Meet Our Testing Team
Elizabeth
Charles
Mari
Recommended for...
- Side and back sleepers of any weight. The Solaire’s adjustable firmness and close-conforming comfort layer provide optimal spinal support.
- Couples with different firmness preferences. Solaire’s queen and king models offer dual settings to suit each sleeper.
- Sleepers who tend to feel hot when sleeping. The Solaire’s comfort layers are designed to reduce overheating.
- Light sleepers who wake easily if there’s movement on the mattress. The Solaire does a good job of isolating movement.
Not Recommended for...
- Sleepers on a small budget. The Solaire, like other adjustable airbed models, has a higher than average price point.
- Sleepers who wake easily due to mattress noise or are bothered by it. The Solaire’s air chambers make it somewhat noisier than some other types of mattress.
- Sleepers who relocate often or frequently rearrange their bedroom. The Solaire is a relatively heavy and hard to move mattress.
Video Review
Our testing crew evaluated the Solaire for pressure relief, edge support, and other important performance factors. To see their findings, check out the video below.
Ratings Summary
Our testing team conducted an extensive evaluation of the Solaire Mattress. This review and rating process consists of three parts: in-house evaluation, external sleep testing, and data collection of verified owner experiences. To learn more about our review process, read our methodology here.
Our performance criteria and ratings for the bed are listed in the table below.
Airbeds tend to last longer than most other kinds of mattresses, and the Solaire is no exception, earning an excellent rating for durability. Thanks to its precise adjustability and conforming comfort layers, the Solaire is also a very good choice for sleepers seeking pressure relief. Read more about the Solaire’s performance.
Sleep Position Ratings
As part of our ratings process, we evaluated the Solaire Mattress across different body types and preferred sleep positions. In addition to physical testing, we surveyed our sleep expert team and analyzed reviews from verified mattress owners and customers. Our findings are listed in the table below.
For more information on sleeping positions please see our guides for side, back, stomach and combination sleepers.
Solaire Mattress Awards
Thanks to its features for all types of sleepers, its durability and range of firmness settings, the Solaire is the Tuck Sleep Editor’s Pick among half a dozen brands of airbed mattresses.
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Editor's Pick for Best Airbeds
Best Luxury for Editor's Pick for Best Airbeds
How Is the Solaire Constructed?
Cover
The Solaire’s cover is a quilted pillow top–a layer of padding made of organic cotton for plush comfort and breathability. It’s sewn to the top of the mattress, just above the comfort layers, and edged with gold damask trim (also organic) for a neatly finished look.
Comfort Layers
A layer of all-natural, hypoallergenic Talalay latex in the comfort layers of the Solaire mattress provides a cool and responsive sleep surface. The latex layer is zoned into five areas designed to give sleepers maximum pressure relief all along the spinal column.
Beneath the Talalay latex is a layer of Certi-PUR US gel-infused memory foam that’s free of harmful chemicals. This type of memory foam conforms easily to the sleeper to encourage healthy spinal alignment and pressure relief. The gel aspect means this foam traps less heat than traditional memory foam.
The comfort layers are underlined by the Solaire’s moisture barrier. It’s designed to prevent bacterial growth in the mattress, so it lasts longer and provides a healthier sleep space.
Support Layers
The Solaire’s vulcanized air chambers are the core of the support layer. The box-baffle design spreads the adjustable air support across the mattress in all directions, from edge to edge, so there are no low spots or edge sagging.
Surrounding the air chamber layer is the power edge enclosure. This keeps the air chambers from expanding past the mattress perimeter and keeps the mattress edge firm. The power edge also houses the air inflator system so that the hoses and pumps that adjust the Solaire’s firmness are hidden from view.
Mattress Height
All models of the Solaire mattress are 13.5 inches tall, which is considered a high-profile mattress. Beneath the 2.5 inch pillow top are two inches of gel-infused memory foam, an inch-thick layer of Talalay latex and a half-inch thick moisture barrier that separates the comfort layer from the support layer. The high profile of the Solaire allows room for the complex air chamber support core while still featuring comfort layers of a substantial thickness.
