Are you shopping for a new mattress and curious about the hype surrounding Purple Mattress? Perhaps you’ve already heard about Purple, but you’re wondering, “Is Purple Mattress worth it?” Or maybe you stumbled here looking for an honest Purple mattress review with details on their latest product lineup. Regardless, you’re in the right place.
Over the last few years, a lot of you have come into our North Georgia furniture and mattress stores asking about Purple. Well, we’ve been in the mattress business a long time, and we only sell brands we can stand behind. And that’s exactly why we’re so excited to bring Purple to all of our Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet and Woodstock Mattress Outlet locations!
By the end of this Purple mattress review, you’ll understand what makes Purple so unique, you’ll know which Purple mattress is likely best for your sleep needs, and you’ll have a good idea of whether or not a new Purple mattress is the perfect fit for you.
But First, a Word about Purple Mattress & the GelFlex Grid
So, what do you know about Purple Mattress? You’ve seen their goofy, over-the-top commercials. You know, like the one a few years back with Goldilocks trying to find the just-right mattress. Or the one with Mother Sasquatch selling the viewer on the value of a quality mattress protector.
Okay, so Purple is obviously the new, fun, and quirky mattress brand in town. But what sets them apart from the rest of the mattress industry? Put simply, their patented GelFlex Grid – and it’s unlike anything else on the market. GelFlex is a durable, hyper-elastic polymer (aka a super-stretchy, gel-like material) that adapts and rebounds when pressure is applied.
Despite only making mattresses since 2015, they’ve been selling GelFlex technology for use in other applications for 30 years. This includes everything from kids’ toys, sneakers and backpack straps, to wheelchair cushions and critical care hospital beds. Do you remember those unbearably cheesy “Are You Gellin’?” ads for Dr. Scholl’s gel sneaker insoles a while back? Yep, those insoles were made with Purple’s GelFlex material too!
What Is So Unique about Purple & the GelFlex Grid?
This is an important question to answer because the GelFlex Grid (aka Purple Grid) is the most important feature in every single Purple mattress they make. In a market largely split between traditional innerspring and memory foam mattress designs, Purple offers sleepers something truly unique.
Purple Mattress Pros
First, due to the patented open-grid design, the Purple Grid itself is 80% air. This means that every Purple mattress is naturally temperature neutral, as the Grid allows air circulation and adapts to the air temperature surrounding it. Unlike some memory foams which can trap body heat and leave you sweaty and gross, GelFlex material doesn’t retain heat. Plus, unlike other cooling mattresses or toppers, all this is done naturally without any additional layers, chemicals or coatings. This makes Purple a perfect fit for hot sleepers.
Next, because GelFlex adapts as you move, the Purple Grid top layer cradles you perfectly regardless of your sleep position. You don’t have to compromise between adequate cushioning and adequate support — because it does both! This means that it’s both firm and soft, in all the right places. Say hello to better circulation, and goodbye to all those aches at your pressure points. This makes Purple a great fit for different sleep positions, as well as great for couples with differing sleep needs.
Purple Mattress Cons
Occasionally, some sleepers may find it hard to get used to the feel of the Grid itself since it is so different from anything else they’ve ever slept on. However, this discomfort is usually temporary as the sleeper gets used to the new sensation. This potential issue can be solved easily by simply trying before you buy. Keep in mind that Purple does offer a generous 100-night sleep trial, and that all Purple mattresses are also backed by a 10-year warranty to protect you from any manufacturer defects. Lastly, did we mention that Purple Mattress has won JD Power’s Customer Satisfaction Award for mattresses for two years running?
Purple Mattress Review: Purple’s Latest Lineup for 2022 & Beyond!
For purposes of our 2022 Purple mattress review, Purple’s mattress lineup can be divided into two groups. The first is what we’ll call their core mattresses. This includes the original Purple mattress, as well as the Purple Plus mattress that was brand new for Fall 2021. The other category of mattresses includes Purple’s hybrid models — the Purple Hybrid, the Purple Hybrid Premier 3, and the Purple Hybrid Premier 4.
Keep in mind that how each mattress feels is highly subjective to the sleeper. Depending on factors like weight, body type, and preferred sleep position, a mattress that feels soft to one person may feel firm to another and vice versa. While it’s absolutely true that some mattresses are designed to be more plush or firm than others, in our reviews we try to stay away from firmness scales and number ratings because there is truly no substitute for trying a mattress yourself.
Reviewing The Core Mattresses: Purple vs Purple Plus
The Original Purple Mattress
This is the innovative mattress that started it all back in 2015. Or as Purple themselves likes to call it, “the bed that broke the internet.” Constructed with 2″ of GelFlex Grid, a 2-layer foundation of comfort foam, and able to be shipped compressed in its own box (it’s technically more like a giant duffel bag), the Purple mattress took the mattress industry by storm.
For reasons we already outlined above, the original Purple mattress improves on many of the concepts first offered by other memory foam and mattress-in-a-box brands. This straight-forward, 9-ish inch mattress (and its Purple Grid) is great for a variety of sleep positions, very competitively priced, temperature neutral, and provides great support, pressure relief, and motion isolation.
Purple Plus Mattress (Purple’s Newest Mattress!)
This past Fall, Purple added a brand new mattress to their lineup — the Purple Plus. As of this Purple Plus mattress review, it has only been out for a few months. In fact, some of Purple’s retailers don’t even have it yet (psst…but WE do!).
