I slept on the Saatva Latex Hybrid and Zenhaven during a sweltering Texan summer — here’s the naturally cooling mattress I’d buy in this weekend’s Labor Day sales

I’m a sleep tester based in Texas, so I know how big a role your mattress can play when it comes to waking up in a hot sweat or not. Two of the most naturally cooling beds I've ever tested both come from Saatva, the brand behind the best mattress you can buy online.

The Saatva Zenhaven and Saatva Latex Hybrid are both crafted from top notch natural materials like organic latex, which is toxic free, more supportive, and best of all — more breathable and cooling. Even better? both are $400 off all sizes in this month's Saatva mattress sales.

To be frank, both beds offer a similar temperature neutral sleep, free of sweat and heat. However, one performs slightly better in terms of isolating movement across the surface of the mattress and support around the bed's perimeter (which is great for couples). But the other has another trick up it's sleeve.

So how to choose between them in this weekend's Saatva Labor Day sale? Read below for my full comparison.

Saatva Latex Hybrid vs Saatva Zenhaven mattress: Specs at a glance

Saatva Latex Hybrid vs Saatva Zenhaven mattress: Price & Trials

• At full MSRP a queen Latex Hybrid is $2,649
• At full MSRP a queen Zenhaven is £3,549
• Both come with a 365-night trial and lifetime warranty

Both the Saatva Latex Hybrid and Zenhaven come with a 365-night trial, free white glove delivery, and lifetime warranties. And yet, their prices differ.

Of the two mattresses, the Latex Hybrid is the more affordable option, likely because it’s a hybrid mattress. It does include latex layers, which is more expensive, but less latex is required due to its hybrid design.

At full price, a queen-sized Latex Hybrid mattress is listed at $2,649. However, the current Labor Day mattress sales brings a queen down to $2,249 after taking $400 off all sizes.

In contrast, the Zenhaven is made entirely of latex, so it’s not surprising that it is the more expensive of the two. The higher price is also due to the dual-mattress design which essentially gives customers two mattresses options in one.

Right now, the mattress is also $400 off, coming in at $3,149 for a queen down from $3,549. $400 is an excellent saving, but you stand to save more when you buy during (the rare and difficult to predict) 15% off sales.

Saatva Latex Hybrid vs Saatva Zenhaven mattress: Design & materials

• The Latex Hybrid is a hybrid mattress with recycled steel coils for added support
• The Zenhaven is an all-latex dual-sided mattress
• The Latex Hybrid has five layers; the Zenhaven has four

The Zenhaven and the Latex Hybrid are very similar in terms of design and layers. At 12" in height, the Latex Hybrid is taller than the 10" tall Zenhaven.

Like the best organic mattresses, both are toxic free and are comprised of nearly all organic materials. I love that these mattresses have eco-conscious materials like GOLS certified organic latex, organic New Zealand wool, and organic cotton, plus GREENGUARD GOLD certifications.

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The Zenhaven and Latex Hybrid covers are made with organic cotton with Guardin botanical antimicrobial treatment to prevent the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria. Where the Latex Hybrid has a hand tufted Euro top, the Zenhaven features a quilted lumbar zone for support in the center third of the mattress.

The second layer is the same for both mattresses – organic New Zealand wool that wicks moisture and acts as a natural flame barrier. I can also say the same of the third layer – a zoned natural latex layer that offers support and pressure relief.

Where the two mattresses differ is in the fourth layer. The Latex Hybrid’s fourth layer features individually wrapped recycled coils with ergonomic firmness zones. These aid in much better motion isolation capabilities than the Zenhaven. The Latex Hybrid’s fifth layer is an eco-loft pad made with wool and cotton, while the final layer of the Zenhaven is a latex support core.

Saatva Latex Hybrid vs Saatva Zenhaven mattress mattress: Comfort & Support

• Both mattresses are ideal for back and stomach sleepers
• The Saatva Zenhaven has two different firmness feels, medium firm and firm
• The Saatva Latex Hybrid has a medium firm feel

I’ve tested a handful of the best Saatva mattresses, and so I know firsthand that Saatva mattresses are on the firmer side (the exception may be the Contour5). I was not surprised to discover that this was the case with the Zenhaven and the Latex Hybrid, though I’m glad to say they’re not the firmest of mattresses I’ve tested from the brand.

