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Purple vs. WinkBed Mattress Comparison
The Purple and the WinkBed are both bed-in-a-box hybrid mattresses with distinctly different makeups. The WinkBed mattress is a luxury innerspring mattress, while the Purple features the unique, gel-like Purple Grid layer.
If you’re having choosing between the two mattresses, you’re in luck. In this article, we’ll be going through everything you need to know about the Purple and WinkBed to help you pick the right one for your needs.
We test all of the mattresses firsthand in our sleep lab. If you’re curious to know more about how we review mattresses, you can check our testing methodology.
WinkBeds vs. Purple Overview
The WinkBed and Purple mattresses are both very popular hybrid mattresses that each offer unique features that benefit different types of sleepers. Here’s a brief overview of each mattress’s strong points.
| WinkBeds is best for… | Purple is best for… |
| Combination sleepers | Back sleepers |
| Hot sleepers | Couples |
| Back sleepers | Side sleepers |
Who Should Choose the WinkBeds Mattress?
- Combination sleepers: For people who move a lot in their sleep, the WinkBeds offers a responsive feel that lets you change positions with ease.
- Hot sleepers: The WinkBeds mattress is a great choice for people who like to sleep cool.
- Back sleepers: People who sleep on their backs will benefit from the comfort of a pillow top and the support of innerspring coils.
Who Should Choose the Purple Mattress?
- Back sleepers: The Purple mattress provides ample back support without compromising on comfort.
- Couples: If you have a partner who moves around a lot, the Purple is a good choice because of its excellent motion isolation ability.
- Side sleepers: The Purple mattress provides a good amount of support and cushion for side sleepers, particularly for those with average-weight body types.
WinkBeds vs. Purple Mattress Video Comparison
In this video, we go in-depth into everything you need to know about the WinkBeds and Purple mattresses to help you pick the right mattress for you.
WinkBeds vs. Purple: Top Similarities
- Construction: The Purple and WinkBed mattress both leave lots of space for airflow in their constructions.
- Sleeps cool: Both are great mattresses for hot sleepers who need warm air to move out of the mattress instead of pooling in one place.
- Good for back sleepers: Both of these beds have a universal medium-firm feel that balances support and comfort, making them good mattresses for back sleepers.
WinkBeds vs. Purple: Top Differences
- Motion absorption: The WinkBed is made with buoyant spring coils that offer a lot of kick-back, while the foam layers in the Purple effectively absorb motion.
- Pressure relief: The Purple provides a bit more pressure relief, thanks to the easily compressible Purple Grid on the top of the mattress. The foam pillow top on the WinkBed is comfy, but not as pressure-relieving.
- Feel: The comfort layers in these mattresses feel different to touch; the WinkBed’s pillow top is soft and dense. The Purple Grid feels … well, like a squishy gel grid.
- Firmness options: The WinkBed is available in three different firmness options: “Softer,” “Luxury Firm,” and “Firmer.” The Purple is only available in a medium-firm option.
WinkBeds vs. Purple: Firmness & Feel Differences
In this section, we take a closer look at the WinkBed and Purple mattresses’ sleep performance — specifically, their firmness and feel.
What’s the Firmness Of the WinkBed & Purple Mattresses?
Knowing the firmness level of a mattress tells you a lot about how it feels, even if you’ve never slept on it. Most of the bedding industry gauges mattress firmness on a scale that ranges from one to 10. The lower the number, the softer the mattress, and vice versa. If you have a heavyweight body type, you’ll probably experience mattresses as a little softer than advertised since you sink deeper into the top layers. The opposite is true for those with lightweight body types. See the best mattresses for heavy people for more options.
So how do the WinkBed and Purple mattresses feel? We rate the Purple at a 6.5/10, which puts it under the medium-firm category. On the other hand, the WinkBed comes in four different firmness options — softer, luxury-firm, firmer, and plus. We rate them 4/10, 6/10, 7.5/10, and 8/10, respectively.
What Do the WinkBeds & Purple Mattresses Feel Like?
Even though they share a firmness rating, the feel of each mattress is quite different.
Your experience will depend on which firmness option you choose, but generally, the WinkBed is bouncy with a dense foam pillow top layer. We also found it responsive and easy to move around in, but since it’s a bit bouncy, its motion isolation is not that good. Furthermore, we found it to be breathable and cooling thanks to its gel-infused top layer.
On the contrary, the Purple suspends your body weight without the springy bounce-back of coils. It’s also very cooling because of its Purple Grid top layer, which is made from a gel-like material that regulates temperature by absorbing excess body heat. This layer also gives the Purple a snappy and responsive feel, making it a good choice for those who toss and turn at night.
What’s It Like to Sleep On the WinkBeds & Purple Mattresses?
Since the WinkBed has multiple firmness options, there’s an option for every type of sleeper. The softer WinkBed is great for side sleepers since it provides just the right amount of sinkage in the hip and shoulder area to maintain a neutral spine alignment. For stomach and back sleepers who need firmer beds, the firmer WinkBed should be the pick and for heavier folks, the WinkBed Plus. The WinkBed Luxury-Firm is very versatile and will probably work for most sleeping positions, especially combination sleepers who change positions a lot.
