Sleep Number vs. Purple Mattress Comparison

Overall Rating

7.5

Sleep Number c2 (Classic Series)

Bottom Line

An airbed that allows the user to adjust the firmness of each side from soft to very firm.

Check Price on sleepnumber.com

$999 from Sleep Number (queen)

Full Mattress Review

VS

Overall Rating

8.1

Purple Mattress

Bottom Line

A grid of hyper-elastic polymer allows for cooling airflow and brings a responsive feel to the bed.

Check Price on purple.com

$1,399 from Purple (queen)

Full Mattress Review

Sizing Options

Selecting the size of your mattress is an important first decision. If you sleep with a partner or like to stretch out, you may be inclined to shop for a larger bed. However, if you have a smaller bedroom, you’ll want to ensure the mattress doesn’t overcrowd the space.

The weight of the bed is most important when your mattress box arrives, when you want to rearrange your bedroom, or if you move. On a day-to-day basis, the weight of the mattress should not affect your sleep.

Your total bed height depends on the height of the mattress, as well as the foundation and/or the box spring. Shorter people may prefer beds that are not so high, whereas sleepers with joint pain may find it easier to get in and out of a taller bed. For extra-tall mattresses, you may need to purchase fitted sheets with deeper pockets. A high-profile mattress can also limit your ability to add a mattress topper.

The Purple Mattress comes in all six standard mattress sizes, as well as split king size. The Purple Hybrid and Purple Hybrid Premier offer the same options, without the twin size. Understandably, the Purple Kid Mattress is only available in a child-friendly twin size.

Sleep Number offers a total of ten mattress sizes, including split and FlexTop sizes for the king and California king models. In the FlexTop option, the bases are joined, but the top half of each side can be controlled independently.

Not all sizes are available for every Sleep Number model. Most limited is the 360 i10 Smart Bed, which is only available in queen size and larger.

All of the Sleep Number and Purple mattresses fall within the standard range in terms of height. The 360 C2 Smart Bed is 8 inches tall and the 360 C4 Smart Bed stands at 9 inches. The rest of the 360 Sleep Number mattresses range between 10 and 13 inches due to their thicker comfort layers. In comparison, the lowest-profile Purple model is the Purple Mattress at 9.5 inches. The two Purple Hybrid Mattresses have an average profile between 11 and 13 inches tall.

The heavier weight of the hybrid Purple mattresses compared to the all-foam Purple Mattress is due to their construction. The combination of foam and steel coils weighs more than an all-foam design.

Because Sleep Number and Purple offer similar options, size is likely not a determining factor when choosing between the two brands. However, if shoppers are seeking larger split beds or the flexibility to adjust the heads of either side of the bed, they may prefer a Sleep Number bed.

Construction and Materials Comparison

The materials used to construct a mattress impact its performance, feel, and longevity. Learning the ins and outs of mattress design can help you identify what type of mattress is best for you.

As you read more about mattresses, you’ll often come across a few key terms related to mattress construction. The comfort system includes the top layer or layers of the mattress, which contribute directly to the feel of the bed. Under the comfort system is a thicker section called the support core, which provides a sturdy base for the mattress.

All-foam mattresses tend to have comfort systems made of memory foam, polyfoam, or other pressure-relieving materials, and a support layer made of polyfoam. By contrast, hybrid comfort systems can be made of latex, foam, or fibers, but the support layers are made with steel coils. Airbeds, which differ from temporary air mattresses, have air-filled chambers in the support core and additional comfort layers on top.

Sleep Number

All of the Sleep Number 360 Smart Beds are airbeds, with foam comfort layers and adjustable air chambers on each side of the bed. Sleepers can use a remote control or a smartphone app to adjust the firmness by letting more or less air into the chambers. Sleep Number offers a firmness scale from 1 to 100, which equates to a range from soft (3) to firm (8).

Each of the 360 Smart Beds also includes bed sensors that can automatically adjust the firmness of your mattress based on your movements, as well as technology that monitors your sleep. The SleepIQ Technology gives you a monthly report and offers suggestions for further improving your quality of sleep.

While all the 360 Sleep Number mattresses have a support core made with air chambers, the exact composition of the comfort layers varies depending on the mattress series.

