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Tuft & Needle vs. Puffy Mattress Comparison
The Tuft & Needle is a medium-firm, all-foam mattress that made our list of best mattresses for those on a budget. The Puffy is also a medium-firm, all foam mattress that we consider to be one of the best memory foam mattresses in the bed-in-a-box market. In this comparison, we’re highlighting these beds’ differences and offering our recommendations for who should choose each.
Puffy Cloud Mattress
Medium-firm: 6/10
Tuft & Needle Mattress
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Tuft & Needle vs. Puffy Overview
The Tuft & Needle has a simple two-layer construction that’s topped with buoyant comfort foam and anchored by high-density support foam. The Puffy is topped with memory foam above two layers of support foam.
| The Puffy is best for… | The Tuft & Needle is best for… |
| Side Sleepers < 230 lbs | Back Sleepers < 230 lbs |
| Memory Foam Lovers | Combination Sleepers |
| Couples Concerned About Motion Transfer | Budget-Conscious Shoppers |
Who Should Choose the Tuft & Needle Mattress?
- Value Shoppers: Budget-conscious shoppers won’t pay more than $1,000 for a Queen size Tuft & Needle original mattress.
- Combination Sleepers: The top layer of foam on the T&N is highly responsive, so it rapidly adjusts when combination sleepers change from one sleep position to another.
- Back Sleepers: Back sleepers enjoy an ideal balance of cushion and support on the medium-firm foam layers in the Tuft & Needle.
Read our full Tuft & Needle Mattress Review for more information.
Who Should Choose the Puffy Mattress?
- Those Weighing < 230 lbs: Lightweight (< 130 lbs) and average-weight (130–230 lbs) side sleepers will sink just deep enough into the layers of foam to alleviate strain on their shoulders and hips.
- Those With Back Pain: The memory foam layer on top of the Puffy contours around the natural curves in your spine, which supports your lumbar region and helps to prevent lower back pain.
- Couples: The Puffy absorbs most motion before it spreads, making it a good mattress for couples concerned about motion transfer.
Read our full Puffy Mattress Review for more information.
Tuft & Needle vs. Puffy: Top Similarities
- Motion Isolation: As all-foam mattresses, the Puffy and Tuft & Needle both do a great job of minimizing motion transfer.
- Average Edge Support: We noticed a fair amount of sinkage along the edges of both mattresses, so we gave them only average scores for edge support.
- Height: The Tuft & Needle and Puffy are 10” tall, which is best suited to those with lightweight or average-weight body types.
Tuft & Needle vs. Puffy: Top Differences
- Pressure Relief: The Puffy is a bit softer than the Tuft & Needle, so it provides a little more pressure relief around pressure points like shoulders and hips.
- Feel: The Tuft & Needle has a buoyant, balanced foam feel, while the Puffy has more of a conforming memory foam feel.
- Responsiveness: During our lab testing, the Tuft & Needle scored higher than the Puffy for responsiveness, meaning it adapts more quickly to your changes in sleeping position.
Tuft & Needle vs. Puffy: Firmness & Feel Differences
Mattress firmness and the way it feels are major factors in whether or not it will work for you, which is why we’re covering them next.
What’s the Firmness Of the Tuft & Needle and Puffy Mattresses?
Mattress firmness is measured on a firmness scale from 1–10, with 1 being softest and 10 being firmest. The Puffy and Tuft & Needle mattresses both have a medium-firm firmness level, but we think the Puffy is a little softer. During our lab testing, we gave the Puffy a 6/10 and the Tuft & Needle a 7/10.
What Do the Tuft & Needle and Puffy Mattresses Feel Like?
Since the Puffy is topped with memory foam, you’ll notice a slower response time when you change position. It has a doughy feel that’s commonly associated with memory foam. The foam on top of the Tuft & Needle has a much more rapid response time, which makes it a good choice for those who frequently change sleeping positions at night.
What’s It Like to Sleep On the Tuft & Needle and Puffy Mattresses?
The doughy feel of the Puffy means that it conforms to your body while you sleep, cushioning pressure points and contouring under your curves. Memory foam does retain some body heat, so you may need only a light comforter on this bed. The Tuft & Needle cushions your body, but you likely won’t sink as far into the bed. It’s less pressure-relieving to sleep on than the Puffy, but it should stay more temperature neutral.
