Purple Mattress Review

The Purple Mattress

Purple Mattress Review

✔️Last updated: May 2023

✔️Customer Rating: 4.4/5
✔️Mattress Advisor Score: 8.4/10
✔️Type: Hybrid
✔️Firmness: Medium-Firm
✔️Free Returns
✔️100-Night Sleep Trial
✔️10-Year Warranty

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The Bottom Line: The original Purple Mattress® has much to brag about: it’s durable, supportive, and pressure-relieving. This hybrid, medium-firm bed uses layers of foam to support your pressure points and provide edge support and cooling. Ideal for back and side sleepers, the Purple Mattress® will last you for years to come.

Who Is the Purple Mattress® Best for?

Purple is best for: Purple may not be best for:
  • Hot sleepers
  • Athletes, dancers, those with active lifestyles
  • Back sleepers
  • Side sleepers
  • People with back pain

Purple Mattress Review Highlights

Best Mattresses for Athletes - Mattress Advisor

The Purple mattress is an original bed-in-a-box model from the unique brand Purple. It’s one of the best mattresses for athletes and a close runner-up for our best hybrid mattresses. In this review, we’ll answer your questions about the Purple, and provide you with pros and cons, customer reviews, and product specs like size and prices.

What We Love About the Purple:

  • The Purple Mattress gives you a unique feel of relieving pain and pressure around areas of soreness and also provides cushioning and support. This is a pro of having a hybrid bed—you get the best of both worlds.
  • Customer service for Purple scored a 9.5 out of 10, meaning that they are ready and willing to answer any questions and concerns you may have about purchasing or owning a Purple mattress. It makes the buying process less stressful when you know you’re purchasing from a reputable company with helpful employees.
  • Because the Purple bed is a hybrid mattress, it is a great cooling mattress, better than all-foam beds, and increases breathability and airflow.

Video Review of the Purple Mattress

Check out our video below to see how the Purple mattress performed in our testing in the Mattress Advisor lab.


Mattress Advisor Score for the Purple Mattress

Take a look at our score breakdown for the Purple mattress to understand which areas this mattress excels in. Our final score is a combined weighted total of each score. We rate each test and the total score on a scale of 1 to 10.

You can learn more about our scoring system and review process here.

Mattress Advisor Test Score (Out of 10)
Shipping 7.5
Trial Period 8
Return Policy 8.5
Warranty 8
Set-Up 6
Motion Transfer 7.5
Edge Support 8.5
Pressure Relief 8.5
Spine Alignment 9.5
Responsiveness 7
Cooling 8
Durability 9
Customer Service 9.5
Social Impact 7.5
⭐Total Score for the Purple Mattress: 8.4/10⭐

Purple Performance Pros and Cons

✅ Pros

  • Spine Alignment: The Purple bed helps your spine maintain its natural curve even when you lie on your side by using a unique pressure-releasing material. 
  • Durability: Two layers of high-density foam give the mattress its durability and longevity.
  • Pressure Relief: A layer of hyper-elastic polymer is what gives this mattress its outstanding ability to relieve pressure on your hips and shoulders. This layer cushions your hips and shoulders and helps relieve pain. 
  • Edge Support: The Purple bed’s medium-firm design offers great edge support that helps to reinforce the bed and reduce movement from other people.
  • US Made: The Purple mattress is made to order here in the USA.

❌ Cons: Purple Mattress Complaints

  • Shipping: It can take up to 1-2 weeks for your mattress to leave the warehouse and travel in transit.
  • Weight Capacity: While the Purple mattress doesn’t have a weight limit, several customers have complained that the gel grid collapses when heavier sleepers use it.
  • Too Firm: While back sleepers may love the firmness of the Purple mattress, those who prefer other sleeping positions report experiencing neck and shoulder pain.

Motion Transfer

Light sleepers who are often woken up by the movements of their partner need to keep motion transfer in mind while shopping for a mattress. The higher the score, the more effective the mattress is at isolating each side of the bed, meaning your partner can toss and turn all night long and you won’t feel a thing.

