Welcome to Mattressnap, where we’re obsessed with helping you find the perfect bed for your best sleep yet! Choosing a mattress is like picking your favorite coffee order—it’s gotta match your vibe, feel amazing, and keep you going. Two brands that always spark debate are Purple and Saatva.
Purple’s got its funky GelFlex Grid, while Saatva brings that upscale, hotel-bed charm. So, which one’s right for you? We’ve combed through expert reviews, tested the data, and broken it all down in this in-depth comparison to help you decide. Let’s jump in!
Saatva: The Luxe Innerspring Icon
Saatva is like the Rolls-Royce of mattresses—classic, polished, and built to impress. Famous for its innerspring designs, Saatva delivers a hotel-like sleep experience with premium materials. The Saatva Classic is the star of the show, featuring a coil-on-coil system, organic cotton covers, and a plush Euro-top. Plus, their white-glove delivery sets up your bed and removes your old one for free—talk about VIP treatment! With a 365-night trial and lifetime warranty, Saatva’s built to last and outshines many foam mattresses in durability.
The lineup also includes the Saatva Latex Hybrid (bouncy and eco-friendly), Saatva HD (for heavier sleepers), and Saatva RX (for chronic back pain). With three firmness options—Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm—there’s something for everyone. Back and stomach sleepers love the sturdy support, though side sleepers might need the softer Plush Soft to avoid feeling too firm.
What We Love: The supportive, durable construction, killer edge support, and cooling airflow. Reviewers call it a “real mattress” that feels like a luxury hotel bed.
What’s Not Perfect: It’s pricier, and there’s a $99 return fee. The bouncy coils can also mean more motion transfer for couples.
Purple: The Cool, Quirky Grid Master
Purple’s the rebellious artist of the mattress world, thanks to its GelFlex Grid—a stretchy, gel-like layer that’s soft where you need it (hips, shoulders) and firm everywhere else. It creates a “floating” feel that’s totally unique. From the budget-friendly Purple Original (all-foam) to hybrids like the Purple Restore Plus and upscale Purple Rejuvenate, there’s a Purple for every sleeper.
Side and back sleepers under 230 lbs rave about the pressure relief, and the grid’s open-air design makes it a lifesaver for hot sleepers. Purple offers a 100-night trial and 10-year warranty, which is solid but shorter than Saatva’s. Unlike Saatva’s online-only model, you can test Purple in stores for that hands-on feel.
What We Love: The one-of-a-kind grid, top-notch cooling, and awesome pressure relief for side sleepers. It’s also more wallet-friendly at entry-level.
What’s Not Perfect: The grid’s feel isn’t for everyone, and heavier or stomach sleepers might find it too soft. Edge support lags behind Saatva.
The Mattressnap Verdict
Saatva and Purple both bring their A-game, but they’re playing to different crowds. Saatva is your pick if you crave a traditional, supportive mattress with a luxe, long-lasting feel—perfect for back or stomach sleepers or anyone who wants strong edges. Purple steals the show for side sleepers, hot sleepers, or those who love a cool, bouncy bed with a modern twist. Your sleep style, budget, and whether you’re into classic or quirky will decide the winner.
Which Mattress Should You Buy?
Best Saatva: Saatva Classic
The Saatva Classic is a Mattressnap favorite for its versatility and upscale vibes. With three firmness levels (Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, Firm) and two heights (11.5” or 14.5”), it’s customizable for most sleepers. The Luxury Firm (6.5/10) is the crowd-pleaser, balancing support and comfort for back, stomach, and combo sleepers. Its coil-on-coil design, plush Euro-top, and Lumbar Zone® technology keep your spine aligned while staying cool. It’s a long-term investment for that hotel-bed feel.
Who It’s For: Back/stomach sleepers, heavier folks, couples needing edge support, or traditional mattress lovers.
Price (Queen): ~$2,000 (check for discounts on Saatva’s site).
Best Purple: Purple Original
The Purple Original is the budget-friendly way to experience Purple’s famous grid. This all-foam mattress has a 2-inch GelFlex Grid over supportive foam, rated medium to medium-firm (6–6.5/10). It’s a dream for side and back sleepers under 230 lbs, with targeted pressure relief and unbeatable airflow. While it skips the coils of Purple’s hybrids, it nails the “weightless” feel at a lower price.
Who It’s For: Side sleepers, hot sleepers, budget shoppers, or grid-curious folks.
Price (Queen): ~$1,400 (often on sale).
Best Mattress By Category
- Best for Back Pain: Saatva RX – Built for sciatica and chronic pain with a 15” profile.
- Best for Side Sleepers: Purple Original – The grid cradles pressure points like a pro.
- Best for Stomach Sleepers: Saatva Latex Hybrid – Firm support for hip alignment.
- Best for Hot Sleepers: Purple Restore Plus – Airflow that beats the heat.
- Best for Heavy Sleepers: Saatva HD – Supports up to 500 lbs. per side.
- Best for Couples: Saatva Classic – Great edge support, though motion transfer could improve.
- Best Budget Pick: Purple Original – Affordable entry to Purple’s grid.
Compare the Mattresses
| Feature | Saatva Classic | Purple Original |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Innerspring Hybrid | All-Foam |
| Firmness | Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, Firm | Medium to Medium-Firm |
| Height | 11.5” or 14.5” | 9.25” |
| Trial Period | 365 nights ($99 return fee) | 100 nights (free returns) |
| Warranty | Lifetime | 10 years |
| Price (Queen) | ~$2,000 | ~$1,400 |
| Best For | Back/Stomach Sleepers | Side/Back Sleepers |
Saatva Mattresses Tested
- Saatva Classic: Three firmness options for all sleepers.
