Saatva vs. Purple Mattress Comparison

Looking for a mattress that’s great for back sleeping? Read on to see if you’re team innerspring or foam:

Product

Firmness

Score

Product

Saatva Mattress

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

Score

4.3 / 5

Check Price

Read Saatva Mattress Review

Product

Purple Mattress

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6.5/10

Score

3.8 / 5

Check Price

Read Purple Mattress Review

Saatva vs. Purple Overview

The Saatva is a luxurious innerspring mattress with three firmness options, and the Purple is a uniquely cooling and firm foam bed. Also, the Purple is great for lighter sleepers, while the Saatva can accommodate most sleeper types very well.

Saatva is best for…	Purple is best for…
Stomach sleepers	Lightweight sleepers
Seniors	Side sleepers
Sleepers wanting firmness options	Foam mattress fans

Who Should Choose the Saatva Mattress?

• Stomach sleepers—Stomach sleepers do best on mattresses that are more solid and lifted, so their hips don’t sink too far down. If this sounds like you, the Saatva will be the better mattress for you, regardless of weight. This is because the Saatva has supportive and firm innersprings, while the Purple is more foamy and plush.
• Seniors—Mattresses with strong edge support are great for seniors because they allow sleepers to sit or lay on the edges of their bed without worrying about getting enough support. In this case, the Saatva mattress is the best choice for edge support since its firm innerspring coils and thicker design will provide extra strength where it counts.
• Sleepers wanting firmness options—If the standard Saatva mattress isn’t right for you, you still have a softer and firmer option to choose between. For example, if you’re a heavier sleeper, you might want to give the “Firm” Saatva a try, while lighter sleepers (especially side sleepers) may prefer the “Plush Soft” option.

Who Should Choose the Purple Mattress?

• Lightweight sleepers—Just because the Saatva comes with a softer option doesn’t mean it’s necessarily the best for lighter sleepers. With the Purple mattress, lightweight sleepers will get the benefits of better side sleeping and the pressure relief of memory foam.
• Side sleepers—Side sleepers can sometimes suffer from pressure build-ups in their hips and shoulders on beds that feel too solid or firm. If sleeping on your current mattress leaves with stiffness and aches in the morning, the Purple’s supportive but cushioning foam design may work better for you.
• Foam mattress fans—If you’re looking for a durable and cooling foam bed, the Purple is as good as it gets. While other foam mattresses can be too saggy or too hot, the Purple delivers all the benefits of memory foam without compromising on cooling or comfort.

Saatva vs. Purple: Top Similarities 

• Temperature Control—Innerspring beds are generally cooler than foam beds because their coil layers allow for more airflow. However, regardless of whether you go Purple or Saatva, you’re choosing from two of the best cooling mattresses
• Durability—Once again, this one’s a draw between the Saatva and Purple. First off, the Saatva’s support layer of durable steel coils strengthens and maintains the shape of the mattress. And, for the Purple mattress, the Purple Grid of dense polyfoam performs just as well.
• Responsiveness—If you’re a combination sleeper, someone who tosses and turns throughout the night, then a responsive bed can make all the difference. Between the Saatva and Purple, once again, there isn’t much of a difference here. Both beds are highly responsive and easy to move around on.

Saatva vs. Purple: Top Differences 

• Construction—The Saatva is an innerspring mattress with a thick construction and lots of organic materials. On the other hand, the Purple mattress is all-foam, and it also measures several inches shorter in height.
• Edge support—Next up, since the Saatva mattress has steel coils in its support layer, this bed naturally has firmer edges than the foam Purple mattress. So, if you like to sit or sleep near the perimeter of your bed, the Saatva will be best for you.
• Motion Isolation—Although foam beds are generally known for absorbing and muffling unwanted movement, the innerspring Saatva mattress actually has better motion isolation than the Purple mattress. This is because the Saatva includes memory foam in its comfort layers too, and it’s a thicker mattress.

Saatva vs. Purple: Firmness & Feel Differences

Now you that you’ve got the gist of each mattress, let’s dive deeper into how they actually feel:

What’s the Firmness Of the Saatva & Purple Mattresses? 

Here in the Nerd Lab, we like to measure mattress firmness on a simple scale of 1–10, where a 1 is like sleeping on air and a 10 is like sleeping on a hardwood floor. 

With that in mind, the Purple mattress clocks in at a medium-firm 6.5/10. This level of firmness works great for the average sleeper, but, since the Purple is a more plush foam mattress, we recommend something firmer for heavier sleepers.

