Written by Julia Forbes, Lead Product Tester
The Purple mattress is probably best known for its innovative Purple GelFlex™ Grid, which is designed to provide good pressure relief and support without storing body heat. Stretchy and ultra-responsive, this grid features a unique hyper-elastic polymer material—and I can guarantee it gives the mattress a feel unlike any other mattress you’ve slept on before.
In this Purple mattress review, I’ll take a look at the brand’s distinctive hyper-elastic grid and dissect what all the fuss is about by cutting the mattress open to show you what’s inside. Additionally, I’ll cover the Purple’s performance in key categories like motion isolation, support, and cooling so you’ll know if this bed is the right pick for you.
Purple Mattress
Unique structure uses polymer to align your spine and keep temperatures neutral
Save up to 20% off mattress + base sets
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Soft: 4/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Purple Mattress
Unique structure uses polymer to align your spine and keep temperatures neutral
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Soft: 4/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Purple Mattress
Unique structure uses polymer to align your spine and keep temperatures neutral
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Soft: 4/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Watch My Purple Original Video Review
Sleep Advisor’s Testing Methodology
To bring you a comprehensive overview of the Purple mattress, I tried out various sleeping positions on it.
Additionally, I tested the mattress’ cooling, bounce, edge support, motion isolation, and other preference-based features so that you can be certain that this unique mattress is the one for you.
Learn more about our testing methodology by visiting our product review process page.
Who I Recommend the Purple For:
- Those who want a versatile mattress – Consumers looking for a bed that matches multiple sleep positions and body types should enjoy the Purple, as that level of versatility is the goal behind the hyper-elastic grid design.
- Pressure-relief seekers – If you experience aches and pains, the last thing you need is pressure building up while you sleep. This system was designed to cradle your weight (whatever that may be). It can relieve pressure where it builds up while reinforcing areas that need support.
- Hot sleepers – Some old-fashioned foams hold in heat, but the Purple grid system is designed to be temperature-neutral, as it has over 1,400 air channels built into its construction.
Who I Don’t Recommend the Purple For:
- Heavyweight stomach sleepers – Although the Purple can work for a variety of sleepers and positions, heavyweight stomach sleepers may not feel supported by this mattress. It will likely feel too soft and cushioned to keep these sleepers’ hips raised, so they’ll likely be better off with a firm mattress.
- People who prefer a traditional mattress – For those who want a traditional innerspring or memory foam mattress, the Purple isn’t the best choice for you. This bed has a uniquely bouncy, yet pressure-relieving feel. In other words, it doesn’t have the slow, sinking sensation of memory foam, but it also lacks the floating-on-top-of-the-mattress feel that comes with an innerspring bed.
First Impressions: Firmness & Feel
Firmness Scale: 4/10 (Plush Soft)
Please remember that firmness is a subjective characteristic and your shape will dictate how you experience a bed. A heavier person whose weight can more easily push through softer comfort and support layers may experience a bed as softer than a lightweight person. The way you are shaped could also play a role here. Consider your weight, shape, and size when evaluating firmness scores.
The best way to evaluate if a mattress will fit your needs is to consider its firmness and feel. We rate mattress firmness on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is the softest and 10 is the firmest. This way, you have a better chance of understanding how a mattress feels before you buy it.
I am classifying the Purple as a plush-soft bed, as it falls at a 4 out of 10 on our firmness scale. The main reason I rated this mattress at a 4 on the firmness scale is because the GelFlex™ Grid is incredibly malleable and has a fair amount of give to it.
How Does It Feel?
The Purple bed will likely be an unfamiliar-feeling sleeping experience. Although it has two layers of memory foam, this bed doesn’t have a classic foam mattress feel, and it might take some getting used to.
Lying on the mattress, you should feel the pliable grid molding around your curves. However, if you push on it with your hands or try to switch to your stomach or side, you’ll see that the grid is also very springy.
What I Like About the Purple
- Unique materials – The Purple mattress has two inches of GelFlex Grid, which is the brand’s proprietary material that’s designed to adapt to your body in various sleeping positions. This layer supports the body and returns back to its original shape the moment you get up or switch positions.
- Cooling capabilities – The structure of the grid prevents body heat from building up. I was blown away by how effective the mattress is at absorbing and releasing body heat as you settle into it.
- Pressure Relief – Pressure points feel next to weightless when sleeping on the Purple. This bed makes an excellent choice for those who are seeking gentle cradling and optimal pressure relief.
My Purple Complaints
- Lacks a classic feel – Classics are given that title for a good reason, and many people prefer to sleep on what’s already familiar to them. If you’re not up for brand-new technology, you might not be the right match for a Purple mattress.