The Latex Hybrid is best described as medium-firm or a 6.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale. The same rating can be applied to the Zenhaven’s luxury plush side. Despite its name, the Zenhaven's luxury plush side is not that plush, but like the Latex Hybrid, the surface has some softness and provides some comfort, though not enough for side sleepers. Both the Latex Hybrid and the Zenhaven are supportive enough for back and stomach sleepers of varying sizes.

Flip the Zenhaven and you'll get what Saatva has dubbed a surface that's "gentle firm." It is without a doubt more firm than gentle. I also slept most comfortably on my back and stomach on the gentle firm side, which I'd rate an 8 out of 10 on the firmness scale.

Expect a springy surface that bounces back immediately upon removal of your weight. At 175 lbs. I did not sink into the mattress.

Both mattresses lack contouring and push against your body as you sleep. Despite their firmness levels, I slept quite deeply on both mattresses and didn’t move much at night. I also woke with less soreness in my muscles or aches in my back from working out or doing yard work around my home.

Saatva Latex Hybrid vs Saatva Zenhaven mattress: Temperature Regulation

• Both have naturally breathable latex layers with airflow channels
• The hybrid design of the Latex Hybrid may result in slightly better airflow
• Neither are cooling models but offer an effective temperature neutral sleep

If you’re not familiar with latex mattresses, then you might not be aware that they offer a different temperature regulation experience than you'd get with a memory foam mattress. “Cooling” mattresses often use chemicals to create cool-to-the-touch features. But that’s not the case with the Saatva Latex Hybrid and Zenhaven mattresses.

Latex is naturally more breathable and wicks away moisture and heat, resulting in what’s called a temperature neutral sleep. Effectively, the mattress ensures that your temperature doesn’t increase at night.

I love a temperature neutral sleep, and I experienced that with both the Latex Hybrid and the Zenhaven. The latex layers in these mattresses have airflow channels which promote even more breathability.

Where the two differ is that the Latex Hybrid is a hybrid mattress, which means the coils offer additional channels for air to flow through the mattress.

I didn't notice any major differences in terms of temperature regulation with the Zenhaven or the Latex Hybrid. I tested the Latex Hybrid and Zenhaven mattresses in Texas, during multi-week periods when the outdoor temperatures reached up to the high 80s. My air-conditioning was turned off during testing.

I had about the same sleep experience with both mattresses. My body temperature didn’t fluctuate at night, and I didn’t wake up hot or sweating. The only times this occurred was if I slept in overly thick pyjamas and forgot to turn on the fan.

I don't naturally sleep warm or hot, but anyone who sleeps warm will be satisfied with either mattress. However, those who sleep hot may wish to go with the Latex Hybrid as the hybrid design means it is a tad more breathable than the Zenhaven.

Saatva Latex Hybrid vs Saatva Zenhaven mattress: Which should you buy?

Buy the Saatva Latex Hybrid if…

✅ Motion isolation is very important: Couples won’t awaken at night when their partner moves thanks to the Saatva Latex Hybrid’s top-notch motion isolation capabilities.

✅ You want a breathable mattress: A hybrid design and latex layers make for a very breathable mattress that results in a temperature neutral sleep.

✅ You require a supportive edge: You’ll feel completely supported when sitting on the edge of the Saatva Latex Hybrid thanks to reinforced coils around the perimeter.

Buy the Saatva Zenhaven if…

✅ You want to choose your firmness feel at home: If you fluctuate between liking a medium-firm or firm mattress, go for the dual-sided design of the Saatva Zenhaven which lets you choose which firmness suits you on any given day.

✅ You sleep warm at night: Organic latex is naturally more breathable than any other kinds of foams, resulting in a temperature neutral sleep with the Saatva Zenhaven.

✅ You sleep on your back or stomach: No matter which side you choose, the Saatva Zenhaven offers plenty of support and comfort for back and stomach sleepers.