Next up, the Saatva mattress also measures in at a 6.5/10; however, this is just for the medium, “luxury firm” model. So, if you’re a lightweight sleeper, we recommend you try out the soft mattress option (with 3/10 firmness). Or, if you’re a heavier sleeper looking to crank up the firmness, there’s always the firm option (an 8/10 firmness).

What Do the Saatva & Purple Mattresses Feel Like?

These beds may have similar firmness levels, but they couldn’t feel more different. First off, the Saatva mattress is thicker and has innerspring coils, giving it a more solid and lifted feel, compared to the Purple mattress which has a more cushioned memory foam feel. 

If you’re a lightweight sleeper, you’ll likely get better pressure relief on the Purple. But, if you’re a heavier sleeper, the Saatva’s more solid construction will feel more supportive. Lastly, if you’re a hot sleeper, both beds are a safe bet.

What’s It Like to Sleep On the Saatva & Purple Mattresses?

At its medium-firm option, the Saatva is great for lightweight back and stomach sleeper, but it’s too firm for side sleepers. On the other hand though, for heavier sleepers, it’s actually a little too soft. With the Purple mattress, lightweight and average-weight back sleepers will both feel comfortable, but most heavier sleepers and stomach sleepers will need much more support.

[Publisher: Insert a photo of our tester on each mattress in between the paragraphs for Mattress A and Mattress B.]

The Saatva vs. Purple Mattresses By Body Type

Saatva Performance By Body Type & Sleeping Position:

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

Purple Performance By Body Type & Sleeping Position:

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

Average-Weight Sleepers (130–230 lbs)

If you’re an average-weight back sleeper, you’ll be able to get plenty of firmness and support on either bed, making them both great options. For stomach sleepers, however, the Purple mattress’s sinking memory foam design is much too soft. Lastly, for side sleepers, both beds perform similarly, but the Saatva will feel slightly more supportive.

Heavyweight Sleepers (> 230 lbs)

Heavyweight sleepers tend to sleep better on firmer, more lifted mattresses. For this reason, the Saatva performs best for back sleepers, stomach sleepers, and side sleepers. That said, for stomach sleepers who need the most firmness and support for their hips, upgrading to the “Firm” Saatva option may be ideal.

Lightweight Sleepers (< 130 lbs)

Finally, lightweight back sleepers shouldn’t have any issues on either mattress, with both of them being firm enough. For stomach sleepers, however, the Saatva offers much better hip support, even for the lightest sleepers. And, lastly, for side sleepers, the Purple mattress is slightly better at offering pressure relief.

Differences In Mattress Construction 

Comparing these two mattresses, the Saatva features a innerspring and foam design, while the Purple is an all-foam bed that uses several layers of comfort foam and high-density polyfoam. Lastly, depending on firmness, the Saatva ranges from 11.5 inches to 14.5 inches, while the Purple stands at a smaller 9.5 inches.

Saatva Mattress Materials	Purple Mattress Materials
Organic Cotton Cover	Polyester Blend Cover
Polyfoam Euro Top	Purple Grid
Memory Foam Comfort Layer	High-Density Polyfoam
Steel Coil Support Layer

Cover

The Saatva has a euro-top cover, which serves as the bed’s primary comfort system. The cover has a thin layer of polyfoam sewn in as the top layer, so you’ll notice some hug when you lie down, but you won’t sink in. Beneath the euro-top is a thin layer of memory foam under the center third of the mattress. This adds lumbar support, which should encourage spinal alignment, but doesn’t drastically alter the mattress’s feel.

The Purple’s three layers are encased in a soft, stretchy knit cover of polyester, viscose, and Lycra spandex. It features a slip-guard bottom, and Purple recommends spot cleaning the cover with detergent if stains occur.

Comfort Layers

The transition layer of the Saatva is a 4″ layer of 14.5 gauge pocketed coils. These have a mid-level thickness that gives the bed some responsiveness but don’t make it as bouncy or springy as a traditional innerspring mattress. The pocketed nature of these coils reduces motion transfer and makes the Saatva more conforming than other coil beds.

The comfort layer of the mattress is Purple’s proprietary Hyper-Elastic Polymer Grid. This material is unique to Purple mattresses and buckles where pressure is applied without compressing across the rest of the surface. Purple shapes the polymer into a grid-like pattern, which promotes steady airflow throughout the top portion of the mattress, helping the Purple sleep cooler than most foam beds.

Saatva vs. Purple Pricing

Size	Saatva Prices	Purple Prices
Twin	$	$
Twin XL	$1495.00	$1099.00
Full	$1995.00	$1399.00
Queen	$2095.00	$1499.00
King	$2595.00	$1999.00
California King	$2595.00	$1999.00

For exclusive discounts on both beds see our Saatva mattress coupons and Purple mattress coupons.

