Sleep Number and Purple are two well-known mattress companies thanks to strong brand and marketing tactics, along with high-quality and innovative products. However, when it comes down to the nitty-gritty, they’re very different beds.
The first differentiator between Sleep Number and Purple beds is their product offering size. Sleep Number has eight different mattresses to choose from that all provide very different levels of support for different types of sleepers. On the flip side, Purple technically has only two mattresses, though one line comes in a few different sizes. Instead of variety, Purple focuses on utilizing unique materials to bring consistent comfort designed to specifically relieve pressure.
Continue reading where we’ll break all the details down, from construction to feel, price to trial periods, for the Sleep Number 360® i8 Smart Bed and the Purple mattress. Learn which mattress might better suit your needs and be a great fit for the bedroom.
Short on time? Head down to our review summary.
Sleep Number vs Purple
Product
Firmness
Score
Sleep Number vs Purple
Product
Sleep Number 360 i8 Smart MattressFirmness
Multiple firmness optionsScore
Sleep Number vs Purple Mattress Overview
Here’s a brief overview of the strong points of the Sleep Number and Purple, as well as which type of sleepers are best suited for them.
| Sleep Number is best for… | Purple is best for… |
| Hot sleepers | Hot sleepers |
| Back sleepers | Back sleepers |
| Side sleepers | Side sleepers |
Sleep Number vs Purple: Top Similarities
- Cooling: Both mattresses sleep cool, which is something many sleepers will want to celebrate. The Purple mattress’s Purple™ Grid has quite the breathable layout of air channels, which neutralize body heat and promote airflow. The Sleep Number has temperature-regulating technology that absorbs the excess heat, releasing it as you cool, for a comfortable sleep experience all night long.
- Sleep Trial: Both brands offer 100-night sleep trials.
- Quality: Both mattresses are made from high-quality materials and have a luxurious overall feel.
Sleep Number vs Purple: Top Differences
- Price: The Purple mattress is much cheaper than the Sleep Number 360® i8 Smart Bed.
- Technology: All Sleep Number beds come with SleepIQ® technology, which senses your sleep patterns and personal sleep characteristics. Each day, you’re given a SleepIQ® score, which rates your sleep experience, and tells you how you can improve your sleep. So basically, you have a Sleep Number bed that requires Wifi, and a Purple mattress that does not.
- Warranty: The Sleep Number offers a 15-year warranty, while the Purple comes with a 10-year warranty.
Sleep Number vs Purple: Construction & Feel Differences
Now that the main similarities and differences between the Sleep Number and Purple are out of the way, let’s focus on what these beds feel like. To find out how these beds feel, we’re going to examine each mattress for a variety of factors, including firmness level, pressure relief, sinkage, motion transfer, and bounce.
Before we begin, I’d like to note that these factors are highly subjective and can vary significantly based on individual body size, shape, and weight.
What’s the Firmness Difference?
When it comes to mattresses, firmness isn’t a one-size-fits-all scenario. Your size, weight, shape, and other factors all determine your ideal level of firmness, meaning your preferences will likely differ from mine. When testing a mattress for firmness, we try to capture the variance different people might feel. I test every bed with colleagues of various body shapes, types, and sizes, then average those responses to determine the final firmness score.
The Sleep Number i8 has different firmness options and settings through its adjustable air chambers that can be updated to fit your unique needs and wants.
Each Sleep Number bed will offer varying degrees of comfort and support. If you know you like a certain level of comfort, you can be pointed in the right direction by looking at the model number of each Sleep Number bed. The “10” in i10 is the highest number in the series and comes with the most cushion. If you want the cushion, but just not seven inches of it, then the i7 or i8 bed might be a better option, with a few fewer inches of plump support. If you know you like hard beds that are extra firm, Sleep Number’s c2 or c4 might be a better fit.
On the other hand, I felt the Purple was a 7 out of 10 on the firmness scale. This makes it slightly firmer than the industry standard of medium-firm.
