Purple exploded onto the mattress scene back in 2015 and has since become one of the largest brands in the industry. In this post, we compare and contrast the four Purple models (Original, Purple Hybrid, Purple Hybrid Premier 3 and Purple Hybrid Premier 4) so you can gain a better understanding of which bed is best for you. Just to be clear, the three Purple Hybrid beds used to be known as the New Purple 2, 3 & 4. Let's get to the review!

Purple Original mattress VS. Purple Hybrid mattress
$799 – $1,699Price Range$1,699 – $2,599
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  • If you’re looking for a unique mattress with a different type of feel
  • All types of sleepers, including side, back and stomach
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  • If you’re looking for a unique, responsive mattress with a different type of feel
  • All types of sleepers (particularly back and stomach)
100 NightsTrial Period100 Nights
10 YearsWarranty10 Years
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Note: Purple recently discontinued thePurple Hybrid Premier 3, and Purple Hybrid Premier 4. They are no longer available for purchase. However, Purple released three new collections of mattresses — the Essential, Premium and Luxe collections. Each collection has three mattresses in them.

Purple exploded onto the mattress scene back in 2015 and has since become one of the largest brands in the industry. In this post, we compare and contrast the four Purple models (Original, Purple Hybrid, Purple Hybrid Premier 3, and Purple Hybrid Premier 4).

Here are the main differences when comparing the Original Purple vs. Purple Hybrid vs. Purple Premier:

  • Support System – The Original beds use 7.5″ of foam, while the New Hybrid and Hybrid Premier use 7.5″ pocketed coils.
  • Price – The Original model retails for around $1,100-$1,200, and Purple Hybrid is in the $2,000+ space (based on queen sizes).
  • Weight — While all the Purple mattresses are heavy, the New Purple Hybrid and Premier are especially heavy and are no fun to move.
  • Firmness — All Purple beds have a similar firmness, though not exactly the same. The Hybrid model is closest to a medium-firm, while the Original and Hybrid Premier are pretty much exactly a medium.
  • Original Vs Hybrid Video Comparison

Purple Mattress Construction 

The Original Purple mattress is comprised of three layers and totals 9.25″ thick. Here’s how the construction breaks down.

purple mattress review layers
A look inside the Original Purple mattress
  • Base Layer — 4″ of 2 lb polyurethane foam
  • Transition Layer — 3.25″ of 1.8 lb polyurethane foam
  • Comfort Layer — 2″ of Hyper-Elastic Polymer

As you can see above, the bed uses a dense layer of foam for its support structure. This is the primary difference between the Original Purple and the New Purple Hybrid mattresses, which use coils instead.

The Purple 2 Hybrid mattress, on the other hand, is composed of four layers and totals 11″ thick. Here’s how the construction breaks down.

  • Base Layer — 1″ of dense polyurethane foam
  • Primary Support Structure — 7.5″ individually encased coils
  • Transition Layer — 1/2″ of polyurethane foam
  • Comfort Layer — 2″ of Hyper-Elastic Polymer

The Purple Hybrid Premier 3.0 mattress, like the Purple Hybrid 2.0, is made up of four layers but totals 12″ thick instead of 11″. Here’s how the layers break down.

new purple mattress review 2 3 4 edge support
Purple Hybrid Premier (3.0) is great for combo sleepers who switch positions frequently
  • Base Layer — 1″ of dense polyurethane foam
  • Primary Support Structure — 7.5″ individually encased coils
  • Transition Layer — 1/2″ of polyurethane foam
  • Comfort Layer — 2″ of Hyper-Elastic Polymer

You might have already caught this, but the main difference between the base Purple Hybrid and the Purple Hybrid Premier 3.0 model is the top layer. The Purple Hybrid Premier 3.0 uses an additional inch of Hyper-Elastic Polymer. As the pattern continues, the only real difference between Purple 3 and 4 that Purple 4 has a 4” Polymer layer. 

Purple Mattress Feel & Firmness

Given all four Purple beds use the same Hyper-Elastic Polymer for their top layer, all the models feel pretty similar.

This polymer acts and feels more like a gel material, so as you can imagine, the beds have a gel-like feel to them. As you lay down on the bed, you can feel the polymer below moving, compressing, and shifting.

I have to admit that the feeling is a little odd at first. In fact, the feel is just too weird for some people.

However, we’ve found that after spending a few nights on the mattress, the majority of people end up really enjoying the feel. It’s like trying an exotic type of food for the first time. When you first taste it, you’re not used to it, and you think it’s weird, but overall you’re like, “Hey, it’s not so bad.” Then after you try it again, a light goes off, and you just can’t get enough of it.