The Tuft & Needle and Puffy Mattresses By Body Type
Tuft & Needle Performance By Body Type & Sleeping Position:
| Body Type: | BACK SLEEPERS | STOMACH SLEEPERS | SIDE SLEEPERS |
| Lightweight (< 130 lbs): | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| Average-weight (130–230 lbs): | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Heavyweight (> 230 lbs): | 3 | 2 | 2 |
Puffy Performance By Body Type & Sleeping Position:
| Body Type: | BACK SLEEPERS | STOMACH SLEEPERS | SIDE SLEEPERS |
| Lightweight (< 130 lbs): | 4 | 3 | 5 |
| Average-weight (130–230 lbs): | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Heavyweight (> 230 lbs): | 2 | 2 | 3 |
1 = Very poor, 2 = Not good, 3 = Fair, 4 = Good, 5 = Excellent
Average-Weight Sleepers (130–230 lbs)
The Puffy and T&N both work well for those with average-weight body types, especially back sleepers and side sleepers. These folks are likely to sink deeper into the Puffy than the Tuft & Needle, which means the Puffy offers great pressure relief for side sleepers, but not as much lower back support for back sleepers. The reverse is true for the Tuft & Needle.
Average-weight stomach sleepers will need a firmer mattress to get the lower back support that they need, but they should be OK if they spend only part of the night on their fronts.
Heavyweight Sleepers (> 230 lbs)
Neither of these mattresses is ideal for those weighing over 230 lbs. The Puffy is OK for heavyweight side sleepers, and the T&N could work for heavier back sleepers, but these folks will generally want a taller, more supportive mattress. Stomach sleepers with bigger bodies should definitely look for a firmer, more supportive mattress like those in our best mattresses for heavy people roundup.
Lightweight Sleepers (< 130 lbs)
With a slightly firmer feel, the T&N can work for lightweight stomach sleepers and back sleepers. The Puffy does a better job of cushioning the shoulders and hips of lightweight side sleepers, and it’s also firm enough for back sleepers under 130 lbs, but not stomach sleepers.
Differences In Mattress Construction
Both the Puffy and Tuft & Needle mattresses are made entirely with foam and stand 10″ tall. The Puffy has memory foam, whereas the T&N uses a brand-exclusive comfort foam.
| Puffy Mattress Materials | Tuft & Needle Mattress Materials |
| Stain-Resistant Cloud Cover | Polyester-Blend Cover |
| Cooling Cloud Foam | Adaptive Foam |
| Climate Comfort Foam | High-Density Polyfoam |
| Firm Support Foam |
No attachment found (5642)
Cover
Both mattresses have breathable fabric covers. Puffy specially designed their cover to be stain-resistant.
Comfort Layers
The Tuft & Needle mattress is constructed with only two foam layers. The first layer is T&N’s custom-made Adaptive foam, which mimics the feel of memory foam and the springiness of latex. It’s also infused with cooling materials like graphite and gel.
The Puffy mattress is topped with gel memory foam that cradles your body and evenly distributes your body weight, giving the mattress a cloud-like feel. The second layer of foam is slightly firmer and a lot more responsive, which prevents you from feeling stuck in the mattress.
Support Layers
The base layer of the T&N is high-density support foam, which improves stability and prevents you from sinking too far into the mattress. The base of the Puffy mattress is a thick layer of support foam that enhances the structure and stability of the bed.
Tuft & Needle and Puffy Pricing
| Mattress Size | Puffy Price | Tuft & Needle Price |
| Twin |
$1949.00 |
$645.00 |
| Twin XL |
$2099.00 |
$695.00 |
| Full |
$2249.00 |
$795.00 |
| Queen |
$2399.00 |
$895.00 |
| King |
$2599.00 |
$1295.00 |
| Cal King |
$2599.00 |
$1295.00 |
For exclusive discounts on both beds see our Puffy mattress coupons and Tuft & Needle mattress coupons.
Tuft & Needle vs. Puffy Mattress Performance Ratings & Differences
Temperature
Foam mattresses generally retain more heat than hybrid or innerspring mattresses, so it’s no surprise that neither of these beds sleeps particularly cool; however, both are designed with temperature regulation in mind.
Related: Best Cooling Mattresses
The Puffy features a breathable mattress cover and gel-infused memory foam, and the Tuft & Needle is infused with gel beads and graphite. Overall, we felt more temperature neutral on the Tuft & Needle, so it’s a better option for those concerned about overheating at night.
Motion Transfer
Motion transfer is really only a problem if you share your mattress. Foam mattresses generally isolate motion well since foam is dense enough to absorb movement. The foam comfort layers on top of the Tuft & Needle and Puffy both keep motion transfer to a minimum, though we noticed this the least disturbances on the Puffy.
