GhostBed vs. Purple – Our 2019 Mattress Comparison
Our Review Process | Disclosure
The Tuck team collected and analyzed 20,348 verified customer experiences from 73 unique sources and spent over 30 hours testing these mattresses in our lab for this review. This research is supported by you, our readers, through our independently chosen links, which earn us a commission. Read more about how we’re supported here.
Quick Summary – GhostBed vs. Original Purple
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.
GhostBed mattresses are great for…
Sleepers who suffer from frequent back pain
People who tend to sleep hot on all-foam beds
Those who prefer firmer surfaces with moderate conforming
GhostBed vs. Original Purple: Mattress Details & Ratings
MODEL
Description
GhostBed
Foam
Medium Firm
Inexpensive
Good for Back Pain
Back
Full mattress details
Mattress Specs
6
101 nights
20 Year
online
89lbs
Latex
$895.00/Queen
Free
Sleep Rating
Durability
Good
Average to above-average longevity is expected from the GhostBed, but the company has been in business for less than three years and long-term performance has not been evaluated.
Motion Isolation
Very Good
The GhostBed isolates motion to some extent, but not as much as the average foam-latex mattress.
Conforming
Very Good
GhostBed mattresses conform closely and alleviate a fair amount of aches and pains for most sleepers.
Sex
Good
The GhostBed is not particularly bouncy or springy, and the bed may not be responsive enough for some couples.
Temperature Neutrality
Good
The top latex layer somewhat tempers the GhostBed’s memory foam, but some customers claim the mattress still sleeps relatively hot.
Off-gassing
Very Good
The GhostBed emits little to no odor, which is rare for mattresses with memory foam,
Edge Support
Good
The GhostBed offers better edge support than many other memory foam and latex models, but the bed is still susceptible to sinkage in places where people sit.
Noise
Excellent
The GhostBed is virtually silent when bearing weight.
Purple Bed
Foam
Medium Firm
Moderate
Good for Hot Sleepers
Back
Full mattress details
Mattress Specs
6.5
100 nights
10 Year, Non-prorated
online
110 lbs
Foam
$999/Queen
Free
Sleep Rating
Durability
Good
Although the Purple mattress features a polymer-based buckling-column gel layer, the company has been in business for a limited amount of time and the overall lifespan of the Purple mattress has not yet been determined.
Motion Isolation
Very Good
According to many owners, the Purple mattress isolates motion to a fair extent and helps cut down on nighttime sleep disruptions.
Conforming
Very Good
The Purple mattress conforms somewhat closely, and a large number of owners report improved spinal alignment and targeted pressure relief.
Sex
Fair
The Purple mattress is somewhat responsive, but couples may prefer a bouncier, more responsive surface.
Temperature Neutrality
Very Good
The Purple mattress is fairly temperature neutral, and most sleepers remain fairly cool throughout the night.
Off-gassing
Good
Very few Purple mattress owners report strong, persistent off-gassing odor.
Edge Support
Fair
The Purple mattress offers minimal edge support, and sinkage where people sit is fairly common.
Noise
Excellent
The Purple mattress is virtually silent when bearing weight.
Sizes and Pricing
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.
Size
GhostBed
Original Purple
Twin
$445
Not Available
Twin XL
$620
$699
Full
$770
$899
Queen
$795
$999
King
$975
$1,299
California King
$995
$1,299
Mattress Construction
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.
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.
Sleep Position Ratings
SLEEP POSITION
LIGHT WEIGHT Less than 130 LBS
AVERAGE WEIGHT 130 LBS - 230 LBS
HEAVY WEIGHT Greater than 230 LBS
GhostBed
Side
LIGHT WEIGHT Less than 130 LBS
Side
GOOD
AVERAGE WEIGHT 130 LBS - 230 LBS
Side
GOOD
HEAVY WEIGHT Greater than 230 LBS
Side
GOOD
Back
LIGHT WEIGHT Less than 130 LBS
Back
GOOD
AVERAGE WEIGHT 130 LBS - 230 LBS
Back
VERY GOOD
HEAVY WEIGHT Greater than 230 LBS
Back
GOOD
Stomach
LIGHT WEIGHT Less than 130 LBS
Stomach
FAIR
AVERAGE WEIGHT 130 LBS - 230 LBS
Stomach
VERY GOOD
HEAVY WEIGHT Greater than 230 LBS
Stomach
GOOD
Purple Bed
Side
LIGHT WEIGHT Less than 130 LBS
Side
VERY GOOD
AVERAGE WEIGHT 130 LBS - 230 LBS
Side
GOOD
HEAVY WEIGHT Greater than 230 LBS
Side
GOOD
Back
LIGHT WEIGHT Less than 130 LBS
Back
GOOD
AVERAGE WEIGHT 130 LBS - 230 LBS
Back
VERY GOOD
HEAVY WEIGHT Greater than 230 LBS
Back
VERY GOOD
Stomach
LIGHT WEIGHT Less than 130 LBS
Stomach
FAIR
AVERAGE WEIGHT 130 LBS - 230 LBS
Stomach
GOOD
HEAVY WEIGHT Greater than 230 LBS
Stomach
GOOD
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.