If you don’t want to dive right in, though, Purple does allow you to order small samples of Hyper-Elastic Polymer on their website so you can feel it for yourself before pulling the trigger on an entire mattress.

How firm are Purple mattresses?

In terms of firmness, we think the Original Purple comes in around a medium on the firmness scale. Overall, the bed provides a nice balance between support and pressure relief.

The Purple Hybrid mattress is the firmest of all the models. That’s because you basically have a 2″ layer of polymer on top of coils, which again tend to be a little firmer and more supportive than dense foams. It’s rated around a medium-firm. 

Since the Purple Hybrid Premier 3 and 4 have extra inches of polymer on top, They’re slightly softer than the base Purple Hybrid. Overall, we think the Purple 3 and 4 Hybrid Premier come in around a medium to medium-firm on the firmness scale.

Purple vs. Hybrid vs. Premier Sleeper Analysis

  • Side Sleepers

    Given how soft the bed is, the Hybrid Premier 4.0 model or the original Purple Mattress are the best options side sleepers. We think Purple 4 Hybrid Premier is great for heavier side sleepers, while the non hybrid Purple offers a softer feel for petite to average-sized side sleepers who don’t want to spend the extra money on their hybrid bed. Though, we also think both beds work for every body type since they offer both pressure relief and support.

  • Back And Stomach Sleepers

    Overall, we think the Purple 2 Hybrid comes in around a medium-firm on the firmness scale. As such, Purple tends to recommend this model for stomach and back sleepers.

  • Combo Sleepers

    The company likes to recommend Purple 3 Hybrid Premier for combo sleepers (i.e. folks who switch between their back, stomach, and side throughout the night). We’d have to agree with them and say this is certainly a good bed for combo sleepers, but it should also work for back and stomach sleepers too.

  • Heavy Individuals

    The New Purple Hybrid models use coils rather than dense foam for their main support structure. This makes the New Purple Hybrid mattress models ideal for heavy body types.

    That’s because coils provide what we call bi-directional support. This means the coils not only compress (similar to foam), but also push back against pressure (provide a little resistance). This resistance is what makes coil beds more ideal for handling the weight big folks exert on a mattress.

  • Petite To Average Individuals

    Petite to average-sized sleepers, or sleepers with a low BMI, typically don’t need a hybrid mattress to be properly accommodated. If you have back pain or desire maximum support you can opt for a hybrid model. Otherwise, we suggest you save some money and opt for the Original Purple.

Other Considerations For Your Purple Mattress

Temperature Regulation

When it comes down to brass tacks, Purple beds excel in this category. In fact, we included Purple on our list of the Best Mattress For Hot Sleepers primarily due to how breathable the beds are.

First, Hyper-Elastic Polymer is naturally a temperature-neutral material. In other words, it doesn’t retain and radiate heat the way common foams do. Picture this—first, imagine sleeping on a pile of memory foam. Then imagine sleeping on a pile of gel. Which one do you think will sleep cooler? Easy answer, right? The pile of gel (or Hyper-Elastic Polymer in this case) will most likely sleep much cooler.

Further, the way in which Purple designs the top layer helps, too. The top layer is not just a slab of pure polymer. Instead, Purple designed the Hyper-Elastic Polymer in a grid formation. This creates columns and rows of tiny polymer squares that allow air to move freely near the top of the bed.

Motion Isolation

We were actually pleasantly surprised with how the Purple beds performed in this department. The Hyper-Elastic Polymer actually does a pretty decent job of deadening movement. In other words, despite its bouncy nature, we noticed very little motion that was transferred from one side of the bed to the other.

Now, we’re not saying Purple beds are the best ever at deadening movement, but we think they are good enough to where it won’t be an issue for you and your partner.

Edge Support 

This and motion isolation are especially important when it comes to sleeping with a significant other. Comparing Purple vs. Purple Hybrid, we’d have to give it to the Purple hybrid mattresses here. They offer more support with their pocketed coil layers, making the edges more sturdy. Unless you and your S.O. are big cuddlers, we’d recommend one of the hybrid models.

Purple Mattress Comparison Price Table

In terms of price, the Purple Hybrid 2.0 is quite a bit more expensive than the Original Purple but less than the Purple Hybrid Premier 3.0 and Purple Hybrid Premier 4.0.

The Purple Hybrid and Premier mattresses are no longer available for purchase.

