Purple vs. Tempur-Pedic Mattresses

Quick comparison

Purple is one of the most well-known bed-in-a-box brands thanks to online advertising and the eye-catching look of their stretchy, purple plastic grid.

By comparison, Tempur-Pedic has been in the mattress business since the 1990s. The brand found popularity with a TV ad. In it, a wine glass refused to fall over thanks to the mattress’s ability to absorb the movement of a woman jumping on the bed. People found this gimmick repeatable in real life.

Both companies are focused on unique materials and design, using mostly foam.

Pricing guide

For ease of comparison we based our price key on queen-size mattresses as follows:

• $$ = $1,000-$1,500
• $$$ = $1,501-$2,000
• $$$$ = over $2,000

Purple mattresses

Purple mattresses are available in all sizes from twin to California king. Their split king versions can be used on standard or adjustable bed bases.

Purple offers pillows featuring their proprietary blend of materials. They also have mattress toppers, bedding, and pet beds.

The Purple Mattress

• Price: $$
• Type: Foam
• Height: 9.25 inches
• Firmness: Medium

The Purple Mattress has about 20,000 positive reviews versus 2,000 low ratings. Satisfied customers throw exclamation points behind “comfort” and describe the mattress as an alternative to memory foam mattresses.

Lower reviews note a lack of good support or comfort for side sleepers. Some reviewers say their experience after a few nights or weeks is “bad.” Others state it simply feels no different from other foam mattresses.

Buy The Purple Mattress online.

Purple Hybrid Mattress

• Price: $$$
• Type: Hybrid
• Height: 11 inches
• Firmness: Medium

Customers say this mattress is firm but has a nice springiness to it. A lot of customers find the Purple Hybrid incredibly comfortable and say their sleep has improved, even for those who aren’t entirely sold on the feel of the grid underneath them.

Reviewers note it’s a difficult mattress to move because it’s so heavy — even in its rolled-up, vacuum-packed form.

Buy the Purple Hybrid online.

Purple Hybrid Premier Mattress

• Price: $$$$
• Type: Hybrid
• Height: 12 or 13 inches
• Firmness: Medium

Sometimes called the “Purple 3” and the “Purple 4,” the Purple Hybrid Premier gives customers the option of a grid layer that is either 3 or 4 inches. The Hybrid Purple 4 is said to be softer than the Hybrid Purple 3.

Many customers confirm that this mattress keeps them cool at night. Complaints, from users who enjoy sleeping on it and those who don’t, include how heavy the mattress is to move or lift.

Buy the Purple Hybrid Premier online.

Tempur-Pedic mattresses

Tempur-Pedic mattresses come in sizes from twin to California king, including split king versions.

Along with mattresses, Tempur-Pedic offers foam pillows and mattress toppers. They also sell standard and adjustable bed bases for their mattresses.

TEMPUR-Cloud

• Price: $$$
• Type: Foam
• Height: 10 inches
• Firmness: Medium

There are plenty of happy reviews mentioning better nights of sleep and relief from aches. Other reviews confirm the mattress is on the firmer side.

In lower ratings, customers say they’re disappointed with the mattress being too soft or too hard for their liking.

In general, people applaud the customer service.

Buy the Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud online.

TEMPUR-Adapt

• Price: $$$$
• Type: Foam and hybrid
• Height: 11 inches
• Firmness: Medium

A lot of customers with chronic pain conditions rave about the comfortable sleep and freedom of sleeping positions they get on both versions: the medium (all foam) and medium hybrid (foam and coils). This mattress has almost 1,000 4- and 5-star reviews.

Customers mention several cons, including the price tag and back pain caused by the firmness, even after a year.

Customers who bought their mattress from a dealer or store other than Tempur-Pedic seem to have inconsistent experiences with the return process.

Buy the Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt online.

TEMPUR-ProAdapt

• Price: $$$$
• Type: Foam and hybrid
• Height: 12 inches
• Firmness: Soft, medium, and firm

Both happy and unhappy customers mention that this mattress has a break-in period. Some say it took them a few days to get used to the mattress, and others mention ways to actively break in the mattress by walking on it.

There are mostly positive reviews for the customer service. Many people say they exchanged an initial purchase for a different firmness level.

Many customers who left reviews bought the mattress in person and worked with third-party stores.

Buy the Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-ProAdapt online.

TEMPUR-LuxeAdapt

• Price: $$$$
• Type: Foam
• Height: 13 inches
• Firmness: Soft and firm

Satisfied customers love the comfort level and the rest they get from this mattress. Many state that they’re sleeping better with their partner, are sleeping more, or are experiencing fewer aches and pains.

Customer complaints mention the mattress (both models) being too firm or not firm enough.

Buy the Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-LuxeAdapt online.

TEMPUR-breeze

• Price: $$$$
• Type: Foam and hybrid
• Height: 12 inches
• Firmness: Soft, medium, and firm

A couple of customers who previously owned the older Tempur-Pedic Rhapsody say their TEMPUR-breeze model compares favorably and similarly to it.

Customers who cite their “bad backs” or recent injuries say this mattress has made a positive difference in their sleep and how their bodies feel when they wake up.

Complaints mention the mattress is too firm for people with lower body weight who sleep on their sides, and that it’s not any cooler or temperature neutral than other options.

Buy the Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-breeze online.

Purple vs. Tempur-Pedic delivery

Purple

Purple typically offers white-glove delivery as an option. But, as of this article’s publishing, they’ve paused this service.

Purple mattresses come compressed, rolled up, and typically require two people to move.