- Saatva Latex Hybrid: Firmer, eco-friendly with latex bounce.
- Saatva HD: Heavy-duty for up to 500 lbs. per side.
- Saatva RX: 15” profile for back pain relief.
- Loom & Leaf: Memory foam for a contouring hug.
- Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid: Foam and coils for balance.
Purple Mattresses Tested
- Purple Original: All-foam grid mattress, budget-friendly.
- Purple Restore Plus: Hybrid with coils for extra support.
- Purple Restore Premier: Thicker grid for a plush, luxe feel.
- Purple Rejuvenate: Premium hybrid with a cooling cover.
- Purple Flex: Basic foam, less supportive than the Original.
Firmness Breakdown
- Saatva Classic: Plush Soft (4/10), Luxury Firm (6.5/10), Firm (8/10). Luxury Firm suits most.
- Purple Original: Medium to medium-firm (6–6.5/10), softer under pressure points.
- Saatva Latex Hybrid: Firm (7/10), great for stomach sleepers.
- Purple Restore Plus: Medium-firm (6.5/10), firmer with coils.
- Saatva RX: Medium-firm (6.5/10) for back pain.
- Purple Restore Premier: Medium (6/10), plush yet supportive.
Performance Tests
Cooling Test
- Saatva Classic: Coils promote airflow, heating up 9.3°F in tests—solid but not the best.
- Purple Original: The grid’s 2,500+ air channels keep it temperature-neutral. Hot sleeper heaven!
- Saatva Latex Hybrid: Latex and coils boost breathability.
- Purple Restore Plus: Hybrid airflow outperforms most foam beds.
- Saatva RX: Decent cooling, but Purple’s breezier.
- Purple Restore Premier: Cooling cover + grid = elite performance.
Winner: Purple for hot sleepers.
Sinkage Test
- Saatva Classic: Minimal sinkage (1–1.5”) for a “sleeping on” feel.
- Purple Original: Moderate sinkage (1.5–2”) with a cradling grid.
- Saatva Latex Hybrid: Low sinkage, ideal for stomach sleepers.
- Purple Restore Plus: Controlled sinkage, less than all-foam models.
- Saatva RX: Minimal sinkage for back support.
- Purple Restore Premier: Deeper sinkage for a plush hug.
Winner: Saatva for less sinkage, Purple for cradling.
Motion Transfer Test
- Saatva Classic: Bouncy coils mean more motion transfer—tough for light sleepers.
- Purple Original: Grid absorbs motion better but isn’t perfect.
- Saatva Latex Hybrid: Similar to the Classic, moderate transfer.
- Purple Restore Plus: Coils and foam improve isolation.
- Saatva RX: Slightly better than the Classic but still bouncy.
- Purple Restore Premier: Best in Purple’s lineup for motion control.
Winner: Purple, especially Restore models, for couples.
Response Test
- Saatva Classic: Snappy response for easy position changes.
- Purple Original: Bouncy grid, but slower than coils.
- Saatva Latex Hybrid: Quick latex and coil response.
- Purple Restore Plus: Coils speed things up for combo sleepers.
- Saatva RX: Responsive for pain-free movement.
- Purple Restore Premier: Slightly slower but versatile.
Winner: Saatva for faster response.
Bounce Test
- Saatva Classic: High bounce (10–12”) for a springy feel.
- Purple Original: Moderate bounce (8–10”) from the grid.
- Saatva Latex Hybrid: High bounce, like the Classic.
- Purple Restore Plus: Coils bring bounce close to Saatva.
- Saatva RX: Moderate bounce for stability.
- Purple Restore Premier: Balanced bounce for a plush hybrid.
Winner: Saatva for max bounce.
Edge Support Test
- Saatva Classic: Rock-solid edges, sinking less than 1”.
- Purple Original: Weaker edges with noticeable compression.
- Saatva Latex Hybrid: Strong like the Classic.
- Purple Restore Plus: Better than the Original but not Saatva-level.
- Saatva RX: Solid for easy movement.
- Purple Restore Premier: Improved but trails Saatva.
Winner: Saatva, hands-down.
Sex Test
- Saatva Classic: Near-perfect 9.9/10 for bounce, edge support, and cooling. Saatva HD scores 10/10.
- Purple Original: Decent but held back by weaker edges and less bounce.
Winner: Saatva for a lively experience.
Pressure Relief Test
- Saatva Classic: Great for back/stomach sleepers; side sleepers may want Plush Soft.
- Purple Original: Stellar for side/back sleepers with grid-targeted relief.
- Saatva Latex Hybrid: Best for back/stomach, less for side sleepers.
- Purple Restore Plus: Strong for side sleepers.
- Saatva RX: Top-notch for back pain.
- Purple Restore Premier: Plush grid excels for pressure relief.
Winner: Purple for side sleepers, Saatva for back pain.
Off-Gassing Test
- Saatva Classic: Barely any odor, gone in hours.
- Purple Original: Mild smell, clears in a day or two.
Winner: Saatva for less off-gassing.
Mattressnap’s Final Take
For a traditional, supportive mattress with a luxe, durable feel, the Saatva Classic is your Mattressnap pick—ideal for back/stomach sleepers, heavier folks, or couples needing edge support. If you’re after a cool, cradling bed with a unique grid, go for the Purple Original or Restore Plus, especially if you’re a side sleeper or run hot. Both brands are top-tier, but your sleep style and budget will seal the deal. Take advantage of Saatva’s 365-night trial or test Purple in-store to find your perfect match. Sleep well, Mattressnap fam!