- Motion transfer– Although the motion transfer was not horrible, there was still enough detected that I wouldn’t recommend this bed for co-sleepers.
- No natural materials – Purple uses plenty of top-notch materials in their mattresses, but eco-conscious folks might be put off by the lack of natural materials in their designs.
Sleeping Positions for Different Body Types
Purple states that the recommended weight on the mattress is 300 pounds on each side for a total of 600 pounds.
Side Sleepers
- Lightweight Sleepers – The soft feel of the mattress and GelFlex™ Grid’s ability to stave off pressure buildup work exceptionally well for lightweight side sleepers.
- Average-Weight Sleepers – This bed does a great job at supporting average-weight side sleepers while providing a nearly weightless feel around the shoulders and hips. These sleepers should also experience great spinal alignment.
- Heavyweight Sleepers – I think that the Purple is simply too soft to fully support heavyweight side sleepers. Although there was some light support around the hips and shoulders, there was too much sinkage around the lower back, which could lead to poor spinal alignment.
Discover the best mattresses for side sleepers.
Back Sleepers
- Lightweight Sleepers – Lightweight back sleepers should notice a light, buoyant feel that allows them to sink into the bed ever so slightly while still experiencing plenty of spinal support.
- Average-Weight Sleepers – Although I would like there to be better spinal alignment for average-weight back sleepers, I still really enjoyed the pressure relief and the light-as-air feel of the Purple.
- Heavyweight Sleepers – Heavy back sleepers should still experience Purple’s exceptional pressure relief, but I think there will be too much sinkage around the lower back for these folks.
Browse the best mattresses for back sleepers.
Stomach Sleepers
- Lightweight Sleepers – If any stomach sleepers would benefit from this bed it could be those on the lighter side. However, since the hips still sink down some and this could cause spinal alignment issues, I wouldn’t recommend the Purple for these sleepers.
- Average-Weight Sleepers – I advise that average-weight stomach sleepers steer clear of the Purple. They will likely experience too much sinkage around the hips and lower back, which could lead to pain in those areas.
- Heavyweight Sleepers – Heavyweight stomach sleepers aren’t likely to feel much support from the plush softness of the Purple. I feel that they will sink through the layers too deeply and experience a lack of spinal support.
Explore the best mattresses for stomach sleepers.
Pressure Relief
5/5
The amount of pressure relief that I experienced on the Purple was stellar. The areas of the body that typically have a lot of pressure buildup, such as the shoulders, hips, and lower back, felt nearly weightless on this bed. It was evident to me that Purple’s background in producing critical care patient bedding helped inform this bed’s pressure-relieving construction — the company created a bed that rivals or even surpasses memory foam in this category.
Is the Purple Mattress Good for Pain Relief?
When it comes to pain relief, I think the Purple will do an excellent job for many light to average-weight back and side sleepers. Unfortunately, heavyweight and stomach sleepers aren’t likely to have the same experience. The Purple is probably going to feel too soft for these sleepers, and they won’t get the support that they need.
Back Pain
The Purple is a soft bed, but it should prevent and help alleviate back pain for many lightweight and average-weight sleepers by providing top-notch pressure relief and incredible spinal support. However, heavyweight people and stomach sleepers might not get the same support and relief. I think that these folks will push through the layers too quickly and not receive the targeted support that they need to sleep pain-free.
Learn More: Best Mattress for Back Pain
Hip Pain
The GelFlex™ Grid contours around the hips and makes many side sleepers feel close to weightless. Although lightweight and average-weight sleepers can greatly benefit from this bed, I don’t recommend it for those on the heavier side of the scale. This is because I don’t see the grid nor the foam layers being able to provide enough support to prevent pressure buildup or spinal misalignment.
Shoulder Pain
Those with shoulder pain should consider their body weight to determine the level of sinkage they’d experience with the Purple mattress. Much as it is for those who suffer from hip and back pain, this bed should be a great fit for lightweight and average-weight sleepers who experience shoulder pain. The GelFlex Grid contours and supports your curves, helping to take some pressure off your shoulders. Just note that it likely doesn’t have enough firmness and support for heavier sleepers with shoulder pain.
Support
4/5
A supportive bed should alleviate pain in the back and neck by keeping the spine in a neutral position. The support system in this mattress starts with the grid that is propped up with two layers of poly foam. The edges are reinforced with denser foam, so support should be consistent from edge to edge.
Purple’s grid formation was designed to cradle your body in a neutral position regardless of your preferred sleep position. While I experienced great support and spinal alignment when I was on my side and back, this wasn’t the case when I was on my stomach. I felt a good amount of sinkage around my hips while testing on my front side.
