Tuft & Needle and Purple are two of the most recognized online mattress brands out there. Despite their popularity, both beds are actually quite different. On one hand, Tuft & Needle is a budget mattress-in-a-box. On the other hand, Purple uses a unique polymer material that gives their beds a gel-like feel. We will also discuss Tuft & Needle Mint, as well as the companies' hybrid mattress models.

Purple Mattress vs. Tuft & Needle Mattress Overview

Comparing Tuft and Needle vs. Purple will be interesting, as they’re two very different mattresses. Their construction is different, their feel is different, and one is going to be more affordable than the other. You can’t go wrong with either quality mattress — it’s honestly all up to your budget and sleeping preferences. Before we get into the heart of the Tuft & Needle vs. Purple comparison, here are their key differences:

  • Materials and feel — Purple features a Hyper-Elastic Polymer, compared to Tuft & Needle’s proprietary foam. As a result, Purple is unique and bouncy while Tuft & Needle feels like a standard, foam mattress.
  • Price — Tuft & Needle is less expensive than Purple.
  • Temperature regulation — Purple mattresses allow for a lot of air flow. As such, they’re preferable for hot sleepers, especially the Purple Hybrid mattresses.
Tuft & Needle Original mattress VS. Purple Original mattress
$745 – $1,095Price Range$799 – $1,699
20% Off Applied In CartOffer $125 Off Applied In Cart
  • Shoppers who want an affordable foam mattress
  • All types of sleepers, including back, stomach and side
Best For
  • If you’re looking for a unique mattress with a different type of feel
  • All types of sleepers, including side, back and stomach
100 NightsTrial Period100 Nights
10 YearsWarranty10 Years
Free Shipping and ReturnsShipping Options Free Shipping and Returns
Shop Now Shop Now

Purple vs. Tuft and Needle YouTube Review

  • Honest Tuft & Needle vs Purple Video Review

Tuft & Needle Construction and Materials

While the Tuft & Needle mattress doesn’t have any truly eye-catching features, it’s a solid all-around bed. In fact, last we checked, it had a 4.5-star rating on Amazon, with over 6,500 reviews. That’s pretty incredible. We think the secret is its simple, comfortable construction.

tuft and needle mattress review construction and foam layers
A peek inside the Tuft & Needle mattress
  • A 3″ layer of Tuft & Needle’s Adaptive Foam, which gives the mattress its neutral, classic foam feel.
  • A foam base made with dense polyurethane foam meant to provide support for you and the rest of the mattress.

It’s a basic design, but it gets the job done. Purple, on the other hand, has a three layer construction, and it uses very different materials. Here’s a look inside the Original Purple mattress.

purple mattress review online bed in a box hyper elastic polymer
  • Base layer — A layer of dense polyurethane foam for support.
  • Transition layer — Another layer of polyurethane foam to help neutralize the firm foam below.
  • Comfort layer — A layer of patented Hyper-Elastic Polymer that feels more like a gel or silicone-like material.

Tuft & Needle Feel and Firmness

In terms of firmness, we think Tuft & Needle comes in right around a medium on the firmness scale. It provides ample pressure relief, while still being supportive.

tuft and needle mattress review firmness graphic

The Purple mattress also has a medium firmness level, but the feel is completely different. The gel-like top polymer layer may take some getting used to, but most people enjoy it. It makes you feel like you’re floating or weightless, and it’s really comfortable if you have an open mind.

What also makes Hyper-Elastic Polymer special is that it helps all the different mattress models sleep cool. That’s because Hyper-Elastic Polymer doesn’t trap heat and is a naturally cooler material than foam.

Tuft & Needle vs. Purple Pricing

Comparing the Purple mattress vs. Tuft & Needle highlights many differences, including pricing. Tuft & Needle is a good mattress when you’re on a budget. The Purple costs considerably more, but there are valid reasons as far as quality since Tuft & Needle is meant to be a low-budget bed.

SizeTuft & NeedlePurple
Twin$645$649
Twin XL$695$749
Full$795$949
Queen$895$1,099
King$1,095$1,399
Cal King$1,095$1,399

Tuft and Needle vs. Purple Sleeper Type Analysis

Your level of comfort on a mattress depends on factors like your favorite sleeping position and your weight. Think back to the last few nights, do you primarily sleep on your back, stomach, side, or a combination?

  • Side sleepers
    Good For

    Side sleepers need a mattress that will cradle their pressure points (i.e., shoulders and hips), while also providing a good amount of support. Both beds do that.

  • Back and stomach sleepers
    Not So Good For

    Back and stomach sleepers need the most support — and they’ll get it from the Purple mattress and the Tuft & Needle mattress. However, back and stomach sleepers may like the Tuft & Needle mattress more initially, but should be aware that as the mattress softens, it loses some of the support they need.

