Purple has certainly made its mark on the bed-in-a-box mattress world. Their unique, proprietary, hyper-elastic polymer material, also known as the Purple Grid, draws both appeal and hesitancy. The Purple Mattress was the first model constructed with the Purple Grid comfort layer, which consists of hyperelastic polymers molded into a grid pattern. This proprietary material conforms to the body like memory foam, but it feels more responsive and absorbs less body heat.
Novelty can be both exciting and intimidating. Despite some people being on the fence, the Purple Mattress has quickly grown into becoming one of the most popular mattresses online because of this innovative material; there is no other mattress exactly like it.
Most consumers have raved about getting better sleep, waking up less frequently, feeling pressure relief and finding better comfort overall. Here at Best Mattress Finder, we believe that the Purple Mattress is one of the best value mattresses on the market today.
In this brand review, we highlight Purple as a brand, in addition to all of the current mattresses they sell. We draw comparisons between the mattresses to help you identify the perfect mattress for your needs.
If you don’t have much time, here’s a quick overview of the subjects that we’ll be covering in this Purple mattress review. Click the links to jump to the appropriate section:
Click the links to jump to the appropriate section:
Table of Contents
Purple Mattress Overview
Best Overall Mattress: The Purple Mattress
Price: $1149 (Queen) *available in all sizes
Durability: 4/5 stars
Responsiveness: 4/5 stars
Pressure relief: 4/5 stars
Temperature neutrality: 5/5 stars
Motion Isolation: 4/5 stars
Star rating on Amazon:
Mattress prices and sizing
Good for:
Affordability, cooling, supporting your back, combination sleepers and lightweight sleepers
Twin 38”x 75”
$599
Twin XL 38”x 80”
$799
Full/Double 54”x 76”
$999
Queen 60”x 80”
$1149
King 76”x 80”
$1449
California King 72” x 84”
$1449
Good for:
A slightly firmer feeling, cooling, heavier individuals, strictly stomach or back sleepers
Twin 38”x 75”
N/A
Twin XL 38”x 80”
$1399
Full/Double 54”x 76”
$1599
Queen 60”x 80”
$1699
King 76”x 80”
$1999
California King 72” x 84”
$1999
Good for:
No pressure support, cooling, body conforming, softer feeling, heavier individuals and couples
Twin 38”x 75”
N/A
Twin XL 38”x 80”
$1999
Full/Double 54”x 76”
$2199
Queen 60”x 80”
$2299
King 76”x 80”
$2799
California King 72” x 84”
$2799
Who might like Purple?
People who are looking for a unique mattress with a different type of feel
Combination sleepers (side, back and stomach)
People who sleep hot
Couples
Back and heavier-weight side sleepers who need pressure relief
Who might not like Purple?
Sleepers who prefer a traditional memory foam feeling
Heavier individuals weighing more than 230 pounds
Individuals looking for a firmer mattress, especially side sleepers that are on the lighter side
A bit about Purple
Purple was founded by brothers, Tony and Terry Pearce. Though the story started in 1989, when the brothers joined forces to create high-tech carbon fiber sporting goods and wheelchairs. This venture eventually built up to the creation of their breakthrough invention: hyper-elastic polymer.
They were able to create a soft, strong material that could stretch up to 15 times its resting size. But it was also able to relax under pressure points and redistribute that pressure to other areas. And that brings us to how the original Purple Mattress was born. With this material and their knowledge of cushioning - the Pearce brothers sought to create one of the world’s best mattresses.
After a Kickstarter campaign, the mattress company officially launched in 2015. First came their original flagship model, the Purple Mattress. Then the Purple Hybrid and Purple Hybrid Premier, a hybrid mattress made with a buckling-column gel and elastic polymer comfort layer, came shortly after.
And the rest is history! Purple has positioned themselves as a premium mattress company. We’ll now get into more detail on the different mattresses they offer and how they compare to each other.
Purple Mattress Review Breakdown
How is the Purple Mattress constructed?
Cover: The SoftFlex Cover is made from a combination of 29% viscose, 67% polyester and 4% lycra spandex to make it soft and stretchy. This breathable knit material moves with the comfort layer.
Comfort Layer: The 2” comfort layer layer is made from Purple’s proprietary polymer grid made from temperature neutral, hyper-elastic gel. The grid is set up to flex directly underneath pressure points while still providing the rest of your body with comfort.
