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This article was originally published on Mattress Finder.
To help you find the right sleep products and tools for your needs, Healthline has partnered with the certified experts at Mattress Finder to bring our readers comprehensive reviews of thoroughly tried-and-tested mattresses.
In the world of bed-in-a-box mattresses, Purple stands out. Unlike most mattresses in this category, Purple uses no memory foam, latex foam, or proprietary foam as its top layer. Instead, it uses a gel-like hyper-elastic polymer, which Purple calls the GelFlex Grid. It’s purple, hence the name of the company.
The Grid is truly the star of the show. It’s what keeps the mattress cool all night and why you don’t end up sweating five minutes after you fall asleep. The soft, cushioning Grid is used in all Purple mattresses, including one designed for kids.
If you’re already sold on the Purple Grid and need help narrowing down your options, read on for our comparison of the Purple Hybrid and the original Purple mattresses.
- Price: $1,899–$3,798
The Purple Hybrid mattress builds on the success of the original Purple. In addition to the GelFlex Grid layer, it’s made with layers of responsive support coils and cushioning foam. The addition of pocketed coils offers a more dynamic feel and increased durability compared to all-foam options.
Like the original, the Purple Hybrid is hypoallergenic, non-toxic, and made in the U.S. This is the firmest option in Purple’s hybrid collection, which makes it a good option for sleepers with higher body weights.
There are over 5,000 reviews of the Purple Hybrid, and customers are overwhelmingly pleased. They rave about exceptional support, pressure relief, and cool, comfortable sleep.
The Purple Hybrid ships to your door free of charge, but keep in mind that it’s fairly heavy. You’ll likely need two people to safely move it around. For an extra $200, you can upgrade to in-home setup, which includes the removal of your old mattress if you so choose.
Purple offers a 100-night trial on its mattresses and returns within that window are free. Plus, each mattress comes with a 10-year warranty.
Pros
- designed for impressive support
- responsive with a little bounce
- excellent edge support, making it a good option for folks who share a bed
- temperature neutral with good airflow
- choice of standard shipping to your door or in-home setup for an additional fee, including removal of your old mattress
Cons
- higher price point
- firm feel may not be comfortable to all sleepers
- Price: $799–$1,998
The original Purple mattress was designed for the perfect balance of comfort and support. It’s a medium-firm mattress that feels stable and supportive, with an instantly adaptive feel. Two inches of GelFlex Grid are cradling to minimize pressure point pain, yet supportive enough for proper alignment.
Beneath the Grid are two layers of high-density comfort foam. One is soft and cushioning, and the other is firm and supportive. The mattress’s three layers are buoyant, cradling, and comfortable.
Purple got its start with this mattress, and there are over 31,000 reviews from mostly happy sleepers. Like all Purple mattresses, the original comes with a 100-night trial and a 10-year warranty.
Pros
- more budget-friendly price point
- medium-firm feel accommodates wide range of sleepers
- temperature neutral
- very minimal motion transfer makes it a good option for couples
- choice of standard shipping to your door or in-home setup for an additional fee, including removal of your old mattress
Cons
- all-foam construction may not be supportive enough for sleepers with higher body weights
- lacking somewhat in edge support
There are a few differences between the original Purple and the Purple Hybrid. Pricing is one of them. A queen-size original Purple mattress is $1,399, and you’ll spend $1,000 more if you opt for the Hybrid.
Purple does offer specials from time to time, so consider shopping around a holiday to snag the best price.
Purple Hybrid mattress pricing
| Size | Price (MSRP) |
|---|---|
| Twin XL | $1,899 |
| Full | $2,149 |
| Queen | $2,399 |
| King | $2,899 |
| Cal king | $2,899 |
| Split king | $3,798 |
Prices valid as of October 2022
Original Purple mattress pricing
| Size | Price (MSRP) |
|---|---|
| Twin | $799 |
| Twin XL | $999 |
| Full | $1,199 |
| Queen | $1,399 |
| King | $1,799 |
| Cal king | $1,799 |
| Split king | $1,998 |
Prices valid as of October 2022
Dimensions vary depending on mattress size, but the queen Purple Hybrid measures 60 inches by 80 inches by 11 inches deep, with a shipping weight of 122 pounds.
The queen-size original Purple mattress is the same length and width but measures 9.25 inches in depth. It weighs 110 pounds.
The biggest similarity between the original Purple mattress and the Purple Hybrid is the GelFlex Grid layer. Both mattresses are made with 2 inches of Grid. That means both mattresses are temperature neutral and impressively durable.