  • Combo sleepers
    Good For

    We think both models are great for all kinds of sleepers and both have the responsiveness needed to switch positions, making it ideal for a combination sleepers.

Body Type Analysis

We write our reviews from the perspective of an average-sized person, but it’s important to look at how a mattress will be if you weigh more or less. Here is how Purple and Tuft & Needle compare.

  • Petite individuals

    Petite individuals should be comfortable on either.

  • Heavy individuals

    Neither bed is best for heavy individuals. We recommend getting a hybrid model of these beds if you love the brand.

Other Mattress Considerations

Aside from your sleeping position and body weight, you should consider these factors if you typically sleep with a partner or sleep warm at night.

Edge support

Tuft & Needle’s edge support isn’t the best, but it isn’t necessarily bad either. You might want to get a larger bed than a full if you like to sleep on the edge, but the bed should be fine. We think Purple takes the crown here, as it is a bit more supportive around the edge.

Motion isolation

Tuft & Needle is a responsive mattress, but not quite as bouncy as the Purple mattress. Tuft & Needle, as a result, is a hair better at absorbing motion than Purple. However, we wouldn’t say it’s bad on either bed.

Temperature

Between Purple and Tuft & Needle, we think Purple is the one you should go with if you sleep warm. It’s made with a ton of tiny air pockets thanks to the design of its Hyper-Elastic Polymer, and as such, it offers impeccable airflow. Tuft and Needle’s basic foam construction might feel a bit warmer than Purple during the night if you tend to heat up during the night.

Purple Mattress vs. Tuft & Needle Review Verdict

If you’re still having trouble deciding, ask yourself three questions:

  • What’s your budget? If it’s below $950 (queen-size), Tuft & Needle wins by a lot.
  • Do you tend to sleep hot? If yes, go Purple. It provides much better airflow, plain and simple.
  • Do you want to try something different or are you dead set on the traditional foam mattress? If you love the feel of soft foam, play it safe and go with Tuft & Needle. If not, give Purple a chance.

Both are popular mattresses, so it truly comes down to your preferences.

Hybrid Models From Tuft & Needle and Purple

Tuft & Needle recently launched its first hybrid mattress. Plus, Purple added three new models to its lineup — the Purple Hybrid, Purple Hybrid Premier 3 and Purple Hybrid Premier 4 (these three beds used to be known as the New Purple 2/3/4). The biggest difference between Tuft & Needle Hybrid and Purple Hybrid is in feel and price. We can all acknowledge that each of the beds are fairly pricey, so that won’t necessarily be driving a decision one way or the other. The biggest deciding factor for Tuft & Needle Hybrid and Purple Hybrid will be your body type and whether you want a soft foam feel or a new style of bed. Purple’s hybrid models incorporate individually pocketed coils for added support, so we recommend heavier people go with one of the new Purple models.

Note: Purple has discontinued the Purple Hybrid and Premier mattresses. They are no longer available to purchase on Purple’s website. But don’t worry; you can still get a Purple hybrid mattress under the new Premium and Luxe collections.

If you’re looking for a hybrid specifically, see our list of best hybrid mattresses to find your best fit.

why trust us icon

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 175 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.


The Review Team

  • JD

    JD Christison

    Combo Sleeper

  • Tharon

    Tharon Green

    Stomach Sleeper

  • kenzie

    McKenzie Dillon

    Combo Sleeper

  • dillon lopez slumber yard

    Dillon Lopez

    Combo Sleeper

Frequently Asked Questions
How are Tuft & Needle and Purple different?

While these are both bed-in-a-box mattresses, they feel completely different. Tuft & Needle feels like a general soft foam mattress — it has a more familiar feel. Purple feels unlike anything else you’ve tried. It has a squishy and stretchy feel that’s really comfy.

When comparing Purple vs. Tuft & Needle, which is better for larger, heavier people?

Both mattresses are recommended for sleepers up to 250 pounds. Larger individuals should look at the hybrids featuring a coil layer for durability and support. Do a comparison between Casper vs. Purple vs. Tuft & Needle to find the best mattress for heavier folks.

Comparing Tuft & Needle Mint vs. Purple, which mattress sleeps cooler?

Both mattresses sleep relatively cool but for different reasons. Purple has superior air flow due to its chambered top layer. Tuft & Needle mattresses have graphite integrated into their comfort layers for a cooler feel.

Are Purple and Tuft & Needle good for side sleepers?

Yes. We consider both of them good for all sleeping positions.

Do they offer free shipping and returns?

Yes. Both Purple and Tuft & Needle offer free shipping within the contiguous U.S. and free returns during your 100-night trial period.