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We use mattresses for a lot: Grabbing Zzz’s, lounging around, and sexy time. A comfy bed can change your life. But finding the perfect mattress can be hard AF.
Purple hit the scene in 2015 with a pretty successful Kickstarter campaign that got a lot of hype. With proof of concept in hand, Purple eventually merged with Global Partner Acquisition Corp (dare you to say that three times fast) and went on to become the popular, innovative mattress retailer that it is today.
But hype aside, are the mattresses worth their weight? Below, we’ll give you the Cliff’s Notes on mattress brand Purple and help you decide whether the bed-in-a-box company could end your search for the perfect mattress.
Here’s the good and bad re: Purple mattresses.
Pros
- High ratings from customers. Generally, people rave about Purple mattresses and say they’re hella comfy.
- Unique no-pressure grid design. The plush yet firm support from the matrix-like foam grid sets these mattresses apart from the competition. People say the material provides max pressure relief that they love.
- Free doorstep delivery. And thank goodness because these mattresses are uber-cumbersome.
- Mattresses sleep cool. Bye-bye to sweaty nights and hello to crisp, cool sheets.
- Solid company policies. 100-day trial period with easy returns.
Cons
- Grid design isn’t for everyone. Yeah, that grid we were talking about? Some people find it extremely uncomfortable. Some customers also complain about quality and durability issues.
- Some models are $$$$. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill cheap-o bed-in-a-box models. Financing is available, though.
- Mattresses are HEAVY. It takes two to carry a Purple mattress up the stairs. Weighing in at just over 200 pounds, lug the Premier around alone, and you’re bound to break a sweat.
Pricing guide
Prices below are based on queen size mattresses.
- $ =under $1,500
- $$ = $1,500–$2,000
- $$$ =over $2,000
The Purple Mattress
- Price: $
- Type: “The Purple Grid” — basically, all-foam
- Height: 9.25 inches
- Good for: stomach, back, and side sleepers
Purple’s OG mattress first gained popularity during the company’s Kickstarter campaign. Since then, the Purple has gotten a makeover with better edge support and a revamped cover. The mattress has three layers under the knit cover:
- 2-inches of hyper-elastic grid material
- a soft layer of foam
- a firm, supportive layer of foam
Reviewers give the model top marks for pressure relief. Of the mattresses in the Purple lineup, the original is the softest, so skip it if you’re looking for something firmer.
Our editor’s review
As someone who has been researching and reviewing a lot of mattresses for my job, I realized recently that I should probably say goodbye to my sagging hand-me-down mattress. But as a fresh-out-of-grad-school 26-year old, I had two problems: I had never purchased my own mattress before and I didn’t have a lot of money. So to make my search easier, I focused on the most popular and inexpensive bed-in-a-box brands.
I actually tried the Casper Original Mattress first — but it was wayyy too firm for me, so I returned it (shout out to Casper for the easiest return and refund process ever). Once I got my refund, I decided to try The Purple Mattress because it was in a similar price range, but known for being a little softer. And I am so delighted that I did.
This mattress is a game-changer. It is SO comfortable and the perfect firmness for back and side sleeping. The pressure relief is no joke and I really can’t picture myself sleeping on another mattress ever again. It doesn’t have the best motion isolation in the world, so if you wake up easily from your partner or pet moving around, I’d probably go for a different mattress.
I would recommend this mattress for side sleepers, people weighing less than ~220 pounds (my fiance loves it, too!), and people who sleep hot on traditional foam mattresses. You won’t regret it (but if you do, you can always return it😉).
-Ruby Thompson, Editor
Purple Hybrid
- Price: $$
- Type: hybrid
- Height: 11 inches
- Good for: back and stomach sleepers
The Purple Hybrid is firmer than the OG Purple. It features a 2-inch top layer of the same grid material — but instead of two foam layers beneath it, it has individually wrapped coils sandwiched between thin layers of foam for added bounce and support.
Reviewers say the mattress provides A+ spine support. Still, some customers recommend opting for another model if you’re dreaming of something soft and pillowy.
