Purple vs. Tempur-Pedic Mattress Comparison

Overall Rating

8.1

Purple Mattress

Bottom Line

The Purple Mattress uses Purple Grid technology to stay incredibly cool at night while providing deep pressure relief.

Check Price on Purple.com

$1,399 from Purple (queen)

Full Mattress Review

VS

Overall Rating

8.0

Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt

Bottom Line

The TEMPUR-Adapt uses proprietary memory foam to provide close contouring and deep pressure relief for sore spots.

Check Price on Tempurpedic.com

$2,199 from Tempur-Pedic (queen)

Full Mattress Review

Purple and Tempur-Pedic mattresses are quite different from one another, and each model from these brands has distinct pros and cons for sleepers.

Since its flagship mattress launched in 2015, Purple has gained special notoriety for its Purple Grid, a proprietary comfort layer made of hyperelastic polymer molded into a grid shape. Purple’s two additional models – the Purple Hybrid and Purple Hybrid Premier – also feature the Purple Grid.

Tempur-Pedic helped popularize memory foam as a mattress material in 1992 and quickly became a brand synonymous with high-conforming, luxury beds. Tempur-Pedic currently offers three mattresses that are available as all-foam or hybrid beds: the TEMPUR-Adapt, TEMPUR-ProAdapt, and TEMPUR-PRObreeze. A fourth model, the TEMPUR-LuxeAdapt, is exclusively an all-foam mattress.

We’ll compare pricing, construction, performance, and important company policies regarding delivery, returns, and warranty coverage.

Sizing Options

Purple and Tempur-Pedic each offer a reasonable range of mattress models and sizes. Those seeking a twin size bed will find limited options from either brand, but shoppers for other sizes – including split king and California king – can choose from multiple beds.

It’s worth noting that Purple mattresses – the hybrids, in particular – are considerably heavier than the Tempur-Pedic models. For the Hybrid Premier models, you may need three or more people to rotate or move them.

Construction and Materials Comparison

The materials used to construct a mattress affect how comfortable and supportive the bed feels to different sleepers. Some components promote close body-conforming, which can alleviate pressure and improve spinal alignment. Others feel fairly firm and responsive, and are used to reinforce the bed against sagging.

Mattresses made today have four general components. Comfort layer refers to the topmost layer(s) of the bed. These materials provide cushioning and contouring for your body, and they are generally soft for added comfort. The transitional layer is located beneath the comfort layer(s). This component serves as a buffer that prevents you from sinking too deeply into the mattress. Support core refers to the base layer(s) of the bed. These components are generally firm and dense to stabilize the mattress and prevent sinking along the edges. Lastly, the cover encases the entire mattress.

Purple

Purple Mattress

The Purple Mattress features a 2-inch Purple Grid, a proprietary comfort layer made of hyperelastic polymer material in an open-grid shape. The Purple Grid conforms to the body much like memory foam but also feels fairly responsive. This balanced, medium firm feel is comparable to both sleeping “on” and sleeping “in” the mattress.

The mattress also contains a 3.5-inch transitional polyfoam layer and a 4-inch support core of high-density polyfoam. Due to these components, we consider the Purple Mattress an all-foam model (even though the Purple Grid is not foam-based).

The bed’s cover is made from a fabric blend of 67 percent polyester, 29 percent viscose, and 4 percent Lycra spandex. The cover material is very soft and stretchy, and also quite breathable thanks to its high viscose content. The covers are not removable, but you can spot-clean the fabric with mild detergent if stains or spills occur.

Purple Hybrid and Hybrid Premier

The Purple Hybrid and Hybrid Premier models also contain the Purple Grid. The Purple Hybrid, like the flagship mattress, has a 2-inch grid layer with a medium firm feel. This model also includes a 1-inch transitional polyfoam layer, followed by a support core with 7.5-inch pocketed coils. The coils add to the springiness of the mattress, making it more responsive than the all-foam Purple Mattress.

The Purple Hybrid Premier is available in two designs. The 12-inch Hybrid Premier has a 3-inch Purple Grid with a medium firm feel, and the 13-inch Hybrid Premier has a 4-inch Purple Grid with a medium feel. Apart from these differences, both designs are identical to the Purple Hybrid.

The Hybrid and Hybrid Premier mattresses include the same polyester, viscose, and Lycra spandex cover as the Purple Mattress.

Tempur-Pedic

Please note that Tempur-Pedic does not disclose certain specs for their mattresses, including the thickness of individual layers.

TEMPUR-Adapt

The all-foam TEMPUR-Adapt features a top comfort layer of TEMPUR-ES memory foam, which is fairly soft and adaptive. The transitional layer is composed of TEMPUR-APR memory foam, a denser material that offers extra support. The support core is made from high-density polyfoam. This model has a medium feel and an 11-inch profile.

The TEMPUR-Adapt is also available as a hybrid with pocketed coils instead of base polyfoam. The hybrid has the same medium feel as its all-foam counterpart. Both versions also include a non-removable polyester cover.

