Ghostbed vs. Purple Mattress Comparison
Ghostbed was founded in 2015; its parent company, Nature Sleep, first launched in 2001. Ghostbed currently offers two mattress models: the Ghostbed, which features memory foam and latex in the comfort system; and Ghostbed Luxe, which is an all-foam mattress.
Purple was founded in 2015 following a successful Kickstarter campaign, and began selling mattresses in 2016. The company currently offers its flagship mattress model, the Purple, which features foam and buckling-column gel in the comfort system. Additionally, Purple offers the New Purple, a hybrid model featuring a buckling-column gel comfort system and a pocketed coil support core. This model is available in three thicknesses.
Both companies have earned above-average satisfaction ratings from owners and customers. This page will compare both brands in terms of mattress construction, firmness, and pricing, as well as shipping/return policies and overall reputation.
Brand Summary
Pros of the Ghostbed mattresses include:
- Close conforming and good motion isolation
- No noise
- Minimal odor potential
- Free shipping and 101-night sleep trial
Pros of the Purple mattress include:
- Above-average conforming and pressure relief
- Good motion isolation
- No noise
- Free shipping throughout the contiguous U.S. and 100-night sleep trial
You might not be suited for Ghostbed mattresses if:
- Your preferred firmness falls outside a Medium to Medium Firm
- You want an established mattress with a proven long-term lifespan
- You tend to sleep hot
- You require a mattress with strong edge support
You might not be suited for the Purple mattress if:
- You want an established mattress with a proven long-term lifespan
- You require a mattress with strong edge support
- You want a mattress with average to above-average thickness
- You prefer a mattress that is relatively lightweight and easy to move
Sizes and Pricing
The table below lists the current prices for the Ghostbed, Ghostbed Luxe, and Purple mattresses in each available size. Please note the Purple is not offered in a Twin size at this time, and that the New Purple is not offered in either a Twin or a Full size.
| Mattress Brand | Mattress Model | Twin | Twin XL | Full | Queen | King | California King |
| Ghostbed | Ghostbed | $445 | $600 | $725 | $695 | $875 | $895 |
| Ghostbed Luxe | $995 | $1,175 | $1,350 | $1,475 | $1,775 | $1,825 | |
| Purple | Purple | N/A | $699 | $899 | $999 | $1,299 | $1,299 |
| New Purple (11″) | N/A | $1,299 | N/A | $1,599 | $1,899 | $1,899 | |
| New Purple (12″) | N/A | $1,899 | N/A | $2,199 | $2,699 | $2,699 | |
| New Purple (13″) | N/A | $2,499 | N/A | $2,799 | $3,499 | $3,499 |
Mattress Construction
Next, let’s look at the construction of all three mattresses. The table below lists overall thickness and individual layer specifications, as well as firmness and weight, for the Ghostbed, Ghostbed Luxe, and Purple mattresses.
| Brand | Product Name | Firmness | Thickness | Weight (Queen Size) | Support Core Components | Comfort Layer Components | Cover Components |
| Ghostbed | Ghostbed | 6 (Medium Firm) | 11″ | 89 lbs. | 7 1/2″ 2 PCF HD Polyfoam | 1 1/2″ Aerated Synthetic Dunlop Latex 2″ 4 PCF Gel Memory Foam | Polyester |
| Ghostbed Luxe | 5 (Medium) | 13″ | 122 lbs. | 7 1/2″ HD Polyfoam | Phase-change Material 2″ Gel Memory Foam 2″ HR Polyfoam | 1/2″ Fiber 1″ Gel Memory Foam | |
| Purple | Purple Mattress | 6.5 (Medium Firm) | 9 1/2″ | 110 lbs. | 4″ 2 PCF HD Polyfoam | 2″ ‘Smart Comfort Grid’ Buckling Column Gel 3 1/2″ 1.8 PCF Polyfoam | 67% Polyester 29% Viscose 4% Lycra® Spandex |
| New Purple | 6.5 (Medium Firm) | 11″ | 122 lbs. | 7 1/2″ Pocketed Coils | 2″ ‘Smart Comfort Grid’ Buckling Column Gel | 98% Polyester 2% Spandex | |
| 5.5 (Medium) | 12″ | 145 lbs. | 3″ ‘Smart Comfort Grid’ Buckling Column Gel | ||||
| 4.5 (Medium Soft) | 13″ | 168 lbs. | 4″ ‘Smart Comfort Grid’ Buckling Column Gel |
Shipping Information, Trial Period & Warranty
The next four tables compare Ghostbed and Purple in terms of shipping, returns, and customer service. The first table details the delivery policy and timetable for both brands.