Motion Transfer
3/5
For those who share a bed, motion transfer can be a major concern. If you keep different hours from your partner or if he or she is a restless sleeper, it’s likely their movements could disturb you.
I found that the Purple’s motion isolation wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great, either. I detected enough motion from the other side of the bed that this mattress would not be one of my top choices for couples, especially considering there are many memory foam and hybrid beds that absorb motion rather seamlessly.
Temperature Regulation / Cooling
5/5
Without a doubt, Purple is a cooling mattress, starting with its breathable cover. Beneath that, the mattress’ grid design allows for ample airflow, which prevents body heat from building up. I loved how I could feel heat waft away as I settled into the bed.
Bounce
4/5
The Purple’s unique design and its responsive memory foam make it a very bouncy bed. I loved how quickly it regained its shape after weight was applied. Combination sleepers and sexually active couples should enjoy this aspect of the Purple’s construction, as it should allow them to change positions without feeling stuck.
Edge Support
3/5
I found the Purple’s edge support to be somewhat lackluster. Although there is foam reinforcement around the grid, I didn’t feel that it helped all that much. For those with mobility issues or folks who frequent the perimeter while sleeping, this bed likely won’t offer enough support.
Performance for Couples
3/5
Although the Purple has ample bounce, it comes up short in other categories that would make this a great bed for couples. There was more motion transfer than I expected in a bed composed mostly of foam, and those who sleep with a restless partner might be disturbed throughout the night because of this. Furthermore, the lack of edge support might make it hard for couples to utilize the entire surface.
If you want a bed that checks off all the boxes for couples, take a look at our best beds for couples.
Preference-Based Features
Modified Bed-in-a-Box Shipping
Purple ships this mattress in a sturdy bag with handles, so it’s easy to carry from your front door to the bedroom. This shipping method is used by some mattress brands for its convenience and cost, which allows companies to offer cheaper and even free shipping. The bag is also reusable.
Proprietary Materials
The brand’s GelFlex® Grid is a unique twist on the typical pressure-relieving material usually seen in all-foam mattresses. Although you won’t experience the classic foam feel from the Purple mattress, it should make you feel like you’re resting inside a cloud that still adapts to your movement.
Adjustable Base Compatible
This Purple mattress works with most bed foundations, including an adjustable base for those who want to customize the bed’s feel and performance even more.
Handcrafted in the USA
Construction: What’s Inside the Purple?
At 9.25 inches tall, the Purple’s cover extends over three layers and features a SoftFlex material composed of polyester, viscose, and lycra. The cover’s soft material is breathable to help the surface stay cool.
- Below the cover is Purple’s signature 2-inch GelFlex™ Grid that provides incredible pressure relief and dissipates body heat. This grid is highly durable, provides comfort, and protects the layers beneath. In addition, the structure of the grid allows it to release and equalize pressure across its surface, which evenly distributes weight. When pressure does not need to be released, the Purple grid holds its upright form to provide support.
- The next layer is made up of edge support foam that increases stability and durability. Unfortunately, I didn’t find that this layer did much in the way of promoting support around the perimeter of the bed.
- The edge support layer is followed by a layer of comfort foam. This foam conforms to the body and enhances overall comfort. The comfort layer also helps to create a smooth transition from the top to the base layers.
- The base layer has supportive foam that stabilizes the layers above it. This is the main support system that ensures all the layers above perform at their peak while supporting your body and preventing you from sinking too deeply into any of the layers.
Unboxing & Off-Gassing
Purple sends each of its beds in a bag, which allows fast shipping at no cost. The bag should be easy to handle, but keep in mind it may be heavy, depending on the mattress size you choose. White glove delivery is only available with select mattresses.
Once it arrives, you’ll notice the mattress is rolled inside plastic packaging. Remove the plastic and let the bed unroll and decompress. The mattress is ready for use the moment you remove it from the packaging, although it may take a few hours to reach its full size. Off-gassing odors are minimal and likely to dissipate within a few hours.
Certifications
- CertiPUR-US® Certified – The foams in this bed are CertiPUR-US® certified. CertiPUR-US® is a third-party program that ensures the foams meet rigorous health and safety standards. This means they don’t contain harmful substances like ozone depleters, PBDEs, heavy metals, formaldehyde, and phthalates. They should also have low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.
Coupons, Trials, Warranties, and Shipping
- Shipping – Shipping is free to 48 contiguous states, with a small shipping fee for Hawaii and Alaska. For Canadian purchases, Purple uses their partner, Sleep Country Canada, for shipping. You can head to Purple.com/ca for all Canadian purchases.
