Bear and Purple mattresses each offer a balanced medium-firm feel great for the average sleeper. These popular bed-in-a-box brands are well-loved by customers, which can make it tough for a new mattress shopper to decide between the two.
Fortunately, these mattresses have unique materials that create sleeping experiences better for different sleepers. In this review, we’ll compare the Purple and Bear mattresses side-by-side so you can learn which is right for you.
Comparison Overview
The Bear mattress is an all-foam mattress while the Purple is a hybrid mattress made from layers of polyfoam and a hyper-elastic polymer grid. Even though they both boast a medium firm (6.5/10) firmness level, they feel vastly different and work best for different people. Let’s take a look at how these beds compare.
Customer Rating
MA Score
Summary
Firmness
Type
Trial Period
Warranty
Customer Rating
MA Score
8.6/10
Summary
Known to help relieve pressure points and aid in muscle recovery
Firmness
Medium firm: 7.1/10
Type
Memory foam with graphite gel
Trial Period
120 days
Warranty
Lifetime limited warranty
Customer Rating
MA Score
8.4/10
Summary
Proven pressure relief for people with back pain; good for back and side sleepers
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Type
Hybrid: hyper-elastic polymer and foam
Trial Period
100 days
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
Bear
Purple
Customer Rating
MA Score
8.6/10
8.4/10
Summary
Known to help relieve pressure points and aid in muscle recovery
Proven pressure relief for people with back pain; good for back and side sleepers
Firmness
Medium firm: 7.1/10
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Type
Memory foam with graphite gel
Hybrid: hyper-elastic polymer and foam
Trial Period
120 days
100 days
Warranty
Lifetime limited warranty
10-year limited warranty
The flagship Bear mattress is the least expensive of these two mattresses. Its all-foam construction delivers a similar medium-firm firmness level as the Purple, but with a more responsive feel. What this means is that it’s easier to move around at night on the Bear, making it a good choice for combination sleepers. The Bear delivers more support and less contouring than the Purple, which is why it’s best for stomach sleepers. Finally, the Bear is one of the coolest mattresses that you’ll find that isn’t an innerspring bed. Hot sleepers tend to prefer the Bear to the Purple.
The Original Purple mattress has a unique feel that is often described as a weightless or floating feeling. Its top layer is made from a hyper-elastic grid that buckles when enough weight is applied, creating a close contour that’s impressively supportive. In comparison to the Bear mattress, the Purple does a better job at cushioning pressure points and keeping the spine aligned for back and side sleepers.
Key Similarities:
- Both are great for athletes
- Both work well for back sleepers
- Both rate a 6.5/10 on the 1-10 firmness scale
- Both are best for people weighing 230 lbs or less
Key Differences:
- The Bear is a memory foam mattress and the Purple is a hybrid mattress
- The Purple is better for side sleepers thanks to superior pressure relief
- The Bear is superior for stomach sleepers thanks to limited sinkage
- The Purple delivers better spine alignment for back sleepers
- The Bear is less expensive
Bear Mattress Review Highlights
- Balanced foam feel that falls in the middle of sleeping “on” and “in” a mattress
- Responsive foam makes it easy to switch positions or have sex
- One of the coolest all-foam beds available
- Celliant cover technology designed for expedited healing
- Budget-friendly price point
- The Bear Hybrid adds an extra layer of pocket coils for extra bounciness
Purple Mattress Review Highlights
- Smart comfort grid offers exceptional contouring and pressure relief
- One of the best mattresses for spine alignment and sleepers with back pain
- Airy comfort layer facilitates a cool night’s sleep
- Incredibly durable construction
- Purple also has the Purple Hybrid, Purple Hybrid Premier, and Purple Kids models you can explore
Mattress Sizes Side by Side
The Bear and Purple mattresses vary slightly in their dimensions as outlined below, although both fall within standard ranges for each size of mattress. While the Purple is 0.5” thinner, this slight difference doesn’t change who’s best suited for each bed. The Bear Split King size is slightly thicker than their other models, with 14″ thickness.
Bear |
Purple |
|
| Thickness | 10″, 14″ | 9.25″ |
| Twin | 39″ x 75″ | 38″ x 75″ |
| Twin XL | 39″ x 80″ | 38″ x 80″ |
| Full | 54″ x 75″ | 54″ x 76″ |
| Queen | 60″ x 80″ | 60″ x 80″ |
| King | 76″ x 80″ | 76″ x 80″ |
| Cal King | 72″ x 84″ | 72″ x 84″ |
| Split King | 76″ x 80″ | 76″ x 80″ |
Learn more about mattress sizes.
Compare Bear vs. Purple Mattress Prices
Both the Purple and Bear beds are budget-friendly mattresses that deliver cutting-edge technology at competitive prices. At full price, the Purple is more expensive, costing $299 more for the queen-size bed. To get the best deal, click on any of the links throughout this article for exclusive Mattress Advisor discounts.
