GhostBed vs. Purple Mattress Review

Bed-in-a-box mattresses have quickly become a popular option for consumers everywhere, due to their lower cost and ease of delivery. But with so many options to choose from, how do you select the perfect mattress for you?

GhostBed and Purple are two well-known brands in the space and are compared often by mattress review sites. In this article, we’ll pull from some of these review sites and aggregate some of the common notes when it comes to GhostBed and Purple prices, comfort levels and more.

Note: This comparison focuses on the original GhostBed and the original Purple Mattress. For added luxury and cooling features, GhostBed also offers higher-end models like the hybrid Flex, the ultra-cooling Luxe and the patented 3D Matrix.

Best Overall Mattress

As many reviewers have pointed out, GhostBed and Purple are very similar when it comes to basic memory foam mattresses. A common alternative to Purple, GhostBed’s mattresses are vacuum-sealed for delivery and need time to expand once you open the box. Both mattresses are made in the United States and land at about 6.5 out of 10 on the mattress firmness scale.

But although they are similar in many ways, the biggest difference is in the feel of the two mattresses.

I. Price

GhostBed and Purple are close in pricing, although GhostBed definitely wins out as the more cost-effective option. GhostBed also offers many sales and specials throughout the year, driving the price down even more. Both offer free shipping.

Take a look at the comparisons below for all sizes:

II. Materials/Durability

Both The GhostBed and Purple Mattress are categorized as foam mattresses, although the more specific materials differ quite a bit.

You’ll find 3 layers within The GhostBed:

• High-density support foam
• Gel memory foam (for support, pressure relief and cooling)
• Aerated latex foam top layer (for cooling, pressure relief and bounce)

The cover is made from two materials, with the top 100% polyester and the side panels a blend of polyester and polypropylene.

The Purple Mattress, on the other hand, has two layers of polyurethane foam and a top layer of hyper-elastic polymer. The cover is a blend of viscose, polyester and polyester-lycra.

At 9.5 inches high (compared to The GhostBed’s 11.5”), the Purple Mattress lacks in stature as well as the hefty and durable 7.5” base layer that the GhostBed provides. This thicker and denser foam provides fantastic support and contouring, and is a better match for heavier people, as Real Mattress Reviews points out.

Purple is different in that its top layer is made with hyper-elastic polymer, built using Purple’s “smart grid” design. This gives it a totally unique feel that you might either love or hate. Real Mattress Reviews notes this as a con, as it hasn’t been around or tested long enough to prove the durability of the material. Additionally, they note that the grid design tends to collapse outward when you’re lying close to the edge of the mattress.

Both GhostBed and Purple beds have covers that look great and can be removed for cleaning. The mattresses can also be spot cleaned.

III. Comfort

When shopping for a mattress, comfort is always a key factor. And although comfort can be subjective to each individual’s particular needs and wants, some specific elements come up time and time again.

The first is the firmness of the mattress, which is ranked on a scale of 1 (very soft) to 10 (very hard). Mattresses in the 5-7 range are typically categorized as a “universal” feel, meaning they’ll work for any sleeping style, including side, back and stomach. Both The GhostBed and the Purple Mattress are at a 6.5.

Reviewers also like to talk about the “bounce” and contouring effects of mattresses. The GhostBed gets high ratings for the pressure relief it provides, thanks to the 3 layers.

Real Mattress Reviews had this to say about GhostBed’s comfort:

The review also points out the “coolness” factor, a big part of staying comfortable throughout the night:

Purple offers cooling via the “smart grid” top layer, which allows for airflow. But as mentioned in the previous section, this layer provides a very unique sensation that you may or may not like. Mattress Clarity describes it as a “unique squishy gel feel.”

IV. Warranty

GhostBed’s 20-year warranty definitely comes out ahead when compared to Purple’s 10-year warranty.

Within the first 10 years of the warranty, GhostBed will fully replace the mattress if it’s found to have a defect. For years 11 through 20 of ownership, GhostBed provides additional coverage and protection, and will repair or replace your mattress at a prorated cost. (Learn more about GhostBed’s warranty here.)

Purple offers a 10-year limited warranty covering defects as detailed in their warranty guide.

IV. Trial Period

With one extra day, GhostBed’s 101-night trial versus Purple’s 100-night trial is virtually the same. GhostBed requires consumers to try out the mattress for 30 days, while Purple allows returns after 21 days. If you want to return your mattress, both GhostBed and Purple will pick up the mattress at no cost and fully reimburse you for the price paid for the bed—as long you request the return within the allotted trial period.

Explore GhostBed Mattresses

While this comparison focused exclusively on the original GhostBed, our other mattresses offer even more cooling comfort. Compare the mattresses and find the right one for you today!