A good night’s sleep often comes down to the mattress you have. But with countless brands in the market, choosing the right one can be challenging. One of the easiest ways to start is by looking at popular names. For instance, GhostBed and Purple are two of the most known brands when it comes to bed-in-a-box mattresses.
GhostBed is one of the few companies using synthetic latex to create breathable foam mattresses. Launched in 2015, the brand now enjoys a cult following and has since released additional models. Purple also started in 2015. Like GhostBed, it boasts loyal customers who vouch for the company’s products. Its innovative Purple Grid is at the heart of the brand’s catalog, which now includes seven models.
To help you decide, we’ve compared two of their best-selling models — the GhostBed Classic and the original Purple Mattress. Which bed is better for you? Keep reading below to find out.
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GhostBed vs Purple Comparison Chart
GhostBed and Purple Mattress Offerings
Both GhostBed and Purple have growing catalogs that incorporate the standout feature of their mattresses.
GhostBed is actually owned by another mattress company, Nature’s Sleep. Unlike its mother company, however, GhostBed combines memory foam and latex layers to create cooling and breathable beds. In contrast, Nature’s Sleep manufactures foam-focused mattresses with innovative designs.
GhostBed’s flagship product was the GhostBed mattress. But since expanding its catalog, the mattress is now known as the GhostBed Classic. The brand carries models such as Flex and Natural. It also offers a co-branded mattress in the Venus Williams Legend bed.
After the Classic, the Luxe is arguably the most popular, thanks to its impressive cooling. You can read a brief GhostBed Luxe review in our best memory foam mattresses list.
Purple’s first release was the Purple Mattress. To this day, it’s one of the most sought-after models in the brand’s catalog. It’s also the first mattress to feature the Purple Grid, a layer designed using proprietary GelFlex polymer. Unlike other foam materials, the Purple Grid comes in a unique geometric shape that cushions as it supports.
Since the Purple Mattress’s launch in 2016, the brand’s lineup has grown. Today, Purple offers seven models, including hybrid and for-kids mattresses. It’s become one of the most popular bed-in-a-box mattress companies, too. You can read more about how Purple fares against other mattress brands here.
Design and Construction
GhostBed’s Classic mattress builds on a combination of memory foam and latex layers. Purple, on the other hand, banks on the innovative GelFlex Grid.
Comparing the GhostBed Classic and the original Purple Mattress is an excellent way of looking at the standout features of the brands. With the Classic, you get an 11-inch high mattress comprising four layers. Meanwhile, Purple’s original mattress is 9.5-inches thick and is also made up of four layers.
GhostBed Classic
At the bottom of the GhostBed Classic is a base made from 7.5 inches of high-density foam. This helps keep the bed steady and stable. Meanwhile, the topmost layer is a silky and plush cover made from a blend of viscose and polyester.
Sandwiched between the two levels is GhostBed’s cooling layer. This combines a two-inch gel memory foam and a 1.5-inch synthetic latex layer. GhostBed shares that its synthetic latex is aerated with small holes to improve ventilation.
The Classic mattress boasts a CertiPUR-US certification that guarantees the bed is free from harmful chemicals. If you’re not a fan of synthetic, you check our best organic mattresses review for natural alternatives.
Purple Mattress
The heart of Purple’s flagship bed is the GelFlex Grid. This two-inch layer holds over 30 patents for its cushioning ability. Thanks to its geometric structure, it also provides excellent support. Using an innovative polymer material, the Grid adapts to your body’s movement, offering softness and firmness to sleepers.
Right on top of the Grid is a thin but breathable knitted SoftFlex cover. Meanwhile, two support layers occupy the rest of the bed just below the Grid. The layer that’s immediate to the Grid is made from responsive foam. On the other hand, the base support layer uses a more supportive high-density foam to lend the Purple mattress structure and stability.