| Criteria | Ghostbed | Purple |
| Delivery fee | Free in the contiguous U.S. $600 surcharge for Alaska and Hawaii | Free in the contiguous U.S. Additional fees for Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada |
| Where do they deliver? | Contiguous U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii | U.S. and Canada |
| How is the mattress shipped? | Compressed, vacuum-sealed, and shipped in a box | The Purple mattress is compressed, vacuum-sealed, and shipped in a vinyl tube; The New Purple is not compressed and is shipped in a flat box |
| Estimated delivery time (from original order) | 4 to 6 business days | 2 to 5 business days |
| Online availability | Ghostbed.com | Purple.com Amazon.com |
| Amazon.com customer rating | 3.9 (Ghostbed) 5.0 (Ghostbed Luxe) | 4.2 (Purple) The New Purple is not currently available on Amazon.com |
| Brick-and-mortar availability | Ghostbed mattresses are not sold in any brick-and-mortar locations | Purple mattresses are not sold in any brick-and-mortar locations |
| Courier used for delivery | FedEx | UPS and FedEx |
| White Glove delivery? For an extra fee, some mattress sellers provide in-home assembly and packaging waste disposal | Ghostbed does not offer White Glove delivery | Purple does not offer White Glove delivery |
| Old mattress removal? For an extra fee, some mattress sellers will remove a customer’s old mattress during the delivery and transport it to a recycling facility or donation center | Old mattress removal is not available with Ghostbed purchases | Old mattress removal is not available with Purple purchases |
The next table compares the sleep trials and return policies for Ghostbed and Purple.
| Criteria | Ghostbed | Purple |
| Sleep trial length Most sleep trials last at least 60 nights | 101 nights | 100 nights |
| Mandatory break-in period? Some mattress sellers require mattress buyers to test out their mattress for a certain length of time before they can return or exchange it | 30 nights | 30 nights |
| Return charges Some mattress companies require mattress owners to pay transportation and handling fees associated with their mattress return | None; Ghostbed covers all shipping and handling charges | None; Purple covers all shipping and handling charges |
| Other fees | None | None |
| Exchanges offered? Some mattress sellers allow customers to exchange their mattress for a different model or firmness during the sleep trial | Exchanges are not available at this time | Exchanges are not available at this time |
| Sleep trial available for Amazon.com customers? In some cases, Amazon.com customers and others who do not buy their mattress directly from the brand will not qualify for the company’s sleep trial | Amazon.com lists a ‘100-night’ sleep trial, which is slightly different from the trial offered to direct Ghostbed purchasers | No; a standard 30-night sleep trial is available to Amazon customers who purchase the Purple mattress |
Next, let’s compare the product warranties and coverage requirements for Ghostbed and Purple mattresses.
| Criteria | Ghostbed | Purple |
| Warranty length | 20 years | 10 years |
| Nonprorated coverage During nonprorated periods, mattress owners can have their defective mattress replaced without paying a percentage of the original product price | 10 years | 10 years |
| Prorated charges In most cases, prorated costs of replacing a mattress are calculated by multiplying a percentage of the original product price by the number of years of ownership | 50% of original product price plus 5% for each year of ownership | None; this warranty is entirely nonprorated |
| Transportation/handling charges Some mattress companies hold owners responsible for paying shipping and handling fees associated with repairing or replacing a defective mattress | Owners are required to pay a handling fee for repairs or replacement of a defective mattress during the prorated period; Ghostbed will cover these costs during the nonprorated period | Owners must pay any to-and-from transportation and handling costs for repairing or replacing a defective mattress |
| Foundational requirements In many cases, a mattress seller will void an owner’s warranty if an adequate foundation is not used to support the mattress | ‘A firm, solid-surface, or adjustable bed base’ | ‘A firm, flat, solid-surface, non-spring foundation (whether non-moving type or adjustable type) sufficiently strong to remain flat and firm under the weight of the mattress and its users, from the date of delivery onward to the date of the warranty claim without interruption’ |
| Indentation depth Most mattress sellers will only repair or replace indented mattresses if the sagging reaches a certain depth | 1″ | 1″ |
Lastly, let’s look at customer service options and overall brand reputation for Ghostbed and Purple.
| Criteria | Ghostbed | Purple |
| Customer service rating (1-10) This number is based on Tuck data | 7 | 7 |
| Better Business Bureau Rating | D | D |
| Company website | https://www.ghostbed.com/ | https://purple.com/ |
| Online customer chat? | Yes | Yes |
| Phone number | 1-855-855-4499 | 1-888-848-8456 |
| Phone availability | Monday to Friday | Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm MT Saturday 10am to 4pm MT |
| Company email address | Online form | [email protected] |
| Social media | Facebook YouTube | Facebook YouTube |
Mattress Performance Comparison
The next table compares Ghostbed and Purple mattresses based on performance factors like durability, edge support, motion isolation and noise. All ratings are generated using authentic customer and owner experiences. Please note that, due to its recent introduction, we do not have enough data to generate ratings for the New Purple mattress; we will update this page once we receive sufficient feedback.
