Purple Mattress Review (Purple 2, 3 & 4)

Purple Mattress Review (Original, Purple Hybrid & Hybrid Premier)

The Purple brand has made a name for themselves in the mattress industry by creating a product that people have never seen before. Put simply, there's nothing out there quite like a Purple mattress. The thing that makes Purple so unique is the material they use on the top layer of all of their beds - a hyper elastic polymer built into a grid pattern.

The hyper elastic grid is designed to compress and spring back when pressure is applied, making it a great material to build a mattress out of.

If you're just here to find out if Purple is a good mattress brand, we're here to tell you YES. Their products are all quality built, and their design team has clearly worked very hard to create a mattress that breaks the rules and provides next level comfort. (Click here to jump straight to Purple's site)

However, you should know, not everyone likes how a Purple Hybrid mattress feels. Some lightweight people don't activate the hyper elastic grid enough to feel good pressure relief. With that said, most people end up loving their Purple mattress, and I'm one of them.

If you weigh over 115 lbs, keep reading because a Purple Hybrid mattress might be perfect for you.

In this review, we'll break down everything you need to know about Purple, including the construction, model options, sizing, performance, comfort factors and more to help you decide if this unique mattress is a good fit for you.

Let's get started!

Purple Mattress Options

Purple has 3 main mattresses, the Purple Original, the Purple Hybrid, and the Purple Hybrid Premier. We got to test out the Purple Hybrid, so this review will focus on that model, however, we'll include some core information about the other models so you can ultimately decide which one is right for you.

Purple Hybrid Mattress Layers

The cover of the Purple Hybrid is made out of a lycra, polyester & viscose material. This material is super flexible and breathes very well. It allows more air flow than any other mattress we've tested. It also stays cool to the touch and is great if you sleep hot.

The comfort layer (top layer under the cover) of the Purple Hybrid is made of Purple's unique hyper-elastic polymer grid. This is the material that probably caught your eye and made you want to learn more about this mattress. It's a truly unique material that feels different than anything I've ever slept on before. Since it's a grid, it allows a TON of airflow. Paired with the cooling cover, the Purple mattress is one of the best when it comes to keeping you cool and relieving pressure throughout the night.

The next layer of the Purple Hybrid is a 1" transition foam that exists simply as a barrier between the user and the pocked coils of the next layer. You don't really feel this layer, but you'd notice if it wasn't there.

The next layer of the Purple Hybrid is a 7.5in layer of pocketed coils. This gives the Purple hybrid extra support, edge support, bounce and longevity. The benefit to having a hybrid-style mattress is that you won't experience sinking like you do with all foam mattresses. The coils help the bed keep shape over time, and offer a more traditional supporting feeling.

The next layer of the Purple Hybrid is another transitional foam used to support the coils in the center. 

Related Content: Purple vs. Puffy

Firmness

Overall, the firmness of the Purple hybrid is around a 6-7 on a scale of 1-10, this is about average for a hybrid mattress. This means its a medium-firm feeling hybrid mattress, which falls right into the range of what most people prefer. It's worth noting that the Purple Premier, with its thicker grid layers will likely feel softer, around a 5-6. Both versions of the Purple Hybrid provide good pressure relief.

Profile

The Purple Hybrid and the Purple Hybrid Premier will vary slightly in height because the differing grid thicknesses. The Purple Hybrid measures in at 11" thick, and the Premier comes in at 12" or 13" depending on grid height you select. If you're low on space, or have a shallow bed frame or platform bed, the 11" Purple Hybrid will do just fine. However, if you want something thicker, the Premier will be better suited for deeper bed frames or those who want a higher profile hybrid mattress design.

Mattress Sizes and Weight

The Purple Hybrid comes in most common mattress sizes. Here's a breakdown of all the sizes and weights Purple offers in the Purple Hybrid and the Purple Hybrid Premier mattress models.

Purple Hybrid

Purple Hybrid Premier (3" and 4" Grids)

Purple Hybrid Mattress Performance Breakdown

Now that you know the basics about the Purple hybrid and Purple Hybrid Premier, it's time to get into the details. In this section, we're diving into specific factors like pressure relief, cooling factors, support and other things that we look for when testing a mattress. We'll also talk about what each factor means, and explaining how the Purple Hybrid performed in each section.