Scoring a 7.5/10 on this test, the Purple is a bit better than average in this field. Most sleepers probably wouldn’t have a problem resting on this mattress with someone else, but very light sleepers may want to consider something with slightly higher marks, like the Helix Midnight, which scored 9/10 for motion isolation.

Edge Support

Something that combination sleepers who tend to roll towards the side of the bed should look out for is a high edge support score. Solid marks in this category indicate a bed that won’t sag when you get too close to the edge.

The layers of foam that make up the Purple make for a surface that is sturdy, while still feeling soft. You can roll right up to the edge and still feel comfortable and secure.

Pressure Relief

Those same layers of foam that contribute to the Purple’s commendable edge support help to score the mattress an equally impressive pressure relief score of 8.5. The smart comfort grid layer definitely cushioned our most sensitive pressure points like our hips and shoulders – an important feature for side sleepers. That said, stomach sleepers may be better off looking for an even softer mattress.


More Testing Results

Learn some of the practical stuff you need to know before you buy, such as how much weight the Purple bed can support and how firm the mattress is. 

How Firm is the Purple Mattress?

The Purple Mattress is medium-firm and scores about a 6.5 out of a 10 on the firmness scale. This firmness level means areas like the lower back and lumbar region are more firmly supported than you would find with other, less firm beds.

What Sleeping Position Does the Purple Mattress Support?

The Purple is one of the best mattresses for back sleepers and a top mattress for side sleepers. The original mattress helps with spinal alignment while sleeping on your side and cushions your pressure points while still filling in the other curves of your body, so you can maintain support from head to toe. Back sleepers would also enjoy the spinal alignment the Purple bed offers as this helps to eliminate any unwanted pressure. 

Stomach sleepers may prefer a softer mattress than the Purple as you may experience some discomfort or lower back pain with this medium-firm bed whilst resting on your stomach. Read our best mattress for stomach sleeper guide for other options.

Does the Purple Mattress Sleep Hot?

The Purple bed scores an 8 out of 10 for cooling, meaning that the mattress does a great job of regulating your body temperature and keeping you cool throughout the night. This is due to the structure of the foam layers which have a large, open cell structure designed for promoting airflow and breathability. 

The responsive knit cover on the top layer of the mattress is also a breathable design that pushes air away from your body, so you won’t have to worry about night sweats with this bed.

How Much Weight Does the Purple Mattress Support?

The Purple Mattress does not have a weight limit and is capable of supporting many different body types and body weights. Purple does suggest limiting 300 lbs per side for a grand total of 600 lbs.

What Foundations of Bed Frames Can be Used with Purple?

The Purple Mattress requires a strong and sturdy base to support itself. Platforms, box foundations, or adjustable bed frames all work as foundations for your Purple bed. Try to avoid springs in your foundation to prevent a sagging mattress.

What is the Purple Mattress Made of?

The Purple mattress is composed of a layer of hyper-elastic polymer grid on top of two layers of high-density foam designed for durability, support and motion isolation. The layers of foam work with the polymer to create a durable support system.

inside purple mattress
  1. Responsive Knit Cover: A soft and stretchy cover that composes the top layer. Designed for breathability and increased airflow.
  2. Smart Comfort Grid: Comfort layer designed to provide cushioning for your hips and shoulders (pressure points) and support your body’s natural shape by contouring.
  3. Plush Comfort Foam: Soft, high-density foam that offers responsiveness and cushioning. The polymer material gives the bed its responsiveness which benefits combo sleepers who toss and turn throughout the night.
  4. Support Foam: Medium-firm, high-density polyfoam that supports the mattress and gives it its structure. This makes up the base layers of the bed.

Purple Mattress Sizes, Dimensions, and Pricing

Size Dimensions Weight Price*
Twin 38” x 75” x 9.25″ 65 lbs $799
Twin XL 38” x 80” x 9.25″ 70 lbs $999
Full 54” x 75” x 9.25″ 81 lbs $1,199
Queen 60” x 80” x 9.25″ 100 lbs $1,399
King 76” x 80” x 9.25″ 140 lbs $1,799
California King 72” x 84” x 9.25″ 140 lbs $1,799
Split King 38″ x 80″ x 9.25″ (x2) 140 lbs $1,998

*Prices do not reflect exclusive offers or discounts. Click below to see the best price for the Purple mattress.