| Category | Criteria | Ghostbed Rating | Purple Rating | What Users Say |
| Customer Satisfaction | Based on data collection, this is an overall customer sentiment regarding Ghostbed and Purple mattresses. | 79% (Ghostbed) 77% (Ghostbed Luxe) | 79% (Purple) No ratings for New Purple | The Ghostbed, Ghostbed Luxe, and Purple mattresses have all earned comparable customer satisfaction ratings, which are considered above-average. |
| Durability | The average mattress will perform for at least seven years before it needs to be replaced | Fair (both models) | Fair | The Ghostbed, Ghostbed Luxe, and Purple mattresses all appear to have good durability, but none of these models have been sold for more than three years and their overall lifespan has not been evaluated. |
| Motion Isolation | Foam-based mattresses are designed to minimize motion and isolate it from other areas of the sleep surface, which can cut down on nighttime disruptions. | Good (Ghostbed) Very Good (Ghostbed Luxe) | Good | The Ghostbed Luxe offers the best motion isolation, but the Ghostbed and Purple models also absorb and minimize transfer to a fair extent. |
| Sex | Foam-based mattresses are less responsive by design, and may not be as suitable for sex as innerspring or hybrid models. | Fair (both models) | Fair | Neither Ghostbed nor Purple mattresses are considered very responsive or bouncy, and some couples claim they are not as good for sex. |
| Conforming | Foam-based mattresses conform closely to sleeper’s bodies, which can help align the spine, target pressure points, and alleviate back pain | Good (Ghostbed) Very Good (Ghostbed Luxe) | Good | The Ghostbed Luxe offers above-average conforming and pressure relief, but sleepers with aches and pains may also feel comfortable on the Ghostbed or Purple mattresses. |
| Temperature Neutrality | Foam retains more body heat than other materials, and foam mattress owners often ‘sleep hot’ as a result. | Fair (Ghostbed) Good (Ghostbed Luxe) | Good | The Ghostbed sleeps somewhat hot, according to owners, while the Ghostbed Luxe and Purple mattresses sleep noticeably cooler. |
| Off-gassing | Some mattresses emit particles when they are unpackaged, accompanied by unpleasant ‘off-gassing’ smells that can last for days. | Very Good (Ghostbed) Good (Ghostbed Luxe) | Good | Off-gassing is not a major issue with the Ghostbed Luxe or Purple mattresses, but the Ghostbed appears to have the lowest odor potential of all three. |
| Edge Support | Because of their construction, foam-based mattresses often provide little to no edge support and may sink prematurely in areas of the bed where people tend to sit. | Fair (both models) | Poor | The Purple mattress offers little to no edge support, but Ghostbed and Ghostbed Luxe models are reinforced around the edges for better support and less sinkage where people sit. |
| Noise | Foam-based mattresses create little to no noise, due to their lack of springs, coils, and other metal components | Excellent | Excellent | The Ghostbed, Ghostbed Luxe, and Purple mattresses are all virtually silent when bearing weight. |
| Ease of Moving and Rotating | All mattresses are relatively heavy when it comes to moving and rotating, but some are heavier and more unwieldy than others. | Good (Ghostbed) Poor (Ghostbed Luxe) | Fair | The Ghostbed Luxe weighs 122 pounds in a Queen size, making is particularly heavy. The Purple is slightly lighter and easier to move, but — at 89 pounds in a Queen — the Ghostbed is considered the lightest and easiest to move of the three. |
When choosing a mattress, your bodyweight and preferred sleep position are two important considerations. The next table compares the Ghostbed, Ghostbed Luxe, and Purple mattresses based on ratings from sleepers in different weight and sleep position groups. Please note that we have not received enough data regarding the New Purple mattress to generate accurate ratings for these categories.
| Sleeper Position | Sleeper Weight | Ghostbed | Ghostbed Luxe | Purple |
| Side | 130 lbs or less | Fair | Good | Fair |
| 130 lbs to 230 lbs | Good | Good | Good | |
| 230 lbs or more | Good | Fair | Good | |
| Back | 130 lbs or less | Very Good | Very Good | Very Good |
| 130 lbs to 230 lbs | Good | Very Good | Fair | |
| 230 lbs or more | Good | Good | Good | |
| Stomach | 130 lbs or less | Fair | Good | Fair |
| 130 lbs to 230 lbs | Very Good | Fair | Good | |
| 230 lbs or more | Good | Fair | Fair |
Conclusion
The Ghostbed is a latex and memory foam mattress with a customer satisfaction rating of 79%, while the Ghostbed Luxe is a memory foam mattress with a customer rating of 77%. To learn more, please visit our Ghostbed Mattress Review page.
The Purple is a buckling-column gel mattress, and the New Purple is a hybrid mattress with a buckling-column gel comfort system and a pocketed coil support core. The Purple has earned a customer satisfaction rating of 79%; we have not received enough customer data to generate a customer satisfaction rating for the New Purple. For more information about this brand, please visit our Purple Mattress Review page.
Choosing the right mattress for you can be a difficult decision. Tuck.com strives to help mattress shoppers evaluate different models and decide which product best meets their needs and preferences. To learn more about how we compare products, please visit our Mattress Methodology page.
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