Are you in the market for a new mattress, but can’t decide which one to get? Nolah and Purple are two popular bed-in-a-box brands, and they both offer a good balance of comfort and support. But even so, each bed is a better pick for some people more than others.
Want to learn which one is right for you? In this Nolah vs. Purple mattress comparison, we’ll investigate each bed’s firmness level, feel, durability, and more. Read on to see which mattress best suits your needs!
Nolah vs. Purple
Compare the Nolah and Purple mattresses below to see which may be best for you!Product
Firmness
Score
Nolah vs. Purple
Compare the Nolah and Purple mattresses below to see which may be best for you!
Product
Nolah Original 10" MattressFirmness
Soft: 6/10Score
Nolah Vs Purple Overview
Nolah is known for selling mattresses for a fraction of the cost seen at big box stores. All Nolah mattresses are made with AirFoam, a proprietary material that’s designed to help people sleep cool at night. It has a responsive feel, and it’s great at relieving pressure. The company sells a variety of models, including the Nolah Signature 12″ and Nolah Evolution 15″. In this mattress comparison, we’re looking specifically at the Nolah Original 10″.
Purple is known for its hyper-elastic gel grid, a unique material that feels squishy and firm at the same time. It provides excellent pressure relief under joints, all while giving a good amount of support. In addition to the original Purple mattress, the company makes higher-end models like the Purple Hybrid Premier.
Who Should Get The Nolah
- Lightweight people
- Those who want something softer
- Side sleepers
Nolah Original 10" Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Nolah Original 10" Mattress
The Nolah Original 10" mattress works especially well for side sleepers, and it's sold at a value price.
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Nolah Original 10" Mattress
The Nolah Original 10" mattress works especially well for side sleepers, and it's sold at a value price.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Who Should Get The Purple
- Heavier people
- Those who need more support
- Hot sleepers
Purple Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Purple Mattress
Purple is an innovative mattress that is a great fit for all three sleeping positions and doesn’t sleep hot.
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Purple Mattress
Purple is an innovative mattress that is a great fit for all three sleeping positions and doesn’t sleep hot.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Nolah Vs Purple Mattress Video Comparison
If you want to take a closer look at each mattress, check out our video review below!
Similarities Between The Nolah And Purple?
The Nolah and Purple look completely different, but they have a few features in common. Let’s take a closer look at their similarities.
- Both are popular online mattress brands.
- They have good customer service terms.
- They’re both responsive mattresses
- They have similar price points.
To learn more, check out our Nolah mattress comparisons.
Key Differences Between The Nolah And Purple?
Understanding the main differences between the Nolah and Purple will help you make the best decision for your sleep needs. Read on to see how these two popular brands differ!
- They have very different comfort layers.
- The Nolah has a responsive foam feel, and the Purple has a squishy gel feel.
- Nolah is softer than Purple.
- Purple is more breathable than Nolah.
For more information, take a look at our Purple mattress comparisons.
Firmness and Feel Differences
When comparing mattresses, we always look closely at each bed’s firmness level and feel. That way, we can help people figure out which is the best mattress for them! To further compare how these mattresses feel different from others, it may also be helpful to check out our other Nolah and Purple reviews like Nolah vs Bear and Purple vs Leesa.
How Firm Are The Nolah And Purple Mattresses?
The Nolah feels like a 6/10 on our firmness scale. Nolah’s AirFoam allows sleepers to sink into the comfort layer, giving the bed a softer feel overall.
The Purple feels like a 6.5/10, which is the industry standard. The gel grid collapses with pressure and stays upright everywhere else, which gives the bed a medium-firm feel.
Sleeping On the Nolah And Purple Mattresses
While back sleeping, the Nolah offers a good balance of comfort and support. People who prefer this sleeping position should feel the Nolah is a good choice.
While side sleeping, most people will feel decent pressure relief. Stomach sleepers, however, likely won’t feel enough support on the Nolah. This mattress is too soft to keep hips in alignment, which could cause joint pain over time.