Both mattresses have a Grid layer, but that’s where the similarities end. The original Purple mattress is medium-firm with a very stable feel. It has a balanced level of support and comfort and a soft cover that lets you feel the Grid.
The Purple Hybrid has a firm feel with a dynamic response thanks to its layer of coils. It’s also a few inches thicker. It’s covered with a soft, stretchy material that features breathable side panels for enhanced airflow.
Individual body weight and type will play a role in how either mattress feels in terms of comfort, but the general rule of thumb is the thicker the Grid layer, the more weightless you feel. If that’s important to you, you can upgrade to other Purple mattresses for a deeper Grid layer.
The Hybrid is a good choice for couples who want to maximize their sleep surface, thanks to reinforced edges that eliminate that “roll off” sensation. The GelFlex Grid in both mattresses offers a boost of temperature neutrality, but the wrapped coils in the Hybrid allow for greater airflow too, making it a good option if you tend to sleep warm.
With its firm, responsive feel, the Purple Hybrid is particularly well suited to sleepers looking for firm yet adaptive support. Back sleepers may find this mattress a great match. Thanks to the GelFlex layer, side sleepers under 240 pounds should also enjoy this option.
The original Purple was designed to accommodate just about all sleepers. It has a medium-firm feel that most sleepers find pretty comfortable, with enough support for proper alignment.
However, sleepers over or around 240 pounds may find that the all-foam design doesn’t offer enough stability and support. Back, side, and stomach sleepers of this size may want to consider a firmer mattress with coils.
The feedback from Purple customers is generally positive. The brand has an A+ rating at the Better Business Bureau, with an average of just over four stars from over 360 reviews.
At Trustpilot, a third-party rating website, there are just 22 reviews, and Purple receives a 2.3-star rating. Reviews here are pretty evenly split between excellent and bad. Most of the negative reviews mention delivery issues, but some customers report that after a year or more their Purple mattress is significantly less comfortable than when they bought it.
How long does the Purple mattress last?
According to the Purple website, their mattresses should last 10 years. They also offer a 10-year limited warranty.
However, some reviewers report issues with sagging and discomfort after a year or two of using their Purple mattress. Many factors can impact how long a mattress lasts, including your weight, the type of mattress, and the type of bedframe it’s on. This makes it difficult to say how long each mattress will last.
As a general rule, though, hybrid mattresses tend to last a little longer than innerspring or all-foam mattresses — so the Purple Hybrid may be a better choice if you want a long lasting mattress.
What’s the difference between the Purple Hybrid and the Purple Hybrid Premier?
The Purple Hybrid Premier is an upgraded version of the Purple Hybrid mattress. The Premier models feature GelFlex Grid, making them feel softer and cooler than the basic Purple Hybrid.
The Hybrid Premier 3 features 3 inches of GelFlex Grid and costs $2,999 for a queen. The Hybrid Premier 4 features 4 inches of GelFlex Grid and costs $3,799 for a queen.
Can I flip my Purple mattress?
No, Purple mattresses shouldn’t be flipped. They only feature the GelFlex Grid on one side of the mattress, so Purple mattresses have a distinct top and bottom. However, Purple says you can rotate your mattress every 3 months to ensure it wears evenly.
Is the Purple Hybrid good for back pain?
The original Purple Hybrid is the firmest mattress that Purple offers. Generally, this is helpful for people with back pain because a firmer mattress provides more support for the back to help keep the spine in alignment. However, if you have any questions about the best type of mattress for addressing your back pain, you should speak with a healthcare professional.
Is the Purple mattress good for heavy people?
According to Purple, their mattresses all carry a total weight limit of 600 pounds total or 300 pounds per person. However, they also say that their customers who weigh 250 pounds and over prefer the Purple Hybrid Premier models for their added comfort and support.
Purple mattresses stand out thanks to their innovative GelFlex Grid layer. It’s a pressure-relieving, supportive, and cooling 2-inch matrix made from a gel-like polymer. All Purple mattresses feature this GelFlex Grid, including the original Purple mattress and the Purple Hybrid.
You’ll spend more on the Hybrid, but you’ll benefit from a pocketed coil layer that delivers more support and firmness. With the original Purple, you can expect a good balance of comfort and support with a medium-firm feel.
Overall, the original Purple mattress is a good all-around choice. The Purple Hybrid may be better for larger people, back sleepers, and people who prefer its reinforced edges.