Purple Mattress Unboxing

Your Purple mattress will come compressed in a cylinder case. You will begin by unzipping one end of the package to find a purple cutter that you can use to cut away the Purple sleeve that surrounds the plastic. Then, you can unroll the mattress in your bedroom of choice and cut away the last plastic piece to see the mattress decompress. 

The materials in Purple are non-toxic and CertiPUR-US certified, so there is no strong off-gassing scent when you unbox. However, there might be a “new mattress smell” that fades quickly.


Purchasing Information

Read below for everything you need to know purchase-wise for your Purple mattress.

Policy Details
Delivery Compressed in a cylinder case; delivered in 2-9  business days
Trial Period 100 nights
Warranty 10-year limited warranty
Return Policy Free returns
Financing Available through Affirm

Purple Mattress Shipping and Delivery

The Purple Mattress takes 1-5 days to ship and once shipped, 4-7 business days to be delivered. You don’t need to be home to sign the mattress when FedEx delivers the bed to your doorstep.

Purple Mattress Sleep Trial

Your Purple Mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial that starts from the date of your delivery. This is an average length for a sleep trial as most mattress brands usually offer a sleep trial anywhere from 100 nights to a full year. 

Purple Mattress Warranty

The warranty for your Purple Mattress is good for 10 years and starts at the original purchase date of the mattress. The warranty only applies as long as you use a firm, flat, non-spring foundation and there is no damage or neglect to the bed.

The Purple mattress warranty does not cover:

  • Damages from misuse, like jumping on the bed.
  • Changes in comfort preference or changes in perceived comfort.
  • Purple mattresses sold secondhand or bought from an unauthorized retailer.
  • Injuries from the mattress, such as back pain.
  • Mattresses used in a commercial setting, such as a rental space.

The Purple mattress warranty does cover:

  • Visible indentation in the mattress greater than 1″.
  • Cracks or splits in the mattress despite proper handling.
  • Faults in material or workmanship of the zipper cover (during the first two years).

To submit a claim, you can call Purple toll-free at 1-888-848-8456. 

Purple Mattress Customer Service

To contact Purple’s Customer Care, you can call support at 888-848-8456, or sales at 888-848-0511. Purple also offers a chat feature on their site where you can speak with a company representative and ask questions. You can also send Purple an email at info@purple.com. Purple earned a near-perfect score for their customer service so safe to say you can count on Purple to assist you with your needs.

Here is what actual customers had to say about Purple’s customer service:

  • “Fantastic bed. Going to get a king next. Company even better.”- James M.
  • “My experience with purple overall has been a good one! Great product. Good customer service (timely, helpful, and courteous correspondence). And in general, my interaction has been positive, not to mention your marketing/media helps set the tone of your cultures that you are fun and down to earth and don’t take yourselves too seriously…”- Carlos A.
  • “With so many options on the market, it was difficult to narrow the contenders to one. After a little research, we visited a Purple store and tried out their product. We’ve had our original Purple mattress for over a month but knew the first night we made the right decision. Great customer service.” – Michael J.

Purple Mattress Return Policy

You have 100 days from the date of your Purple mattress delivery to return your bed. They require a minimum trial of 21 days to try the mattress out before you initiate a return. You can call Customer Care at 888-848-2305 to initiate a return and once your eligibility for a return is confirmed, a Purple specialist will help facilitate the process.

You can either donate your undamaged mattress to a local charity, recycle the mattress through a recycling facility, or work with the returns team to facilitate a pickup.

Once the mattress is either donated, recycled, or picked up, the Purple Customer Care team will ask for your donation or disposal receipt. Then, they’ll process your refund, which usually occurs within 15 business days.

Which Purple Mattress Model is Best for Me?

Purple offers four other mattress models:

Even if you don’t know it, you have specific sleeping needs that should be met by your mattress. Whether it’s based on your lifestyle, sleeping position, or mattress material preferences, we can help you decide which is best for you.

Best Purple Mattress by Personal Sleep Preferences

Check out how each Purple mattress model suits various personal preferences and lifestyle needs.

