updated July 2023

Purple vs Amerisleep Mattress Comparison

Purple vs Amerisleep Mattress Comparison

Make shopping for a new mattress easier by comparing these two popular bed-in-a-box mattress models: the Purple and the Amerisleep AS3.

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Comparing Purple mattresses with just about any other bed is easy—there simply isn’t anything else like it on the market. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be matched for comfort and functionality. Today we’re putting the Purple next to Amerisleep’s AS3 mattress to see how they perform across the most important mattress criteria.

From this comparison, you can expect to learn about differences in the feel, construction, materials, and prices. We’ll wrap up with tailored recommendations for who we think will love each of these very different mattresses.


Side-by-Side Overview

Customer Rating
MA Score
Summary
Firmness
Type
Trial Period
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

amerisleep as3 1

Amerisleep AS3

Customer Rating
MA Score

8.4/10

Summary

Memory foam mattress with cooling technology (part of Amerisleep's Soft Collection)

Firmness

Medium: 6/10

Type

Memory foam

Trial Period

100 days

Warranty

20-year limited warranty

The Purple Mattress
amerisleep as3 1

Purple

Amerisleep AS3

Customer Rating

MA Score

8.4/10

8.4/10

Summary

Proven pressure relief for people with back pain; good for back and side sleepers

Memory foam mattress with cooling technology (part of Amerisleep's Soft Collection)

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6.5/10

Medium: 6/10

Type

Hybrid: hyper-elastic polymer and foam

Memory foam

Trial Period

100 days

100 days

Warranty

10-year limited warranty

20-year limited warranty

Key Similarities

  • The Purple Original and Amerisleep AS3 received the same score (8/10) for cooling in our lab evaluation. They both incorporate temperature regulation technologies that keep you cool all night long. 
  • They also both scored the same for responsiveness, which measures how well a mattress responds to changes in pressure. The Purple and AS3 do a good job of returning to their original form when you change positions.
  • The AS3 and Purple land at a similar place on the firmness scale. The Purple is a medium-firm mattress (6.5/10), and the AS3 is a medium mattress (6/10). These firmness levels are also called the Goldilocks’ feel since they’re not too soft and not too firm. (For more Amerisleep firmness options, check out the AS1, AS2, AS4, and AS5.)

Key Differences

  • The most noticeable difference between these beds is the comfort layer. Purple’s top layer is a Hyper-Elastic Polymer grid that relieves pressure. AS3’s comfort layer is made of contouring Bio-Pur foam.
  • The prices and warranties for the Purple and AS3 mattresses are very different. The AS3 is $100-350 more expensive than the Purple, but it also has a 20-year warranty, which is twice as long as Purple’s 10-year warranty. 
  • These beds shine in different areas. The Purple mattress does a better job of keeping your back straight while you sleep. Spinal alignment is important for avoiding back pain from your mattress. The Amerisleep AS3 scored higher on motion transfer. We test this category by rolling on the mattress with a glass of red wine on the other side of the bed. It goes without saying that the wine did not spill on the AS3.
  • The AS3 mattress is made only of foam, whereas the Purple is technically a hybrid mattress, meaning it’s not all-foam and not only innerspring or pocketed coils.  
purple mattress update

Purple Mattress Review Highlights

  • Hyper Elastic Polymer: Purple’s mattress construction centers on the Purple Grid, made of Hyper-Elastic Polymer. This layer does an incredible job of cushioning your body weight.
  • Breathable: The Purple Grid has lots of shallow, cube-shaped channels that span the surface of the comfort layer. These open spaces allow warm air to flow freely out of the mattress.
  • Spinal Alignment: The Purple scored remarkably high in our spinal alignment assessment, meaning it keeps your back in a nearly perfect straight line while you sleep.
  • Durability: Since it was created in the 1990s, Hyper-Elastic Polymer shows little to no signs of decay. It won’t crack like memory foam, which is why we rated it 9/10 for durability.
  • Health-Conscious: All of the materials used to construct the Purple mattress are hypoallergenic and made in the USA. The foams are all CertiPUR-US certified and unlikely to have off-gassing.
  • For more unique mattresses by Purple, check out the Purple Hybrid, Kid’s Purple Mattress, or the Purple Hybrid Premier.
amerisleep as3 1

Amerisleep Mattress Review Highlights

  • HIVE Technology: The transition layer in Amerisleep’s softest mattresses features a honeycomb-shaped grid that provides ergonomic support for your body’s different regions.
  • Motion Transfer: AS3’s highest performance score is for motion transfer. If you’re a light sleeper or combo sleeper, you need a bed that does a good job at motion isolation, so your sleep isn’t interrupted by a partner or pet.
  • Eco-Friendly: Amerisleep’s Bio-Pur memory foam doesn’t off-gas like traditional memory foam because it’s made with plant oils instead of petroleum. Bio Pur is also CertiPUR-US certified, so it doesn’t use toxic chemicals or produce harmful emissions.
  • 20-Year Warranty: Short of a lifetime warranty, this is one of the longest warranty coverage periods we’ve seen. It protects you against manufacturer defects for your mattress’s peak performance years.

