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Memory Foam Sinks. Coils Push Back. Purple Does Neither.
Memory foam hugs your body and holds the shape; a traditional innerspring mattress pushes back with a grid of coils. Purple's answer is a third material entirely: a Hyper-Elastic Polymer grid - the GelFlex grid - that deforms under pressure and springs straight back, spreading your weight across a lattice of open air instead of letting you sink into foam or bounce on springs. That single design decision drives every difference worth comparing: temperature, pressure relief, motion transfer, and how the mattress feels on night one versus night three hundred.
Purple's story starts in Utah, where brothers Tony and Terry Pearce spent years inventing before they landed on the polymer grid that became the company. They launched the Purple Mattress on Kickstarter in 2015, and the brand grew into a public company built on the grid's three claims: pressure relief, airflow and bounce.
How the Gel Grid Is Different
The grid is the product. It is a sheet of hyper-elastic polymer with a honeycomb of open columns, and it works like a suspension system: the columns compress where your body is heavy and stay tall where it is light, so pressure points like shoulders and hips are cradled rather than compressed. Because the grid is mostly open air, it does not trap body heat the way dense foam can, and because the polymer springs back quickly, you do not get the stuck-in-the-mattress feeling that makes turning over at night a workout.
Purple manufactures in the USA, uses CertiPUR-US certified foams in its builds, and says the polymer grid itself is recyclable at end of life - a different end-of-life story from most all-foam mattresses. The brand has also donated mattresses to families in need and supports community programs in Utah.
Purple vs Memory Foam vs Traditional Coils
Heat. Dense memory foam holds warmth, which makes it the worst of the three for hot sleepers. Coils sleep cooler because air moves between them. The Purple grid sleeps coolest of the three in most comparisons, because the open columns let air flow through the mattress itself rather than only around it.
Pressure relief. Memory foam is famous for pressure relief, but it achieves it by contouring and holding your shape; the grid achieves it by deflection, so you get support without the sinking. Coils are the weakest of the three at pressure points like hips and shoulders.
Motion and bounce. Coils transfer motion easily between partners; memory foam isolates motion but feels slow and dead to respond; the grid springs back immediately, which makes changing position and getting out of bed noticeably easier. That responsiveness is the trait people either love immediately or need to test in person before buying.
None of this makes one type universally best - the right mattress is the one that matches your sleeping position, weight and temperature preferences. What the comparison shows is that Purple is not a foam mattress with a fancy cover; it is a genuinely different construction, which is why trying it matters.
The Products
Purple Mattress - the original GelFlex grid mattress, sold in multiple firmness tiers, and the entry point to the grid experience.
Purple Harmony Pillow - the grid-based pillow that became a cult product in its own right, pairing the pressure-relieving columns with a cooling cover.
Purple Seat Cushion - a smaller grid cushion for office chairs, cars and anywhere pressure builds during long sits. Prices vary by size and tier and change with sales, so check the brand page for current details.
Who Should Buy Purple
Purple tends to click with side sleepers, who feel the pressure relief at the shoulder and hip immediately; hot sleepers who have cooked on foam; and people who want a mattress that is easy to move on. It is a less obvious fit for sleepers who love the deep, sinking hug of memory foam - the grid is responsive, not enveloping - or anyone on a tight budget, since the brand prices at the premium end of the direct-to-consumer range.
How to Save More on Purple
The two verified codes to know are PURPLE15 for 15% off your order and PURPLE100 for $100 off a mattress - the $100 code is the better deal on the larger sizes, while 15% wins on smaller items. FREESHIP covers shipping on qualifying orders. Purple also runs holiday sales that occasionally beat the standing codes, so the smart move is to compare the active code against the current sale price before you check out.
All Active Purple Coupons
Every code below was checked against the brand's checkout before listing. Codes that stop applying get removed.
| Code | Discount | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| FREESHIP | Free Shipping | Purple |
| PURPLE15 | 15% OFF | Purple |
| PURPLE100 | $100 OFF | Purple |
FAQ
Is the Purple grid recyclable?
Purple says its polymer grid is recyclable at end of life, and the brand manufactures in the USA with CertiPUR-US certified foams.
Where is Purple made?
Purple is based in Lehi, Utah, and manufactures in the USA, where it also supports community programs and has donated mattresses to families in need.
How is the grid different from memory foam?
Memory foam contours and holds your shape; the grid deflects under pressure and springs back, which gives pressure relief without sinking, plus more airflow and easier movement.
Which Purple deal should I use?
PURPLE100 ($100 off a mattress) is usually the best on full-size mattresses; PURPLE15 (15% off) is better on pillows, cushions and smaller orders. FREESHIP removes shipping fees.