Product Name | Firmness | Thickness | Support Core Components | Comfort Layer Components | Cover Components |
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Solaire | Adjustable (3-7) | 13.5″ | 7.5″ Air Chambers | 2″ Gel-Infused Memory Foam 1″ Talalay latex 0.5″ Moisture Barrier | 2.5″ Organic Cotton Quilted Pillow Top |
What Are the Firmness and Feel Like?
The Solaire’s biggest selling points are its fine-tunable firmness settings and its zoned latex comfort layer. The firmness can range anywhere from a 3 to a 7 out of 10 on our firmness scale. Solaire’s bedside remote controls allow sleepers to choose among 50 firmness settings, measured in millimeters of mercury (like blood pressure). The pillow top gives the Solaire a plush feel at all firmness settings.
On top of the adjustable firmness, the gel-infused memory foam helps the mattress conform to the sleeper, and the zoned latex layer provides targeted support for each section of the spine, especially the lumbar (lower back) area.
In our tests, sleepers of different weights were able to find a firmness setting that gave them the spinal alignment and pressure relief they needed for comfortable sleep. They described a range of firmness feel, from feeling like they were sleeping “on” the mattress at higher firmness settings, to feeling like they were sleeping “in” the mattress at lower settings
Ratings Breakdown
Performance Ratings
Next, let’s take an in-depth look at our performance ratings for the Solaire. Because the Solaire is a fairly new model that we haven’t been able to test long-term yet, we factored in its construction, owner feedback and Saatva’s reputation when determining its durability rating.
Durability
Airbeds generally last longer than other types of mattresses. Most mattresses last between 6 and eight years before they start to wear out. Based on the Solaire’s construction and user information, we expect the typical Solaire to provide full support, comfort and function for at least eight years.
Motion Isolation
Our testers found that the Solaire did a great job of isolating motion. In our test, one tester moved around on one side of the mattress while another felt for motion transfer to the other side. The queen and king sizes of the Solaire have two air chambers in the support layer, and each chamber comes with its own bedside firmness control. That separation helps isolate motion to each side of the bed. So does the layer of gel-infused memory foam, which absorbs and dampens movement instead of transferring it across the mattress.
Off-Gassing
The Solaire, like other mattresses, had some odor that our testers noticed when it first came out of its packaging. But our testers found that it wasn’t too strong and hadn’t lingered when they checked again a few days later. Because Saatva makes the Solaire with organic cotton, OEKO-TEX certified pure Talalay latex and memory foam that’s low-VOC and certified free of harmful chemicals, any odor is unlikely to be harmful.
Pressure Relief
The way the Solaire conforms to sleepers is mostly a function of the gel-infused memory foam and Talalay latex comfort layers. We evaluate it by asking our sleep testers to lie on a sensory pad we put on top of the mattress. This pad maps pressure in key contact areas like the hips and shoulders. It also tracks pressure changes as sleepers change position.
All three of our sleep testers were happy with the way the Solaire conformed to their bodies and relieved pressure. Our lighter and heavier sleepers described the pressure relief from the Solaire as very good. Our average-weight sleeper described it as excellent.
Our pressure-mapping tool (which you can see in the video review) showed how the mattress distributed each sleeper’s weight for optimal pressure relief and spinal alignment.
Temperature Neutrality
All our sleep testers described the Solaire’s temperature neutrality as very good, which means the mattress didn’t trap much body heat and make them uncomfortable and hot throughout the night.
Whether a mattress traps heat depends on the materials used throughout the mattress. The Solaire’s organic cotton pillow top is a breathable layer than helps avoid trapping heat, while the Talalay latex layer tends to be a cooler material than dense foam. The gel-infused memory foam comfort layer is made to sleep cooler than traditional memory foam.
Edge Support
We had all three testers sit on the edge of the mattress the way most of us do when we’re getting in our out of bed. Because the Solaire’s firmness is adjustable, we did this edge testing at different firmness settings.
Our testers noticed more sinkage on the edges of the mattress at lower firmness settings. However, the power edge that surrounds the Solaire’s air chambers held up at all settings to keep the support layer from sagging. For that reason, they rated the Solaire’s edge support as very good.
Noise
Like all adjustable airbeds, the Solaire has pumps that control the amount of air in each chamber. According to our testers, you may hear some noise when the pumps are adding or releasing air as you change the firmness settings. Still, the Solaire is not overly loud for an airbed.
