Purple Mattress Review

Written by Loren Bullock, Certified Sleep Science Coach

Methodology

Here at Mattress Nerd, we’ve tested hundreds of mattresses to bring you unbiased, expert reviews of the top brands. Learn more.

In This Review

We’ll share our personal experience testing the Purple mattress. Find out if the bed’s unique Purple Grid layer is right for you.

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Is the Purple Mattress for You?

Who’s Going to Love the Purple Mattress

• Hot sleepers: The Purple is one of the coolest mattresses on the market that doesn’t contain a layer of innerspring coils (instead, it has a foam base).  Purple describes this mattress as temperature neutral, and our team agrees. Even the mattress cover is designed to be ultra-breathable for a refreshing night’s sleep.
• Back sleepers: The top layer of the Purple mattress collapses at areas like the lower back, delivering great pressure reduction in sensitive areas.
• People with back pain: The Purple evenly distributes your body weight, which helps keep your spine in a healthy, neutral posture. Good sleeping posture reduces or prevents back pain, so we consider the Purple to be a good mattress for back pain sufferers. 

Who Should Steer Clear of the Purple Mattress

• Stomach sleepers: The original Purple mattress tends to sink in at the hips, pulling the lower back out of alignment if you sleep on your stomach. Only stomach sleepers who weigh less than 130 lbs will remain well-supported on the Purple; otherwise, check out the Saatva Classic mattress. 
• Couples: The Purple Grid does not isolate motion as well as other mattress materials, like foam, so it may not be great for couples. Instead, we suggest checking out the Nectar mattress.
• Heavyweight people: If you weigh over 230 lbs, you’re likely to sink through the thin top layer of the mattress. The result? Too much pressure near heavier body parts. Instead, the Purple Hybrid Premier is a better mattress for heavy people.

Want the bottom line? Skip to Nerd’s Take below. 

Purple Mattress Video Review

The original Purple mattress is an innovative mattress with a feel unlike that of traditional foam or innerspring beds. Purple’s top layer, its proprietary Hyper-Elastic Polymer Grid, provides a floating sensation and a surface that’s cool and supportive. Mattress expert Adrianne stepped into the lab to test it. Check out her full review here!

Purple Mattress Firmness & Feel

Purple Mattress Firmness

The Purple mattress is a medium-firm bed, roughly a 6.5/10 on our 1–10 firmness scale (with 10 being the firmest). The unique top layer—the Purple Smart Comfort Grid—strategically buckles under heavier body parts while maintaining its structure along lighter areas, creating a feeling that’s often described as floating. The Purple mattress provides the alignment of softer foam beds without the classic cushioning sensation of a memory foam mattress.

Because of the Purple’s unique feel, it’s one of the rare medium-firm mattresses that works well for side sleepers. Both lightweight and average-weight side sleepers experience better spinal alignment on the Purple than on a typical medium-firm bed. Back sleepers also do well with the support and pressure relief of the Purple Grid.

While most beds at this firmness level are good for stomach sleepers, the Purple Grid can cause the hips to dip out of alignment, resulting in lower back pain for certain stomach sleepers. Similarly, the top layer isn’t thick enough for heavier folks, whose hips and shoulders may sink in too far.

What Does the Purple Mattress Feel Like?

As with all mattresses, the Purple’s ability to provide support varies by sleeper size and sleeping position. The Purple Grid material offers nice conforming for the shoulders and hips, while the firm foam layers beneath create an even and sturdy surface. Side sleepers and back sleepers who weigh less than 230 lbs will likely experience exceptional support, with the floating sensation evenly distributing body weight.

Unfortunately, the 2” Purple Grid layer does not deliver the support needed by bigger bodies or stomach sleepers who weigh more than 130 lbs. When you lie down on the Purple mattress, the gel grid collapses under heavier body parts. While this will cushion pressure points for lightweight side and back sleepers, it can lead to poor alignment for stomach sleepers and pain at the hips and shoulders of heavier folks.

What Sleeping Position Is the Purple Mattress Best For?

