GhostBed and Purple are two of the most popular online mattress brands in the industry owing to their superior support and comfort and their unique feel and construction which places them miles ahead of other foam models. Sleepers often compare GhostBed vs. Purple because both mattresses were launched the same year, in 2015. They also share some similar characteristics, such as the number of layers and the level of firmness, although they differ in other vital features which we are going to explore in this review. In this review, we have analysed Purple vs. GhostBed in terms of size, construction, comfort, profile thickness, pricing and warranty to help you determine the most suitable mattress for your budget, space and sleeping position.
| GhostBed | Purple |
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| VIEW ON AMAZON | VIEW ON AMAZON |
| GhostBed | Purple | |
| Type | Foam | Foam |
| Firmness | Medium firm (7) | Medium firm (6.5) |
| Thickness | 11″ | 9.5″ |
| Weight (Queen) | 89 lbs | 110 lbs |
| Sleep trial | 101 nights | 100 nights |
| Warranty | 20 years | 10 years |
| Price (Queen) | $779 | $999 |
| Certification | CertiPUR-US | CertiPUR-US FDA |
| GhostBed | Purple | |
| Support core | 7.5″ high-density PU foam | 4″ PU foam |
| Comfort layers | 2″ gel memory foam 1.5″ aerated latex |
2″ Hyper-Elastic Polymer™ material in Smart Comfort Grid™ polyethylene copolymer powder coating 3.5″ 1.8 lbs density PU foam |
| Cover | Polyester | 29% Viscose, 67% Polyester, 4% Lycra (all +/- 5%) |
Apart from the three-layer design, both mattresses feature polyurethane foam in the support layer for structure and base support and polyester in the cover. Those are the most similar things they share in their construction. Otherwise, Purple’s support layer is made of four inches of polyurethane foam while the cover consists of a blend of 29% Viscose, 67% Polyester and 4% Lycra (all +/- 5%). On the other hand, GhostBed has 7.5 inches of high-density polyurethane foam in the support layer and a cover made of polyester. Both mattresses provide a high level of deep compression and foundation support but there is no provision for base support although the thick high-density polyurethane foam located in the base layer of GhostBed does a relatively decent job.
The comfort layer is where you get to see the greatest difference in the construction of the two mattresses. For this part, GhostBed incorporates 1.5 inches of aerated latex foam in the top layer which prevents the heat retention associated with memory foam mattresses with two inches of gel memory foam underneath the latex foam. Purple features a two-inch top layer made of patented Hyper-Elastic Polymer which is designed in a grid pattern with a gel-like feel for a cool and comfortable sleeping surface, followed by 3.5 inches of polyurethane foam for transitional and deep compression support. The polymer is coated with polyethylene copolymer powder to prevent squeaking. The naturally antimicrobial properties of the patented polymer also offer protection against allergens and dust mites, making Purple the best mattress for sleepers who are prone to allergies.
When you initially lay on it, GhostBed feels much firmer but the gel-infused memory foam soon reacts to your body heat and pressure and compresses to conform to your body curves and distribute your body weight evenly. This delayed reaction is what makes some sleepers find GhostBed firmer than Purple. Purple reacts differently. The highly-sensitive gel-like polymer grid immediately reacts to the pressure as soon as you lay on the mattress. If you weigh above average, that layer collapses under your weight to provide the right amount of sinkage for a snug hug. Light sleepers who can’t exert enough pressure on the mattress to activate the gel layer experience little sinkage which may make them feel like they are floating on the mattress. This is why sleepers who are below the average weight find Purple firmer while heavy sleepers consider it softer.
Purple features a blend of polyester, lycra and viscose in its cover. This makes a thin and soft fabric which is flexible enough to respond quickly to the sensitive and flexible polymer gel-like grid layer. The incorporated lycra, which is commonly used in athletic attire, is stretchy and effective in wicking away moisture and controlling temperature. In contrast, the cover in GhostBed is made of 100% polyester with a stretchy and dimpled design which has a massaging effect. It is also soft and thin to promote cooling and optimal air circulation. Polyester is also easy to clean.
Interestingly, GhostBed mattress is lighter than Purple despite having a thicker profile. Purple has a profile thickness of 9.5 inches and weighs 110 pounds. In contrast, the 11-inch thick GhostBed weighs 89 pounds. This could be attributed to the polymer grid design in Purple which is placed throughout the mattress.
