Gina Johnson
Purple and Sleep Number are two well-known mattress companies that have developed a reputation for their strong brand and marketing strategies, as well as their high-quality, innovative products. While both companies aim to revolutionise the sleep experience, they offer very different products. Sleep Number provides eight different mattress options with varying levels of support and customizability, while Purple offers two mattresses that utilise unique materials to provide consistent comfort and pressure relief. This comparison explores the key differences between Purple and Sleep Number mattresses to help you decide which one is better suited to your needs.
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What You'll Learn
Mattress construction and materials
The Sleep Number mattress is known for its adjustable air beds, which allow users to change the firmness and support of the bed to meet their needs via a remote. Sleep Number mattresses have foam layers and customisable air chambers. The air chambers allow individuals to adjust the firmness of their mattress by increasing or decreasing the amount of air in the chambers until they find their ideal Sleep Number. Sleep Number's Innovation Series includes the i8, i10, and ILE, which stand at a height of 12–13 inches and provide superior pressure relief. The Memory Foam Series features the m7, the only model with memory foam. The Essential Collection includes the Purple NewDay, Purple, and Purple Plus Mattresses, which feature a combination of foam and the GelFlex Grid. Sleep Number's Premium Collection offers enhanced cooling and support by combining coils with their innovative GelFlex Grid. The Sleep Number c2 is an airbed with a short gel-infused foam layer above adjustable air chambers. It has a small cushion layer of 2 inches and comes in a cooling, zippered cover.
The Purple mattress is crafted with a revolutionary material called the Purple Grid, which is made of hyper-elastic polymer. This top layer provides the bounciness, pressure relief, and sleeping cool. The Purple mattress is a foam mattress with a unique, stretchy grid atop foam layers. The Purple mattress contains four layers, including a viscose, polyester, and Lycra blend cover, which Purple calls the SoftFlex cover. The cover stretches to work with the Purple grid underneath it. The Purple grid is made of a unique buckling column gel that has a rubbery, jiggly feel. The open spaces within the grid allow for airflow that prevents heat buildup. Underneath the Purple grid is a 3.25-inch transitional layer made of polyfoam, which adds comfort and support. At the bottom of the mattress is a 4-inch polyfoam support core. The Purple mattress is slightly taller than the Sleep Number c2, with a 9.25-inch profile. The Purple mattress is also available in the Essential Collection, which is Purple's most affordable collection. The Purple mattress is good for back sleepers as it excels in pressure relief and offers extra support around the lumbar region. The Purple mattress is also good for side sleepers of all body weights. The unique design of the Purple mattress adapts to the body and addresses pressure points effectively. The Purple mattress is medium-firm and has a standard construction compared to its competitors, except for the top layer. The bottommost layer is a thick layer of dense support foam, which is common in mattresses that don't feature coils. Above the support foam is another layer of foam that functions as a buffer. The main comfort layer is the GelFlex Grid, which is made of hyperelastic polymer. The Purple mattress is backed by a standard 10-year warranty.
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Firmness and support
When it comes to firmness and support, Purple and Sleep Number mattresses offer distinct experiences. Sleep Number mattresses allow you to adjust the firmness and support to your preference using a remote. The Sleep Number C2 and C4 are ideal for those who prefer extra-firm mattresses, while the i10 offers the most cushioning. The i7 or i8 are good middle-ground options for those who want some cushion without the full seven inches.
On the other hand, Purple mattresses have a unique feel due to their hyper-elastic polymer layer, which is similar to latex in that it springs back quickly. Purple mattresses are rated around 6.5 to 7 out of 10 on the firmness scale, making them slightly firmer than the industry standard of medium-firm. The Purple Grid technology offers pressure point relief while maintaining support. The Purple mattress excels in pressure relief and offers extra support around the lumbar region, making it a good choice for back sleepers. However, side sleepers may find that the Purple mattress does not provide enough give at the hips, causing discomfort. The Sleep Number C2 is recommended for side sleepers as it allows for firmness adjustments to support spinal alignment.
Both mattresses performed well in motion isolation tests, but the Sleep Number 360 i8 offers better edge support than the Purple mattress. The Purple mattress's motion transfer capability may result in a "trench effect" if each side has significantly different settings, which can impact support and comfort.
Overall, Sleep Number provides a broader range of firmness options due to its customizable air chambers, while Purple offers a unique firmness experience that may be better suited to back sleepers or those who prefer a firmer mattress.
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Motion isolation and edge support
The Purple mattress's gel grid flexes and adjusts to your position, but this movement is transferred across the bed, so it’s not the best at motion isolation. The Sleep Number c2, on the other hand, has dual air chambers, one for each side, which helps with motion isolation. The Sleep Number c2 also has foam border walls that create above-average edge support, which is helpful if you need to get up and down slowly or often tie your shoes while seated on the edge.
The Purple mattress underwent a redesign to address some of the issues customers had with the original version, including very poor edge support. The current version has improved edge support, and the Purple Plus’s base foam should provide more motion isolation and better edge support. The Purple Restore Hybrid, the most affordable hybrid option, has an innerspring layer instead of a base foam layer. The Purple RejuvenatePremier, the most expensive and substantial mattress in Purple’s lineup, has extra coils, more foam layers, and a slice of Talalay latex.