Because of its adaptive Purple Grid layer, the Purple mattress provides exceptional support and great body-conforming qualities, especially for back and side sleepers. However, we think that heavier folks will find themselves sinking in too much for comfort in the mattress. When lying down, the gel layer collapses under heavy pressure, which can lead to poor alignment.
The WinkBeds vs. Purple Mattresses By Body Type
WinkBeds Performance By Body Type & Sleeping Position:
| Body Type: | BACK SLEEPERS | STOMACH SLEEPERS | SIDE SLEEPERS |
| Lightweight (< 130 lbs): | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Average-weight (130–230 lbs): | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Heavyweight (> 230 lbs): | 4 | 3 | 3 |
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 | 4 |
| Heavyweight (> 230 lbs): | 3 | 1 | 3 |
1 = Very poor, 2 = Not good, 3 = Fair, 4 = Good, 5 = Excellent
Average-Weight Sleepers (130–230 lbs)
Average weight back sleepers will find great lumbar support in both the Purple and luxury-firm or firmer WinkBed mattresses.
Some average weight side sleepers may sleep comfortably on the Purple mattress, but some may find it a bit too firm. For adequate support and cushion, we recommend you go for the softer WinkBed.
We don’t recommend the Purple mattress for average weight stomach sleepers since it lacks the right amount of support needed to keep your hips elevated and aligned with your spine. Instead, we think you should go for the luxury-firm or firmer WinkBed.
Average weight combination sleepers will be happy with both mattresses. However, if you sleep on your stomach most of the time, you should probably pick the luxury-firm WinkBed over the Purple.
Heavyweight Sleepers (> 230 lbs)
Heavyweight back sleepers will probably find the Purple mattress to be too soft, but the firmer or plus WinkBed should be able to provide the right amount of cushion and lumbar support.
Heavyweight stomach sleepers will likely sink in too much on the Purple mattress. To keep your hips elevated and your spine neutrally aligned, we recommend the WinkBed Plus.
For heavyweight side sleepers, we recommend the luxury-firm WinkBed mattress over the Purple. The WinkBed Luxury-Firm should be firm enough to prevent excess sinkage but soft enough to be comfortable.
Heavyweight combination sleepers will probably sleep better on the firmer or plus WinkBed mattress than the Purple mattress because the firmness level prevents the sleeper from sinking too much while providing enough ease to shift positions.
Lightweight Sleepers (< 130 lbs)
Lightweight back sleepers will have no trouble choosing either mattress as both the Purple and the luxury-firm or firmer WinkBed can provide ample support for your back region.
Lightweight side sleepers will need a mattress that’s soft and contouring and for that, we highly recommend both the Purple and softer or luxury-firm WinkBed mattresses.
Some lightweight stomach sleepers may sleep comfortably on the Purple mattress, but for better support and comfort, we think you should go for the firmer WinkBed.
Both mattresses are fantastic choices for lightweight combination sleepers because of their inherent responsiveness.
Differences In Mattress Construction
Introductory sentence addressing whether the mattresses have similar or different constructions, including mattress height.
| WinkBed Mattress Materials | Purple Mattress Materials |
| TENCEL Cover | Viscose, Polyester, & Lycra Blend Cover |
| 2” (3” for softer version) Euro-Pillow Top with Gel-Infused Hypersoft Foam | 2” Purple Smart Grid |
| 2.5” Polyfoam | 3.5” Soft Polyfoam Transition Layer |
| 7” Pocketed coils + 2” extraEDGE support system | 4” High-Density Polyfoam Base + Non-Slip Bottom Cover |
Cover
The WinkBed’s cover is made from an eco-friendly material called TENCEL, which is known for its breathability, softness, and ability to sleep cool by wicking away excess body heat. Purple’s cover is made from a polyester, viscose, and Lycra blend that creates a soft, stretchy material that has temperature-regulating features.
Comfort Layers
WinkBed’s quilted pillow top is made from gel-infused HyperSoft foam that’s designed to retain heat and provide cushion and support. Purple has its proprietary Gel Grid layer made from a Hyper-Elastic polymer gel material that provides pressure relief for heavier areas and support for lighter zones.
Support Layers
WinkBed has a support layer of coils that contain individually pocketed coils that promote airflow and targeted back support. The Purple has a thick polyfoam layer that provides stability and durability and a no-slip bottom cover.
WinkBeds vs. Purple Pricing
| Size | WinkBeds Prices | Purple Prices |
| Twin | $1149.00 | $999.00 |
| Twin XL | $1249.00 | $1099.00 |
| Full | $1499.00 | $1399.00 |
| Queen | $1799.00 | $1499.00 |
| King | $1999.00 | $1999.00 |
| California King | $2049.00 | $1999.00 |
For exclusive discounts on both beds see our WinkBeds mattress coupons and Purple mattress coupons.