Purple shares that its bed is not only CertiPUR-US certified but is also Clean Air GOLD certified. The latter confirms the mattress reduces health risks posed by VOCs. It also assures consumers the bed meets the standards of other agencies advocating for minimal VOC exposure. Lastly, the Purple Mattress is constructed from recyclable and hypoallergenic materials.
Firmness and Comfort
The GhostBed Classic offers more firmness and support, while the Purple Mattress provides better ventilation and cooling.
GhostBed and Purple share that their respective mattresses have a medium-firm feel. However, the adaptive GelFlex Grid on the original Purple lends it more cushioning. This puts it at a 6.5 on the firmness scale. In contrast, the GhostBed Classic has thicker layers using high-density foam. This gives it a higher than average 7.5 to 8 medium firmness level.
With its feel, the GhostBed Classic is recommended for back and stomach sleepers. But if you’re a heavier adult, the mattress delivers excellent support, too. For side sleepers, the Purple Mattress is a better option. The bed’s innovative grid structure cradles the body well, particularly along the shoulders and hips. Back sleepers will also like the pressure relief they get from the bed.
For surface comfort, the Purple Mattress relies on its SoftFlex cover. It uses a thin and stretchy fabric that moves with the grid. Unlike memory foam, Purple’s GelFlex Grid doesn’t trap body heat. It also comes with thousands of air channels for excellent temperature regulation. This gives the Purple Mattress the edge in cooling.
But GhostBed’s Classic mattress isn’t too far behind. Since it uses latex and gel foams, the bed runs cool. Small holes on the latex layer ensure proper ventilation, too. As for the cover, the GhostBed Classic’s blended fabric is plush and cozy.
Support and Performance
While you get excellent edge support from both mattresses, the GhostBed Classic and Purple Mattress aren’t as good in motion isolation.
If you like sitting on a bed, you will be pleased with the GhostBed Classic’s edge support. The mattress boasts a sturdy construction that keeps you steady on the corners and sides. Since it’s all-foam, it makes little noise, too.
You get a similar performance from the Purple Mattress. Despite the flexibility of the GelFlex Grid, the mattress has a foam encasement that buttresses the bed’s layers. This should keep you from falling from the edges.
Where the GhostBed Classic somehow falters is in motion isolation. The mattress has a lot of bounce, which is okay for solo combination sleepers but not couples. If you’re a light sleeper, you will feel your partner’s movements.
Purple’s original mattress fares a little better, although not up to the standard of hybrid options. The bed’s grid is designed to be responsive, so its ability to isolate motion is slow. If you have a restless sleeper beside you, you’ll detect it but not so much as on the GhostBed Classic.
Verdict
Get the GhostBed Classic if you want a mattress with excellent support. Buy the Purple Mattress if you need a bed that cushions.
The GhostBed Classic and Purple Mattress are flagship beds quite similar in terms of their overall performance. However, they have pros and cons in certain areas that make one better than the other for certain types of sleepers.
For instance, GhostBed’s Classic has a more traditional all-foam design with a thicker construction than other mattresses. It offers a firmer feel and is ideal for back and stomach sleepers who need excellent support. However, it’s not the best mattress for pressure relief. Its use of synthetic latex may also dissuade customers who want natural materials.
In contrast, the Purple Mattress’s unique gel grid allows for better body contouring and, thus, pressure relief. Side sleepers will find this bed well suited to cushioning their body. It also runs cooler than the GhostBed Classic and is recommended for hot sleepers. But if you’re on the heavier side, the Purple Mattress may offer too much sinkage.
FAQs
The original GhostBed mattress enjoys high ratings and strong recommendations from customers. While it isn’t a bed for all sleepers, it performs well enough in all areas given its price.
While it stretches and adapts, the Purple Grid is durable. It’s made from an elastic polymer that easily returns to its original shape. The Purple Mattress is also backed by a 10-year warranty.
GhostBed shares that its flagship mattress can support up to 750 pounds.
Purple manufactures its bed-in-a-box mattresses in the US.