For back sleepers, the Purple is a great choice. The mattress collapses under the hips and butt, while the rest of the bed stays supportive. Most side sleepers should feel nice pressure relief on the Purple. This bed isn’t likely to cause joint pain with use.
Because of the unique gel grid, the Purple is also a good match for stomach sleepers. The comfort layers don’t compress too much, so the bed feels firm and supportive in this sleeping position.
What Do The Nolah And Purple Mattresses Feel Like?
The Nolah has a balanced foam feel, so it’s both pressure-relieving and responsive. Sleepers should sink into the top layers a bit, but it isn’t too difficult to move around on this mattress.
Thanks to the hyper-elastic gel polymer grid, the Purple has a one-of-a-kind feel that’s both squishy and firm. It feels responsive and slightly bouncy, so it’s easy to move around on this bed.
Average Weight Sleepers – 130lbs – 230lbs
The Nolah is a great choice for average weight back sleepers. The Nolah AirFoam provides nice body contouring, and the high-density base foam gives a good amount of support. Side sleepers in this category should also feel well supported and comfortable. Because the Nolah is softer than many mattresses, it’s not a good pick for average weight stomach sleepers. Most people will find they do not get enough hip support in this sleeping position.
On the Purple, average weight back sleepers should feel both supported and comfortable. Most average weight side sleepers should also feel a good amount of pressure relief. But those who weigh closer to 130lbs may not activate the gel grid as much, which will make the bed feel firmer in this sleeping position. For average weight stomach sleepers, the Purple is a great choice. It’s firm enough to promote proper spinal alignment, so sleepers aren’t likely to develop pain in their backs.
Heavyweight Sleepers – Over 230lbs
While back sleeping on the Nolah, most heavyweight sleepers won’t get the necessary support. It’s a similar case with side and stomach sleepers. Because this is a softer mattress, heavier people may sink deeply into the comfort layers and feel pain on pressure points.
Generally, the Purple is a great choice for heavier back sleepers. The hyper-elastic polymer grid gives ample lumbar support, which is an important thing to look for in this sleeping position. Heavier side and stomach sleepers should also feel the Purple is a good match. Those who weigh closer to 300lbs, however, may feel they aren’t getting the necessary support on their joints. People in this category may have better luck with one of the best mattresses for heavy people.
Lightweight Sleepers – Under 130lbs
For people who weigh less than 130lbs, the Nolah is a great option. The AirFoam layers should feel comfortable and supportive while back, side, and stomach sleeping. In fact, Nolah was named one of the best mattresses for lightweight people.
Because lightweight people may not activate the gel grid very much, they’re likely to think the Purple mattress is too firm. Lightweight back sleepers will probably want something softer, and side sleepers may feel some pressure on their shoulders. Lightweight stomach sleepers, on the other hand, may feel the Purple offers a great deal of support. People who prefer this sleeping position aren’t likely to feel their hips sinking into the top layers, so they should maintain proper spinal alignment throughout the night.
Mattress Construction Differences
Now, let’s see how the Nolah and Purple compare in terms of construction. Keep reading to get an in-depth view of each bed, layer by layer.
Cover
The Nolah mattress features a cover made with Tencel, which is designed to be soft and breathable.
The Purple mattress has a thin and flexible SoftFlex cover.
Comfort Layers
The Nolah’s first comfort layer is made with 2” of AirFoam, a proprietary material designed to provide pressure relief and body contouring. Because of its breathable construction, it also helps keep the bed cool at night. Underneath this is 1” of high-resilience foam, which acts as a transition between the comfort and support layers.
In the Purple mattress, the first comfort layer is made with 2” of their unique gel polymer grid. This material feels firm until significant pressure is applied. Then, it becomes softer and more pressure-relieving. Beneath this sits a 3.5″ layer of Plush Comfort Foam, which acts as a transition layer between the gel grid and base layer.
Support Layer
The Nolah’s support layer is 7” tall and consists of high-density base foam.
