Key Takeaway: Purple uses a special grid to offer top-notch cooling and pressure relief, which makes it great for hot sleepers and people with joint pain. GhostBed leans into a firmer, more traditional feel with its combo of latex and gel memory foam—perfect if you switch positions a lot or like something a bit more supportive.

Let’s Talk About the Brands

• Purple: Launched in 2015 with their high-tech Purple Grid™, this isn’t your average mattress foam. It’s a stretchy, bouncy polymer that keeps you cool and supported. Their innovation and entertaining marketing make them stand out.
• GhostBed: Also founded in 2015 and backed by Nature’s Sleep, GhostBed focuses on firm, cool, and reliable comfort. Their mix of latex and memory foam creates a traditional but modern sleeping experience.
• Manufacturing and service: Both brands are made in the USA and come with sleep trials, warranties, and fast delivery straight to your door.

How These Mattresses Are Built

• Purple construction: The Original Purple Mattress starts with a 2-inch hyper-elastic polymer grid that flexes under pressure and stays firm elsewhere. It’s followed by a soft foam layer for balance and a dense base layer for long-term support. The open-grid structure allows for great airflow and comfort.
• GhostBed construction: This mattress uses 1.5 inches of aerated latex foam for breathability and bounce, followed by 2 inches of gel memory foam to cool and contour. A thick 7.5-inch support core at the bottom helps keep everything in shape.

How Firm Are They? And How Do They Feel?

• Purple firmness and feel: This one falls around 6.5 out of 10, which is medium-firm. The Grid makes you feel like you’re floating, which is great for side sleepers needing pressure relief.
• GhostBed firmness and feel: Coming in at about 7 to 7.5 out of 10, this mattress has a firmer surface. It’s ideal for back and stomach sleepers who want to stay level and avoid sinking. The latex gives it a bit of bounce for added mobility.

How Do They Handle Heat?

• Purple cooling: The Grid acts like a built-in ventilation system. It keeps the air moving and helps prevent overheating, which makes it great for hot sleepers.
• GhostBed cooling: The combo of aerated latex and gel-infused memory foam does a solid job absorbing and releasing heat. It’s not quite as breathable as Purple, but still cooler than traditional memory foam.

How They Handle Movement and Edge Support

• Motion isolation: Purple’s Grid absorbs movement really well, so you won’t feel much when your partner shifts. GhostBed also limits motion but has a touch more bounce due to the latex.
• Edge support: GhostBed takes the win here. The firmer foam layers give you a more solid feel around the edges, while Purple’s edges can feel softer and a bit compressible.

Which One Lasts Longer?

• Purple durability: The Grid is built to last. It doesn’t sag easily and maintains its structure over time. Expect it to hold up for 8 to 10 years with regular use.
• GhostBed durability: GhostBed also holds up well, especially the base foam. It should give you a good 7 to 9 years before showing signs of wear. The comfort layers might soften a little faster than Purple’s grid.

Price and Overall Value

• Purple pricing: A Queen-sized Purple Original costs around $1,399. It’s a little more expensive, but you’re getting unique technology that you won’t find elsewhere.
• GhostBed pricing: A Queen GhostBed Original runs about $1,295 and often comes with bundle deals or discounts, making it a better fit for budget-conscious shoppers.
• Value comparison: Both come with free shipping, long trial periods (over 100 nights), and solid warranties. GhostBed offers more savings upfront, while Purple invests in lasting innovation.

What’s Great and What’s Not

• Purple pros: Great pressure relief, excellent airflow, durable build, and ideal for hot sleepers or those with joint pain.
• Purple cons: The feel takes time to get used to, the price is higher, and edge support is weaker.
• GhostBed pros: Strong edge support, firmer and more responsive feel, good cooling, and often lower priced with promotions.
• GhostBed cons: May feel too firm for some, slight off-gassing at first, and less contouring for side sleepers.

Who Should Pick What?

• Pick Purple if: You’re a side sleeper, sleep hot, or want a mattress that relieves pressure without making you feel stuck.
• Pick GhostBed if: You sleep on your back or stomach, like a firmer surface, or want good support and bounce at a lower price.

Conclusion

It really comes down to what matters most to you. Purple’s futuristic Grid design offers unmatched airflow and pressure relief, especially for hot sleepers or people dealing with body aches. GhostBed delivers firm, dependable support that feels more traditional, with great edge stability and a friendlier price tag.

Think about how you sleep, what kind of feel you prefer, and your budget. Both brands have sleep trials, so you’ve got plenty of time to test whichever one sounds like a better match.

FAQs

Do Purple or GhostBed mattresses need a box spring?

No. Both mattresses work just fine on a solid platform, slatted base, or adjustable bed frame. A box spring isn’t necessary.

Can you flip Purple or GhostBed mattresses?

No. These mattresses are made to be used one way. You can rotate them every few months to help them wear evenly, but don’t flip them.

Are these mattresses good for couples?

Yes. Both do a great job with motion control. Purple has a slight edge with its Grid tech, while GhostBed holds strong at the edges and supports two sleepers well.

How heavy are these mattresses?

Purple is a bit heavier at around 110 lbs for a Queen size. GhostBed is lighter, around 85 lbs for the same size, making it easier to move.

Do either of these mattresses have a break-in period?

Yes. Both can take about 2 to 3 weeks to fully adjust to your body. Purple, with its unique Grid, might take a little longer for some sleepers to get used to.