
Purple vs TempurPedic Mattress Comparison
Which is right for you: the gel-like feel from Purple vs memory foam from Tempur-Pedic? Find out in this detailed review.
Last Updated: December 2, 2020
McKenzie DillonA true battle of the brands here. On one hand, you have Purple, which is a new school direct-to-consumer mattress brand that has exploded in recent years. On the other hand, you have Tempur-Pedic, which is a huge, multi-channel bedding company that has dominated the industry for decades.
Tempur-Pedic vs Purple Mattress Overview
If you’re familiar with mattresses, or even just see a mattress commercial from time to time, you’re probably familiar with the names Tempur-Pedic and Purple. They are both well-known mattress companies known for high-quality beds, and the companies have earned a lot of fans. The biggest things separating Tempur-Pedic vs Purple come down to:
- Feel — TempurPedic mattresses have a dense memory foam feel. Purple mattresses, on the other hand, have a unique, gel-like feel.
- Price — If you’re looking to spend around $1,000, the original Purple is the winner.
To skip around our Purple vs Temper-Pedic review, you can use these links:
Purple vs TempurPedic Mattress Comparison Video
Purple Mattress Review
Perhaps the biggest reason for Purple’s success is the company’s use of Hyper-Elastic Polymer. This is a material that the founders of the company invented (and since patented), and it’s used as the top layer in each model.
Purple Mattress Construction & Design
Here are the layers of the Original Purple:
- Support layer — 4″ of dense support foam
- Transition layer — 3.25″ of 1.8 pound polyurethane foam as a transition layer
- Comfort layer — 2″ of Hyper-Elastic Polymer
Hyper-Elastic Polymer is not a foam material. Rather, it’s more of a gel or silicone-like material (even though it’s technically neither). It truly is a unique material. It’s soft, responsive and stretchy yet also supportive. It does a great job of cradling your pressure points (hips and shoulders) while providing the necessary support under your trunk and lower back.

Purple Mattress Feel And Firmness
Purple beds have an uncommon gel-like feel. As you lay down on Purple mattresses, you can feel the tiny polymer squares shift under your body. The result is a buoyant sleeping surface in which you almost feel like you’re floating. All in all, it takes a little time to get used to, but a lot of people out there like the feel.
Not everyone loves the feel of Hyper-Elastic Polymer, though. Most of the team members here at the Slumber Yard enjoy it. In fact, Slumber Yard team member Matt sleeps on a Purple Hybrid Premier 4. However, it is a bit too weird or unique for some. You should try it for yourself.
We think this model comes in around a medium on the firmness scale, but honestly, the polymer is so unique that it’s hard to put an exact figure on firmness.

Another benefit of Hyper-Elastic Polymer is that it sleeps on the cooler side of the spectrum. To begin, Hyper-Elastic Polymer is just a naturally cooler material than memory, latex, or proprietary foam. This type of temperature regulation is especially ideal for couples.
Is Purple A Good Mattress for Couples?
As long as both people like the feel of Hyper-Elastic Polymer, we think Purple mattresses are solid options for couples.
Motion Isolation
You wouldn’t think so given how bouncy Hyper-Elastic Polymer is, but the material does a pretty decent job of limiting motion transfer.
Edge Support
The Purple Hybrid mattresses provide solid edge support. This is important for couples who like to spread out because it extends the useful surface area of the bed.
Purple Company Policies
- Shipping — Free
- Trail period — 100-night trial
- Warranty — 10 years
Other Purple Models vs Tempur-Pedic
A couple years after the Original model, Purple introduced three new hybrid models (formerly known as the New Purple 2, 3, 4). These Hybrid models contain individually pocketed coils that provide more support than the dense polyurethane support foam in the Original. These may be ideal if you want a more supportive and durable version of Purple.
- Free Shipping & Returns
- 100 Nights Trial Period
- 10 Years Warranty
- Made in USA
Tempur-Pedic Mattress Review
Chances are you’ve heard the Tempur-Pedic name before. It’s one of the largest mattress manufacturers in the world, and it offers hundreds of models that are sold both online and in-store. However, given Temper-Pedic offers so many models, it can often be frustrating to shop for a Tempur-Pedic mattress. For this review, we hone in on the main model, the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress.
Tempur-Pedic Mattress Construction & Design
In this post, we’ve decided to focus on one of their latest models, the Tempur-Adapt Hybrid. Tempur-Pedic also offers a Tempur-Adapt all-foam model, but for the purposes of this review, we’ll just be covering the hybrid model.

As the name implies, this bed contains both coils and layers of foam. Specifically, it has a thick layer of memory foam on top.
Tempur-Pedic Firmness And Feel
Despite the thick layer of memory foam on top, it’s not your typical soft foam feel. It has more of a firm, dense foam feel. As you lay down on Tempur-Pedic mattresses, you can feel the top layers slowly mold and conform to your body’s shape. It will almost feel as if the mattress is hugging you.
It’s still very comfortable, but you don’t sink in that much, and you don’t get any of that stuck-in-the-mud feeling that memory foam beds are known for. In fact, we think this bed is around a medium-firm on the firmness scale.

