Purple Mattress is one of the major players in the direct to consumer or what is known as the “Bed in a Box” community. It is different from all of the other mattress companies because it uses what they call a “Hyper-Elastic Polymer” as the top layer of their mattress. Of course, that means it feels different from everything else out there. The company offers 3 models of beds, all of which are made in the US, and a host of other products to go with them. Selling accessories is a smart business model for the company to use.
In this review of the Purple Mattress, I will go over the crucial and vital information that you will need to make a proper decision. I have personally tested one of them and am able to offer some additional insight and personal thoughts. Keep in mind that sleeping on the bed may take a bit of adjustment. That said, I am happy to share my experience with you. Now, we can get to the essential things to know about Purple Mattress.
What is Purple Mattress Made of?
As we mentioned, Purple Mattress comes in 3 different types at the time of this review. They are all variations of the original model, with some tweaks to add extra support. Those types are:
- The Purple Mattress – Updated version of the original bed offered by the company.
- Purple Hybrid – This one offers enhanced support and airflow.
- Purple Hybrid Premier – Listed as the ultimate no-pressure mattress.
The parts of these mattresses include:
Top cover – All 3 of the versions have a top cover that is made of a material the company calls “SoftFlex”. It is a combination of polyester, lycra, and viscose woven together to provide coolness and airflow to the bed. Those 3 substances give it some additional coolness.
Grid layer – On the basic Purple Mattress and the Purple Hybrid, this consists of 2 inches of the company’s Hyper-Elastic Polymer, arranged in a grid pattern. This layer includes more than 2500 open-air channels designed to help dissipate body heat. The Purple Hybrid Premier, however, comes with a 3″ or 4″ thick grid. When combined with the firmness, it provides some bounce and is designed to be cooling. To provide edge support, the grid is surrounded on four sides by the same number of inches of the Hyper-Elastic Polymer in solid form.
Transitional layer – As opposed to the grid layer polymer, the transitional layer is made up of 3.5 inches of high-density polyfoam on the original. That said, the Hybrid and Hybrid Premier have 2 thin transitional layers with a layer of cushioned material in the middle. As you might guess, these polyfoam layers are a bit more firm and they stop you from sinking in too deeply while sleeping. For those that toss and turn during the night, that can be a real advantage. With the hybrid versions, they both include fabric-covered coils to provide additional firmness.
Base Layer – The original’s base layer is made up of 4 more inches of high-density polyfoam and it is also firm. It helps create the mattress’s overall rating for firmness. This double-sided base is certified CertiPUR-US. That means it does not contain ozone depleters, PBDEs, TDCPP, TCEP flame retardants, mercury, lead, formaldehyde, phthalates, and it has a low Volatile Organic Compound rating for indoor air quality. The Hybrid and Hybrid Premier have the thin layers that we mentioned in the section above. Additionally, the premier version has a soft feel to it because of fabric-covered coils along with more polymer material.
The Story of Purple Mattress
Purple Mattress has an interesting history. Tony and Terry Pearce founded the company in Lehi, Utah. Together, they hold upwards of 30 patents in cushioning related fields. They also created a machine they call the Mattress Max. It produces the gridded cushion mattress layer at a reasonable price. Their goal was to create a mattress that would cradle the body from motion transfer and help stop “sleeping hot”. Of course, the company uses other things besides the beds to help aid in coolness when you are sleeping. The technology they employ provides them with a unique product and sets them apart from other mattress companies because of the process and materials they use.
Why Get a Purple Mattress?
As with all mattress companies, there are good and bad points. We like that it is unique from all other mattresses because it means they came up with their own designs. Whereas other bed-in-a-box companies may use the same bed with just the name changed, it is clear that Purple has thought about their product and continue to improve it. Though previous versions may have been more, their sale prices bring them in line with some of their other competitors.
Pricing and Value
As with all mattress products, there are those that love it and those that do not care for it. Despite using different proprietary technologies than others, their new price points put them mostly in line with other mattresses. For the pricing, we use the most standard size; that happens to be queen. We are glad to see that they offer a 10% discount to the military, first responders, and students.
- Original Purple Mattress – This is the updated version of the Pearce brothers’ creation. It lists on the Purple website for $999. They sold a number of them at $1099, but they dropped the price by $100. That still puts them about $50 over competitors.
- Purple Hybrid Mattress – With a slightly firmer feel than the original, this version includes a base of responsive fabric-covered coils and enhanced side panels for stability and airflow. While these mattresses were $1599, they have dropped the price to $1474.