Transitional Layer: The 3.5” transition layer is made from high-density polyfoam. This is a firmer material, ideal for back and stomach sleepers, that keeps you from sinking too far into the mattress and gives you extra support.
Support Layers: The supportive base is 4” of high-density poly foam in order to stabilize everything.
How is the Purple Hybrid constructed?
Cover: This features a cool, premium StretchMax Cover, made from 67% polyester, 29% viscose, and 4% Lycra spandex to give it a soft and stretchy feel. It’s also made with ultra-breathable side panels to optimize airflow from the Purple Grid.
Comfort Layer: The 2” Purple Grid is paired with responsive support coils to reinforce the edges and create firm support. This is perfect for back sleepers who want responsiveness and firmness.
Transitional Layer: This is a 1” layer made from high-density polyfoam to create a barrier between the comfort layer and support layers. It also prevents sleepers from sinking into the pocketed coil underneath.
Support Layers: This layer consists of a 7.5” core made from responsive support coils that have a thick gauge of 13.75. Then it’s encased in high-density polyfoam to make the bed feel more stable and minimize sinkage around the edges. And underneath the coils is a thin layer of base polyfoam to further reinforce the structure.
How is the Purple Hybrid Premier constructed?
Cover: This model features a premium StretchMax Cover, made from 67% polyester, 29% viscose, and 4% Lycra spandex to give it a soft and stretchy feel. It’s also made with ultra-breathable side panels to optimize airflow from the Purple Grid.
Comfort Layer: Customers can either purchase this mattress with either a 3-inch or 4-inch Purple Grid comfort layer. The 3” option gives a medium feel which helps to both conform and support. While the 4-inch layer is more medium soft and contours the body more for a weightless, no pressure support.
Transitional Layer: This is a 1” layer made from high-density polyfoam to create a barrier between the comfort layer and support layers. It also prevents sleepers from sinking into the pocketed coil underneath.
Support Layers: This layer consists of a 7.5” core made from responsive pocketed support coils that have a thick gauge of 13.75. Most hybrid mattresses have a gauge that falls between 12 (thicker) and 17 (thinnest). By using a lower gauge, this hybrid model offers sturdier and more even support.
To stabilize the edge of the mattress and prevent sinkage, the coils are encased in high-density polyfoam. Underneath the coils is a thin layer of base polyfoam to further reinforce the structure.
Purple Mattress vs Purple Hybrid
Purple Mattress vs Purple Hybrid Premier
Purple Hybrid vs Purple Hybrid Premier
How does the Purple Mattress compare to competing brands?
Purple
Casper
The original Casper mattress is an all-foam mattress made with a zoned support system that’s firmer in the middle of the mattress. On the other hand, the original Purple mattress features a unique hyper-elastic gel in the comfort layer to offer good responsiveness and comfort. Your preference will depend on whether you want an all-foam mattress or a gel-like one. See how Purple stacks up to Casper in our comparison guide.
Purple
Tuft & Needle
Both the T&N Mattress from Tuft & Needle and the Purple Mattress have a medium firm feeling. Tuft & Needle is an all foam model constructed of two layers. While the Purple has their unique hyper-elastic polyfoam in the comfort grid, Tuft & Needle has their adaptive foam. Both mattresses are bouncy, contouring and sleep cool. See how they stack up against each other more in our comparison guide.
Purple
Lull
Both Lull and Purple mattresses are similar in their firmness, thickness and base layers. But they differ quite considerably in their construction and overall feeling. Lull provides that balanced, familiar soft foam feel and Purple provides a comfortable, responsive gel feel. If you’re on a budget, then Lull will also be a cheaper option. Read our full brand comparison guide.
Purple
Tempurpedic
While these two brands sell very different beds, they both excel at creating innovative products. While the Purple mattress has a more bouncy and firm feeling, the Tempurpedic mattress has a contouring, memory foam feeling. If you want more pressure relief or sleep on your side, then Tempurpedic is the way to go. But if you’re a hot sleeper or switch between sleeping positions, Purple is the way to go. See how these mattresses fare against each other in our full Purple vs Tempurpedic mattress comparison.
Purple
Nectar
Nectar’s mattress is an all-foam mattress, combining two memory foam layers, followed by a memory foam transitional layer and then a high-density polyfoam base. The mattress conforms closely to the body and cradles much more than the Purple mattress, which makes you feel like you’re floating on top of it. For this reason, the Nectar mattress is more suited to side sleepers, while Purple’s firmer surface is better tailored to combo sleepers. See how they stack up against each other more in our comparison guide.