- White Glove Delivery – Purple only offers white glove delivery with their hybrid mattresses.
- Trial – Try this product in your home for 100 nights to decide if it works for you. You can send it back if you don’t think it’s right.
- Warranty – Purple mattresses come with a 10-year limited warranty.
- Return Policy – You can return your Purple mattress before the 100-night trial is up and the company will refund your money.
Sizes & Prices
| Size | Dimensions (inches) | Price (w/o discount) |
| Twin | 38” x 75” x 9.25” | $799 |
| Twin XL | 38” x 80” x 9.25” | $999 |
| Full | 54” x 75” x 9.25” | $1,199 |
| Queen | 60” x 80” x 9.25” | $1,399 |
| King | 76” x 80” x 9.25” | $1,799 |
| Cali King | 72” x 84” x 9.25” | $1,799 |
| Split King | 38” x 80” x 9.25” (x 2) | $1,998 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you flip the Purple mattress?
Due to the special design of the Purple mattress, you cannot flip it. The product has a base layer and a gel grid on the cushion for maximum comfort. If you were to flip the bed, the grid layer would be on the bottom, which would make for an unsupportive, uncomfortable mattress.
Is the Purple mattress right for hot sleepers?
Yes! The Purple mattress is great for warm sleepers and is terrific at regulating temperature. Purple claims to have over 1,400 air channels built into its grid construction, which promotes a temperature-neutral mattress that should keep you cool night after night.
Can I try the Purple mattress risk-free?
You can try it out risk-free for a limited time. The mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty, which lets customers try it out to decide if it’s the best choice for their personal needs.
Purple vs. Other Brands
Purple vs. Nolah Signature
Product
Firmness
Trial Period
Product
Nolah Signature 12″ MattressFirmness
Soft: 4/10Trial Period
120 nightsWho I Recommend the Purple For
- People with pressure build-up
- Side sleepers
- Combination sleepers
Who I Recommend the Nolah Signature For
- Hot sleepers
- People who want a taller mattress
- Sleepers with mobility issues
Read our Nolah Signature mattress review.
Purple vs. Puffy
Product
Firmness
Trial Period
Product
Puffy Cloud MattressFirmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10Trial Period
101 nightsWho I Recommend the Purple For
- People with hip pain
- Back sleepers
- Those who sleep hot
Who I Recommend the Puffy For
- Couples and co-sleepers
- Those looking for a classic memory foam bed
- People who need a longer trial
Read the full Puffy mattress review to learn more.
Purple Mattress vs. Other Purple Models
Purple Mattress vs. Purple Plus Mattress
Product
Firmness
Trial Period
Product
Purple Rejuvenate PlusFirmness
Firm: 8/10Trial Period
100 nightsWho I Recommend the Purple Mattress For
- Couples
- Back sleepers
- Average-weight sleepers
Who I Recommend the Purple Rejuvenate Plus Mattress For
- Stomach sleepers
- Average-weight to heavyweight people
- Those who like a firm mattress
Purple Mattress vs. Purple Hybrid Mattress
Product
Firmness
Trial Period
Product
Purple Hybrid MattressFirmness
Medium-firm: 7/10Trial Period
100 nightsWho I Recommend the Purple Mattress For
- Lightweight sleepers
- People looking for motion isolation
- Side sleepers
Who I Recommend the Purple Hybrid For
- Combination sleepers
- Sexually-active couples
- Heavyweight sleepers
My Verdict
The innovative GelFlex® Grid, Purple’s proprietary mattress support material, provides innovative comfort and helped the Purple Mattress earn an overall score of 4 out of 5.
Purple’s exemplary cooling and pressure-relieving capabilities should provide you with a bed that soothes achy muscles and joints while keeping you from waking up hot and sweaty in the middle of the night.
However, I think heavyweight sleepers and those who sleep on their stomachs might not get the support they need from this mattress. These sleepers could be better suited with a hybrid bed that provides more support.
Purple Mattress
Unique structure uses polymer to align your spine and keep temperatures neutral
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Soft: 4/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Purple Mattress
Unique structure uses polymer to align your spine and keep temperatures neutral
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Soft: 4/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Purple Mattress
Unique structure uses polymer to align your spine and keep temperatures neutral
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Soft: 4/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Julia Forbes
Lead Product Tester
About Author
Julia is the Lead Reviewer at Sleep Advisor, specializing in testing out mattresses and sleep accessories – she’s in the right line of work, because she loves to sleep.
Stomach Sleeper