Sex
Because the Solaire’s Talalay latex layer is responsive and the edges are firmly supported by the power edge, the mattress should work for most couples. Because the Solaire’s noise issues are due to air chamber firmness adjustments and not movement, mattress noise during sex shouldn’t be an issue either.
Sleeper Ratings
Let’s look at sleeper ratings for the Solaire mattress. Keep in mind that these ratings are based on our individual sleepers’ weight, body shape and preferred sleep positions. Each person has their own ideal mattress firmness and thickness settings, so we tested the mattress with a range of sleepers.
Lightweight Sleepers – Less than 130 lbs.
When the Solaire’s air chambers are set in the lower air-volume range — from 1 to about 25 — it’s ideal for lighter sleepers who may feel too much pressure on a firm mattress. The pillow top, gel-infused memory foam and zoned Talalay latex comfort layer also gives lightweight sleepers a highly-conforming surface for a healthy spinal alignment.
Average Weight Sleepers – 130 to 230 lbs.
The Solaire’s adjustability scores well with average weight sleepers, especially those who sleep on their side and need the right firmness for proper spinal alignment. The comfort layer’s memory foam, latex and pillow top are supportive and soft enough for back sleepers, while the air chambers can be adjusted to prevent the feeling of sinking too far into the mattress.
Heavyweight Sleepers – More than 230 lbs.
At the higher end of the Solaire’s adjustable firmness range—26 to 50—the mattress delivers support and comfort for heavier sleepers. The Solaire performs well for heavy side- and back-sleepers who need proper spinal support without too much sinkage, to prevent misalignment and pressure-point pain.
Because the queen and king Solaire mattresses have dual-firmness settings, they’re a good choice for couples who have different body weights, body shapes or preferred sleeping positions.
Pricing and Discounts
- Twin XL $2,197
- Full $2,995
- Queen $3,145
- Upper Flex Queen $3,745
- King $3,695
- Upper Flex King $4,395
- Cal King $3,695
- Split King $4,394
- Split Cal King $4,495
Solaire Coupons and Promos
Get $200 off when you spend $1,000 or more at Saatva.com.
Other Saatva Sleep Products
How Does the Solaire Compare to Other Beds?
Here’s a look at how the Solaire compares to other mattresses by Saatva and select mattress models from other manufacturers.
Solaire vs. Saatva HD
Saatva’s HD mattress is another premium offering from Saatva. Unlike the Solaire, it’s a hybrid bed. The Saatva HD’s comfort layers are zoned and ventilated latex, high-density memory foam and polyfoam. Its support layers are recycled steel offset coils surrounded by high density polyfoam rails that reinforce the HD’s edges. The mattress is topped with a foam padded Euro top cover that adds a plush feel to the bed.
While both the Solaire and Saatva HD rate highly for hot sleepers and for side and back sleepers who weigh more than 230 pounds, the Saatva HD is not recommended for lightweight sleepers — especially side sleepers under 130 pounds — because it’s too firm for their proper spinal alignment and pressure relief.
The HD is a much firmer mattress than the Solaire can be. It’s a 7 out of 10 on the firmness scale, while the Solaire’s adjustable firmness ranges from 3 to 7.
Read our complete Saatva HD Mattress Review.
Solaire vs. Loom & Leaf
The Loom & Leaf, also by Saatva, is a memory foam mattress that combines a range of foams, including a top layer of convoluted memory foam topped with cooling gel and a support layer of HD polyfoam. The Loom & Leaf is considered a good choice for sleepers seeking to relieve chronic pressure-point pain.
The Loom & Leaf and Solaire both have 4-star ratings for side sleepers of all weight ranges and for back sleepers of average weight. However, the Loom & Leaf doesn’t rate quite as highly as the Solaire for light and heavy back sleepers, because its memory form closely conforms and lets them sink out of proper alignment.
Unlike the Solaire, the Loom & Leaf is not recommended for people who sleep hot, because its foam layers tend to trap body heat. The Loom & Leaf also has less firm edge support than the Solaire, which may make the Solaire a better choice for couples.
Read our complete Loom & Leaf Mattress Review.