Purple Purple Hybrid Purple Hybrid Premier 4 Kid’s Purple Purple Plus
Budget Shoppers
Hot Sleepers
Plus-Size Sleepers
Couples
Low-Back Pain

Note: An ‘X’ just means it’s not the best for this situation.

Best Purple Mattress by Sleeping Position

Learn which Purple mattress model is best for your particular sleeping position.

Purple Purple Hybrid Purple Hybrid Premier 4 Kid’s Purple Purple Plus
Side Sleepers
Back Sleepers
Stomach Sleepers
Combination Sleepers

Read out our in-depth Purple mattress reviews to learn more about our ratings.

Purple Mattress Comparisons

Purple vs. Nectar

Criteria Purple Nectar
Mattress Advisor Score 8.4/10 8.7/10
Firmness Medium-Firm (6.5/10) Medium-Firm (6/10)
Material Hybrid (foam and polymer) Gel Memory Foam
Who’s It Best For?
  • Combination sleepers
  • Hot sleepers
  • People with back pain
  • Memory foam lovers
  • Side sleepers
  • People with joint pain

The Purple and Nectar mattresses feel very different. The memory foam Nectar mattress offers tons of sinkage and pressure relief, which makes it a better choice for side sleepers and people with joint pain. The Purple mattress has a springy waterbed-like feel that makes it a better pick for combination sleepers who like to feel “on top of” their mattresses.

Hot sleepers should also stick to the Purple. Its special grid layer is exceptionally cooling, while the Nectar’s memory foam build tends to trap heat. Both these beds are budget-friendly, but the Nectar mattress comes with a longer sleep trial and warranty, so shoppers looking for a deal might prefer that bed.

Check out our full Nectar vs. Purple mattress comparison.

Purple vs. Casper

Criteria Purple Casper
Mattress Advisor Score 8.4/10 8.7/10
Firmness Medium-Firm (6.5/10) Medium-Firm (6/10)
Material Hybrid (foam and polymer) Memory Foam
Who’s It Best For?
  • Side sleepers
  • Hot sleepers
  • Athletes
  • Budget shoppers
  • Sleepers with back pain
  • Combination sleepers

The Casper and the Purple both feel responsive and medium-firm. However, the Casper is slightly easier to move around on than the Purple, which makes it a better pick for combination sleepers. The Casper is also better for sleepers with back pain thanks to its zoned support system (which feels firmer at the lower back and softer at the shoulders).

On the other hand, the Purple is a better option for hot sleepers. It traps much less heat than the Casper, helping you stay cool at night. The Purple has a slight edge in durability, which is worth noting for shoppers interested in long-term value. Both beds are good picks for back sleepers who like to feel “on top of” rather than “in” their mattresses.

Check out our full Casper vs. Purple mattress comparison.

Review more Purple Comparisons:

Finding the right mattress can improve not only your nights but also your days.

Compare Purple to Other Mattresses

Interested to see how Purple compares to other mattresses? Click here to check out our comparison tool.


Other Products Sold by Purple

Purple Pillow

purple pillow

Purple Soft Stretch Sheets

ss sheets deeppurple

Purple Simply Seat Cushion

purple seat cushion

Purple Mattress FAQs

Q.

Can I finance my Purple mattress?

A.

If you prefer to pay for your Purple in monthly installments, you can do so with Affirm. Finance your Purple mattress through Affirm and get rates as low as 0% APR for 6 months. Just select “Affirm Monthly Payments” at checkout if you’re interested.

Q.

What kind of sheets can I use on my Purple mattress?

A.

Sheets that are thin and stretchy with at least 5% spandex will work best with your Purple mattress. This will help ensure that you’re reaping all the benefits from the Smart Comfort Grid™.

Purple also sells its own stretchy sheets that complement the mattress well.

Q.

Does the Purple mattress have a break-in period?

A.

Purple will likely feel different from any other mattress you’ve slept on, so it’s recommended that you allow 21 nights for your body to properly adjust to this new sleeping surface.

If you want to feel the patented hyper-elastic polymer for yourself before ordering the mattress, you can order a free “squishy” after you share and like a few things on social media (we have one and think it could be the new fidget spinner…).

Q.