Purple vs Casper
The original Casper mattress is an all-foam mattress made with a zoned support system that’s firmer in the middle of the mattress. On the other hand, the original Purple mattress features a unique hyper-elastic gel in the comfort layer to offer good responsiveness and comfort. Your preference will depend on whether you want an all-foam mattress or a gel-like one. See how Purple stacks up to Casper in our comparison guide.
Purple vs Tuft & Needle
Both the T&N Mattress from Tuft & Needle and the Purple Mattress have a medium firm feeling. Tuft & Needle is an all foam model constructed of two layers. While the Purple has their unique hyper-elastic polyfoam in the comfort grid, Tuft & Needle has their adaptive foam. Both mattresses are bouncy, contouring and sleep cool. See how they stack up against each other more in our comparison guide.
Purple vs Lull
Both Lull and Purple mattresses are similar in their firmness, thickness and base layers. But they differ quite considerably in their construction and overall feeling. Lull provides that balanced, familiar soft foam feel and Purple provides a comfortable, responsive gel feel. If you’re on a budget, then Lull will also be a cheaper option. Read our full brand comparison guide.
Purple vs Tempurpedic
While these two brands sell very different beds, they both excel at creating innovative products. While the Purple mattress has a more bouncy and firm feeling, the Tempurpedic mattress has a contouring, memory foam feeling. If you want more pressure relief or sleep on your side, then Tempurpedic is the way to go. But if you’re a hot sleeper or switch between sleeping positions, Purple is the way to go. See how these mattresses fare against each other in our full Purple vs Tempurpedic mattress comparison.
Purple vs Nectar
Nectar’s mattress is an all-foam mattress, combining two memory foam layers, followed by a memory foam transitional layer and then a high-density polyfoam base. The mattress conforms closely to the body and cradles much more than the Purple mattress, which makes you feel like you’re floating on top of it. For this reason, the Nectar mattress is more suited to side sleepers, while Purple’s firmer surface is better tailored to combo sleepers. See how they stack up against each other more in our comparison guide.
Purple trial, warranty and delivery policies
You can find the Purple mattress online on their site, on Amazon and at brick-and-mortar stores across the country, including Mattress Firm and Macy’s.
Purple mattresses are available to ship to Canada and all 50 states. Free standard shipping is offered to all customers in the 48 contiguous U.S. However, customers in Canada, Alaska, Hawaii must pay for shipping costs. Though, according to their website, they have built a flat rate for Canadians that includes taxes, higher international shipping costs and the conversion rate.
Purple offers customers a 100-day trial period. Any eligible mattresses can be returned for full price by contacting Purple’s customer support team within this time.
Purple has a 10-year limited warranty that covers indentation greater than 1 inch, or premature cracking and splitting. The mattress cover is protected under a different warranty for two years after the original purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is truly no other mattress that feels like the Purple Mattress. Every model includes their patented, proprietary hyper-elastic gel polymer grid that collapses when there is enough pressure applied but also stays supportive everywhere else. It might even make you feel like you’re floating. The thicker the grid comfort layer, the more weightless it feels. With all mattresses, there’s a squishy, firm and comfortable feeling all at the same time.
The Purple Grid is supported by traditional poly foam in the Purple Mattress whereas the Purple Hybrid and Hybrid Premier are supported with responsive support coils for even more responsiveness and durability.
The Purple Grid is uniquely different from other mattress-in-a-box brands. This mattress layer is a proprietary, patented technology belonging specifically to Purple. It’s made to softly cradle your hips while also supporting your back and spine, allowing you to have an immersive, restful night’s sleep. Traditional memory foam mattresses tend to lack adequate support and sleep hot. Then traditional innerspring mattresses aren’t always great at cushioning and often cause motion transfer, especially with couples.
Purple mattresses are very durable. Because of the quality in materials and construction, they should last around 8 - 10 years which is the average lifespan for a mattress.
All of Purple’s mattress models are premium, well constructed and supportive. It’s less about which Purple mattress is the best and more about which one is best for you, based on factors such as budget, sleep position, bodyweight and other preferences.
Disclaimer
Here at Best Mattress Finder, we do our best to provide accurate, honest product recommendations and brand reviews based on the best available information. However, stats and products are subject to change and may have updated since this page was posted.