Solaire vs. Zenhaven
Saatva’s Zenhaven is a flippable luxury latex mattress that’s medium soft on one side and firm on the other. The dense Talalay latex support core is topped by lighter layers of the same material, making for a mattress that’s very durable and sleeps cool. Due to its construction, the Zenhaven is a heavy mattress that owners may find difficult to move.
Compared to the Solaire, the Zenhaven is the quieter choice and offers slightly better pressure relief. The two models score about equally on motion isolation and durability, but the Solaire rates much better for edge support, a consideration for people who share a bed and don’t want to feel like they’ll roll off the mattress if they move to the side.
Side sleepers over 230 pounds will likely find the Zenhaven more supportive and comfortable than the Solaire, as may stomach sleepers in the average weight range. That’s because the additional latex layers in the Zenhaven provide more support and prevent sinking into the mattress.
Read our complete Zenhaven Mattress Review.
Solaire vs. ReST Bed
The ReST smart airbed, like the Solaire, is an airbed. ReST users can set the mattress to automatically adjust its five zoned air chambers to conform to the sleeper as they change positions and they can manually adjust the firmness. The air chambers are topped by two layers of gel memory foam to closely to conform to the sleeper.
The auto-adjust feature sets the ReST apart from the Solaire, which allows the user to adjust its firmness by remote control and which has comfort layers of quilter organic cotton and zoned Talalay latex in addition to gel memory foam.
The ReST has a much higher price point than the Solaire. The ReST has a shorter warranty than the Solaire. Unlike Solaire, ReST does not come with free white glove delivery.
Read our complete ReST Bed Mattress Review.
Solaire vs. Sleep Number i10
The Sleep Number i10 airbed has two air chambers topped by a 7” comfort layer of polyfoam and memory foam. The Sleep Number series outperforms the Solaire in terms of pressure relief due to the thick foam comfort layer. It also ranks better for off gassing, while the Solaire ranks better for durability, motion isolation and edge support.
The i10 and the Solaire have 4-star ratings for lightweight and average weight side and back sleepers. Both mattress models have 3-star ratings for light and average stomach sleepers. However, the Solaire’s ratings for heavy sleepers are better than the i10 for all positions, due in part to the Solaire’s latex comfort layer and the i10’s thick foam layer, which can make heavier sleepers feel like they’re sinking.
Read our complete Sleep Number i10 Mattress Review.
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Solaire FAQ
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Sleep Trial 365 nights
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Shipping Free White Glove delivery
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Warranty Lifetime
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Made In USA
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Where Can I Buy the Solaire Mattress?
The Solaire is available to buy online at saatva.com, or at the Saatva Viewing Room in New York City.
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Where Do They Ship?
The Solaire ships directly to addresses in the continental U.S. Saatva’s sleep concierges can help customers in Alaska and Hawaii arrange for delivery by freight forwarder.
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White Glove Delivery?
White glove delivery is included for free with every Solaire mattress order in the contiguous U.S.
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Old Mattress Removal
Free old mattress removal is part of Solaire’s white glove delivery service.
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Full Delivery Policy
All Solaire mattress orders include free White Glove delivery and old mattress removal. Saatva calls each customer the day before delivery with a four-hour window, and there’s no charge if customers need to reschedule. The delivery team will bring the mattress into the proper room and take the old mattress away. Expedited delivery may be available depending on available stock.
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Trial Period and Warranty Details
Customers can try the Solaire at home for 365 nights. Customers can return the Solaire during the trial period for a full refund and pickup, minus a $99 transportation fee.
The Solaire mattress comes with a lifetime warranty. Parts are covered for the first five years. Labor is covered for the first 15 years. After year 5, customers are responsible for transportation costs and a percentage of any new parts costs. There’s also a Fairness Replacement Option to replace the Solaire for a percentage of the original price with no transportation or delivery fees.
Company Information
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Customer Service
9 out of 10 customer experiences with Saatva have been positive, even when customers ended up not choosing the company’s products.
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Company History
Saatva was founded in 2010 and launched in 2011.
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BBB Rating
Saatva currently holds an ‘A+’ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
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Physical Stores
Saatva operates one 3,300 square-foot Viewing Room in New York City.
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Contact Saatva
[email protected] | 1-877-672-2882 | Saatva.com
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