This bed-in-a-box mattress offers deep contouring qualities with a focus on targeted pressure relief and cooling technology. The bed is designed so that the heaviest parts of your body will experience more sinkage than the lighter areas. In other words, the polymer is providing pressure relief while still maintaining a high level of support.
You’ll find yourself feeling “on top” of the Purple, rather than “stuck-in” it, making it easy to move around the bed’s surface, and a hit for combo sleepers.
What Does Each Mattress Feel Like?
The Sleep Number bed is designed with personalized comfort in mind, making it particularly beneficial for back sleepers. Its adjustable firmness allows these sleepers to find the perfect setting for optimal spinal support, which should help alleviate back pain.
I think side sleepers will also find the Sleep Number bed appealing, especially if they opt for models with higher cushioning, like the i10, which improves contouring and comfort. However, stomach sleepers should proceed with caution; while the adjustable settings can help improve their quality of sleep, these sleepers may find that firmer options like the c2 or c4 better maintain spinal alignment.
Likewise, I found that the Purple mattress is a solid choice for back sleepers because it excels in pressure relief and offers extra support around the lumbar region. I like that its unique polymer layer provides a nice balance of cushioning for average side sleepers, though those with specific hip pain might prefer softer foam alternatives. Stomach sleepers may struggle, as the Purple’s design could lead to spinal curvature over time.
How Does The Construction Differ?
Sleep Number vs Purple Per Body Type
Every mattress will feel different to sleepers depending on individual attributes and preferences, such as body weight and sleeping position. Up next, I’ll compare how the Sleep Number and Purple mattresses perform for various sleepers.
Sleep Number 360 i8 Smart Bed Body Weight Scale
| Body Weight | Side | Back | Stomach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light (under 130lbs) |
excellent | excellent | excellent |
| Average (130-250lbs) |
excellent | excellent | excellent |
| Heavy (over 250lbs) |
unpleasant | unpleasant | unpleasant |
| Body Weight: Light (under 130lbs) | |
|---|---|
| Side Sleeper | excellent |
| Back Sleeper | excellent |
| Stomach Sleeper | excellent |
| Body Weight: Average (130-150lbs) | |
| Side Sleeper | excellent |
| Back Sleeper | excellent |
| Stomach Sleeper | excellent |
| Body Weight: Heavy (over 250lbs) | |
| Side Sleeper | unpleasant |
| Back Sleeper | unpleasant |
| Stomach Sleeper | unpleasant |
Purple Body Weight Scale
| Body Weight | Side | Back | Stomach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light (under 130lbs) |
good | good | good |
| Average (130-250lbs) |
unpleasant | excellent | unpleasant |
| Heavy (over 250lbs) |
unpleasant | unpleasant | unpleasant |
| Body Weight: Light (under 130lbs) | |
|---|---|
| Side Sleeper | good |
| Back Sleeper | good |
| Stomach Sleeper | good |
| Body Weight: Average (130-150lbs) | |
| Side Sleeper | unpleasant |
| Back Sleeper | excellent |
| Stomach Sleeper | unpleasant |
| Body Weight: Heavy (over 250lbs) | |
| Side Sleeper | unpleasant |
| Back Sleeper | unpleasant |
| Stomach Sleeper | unpleasant |
Sleep Number vs Purple Comparing Mattress Performance
Temperature
Several factors contribute to a mattress’s cooling ability. First and foremost, I consider its construction. The Purple mattress features a highly breathable polymer grid that allows air to flow easily through the mattress. Meanwhile, the Sleep Number bed features memory foam, which tends to heat up more at night.
I tested both mattresses’ cooling features using our thermal gun. After laying on each bed for 5 minutes and measuring how much heat each one trapped, I found that the Purple is leaps and bounds ahead of the Sleep Number in this category. The Purple’s temperature only increased by 4.8 degrees, making it one of our best cooling mattresses.