Body Type:	BACK SLEEPERS	STOMACH SLEEPERS	SIDE SLEEPERS
Lightweight (< 130 lbs):	5	3	4
Average weight (130 – 230 lbs):	5	2	3
Heavyweight (> 230 lbs):	3	1	3

1 = Very poor, 2 = Not good, 3 = Fair, 4 = Good, 5 = Excellent

Back Sleepers

Those who sleep exclusively on their backs should find adequate support on the Purple. The bed’s medium-firm feel gently contours to the body’s curves, which encourages healthy spinal alignment. Sleepers of average-weight and lightweight sizes should feel supported, but heavier folks may sink in a bit too far into the transitional layer, particularly those who weigh more than 300 lbs. Here are 7 features heavyweight sleepers should be looking for in a mattress.

To find a mattress better-suited for plus-size back sleepers, check out the beds that made our best mattresses for back sleepers roundup.

Side Sleepers

The Purple mattress’s gel grid collapses at areas like the hips and shoulders, delivering the spinal alignment that side sleepers need for comfortable sleep. While the Purple is a good mattress for spinal alignment for lightweight and average-weight side sleepers, some people may still prefer a softer feel, especially since we saw some pressure issues in the hips and shoulders.

Heavyweight side sleepers would do better with a thicker comfort system than that found in the original Purple. These folks may want to consider the Purple Hybrid Premier or one of the beds that won a spot in our best mattresses for side sleepers list.

Stomach Sleepers

The Purple mattress isn’t one of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers. The issue has to do with how the Hyper-Elastic Polymer material buckles at heavier body parts. When you lie on your front, the grid might sink in at the hips, pulling the lower back out of alignment with the rest of the spine. The more you weigh, the more severe this dipping will be, which means the Purple is OK for lightweight stomach sleepers, but likely not for average-weight or heavyweight people.

Combination Sleepers

The bouncy nature of the Hyper-Elastic Polymer grid has a quick response to pressure, making the Purple easier to move around on than a traditional memory foam or all-foam bed. If you’re a lightweight or average-weight combination sleeper who doesn’t spend too much time on your stomach, the Purple is a good pick.

Still, heavyweight combination sleepers might not achieve the support they need on the Purple. If you’re in that category, head over to our best mattresses for combination sleepers page to find a better fit.

Purple Mattress Performance

Is the Purple Mattress Cooling?

The highlight of the Purple mattress—the Purple Grid top layer—is made from a gel-like material called Hyper-Elastic Polymer that naturally regulates temperature by absorbing excess body heat. It’s also molded into a grid pattern (kind of like a waffle), and all those cube-shaped pockets keep air circulating through the mattress. In short, it’s temperature-regulating, breathable, and a great cooling mattress for folks who tend to overheat at night.

Edge Support

An aspect of support that’s important, especially for people who share the bed, is edge support. Sturdy edges allow people to spread out so they don’t overcrowd one another. The edges of the Purple mattress should feel comfortable to lie along for average-weight and lighter people. However, sitting on the edges could feel a bit less steady.

Responsiveness

The Purple Grid snaps back to its original form after pressure is removed, meaning it doesn’t lag behind your changes in position on the mattress. This is a helpful feature for those who toss and turn at night.

Motion Isolation: Is it good for those who share a bed?

The Purple mattress does not isolate motion as well as foam, but it makes hardly any noise when bearing weight. This is thanks to the foam base and transition layer, as well as the Hyper-Elastic Polymer grid’s ability to compress only where pressure is applied. For a list of mattresses that minimize motion transfer, see our full list of the best mattresses for couples or for individuals who sleep with pets and wake easily.

Noise

We noticed hardly any noise while testing the original Purple mattress, so you can count on it staying quiet while you sleep or move around on the bed.

Pain Relief

A mattress’s ability to prevent or reduce pain depends on your body type and sleeping position. We recommend the Purple to back sleepers under 230 lbs with pain issues, but it’s not cushioning enough for those over 230 lbs. If you have lower back pain and sleep on your back, the Purple is a good fit, but not so for stomach sleepers with lower back pain.

Also, while the original Purple works for side sleepers, it’s probably not soft enough for those with severe shoulder or hip pain.

Sex

The best mattresses for sex are quiet, responsive, and cooling. The original Purple mattress checks all those boxes, so it should keep you comfortable during intimate activities.