Purple Hybrid Premier
- Price: $$$
- Type: hybrid
- Height: 12 to 13 inches
- Good for: side sleepers
With a thicker (and pricier) design, the Hybrid Premier is supposed to provide top-of-the-line pressure relief. It has the same construction as the Purple Hybrid, but with a thicker layer of the grid material — you can choose between 3 inches or 4 inches. Just keep in mind that the 4-inch version is pricier $$$.
Despite the high price tag, a decent chunk of reviews for the Premier skew negative. While some people are happy with their purchase, others complain about quality issues and poor support.
Here are some things to keep in mind as you try to figure out if a Purple mattress is right for you — and which one you should spring for.
Materials
All of Purple’s mattresses have “The Purple Grid” as their top comfort layer. The Purple and Purple Hybrid have a 2-inch grid, while the Premier’s grid layer is thicker (either 3 or 4 inches). The thicker the comfort layer, the more cushioning and pressure relief you’ll get — but you’ll also have to pay more.
Also keep in mind that many reviewers say that all of these beds take some getting used to. Purple says this, too — the company asks you to wait 21 days before initiating a return to give yourself time to get used to the unique feel.
Mattress type
Hybrid mattresses are usually more supportive, durable, and cooler than mattresses without spring coils. They’re also usually a good option for people with higher body weight. But they’re also more expensive.
The OG Purple mattress doesn’t have any springs, but reviewers still say it feels supportive and cool. The Purple Grid material is also supposed to hold up better than traditional foam — but TBH, the company is so new that the jury is still out on that one.
Firmness
While Purple claims that all the mattresses fall into a “Universal Firmness” category, reviews tell us that there’s def some variation. If you’re on the hunt for a firmer feel or sleep on your stomach or back, go with the Hybrid. The OG Purple and Premier both have a softer feel that is comfier for side sleepers or people who like to sink into their mattress a bit.
Caveat: Knowing your fave sleep position can be helpful for choosing a firmness, but it’s not a 100 percent guaranteed way to find the best option for you. Some people, regardless of whether they sleep belly-up or not, like a hard mattress.
Also keep in mind that the higher your body weight, the softer a mattress will feel to you — and vice versa.
Price
Ultimately, finding something within your budget is a top priority. The original Purple mattress is the cheapest, but it’s still on the higher end compared to other bed-in-a-box options.
Take full advantage of the trial period to test out your potential mattress-to-be IRL. You can always send it back and keep shopping.
Here are the deets on Purple’s policies:
- 100-night trial period with a full refund if you decide to return it
- 10-year limited warranty — pretty standard for this industry
- free shipping to your doorstep — but be aware of potential delays because of COVID-19
Purple has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and a 3.14/5 customer review rating. Most recent reviewers are happy with their experience with Purple and its products, but many customers purchasing mattresses during the summer and fall of 2020 report issues with customer service, delivery issues, and the products themselves.
| Purple | Casper | Nectar | Leesa | |
| Price | $1,149–$2,999 | $595–$2,695 | $1,198–$1,898 | $799–$2,499 |
| Mattress types | foam and hybrid | foam and hybrid | foam | foam and hybrid |
| Firmness options | “universal firmness” falling somewhere in the middle of the traditional firmness scale | plush, medium, and medium firm | medium-firm | medium-firm |
| Company policies | 100-night sleep trial, 10-year limited warranty | 100-night sleep trial, 10-year limited warranty | 365-day trial, forever warranty | 100-night trial, 10-year limited warranty |
| Customer reviews | generally positive, Some complaints about slow delivery times and durability issues | positive with some complaints about delivery delays and issues with returns | rave reviews but many reports of shipping delays and bad experiences with customer support | good reviews but scores low in terms of customer service |
Want more info about other options?
Check out our full reviews of other popular mattress brands:
Since bursting onto the bed-in-a-box scene via Kickstarter, the OG Purple mattress has had a glow-up and birthed two mattress siblings.
While Purple pushes the unique grid system as a selling point, it’s up to you to decide if one of these mattresses is the sleep surface of your dreams.