Saatva vs. Purple Mattress Performance Ratings & Differences

Temperature

The Saatva’s design has a great deal of room for airflow throughout the mattress. The organic cotton cover is also very breathable, preventing the foam layers from trapping too much heat. The Purple’s ability to regulate temperature relative to other all-foam mattresses is one of its standout features. The gel grid and breathable cover allow room for airflow when compared to beds with memory foam or polyfoam comfort layers.

Motion Transfer

Although neither mattress has outstanding motion isolation, couples will find that the Saatva is still more effective at muffling unwanted movement. This is because, despite being a bouncier innerspring bed, the Saatva is much thicker and has more layers. 

Edge Support 

The Purple is on par with most all-foam beds in that it bows down around the edges when pressure is applied. Its firmness level and the responsive nature of the grid may allow it to sink less than competing foam models. 

The Saatva has excellent edge support thanks to its thick coil-on-coil system, which reinforces the perimeter to prevent sinkage. If you’re sleeping with a partner who pushes you to the edge of even a Queen-size or King-size mattress, proper edge support is a huge consideration.

Pressure Relief 

The Purple Grid is pressure-relieving yet firm at the same time, but its ability to provide pressure relief for you will depend largely on your sleeping position. The grid buckles where the most pressure is applied. 

For example, average-weight back sleepers should experience lumbar support and light cushioning at the shoulders. How well it relieves pressure will also depend on your body weight. Lightweight sleepers may not be able to apply as much pressure, therefore failing to activate the Purple Grid enough to buckle and create contour.

The softest version of the Saatva (Plush Soft) offers the most pressure relief, while the firmest version offers the least. All three versions are designed to provide some pressure relief when you first lie down on the mattress, but they don’t offer the same relief as a slow-moving memory foam bed. Though quite soft at first, the layers of coils beneath give the bed a firmer feel overall, so it may not be the best choice for people with painful pressure points.

Pain Relief 

The better mattress for sleepers with aches and pains depends on their body weight and preferred sleeping position. For stomach sleepers of all sizes, the Saatva will be more effective at reducing back pain, while lightweight side sleepers will find the Purple mattress more comfortable than the Saatva at its standard firmness.

Durability

The Hyper-Elastic Polymer Grid is said to be much more durable than traditional foams (for instance, polyfoam, memory foam, and even latex), so the Purple should be a long-lasting mattress. The Saatva’s materials and construction make it a durable mattress, as the two sets of coils add bounce, support, and responsiveness to prevent sagging and indentations. 

Shipping, Returns, & Warranties 

Saatva 

One of the perks of purchasing a Saatva mattress is that it comes with free white glove delivery and shipping if you live in the contiguous U.S. 

Once the Saatva Classic arrives, you’ll have a 365-night sleep trial period to try it out at home. If you decide it isn’t right for you, you can return or exchange it at any point during the trial. Returns and exchanges aren’t free, and you’ll be charged a $99 transportation fee and any difference between mattress costs (for exchanges).

If you keep the Saatva, it’s protected by a Lifetime warranty. The warranty policy states that Saatva will replace a Saatva Classic mattress that’s deemed defective at no cost to you during the first two years of ownership. After that, Saatva will repair and re-cover the mattress for a flat fee of $198, which accounts for a $99 shipping fee both ways. 

Purple

The Purple Original ships free to the contiguous U.S. as a bed in a box. Customers in Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada are charged a shipping fee at checkout. The mattress arrives rolled and compressed in a cardboard box, so you’ll need to remove it from the box and plastic wrap, unroll it, and allow it to expand on a flat surface for 24–48 hours after delivery for off-gassing.

Purple offers a 100-night sleep trial for the Purple Original, which begins the day the mattress is delivered to your doorstep. Purple requests that customers spend 21 nights, or three weeks, on the mattress before initiating a return, stating that it allows time for your body to adjust to the bed’s support level. If you decide you don’t want the mattress, you can contact Purple customer service, and they’ll arrange pickup and issue a full refund.

If you keep the Purple mattress, it’s covered by a limited 10-year warranty, which begins on the date of purchase. Purple will repair or replace a mattress with defects as long as the mattress is used on a firm, flat, solid surface. The warranty covers indentations deeper than 1” and splitting and cracking in the mattress materials. The mattress cover is not protected under warranty.

Other Models Available

Our Final Take

Heavyweight sleepers will get better support on the firmest version of the Saatva, and lightweight sleepers are better off on the Plush Soft version of the Saatva. The Purple is great for average-weight sleepers who like foam beds, sleep hot, and want to try a mattress that feels lifted.