Edge Support
If you share your mattress or use the sides of the bed to get ready in the morning, this performance category is for you. As all-foam mattresses, neither the Puffy nor the Tuft & Needle offer exceptional edge support. This is especially true for the Tuft & Needle.
We felt more secure on the Puffy, but if edge support is important to you, we recommend considering a hybrid mattress or one with reinforced edges.
Pressure Relief
We measure pressure relief by lying in different positions on a pressure map on top of a mattress. The map shows us areas of high and low pressure. Ideally, we’ll see very little pressure around sensitive pressure points like shoulders and hips.
After testing both of these mattresses, we think the Puffy provides a little more pressure relief than the Tuft & Needle. That means it’s a better choice for strict side sleepers, since they put a lot of weight on their shoulders and hips.
Pain Relief
Pressure relief and spinal alignment are key to pain relief from your mattress. Spinal alignment is just a technical way of saying good sleeping posture. The Puffy offers better pressure relief, but average-weight side and back sleepers should also get enough cushioning on the Tuft & Needle.
Both of these mattresses do a great job of evenly distributing your body weight, so they promote excellent spinal alignment. Much like sitting or standing, your posture while lying down can have a big impact on your spinal health—and whether or not you experience back pain. The only sleeper type who should avoid both beds is stomach sleepers, especially those over 130 lbs. Instead, choose a better mattress for stomach sleepers, which is one that’s firm and supportive.
Durability
As all-foam beds, both of these mattresses should last at least five years. With that said, the Tuft & Needle is a value mattress, so we think the Puffy may last a year or two longer. Both mattress companies protect their customers against manufacturing defects with warranties.
Shipping, Returns, & Warranties
Tuft & Needle
Tuft & Needle gives their mattress customers in the contiguous U.S. free shipping (deliveries to Alaska and Hawaii incur an extra fee). The 100-night sleep trial begins on the day your new mattress is delivered and includes free returns. You’re eligible to receive a replacement mattress or repairs if yours develops certain manufacturing defects during Tuft & Needle’s 10-year warranty period.
Puffy
Puffy offers free shipping in the contiguous U.S. (extra shipping fees apply to Alaska and Hawaii), as well as a 101-night trial period and free returns. They also protect their mattresses with a Lifetime warranty, which is a big step up from the warranty period for most online mattress companies. As long as you’re the original owner of the mattress, you’re eligible to receive free repairs or a replacement mattress if yours develops certain defects.
More Tuft & Needle Mattresses
Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress
The Mint is an all-foam mattress. It’s made with their proprietary Adaptive Foam layers that protect the back and cradle the hips—plus its layers are infused with heat-wicking graphite to maintain a cool sleeping surface.
Product Details
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6/10
Sleep Trial
100 nights
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
Shipping
Free shipping minus HI and AK
Price
$$$$$
Our Recommendation
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Side Sleepers
This bed offers pressure relief at both the shoulders and hips, making it a great fit for side sleepers.
Back Sleepers
This bed’s strong support is ideal for back sleepers because it helps keep the spine neutrally aligned.
Hot Sleepers
This bed features extra cooling technology, making it great for hot sleepers.
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
See our Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress Review to learn more.
Tuft & Needle Hybrid Mattress
Tuft and Needle’s hybrid mattress is a durable, cooling option that is built to suit a wide range of sleepers. It’s a bed that gives you exactly what you want in a hybrid with the combination of foam, coils, and a pillow top.
Product Details
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6/10
Sleep Trial
100 nights
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
Shipping
Free shipping minus HI and AK
Price
$$$$$
Our Recommendation
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Back Sleepers
This bed’s strong support is ideal for back sleepers because it helps keep the spine neutrally aligned.
Stomach Sleepers
This mattress is ideal for stomach sleepers as its firm support promotes spinal alignment.
Hot Sleepers
This bed features extra cooling technology, making it great for hot sleepers.
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
See our Tuft & Needle Hybrid Mattress Review to learn more.
Nod by Tuft & Needle Mattress
The Nod by Tuft & Needle mattress was exclusively designed for Amazon. It is an 8-inch medium-firm memory foam mattress. It is designed with two powerful layers of polyfoam.
Product Details
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-soft: 5.5/10
Sleep Trial
100 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping
Free shipping minus HI and AK
Price
$$$$$
Our Recommendation
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Side Sleepers
This bed offers pressure relief at both the shoulders and hips, making it a great fit for side sleepers.