Because the Original Purple is ‘Medium Firm,’ it offers adequate conforming for people who weigh at least 130 pounds and earned the highest ratings sleepers who weigh more than 230 pounds; those weighing less than 130 pounds may find the mattress too firm. The Original Purple also sleeps fairly cool, making it suitable for hot sleepers. The mattress has a longer-than-average expected lifespan, as well.
GhostBed offers a 101-night sleep trial for the GhostBed mattress.
This sleep trial includes a mandatory 30-night break-in period. Customers will not be able to return the mattress for a full refund until at least 30 nights have elapsed.
The sleep trial begins on the day the mattress is shipped.
This sleep trial is available to customers who buy their mattress directly from GhostBed; those who purchase their mattress on Amazon.com will qualify for that site’s standard 30-night trial.
One mattress return per household is allowed.
Warranty
GhostBed offers a 20-year nonprorated warranty:
This warranty is partially prorated. GhostBed will repair or replace defective mattresses at no extra charge for the first 10 years of ownership. During years 11 to 20, customers will pay a prorated replacement fee based on the bed’s original price that increases five percent (5%) for each successive year of ownership.
The mattress cover is covered under warranty for one year.
Mattress owners are responsible for all shipping charges associated with mattress repairs or replacements for the entire 20-year warranty.
The warranty will cover the following defects:
Sagging or indentations in the sleep surface measuring one inch (1″) or deeper.
Physical flaws in the mattress that cause materials to split or crack despite proper use and handling.
The warranty will not cover the following:
Sagging or indentations in the sleep surface that measure less than one inch (1″) deep.
Normal increases in mattress material softness that do not compromise its pressure-relieving abilities.
Damage that occurs due to lack of proper foundational support.
This warranty is non-transferable, and is exclusively available to original owners who purchase their mattress from GhostBed or an authorized retailer. Those who buy or acquire their mattress from the original owner or a non-authorized retailer will not be eligible for warranty coverage.
Delivery Policy
The delivery policy for GhostBed mattresses is as follows:
GhostBed mattresses are shipped within 24 hours of each order; most customers receive their bed within three to five business days.
Customers receive a FedEx tracking number once the mattress has shipped.
Changes cannot be made to the order once it has been submitted; orders that are cancelled will incur a 15% restocking fee.
How Is the Mattress Shipped?: Compressed, vacuum-sealed, and shipped in a box. Where Do They Ship?: All 50 states, but no U.S. territories or international addresses. Delivery Fee: Shipping in the contiguous U.S. is free of charge; customers in Alaska and Hawaii pay a flat delivery fee of $600.
Old Mattress Removal
GhostBed does not offer old mattress removal.
Original Purple
Sleep trial100 nights
RefundFull, minus promotional items
Warranty10 years
Where do they ship?All 50 states and most of Canada
Trial period, warranty, and delivery details
Trial Period and Guarantee
Purple offers a 100-night sleep trial for the Original Purple mattress.
This sleep trial does not require a break-in period. Customers may return the mattress for a full refund at any point during the 100-night trial.
The cost of promotional items included with the Original Purple purchase will be deducted from the total refund amount.
Warranty
Purple offers a 10-year nonprorated warranty:
This warranty is entirely nonprorated.
The warranty will be voided if the Original Purple is not used with a flat, solid-surface, non-spring foundation.
Mattress owners are responsible for all shipping costs associated with mattress repairs or replacements.
The warranty will cover the following defects:
Sagging or indentations in the sleep surface measuring 1″ or deeper.
Splits or cracks in the mattress material despite proper handling and care.
The warranty will not cover the following:
Sagging or indentations in the sleep surface measuring less than 1″ deep.
Burns, cuts, stains, mold infestation, and other types of damage that occur due to abuse or neglect.
This warranty is non-transferable. It is exclusively available to original owners who purchase their mattress from Purple or an authorized retailer. Those who buy or acquire their mattress from the original owner or a non-authorized retailer will not be eligible for warranty coverage.
Delivery Policy
The delivery policy for Original Purple mattresses is as follows:
After placing their order, most customers receive their Original Purple mattress within two to eight business days.
Standard ground shipping is free within the lower 48 states, but customers in Alaska and Hawaii pay additional delivery charges.
Expedited or White Glove delivery options are not available for the Original Purple.
How Is the Mattress Shipped?: Compressed, roll-packed, and shipped in a box. Where Do They Ship?: Anywhere in the U.S. and most of Canada Delivery Fee: Free shipping for customers in the contiguous U.S., but those in Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada pay additional delivery fees.
Old Mattress Removal
Purple does not offer old mattress removal with Original Purple orders.
Our Recommendations
Choose the GhostBed if...
You experience frequent aches and pains in the neck, lower back, and other sensitive areas
You weigh at least 130 pounds
You want a mattress that offers moderate conforming
You and/or your sleep partner awaken easily due to noise or movement
Choosing theright 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 ourMattress Methodology page.