The Sleep Number c2 is an airbed, and its standout feature is its ability to quickly and easily change firmness levels by adjusting the amount of air in its support core. The Sleep Number also uses a single air chamber on each side of the bed, which can cause the middle of the bed to sag if each side has significantly different settings.
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Suitability for different sleeping positions
When it comes to suitability for different sleeping positions, the Purple mattress and Sleep Number offer distinct experiences.
The Purple mattress is rated 7 out of 10 on the firmness scale, making it slightly firmer than the industry-standard medium-firm mattress. This quality makes it a solid choice for back sleepers as it provides excellent pressure relief and extra support around the lumbar region. The Purple mattress's hyper-elastic polymer gel grid technology also makes it comfortable for sleeping on your back, side, and stomach. The grid responds to pressure, offering pressure point relief while maintaining support. Additionally, the Purple mattress is ideal for combo sleepers as it provides a feeling of being "on top" of the bed rather than "stuck in" it, allowing for easy movement. The Purple mattress also sleeps cool due to its polymer materials and design that promotes airflow.
On the other hand, Sleep Number beds offer adjustable firmness, allowing you to personalize your comfort level. This adjustability makes Sleep Number beds appealing to back sleepers who can customize the settings for optimal spinal support, potentially alleviating back pain. Side sleepers may also find Sleep Number beds appealing, especially models with higher cushioning like the i10, which improves contouring and comfort. For stomach sleepers, Sleep Number offers firmer options like the c2 or c4, which can better maintain spinal alignment. The Sleep Number c2 is also versatile and can accommodate back sleepers of different weights by allowing them to adjust the firmness to support their spine.
In terms of overall performance, the Purple mattress scored higher than Sleep Number in a head-to-head comparison by MyBestMattress, with Purple achieving an overall score of 7.9 compared to Sleep Number's 6.2. Additionally, Purple received a higher customer satisfaction rating of 4.3 stars out of 5, while Sleep Number received 3.4 stars. However, it's important to note that individual experiences may vary, and the best mattress for each person will depend on their unique needs and preferences.
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Pricing and value for money
When it comes to pricing, Sleep Number mattresses are available in a wider range of options, with eight different mattresses to choose from, each with varying levels of support and comfort. The premium line, the Innovation Series, includes the i8, i10, and ILE, which are taller mattresses with thicker comfort layers, ranging from 6 to 7 inches. On the other hand, Purple offers two main mattresses, the Purple NewDay and Purple, with the latter coming in different sizes. The Purple mattress is generally considered to be more expensive than the entry-level Sleep Number model, with prices starting at $1899 plus tax and delivery. However, both brands are classified as mid-range in price.
While Sleep Number offers a broader range of firmness options, Purple's unique selling point is its patented GelFlex Grid technology, which provides excellent pressure relief, temperature regulation, and support. This hyper-elastic polymer gel layer has a flexible, silicone-like texture arranged in a grid pattern, offering a responsive and comfortable sleeping experience. The Purple mattress is rated around 6.5 to 7 out of 10 on the firmness scale, making it slightly firmer than the industry standard of medium-firm. This bed-in-a-box design provides targeted pressure relief and cooling technology, making it ideal for back sleepers and those with back pain.
In terms of value for money, Purple mattresses are often praised for their fair pricing considering the materials used and overall quality. The Purple mattress has received higher customer satisfaction ratings than Sleep Number, with an average of 4.3 stars out of 5 compared to Sleep Number's 3.4 stars. Additionally, Purple offers an affordable collection, the Essential Collection, which features a combination of foam and the GelFlex Grid, providing an excellent option for those on a budget.
Sleep Number mattresses, on the other hand, offer greater customization and adjustability. With their remote-controlled air chambers, sleepers can adjust the firmness and support of their mattress to their preferences. The Sleep Number c2, in particular, is noted for its versatility, accommodating various sleeping positions and body sizes. Sleep Number also offers smart bed options, such as the 360 i8 Smart Bed, which provides sleep tracking and smart technology features.
Ultimately, the decision between Purple and Sleep Number comes down to individual preferences and requirements. While Purple may offer better value for money in terms of pricing and customer satisfaction, Sleep Number provides a broader range of options for those seeking customization and adjustable firmness.
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Frequently asked questions
Sleep Number mattresses offer a broader range of firmness options and are designed with personalized comfort in mind, allowing sleepers to adjust the firmness and support of their mattress using air chambers. Purple mattresses, on the other hand, have a unique feel due to their hyper-elastic polymer gel layer, which provides excellent pressure relief, support, and temperature neutrality.
Both mattresses are suitable for back sleepers. The Purple mattress is designed with pressure relief and extra support around the lumbar region, making it a good choice for back sleepers. The Sleep Number mattress also offers adjustable firmness, allowing back sleepers to find the optimal setting for spinal support and back pain relief.
While the Purple mattress provides excellent pressure relief and support, it may not be ideal for side sleepers as it does not offer enough give at the hips. Additionally, the Purple mattress is quite heavy, making it difficult to move once it's out of the case.
One potential drawback of the Sleep Number mattress is the "trench effect," where the middle of the bed sags if each side has significantly different firmness settings. This may impact comfort and support for sleepers with different preferences.
In a comparison between Purple and Sleep Number mattresses, Purple scored 4.3 stars out of 5 in customer satisfaction, while Sleep Number received 3.4 stars. Additionally, Purple was found to offer better value for money due to its fair pricing considering the materials used and overall quality.
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