of the High-Density Foam Topper meant that testers never overheated while sleeping on it, even if it wasn't cooling per se.

Testers for the Graphite Mattress Topper, on the other hand, says that its graphite-infused temperature control was "on par with the best cooling mattresses", which isn't surprising as Saatva mentions it has "the the most advanced cooling technology".

Saatva Graphite vs High-Density Foam Topper: Which should you buy?

Buy the Graphite Memory Foam Mattress Topper if...

✅ You sleep on your side or back: The Graphite Memory Foam Mattress Topper provides exceptional back support, so it's perfect for those who flip between side and back sleeping.

✅ You sleep hot: The graphite infusion means this memory foam mattress topper provides advanced cooling, ideal for hot sleepers.

✅ Your mattress isn't supportive enough: With it's 3" thick build and medium-firm feel, the topper adds luxe support to older mattresses and side and back sleepers.

Buy the High-Density Foam Mattress Topper...

✅ You sleep on your side only: The plusher out of the two, the dense foam topper provides heaps of comfort to side sleepers.

✅ You want the cheaper option: Starting from $175, the High-Density Foam Topper is the cheapest out of all Saatva's toppers.

✅ You don't want to add too much height to your bed: With a height of under 2", the thin but dense foam is perfect for smaller rooms, bunk beds, and mattresses over 12" tall.