Sleep Number Classic Series
The Classic Series includes the 360 C2 Smart Bed and the 360 C4 Smart Bed. These are the lowest-priced beds that Sleep Number offers. Both mattresses have polyfoam comfort layers with gel infusions designed to reduce heat retention.

The difference between these two mattresses is the thickness of the comfort layer. The polyfoam layer is 2 inches thick in the 360 C2 Smart Bed, and 3 inches thick in the 360 C4 Smart Bed. The thicker comfort layer is designed to provide more pressure relief and support.

Sleep Number Performance Series
The 360 P5 Smart Bed and the 360 pSE Special Edition Smart Bed have 4-inch comfort layers made of foam with gel infusions. The 360 P6 Smart Bed has a 5-inch foam comfort layer, with gel and graphite infusions that are engineered for improved temperature regulation. These thicker layers are designed to offer additional pressure relief compared to the Classic Series mattresses.

Sleep Number Innovation Series
The Innovation Series consists of the 360 i8 Smart Bed and the 360 i10 Smart Bed. These beds have the thickest comfort layers of all the Sleep Number mattresses. Made of foam materials, the comfort section in the 360 i8 Smart Bed is 6 inches thick and the comfort section in the 360 i10 Smart Bed is 7 inches thick. These mattresses have a breathable cover designed to keep the surface of the bed cool.

Sleep Number Memory Foam
The 360 m7 Smart Bed features a 5-inch foam comfort section with an air chamber support core. The comfort section incorporates memory foam, engineered to provide close-conforming pressure relief.

Purple

Purple offers two foam mattresses and two hybrid mattresses. All of the mattresses feature the Purple Grid, a type of buckling column gel arranged in square columns and designed to absorb impact. The grid supports temperature control by allowing heat to dissipate through the columns.

The Purple Mattress, Purple Hybrid, and Purple Hybrid Premier each have a cover made of stretchy viscose, polyester, and lycra blend. The Purple Kid Mattress cover contains polyester, polyethylene, and spandex. It can be removed and machine washed.

The Purple Mattress and Purple Kid Mattress
The Purple Mattress and the Purple Kid Mattress are medium firm foam beds. The Purple Kid Mattress is designed for children up to age 14 or those weighing up to 115 pounds.

The comfort layers of the Purple Mattress are composed of 2 inches of Purple Grid and 3.5 inches of polyfoam. These layers contour to the body to provide pressure relief, while the 4-inch polyfoam support core helps maintain spinal alignment

The Purple Kid Mattress also has 2 inches of Purple Grid, encased in polyfoam side rails for additional edge support. Below the Purple Grid is a 2.5-inch polyfoam transitional layer, followed by a 2.5-inch layer of high-density polyfoam.

The Purple Hybrid and Purple Hybrid Premier
The medium firm Purple Hybrid contains 2 inches of Purple Grid and 1 inch of polyfoam. The Purple Hybrid Premier comes with two thicker comfort layer options: 3 inches of Purple Grid and .5 inch of polyfoam, or 4 inches of Purple Grid and .5 inch of polyfoam. The 3-inch option has a medium firm (6) rating, and the 4-inch option has a medium (5) firmness.

All the hybrid models have a support core made with 7.5 inches of pocketed coils, resting on a .5-inch polyfoam base. Pocketed coils offer bounce and limited heat retention. Because the coils are individually wrapped, the springs isolate motion better than traditional innersprings.

Adjustable Firmness vs. Fixed Firmness

Sleep Number differs from most mattress brands in that sleepers can use the remote to adjust the mattress firmness almost instantly. Adding air to the air chambers makes the bed feel firmer, while removing air makes it plusher. The Sleep Number mattresses are ideal for sleepers with changing comfort needs. As each side of the mattress can be adjusted independently, these mattresses are also suitable for couples with different firmness preferences.

By contrast, the Purple mattresses each have a fixed medium or medium firm feel, designed to appeal to the majority of sleeper types. These mattresses may be appropriate for people who consistently prefer the same firmness while they sleep.

Pricing Information

Given that there is a wide range of mattress models, mattress prices vary greatly. A number of factors contribute to the price of a mattress:

• Materials and construction
• Number of mattress layers and thickness of those layers
• Additional cooling features
• Specialty materials, such as proprietary foams
• Eco-friendly or organic certifications
• The country where the mattress was manufactured

The mattress lines from both Sleep Number and Purple span a wide range of price-points. The following prices reflect the standard cost of each mattress, though seasonal discounts may lower the price.