TEMPUR-ProAdapt

The all-foam TEMPUR-ProAdapt also contains TEMPUR-ES and TEMPUR-APR memory foam layers. This mattress also has a high-density polyfoam support core, but – unlike with the TEMPUR-Adapt – the TEMPUR-ProAdapt’s base material is convoluted to promote more airflow. This model has a 12-inch profile, and it is available with soft, medium, or firm feels.

A hybrid TEMPUR-ProAdapt with a medium feel is also available. This model has pocketed coils in place of the high-density support foam. Both the all-foam and hybrid versions of this mattress also include a dual-layer polyester cover that can be unzipped and removed for cleaning.

TEMPUR-LuxeAdapt

The all-foam TEMPUR-LuxeAdapt has a 13-inch profile, and you can choose from soft or firm feels for this model. The mattress features a TEMPUR-ES memory foam comfort layer, TEMPUR-APR memory foam transitional layer, and a high-density, convoluted polyfoam base. It also includes the same removable, dual-layer cover found on the TEMPUR-ProAdapt. The TEMPUR-LuxeAdapt is not available as a hybrid.

TEMPUR-PRObreeze and TEMPUR-Luxebreeze

The all-foam TEMPUR-PRObreeze and TEMPUR-LUXEbreeze feature memory foam comfort and transitional layers, along with convoluted polyfoam support cores. The TEMPUR-PRObreeze offers a medium feel, and the TEMPUR-LUXEbreeze is available with a soft or firm feel.

The TEMPUR-PRObreeze is also available as a pocketed coil hybrid with a medium feel, but the TEMPUR-LUXEbreeze is only available in an all-foam, design.

The TEMPUR-PRObreeze and TEMPUR-LUXEbreeze feature specialty covers infused with phase-change material to make the fabric feel exceptionally cool. The TEMPUR-PRObreeze cover is designed to sleep 3 degrees cooler, and the TEMPUR-LUXEbreeze cover is designed to sleep 8 degrees cooler.

In-Depth Ratings

Now, let’s look at Tempur-Pedic mattress vs. Purple mattress models in terms of pressure relief, edge support, and other performance areas. You should consider all of the following criteria when choosing a mattress – especially categories that tend to have a larger impact on your sleep quality. If you’re a hot sleeper, for example, then you may want to prioritize models with adequate temperature neutrality, while couples should look at beds with favorable ratings for motion isolation and sex.

• Durability: The average mattress performs for six to eight years before a new bed is needed. Mattress longevity is usually linked to its type and quality of materials, as some components resist wear and tear better and last longer than others. Some of the most durable mattress materials include high-density memory foam, latex, and steel coils. Other factors that affect mattress durability include the type of foundation or base you use to support the bed, and how frequently someone sleeps on it.
• Motion Isolation: Some mattresses absorb movement and isolate it to certain areas, preventing other people in bed from feeling the motion transferring across the surface. Other beds feel more responsive, and you’ll notice ripples of movement when your sleep partner shifts positions or gets in and out of bed. Beds with above-average motion isolation can effectively prevent you and your partner from waking up when movement occurs, while models with poor motion isolation often contribute to sleep disruptions.
• Sex: Every couple has different preferences when it comes to mattresses and sex. For most, the ideal mattress will conform closely enough to provide decent traction while remaining springy and responsive, which ensures easier movement across the surface. Beds that are excessively soft may restrict movement too much, while some couples find overly firm mattresses uncomfortable for amorous activities. Additionally, quieter mattresses are more discreet for sex than beds with loud internal components.
• Temperature Neutrality: Some mattresses absorb a fair amount of heat from your body and trap it beneath the surface, causing the mattress to feel fairly warm. Other beds offer a more temperature-neutral experience thanks to certain materials that promote cooling and surface airflow. These components include ventilated latex, coil systems that generate steady air currents, and covers made from breathable materials such as viscose or organic cotton. All-foam beds with memory foam comfort layers usually sleep the warmest.
• Pressure Relief: If your bed is too soft, then you may sink deep beneath the surface and feel pressure in certain areas of your body, such as the shoulders, lower back, and hips. If the bed is too firm, you may feel pressure build-up in these same areas. The best mattresses for pressure relief will offer a good balance of body-conforming and support, so you’ll feel less pressure while remaining on an even plane.
• Off-gassing: Most mattresses emit a noticeable odor when they are fresh out of the box. However, some beds continue to produce unpleasant chemical smells for some time afterward. Mattresses with foam layers tend to smell the most due to the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) they release. These particles carry a distinct odor that you may notice for days, or even weeks, after unboxing your bed. Models with coil layers and little to no foam tend to produce the lowest levels of off-gassing.
• Ease of Movement: Ease of movement refers to how even the surface feels. Beds that feel excessively soft may cause you to sink deeply as you move across the surface, and this can make getting in and out of bed somewhat difficult – especially if you share the mattress with a partner. The easiest mattresses to move on are fairly responsive and won’t sag too much. Ease of movement often applies to sex, as well.
• Edge Support: Beds with strong perimeter support won’t sink too much when you get in and out of bed, and you’ll feel relatively secure lying near the edges. Other beds tend to sink quite a bit. You won’t feel nearly as stable when sleeping near the edge, and you may need to lie closer to the center of the mattress. The materials used in a bed’s support core typically play the biggest role in how supportive or unsupportive the mattress edges feel.