Motion Isolation 

Motion isolation is how well a mattress is able to isolation the feeling of movement. If you wake up in the middle of the night because your partner is tossing and turning and you can feel it, the mattress you have has bad motion isolation. Motion transfer and isolation are often talked about side by side, because they're related. Motion transfer is how much motion is transferred, while isolation is the beds ability to combat the transfer.

The Purple Hybrid didn't have great motion isolation. From a distance (2-3 feet away), the motion isolation was good, but close up, there was a definite motion transfer. If you have a Purple Hybrid king mattress with plenty of space or sleep alone, this isn't that big of a deal. However, if you have a queen or a full and sleep with a restless partner, it's worth noting that you'll be able to feel the movement of the other person on this mattress.

You won't feel the occasional shift, but you'll definitely notice if your partner gets out of bed, or attempts to full turn over during the night. Some motion transfer definitely comes through, especially if you lay close to someone else. If motion isolation is a top priority, a mattress that offers great motion isolation, such as Amerisleep beds, is a solid choice. Read the Amerisleep Mattress Review to find out whether their models are the perfect match for you and your partner.

As you can see, close range motion transfer is apparent. Luckily the glass was empty!

Temperature Control

Temperature control is generally thought to be the mattresses ability to dissipate heat, but it can also be thought of as temperature regulation. Some mattresses are designed to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer, some are just designed to keep you cool.

The Purple mattress is definitely a cooling mattress. And just like the SleepOvation Mattress and other BEST cooling mattresses we've tested to date, it does a great job of regulating temperature and giving sleepers a sweat-free sleep experience. Most other mattresses don't have holes in the comfort layer. The Purple grid design does! This means that airflow isn't an issue whatsoever. When paired with the cooling, breathable cover, this mattress sleeps very cool. 

Pressure Relief

Pressure relief is the mattresses ability to cradle the areas of your body that punch deep into the mattress (like your hips and shoulders), while still supporting the curves of your body's curves (like the small of your back). The Purple Hybrid had excellent pressure relief. The Purple grid cradled my body in all the right ways. This mattress had an excellent overall feel. I got support in areas that needed it, which resulted in excellent overall pressure relief in not just one area, but all key areas.

Edge Support

Edge support is the mattresses ability to hold weight near the edges. Like most hybrid mattresses, the Purple Hybrid did a pretty good job with edge support. It's definitely not as supportive as the center of the mattress, but decent, and much better than you see with all-foam traditional mattresses. If you have a small mattress and often sleep on the edge and need extra edge support, getting a hybrid like the Purple Hybrid is a much better choice than getting a new mattress made of all foam which will lack the edge support. Edge support is less important if you have a King size bed with plenty of space in the middle, or if you sleep alone and don't ever sleep along the edges. You'll feel a slight difference in support on smaller sizes like the full or queen.

Ease of Movement

Ease of movement may seem like a given, but some lower quality all foam mattresses make you feel stuck. Ease of movement is the mattresses ability to let you get comfortable without making you feel like you're being sucked in. The design of the Purple Hybrid mattress lends itself to having great ease of movement. The grid design coupled with the hybrid coil core makes this bed springy and very easy to change positions in and to get in and out of.

Off Gassing

Off gassing is that new mattress smell. Most mattresses have some sort of smell after you take them out of the box. Mattresses are far more likely to have off-gassing if they ship compressed, or if they're made of synthetic materials. Unfortunately, Purple checks both of these boxes. After you set up the mattress, you're going to notice a chemical odor at first. If you find it particularly bothersome, leave the mattress somewhere well ventilated for a few hours while it expands. In most cases, this shouldn't take longer than a few hours, but some other users have reported a smell even after a few days. 

The Purple Hybrid For Different Sleep Styles

Not everyone sleeps the same, so we had a few friends who sleep in different positions try out the Purple Hybrid so we could accurately convey how this mattress feels for different sleep styles

The Purple Hybrid & Side Sleepers:

Side sleepers tend to need extra support around their shoulders and hips. These areas get more pressure throughout the night when you sleep on your side. The Purple Hybrid mattress has excellent support and pressure relief. It cradles your body and lets your shoulders and hips sink in, while still supporting your waist and legs. Ultimately, it's a great pick for side sleepers who need more pressure relief. If you and your partner have the budget and both sleep on your sides, the Purple Hybrid Premier with a thicker top grid layer and softer feel is a solid choice for side sleepers.