WinkBeds vs. Purple Mattress Performance Ratings & Differences
Temperature
Both of these mattresses are going to keep you temperature neutral, if not downright cool. The Purple has cooling features up top, while the WinkBed incorporates them throughout the mattress. The Purple has a breathable fabric cover, and the grid making up the top layer has hundreds of channels that enable airflow. The WinkBed’s pillow top is infused with cooling gel, and the base layer of coils is as breathable as mattress layers get. If you’re a hot sleeper, see the best cooling mattresses.
Motion Transfer
Motion transfer is a relevant performance category for anyone who shares their bed. If you sleep alone, it doesn’t really matter if motion transfers from one side to the other. Typically, mattresses with coils absorb motion really well, but also return it to the body (for all you nerds out there, just think of Newton’s Third Law of Motion). Foam, on the other hand, tends to effectively stop motion at the source.
With that in mind, you can probably guess that the Purple mattress has better motion isolation than the WinkBed. That’s not to say that you won’t notice any motion transfer on the Purple, but couples specifically will notice much less than they would on the WinkBeds.
Edge Support
Edge support is another important category for those who share their bed. If you want to maximize your available sleeping surface, you may eventually need to get cozy with the edges of the bed. Both the Purple and WinkBeds incorporate edge support features. Purple uses high-density foam to frame their mattress, while the WinkBed uses extra-strong coils. As a result, both provide good edge support, but the WinkBed mattress is more stable near the edges, in our opinion.
Pressure Relief
Pressure relief is arguably the most important category for side sleepers. These folks need lots of space to sink down into the mattress, otherwise, they risk jammed shoulders and achy hips. The Purple Grid is designed to collapse strategically under your pressure points, so we think it provides more pressure relief than the pillow top on the WinkBed can offer. For the best pressure-relieving mattresses, check out our picks for mattresses for side sleepers.
Pain Relief
A mattress’s pain-relieving ability depends on the sleeper’s body type and dominant sleeping position.
If you’re experiencing lower back pain, we recommend the Purple mattress. It’s also suitable for those with shoulder or hip pain, but depending on the severity of the pain, you may want to look for something more cushioning. Heavier folks should also reconsider as they may experience too much sinking in the Purple, which can exacerbate the pain.
Since the WinkBed has lots of firmness options, you only need to choose the right one for your needs. If you have back pain, the firmer WinkBed should be your pick. And if you regularly experience shoulder pain, the softer WinkBed is a good choice.
Durability
Hybrid mattresses like the WinkBed typically last between five to eight years. The WinkBeds brand protects the mattress with a Lifetime warranty and performs third-party durability testing that simulates 20 years of use. The bed is long-lasting and eligible for replacement as long as you’re the original owner. The Purple mattress should last for a long time, as well. The Purple Grid is made from a material that is slow to degrade, and Purple guarantees the mattress for a full decade.
Shipping, Returns, & Warranties
WinkBeds
WinkBeds offers free shipping across the contiguous U.S. with extra fees for orders going to Alaska or Hawaii. The company offers a 120-night trial and a Lifetime warranty for all their mattresses.
Purple
Purple offers free shipping across the contiguous U.S., with extra shipping fees to Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada. Each Purple mattress also comes with a 100-day sleep trial and a 10-year warranty that covers material and workmanship defects.
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Haven’t made a decision yet? Check out these other comparisons:
- WinkBeds vs Avocado
- WinkBeds vs Purple
- WinkBeds vs Saatva
- WinkBeds vs. Casper
- WinkBeds vs. Helix
- WinkBeds vs. Nectar
- WinkBeds vs. DreamCloud
- WinkBeds vs. Puffy
- Purple vs. Amerisleep
- Purple vs. Bear
- Purple vs Casper
- Purple vs. GhostBed
- Purple vs. Helix
- Purple vs. Layla
- Purple vs. Leesa
- Purple vs. Lull
- Purple vs Nectar
- Purple vs Nolah
- Purple vs. Nectar
- Purple vs. Puffy
- Purple vs. Saatva
- Purple vs. Tempur-Pedic
- Purple vs. Tuft & Needle
- Purple Alternatives
- Purple Mattress Comparison
Our Final Take
We recommend both of these mattresses to hot sleepers and back sleepers, especially those with lightweight or average-weight body types. If you prefer the springy feel of traditional innerspring mattresses, go with the WinkBeds. It’s also the better choice for those who want multiple firmness options that work for different sleeping positions.
If you want a little more pressure relief and are game to try a unique-feeling mattress, pick the Purple. Couples will find a better balance of support and comfort on the Purple Grid; plus, it’s more motion isolating. Lastly, if pricing is a factor, the Purple is easier on your wallet.
WinkBeds & Purple FAQs
How Long Does a WinkBed Mattress?
You can expect your WinkBed mattress to last 7-10 years, depending on how much daily wear and tear it goes through. Just make sure to practice proper mattress care and maintenance to prolong your mattress’s lifespan.
Are WinkBeds used in hotels?
Yes. In fact, there are several hotels across the U.S. that rely on WinkBed mattresses to keep their customers comfy during their stay.
How Long Are Purple Mattresses Supposed to Last?
Depending on the daily wear and tear it goes through, your Purple mattress should probably last you anywhere from five to ten years. To prolong your mattress’s lifespan, make sure you do proper care and maintenance on your mattress regularly.