Purple offers free delivery throughout the 48 contiguous United States and Canada. However, there are different shipping fees for orders going to Alaska or Hawaii.

Each Purple mattress has a different delivery estimate. For example, the Purple website states the Hybrid Premier “leaves [the] warehouse in 7–10 days” compared to the original mattress, which is estimated at 4 to 6 days.

For up-to-date info on shipping times and services, you can contact Purple’s customer service, which is available via online chat, email, or phone. A customer representative was quick to reply to our questions via chat.

Tempur-Pedic

When ordering through Tempur-Pedic’s website, the brand offers white-glove delivery that includes removal of your old mattress and box spring. Many recent customer reviews cite excellent customer service and delivery. Reviewers ordering near the end of the year note 2-week delays.

The TEMPUR-Cloud is the only bed-in-a-box mattress Tempur-Pedic sells. The mattress comes rolled and vacuum packed. Other Tempur-Pedic mattresses are delivered in heavy plastic packaging but aren’t compressed.

Tempur-Pedic delivers anywhere in the United States. However, there are specific shipping fees to Alaska, Hawaii, and some remote areas of the United States.

For customers in other countries, including Canada, the company directs users to shop at Tempur.

Purple vs. Tempur-Pedic certifications

Both Purple and Tempur-Pedic use foams that have been tested and earned CertiPUR-US certification.

Keep in mind that the CertiPUR-US program tests polyurethane foams and not whole products. This means the mattress isn’t certified, but it can contain certified foams.

Purple vs. Tempur-Pedic return and warranty policies

Both companies offer sleep trials, 10-year warranties, free returns, and free shipping — although there are some shipping fees, depending on where you’re located.

What is Purple’s return policy?

Purple offers a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year limited warranty.

Purple requires customers to have the mattress for 21 days before starting a return or exchange. They encourage people to take those first few weeks to thoroughly try out the mattress.

If you exchange your first order for a second mattress, you’ll have the time remaining on your 100-night sleep trial or 30 days from its delivery to try it out.

In order to be eligible for the Purple warranty, the company says the mattress must be used on a “firm, flat base.”

What is Tempur-Pedic’s return policy?

Tempur-Pedic offers a 90-night sleep trial and a 10-year limited warranty.

Tempur-Pedic requires customers to have the mattress for 30 nights before initiating a return or exchange.

Return and exchange policies for other stores that sell Tempur-Pedic may be different from what’s offered through Tempur-Pedic’s website.

Tempur-Pedic’s warranty covers mattresses bought directly from them and from authorized sellers.

Keep in mind that warranties often require customers to provide various proofs, from receipts with purchase information to photos and explanations of the base and bed frame used. They may even require measurements if there’s a defect in the surface or mattress layers.

Purple vs. Tempur-Pedic reputation

Purple reputation

Purple has been accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) since 2019. Purple has a BBB rating of A+.

Purple isn’t involved in any lawsuits, and they haven’t recalled any products.

Tempur-Pedic reputation

Tempur-Pedic has been an accredited member of BBB since 1995. Its parent company, Tempur Sealy International Inc., has a BBB rating of A-.

In 2017, Tempur Sealy International and Aptos Inc., the company that provides their online payment system, were sued by an individual claiming a lack of security led to stolen customer information. This case was dismissed in 2019 and is under appeal.

Tempur-Pedic doesn’t have any product recalls.

Customer reviews snapshot

Both Purple and Tempur-Pedic mattresses are investments. As a result, if the mattress doesn’t work out, customer reviews point out the burden of the expense and an inability to replace it.

Reviews from happy customers outnumber the lower reviews for both brands, but each mattress line has callouts.

Purple

The Purple Grid is a feature with mixed reviews. Some people seem to like it, others get used to it within 2 to 3 weeks, and some never enjoy it at all.

Reviewers reference having tried to make the grid work for too long. Then they find themselves outside the return window, or, that handling a return even within the trial time was more hassle than they wanted to deal with.

Stretchy sheets, any sheets

Customers find some of Purple’s accessories unnecessary and expensive. Sheets are noisy and move easily over the mattress, according to some users. As well, the Purple pillow covers may not actually fit the brand’s pillows.

In general, stretchy, deep pocketed sheets designed to fit taller mattresses work best for Purple mattresses.

Tempur-Pedic

Many reviews come from people who are repeat customers of Tempur-Pedic mattresses. Customers find their mattress arrived quite firm, but that they softened over time.

The availability of different mattress firmness and the ability to make exchanges comes up in many reviews, with most people finding an option that they liked and an ability to return when they didn’t.

More recent reviews see an increase in complaints over wait times for orders.

One good reason to walk on your mattress

Mattresses in a store have the benefit of being broken in by shoppers sitting on them over time. So, your brand-new mattress is going to feel different, likely firmer, at first.

Mattresses, especially all foam versions, have an active break-in period if you want to soften them up. Here are two tips for breaking in your new mattress if it’s too firm:

• With your mattress on a stable base, walk up and down the length of it.
• Standing on the bed not for you? Lay flat, and roll up and down over your mattress.

The heat from your body combined with contact all over the bed (rather than just where you sleep) helps soften and wear down the mattress evenly.

These tips sound silly but they can work!

The takeaway

Purple and Tempur-Pedic mattresses feel very different. But both companies back their products with a similar focus on customer service and policies. Both companies are focused on unique materials and design, using mostly foam.

Candice Abellon is a writer and editor based in California, with a background in education, wellness, and travel writing. When she’s not at her computer or happily sleeping on her own Tempur-Pedic mattress, you can find her orchestrating camping trips, making up recipes, and dreaming of feasts.