With the exception of the Sleep Number 360 C2, the Purple mattress lineup is more affordable than the Sleep Number mattress lineup. Airbeds are typically among the more expensive mattress models due to their more complex construction and technological components.

Although lower than the Sleep Number mattresses, prices for the hybrid Purple mattresses run higher than the average hybrid mattress due to the proprietary Purple Grid and the thick comfort sections. The Purple Mattress is competitively priced compared to other foam mattresses.

The Sleep Number mattresses may be worth the price if you’re looking for a high-tech bed that can adjust over time and provide data about your sleep quality. Shoppers who do not require sensory technology in a mattress may prefer a Purple mattress.

Mattress Performance Ratings

The process of choosing a mattress is unique to each buyer, because everyone has different needs and sleeping styles. That said, mattress performance largely depends on a handful of key features. To find a mattress that keeps you comfortable and well rested, you need to decide which features you value most.

Durability
Since you sleep on your mattress every night, it’s important to find a bed that keeps its shape over time. Mattresses that are less durable may start to sag or develop permanent indentations, which affects the level of support they can provide. A mattress made with quality materials and craftsmanship is more likely to stand up to long-term use.

Motion Isolation
If you sleep with a pet or partner, motion isolation is important. This feature refers to the amount of motion felt when a sleeping partner moves. Materials that absorb motion and react to pressure without transferring vibrations across the bed may help minimize nighttime disruptions. Memory foam tends to isolate motion well, while hybrid and latex beds have more bounce and may wake a bed partner.

Sex
Mattresses with some bounce help facilitate movement and may be more favorable for sex. For some couples, mattresses that contour to the body or make you feel as if you’re sinking into the mattress can feel restrictive. Other considerations for sex include noise, edge support, traction, and temperature neutrality.

Temperature Neutrality
A mattress that traps heat may cause discomfort and impact your sleep quality. If you live in a warm climate or if you tend to sleep hot, seek a mattress made with breathable materials and a design that leaves room for airflow. Close-conforming materials such as memory foam may contribute to heat buildup around the body, while mattresses with coil support cores or aerated comfort layers may provide better temperature neutrality.

Pressure Relief
The best mattresses provide sufficient cushioning to prevent pressure buildup at contact points, as well as a strong enough base layer to prevent stiffness from improper spinal alignment. Most mattresses incorporate memory foam, latex, or another cushioning material in the comfort section for added pressure relief. The ideal firmness and thickness of these layers depends on the sleeper’s body type and preferred sleeping position.

Off-gassing
Many new mattresses emit off-gassing smells due to volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are created when the mattress is manufactured. Generally, they are not considered to pose health risks. However, these VOCs may cause an unpleasant odor when the mattress is first unboxed, which typically dissipates within a few days in a well-ventilated room. Off-gassing is primarily a concern for customers who are sensitive to smell.

Ease of Movement
Sleepers who frequently change positions throughout the night may prefer a mattress with some resilience. Hybrid and latex mattresses tend to have more bounce, allowing for easier movement. Conversely, the cocoon-like feeling of memory foam or similar materials may cause difficulty when moving around on top of the mattress.

Edge Support
Edge support is important for people who have trouble getting in and out of bed, as well as couples who share a smaller bed. Softer materials such as memory foam may compress considerably under pressure, leading to feelings of instability around the perimeter. If edge support is important to you, look for a mattress with an innerspring support core or high-density polyfoam encasement.

Sleep Number

Purple

Trials, Warranty, and Delivery

If you’re purchasing a mattress online for the first time, there are a few key parts of the sale to be aware of. We’ll take you through the shipping, returns, and warranty policies for the Sleep Number and Purple mattresses so you know what to expect.

Shipping

Mattress shipping prices and policies vary among companies and often depend on your location. When you purchase a mattress online, your mattress may arrive via White Glove delivery, or it may be shipped shrink wrapped and compressed to fit in a box.

With standard mattress-in-a-box shipping, the mattress is compressed and shrink-wrapped. Once delivered to your doorstep, take the box into the bedroom, open it, and carefully cut away the plastic. The mattress decompresses almost instantly, though it can take up to a few days to regain its full shape. Mattress-in-a-box shipping is usually free and installation is simple, though you may need assistance from a second person to maneuver the box.

