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Purple Mattress

Purple Mattress Review​

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Review by Claire
OUR EXPERT ANALYST UPDATED 14.10.2020
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Purple makes some of the most popular mattresses online. With a wholly unique feel, it’s unsurprising that there are some quite divergent views on Purple. Those who love them do so with something bordering on fanaticism. Those who don’t simply can’t get used to the feeling. Purple mattresses have a load of great features and we are of the opinion that, if you’re open to it, it is definitely worth hazarding a chance on the unknown here. Whether or not you should buy a Purple mattress comes down to a single determining factor: you.
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  • 10 years warranty
  • 100 nights trial
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  • Free returns
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Who are Purple mattresses for?

  • People who sleep hot and are looking for a temperature neutral mattress.
  • If you’re looking for a mattress with a unique feel and you’re willing to try something new.
  • All sleeping positions. However, certain mattresses in the range are better suited to certain sleeping positions and are not suitable for others. Please check out the sleeping position section for more info.
  • Couples. Purple mattresses have a combination of features I think couples will appreciate.
  • All weight categories. As usual, I would probably suggest that, if you are a bit on the heavy side, one of the hybrid models would probably work better for you.
  • If you’re worried about motion transfer disturbing your sleep.
  • If you like a bouncy feeling mattress (wow – Purple really performs!).

Who won’t love Purple mattresses?

  • If you’re a strict stomach sleeper who is particularly finnicky about support, I wouldn’t recommend any of the Purple mattresses out of concern that you wouldn’t get the necessary support. If you’re a strict back sleeper and prefer the support of a firm mattress, the same would apply (although I think back sleepers will be fine on any of the three).
  • If you’re looking for a mattress with a traditional feel and you’re not willing to take a gamble on a mattress which might take some getting used to.
  • If you’re shopping on a tight budget.
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  • 10 years warranty
  • 100 nights trial
  • Free shipping
  • Free returns
  • Made in USA
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Purple company policy

Purple is renowned for innovation, but this incredibly successful brand has humble beginnings. In 1989, two very talented brothers put their heads together to come up with something new and ended up becoming cushioning gurus for pretty much every application you can imagine.

In 1996, they invented their signature Hyper-Elastic Polymer and, in 2013, they decided to use the knowledge they had collected over the years to branch out into mattresses. As the saying goes, the rest is history.

Purple has an A+ rating through the Better Business Bureau and their polyfoams are CertiPUR-US certified for safety.

10 Year
Warranty

100 Nights
Trial

Free Shipping within Contiguous U.S.

Free
Returns

Made in
USA

Shipping:  Under the standard shipping option, your mattress should leave the Purple warehouse within three to five business days. The speed of the delivery will depend on a number of factors including whether it’s the holiday season and where you are located.

Old mattress removal:  Purple does have white-glove delivery and old mattress removal options available.  

Payment accepted, financing:  Purple has financing options available through Affirm.  

Returns and refund:  Purple offers free returns and will give you a full refund if you find you aren’t happy with your mattress within the trial period. They require you to give your new mattress a chance for 21 nights before making up your mind.

Sleep trial period:  All three Purple mattresses come with a 100-night sleep trial period.

Warranties:  All three Purple mattresses come with a ten-year warranty.

Packaging and unpacking:  Purple mattresses are bed-in-a-box (or bed-in-a-bag, as the case may be) mattresses. This means they are compressed rolled and are delivered to your door. Particularly the hybrid models can be a bit on the heavy side, to enlist the help of a buddy or look into the white-glove delivery options.

Smell (off gassing), harmful chemicals:  There’s nothing like that new mattress smell, but it shouldn’t overstay its welcome. Purple mattresses do emit a slight odor, which may be slightly less imposing than other mattresses we have reviewed. This is slightly less noticeable in the hybrid models. With both varieties, there is a safety assurance around the materials used, so the smell shouldn’t cause alarm – and it should lift within a matter of hours or a couple of days.

Where are the mattresses made?  Purple Mattresses are made in the USA.

Purple mattress measurements and pricing

Purple Mattress
TWIN
38″ × 75″
TWIN XL
38″ × 80″
FULL
54″ × 76″
QUEEN
60″ × 80″
KING
76″ × 80″
CAL KING
72″ × 84″
SPLIT KING
76″ × 80″
Purple Hybrid Mattress
TWIN XL
38″ × 80″
FULL
54″ × 76″
QUEEN
60″ × 80″
KING
76″ × 80″
CAL KING
72″ × 84″
SPLIT KING
76″ × 80″
Purple Hybrid Mattress
TWIN XL
38″ × 80″
FULL
54″ × 76″
QUEEN
60″ × 80″
KING
76″ × 80″
CAL KING
72″ × 84″
SPLIT KING
76″ × 80″

Purple mattress performance

Ultimately, you’re either going to be really glad you gave Purple a go or you’re not going to adapt to its unique feeling. The Purple mattress is a fascinating option for anyone willing to take a chance on something different (and, with a 100-night trial period and free returns, why not?). Their proprietary Hyper-Elastic Polymer has made them stand out as mattresses that break from the norm – something with a unique feel in comparison to memory foam and other hybrid mattresses on the market.