- Purple Hybrid Premier – This is the top of the line model for Purple Mattress. It comes in 3-inch and 4-inch grid structure and has a plush feel to it because of the additional material and construction. If you choose the 3-inch grid, you can get it for $2049. However, increasing to the 4-inch grid causes the price to go up a staggering $800 to $2849.
As you can guess, Purple sells other products to supplement their beds. Those include a “Platform Bed Frame” for $179 and “The Purple Foundation” for $449. Additionally, they sell mattress protectors, pillows, and sheets, all designed to help keep you cool while sleeping.
Does Purple Mattress Need a Box Spring?
The simple answer to this question is NO. Purple Mattress designed its products so you can only use platforms. That is because box springs can not properly support the weight of Purple’s mattresses. Additionally, the mattress could develop depressions that won’t spring back. Keep in mind if you use a box spring with your new mattress, you will void Purple’s 10-year warranty. Instead, they sell the bases we just mentioned in the last section.
How Long Does it Take for a Purple Mattress to Expand?
The company ships your new Purple Mattress in a vinyl tube. Once you remove it from the packaging and set it on a solid base, it will fully expand in about 20-30 minutes. A word of caution, though. Make sure that you open the container in the mattress’s final resting place and that you have everything set up. Be sure to take care so you do not damage the bed when you remove it from the tube. Whereas the new bed will not give off any gasses, you may experience the slight smell of nuts that will go away shortly after that.
Where Can I Buy a Purple Mattress?
Purple Mattress, as you can guess, is mostly direct-to-consumer. However, they are also starting to appear in some brick and mortar stores as well as some 3rd party sellers. That said, those are few and far between. For most people, it is far easier just to order online and take advantage of their 100-night guarantee as well as free shipping. That will save you the time of going to an old fashioned mattress store, worrying about the hours, gas, and a few other things that could make for a bad experience.
If you go with the Premier Hybrid model, they offer a “white glove” service for free. For the Purple Hybrid, the service is an additional $150 and if you order the original mattress, the service is not available. This service entails delivering your new mattress, setting it up, and removing your old one. If you have a box spring, the company won’t remove your old box spring.
Does Purple Mattress Have a Warranty?
Yes, Purple Mattress has a 10-year limited warranty. Let’s take a look at the requirements for the warranty. You can only utilize the warranty:
- As long as you are the original buyer
- You have not used a box spring
- The materials show greater than a 1-inch indention
While they will not cover any damage you cause such as tears or stains, they will replace it free of charge as long as you meet the above criteria. That said, you will have to take care of shipping and handling. The mattress pad only has a 2-year warranty from the date of purchase on the zipper. If they deem it to be faulty they will repair or replace it, again at your cost for shipping and handling.
About the Trial Period
As we mentioned earlier, Purple Mattress has a 100-day trial period. As long as you purchased directly from the company online, you have the option of returning it within 100 nights. That said, Purple asks that you give them 30 days before you initiate the request. On a positive note, the company does not expect you to put it back in the tube, but they will coordinate a pickup from a donation center at no cost to you.
For those that decide to purchase from a reseller, the sleep trial and return process can vary, depending on which you choose. Buying directly from the website is the only way to guarantee you will get the full time and free return.
How to Clean a Purple Mattress
While the mattress cover zips off, it is not machine washable. The company feels that it may cause the SoftFlex weave to lose its elasticity. Instead, they suggest you spot clean it with upholstery cleaner or a mild detergent. For the actual mattress, the company suggests you air it out from time to time. You may wish to set the mattress in the sun for a bit because the UV light will kill any bacteria or mold as part of the airing out process. Of course, you may not want to do that if you can not easily get it back into place. With the cover off, vacuum your mattress to help remove dirt and allergens. If you spill something on the actual mattress itself follow these steps.
- Clean up any spills right away.
- Using a clean cloth, soak up any excess moisture.
- Spray your cleaner on to a dry cloth and dab the area. Make sure you do not scrub it.
- Wait for the mattress to air dry.
Final Thoughts on Purple Mattress
As we mentioned, Purple has many loyalists and people love the company and mattresses. On the scale of firmness, it rates about a 6 – 6.5 out of 10. As far as my personal experience goes, I tested an original Purple Mattress and found that it took a bit of time to get used to. I am typically a side sleeper and I fall into the category of being a “heavy” sleeper, size-wise. Clearly, it is not designed as well for bigger people as it is for the small and medium ones.
I also generate quite a bit of heat when I sleep, so it got uncomfortable for me. That may not be the case for the hybrid versions of the bed because of the way they are designed. That said, every sleeper is different and that is why there are so many options on the market. It is certainly worth a try and with the 100-day free trial, you really can’t go wrong.