Bear |
Purple |
|
| Twin | $748 | $799 |
| Twin XL | $811 | $999 |
| Full | $873 | $1,199 |
| Queen | $998 | $1,399 |
| King | $1,248 | $1,799 |
| Cal King | $1,248 | $1,799 |
| Split King | $1,622 | $1,998 |
Compare Inside Layers and Materials
The biggest difference between the Bear and Purple beds is the construction of their comfort layers. The Bear mattress uses memory foam as its top layer while the Purple mattress uses a proprietary comfort grid unlike anything you’ll find from other mattress companies.
Purple’s hyper-elastic polymer grid material works in a way that achieves both optimal pressure relief and full-body support. The grid holds its shape until a certain amount of pressure is applied. At that point, it collapses, allowing that part of the body to sink in. As a result, the grid evenly distributes weight along the body’s surface, yielding a floating, weightless sensation. The pressure-relieving properties and body alignment works best for side and back sleepers.
In comparison, the Bear mattress’s top layer is made from a thin layer of memory foam. With graphite and gel infusion, the surface is even cooler than the Purple’s. The next layer is a supportive polyfoam that stops heavier parts of the body from sinking in too far. This balanced feel keeps the hips in line with the rest of the body, something that’s needed by stomach sleepers.
Inside the Bear Mattress
The Bear mattress is a 3-layer memory foam mattress. The upper foam layer is the only memory foam layer, which creates a minimally plush give. With cooling gel and graphite throughout, the memory foam doesn’t retain too much heat. Beneath the comfort foam is a 2” transition layer that’s to thank for the almost bouncy feel of the Bear mattress. The support foam enhances durability and strengthens the edges.
- Celliant mattress cover: Designed for breathability and recovery.
- Graphite-gel memory foam (2”): Cooling foam that gently hugs the curves.
- Responsive transition foam (2”): Balanced support that quickly adjusts to movement.
- High-density support foam (2”): Durable polyurethane foam for longevity and stability.
Inside the Purple Mattress
The Purple mattress is a unique hybrid bed that pairs layers of foam with Purple’s proprietary smart grid technology. The Purple Grid hugs the body similarly to how memory foam does, but without the sinking feeling. Thanks to ample airflow through this layer, the Purple mattress sleeps cool. The transition layer is made from a pliable polyfoam that cradles heavier parts of the body that sink through the comfort layer. The base foam layer is a high-density polyfoam for added durability.
- SoftFlex cover: Incredibly stretchy, breathable fabric that moves seamlessly with the flexible grid below.
- Smart comfort grid (2”): A hyper-elastic polymer grid that closely conforms to the body for pressure relief and optimal alignment.
- Plush comfort foam (3.5”): Soft yet supportive contouring foam that cushions heavier areas of the body as they sink below the comfort grid.
- High-density base layer (4”): Durable, sturdy polyfoam for a sturdy feel.
Compare Lab Testing Scores
We’ve tested the Purple and Bear mattresses at our in-house mattress lab. See how they compare when it comes to factors that influence your sleeping experience.
| Bear | Purple | |
| Shipping | 10 | 7 |
| Trial Period | 9 | 9 |
| Return Policy | 10 | 10 |
| Warranty | 9 | 9 |
| Set-Up Test | 7 | 6 |
| Motion Transfer Test | 7.75 | 7.5 |
| Edge Support Test | 8.5 | 8.5 |
| Pressure Relief Test | 7 | 8.5 |
| Spinal Alignment Test | 8.5 | 9.5 |
| Responsiveness Test | 9 | 7 |
| Cooling Evaluation | 9 | 8 |
| Durability Evaluation | 8 | 9 |
| Customer Service Score | 9 | 9 |
| Social Impact Score | 6 | 4 |
| TOTAL SCORE | 8.6/10 | 8.4/10 |
What Is the Best Mattress for Your Needs?
The Bear mattress is an excellent budget-friendly all-foam mattress. It’s a great option for hot sleepers, athletes, and combination sleepers. The Purple mattress is unlike any other mattress. Its smart comfort grid offers the conforming feel of memory foam without the heat retention or sagging.
Bear claims that its celliant mattress cover boosts blood circulation, helping to expedite healing. Its breathable cover and graphite and gel memory foam free trapped body heat for a cool, dry night’s sleep. And it’s balanced support offers excellent spine alignment for stomach sleepers.
Purple’s technology creates an almost weightless feel that supports optimal body alignment and cushion for both back and side sleepers.
But the best mattress depends on your sleeping position, body weight, and personal preferences. Each of these mattress brands backs their mattresses with a sleep trial and free shipping and returns, so you can try them out with zero financial risk. Since Bear comes with a 120-night trial, which is slighlty longer than Purple’s 100-day trial, it may be a better option for those that want to take more time to get to know their mattress.
More Bear and Purple Comparisons:
Related Content
Mattress 101
Best Time to Buy a Mattress
Before you buy a mattress, make sure you know how to save money and get the best deal. Read about the best time to buy a mattress based on holiday promos and sales trends.
Mattress Guides
King vs. California King Beds
Learn the size difference between king size and California king size mattresses to know which bed is ideal for your sleeping needs.
Mattress Comparisons
Bear vs Tempur-Pedic Mattress Comparison
Are you shopping for a new mattress, but can’t decide between the Tempur-Pedic and Bear brands? Read our Bear vs Tempur-Pedic mattress comparison for help.