Will I need to flip my Purple mattress?

A.

You don’t and you shouldn’t! Purple is designed to work best right side up.

Q.

Is the Purple mattress eco-friendly?

A.

The Purple mattress is both allergen-resistant and non-toxic. The hyper-elastic polymer is recyclable and made from food- and food-contact-grade ingredients. The high-density foam is CertiPUR-US­® Certified, meaning it meets some of the most rigorous standards for emissions, content, performance, and durability.

Q.

Does Purple offer any service member discounts?

A.

Purple offers a 15% discount to first responders as well as service men and women. (Applies to veterans and active duty members.) There is not a coupon code for this offer, but you can simply give them a call at 844-642-5613 to have your discount applied.

Q.

What exactly is the Purple Grid?

A.

The Purple Grid is a mattress layer made from Purple’s stretchy material called GelFlex. Purple uses it in all of their mattresses to give you a special floating sensation feeling.

Purple Mattress Review IRL

Emily and Dom e1516375585910

Meet Emily & Dominic

Emily and Dominic live in Raleigh, NC. Emily is an editorial manager for House Method, and Dominic is a data analyst. They share their Purple mattress with each other, and while they wish their dog, Tallulah, would snuggle in with them, she prefers her own bed.

Emily and Dominic are both primarily side sleepers, and sometimes back sleepers. Emily sleeps hot, while Dominic sleeps cold. Before owning their Purple mattress, they had a Casper.

For the purpose of this interview, we spoke with Emily.

MA: Why were you guys in the market for a new mattress?

E: We were looking for a new mattress because the Casper was simply too firm for me. I would wake up with sore shoulders and elbows after tossing and turning most of the night.

MA: What factors did you consider when buying a mattress?

E: Dom and I like opposite things when it comes to mattresses. He likes firm and I like soft. I tend to sleep hot and he’s always cold at night. So we needed something that was going to be comfortable for both of us. We used to have a Casper and I thought it was way too firm – I felt like I was sleeping on a bag of bricks. In the past, I’ve always had mattresses that felt like a cloud, but I needed something with more give on top and good pressure point support. I didn’t want to go too soft because I needed some support for my back.

We knew that we didn’t want a budget mattress, but also didn’t want to spend more than $1,500. I did want something that was made in the USA and fast shipping was another factor for us – I needed a mattress that would be delivered within a week.

MA: Did you compare any other brands? If so, what were they?

E: Well, we already tried Casper and I didn’t like it. We actually ordered a Nectar at first because I thought it was going to be the better choice for my back pain but shipping was delayed so we had to cancel.

MA: What ultimately led you to purchase the Purple mattress?

E: We thought the price was great ($1,000) and shipping was going to be quick. A friend also had the Purple and let us feel it out. That gel top was wicked good!

MA: Did you buy anything else from Purple?

E: We didn’t but when we bought our mattress, there was a promotion going on for a free seat cushion so we got that as well.

MA: What was your mattress buying experience like?

E: Overall, it was really simple. Purple had one option for a mattress so the digital process was super easy. The price was clear and I knew when it was going to ship. I loved that they gave me the option to track the shipment through Facebook so I didn’t have to dig through emails. By the way, I totally would have paid extra for faster shipping if that was an option.

Mattress was delivered on 1/10/2018; First interview was conducted on 1/11/2018

MA: Overall, how would you describe your first night on the Purple mattress?

E: I loved it. I really did love the gel top – you can tell that there’s something else there. I think it’s the perfect combination for both of us. It has give but you also don’t feel like you’re sinking. I loved the squishiness of it – it feels wild on your feet!

MA: Did you notice any difference in how you felt when you woke up?

E: I remember waking up on the Casper feeling like I hadn’t slept all night because there was no support. On the Purple, I felt a good amount of support, particularly on my hip. I felt like I had a good night’s rest when I woke up, particularly because I wasn’t tossing and turning to try and get comfortable.

MA: How does this compare to other mattresses you’ve had in the past?

E: As I mentioned earlier, the Casper was way too firm so I definitely like the firmness of the Purple better. Before the Casper, I had a mattress that felt like a cloud but it wore out so fast.

MA: How would you rank the Purple mattress on the following factors?

