diff --git a/qiskit/transpiler/preset_passmanagers/level1.py b/qiskit/transpiler/preset_passmanagers/level1.py
index 5da52fb23052..b5555c678363 100644
--- a/qiskit/transpiler/preset_passmanagers/level1.py
+++ b/qiskit/transpiler/preset_passmanagers/level1.py
@@ -69,8 +69,8 @@ def level_1_pass_manager(pass_manager_config: PassManagerConfig) -> StagedPassMa
     inst_map = pass_manager_config.inst_map
     coupling_map = pass_manager_config.coupling_map
     initial_layout = pass_manager_config.initial_layout
-    layout_method = pass_manager_config.layout_method or "dense"
-    routing_method = pass_manager_config.routing_method or "stochastic"
+    layout_method = pass_manager_config.layout_method or "sabre"
+    routing_method = pass_manager_config.routing_method or "sabre"
     translation_method = pass_manager_config.translation_method or "translator"
     scheduling_method = pass_manager_config.scheduling_method
     instruction_durations = pass_manager_config.instruction_durations
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ def _vf2_match_not_found(property_set):
     elif routing_method == "lookahead":
         routing_pass = LookaheadSwap(coupling_map, search_depth=4, search_width=4)
     elif routing_method == "sabre":
-        routing_pass = SabreSwap(coupling_map, heuristic="lookahead", seed=seed_transpiler)
+        routing_pass = SabreSwap(coupling_map, heuristic="decay", seed=seed_transpiler)
     elif routing_method == "toqm":
         HAS_TOQM.require_now("TOQM-based routing")
         from qiskit_toqm import ToqmSwap, ToqmStrategyO1, latencies_from_target
diff --git a/qiskit/transpiler/preset_passmanagers/level2.py b/qiskit/transpiler/preset_passmanagers/level2.py
index c2ee13ad8500..aab26dddfeb5 100644
--- a/qiskit/transpiler/preset_passmanagers/level2.py
+++ b/qiskit/transpiler/preset_passmanagers/level2.py
@@ -71,8 +71,8 @@ def level_2_pass_manager(pass_manager_config: PassManagerConfig) -> StagedPassMa
     inst_map = pass_manager_config.inst_map
     coupling_map = pass_manager_config.coupling_map
     initial_layout = pass_manager_config.initial_layout
-    layout_method = pass_manager_config.layout_method or "dense"
-    routing_method = pass_manager_config.routing_method or "stochastic"
+    layout_method = pass_manager_config.layout_method or "sabre"
+    routing_method = pass_manager_config.routing_method or "sabre"
     translation_method = pass_manager_config.translation_method or "translator"
     scheduling_method = pass_manager_config.scheduling_method
     instruction_durations = pass_manager_config.instruction_durations
diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/sabres-for-everyone-3148ccf2064ccb0d.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/sabres-for-everyone-3148ccf2064ccb0d.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..2be30c7a290e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/sabres-for-everyone-3148ccf2064ccb0d.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+---
+upgrade:
+  - |
+    The preset pass managers for levels 1 and 2, which will be used when
+    ``optimization_level=1`` or ``optimization_level=2`` with
+    :func:`~.transpile` or :func:`~.generate_preset_pass_manager` and output
+    from :func:`~.level_1_pass_manager` and :func:`~.level_2_pass_manager`,
+    will now use :class:`~.SabreLayout` and :func:`~SabreSwap` by default
+    instead of the previous defaults :class:`~.DenseLayout` and
+    :class:`~.StochasticSwap`. This change was made to improve the output
+    quality of the transpiler, the :class:`~.SabreLayout` and
+    :func:`~SabreSwap` combination typically results in fewer
+    :class:`~.SwapGate` objects being inserted into the output circuit.
+    If you would like to use the previous default passes you can set
+    ``layout_method='dense'`` and ``routing_method='stochastic'`` on
+    :func:`~.transpile` or :func:`~.generate_preset_pass_manager to
+    leverage :class:`~.DenseLayout` and :class:`~.StochasticSwap` respectively.