Another nice thing about this bed is that it sleeps cool, which is pretty unusual for a memory foam bed. The cover contains a special cooling material that makes it a cool-to-the-touch bed. Combined with the fact that most people will sleep more on top of the bed, rather than in it, this means the Tempur-Adapt is a solid option for hot sleepers.
Is Tempur-Pedic a Good Mattress For Couples?
Couples need mattresses to have certain features for it to be as comfortable as possible.
Motion Isolation
The bed deadens movement well. That means you won’t be disturbed if your partner tends to move around or get up frequently throughout the night.
Edge Support
Also, Tempur-Adapt provides excellent edge support. In fact, it’s one of the best beds we’ve ever tested in that department. There’s little compression around the perimeter of the bed, and you never feel like you’re going to roll off.

Company Info
- Shipping — Free as well as white-glove delivery service
- Trail period — 90 nights
- Warranty — 10 years
Other Tempur-Pedic Models vs Purple
Tempur-Cloud
The Tempur-Cloud mattress is meant to adapt to your weight, shape and temperature to keep you comfortable throughout the night. Its design reduces the pressure that might otherwise keep you awake at night. The company boasts that this model provides 40% more pressure-relieving power than its leading competitor.
Tempur-ProAdapt
The Tempur-ProAdapt takes many of the benefits of the Tempur-Adapt to the next level. It’s thicker than the Adapt and claims to provide 20% more pressure relief than the original version.
Tempur-LuxeAdapt
Tempur-Pedic calls its Tempur-LuxeAdapt mattress the ultimate Tempur-Pedic experience. Available in both soft and firm versions, the mattress conforms to your body shape to provide maximum pressure relief and comfort.
Tempur-Breeze
The Tempur-Breeze mattress is designed to keep you cool while you sleep for a better and longer night’s sleep. With two versions of the model, you have your choice between the amount of cooling and the feel you want for your mattress.
TempurPedic vs. Purple Mattress Pricing
There are a few key distinctions between the Tempur-Pedic and Purple mattresses, with price being one of them. Purple’s mattresses start at a much lower price point — you can even snag a few of the sizes for under $1,000. You’ll spend more than twice as much for a Tempur-Pedic.
Tempur-Pedic | Purple | |
Twin | $1,699 | $649 |
Twin XL | $1,699 | $749 |
Full | $2,049 | $949 |
Queen | $2,199 | $1,099 |
King | $2,899 | $1,399 |
Cal King | $2,899 | $1,399 |
Purple vs. Tempur-Pedic Sleeper Analysis
Before deciding which mattress is right for you, you’re probably wondering how each option lines up with your sleep style and body type.
Side Sleepers
Side sleepers likely won’t get the back and hip support they need from the Tempur-Pedic Adapt. If you tend to sleep on your side, any of the Purple mattresses would work well.
Back And Stomach Sleepers
We think back and stomach sleepers can get a comfortable night’s sleep with either mattress company. The Tempur-Pedic Adapt provides great pressure relief for those who sleep on their back and stomach. Purple’s mattress works well for any type of sleeper, including back and stomach sleepers.
Combination Sleepers
Combination sleepers can find both TempurPedic and Purple mattresses that work well for them. Because of the support and pressure relief it provides, the TempurPedic Adapt is ideal for combination sleepers. If you’re set on a Purple mattress, the Purple Hybrid Premier 3 is the best option.
Heavy Individuals
Both the Tempur-Pedic and Purple mattresses can work well for heavy individuals. The Tempur-Pedic Adapt is ideal for heavy people as a result of the firmness level and the coils included in the design. If you’re going to go with a Purple mattress, the Purple Hybrid is probably the way to go. It includes more support and compression than the original.
Petite Individuals
Petite individuals are likely to get a comfortable night’s sleep on any of the mattresses discussed in this article. The more important factor to consider is the type of mattress material you’re looking for and your sleep style — back, stomach, side or combo.
Tempur-Pedic Hybrid vs. Purple Review Verdict
If you’ve read this far, you now probably understand the major differences between these beds. However, we realize buying a mattress is a big decision, so you still might be on the fence between the two. To make things easier, ask yourself two questions.
First, do you like the feel of memory foam? If you answered that with an absolute yes, go with the Tempur-Adapt. If you answered that with a no or an “I’m not sure,” you might want to give Purple a try.
If that didn’t settle it, what’s your budget? If it’s below $1,800 (queen size), looks like the Original Purple or base Purple Hybrid will have to do. If you read $1,800 and almost had a heart attack, be sure to check out our Best Mattresses Under $1,000 list.
- Free Shipping & Returns
- 90 Nights Trial Period
- 10 Years Warranty
- Made in USA

Why Trust Us
Get the kind of sleep you’ve only dreamed of with some help from our team of mattress experts. We personally test more than 150 of the best sleep solutions from over 60 leading brands on site, so you can be sure you’re getting unbiased reviews, fair comparisons and personalized recommendations.
Review team
McKenzie Dillon
Combo Sleeper
Tharon Green
Stomach Sleeper
Dillon Lopez
Combo Sleeper
Jack Reynoso
Combo Sleeper
FAQs
TempurPedic’s pressure relief technology works really well for back and stomach sleepers, but provides little relief for the back and hips when you sleep on your side. If you’re a side sleeper, the Purple mattress is probably best for you.
The Purple mattress comes in at a significantly lower price point than the TempurPedic. You’ll pay $1,099 for a Purple queen mattress versus $2,199 for the same size in the TempurPedic.
Both TempurPedic and Purple offer generous trial periods for you to test your mattress and decide if you like it. TempurPedic offers a 90-night trial period, while Purple’s trial is 100 nights. Both companies also offer a 10-year warranty period.
They specifically market their Hybrid Premier model as being ideal for all body types. This model is particularly ideal for heavier individuals due to the extra support and compression that go into this bed’s technology.