Purple vs Tuft & Needle (Tuft & Needle vs Purple): which mattress should you buy?
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The short answer
Tuft and Needle vs Purple is a price-versus-feel decision. Choose Tuft & Needle if you sleep on your back or stomach, want a firm, simple foam bed, and want to spend about $599 for a queen. Choose Purple if you're a side or combination sleeper, sleep warm or dislike memory foam: its GelFlex Grid relieves pressure and rebounds instantly, but costs about $1,599 at list. If you sleep on your side, Purple is worth the extra; if you don't, Tuft & Needle is enough.
Key differences at a glance
- Tuft & Needle Original Mattress is firmer (7.5 vs 6.0/10). Purple Mattress will feel more cushioned at the shoulders and hips; Tuft & Needle Original Mattress keeps hips more level for back and stomach sleeping.
- Tuft & Needle Original Mattress costs about $1,040 less for a queen at typical prices ($559 vs $1,599).
Firmness compared
Purple Mattress
Tuft & Needle Original Mattress
Performance head to head
4 vs 3
4 vs 3
4 vs 4
3 vs 2
3 vs 3
Specs side by side
| Spec | Purple Mattress | Tuft & Needle Original Mattress |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Memory foam | Memory foam |
| Firmness | 6.0/10 (Medium-firm) | 7.5/10 (Firm) |
| Queen price (approx.) | $1,599 | $559 |
| Height | 9.3″ | 12″ |
| Sleep trial | 100 nights | 100 nights |
| Warranty | 10 years | 10 years |
| Pressure relief | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Cooling | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Motion isolation | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Edge support | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Price check | See today’s price | See today’s price |
Prices are approximate queen prices when we last checked and change often. Ratings are 1-5 from published specs and independent test results: see how we score.
How they feel: firm foam vs the Purple grid
The Tuft & Needle Original is now the 12-inch Original Mattress II, labeled Firm, with graphite- and gel-infused adaptive foam over support foam. It feels flat and supportive with a slight give. We haven't found an independent firmness score for this new version, so our 7.5 out of 10 is an estimate, and its ratings come from the older model's reviews: good motion isolation, weak edges, average cooling and pressure relief.
The Purple Mattress is a medium-firm, about 6 out of 10, with a 2-inch GelFlex Grid on top. The grid collapses under pressure points and springs back immediately, so it feels cushioning and bouncy at the same time. It scores 4 out of 5 for pressure relief and cooling in our review-based ratings, with average edges.
Who should pick each: Purple vs Tuft and Needle by sleeper
Pick Tuft & Needle if you sleep on your back or stomach, need an affordable mattress for a guest room or first apartment, or want a mattress made in the USA. Skip it if you sleep on your side or sit on the edge of the bed often.
Pick Purple if you sleep on your side or shift positions often, run warm, or have felt stuck in memory foam before. Skip it if you're a heavier stomach sleeper who needs a firm surface, or if you want a tall mattress; Purple is 9.25 inches.
If you want Purple's grid with coil support and stronger edges, the Purple Restore Hybrid is the upgrade, often around $2,399. For a firm budget foam bed with stronger edges and a longer trial than T&N, consider the Nectar Classic Memory Foam.
Value and policies: is Purple worth $1,000 more?
Tuft & Needle lists at about $599 for a queen, sometimes a little less. Purple lists at about $1,599, with periodic discounts. Policies are the same: a 100-night trial and 10-year limited warranty from both. So the extra money buys you Purple's grid, better pressure relief and better cooling, not better terms.
Compare more in Nectar vs Tuft & Needle, Helix vs Purple, our Purple and Tuft & Needle guides, or take the mattress quiz.
Frequently asked questions
Is Purple better than Tuft & Needle?
For side sleepers and hot sleepers, yes. On paper, Purple offers better pressure relief, cooling and bounce. Tuft & Needle is better value for back and stomach sleepers who want a firm foam bed and don't need Purple's grid. Both have the same 100-night trial and 10-year warranty.
Which is firmer, Tuft & Needle or Purple?
Tuft & Needle. The current Original Mattress II is labeled Firm, while independent testers rate the Purple Mattress about 6 out of 10. Older reviews describing T&N as medium-firm refer to the previous 10-inch version, so make sure you're reading about the current model.
Is Tuft & Needle or Purple better for hot sleepers?
Purple. Its open grid lets air circulate and doesn't trap you in a body-shaped pocket, and it scores 4 out of 5 for cooling in our review-based ratings, compared with an estimated 3 out of 5 for Tuft & Needle. Hot sleepers who want even more airflow should consider the Purple Restore Hybrid, which adds coils.
Read the full reviews
- Purple Mattress review
- Tuft & Needle Original Mattress review
- All Purple mattresses · All Tuft & Needle mattresses