Off-Gassing

All mattresses with foam have the potential to release a “new mattress” odor after being removed from the packaging. The scent should be gone after a few hours (max a day or two), particularly in a well-ventilated room. If off-gassing is a concern for you, rest assured that Purple uses CertiPUR-US certified foams that pass tests for low emissions and the absence of harmful chemicals.

Durability

Long-term support depends on a mattress’s durability. You need a bed made from high-quality materials that won’t soften or form body indentations over time. The Purple mattress is more durable than your average bed thanks to the Purple Grid layer. Unlike foams that tend to soften and form impressions over time, the grid is resistant to these changes. This means support that’s unlikely to change over the first five to 10 years that you own the bed.

Purple Mattress Construction: What’s it made of? 

The Purple pairs two base layers of polyfoam with a top layer made from Hyper-Elastic Polymer material—a gel-like material that’s organized in a grid pattern that buckles at heavier body parts and supports lighter ones for an even weight distribution and a floating feel.

Layer #1: Stretchy, Cooling Mattress Cover: Purple’s fabric cover is made from a combination of polyester, viscose, and Lycra. Together, these textiles create a stretchy material that compliments the Purple Grid’s flexible nature. The cover is also relatively breathable, encouraging the airflow and temperature neutrality that’s already occurring in the gridded comfort layer.

Layer #2: Proprietary Gel Grid (2”): Purple’s unique top layer is made from a Hyper-Elastic Polymer gel material. The gel grid responds to body weight, collapsing at heavier areas for pressure relief and remaining supportive at lighter zones. This material flexes instantaneously so you shouldn’t feel stuck, and it keeps the sleeping surface cool with over 1,800 air channels that whisk away excess body heat.

Layer #3: Soft Polyfoam Transition Layer (3.5”): A medium-firm foam separates the Purple Grid from the supportive foam below, creating a cushioning barrier for your body.

Layer #4: High-Density Polyfoam (4”): Durable polyurethane foam (aka, polyfoam) offers stability and enhances the durability of this mattress.

Layer #5: Non-Slip Bottom: A bottom cover resists slipping so you don’t have to reposition your mattress on its frame.

How Much Does The Purple Mattress Cost? 

Mattress Size	Price	Dimensions	Height	Weight
Twin	$999.00	38" x 75"	9.5”	65 lbs
Twin XL	$1099.00	38" x 80"	9.5”	70 lbs
Full	$1399.00	54” x 75”	9.5”	81 lbs
Queen	$1499.00	60" x 80"	9.5”	110 lbs
King	$1999.00	76" x 80"	9.5”	140 lbs
Split King	$2198.00	76" 80"	9.5”	140 lbs
California King	$1999.00	72" x 84"	9.5”	140 lbs

Check out our Purple mattress coupons for the best price on a new Purple mattress.

How Do the Policies Measure Up?

Shipping & Unboxing

Purple ships for free to the contiguous U.S. The brand also ships to Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada, but there’s a shipping fee. Shipping typically takes between six and 10 business days. Your mattress will arrive via FedEx on your doorstep, compressed and rolled in a box.

Getting your Purple mattress set up is simple: Remove the mattress from its box, unroll it onto your bed frame, and remove the plastic packaging. Most customers find that they can sleep on their new bed the same night that it arrives, but it may take a few days to fully expand.

Keep in mind that some customer reviews note that the mattress smells when it’s first unrolled. This odor, known as off-gassing, should dissipate after a few days.

If you would like to have someone else do the heavy lifting, select white glove delivery at checkout. For an added fee, Purple will send a team to hand deliver your mattress, set it up and get rid of your old one.

Purple Mattress Warranty Overview

The Purple mattress comes with a 10-year warranty that covers defects in workmanship or materials that aren’t expected with normal wear-and-tear. The warranty starts on the day that you purchase your mattress. If you receive a replacement mattress, the new mattress warranty is just a continuation of the original warranty.

What Is Covered by the Purple Warranty?

The Purple mattress warranty covers body impressions deeper than 1″ and “failed” materials. Mattress “failure” is pretty vague, so we’re guessing that Purple will approve or reject related warranty claims on a case-by-case basis.

Purple will also replace defective mattress covers for the first two years of the warranty. Generally, broken zippers and split seams are covered, but again, Purple probably determines the validity of a defect on a case-by-case basis.