While not quite as cooling as the Purple mattress, the Sleep Number i8 also has features to help regulate temperature at night. I think sleepers will find that its smart 3D fabric cover does a good job of actively absorbing and releasing body heat. Surprisingly, the 6-inch comfort foam layer provided cushioning without making me feel too toasty, although there was still a slight increase in temperature.
The air chambers in the Sleep Number also help with airflow. While both the Purple and Sleep Number provide effective cooling, the Purple’s unique construction gives it a slight edge in temperature management.
Motion Isolation
If you have a restless partner, you’ll want something with better motion isolation so you don’t feel their movements on your side of the bed. If that’s not an issue, or you’re a combination sleeper who switches between different positions throughout the night, a more bouncy and responsive mattress is a plus.
Both the Sleep Number 360 i8 Smart Bed and the Purple mattress performed excellently in our motion isolation tests.
However, it’s important to note that some customer reviews of various Sleep Number beds mentioned the “trench effect,” where the middle of the bed can sag if each side has significantly different settings. This may impact support and comfort for some sleepers, so it’s worth considering if you and your partner have different firmness preferences.
Edge Support
In my experience, I found that the Sleep Number 360 i8 offers better edge support than the Purple mattress. During testing, I was able to lay on the edge of the Sleep Number mattress without feeling like I was going to fall off. This bed provides excellent stability, meaning that people who tend to gravitate toward the edge at night shouldn’t have to worry about feeling secure.
In contrast, I thought that the Purple mattress fell short in this category. I don’t think the Purple mattress is the best option for couples who enjoy spreading out or for heavier individuals looking to avoid premature sagging. When lying on the edges, I felt the Purple collapsing beneath me, diminishing the sense of durability and strength that a good perimeter should provide.
Pressure Relief
When it comes to pressure relief, the Purple mattress takes the win. Its proprietary grid layer excels at cradling the body and effectively distributes pressure without creating high-pressure areas.
I used our pressure map on the Purple mattress to hone in on areas that might show potential pressure buildup. During this test, I found that the pressure map showed almost no buildup, with all areas highlighted in blue, indicating excellent support for back, hip, and shoulder pain. This means the Purple is an excellent choice for sleepers who struggle with pain or pressure around sensitive joints at night.
While the Sleep Number 360 i8 also provides good pressure relief through its adjustable firmness settings, it can’t quite match the Purple’s performance in this area. Although I could tailor the Sleep Number to my preferred level of softness or firmness, the overall customizable experience offered by the Purple’s grid design provides superior comfort and support.
Pain Relief
The pressure map test results can also indicate whether these mattresses aid in reducing pain in specific areas. I think both mattresses are a good option for most average-weight side and back sleepers. However, sleepers with sensitive joints or hip pain should go with the Purple.
Durability
Overall, I think that the Sleep Number mattress is the more durable option, thanks in large part to its superior edge support and robust air chamber system, which helps maintain its shape and support over time. I also believe that the Sleep Number bed’s strong edge support indicates a lower risk of sagging and points to better stability.
In comparison, the Purple mattress features less dense foams and a flexible grid design, which can lead to gaps in support. And with a 10-year warranty, it doesn’t quite inspire the same level of confidence in durability as the Sleep Number.
Company Policies
Sleep Number Policies
- Trial Period – 100-night trial
- Shipping – Free shipping when you order a mattress and base
- Mattress Warranty – 15-year warranty
Purple Policies
- Trial Period – 100 nights
- Shipping – Free shipping
- Mattress Warranty – 10-year warranty
Sleep Number Customer Service Rating
- Satisfactory: When I entered the Sleep Number site I found the chat button in the bottom right corner. Then, a box popped up asking for me to insert my name, how they could help, my order number, and my zip code. I was then connected to a virtual assistant bot that further asked about the services I needed. If it wasn’t in the drop-down, I could type in the word “agent” so that’s what I did. At this time, I waited for a few minutes and then was told that the wait time would be higher than normal. It took 5 minutes to connect with someone.