On the Purple, there is a base layer made with 4″ of polyfoam.
Mattress Height
The Nolah Original is 10” tall, and the Purple mattress is 9.25” tall.
Nolah And Purple Mattress Size Options and Price
Now, let’s take a look at the price points and size options for each mattress. Check out our handy charts for detailed information!
Nolah
| Size | Dimensions | Price |
| Twin | 38” x 75” | $999.00 |
| Twin XL | 38" x 80" | $1199.00 |
| Full | 54" x 75" | $1349.00 |
| Queen | 60” x 80” | $1149.00 |
| King | 76” x 80” | $1749.00 |
| California King | 72” x 84” | $1749.00 |
Purple
| Size | Dimensions | Price |
| Twin | 38" x 75" | $999.00 |
| Twin XL | 38" x 80" | $1099.00 |
| Full | 54” x 75” | $1399.00 |
| Queen | 60" x 80" | $1499.00 |
| King | 76" x 80" | $1999.00 |
| California King | 72" x 84" | $1999.00 |
| Split King | 76" 80" | $2198.00 |
Product
Firmness
Score
Product
Nolah Original 10" MattressFirmness
Soft: 6/10Score
Nolah And Purple Performance Differences
How do these two popular mattresses stack up when it comes to edge support, motion transfer, and durability? Keep reading to see who wins out!
Sleeping Hot or Cold
Both beds have cooling features that help dissipate heat. The Nolah features AirFoam, which is designed to promote airflow. Overall, we found the Purple sleeps cooler than the Nolah. The Purple grid creates excellent airflow, and its thin cover keeps the bed temperature neutral.
Motion Transfer
If you sleep with a partner, motion isolation is an important aspect to consider. If a bed doesn’t isolate motion well, you may wake up when your partner shifts sleeping positions.
To test each mattress’ motion transfer, we placed a glass of water in the center of the bed and pushed into the top layers around it. On the Nolah, the water inside the glass barely moved. This makes sense, as most foam beds perform well with motion transfer.
The Purple, however, did not isolate motion well. The water rippled inside the glass when testing, so you may feel your partner’s movements more on this bed.
Edge Support
Edge support is another valuable aspect to keep in mind, especially if you share a bed with someone. If a bed has poor edge support, you won’t be able to utilize the entire mattress without feeling like you could fall off.
When testing, we found both mattresses have decent edge support. We didn’t feel like we would fall off the side when sitting on the edge of the Nolah. The Purple’s foam casing boosts its edge support, so we felt even more secure when lying near the side of this bed.
Durability
The Nolah is made with high-quality foam, so we expect it to last a good while. With normal use, this mattress should have a lifespan of 7-10 years.
Due to its durable gel grid, we expect the Purple to last a bit longer than the Nolah – at least 10 years.
Off-Gassing
When opening a new bed-in-a-box, it’s common to notice a slight chemical smell. The mattress industry calls this “off-gassing”, and it typically fades over time.
When opening up the Nolah and Purple mattresses, there was a faint odor. After 48 hours, however, the smell completely faded.
Noise
When testing the Nolah and Purple mattresses, we did not notice any noise. Because both beds are free from innersprings, we don’t anticipate they will create sound over time.
Sex
Couples looking for one of the best mattresses for sex typically want something that’s easy to move around on. If this is top of mind, you can’t go wrong with either the Nolah or Purple. When it comes to responsiveness, both beds have a bouncy feel. Neither mattress will make you feel like you’re “stuck” inside it.
Company Policies
When mattress shopping, it’s always a good idea to read the fine print. Below, we’ve outlined Nolah and Purple’s warranty information, sleep trial period, and return policies.
Warranty Info
The Nolah Original is backed by a lifetime warranty, and the Purple mattress comes with a 10-year warranty.
Sleep Trial
Nolah’s sleep trial period is 120 days, and Purple’s is 100 days.
Return Policy
Both mattresses offer full refunds during their sleep trial periods.