Sleeping hot, sinking into the stiff foundation layer, rolling off the bed, movement by a sleeping partner, and insufficient support for your spine, shoulders and lower back can all affect the quality of your sleep. This is why it is important to consider features like firmness, temperature control, motion transfer and responsiveness before investing in a mattress to ensure optimal support, comfort, and uninterrupted sleep.
So, how well do Purple and GhostBed fare in these factors?
The rating for firmness is based on a scale of 1 to 10. A high rating indicates a high level of firmness. GhostBed and Purple mattresses are medium firm, which is rated from 5 to 7 on the firmness scale.
Although the firmness level ultimately depends on your individual weight, height and sleeping position, medium firmness is considered suitable for all kinds of sleepers because it balances a comfortable sleeping surface with support for proper spinal alignment.
Purple is generally considered a 6.5 on the firmness scale although the unique construction makes the level of firmness feel different to people of different weights. The patented gel grid material in Purple has impressive elasticity which enables it to respond to particular amounts of applied pressure by collapsing, instead of compressing, to allow for more sinkage of body parts for pressure relief and deep compression support.
Sleepers who weigh less than 135 pounds may experience a floating sensation and a firmer feel, like 6.5 firmness rating, when sleeping because they are not heavy enough to make the gel collapse.
On the other hand, individuals who are heavier than 150 pounds will find Purple softer because their weight exerts additional pressure on the mattress to create a deeper sinkage which causes the gel to collapse for a squishy hug and pressure relief while the highly-responsive grid layer eliminates the feeling of being stuck. This, coupled with a total weight capacity of 600 pounds, makes Purple one of the best rated mattresses for heavy individuals.
GhostBed has a firmness rating of 7 because of the initial firmer feel when you first lay on the mattress. It takes a few minutes for the aerated latex foam to compress and the memory foam to adjust to your body temperature and become soft and pliable enough to contour your body and relieve pressure points.
Sleepers who weigh at least 200 pounds do not have to worry about sinking into the stiff lower layers because GhostBed features a thick base layer and can hold up to 750 pounds of weight.
A mattress with good airflow will dissipate heat from your body to keep you and the sleeping surface cool. This also reduces sweating to keep the mattress dry and eliminate odor.
GhostBed utilizes the cooling gel memory foam and latex foam whose open-cell aerated design excels at heat dissipation and airflow.
The patented polymer in Purple features Smart Comfort Grid design with rows and columns which facilitate a high degree of air circulation to keep you cool and dry, making Purple more outstanding than GhostBed and other foam mattresses in thermal regulation.
Motion isolation limits movement to the point of impact to eliminate transfer of motion created when one partner moves to change sleeping positions or to get out of bed. This prevents disrupting and waking the other sleeping partner up.
Memory foam is the best material for motion isolation due to its superior contouring ability. One thing you should note, however, is that good motion isolation will typically translate to less bounce and slower response and vice versa.
Purple is fairly decent at motion isolation but GhostBed outperforms it because it incorporates memory foam in its construction. The latex foam also transfers less motion than the bouncy Smart Comfort Grid of the polymer in Purple.
A responsive mattress quickly reacts to your weight and pressure to adjust to your body movements and positions. This eliminates pressure points and maintains the natural curve of the spine.
GhostBed incorporates latex, which is quite responsive, in the top layer and a memory foam layer underneath which cradles your body curves and distributes your body weight evenly to ease pressure points.
Purple is outstandingly responsive because the polymer grid is super sensitive to applied pressure and the comfort layer is only two inches thick. This makes Purple more responsive than GhostBed whose contouring memory foam layer takes a few minutes to react to your body temperature and adapt to your body shape and weight.
Owing to the high degree of elasticity of the patented polymer, Purple provides a significant level of bounce by quickly rebounding to its shape. GhostBed also has a decent amount of bounce because of the resilient latex located in the top layer.
This makes both mattresses suitable for couples, with GhostBed being slightly less bouncy than Purple due to the inclusion of memory foam in its construction. A bouncy mattress is advantageous for amorous activities because it rebounds to amplify your rhythm.
Although neither GhostBed nor Purple has outstanding reinforced support for the edges to prevent you from sliding or rolling off the bed, GhostBed has a minor edge (pun intended) over Purple because of its firmer feel and thick foundational layer which provides structure and base support.
Once you remove them from their packaging, each of these mattresses initially emits a faint odor which generally dissipates after 24 to 48 hours of airing out the mattress. You don’t have to worry about any harm from the smell because both mattresses have been certified by the relevant authorized bodies for safety.