What the Purple Warranty Does Not Cover

The Purple mattress warranty doesn’t cover changes in firmness over time. Changes in mattress firmness are normal, and so they aren’t covered by the warranty. If you order the wrong mattress size on accident, this is also not covered during the warranty; however, you can request an exchange or return during the trial period.

Other Purple products (i.e. the Purple pillow, sheets, and adjustable bases like the Purple Power Base) each have their own warranties, and they aren’t covered by the mattress warranty. Finally, subjective flaws in the mattress, such as not enough pressure relief, aren’t covered.

What Would Void the Purple Warranty

• Using the mattress for commercial or medical purposes
• Failing to use a firm, flat, non-spring foundation (though the mattress can be temporarily folded for transportation while moving)
• Not using a bed frame with at least five legs, including a center support, for a Queen size or larger mattress
• Damaging or neglecting the mattress, which Purple defines as tears, stains, footprints, burns, infestations, liquid damage, odors, bodily fluids, and generally unsanitary conditions
• Abusing the mattress, which includes jumping on the bed
• Extended direct sun exposure, since UV light can cause some mattress materials to degrade
• Selling or giving away the mattress
• Taking the mattress outside of the U.S.

Filing A Warranty Claim with Purple

Filing a warranty claim with Purple is pretty simple. Here’s a step-by-step guide for what you can expect from the claim process:

1. Call Purple at 1-888-848-8456 (or reach out to the Purple customer care team at www.purple.com).
2. Share your information with the customer care representative, including your name, contact info, and proof of purchase.
3. Describe and demonstrate the defect. This may include sending Purple a written description, photos or videos of the defect. For example, Purple specifies that, in order to prove an indentation, you’ll need to place a straight-edge on the mattress surface and show the dip in the mattress surface using a ruler.
4. Wait for your claim to be approved or denied.
5. Pay for shipping for your replacement mattress.
6. Receive a new mattress or repairs to your original mattress.
7. Recycle or donate your old mattress.

What you’ll need: Your original proof of purchase, info on the white law label tags on the mattress and proof of the defect.

Purple Mattress Trial Period & Returns

The 100-night sleep trial  

Purple offers an industry-standard 100-night sleep trial period for all its mattresses. If you decide your new mattress isn’t for you, Purple will pick it up and issue a refund with no pickup or restocking fees. Purple tries to either donate or recycle used beds.

The Purple mattress trial period is designed to give you more than enough time to decide if your Purple bed is the right fit. Rather than lying on a mattress for a few minutes in a showroom, Purple gives you over three months to try it in the comfort of your own home. This is your opportunity to figure out if the bed is compatible with your sleeping position, body type, and specific comfort preferences. 

How long until I can return the mattress? 

You’ll need to sleep on the mattress for at least 21 nights before initiating a return. Purple calls this the 21-day adjustment period. It takes up to a month for your body to adjust to a new sleeping surface, especially if your old mattress had developed sags or lumps. It’s totally normal to wake up with some back pain or soreness during this time, so don’t be surprised if you do!

How do I return my mattress?

Purple makes returns pretty darn easy. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to return:

1. Test out your Purple mattress for a minimum of 21 nights.
2. Before day 100 of your sleep trial, call Purple’s support team at 888-848-2305, and tell them you’d like to return your mattress. 
3. Have your order number ready and decide on a disposal option which can include donating your Purple Mattress, dropping it off at a recycling facility or arranging a disposal company to pick up your Purple Mattress.
4. Email a photo of your donation or disposal receipt to your Purple support team member.
5. Once the return is processed, you’ll see a full refund back to your original form of payment within 15 business days.

How long until I receive a refund? 

Once the return is processed, you’ll receive a full refund for your mattress purchase, and Purple will arrange for a third-party to pick up the used mattress and recycle it or donate it to charity.

Purple’s Exchange Policy

Purple customers are eligible for one exchange during the sleep trial. You can opt for a different mattress size, firmness level, or mattress model. Keep in mind, you only get one exchange, so consider reading lots of reviews before ordering the second mattress.