Alternatively, some companies offer White Glove delivery for an additional cost. On the arranged delivery date, service technicians bring the mattress to your home and set it up in your room of choice. Sometimes the technicians are able to remove old mattresses as well. Not all companies offer White Glove delivery, and some only offer this service in certain locations.

Sleep Number Shipping Policies

Shipping for Sleep Number beds depends on the mattress model. All of the Sleep Number 360 smart beds are available only with White Glove delivery, at a cost of $199. The delivery date is typically scheduled for 2 weeks after you’ve placed your order. White Glove delivery service includes installation of your new mattress and moving your old mattress to another room or removing it from your home.

White Glove delivery is available in select areas of all 50 states. If you live outside of these designated areas, you may have to pay additional charges for shipping and delivery. Sleep Number does not deliver its mattresses outside of the United States.

Sleep Number also operates a number of brick-and-mortar stores. Customers who purchase a mattress in-store can discuss scheduling in-home setup with the salesperson.

Purple Shipping Policies

Purple mattresses are compressed and shipped in a vinyl tube. Mattresses ship for free via FedEx within the 48 contiguous United States. Shipping typically takes 3 to 5 business days after the mattress leaves the warehouse, but may take longer for rural areas.

Standard shipping is also available to Alaska and Hawaii for an additional cost. However, White Glove delivery is not available in these states. Canadian customers can order Purple mattresses through Purple’s Canadian website.

Purple offers complimentary White Glove delivery for the Hybrid Premier models. White Glove delivery and old mattress removal may be offered for an additional charge on other select models.

Sleep Trial and Returns

Since customers who purchase a mattress online aren’t able to try it first, most online mattress retailers offer a lengthy sleep trial. The sleep trial allows you to test out your new mattress at home and return it if you don’t like it.

Often these sleep trials require customers to sleep on the bed for a minimum number of nights before they can return or exchange it. If a return is requested, the company may coordinate pickup and donation or recycling. In most instances, customers then receive a full refund. However, some companies may require the customer to pay return shipping charges or a restocking fee.

Sleep Number Sleep Trial and Return Policy
All Sleep Number 360 mattresses come with a 100-day trial. Sleep Number has a mandatory 30-day break-in period before shoppers can initiate a return. The company will provide a full refund minus return delivery fees, provided the mattress is returned in good condition.

Purple Sleep Trial and Return Policy
Purple offers a 100-night sleep trial for all mattresses, but requires a 21-night mandatory break-in period. For customers who choose to return their mattress, Purple arranges pickup at no charge and coordinates donation to a local charity or recycling plant. The customer is then refunded the cost of the mattress in full, minus any original delivery fees. Customers can also elect to exchange the mattress for a different Purple model in lieu of a refund.

Warranty

Warranties are designed to guarantee the quality of a product and protect your purchase. They should be included in your purchase at no additional cost. Typically, mattress warranties cover defective materials and manufacturing, but not normal wear and tear or accidental damage.

The manufacturer usually reserves the right to decide whether it will repair or replace products that are deemed defective under the warranty terms. Some manufacturers offer prorated warranties, in which customers are responsible for an increasing percentage of the repair costs as time goes on. When comparing warranties between mattress companies, consider both the warranty length and the costs you are responsible for if you make a warranty claim.

Sleep Number Mattress Warranty
Sleep Number offers a 15-year prorated warranty. For defects discovered within the first year of ownership, the company will provide a refund or cover all costs associated with replacement and repair. Between year 1 and year 11, you are responsible for covering 30% of the current cost of the product, plus 5% for each full year from the original date of purchase. In the last years covered under the warranty, you are responsible for 85% of the associated costs. After the first year, customers are also responsible for the shipping or pickup costs.

Opening the Firmness Control System or failure to properly care for the mattress, including using it without a proper foundation, will void the warranty. The remote control is covered by a separate 1-year limited warranty.

Purple Mattress Warranty
The Purple 10-year limited warranty covers replacement or repair of the mattress due to manufacturing defects, including permanent indentations of at least 1 inch. The warranty is limited only to the original person who purchased the bed, and warranty coverage is contingent on the customer having used the mattress with proper support. Customers are responsible for shipping and handling costs. Additionally, Purple offers a 2-year warranty for the zippered cover.

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