If you’re looking for a traditional-feeling mattress – or one that’s notably firm – other mattress models will be a better fit for you. The Hyper-Elastic Polymer comfort layer on Purple mattresses is bouncy and responsive, but also provides impressive pressure relief and support for most sleepers.

Overall, it’s exciting to experiment with new innovations around how we sleep – and Purple is doing some great stuff in keeping the market fresh and diverse with options. Be warned, there will probably be an adjustment period from your usual mattress, but it could be worth it in a future of amazing comfort and sleep.

Construction layers and materials used

Purple Mattress

The Purple Original has a very simple construction. It is dual-layered high-density foam topped with two inches of Purple’s Hyper-Elastic Polymer – what Purple calls the “Purple Grid”. The Purple also has a SoftFlex knit cover which is breathable and stretchy, unlocking the feeling of the grid below. It also has added polyfoam edge support.

Purple Hybrid

The Purple Hybrid rests on a thin layer of support foam, followed by individually pocketed coils. This is topped with a transitional polyfoam layer which sits between the coils and the two-inch Purple Grid layer. At the very top is Purple’s Premium StretchMax cover which is also really stretchy and breathable. The Hybrid also has added polyfoam edge support panels.

Purple Hybrid Premier

The Purple Hybrid Premier is available in two options. The difference lies in the thickness of the Hyper-Elastic Polymer comfort layer. You can either get it in three or four inches, depending on your firmness preference.

At their base, Purple Hybrid Premier mattresses also have a thin layer of transitional foam upon which the individually pocketed coils are laid. This is followed by another thin polyfoam transitional layer with the Purple Grid comfort layer on top. The cover is made from the same Premium StretchMax material as on the Hybrid and also has polyfoam panels for additional edge support.

  1. SoftFlex Cover
  2. 2" Hyper-Elastic Polymer (Purple Grid)
  3. 3.5" Polyurethane Foam
  4. 4" High-Density Polyfoam Foundation
Purple Mattress Layers
  1. StretchMax Cover
  2. 2" Hyper-Elastic Polymer (Purple Grid)
  3. 1" Polyfoam
  4. 7.5" Pocketed Coils
  5. Thin Polyfoam Foundation
Purple Hybrid Mattress Layers
  1. StretchMax Cover
  2. 3" or 4" Hyper-Elastic Polymer (Purple Grid)
  3. 1" Polyfoam
  4. 7.5" Pocketed Coils
  5. Thin Polyfoam Foundation
Purple Hybrid Premier Mattress Layers

Purple mattresses firmness and pressure relief

Purple mattresses can be classed between medium and medium-firm. There is no true firm or true soft in the range but, if you decide the unique feel of Purple is for you, the range covers most sleeping positions and preferences. As always, it is important to remember that weight can also play a role here and will have an impact on how firm a bed feels.

One of Purple’s outstanding features is its pressure relief. That’s the beauty of the Hyper-Elastic Polymer material. It’s really comfortable, but the way the grids collapse as you lie on them also makes these mattresses high achievers when it comes to pressure relief.

MATTRESS FIRMNESS SCALE

Soft Medium Soft Medium Medium Firm Firm

Purple

-
-
-
-

Purple Hybrid

-
-
-
-

Purple Hybrid Premier

-
-
-

Sleep position and body type

Let’s start with body type. While I think all body types will find the mattresses in the Purple range comfortable, I would encourage people who are bigger in stature to opt for the Hybrid or Hybrid Premier options – just because it offers better support than the softer construction of the foam Original.

When it comes to sleeping position, the three Purple mattresses have something for everyone – with a few qualifications. First off, it is important to note that strict stomach and back sleepers may find the mattresses lack the firmness they would like for support. This is a warning to cover all bases. I don’t think most back and stomach sleepers will have a problem on any of the three.

I would recommend the Purple Mattress for side, back, and combination sleepers. Back, stomach, and combination sleepers will appreciate the slightly firmer feel of the Purple Hybrid. The Premier models are great for side sleepers. The 3-inch option is suited to side, back, and anyone who is a combination of the two. The 4-inch option comes in slightly softer than its 3-inch counterpart and provides really good pressure relief for side sleepers.

Purple mattress edge support

All Purple mattress models perform notably well when it comes to edge support. All have additional foam panels specifically included to bolster edge support – and it makes a difference! The edge support on the hybrid beds is fantastic, giving you access to the whole bed – right up to the very edge. The Purple Mattress of a few years ago didn’t have very good edge support at all, but this latest version has edge support which is pretty much on par with the hybrid Purples.

Perfect for Thickness Edge Support Discount

Purple

Average and petite sized people across all sleeping positions

9.5"
Excellent

Purple Hybrid

People across all sizes and back, stomach, and combination sleepers

12"
Excellent

Purple Hybrid Premier

People across all sizes and sleeping positions – especially side sleepers

12" and 13"
Excellent

Purple mattress temperature regulation

While none of the Purple mattresses have active cooling properties, I highly recommend these mattresses for people who tend to get hot in the night. The reason mostly comes down to the Purple Grid. Unlike traditional memory foams which can be a little on the hot side, the grid layout of the Purple mattresses’ comfort layers makes for breathability – and so coolness. As with all hybrids, the added aeration around the mattress through the coil systems also helps with cooling.

