We Slept On It: Haven Lux Pillowtop Hybrid Mattress
(Photo: Haven Mattresses. Illustrations: Isie Yang)
I’m someone who thoroughly researches every purchase to avoid wasting money and minimize waste. However, about six years ago, my husband and I bought a foam mattress on a whim. It quickly became the worst major purchase I’ve ever made: Within just a few years, it lost its support, causing many painful mornings. Yet I was also too stubborn to replace it, dreading the idea of it ending up in a landfill.
My husband and I finally decided to try out the Haven Lux Pillowtop Hybrid mattress to see if a combo of coils and foam would be a better fit for us. (Note: Haven provided a free mattress for my review.)
What is the Haven Lux Pillowtop Hybrid Mattress?
The Haven Lux Pillowtop is a hybrid mattress that is handmade in Canada. Thanks to its luxurious pillow top, it’s both plush and supportive.
I was drawn to this mattress because of its eight-layer construction. It includes a bamboo quilted pillow top cover for plushness, gel memory foam for pressure relief and cooling, an organic-copper-infused layer to prevent overheating, and another layer of plant-based foam with cooling gel to wick away heat and moisture. This high-density foam helps with equal weight distribution and is great for side sleepers like me. It also features an encased edge support, which reinforces the mattress edges and provides stability and prevents sagging. There are also 2,400 individual pocket coils: 1,200 lower suspension coils help make the mattress more durable, while another 1,200 micro-coils minimize motion transfer (meaning if one partner moves around, the other shouldn’t feel it).
Setting up the Haven Lux Pillowtop Hybrid Mattress
The mattress was hand-sewn, made to order within two to three days, and then shipped to my doorstep in less than a week from the order time. At 60 x 80 inches and 95 lbs, getting it in the house and up the stairs to my bedroom was a two-person job.
From there, unpacking it was straightforward: We tipped and pulled the vacuum-sealed mattress out of the box, cut open the bag, then pulled the mattress out while it was expanding. There was a noticeable off-gassing odour for about five hours, but it completely dissipated by the next morning. Because the new mattress is taller than my previous foam mattress (the Haven sits at 14 inches tall), my standard queen sheets still fit, but they were quite snug; deep sheets would provide a better fit.
My Haven Lux Pillowtop Hybrid Mattress review
As a side sleeper, I used to wake up with extreme soreness in my shoulders and hips due to the lack of support from my old mattress. Within a week of sleeping on the Haven, my morning aches disappeared, and I found myself less grumpy when I woke up. The Haven Lux Pillowtop strikes the perfect balance between firmness and softness. It supports me without feeling like I’m sinking into it (which was how I felt with my previous mattress). If I were Goldilocks, I'd say this mattress is just right.
As a light sleeper, I appreciate the micro-pockets and high-density layer, which minimize motion transfer—I no longer feel my husband tossing and turning. The mattress also has great edge support; when my co-worker asked if I ever slip off my bed, I had to Google what she meant.
Initially, I blamed perimenopause for my nighttime overheating, but the real culprit was my old mattress. Since switching to the Haven, I no longer overheat, especially when sleeping on my back.
Final verdict
I am thrilled with the Haven Lux Pillowtop mattress; it perfectly suits my sleeping style. I prefer firm support without being too hard, and the pillowtop adds just the right touch of softness. Despite my husband and I having different body sizes, the mattress offers great motion isolation, and I love not feeling him moving next to me.
I also appreciate that Haven is a Canadian, family-owned and -operated business. Ninety-eight percent of the mattress’s materials are sourced locally. Additionally, for every 10 mattresses sold, Haven donates one to a shelter or registered charity. The mattress comes with a 10-year warranty, and if you're not happy with it, you can return it within 100 days. Instead of adding to the landfill, Haven partners with Second Slumber to find the mattress a new home; the proceeds go to the Canadian Mental Health Association.
While Haven mattresses are pricier than some other hybrids, I love supporting small businesses with similar values, especially those that prioritize sustainability and social responsibility.
Pros
- Great edge support
- Excellent motion isolation
- Stays cool
- Ideal for side and back sleepers
- Does not have a “sinking-in” feeling
- Firm yet plush
- Product of Canada, meaning 98 percent of its materials are locally sourced
- Haven makes mattresses for your dog, too!
Cons
- Initial odour stronger than expected
- Shorter warranty and trial period (most companies offer 365 trial days and 15-year warranties)
- No handles on the sides to help with mattress rotation
How We Test Mattresses At Chatelaine
Our testers sleep on each mattress for a minimum of 30 days, which experts recommend as a decent window for determining whether a mattress is the right fit for your needs. (For more expert insights on mattress shopping, see our post on buying a mattress below.)
Aside from comfort, we evaluate each mattress on the following criteria:
Edge support What is the degree of support around the edges of the mattress? This is important for people who frequently sit on the edge of the bed, as if there isn't strong edge support the edges will start to sag over time.
Motion isolation Could we feel our partner's movements—whether it's tossing and turning or getting up in the middle of the night? A mattress with strong motion isolation will prevent this.
Off-gassing How long did it take for the mattress to lose any noticeable odour after being unpacked? Clean, easy-to-breathe air is important to us.
How well it kept us cool Did the mattress trap heat as we slept, or did we feel cool throughout the night?
Return policy Does the company allow for at least a 30-day trial period?
Did our standard sheets fit? Some mattresses are deeper than others, which can interfere with how sheets fit.
Weight How much does the mattress way? Some experts correlate mattress weight with mattress quality, meaning a heavier mattress is likely to be made with better quality materials.
Above all, please note the mattress-buying process is highly subjective and it's a big purchase. This is why it's crucial to buy a mattress with a generous exchange or return policy.
Find more expert advice for buying a mattress online or in-store.
Correction: This story has been updated to better describe the coils used in the Haven Lux mattress. Previous photos also incorrectly depicted the 12" Eurotop version of the mattress; updated photos now depict the 14" pillowtop version of the mattress our reviewer tested.