SizePurple Purple 2Purple 3Purple 4
Twin$599N/AN/AN/A
Twin XL$849$1,499$2,099$2,599
Full$1,049$1,699$2,299$2,799
Queen$1,199$1,799$2,399$3,099
King$1,499$2,199$2,999$3,699

If Purple is too pricey for you, be sure to check out our list of the Best Budget Beds.

Other Purple Reviews:

Purple Shipping, Return Process, Trial Period, & Warranty

Let’s discuss Purple’s company policies.

  • Trial period length: Purple gives you a 100-night risk-free trial period. If, after 100 nights, you decide you don’t like your Purple mattress, contact customer support and they’ll arrange for a third-party service to come remove the mattress from your home for no additional cost.
  • Warranty policy: Purple backs their mattresses with a 10-year limited warranty. If you want more detail on the warranty, we’d recommend checking it out on the company’s website.
  • Shipping info: All Purple mattresses come with free shipping and the Purple Hybrid Premier models come with free white glove delivery.

Also, just so you’re aware, all these policies (sans free white glove delivery) are pretty standard for the online mattress industry. Most beds you purchase online will come with free delivery, hassle-free returns, a long trial period, and an extended warranty.

More About Purple’s Hyper-Elastic Polymer

Now, a large part of why the company has achieved so much success and why they have differentiated themselves from the competition is because of their Hyper-Elastic Polymer. This material, which Purple uses for the top layers on all their mattress models, is actually patented by the founders of the company.

purple mattress review online bed in a box hyper elastic polymer
This is what makes Purple mattresses so special

Just to be clear, Hyper-Elastic Polymer is not a foam material. It actually functions more as a gel or silicone-like material. As you can see below, this polymer material is very flexible, stretchy, and responsive. In fact, Hyper-Elastic Polymer can be stretched 15x its original state, and then it will immediately snap back to position. It’s pretty incredible.

It truly is a unique material that helps separate Purple mattresses from pretty much all other beds on the market.

What Do Purple Beds Feel Like?

Given all four Purple beds use the same Hyper-Elastic Polymer for their top layer, all the models feel pretty similar.

As we stated above, this polymer acts and feels more like a gel material, so as you can imagine, the beds have a gel-like feel to them. As you lay down on the bed, you can feel the polymer below moving, compressing, and shifting.

I have to admit, the feeling is a little odd at first. In fact, the feel is just too weird for some people.

However, we’ve found that after spending a few nights on the mattress, the majority of people end up really enjoying the feel. It’s like trying an exotic type of food for the first time. When you first taste it, you’re not used to it, and you think it’s weird, but overall you’re like, “Hey, it’s not so bad.” Then after you try it again, a light goes off, and you can’t get enough of it.

If you don’t want to dive right in, though, Purple does allow you to order small samples of Hyper-Elastic Polymer on their website so you can feel it for yourself before pulling the trigger on an entire mattress.

Frequently Asked Questions
Which Purple bed is most expensive?

With 4” of the brand’s special Hyper-Elastic Polymer, Purple 4 is the most expensive mattress in the line-up of Purple mattresses.

Which Purple Mattress is softest?

The above-mentioned 4” of Hyper-Elastic Polymer not only makes Purple 4 the most expensive Purple mattress, but it also makes it the softest in the line of Purple mattresses.

What Purple Mattress is best for heavy sleepers?

We think the best Purple mattresses for heavy sleepers over 250 lbs are Purple 2, 3, and 4 because they have pocketed coil bases that provide maximum support for sleepers with bigger builds.

Should I get Purple or Purple Hybrid?

If you weigh over 230 lbs or just want extra support and firmness, we say go with the Purple Hybrid 2. If you’re on a budget looking to save money, the Purple Original is a great choice. Side sleepers, on the other hand, will probably like Purple 3, 4, or the Original.

What is the difference between Purple Hybrid and Purple Hybrid Premier?

Purple Hybrid is the firmest of the Purple hybrid beds. Purple Hybrid Premier is also offered in two different models, one has a 3” comfort layer, and the other has a 4” comfort layer. Both are rated in between medium to medium-firm on our scale, while Purple Hybrid is more of a solid medium-firm.

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The Review Team

  • dillon lopez slumber yard

    Dillon Lopez

    Combo Sleeper

  • JD

    JD Christison

    Combo Sleeper

  • kenzie

    McKenzie Dillon

    Combo Sleeper

  • Owen Poole

    Side Sleeper