Purple’s Hyper-Elastic Polymer also doesn’t seem to retain heat. Each mattress in the range also has a breathable, stretch cover for you to get the best feel from this proprietary material – and this includes air movement.

MATTRESS TEMPERATURE SCALE

Cool Medium Cool Medium Medium Warm Warm

Purple

-

-

 

-
-

Purple Hybrid

-
-
-
-

Purple Hybrid Premier

-
-
-
-

Motion isolation and noise

Of the three mattress varieties, I would have to say the Purple Mattress provides slightly better motion isolation than the hybrids – but this is very slight. On this point, it is up there with most memory foam mattresses. In all three mattresses, motion is not completely deadened, but I don’t expect you would be disturbed by a partner during the night owing to movement. This is quite impressive considering the bouncy and responsive qualities of these beds. If you are on the market for a hybrid mattress, the Purple Hybrids out-perform their competitors here.

We didn’t pick up on any sound from any of the Purple beds in response to movement. They were all close on silent. As with any hybrid mattress, the coils could start to generate some sound as they age.

Is Purple suitable for couples and sex?

Again, the suitability of Purple mattresses for sex is going to come down to personal preference. The Hyper-Elastic Polymer on all of these mattresses makes them really bouncy and responsive, which I think most couples will like. It is something worth considering. Changing position is really easy because of the nature of this material and most people won’t have any problem with this.

For most average and petite sized people, the Purple Grid will provide a margin of contouring, but you will be more on top of the bed than sinking into it. If you or your partner are a bit heavier, you may experience that feeling of dissolving into the mattress, which may make changing position a little trickier.

In all other respects, Purple mattresses are a truly fantastic choice for couples. As mentioned above, the edge support is excellent so, even if you are sharing a smaller-sized bed, you won’t necessarily sleep on top of one another because of a lack of mattress support. These mattresses are also responsive, but with very impressive motion isolation and minimal noise. This means it is highly unlikely that you will be disturbed by your partner during the night because of sound or movement. This soundlessness is also something to think about for sex.

Durability and longevity

Purple mattresses are made from high-quality materials. It’s fair to expect your Purple Mattress to last as long as most all-foam mattresses. While I think it’s unlikely that the Hyper-Elastic Polymer itself will age badly, the durability of foam in the mattress is what we’re taking into account here. With this in mind, in the six- to seven-year mark is where the Purple will fall.

Hybrid mattresses, by their very nature, are more durable. That said, despite their impressive construction, I’d say you could reasonably expect these mattresses to last about as long as many other hybrid mattresses on the market – around seven years.

Bed base

COMPATIBLE WITH THESE BED BASES

Box Spring

Solid Platform

Adjustable

Slats*

Divan

Metal Grid

*Recommended no more than three inches apart

Purple mattress complaints

With its specialized feel, it’s not surprising that internet opinion on the Purple mattress is both positive and negative in about equal measure. As we’ve said throughout this Purple bed review, you’re either going to love it or decide definitively that it’s not for you. Going through online customer reviews on Purple mattresses, here are a few common complaints:

  • Some customers reported sagging of their Purple mattress. This was on the older model.
  • I read a few customer service complaints, largely around returns. Give their returns policy a read to make sure nothing unexpected happens down the line if you don’t like your mattress.

Our final verdict: Do we recommend the Purple mattress brand?

OUR RATING

4/5

4/5

If my friends were shopping for a mattress, I would encourage them to give Purple a try. If, after reading this Purple review, you decide to give it a go, some of you will love it and some of you won’t get it – without doubt. That’s the nature of the bed beast when it comes to a bed with such a different feel.

In all likelihood, most people will lie on a Purple and find it comfortable. It’s not your first impression that counts here. It is down the line that people seem to change their minds about it (if they’re going to change their minds at all). Could this be the best mattress you ever own? It’s possible. As with most things, you never know unless you try.

FAQ

Can you flip a Purple mattress?

You shouldn’t flip any of the Purple mattresses. This is because their proprietary comfort layer, known as the “Purple Grid” is designed to be at the top. If you flip these mattresses, you will end up sleeping on the support foam or coils. However, they do recommend rotating these mattresses at least twice a year.

Is Purple mattress toxic?

Purple mattresses are made using low-VOC materials. If you deconstruct these beds, you will notice a white powder on the Hyper-Elastic Polymer Purple Grid. This is non-toxic and is used to prevent this material from becoming tacky and sticking to itself, which would affect the performance of the mattress.

Who makes the Purple mattress?

Purple mattresses are made in-house by Utah-based Purple.

Is Purple mattress sold in stores?

Purple mattresses are available in mattress and furniture stores – and are available for sale online.

Is Casper better than Purple?

Casper and Purple make mattresses with a similar feel in terms of firmness. If you are looking for a more traditional feeling bed, Casper is probably more up your alley than the very unique Purple.  

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  • 10 years warranty
  • 100 nights trial
  • Free shipping
  • Free returns
  • Made in USA
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