Written by Katie Golde, Writer
Between Sleep Numberโs vast range of beds and Purpleโs unique mattress, these two could not be more different.
Sleep Number is all about letting people control the firmness and support of their bed using air chambers in their mattress. They offer different options to meet most needs. Meanwhile, Purple is a creative and exciting new sleep brand that offers one mattress, made with a unique material, that focuses on pressure relief at an affordable price.
There are many reasons to love both but weโre here to help people decide which one should be in their bedroom. In this Sleep Number vs Purple comparison, we discuss everything people need to know about each mattress so they can compare them side by side.
Sleep Number vs. Purple
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What Theyโre All About
Sleep Number
Sleep Number may be best known for its adjustable air beds, which allow people to change the firmness and support of the bed to meet their needs via a remote.
There are four different types/series of beds, starting with the Classic Series and ending with the 360 Smart Beds. There are numerous models that offer different comfort options within each series.
The beds tend to be popular with couples because they can be made with dual air chambers, so each person can adjust to their preferred setting without compromising.
Prices range depending on the series and model of each bed. The most basic model (c-2) retails for $1099.00 for a Queen while the i-10 360 SmartBed will run consumers $5499.00 for a Queen.
Sleep Number mattresses come with a 100-night sleep trial (read the fine print for exclusions).
Check out Sleep Numberโs popular p-5 model below:
Sleep Number p5 Smart Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Purple
Purple has become one of the more familiar names in the world of bed-in-a-box mattresses. This has a little bit to do with the unique materials they use and because of their creative marketing and successful Kickstarter campaign.
The top layer of the mattress feels very different from other foam beds itโs made with 2โ hyper-elastic polymer material in Smart Comfort Grid design. Based on our experience, itโs both a supportive and highly pressure relieving material unlike anything else weโve tried.
The mattress dimensions are 59.5โณ x 79.5โณ x 9.5โณ and Queen size retails for $1499.00. The Purple mattress is made in the US and comes with a 100 night โno pressureโ guarantee.
RELATED: Best Mattresses for Side Sleepers
Check out Purpleโs Original mattress below:
Purple Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Construction Differences
Sleep Number
Sleep Number offers several models organized into four categories: Classic Series, Performance Series, Innovation Series and 360 Smart Beds.
The air chamber/dual air chamber option with adjustable settings and the personalized Sleep Number will be incorporated into all beds and make up the base of the Sleep Number bed.
Each series essentially builds off the other. The Classic Series beds, the c-2, c-4 and cse, offer the most standard options while the Innovation Series and 360 Smart Beds will have the largest, thickest layers and most added features.
Purple
The dimensions of the mattress are: 59.5โณ x 79.5โณ x 9.5โณ. It is made up of three layers:
- 2โ of hyper-elastic polymer
- 3.5โof 1.8 lb polyurethane foam
- 4.0โ of 2.0 lb polyurethane foam
Screenshot of layers from OnPurple.com
The top layer (hyper-elastic polymer) is really the story of Purple, with a unique material that accounts for the bounciness, pressure relief, and sleeping cool.
Below is the cover, made of viscose (27%), polyester (69%), and polyester-lycra (4%). I found the mattress cover to be nice to the touch and very breathable.
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You will love Sleep Number Ifโฆ
You want options.
Sleep Number models start with the same basic construction but they come in a range of styles and materials, so there is basically something for everyone.
You sleep with a partner.
One of the reasons this bed is so popular with couples is because it can come with dual air chambers, so each person can adjust the comfort level (also known as the Sleep Number) on their side of the bed. No more having to compromise!
RELATED: Best Mattresses for Couples
You want to see the bed for yourself, first.
Sleep Number has showrooms across the country where people can go and test out different mattresses. Theyโll even walk people through finding their personal Sleep Number and make suggestions on the type of mattress that could work for them.
RELATED: Best Sleep Number Bed Alternatives and Best Purple Alternatives.
You will love Purple Ifโฆ
Youโre looking for pressure relief.
Purple designed their mattress with pressure relief in mind โ their top layer of hyper-elastic polymer is a pressure-releasing material. Based on our experience it hits the mark.
We tried our own version of their raw egg test โ see how it turned out here.
You sleep in multiple positions.
From our experience, we think Purpleโs patented technology and mattress construction supports the body in a way that makes it comfortable when sleeping on the back, side, and stomach.
Youโre a hot sleeper.
With polymer materials and a design that promotes airflow, the Purple mattress definitely sleeps cool. We would say cooler than almost any other mattress we have reviewed (and we tried it during the NYC summer).
Firmness Comparison
Sleep Number
What makes Sleep Number beds so popular is that people can adjust the firmness and support of their mattress (or their side of the mattress) at any given time using a remote that comes with the bed.
Your Sleep Number number (also called your Sleep Number setting) corresponds to your ideal firmness and support. Numbers range from 0 to 100 and the higher your number, the more air/firmer your Sleep Number bed will be.
Sleep Numbers are super personal and can change. The model you choose will also affect your firmness and support. Picking a model with plush layers between the mattress top and the air chamber will feel different than a more standard model.
Sleep Number i-10 360 Smart Bed
Purple
Since the Purple mattress has a unique comfort layer material โ the hyper-elastic polymer layer โ itโs no surprise that it has a unique feel. Similar to latex mattress, the Purple mattress springs back very quickly and sleeps cool.
Based on our experience with the mattress, itโs probably a 7 out of 10 on the firmness scale. The mattress is really pressure-relieving as well, so the normal โfirmness scaleโ isnโt as useful as it can be with other mattresses.
Purple cover
Bottom Line
The main takeaway here is that if you want options in terms of how soft/firm it is, youโll want to take a look at Sleep Number. However, if youโre intrigued by the promise of a bed-in-a-box that provides total pressure relief, Purple could definitely be the way to go.
Luckily, both companyโs offer 100-day trial periods, so you can check it out for yourself before committing. To learn more, check out our review of the Sleep Number beds here and Purpleโs mattress here.
Before making a final purchase decision, you should also check out our mattress comparisons page for other popular Sleep Number and Purple comparisons like Sleep Number vs GhostBed and Purple vs Bear. I hope this has been helpful!