Purple

Tempur-Pedic

In-Depth Pricing

The average mattress costs about $1,500 to $1,900 in a queen size. However, prices vary considerably from model to model. In your search for a new mattress, you’ll probably find some beds that cost less than $500 and others that exceed the $3,000 mark.

Many factors play a role in mattress pricing. These include the type of mattress, materials used, and unique or special features for that particular model. The seller may also affect the price, as some brands are more expensive than others. Foam and innerspring mattresses tend to be the cheapest options. Latex and hybrid models have middle-of-the-road price-points, and airbeds are usually quite expensive.

Here’s another thing to keep in mind: the cost and quality of a mattress are two different things. Many relatively inexpensive mattresses provide similar durability and performance as their costlier competitors, while some luxury models with high sticker costs may not be worth the higher price.

Tempur-Pedic is one of the most expensive mattress brands out there. You’ll save a bit of money if you live in the contiguous U.S. because Tempur-Pedic offers free White Glove delivery, which includes in-home assembly and old mattress removal. Still, Tempur-Pedic mattresses will simply be too expensive for some shoppers.

The Purple Mattress is the only mattress in this comparison guide that costs less than $1,000 in a queen size. The Purple Hybrid costs a bit more, but this model’s price is still considered middle-of-the-road compared to the average hybrid. The Hybrid Premier models are much more expensive, and more comparable to Tempur-Pedic mattresses in terms of price. Purple offers free White Glove delivery within the contiguous U.S. for the Hybrid Premier models, but not for the Purple Mattress or Purple Hybrid.

Trials, Warranty and Delivery

Purple Policies

Shipping – Purple offers free ground shipping within the contiguous U.S. for the Purple Mattress and Purple Hybrid. These mattresses will be compressed, vacuum-sealed, and wrapped in plastic for shipping. If you live in Alaska, Hawaii, or Canada, then you’ll need to pay an extra shipping charge. These deliveries are coordinated through USPS, FedEx, and other courier services. The mattress will be left on your doorstep unless you request otherwise. You won’t need to be at home when the mattress arrives, nor will you need to sign for the package.

If you order one of the Purple Hybrid Premier models and reside in the contiguous U.S. Purple will provide free White Glove delivery. Mattresses are not compressed for this type of delivery. After the mattress ships, couriers will contact you to schedule a delivery date and time. The couriers will also set up the mattress in a room of your choice. They’ll also remove your old mattress and transport it for recycling or donation. If you live outside the contiguous U.S. and/or want to schedule White Glove delivery for the Purple Mattress or Purple Hybrid, you’ll need to pay an extra $149.

For the Purple Mattress and Purple Hybrid ordered in the contiguous U.S. with standard ground shipping, you can expect these beds to reach their destination within five business days after the order is placed. White Glove delivery takes a bit longer.

Returns – Purple offers a 100-night sleep trial for all mattresses. The sleep trial begins on the date of purchase. There isn’t a required break-in period, meaning you can return the mattress at any point of the trial, but Purple recommends sleeping on the mattress for at least 30 nights.

If you decide you are not satisfied with the mattress before the sleep trial ends, you may return it for free. Purple covers all shipping and transportation charges for mattress returns. You can also exchange your Purple model for another brand mattress, but this will effectively end the sleep trial and you won’t be able to return the replacement bed for a full refund.

Warranty – Purple backs all of their mattresses with 10-year warranties. These warranties are non-prorated, meaning you won’t need to pay anything apart from shipping fees to have a defective mattress repaired or replaced. Recognized defects include body impressions that form in the sleep surface and measure at least 1 inch deep, as well as manufacturing flaws that cause mattress materials to deteriorate despite proper use and handling.

Tempur-Pedic Policies

Shipping – Tempur-Pedic offers free White Glove delivery in the contiguous U.S., as well. This service is available for all current models. If you live in Alaska, Hawaii, or a U.S. territory, then you’ll pay a flat rate of $600 for delivery. Tempur-Pedic does not offer standard ground shipping for mattresses.

Returns – Similarly, Tempur-Pedic offers a 90-night sleep trial for all mattress models. This includes a mandatory 30-night break-in period, so you need to test out the mattress for at least 30 nights before you can return or exchange it.

You’ll receive a full refund for returning a Tempur-Pedic mattress within the 90-night trial period, minus shipping charges you’ll need to cover yourself.

Warranty – Tempur-Pedic also offers a non-prorated 10-year warranty for all current mattresses. For this brand, body impressions of .75 inches or deeper are considered defects. The Tempur-Pedic warranty also covers manufacturing flaws that lead to product deterioration or defects associated with the mattress covers.

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