Compare Mattress Sizes

The chart below compares the dimensions for the Purple Original and Amerisleep AS3 mattresses. The biggest difference is the mattress thickness. 

Purple Amerisleep
Thickness 9.25″ 12”
Twin 38″ x 75″ 38” x 74”
Twin XL 38″ x 80″ 38” x 80”
Full 54″ x 75″ 54” x 75”
Queen 60″ x 80″ 60” x 80”
King 76″ x 80″ 76” x 80”
California King 72″ x 84″ 72” x 84”
Split King 76″ x 80″ 38″ x 80″ (x2)

Learn more about mattress sizes.

 


Purple vs Amerisleep AS3 Prices

Take a look at the different price points for the original Purple and Amerisleep AS3 mattress models

Purple Amerisleep
Twin $799 $1,149
Twin XL $999 $1,199
Full $1,199 $1,349
Queen $1,399 $1,399
King $1,799 $1,699
California King $1,799 $1,699
Split King $1,998 $2,098

 


Compare the Layers

We’ve talked a lot about the different strengths and highlights for the Purple and Amerisleep AS3 mattresses. Next, we’ll cover mattress construction and the individual layers.

inside purple 1 1

Inside the Purple Mattress

  1. Mattress Cover: Purple’s SoftFlex cover is extra stretchy, enabling you to reap the full benefit of the flexible GelFlex™ Grid. It’s also designed to be breathable, so body heat can pass through the cover and polymer top layer.
  2. GelFlex™ Grid: The Hyper Elastic Polymer comfort layer evenly distributes your body weight, so your pressure points get the support they need. It can hold up to 750 lbs, so it works best for couples with average body types or individuals weighing up to 750 lbs.
  3. Soft Comfort Layer: Purple’s first foam layer is medium-soft and highly responsive.
  4. Support Foam: The base layer is made of dense polyfoam that prevents sagging and keeps your mattress feeling like a new bed after years of use.
inside amerisleep as3

Inside the Amerisleep AS3 Mattress

  1. Refresh Cooling Cover: Made with fiber that transfers energy away from the body, this cover keeps you cooler than traditional mattress covers.
  2. Comfort Layer: AS3’s first layer is made of Bio-Pur foam. Its open cell structure keeps the top of your mattress well ventilated. It’s also quick to respond to changes in position. 
  3. Affinity Foam: The transition foam layer features HIVE technology, which provides targeted support for your lower back and shoulders.
  4. Support Layer: The foundation of the AS3 is dense Bio-Core foam. It’s durable and supportive.

Compare Mattress Advisor Scores

We tested the Purple and Amerisleep AS3 mattresses to see how they performed across 14 criteria. You can compare their scores in the chart below.

Purple Amerisleep AS3
Shipping 7 8
Trial Period 9 9
Return Policy 10 10
Warranty 9 10
Set-Up Test 6 9.5
Motion Transfer Test 7.5 8.75
Edge Support Test 8.5 8
Pressure Relief Test 8.5 7.75
Spinal Alignment Test 9.5 8.25
Responsiveness Test 7 7
Cooling Evaluation 8 8
Durability Evaluation 9 8.5
Customer Service Score 9 9
Social Impact Score 4 4
TOTAL SCORE 8.4/10 8.4/10

Sleeping Position

As you peruse the scores for these mattresses, keep in mind which traits are important for your sleeping position. Side sleepers need high-quality pressure relief. The Purple mattress scored higher in this category, so you’ll feel less stress on your shoulders and hips. Back sleepers and stomach sleepers need spinal alignment. Again, the Purple received a higher score, although both performed well in this category.

Combination sleepers should choose whichever mattress works best for their dominant sleeping position since the Purple and Amerisleep AS3 scored the same on our responsiveness evaluation.

Cooling and Motion Transfer

If you sleep with a partner, pay special attention to the motion transfer category. In this case, the Amerisleep AS3 outperformed the Purple, meaning it does a better job of isolating motion from one side of the bed to the other.

Hot sleepers or those who live in hot climates need a mattress that sleeps cool. In this category, both mattresses scored 8/10, so you’ll feel comfortable on either bed.

The Bottom Line: Which Is the Best Mattress?

The Purple and Amerisleep AS3 mattresses are very different, but both sleep cool and keep your spine aligned. We recommend Purple to side sleepers, while we think stomach and back sleepers will feel comfy on either. Couples should notice fewer disruptions on the Amerisleep AS3. Finally, budget shoppers will pay less for the Purple.

We don’t have a favorite between these two beds—they are just so different! Our advice? Pick the mattress that best aligns with your top three sleep needs, and you won’t be disappointed.

Other Purple and Amerisleep Comparisons

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Still Deciding?

Ready to compare other mattresses against each other? Use our comparison tool to see how two different mattress models compare.