The Purple Hybrid & Back Sleepers:

Back sleepers tend to want a more even surface, and tend to like a mattress on the firmer side for optimal pressure relief. The 2" Purple grid that the Purple Hybrid provides gives the perfect balance of pressure relief and support for back sleepers. The grid allows you to sink in just enough for the coils in the center to provide that even surface back sleepers crave. The Purple Hybrid is a great choice for back sleepers. There's no need to upgrade to the Premier if you and your partner both sleep on your backs.

The Purple Hybrid & Stomach Sleepers:

Shipping Your Purple Hybrid

Purple ships their beds throughout the entire United States. Shipping is free within the contiguous United States, but there is an extra fee for shipping to Alaska or Hawaii. This is all pretty standard.

The Purple Mattress ships via FedEx, and will arrive in a giant rolled up bag. If you opt for the premier, it comes with free white glove delivery. This means someone will help you set up your bed, and remove your old mattress. When in stock, the Purple Hybrid normally ships within 1-2 weeks, while the Purple Hybrid Premier may take a bit longer, around 2-3 weeks to ship.

If you buy the Purple Hybrid and want white glove delivery, it's an additional $149 which is a small price to pay if you're not strong enough to carry the 100+lb mattress.

Purple Hybrid and Purple Hybrid Premier Warranty Information

If a mattress is truly great, it should come with a great warranty. The industry standard is a 10-year warranty, and Purple lives up to that. It only applies to the person who originally purchased the mattress, and won't apply if you buy the mattress secondhand. It applies to indentations that are greater than 1 inch, and any cracking or splitting that may occur from normal use. Make sure you read the full warranty information, it can always change. 

Who is The Purple Hybrid Not A Good Fit For?

The Purple Hybrid and Purple Hybrid Premier are both incredible mattresses, however, that doesn't mean they're for everyone.

As we mentioned in the beginning of this review, super lightweight people won't be heavy enough to activate the Purple grid. So, if you weigh at or under 115lbs and like a softer feeling mattress, skip Purple. If you're not heavy enough to activate the Purple grid, the mattress will feel very firm. Now, if you're lightweight and like a firm mattress, Purple is still worth giving a shot. 

If you're on a tight budget, look elsewhere. While you're paying for an incredible quality mattress, the Purple Hybrid and Purple Hybrid Premier are still rather expensive. These mattresses are an investment and not one that can normally find very cheap.

If you don't like the feeling of sleeping cool, you should stick to a more traditional memory foam mattress. The Purple Hybrid and Purple Hybrid Premier are both super cooling. The hyper elastic grid allows for a ton of airflow. If you live in a cooler area, or want a bed that regulates temperature, rather than simply cools, you may want to consider another option instead of this one.

If you don't like the springy sensation of mattresses with coils on the inner layers, a traditional memory foam mattress may give you a better feel. This hybrid layer gives mattresses a bouncy feeling, instead of a cradeling feeling. They're more respnsive mattresses, as this layer helps push back against the foam (or in this case, Purple grid) comfort layer for a springier feel overall.

Purple Hybrid Summary

The Purple Hybrid mattress was a fun one to review. Its a unique mattress that feels different than anything I've ever slept on before. The hyper elastic polymer design is great for side sleepers, stomach sleepers and back sleepers. While the bed isn't cheap, it's made out of the highest quality materials possible and comes with a generous 100 night trial. 

The Purple Hybrid mattress has decent edge support, with a cushioned top and great pressure relief. The core of the bed is made of pocketed coils which helps extend the life of the bed while adding additional support. The coils also give the bed a more springy feel, instead of a sinking feeling you get in beds without coils.

Overall, we would highly recommend the Purple Hybrid Mattress to anyone looking for an ultra-cooling mattress with great support that's built by a company that stands by their products.

Are you considering the Purple mattress and have questions? We've tested a ton of mattresses since starting The Sleep Shop, and we'd love to hear your input as well. Let us know about them in the comments below!