So how is the Purple Plus mattress different from the original Purple mattress? While the Purple Plus has the same 2″ Purple Grid on top, and sits on the same 2-layer comfort foam base, there is one key difference between them — literally. Nestled between the Grid and the base comfort foam, the Purple Plus mattress has an added 2″ of premium comfort foam for a total thickness of around 11″.
For most sleepers, this adds a softer feel to the Grid itself. If you’ve ever tried an original Purple and found yourself wanting something a bit more plush, the Purple Plus mattress may be the perfect fit. It’s also Purple’s second-most affordable mattress behind the original Purple. So it’s a solid choice for mattress shoppers on a budget who still want a unique sleep experience.
Reviewing The Hybrid Mattresses: Purple Hybrid vs Purple 3 vs Purple 4
Purple Hybrid Mattress (aka Purple Hybrid 2 or Purple 2 Mattress)
Previously marketed as the Purple Hybrid 2 or just Purple 2 for short, this offering from Purple includes internal pocketed coils instead of base comfort foam. As its name suggests, it is topped by 2″ of GelFlex Grid just like the original Purple and Purple Plus mattresses. However, unlike the two mattresses above, the pocketed coils provide even more support.
If you ask most mattress shoppers, they’ll tell you that the Purple Hybrid is perhaps the firmest of Purple’s mattress lineup. Additionally, it is also the most affordable of Purple’s hybrid mattresses. At around 11″, it’s about the same thickness as the Purple Plus.
Purple Hybrid Premier 3 Mattress (aka Purple Hybrid 3 or Purple 3 Mattress)
If the Purple Hybrid 2 has 2″ of GelFlex Grid, how much do you think the Purple Hybrid Premier 3 has? If you guessed “three inches”, congratulations! That also means the overall mattress thickness is right around 12″. Hopefully you’re seeing a pattern emerge here. We love that Purple has made these details so easy to remember.
Since the introduction of their three hybrid models in early 2018, the Purple Hybrid Premier 3 has become the brand’s uncontested best seller. This is because for many sleepers, the Purple Hybrid 3 achieves the perfect balance. With 3″ of Purple Grid, it provides just a little more GelFlex material to sink into than the mattresses above, while also having the excellent responsiveness and support of a pocketed-coil hybrid. It isn’t the most affordable Purple mattress, but to many mattress shoppers it represents the best of both worlds.
Purple Hybrid Premier 4 Mattress (aka Purple Hybrid 4 or Purple 4 Mattress)
Finally, that brings us to the Purple Hybrid Premier 4 mattress. And before you ask — yes, it does indeed have 4″ of Purple Grid, making it Purple’s thickest (13″), heaviest, and most substantial mattress. It’s also built to be Purple’s softest mattress with four whole inches of squishy yet responsive goodness to sink into. Thanks to the support from the coils below, you won’t have to worry about bottoming-out either.
While it is indeed the most expensive mattress in Purple’s lineup, it’s important to remember that this is a top-of-the-line, premium mattress. The Purple 4 mattress is designed to provide sleepers with an almost weightless, zero-gravity feel, and is perfect for those wanting a deeper cradling sensation from their mattress.
Which Purple Mattress Is Right For You?
As we conclude our Purple Mattress review, only you know your sleep needs and budget. To recap, here’s what you should consider as you explore Purple’s latest lineup. Remember that mattress feel is subjective, so these general suggestions are only the first step in figuring out which Purple mattress is best for you.
Looking for something a tad on the firm side?
We’d recommend trying the original Purple or Purple Hybrid first. While both of these mattresses offer the same cushioning Purple Grid as the other models, their base comfort foam and pocketed coils respectively, create a firmer surface for most sleepers.
How about something more plush?
We’d recommend starting with the Purple 3, Purple 4, or Purple Plus. The extra GelFlex material in the Purple Hybrid Premier 3 and 4 creates a softer surface for most sleepers, while the extra layer of comfort foam in the Purple Plus serves a similar purpose.
Finally, how tight is your budget?
The original Purple Mattress is hands-down the most affordable option Purple offers. So if you want to experience Purple on a budget, this is your best bet. Purple Plus and the Purple Hybrid are mid-tier options that add additional features for a modest increase in price. Lastly, the Purple 3 and Purple 4 are excellent, top-of-the-line mattresses. As such, they may not be the best fit for those on a very tight budget. While financing options are available, these are premium mattresses priced similar to other top-end brands like Tempur-Pedic.
Don’t Forget To Try Purple Mattress for Yourself
We love the convenience that “mattress-in-a-box” brands like Purple offer. We can even ship your new Purple mattress right to your doorstep if that’s what you prefer. However, our own data on customer satisfaction shows us that shoppers who try out their new mattress before buying are much more satisfied with their purchase on average.
Yes, it’s true that Purple offers a 100-day, risk-free sleep trial on all Purple mattresses bought from Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet. So if you try it for 30 days, and you’re not satisfied for any reason, you can bring your mattress back in and we’ll exchange it. However, in our expert opinion, it’s always advisable to take a few minutes to lie on a mattress before clicking that order button. There really is no substitute to trying a mattress for yourself.
If Purple sounds like a good fit for you and you’re in Metro Atlanta or North Georgia, come see us and test drive (err…test sleep) one today!