GhostBed and Purple both have CertiPUR-US certification. Foam mattresses certified by CertiPUR-US Trusted Source Home - CertiPUR-US CertiPUR-US® is a certification program administered by a not-for-profit organization. Foams that feel good and you can feel good about. certipur.us do not contain ozone depleters, mercury, lead, formaldehyde, phthalates, or chemical flame retardants. They also have low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) emission.
The hyper-elastic polymer material in Purple is additionally certified by FDA.
| SLEEP POSITION | Light sleepers
(less than 130 lbs) |
Average sleepers
(130 lbs to 230 lbs) |
Heavy sleepers
(greater than 230 lbs) |
| GhostBed | |||
| Side | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Back | 8 | 9 | 8 |
| Stomach | 6 | 8 | 6 |
| Purple | |||
| Side | 8 | 9 | 7 |
| Back | 9 | 9 | 8 |
| Stomach | 6 | 7 | 6 |
The above table is based on GhostBed vs. Purple reviews from verified buyers and expert reviewers with diverse weight and sleeping positions. Light sleepers weigh less than 130 pounds, average ones range from 130 to 230 pounds, and heavy sleepers weigh more than 230 pounds.
Purple and GhostBed are considered suitable choices for back sleepers. Purple was rated “good” by heavy sleepers and “very good” by sleepers of light and average weight. On the other hand, GhostBed was rated “good” by light and heavy sleepers and “very good” by average sleepers.
According to the ratings, side sleepers also consider both mattresses good options which offer both support and comfort. GhostBed was awarded a “good” rating by side sleepers of all kinds of weight. Comparatively, Purple received a “good” rating from light and heavy sleepers and a “very good” rating from average sleepers.
Stomach sleepers from the light and heavy end of the weight spectrum were not as impressed by Purple and GhostBed since light and heavy sleepers gave a “fair” rating to both mattresses. However, both mattresses received favorable ratings from stomach sleepers of average weight who rated Purple and GhostBed “good” and “very good” respectively.
| SIZE | GhostBed | Purple |
| Twin | $495 | – |
| Twin XL | $650 | $699 |
| Full | $775 | $899 |
| Queen | $779 | $999 |
| King | $975 | $1,299 |
| California King | $995 | $1,299 |
| Sleep trial | Warranty and refund | Delivery | Trade-in | |
| GhostBed | 101 days | 20-year warranty full refund |
Within the U.S. | N/A |
| Purple | 100 days | 10-year warranty full refund |
Within the U.S. and Canada | N/A |
Let us now compare Purple vs. GhostBed in terms of warranty, sleep trial and delivery.
The two mattress brands offer free shipping and returns as well as a trial period and a long warranty to cover manufacturing defects and a few selected issues which are specified in the respective warranties. However, Purple offers a trial period of 100 nights and a warranty of 10 years whereas GhostBed offers an extra trial night and twice as long warranty with 101-night trial period and a 20-year warranty. The trial period allows you to test the mattress for a substantial period before making a decision. It is a risk-free process which enables you to return the mattress and receive a full refund in case you change your mind within the trial period.
Both mattresses are shipped in compressed form, in a tube or box, to reduce the overall size for convenient packaging and transport. There may be a slight smell when you first open the package but it goes away within two to three days. It is advisable to allow up to 48 hours for full expansion of the mattress.
Shipping typically takes a week up to delivery and the return process normally takes 10 to 14 days. GhostBed delivers within the U.S. and Purple delivers within both the U.S. and Canada.
Pros
Cons
Pros
Cons
As you have seen, both mattresses are made of high-quality materials to ensure you get maximum support while enjoying a cool, soft and comfortable sleeping surface. You will also enjoy free shipping and returns, a trial period of three months and a warranty that will last for at least a decade. However, you may prefer one mattress over the other depending on your budget, weight and sleeping positions.
Generally, GhostBed is suitable for sleepers who prefer a firmer mattress, the traditional memory foam feel, body contouring and a reasonably-priced bed. The thick base layer and high weight capacity of 750 pounds are also ideal for couples while the high level of motion isolation favors people with restless sleeping partners.
If you have a higher budget and you would like to own a softer mattress with a unique gel-like feel and the best cooling capability on the market, Purple would be the best choice. It is excellent at heat dispersion and optimal airflow. The sensitive polymer grid layer also gives the mattress a high degree of responsiveness and bounciness which would suit couples and its naturally antimicrobial properties protect you against allergens and dust mites, making Purple the better mattress for sleepers with allergies.
