Puffy is a memory foam mattress with a softer, cloud-like feel (around 5–6/10 firmness) that excels at pressure relief and motion isolation, making it ideal for side sleepers and couples, while Purple uses a unique hyper-elastic polymer gel grid (around 6.5/10 firmness) that offers superior airflow and temperature regulation, making it better suited for hot sleepers, back sleepers, and stomach sleepers. Both are similarly priced bed-in-a-box options, but Puffy stands out with its lifetime warranty.
Both Puffy and Purple are very popular mattresses, so there’s no wonder why you might be confused about which one to choose. They have a lot of similar features but even more differences. However, both deserve to be considered wh. So, this Puffy vs Purple comparison is aimed at helping you find the best mattress between for your specific requirements.
In this comparison, I’ll focus on four models–Puffy Lux and Cloud compared to Purple Essential and Restore Plus.
Here’s a quick summary.
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Let’s start with a detailed comparison of what companies offer in terms of their products along with their pricing differences.
Puffy vs Purple detailed comparison table
| Feature | Puffy Cloud | Puffy Lux | Purple Essential | Purple Restore Plus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feel | Soft, hugging, contouring memory foam | Plush + supportive, responsive foam with mild bounce | Responsive “floating” GelFlex® Grid | Supportive + bouncy GelFlex® Grid + coils |
| Firmness | ~6.5 / 10 | ~7 / 10 | ~6–7 / 10 | ~7 / 10 |
| Cooling / Breathability | Moderate | Good (gel foam + breathable cover) | Excellent (GelFlex® Grid + thin cover) | Excellent (Grid + hybrid airflow) |
| Support | Basic foam support | Stronger (coils in Lux Hybrid) | Medium, grid distributes pressure | Strongest, hybrid + coil structure |
| Construction / Build | All-foam | Hybrid (foam + coils, 8 layers) | GelFlex® Grid + foam | GelFlex® Grid + foam + coils (hybrid) |
| Motion isolation | High (absorbs movement) | High | Moderate | Moderate |
| Edge support | Fair | Fair | Stronger | Strongest |
| Warranty | Lifetime | Lifetime | 10 years | 10 years |
| Extras | Free bedding | Free bedding | None | None |
| Best for Sleeping Positions | Back & side sleepers (medium/lightweight) | Back & side sleepers (all weights) | Back & side sleepers (medium/heavy), stomach sleepers | All positions, especially heavy sleepers & couples |
| Cover / Material | Soft, breathable, hypoallergenic | Soft, breathable, hypoallergenic | Soft, breathable, hypoallergenic | Soft, breathable, hypoallergenic |
Similarities
- Breathable covers: Both mattresses use stretch-knit, breathable covers designed to promote airflow and enhance comfort, although the materials differ.
- Suitable for back and side sleepers: Each brand offers models that support back and side sleeping positions, with suitability depending on body weight and firmness preference.
- Certified safe materials:
Both companies use CertiPUR-US® certified foams, ensuring the materials meet standards for emissions, durability, and content. - Made in the USA: Puffy and Purple mattresses are manufactured in the United States, which is a key selling point for quality and consistency.
- Sleep trial periods: Puffy offers a 101-night sleep trial, while Purple provides a 100-night trial, allowing customers to test the mattress at home.
- Free shipping and returns: Both brands include free shipping and returns, reducing the risk of buying a mattress online.
Differences
- Construction: Puffy uses memory foam layers, while Purple features a GelFlex® Grid (hyper-elastic polymer) on top of foam or hybrid coils.
- Feel: Puffy has a soft, contouring “hug” feel, whereas Purple offers a responsive, slightly bouncy, “floating” feel.
- Firmness: Puffy mattresses tend to be softer (medium-plush), while Purple models are generally firmer (medium to medium-firm).
- Support: Purple provides stronger overall support, especially in hybrid models, due to its grid structure and coil systems.
- Breathability: Purple sleeps cooler, thanks to its open-grid design that promotes airflow, while Puffy may retain more heat as a foam mattress.
- Price: Puffy is typically more affordable overall, while Purple’s premium hybrid models are significantly more expensive.
- Durability: Purple’s polymer grid is generally more durable and resistant to sagging than traditional memory foam.
- Packaging: Both mattresses are compressed, rolled, and shipped in a box.
- Warranty: Puffy offers a lifetime warranty, whereas Purple provides a 10-year warranty.
- Packaging: Both mattresses are compressed, rolled, and shipped in a box.
- Warranty: Puffy offers a lifetime warranty, whereas Purple provides a 10-year warranty.
Price of Purple and Puffy
When it comes to Puffy vs Purple pricing, the answer to which one is cheaper depends on the type. In a nutshell, Puffy is consistently cheaper (especially with discounts), while Purple becomes significantly more expensive at the Restore level.
Here is the quick comparison:
| Mattress | Official price (USD) | £ approx. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puffy Cloud | ~$949 (typical sale) | ~£750 | Entry model (Tom’s Guide) |
| Puffy Lux | from ~$749–$1,399 | ~£590–£1,100 | Heavy discounts common (Puffy Mattress) |
| Purple Essential (entry Purple) | from ~$1,699 | ~£1,350 | Brand starting price (Puffy Mattress) |
| Purple Restore Plus | ~$2,000+ (premium range) | ~£1,600+ | Hybrid premium tier (official lineup positioning) (Puffy Mattress) |
Key pricing insight:
- Cheapest: Purple Essential ≈ Puffy Cloud
- Mid-tier: Puffy Lux
- Most expensive: Purple Restore Plus (by far)
Now, let’s move to additional aspects of Puffy and Purplef.