The exchange process is similar to the return process, but for the sake of clarity, here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Choose your replacement mattress from Purple. Consult reviews and the Purple team to make sure you’re choosing the best model for your sleep needs.
2. Call Purple’s support team at 888-848-2305, and have your order number handy. Place your order for your new mattress.
3. If the price of the new mattress is different from that of the original, you’ll pay or be refunded the difference in price.
4. Dispose or donate your original mattress, and email a photo of the donation/disposal receipt to your support representative at Purple.
5. Receive your new Purple mattress. Note: You may be able to arrange for your new mattress to be delivered on the same day as your original is picked up for disposal or donation. Work with your support representative to make sure you always have a bed to sleep on!

More Information on Purples Return & Exchange policy 

Purple’s return policy is simple—100-night sleep trial, free returns, and full refunds—but here are a few points to keep in mind:

• Purple offers convenient bed-in-a-box delivery for orders directly from their website or phone line, but if you buy your Purple mattress from a retailer like Amazon or Mattress Firm, the return policy may be different. Make sure you are clear on your retailer’s return policy.
• You don’t need to share your reason for returning your mattress during the sleep trial—you can initiate a return for any reason. 
• Your mattress must be clean and undamaged to be eligible for a refund. Consider using the Purple mattress protector, which is designed specifically to flex with the Purple Grid.
• The 10-year mattress warranty is different from the sleep trial and return policy. The warranty begins when you purchase your mattress, but it really only takes effect after the sleep trial. 
• If you bought your Purple mattress at a discounted price, you’ll be refunded the amount you paid, not the original price of the mattress.
• You don’t need to repackage your mattress for donation or disposal pickup.
• The Purple returns department is available Monday-Friday, 8AM–4:30PM mountain time.

Addressing Purple Mattress Complaints

• Sagging and Indentations: Some frustrated customers note that the Purple mattress sleeps comfortably for the first few months, but begins to sag and have indentations after roughly one year of ownership. All mattresses will eventually sag, which can affect how well you sleep. But Purple’s mattresses may begin to sag faster than expected, especially for heavier sleepers.

• Poor Customer Service: Customers who interact with Purple’s customer service team seem to have binary views: the Purple customer service team is the “best ever” or the “worst ever,” according to reviews on BBB.org. Reddit, and Google. Customers have written about problems such as extremely long hold times, difficulty getting in touch with their customer service representative, and failure to return calls. Your experience with Purple’s staff will likely come down to how complex your issue is and the friendliness of the representative who handles your case.

• Firmer than Expected: The Purple mattress is on the firmer side of medium-firm, so sleepers who prefer mattresses with a firmer feel and don’t mind sleeping “on” their mattress (rather than “in” it) may enjoy the bed more than those who like soft beds. How the Purple feels to you will depend on your sleeping position and preferences. In general, though, it seems like the Purple may be a tad firmer than advertised.

• Difficult to Move: Most all-foam mattresses range from roughly 40–60 lbs for a Twin size, but the Purple Twin weighs in at a hefty 65 lbs. If you don’t plan to move the mattress for the duration of its lifespan, its higher-than-average weight shouldn’t be an issue. However, many reviewers who move the bed during ownership or have limited help to install it upon arrival complain that it’s very challenging to move, rotate, and lift.

Compare Different Purple Mattresses

Purple vs. Purple Hybrid

Purple Mattress is Best For:	Purple Hybrid is Best For:
Hot Sleepers	Back Sleepers
Back Sleepers	Lightweight to Average Weight Stomach Sleepers
People With Back Pain	People with Lower Back Pain

The Purple Hybrid features the original Purple mattress’s comfort grid but adds responsive support coils at the base for improved airflow, bounce, and durability. The Purple Hybrid is a slightly firmer mattress, which leads us to recommend it to back and stomach sleepers.

The original Purple is more affordable and does a better job dampening motion, which makes it a better choice for most budget shoppers and light sleepers who share the bed. However, the springy feel of the Purple Hybrid is excellent for…adult activities.

See our full Purple Hybrid Mattress Review to learn more. 

Purple vs. Purple Hybrid Premier

Purple Mattress is Best For	Purple Hybrid Premier Mattress is Best For:
People seeking better motion isolation	Side Sleepers who are looking for a softer surface
Combination Sleepers	People Seeking Pressure Relief
Lightweight to average Back sleepers	Hot Sleepers

Previously called the Purple 3 and Purple 4, the Purple Hybrid Premier is the most luxurious Purple mattress. Instead of a 2” gel grid as found in the original Purple, it boasts either a 3” or 4” grid layer. This extra cushion means a softer feel and greater pressure relief. We prefer the Hybrid Premier for heavier sleepers and side sleepers who like a softer surface.