Purple Customer Service Rating
- Stellar: Upon entering the Purple site, I easily found the Live Chat button, again in the bottom right corner. I was then asked by a bot how they could help and had the option of choosing Sales or Support. They also offer a number to call a sleep expert as well. I chose Support and gave my name and email address. I was connected with a live representative within the minute and they were kind and eager to assist me.
Comparing Sleep Number vs Purple Price
When deciding between the Sleep Number and Purple, your decision may boil down to price. So, let’s take a look at how much these beds cost in the pricing chart below. And don’t forget that you can always use our special Purple discount to save big.
Prices listed are before discount or offer on each size.
| Size | Sleep Number | Purple |
| Twin | $3,399 | $999 |
| Twin XL | $3,549 | $1,099 |
| Full | $3,824 | $1,399 |
| Queen | $3,999 | $1,499 |
| King | $4,699 | $1,999 |
| California King | $4,699 | $1,999 |
Other Sleep Number and Purple Mattress Comparisons
Wondering how the Sleep Number and Purple stack up to some of their competitors from other online mattress companies? Take a look at some of our other comparisons below.
Sleep Number
Purple
- Tuft & Needle vs Purple
- Purple vs Tempurpedic
- Leesa vs Purple
- Layla vs Purple
- Ghostbed vs Purple
- Purple vs Puffy
Comparing Other Mattress Models
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| Sleep Number 360 i8 Smart Mattress | Purple Mattress | Sleep Number 360 i10 Smart Mattress | Saatva Solaire Mattress | Tuft & Needle Mattress | TEMPUR-Cloud Mattress | Leesa Original Mattress | Puffy Cloud Mattress | Layla Mattress | |
| Rating | |||||||||
| Firmness | Multiple firmness options | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Multiple firmness options | Multiple firmness options | Firm: 7/10 | Firm: 7/10 | Soft: 5.5/10 | Medium-soft: 6/10 | Soft: 5.5/10 |
| Material | Other | Hybrid | Other | Other | Foam | Foam | Foam | Foam | Foam |
| Cooling | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | -- | -- | -- | -- | ✓ |
| Sleep Position | Side | Combination | -- | Combination | Back | Back & Side | Combination | Back & Side | Combination |
Sleep Number vs Purple Frequently Asked Questions
How do the Sleep Number and Purple mattresses ship?
Purple offers free shipping on all their mattresses. Sleep Number, on the other hand, offers free delivery with the purchase of a mattress and a base.
What are the return policies for the Sleep Number and Purple mattresses?
Both Sleep Number and Purple offer a 100-night sleep trial. If you don’t like your mattress within this period, you can return it for a full refund.
Do the Sleep Number and Purple mattresses come with a warranty?
Yes, both mattresses come with a warranty. Sleep Number offers a 15-year warranty, while all Purple mattresses come with a 10-year warranty.
How long do the Sleep Number and Purple mattresses last?
With thoughtful construction and quality materials, the Sleep Number and Purple mattresses should last folks between 7 to 10 years. To lengthen the life of your mattress, we recommend rotating it 180 degrees every 6 to 12 months.
As we finish this comparison, I’ll leave you with what I like most about the Sleep Number and some of its drawbacks.
Here is what I enjoy most about the Purple, along with some of my complaints about the bed.
Our Review Process
Our Sleepopolis reviewers personally test each mattress. We start by unboxing the mattress to figure out how difficult (or easy) it is to get the mattress from the box to the bed. Then, we spend time laying on the bed in different positions, taking time to assess it on our backs, stomachs, and sides. Next, we perform our Sleepopolis tests, using specialized tools to measure qualities like motion transfer, bounce, and pressure relief. Our last step is to open up the mattress and take a look at each layer. These steps allow us to give our final verdict on the mattress.