Construction
Both mattresses have a soft and breathable cover, being made of similar material. Also, the cover of both mattresses is hypoallergenic.
The main difference lies in the comfort layer of Puffy and Purple: memory foam layer by Puffy and gel-polymer layer by Purple.
Puffy’s memory foam is quite responsive. The transition foam is pretty responsive and adds some bounce on top of the mattress
The Purple mattress has a tight hyper-elastic gel-polymer on top. It remains firm and supportive until you put some pressure and then only that separate area will collapse. Next, there is a foam transition layer.
The base layers of both mattresses have good support and a stable feel.
Firmness
So, both mattresses have higher than average firmness. Puffy can be scored as 7 out of 10 and Purple is 6 out of 10. For lighter people, these mattresses might feel softer and vice versa, firmer for higher-weight people.
Feel
Puffy has more of a bounced-foam feel, it’s pretty responsive and not is hard to move around on it. Purple has a more squishy feel but it’s also quite firm and supportive.
Meanwhile, some customers say that Purple is not as comfortable as it might seem at first. After some time of using this mattress, it might feel like “sleeping on a layer of rubber.”
Sleeping positions
Back sleepers
Puffy is good for back sleepers, especially for medium- and lightweight people as it offers decent support and good contouring for your body. Purple is good for back sleepers as well, but for heavier users; this mattress collapses under the hips staying supportive for the back. Also, if you have back problems, you should definitely choose Purple over Puffy as you need stronger back support.
Side sleepers
With Puffy, heavier-weight side sleepers might feel some pressure under their shoulders and hips. And Purple provides a better pressure leave for this group of people. However, it can be a good choice for medium or lightweight side sleepers. For such people, it won’t allow you to sink far into the mattress and has better pressure leave under your shoulders and hips.
Stomach sleepers
Purple offers good support and doesn’t collapse even under your hips. Meanwhile, Puffy might not give you enough support, especially if you are a heavier sleeper. So, in general, Purple is better for stomach sleepers of all weights.
Motion transfer and edge support
Puffy has a better motion transfer as its memory foam absorbs a lot of movements. This means that Puffy might be a better choice for a couple.
Meanwhile, Purple offers better edge support as it keeps a better contour when sitting on the edge of it.
Sleeping hot or cold
The Purple is the winner here–its grid construction and thin, breathable cover allow for a higher level of airflow, which helps to keep a neutral body temperature. The Puffy is an all-foam bed and it doesn’t give quite as much breathability–although it features a gel infusion and a thin cover for a cooler sleep.
What is better, Puffy or Purple?
So, let’s check out the benefits of both.
Puffy is better for
- People who like balanced foam feel
- Medium and light-weight side sleepers
- Light-weight back sleepers
- People who prefer a firmer mattress
Purple is better for
- Heavier side and back sleepers
- Stomach sleepers
- Hot sleepers
- Those who want a better durability
Drawbacks of Puffy and Purple
- Some customers have noticed the unpleasant smell of Puffy
- Purple is not comfortable for many because of its gel-polymer layer might feel weird
Recap of the comparison
As you see, both Puffy and Purple have some similarities but there are even more differences between them. This includes the construction (foam or gel-polymer), firmness, as well as feel and support depending on the weight of a sleeper. So, make your decision and invest in one you find a better option for yourself.
FAQ: Puffy vs Purple (Cloud, Lux, Essential, Restore Plus)
Puffy is better for comfort and value, while Purple is better for cooling and support.
If you prefer a soft, contouring feel, go with Puffy. If you want a firmer, more responsive mattress that sleeps cool, Purple is the better choice.
Yes, Puffy Lux is generally better for pressure relief and overall comfort, especially for side sleepers.
However, Purple Essential sleeps cooler and feels more responsive, making it a better option for hot sleepers or back sleepers.
Purple Restore Plus is worth it if you want premium support and durability. It uses a hybrid design with coils and GelFlex Grid, offering stronger edge support and better airflow—but it’s significantly more expensive than Puffy Lux.
Puffy Cloud and Puffy Lux are better for side sleepers because they provide deeper cushioning and pressure relief for shoulders and hips. Purple models can feel too firm for strict side sleepers.
Purple mattresses sleep cooler than Puffy. The GelFlex Grid design allows more airflow than traditional memory foam, which tends to retain heat.
Purple mattresses sleep cooler than Puffy. The GelFlex Grid design allows more airflow than traditional memory foam, which tends to retain heat.
Purple Restore Plus is likely the most durable, thanks to its hybrid coil construction. Among Puffy models, Puffy Lux lasts longer than Puffy Cloud, but some users report foam softening over time.
For some sleepers, yes. Puffy Cloud can feel too soft for back or stomach sleepers, but it works well for lightweight users and side sleepers who need pressure relief.
It depends on preference. Purple mattresses feel firmer and more supportive than Puffy, with a unique “floating” sensation that not everyone likes.