On a scale from 1-5 with 1 being the worst and 5 being the best.

Motion transfer (feeling little to no movement from your sleeping partner): 4.5
Support (body weight distributed evenly, no pains or aches): 5
Responsiveness (adjusts/responds to your body movements): 4.5
Temperature control (keeps you cool): 2

MA: How firm would you say the Purple is?

E: It’s a really different mattress than anything I’ve ever had. I would say it has good firm support but a softer gel top.

MA: Do you have any complaints about the Purple? Or anything you would change if you could?

E: My only complaint would be the temperature, but we are sleeping with a pretty warm duvet cover so we’re going to switch it tonight to see if it makes a difference.

MA: Do you feel like the Purple mattress was worth the price you paid?

E: Yes.

MA: Do you think you’ll keep your Purple mattress?

E: I think so, assuming the temperature issue is resolved.

Mattress was delivered on 1/10/2018; Second interview was conducted on 1/18/2018

MA: Overall, how would you describe your first week on the Purple mattress?

E: It did not hold up in terms of comfort. The novelty of the gel wore off kind of quickly. I still slept fine, but wasn’t as magical as the first night.

MA: How are you feeling when you wake up?

E: My hip feels much better supported. I noticed that my hip flexors are not as tight in the morning.

MA: How would you rank the Purple mattress on the following factors after sleeping on it for a week?

On a scale from 1-5 with 1 being the worst and 5 being the best.

Motion transfer (feeling little to no movement from your sleeping partner): 5
Support (body weight distributed evenly, no pains or aches): 5
Responsiveness (adjusts/responds to your body movements): 3.5
Temperature control (keeps you cool): 4

MA: Are you still happy with the firmness of your Purple?

E: Yes.

MA: Do you have any new complaints about the Purple? Or anything you would change if you could?

E: No new complaints, except for the fact that it’s losing its novelty a bit. We did find that the temperature issue from the first night was because of the nuclear blanket we were sleeping under, so that’s been resolved for the most part.

MA: Do you still feel like the Purple mattress was worth the price you paid?

E: I think so. The smell is gone. I was concerned about that when we first got it – I thought I might have paid $1,000 for a smelly mattress, but that’s not the case anymore.

MA: Do you think you’ll keep your Purple mattress?

E: Yeah, I think so.

Mattress was delivered on 1/10/2018; Second interview was conducted on 2/12/2018

MA: Overall, how would you describe your first month on the Purple mattress?

E: The firmness was leaving me tossing and turning. The gel top novelty wore off and was really just too firm for me. It did not bother Dominic though – he thought it was great. We decided to add a mattress topper from The Company Store, which makes it feel very cloud-like. Naturally, I just sleep with a lot of pillows, so I like a cushy bed experience. I will say that the motion transfer has been particularly great on the Purple.

MA: How are you feeling when you wake up?

E: I sleep on my left side a lot and my left shoulder does feel a little cramped when I wake up. But since we’ve added the softer topper, I am definitely getting more consistent sleep – I’m sleeping through the night more often.

MA: How would you rank the Purple mattress on the following factors after sleeping on it for a month?

On a scale from 1-5 with 1 being the worst and 5 being the best.

Motion transfer (feeling little to no movement from your sleeping partner): 5
Support (body weight distributed evenly, no pains or aches): 5
Responsiveness (adjusts/responds to your body movements): 3.5
Temperature control (keeps you cool): 4

MA: Are you still happy with the firmness of your Purple?

E: I think I realized that I just needed a plush, cloud-like top. I don’t think any mattress would have necessarily satisfied this – I think I just needed my soft topper.

MA: Do you have any new complaints about the Purple? Or anything you would change if you could?

E: Nothing in addition to the firmness issue.

MA: Do you still feel like the Purple mattress was worth the price you paid?

E: Yes. I don’t think it’s going to deteriorate. I think the durability is going to be fine. The smell isn’t a problem. If I knew up front that I would have needed a topper, I may have gone with a $700 mattress, or I might have looked for something with a pillow top option. But overall, I’d say I’m satisfied.

MA: Do you think you’ll keep your Purple mattress?

E: Yes.

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