The original Purple utilizes foam in its base layer, while the Purple Hybrid Premier uses innerspring coils. This difference means the flagship Purple better isolates motion transfer while the Premier is cooler and bouncier. The original Purple is more affordable.

See our full Purple Hybrid Premier Mattress Review for more information.

Compare Purple to the Competition

Purple Original Mattress vs. Casper Original Mattress

Purple Mattress is Best For:	Casper Original Mattress is Best For:
Those looking for a more floating sensation from a mattress	Those looking for a balanced foam mattress
Back & Side Sleepers	Stomach Sleepers
Those who sleep hot	Couples, or those who co-sleep

The Casper mattress is a memory foam bed with an ergonomically zoned middle layer, offering a denser feel around the hips and lumbar area while cradling the shoulders and feet. Both the Purple and Casper have a medium-firm firmness level, but their feels are notably different. The feel of the Casper is that of a balanced foam mattress with gentle contouring and very little sinkage. In comparison, the Purple offers more of a floating sensation.

While both beds are best for people who weigh less than 230 lbs, Casper’s Zoned Support makes it a better choice than the Purple for stomach sleepers. Both mattresses are a good fit for back and side sleepers. Hot sleepers are likely to prefer the breathable Purple over the cozy, all-foam Casper.

See our full Purple vs Casper mattress comparison to decide the best choice for you!

Purple Original Mattress vs. Nectar Original Mattress

Purple Original Mattress is Best For:	Nectar Original Mattress is Best For:
People with back pain	Couples, or those who co-sleep
Light-weight Body type sleepers	Stomach Sleepers
Those who sleep hot	Those looking for a more budget friendly mattress

The Nectar mattress is an all-foam bed with a deeply hugging memory foam mattress feel. Even though the Nectar is slightly softer than the Purple, we recommend the Purple over the Nectar for lightweight people. Lighter people are likely to find that the Nectar’s surface doesn’t sink in as easily as the Purple Comfort Grid, which makes the Purple more comfortable for lightweight folks.

The Nectar’s memory foam construction is slightly more supportive than the Purple’s gel grid and foam combination. We find the Nectar to better support stomach sleepers, although we recommend both beds to people who weigh less than 230 lbs. The Purple is noticeably cooler than the Nectar, while the Nectar is more budget-friendly.

See our full Purple vs Nectar mattress comparison to learn more! 

Purple Orignal Mattress vs. Lull Mattress

Purple Mattress is Best For:	Lull Mattress is Best For:
Shoppers looking for a mattress that contours the body	Those looking for a more cuddly feeling mattress
Side Sleepers	Stomach Sleepers
Hot Sleepers	Couples, or those who co-sleep

The Lull is a memory foam mattress with a similar medium-firm firmness level as the Purple. The Lull has a softer, more cuddly feel that falls between sleeping “on” and “in” the surface, while the Purple contours to the body and offers a floating sensation. Both mattresses are best for average-weight to lightweight folks, although we think the Lull is slightly better for stomach sleepers and the Purple for side sleepers.

The Purple sleeps much cooler than the Lull and is better for hot sleepers. Both beds dampen motion transfer and are easy to move around upon, making them good for couples. They have a similar price point, so it’s best to consider what type of feel and sleeping experience you’re looking for.

See our full Purple vs Lull mattress comparison to learn more!

If you’re not sure the Purple Mattress is for you, check out our Purple Alternatives to find comparable mattresses.

Purple Mattress FAQs

The Nerd’s Take: What’s the Bottom Line?

The Purple mattress utilizes an innovative design for a supportive sleep without the typical heat retention of an all-foam mattress. The top layer is a gel grid that responds to weight, creating a floating sensation and evenly distributing body weight. The level of support is best for back and side sleepers who weigh less than 230 lbs.  

The Nerd’s Scores for the Purple Mattress

Performance Factor	Out of 5
Motion Isolation	2.5
Pressure Relief	3
Ease of Movement	5
Edge Support	3
Temperature Control	5
Durability	4

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