GhostBed vs. Purple – Our 2019 Mattress Comparison

GhostBed was founded in 2015. The brand’s flagship mattress, the GhostBed, is constructed with comfort layers of synthetic Dunlop latex and gel memory foam, along with a high-density foam support core. The GhostBed is considered ‘Medium Firm,’ or a 6 on the 1-10 firmness scale.

Purple was launched in 2015 following a successful Kickstarter campaign. Its flagship mattress, the Original Purple, is designed with a ‘Smart Grid’ comfort layer consisting of buckling-column gel and an elastic polymer grid, along with a high-density foam support core. The Original Purple is ‘Medium Firm,’ or 6.5 on the firmness scale.

Please note: Both GhostBed and Purple offer other mattresses in addition to their flagship models.

• GhostBed sells the GhostBed Luxe, a mixed-foam mattress with a top layer of phase-change material.
• Purple offers the New Purple, a hybrid mattress made with the ‘Smart Grid’ comfort layer and a pocketed coil support core.

This review will exclusively look at the flagship GhostBed and Original Purple mattresses. For more information about other mattresses from these brands, please visit our GhostBed Mattress Reviews and Purple Mattress Reviews pages.

The GhostBed and Original Purple mattresses may be designed with different materials, but both beds offer similar sleep experiences in terms of body conforming, pressure relief, and motion isolation. This page will examine the unique characteristics, benefits, and drawbacks of each bed, as well as the individual policies and overall reputations of both brands.

The table below lists current prices for the GhostBed and Original Purple mattresses in each available size. Please note the Original Purple is not sold in a Twin size.

Now let’s look at how the GhostBed and Original Purple mattresses are made. The next table lists specs for each bed’s firmness, thickness, weight, and material composition.

How is the Ghostbed built?

The Ghostbed is made with two comfort layers: a top layer of synthetic Dunlop latex and a bottom layer of 4 PCF gel memory foam. These components work together to create a sleep surface that conforms rather closely to align the sleeper’s spine and alleviate aches and pains throughout their body. The aerated latex layer also promotes strong airflow, allowing the Ghostbed to sleep cool and comfortable for most.

The mattress also features a base layer of high-density polyfoam measuring 7.5″ high. This layer reinforces the bed very well and helps maintain an even, supportive surface for sleeping. The Ghostbed weighs 89 pounds in a Queen size, making it heavier than most all-foam beds (due in part to the latex component).

How is the Original Purple built?

The signature ‘Smart Grid’ found in the Original Purple features buckling-column gel dispersed throughout an elastic polymer grid. The material conforms to the sleeper’s body and alleviates pressure points much like memory foam and latex, but it is also more durable and less susceptible to indentations. The Smart Grid also sleeps relatively cool, as well.

A high-density polyfoam base reinforces the entire bed and helps maintain an even, supportive sleep surface. The Original Purple is fairly heavy – weighing 110 pounds in a Queen size – and will be somewhat difficult to move and rotate compared to all-foam beds.

GhostBed Sleeper Ratings

The GhostBed is ideal for sleepers who experience frequent aches and pains in sensitive areas of their body, such as the neck and lower back, and also tend to sleep hot. The gel memory foam and latex layers offer body-hugging pressure relief and spinal alignment, as well as great temperature neutrality. The GhostBed also absorbs and minimizes motion transfer to a significant extent and makes no noise when bearing weight, making it a great option for couples.

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.