Back Sleepers
This bed’s strong support is ideal for back sleepers because it helps keep the spine neutrally aligned.
Stomach Sleepers
This mattress is ideal for stomach sleepers as its firm support promotes spinal alignment.
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
See our Tuft & Needle Nod Mattress Review to learn more.
Sam’s Club Tuft & Needle Mattress
The Sam’s Club x Tuft & Needle mattress is a lower-cost alternative to Tuft & Needle’s popular bed-in-a-box mattress. This bed is made with Tuft & Needle’s proprietary Adaptive foam, which is more reactive and firmer than traditional memory foam.
Product Details
Material
Foam
Firmness
Firm: 7.5/10
Sleep Trial
100 nights
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
Shipping
Free shipping
Price
$$$$$
Our Recommendation
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Back Sleepers
This bed’s strong support is ideal for back sleepers because it helps keep the spine neutrally aligned.
Stomach Sleepers
This mattress is ideal for stomach sleepers as its firm support promotes spinal alignment.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
See our Sam’s Club X Tuft & Needle Mattress Review to learn more.
More Puffy Mattresses
Puffy Lux Hybrid Mattress
The Puffy Lux Hybrid is a top choice for side and back sleepers who want a plush, cloud-like sleep experienced, but it’s less-than-ideal for stomach sleepers, who will experience too much sinking in the hips.
Product Details
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Medium-soft: 5/10
Sleep Trial
101 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping
Free shipping
Price
$$$$$
Our Recommendation
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Side Sleepers
This bed offers pressure relief at both the shoulders and hips, making it a great fit for side sleepers.
Back Sleepers
This bed’s strong support is ideal for back sleepers because it helps keep the spine neutrally aligned.
Hot Sleepers
This bed features extra cooling technology, making it great for hot sleepers.
Back Pain
This bed is a good match for anyone struggling with back pain, as it cushions the lumbar region and has enough support to keep the spine neutrally aligned.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
See our Puffy Lux Hybrid Mattress Review to learn more.
Puffy Royal Hybrid Mattress
The Puffy Royal Hybrid is Puffy’s take on a luxury memory foam hybrid mattress. Its medium-soft firmness level and conforming top layers make it ideal for side sleepers who like a neutral all-foam feel.
Product Details
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Medium-soft: 4/10
Sleep Trial
101 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping
Free shipping
Price
$$$$$
Our Recommendation
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Side Sleepers
This bed offers pressure relief at both the shoulders and hips, making it a great fit for side sleepers.
Back Sleepers
This bed’s strong support is ideal for back sleepers because it helps keep the spine neutrally aligned.
Back Pain
This bed is a good match for anyone struggling with back pain, as it cushions the lumbar region and has enough support to keep the spine neutrally aligned.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
See our Puffy Royal Hybrid Mattress Review to learn more.
Haven’t made a decision yet? Check out these other comparisons and reviews:
Our Final Take
If you love the close, contouring feel of foam, you won’t go wrong with either of these mattresses. We recommend the Puffy to side sleepers, since it offers a little more pressure relief. Lightweight stomach sleepers should get enough support on the Tuft & Needle, though average-weight and heavyweight stomach sleepers should opt for a firmer mattress. Back sleepers could go either way.
If price points are your main concern, you’ll save $250–$350 on the Tuft & Needle mattress, though Puffy offers a Lifetime warranty that’s tough to beat. They both have generous trial periods, so pick the one that’s best suited to your needs and give it a try!
Tuft & Needle and Puffy FAQs
Is the Puffy or Tuft & Needle mattress better?
The Puffy mattress is better for side sleepers because it''''s slightly softer and offers better pressure relief. It''''s also a good fit for back sleepers and couples. The Tuft & Needle mattress is a little firmer and more responsive, so it''''s best for back sleepers and combination sleepers.
Whatu2019s the biggest difference between the Puffy and Tuft & Needle mattresses?
The main difference is that the Puffy is made with memory foam and the Tuft & Needle is made with gel- and graphite-infused polyfoam. The difference in materials means that the Puffy is doughier, more pressure-relieving, and slower to respond to movement. The T&N should sleep cooler and respond faster.
Does the Puffy or Tuft & Needle sleep cooler?
The Tuft & Needle will likely sleep cooler than the Puffy because it''''s made with polyfoam, whereas the Puffy is made with memory foam. With that said, neither mattress will be especially cooling, so we recommend that those prone to overheating choose a mattress with a coil base layer.
