Our GhostBed vs. Purple Bed Comparison for 2024

Written by Olivera Jancikin, Content Writer

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In This Article

Ghostbed vs Purple? In this guide, our sleep experts dive into which is best, which might suit you better and their features.

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It is a standoff—or “sleepoff”—between two mattresses. On one side, we have GhostBed, a lesser-known newcomer, and on the other stands Purple, a well-known industry giant. Who will win?
It might be closer than you think, and the decision may come down to your personal preferences.
In this GhostBed vs. Purple comparison, we will take you through the specs while diving into the construction, feel, and support of each mattress. If you would like to take a deeper look at each brand before continuing, our individual reviews are linked below. Otherwise, read on!

Comparing Firmness, Support & Feel

Firmness

Both brands score about the same on our Sleep Advisor mattress firmness scale of 1 to 10; with 10 as the firmest – GhostBed is 6.5 and Purple is 6, making them medium-firm. However, we think the GhostBed should work especially well for average-weight and heavyweight sleepers as it provides a bit more pushback and support without sacrificing comfort.
Our team recommends the Purple for back sleepers, most average-weight people, and those who rest on their side.

Support

We think the Purple’s GelFlex® Grid should be a dream for most sleepers; the elasticity and grid design adapt to each position and support heavier spots where more weight is concentrated.
Combination sleepers should feel comfortable on the GhostBed in a variety of positions — the medium-firm feel is great for supporting your bodyweight while cushioning high pressure areas, like the shoulders and hips. It is also pretty supportive and has a higher weight limit than its competitor at 750 pounds.

Feel

Purple has a very unique feel that’s hard to compare to other materials, but similar to latex, the GelFlex® Grid springs back into place quickly. We recommend making the most of the sleep trial to give the unfamiliar feel a chance before making your final decision.
However, all-foam devotees may prefer the more traditional feel of the GhostBed. Its latex top layer has a quick response, and the gel and dense foam add in their contouring, pressure-relieving qualities as you sink deeper into the bed.

Comparing Sinkage and Bounce

You should expect to feel a gentle cradle from both brands; rather than sinking into the beds, you’re likely to feel as if you’re sleeping more on top of them. We experienced an element of bounce from both the GhostBed’s latex layer and the Purple’s GelFlex™ Grid, which is a plus for repositioning as both should resist that feeling of getting ‘stuck’ in the mattress. GhostBed’s latex top layer has a quick response, and you should experience contouring and pressure relief.
However, the Purple offers sleepers a contouring hug.

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Comparing Motion Transfer

When a bed has a good amount of bounce, often the consequence is some unwanted motion transfer. However, our testers found both brands contain movement extremely well because their lower foam layers help absorb motion. This may not be an important category for everyone, but those who share a bed with kids, pets, or restless partners will most likely find this to be essential for quality rest

However, shoppers seeking a bed with high bounce for sex may prefer a traditional innerspring  mattresses over both beds. People with limited mobility may also prefer a bouncier bed.

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Comparing Cooling

Overheating should not be a problem on either bed. GhostBed contains latex, which is naturally heat-resistant and is aerated for extra airflow. The gel in its memory foam layer helps draw heat away from the body, combating memory foam’s tendency to get too hot. Its open-cell design also allows for added ventilation.

Purple’s GelFlex® polymer layer is designed like a grid, with air channels that keep the bed breathable, allowing for a temperature-neutral sleeping surface. Both beds also feature breathable covers, for added airflow and cooling. While neither mattress is necessarily dedicated to cooling, we think most sleepers should remain at a comfortable temperature on both.

Read more about cooling mattresses here.

Comparing Construction (Materials & Quality)

GhostBed Construction

The GhostBed Classic is 11 inches thick and contains three layers. The machine-washable cover contains a plush blend of polyester and viscose, which was designed to be breathable and moisture-wicking.

• Directly underneath the cover you’ll find 1.5 inches of aerated latex foam that provides bounce and responsiveness to assist in repositioning. The aerated channels promote airflow and temperature regulation.
• Sandwiched in the middle is 2 inches of gel memory foam, which provides support, body contouring and pressure relief, as well as easing the sleeper into the firmer base foam. This layer is positioned away from the body and infused with gel to reduce possible heat retention and overheating on the surface.
• The third layer is 7.5 inches of dense poly foam which gives the mattress a durable structure. Designed to absorb and distribute body weight, this layer also provides enough support to keep the spine in good alignment, regardless of sleep position.

Purple Construction

According to Purple’s website, their bed is 9.25 inches tall, though based on the breakdown of each mattress layer, it adds up to 9.5. So, for this comparison, we’ll say this bed is 9.5 inches tall. The Purple’s SoftFlex cover is made of a breathable blend of polyester, viscose, and lycra.

• Below the cover is Purple’s signature 2-inch GelFlex® Grid, made from hyper-elastic polymer, which is highly durable, providing comfort, and protection for the layers beneath. The unique structure allows it to release and equalize pressure across the grid, evenly distributing weight. Edge support foam helps prevent the sides from collapsing.
• The middle layer consists of 3.5 inches of medium-soft poly foam, which acts as a comfort layer as well as a transitional layer into the base foam.
• The base layer is a 4-inch medium-firm support level made from poly foam, which gives the bed shape and durability.

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Comparing Company Policies & Price

• Warranty – The GhostBed comes with a 20-year warranty, while the Purple has a shorter 10-year warranty.
• Shipping – Free shipping to the contiguous United States is offered with both beds, and both can be shipped to Alaska and Hawaii for an additional fee. White Glove Delivery is offered as a paid upgrade with both the GhostBed and the Purple.
• Trial Period – You’ll have 101 nights to test the GhostBed and 100 nights to test the Purple.
• Returns – The GhostBed can be returned for free for a full refund (less any delivery charges) after 30 days and within the trial period, while the Purple can be returned for free (less any delivery charges) after 21 days and within the trial period.
• Price – The GhostBed is slightly cheaper than the Purple in Twin and Twin XL sizes, while the Purple comes up slightly cheaper in Full sizes and above.

Size	GhostBed Price (w/o discount)	Purple Price (w/o discount)
Twin	$995	$799
Twin XL	$1,095	$999
Full	$1,150	$1,199
Queen	$1,295	$1,399
King	$1,545	$1,799
Cali King	$1,545	$1,799
Split King	$2,190	$1,998
Split Cali King	N/A	N/A