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Purple is a company that primarily offers mattresses. However, it also has a range of pillows, including the original Purple pillow, which uses the company’s proprietary Purple Grid technology.
A quick look at Purple pillows
- Best cooling: The Purple Pillow
- Best for allergies: The Purple Harmony Pillow
- Best for children: Kid Purple Pillow
- Best down alternative: Purple Cloud
- Best for two pillows in one: Purple TwinCloud
This article discusses the Purple brand, the pillows they offer, and alternative brands to consider. It also looks at how pillows affect sleep health.
Purple began as a mattress company before expanding into pillows.
Purple emphasizes that its products are safe and nontoxic, with CertiPUR-US and Clean Air Gold certifications. All of its products come with a 100-night in-home trial.
While Purple primarily manufactures mattresses, it offers a range of pillows that may suit most people.
Purple offers several pillow options to suit people with different preferences regarding support and the level of firmness.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
Best cooling: The Purple Pillow
- List price: $134
- Size: 24 x 16 inches (in)
- Material: hyper-elastic polymer, polyurethane foam, and a polyester blend cover
- Height: 3 in
Purple’s original pillow has a similar construction to its original mattress.
The Purple pillow includes an ergonomic polymer grid, which the manufacturers have designed to offer support while reducing pressure points.
The company state that the durable grid will not lose its shape easily, potentially making it more durable than other pillows available.
The pillow contains a GelFlex Grid with open-air channels that may help keep people cool during sleep.
Pros
- durable construction
- open-air channels increase airflow and cooling
- people can adjust the height by using the included pillow boosters
Cons
- some reviewers state the pillow is too heavy to be comfortable
- some customers state that the pillow is too thick and supportive, leading to neck pain
Best for allergies: The Purple Harmony Pillow
- List price: from $179
- Size: 26 x 17 in or 34 x 17 in
- Material: hyper-elastic polymer, ventilated Talalay latex, and nylon blend cover
- Height: 5.5, 6.5, or 7.5 in
This model is a luxury version of the original Purple pillow. It offers more support and has a fuller, more plush sleep surface. It is available in standard and king sizes.
This pillow includes the original Purple Grid and a cooling surface that may benefit people who sleep hot.
The Harmony model also has a hypoallergenic latex core, making it suitable for people with allergies. Additionally, it is available in low, medium, and high lofts, which makes it suitable for all sleeping positions.
Pros
- suitable for all sleeping positions
- has a cooling cover
- hypoallergenic
Cons
- not suitable for people with a latex allergy
- some customers state the pillow went flat after several uses
Best for children: Kid Purple Pillow
- List price: $79
- Size: 18 x 13 in
- Material: hyper-elastic polymer, and a polyester blend cover
- Height: 3.25 in
This pillow reportedly offers a softer sleep surface designed to support kids’ developing spines.
The pillow is smaller and lighter than the other models, making it a suitable option for a twin or toddler bed.
It is available in four colors: white, pink, blue, and black. The company states that the GelFlex grid helps make the pillow more durable and the extra air channels help promote airflow, reducing overheating.
Pros
- softer pillow stuffing may be more comfortable for children
- children may appreciate being able to choose a pillow cover
- promotes airflow to keep children cool during sleep
Cons
- some customers state the pillow is too flat for children to use
- some reviewers say that their children found it too dense to be comfortable
Best down alternative: Purple Cloud
- List price: from $59
- Size: 24 x 17 in, or 34 x 17in
- Material: gel fiber, and a 100%, 300 thread count cover
- Height: 6 in
The gel fiber in this pillow mimics down, providing plush and moldable support. The gel fibers may increase durability and prevent the pillow from becoming flat over time.
The gel fibers reportedly do not trap heat, leading to a cooler sleep. The 100% cotton cover is also breathable, potentially making sleep more comfortable.
Pros
- may help prevent overheating
- may be more durable
- an alternative to down for those with allergies
Cons
- some customers state the pillow flattens over time
- some reviewers report the pillow is lumpy and uncomfortable to sleep on
Best for two pillows in one: Purple TwinCloud
- List price: from $99
- Size: 24 x 17 in, or 34 x 17 in
- Material: gel fiber and a 100% cotton, 300 thread count cover
- Height: 6 in
The TwinCloud is a two-chambered pillow that Purple states offer adjustable firmnesses. People can zip and flip the chambers to provide softer or firmer support.
Unlike many of Purple’s pillows, this product contains gel fiber, which may offer more durability and prevent the pillow from becoming flat.
The cover is 100% cotton, and the air channel between the two chambers allows for extra airflow. Additionally, people can place their arms inside the chamber when sleeping, making this a good option for front sleepers.
Pros
- offers adjustable firmness
- may be beneficial for front sleepers
- may promote extra airflow
- people can connect several TwinCloud pillows to create a mattress topper
Cons
- some customers state the pillows become flat after several months
- some reviewers say the pillow is too thick to be comfortable
The following table compares Purple pillows on price, size, and more.
| List price | Size | Material | Height | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Purple Pillow | $134 | 24 x 16 in | • hyper-elastic polymer • polyurethane foam • polyester, nylon, and Spandex mesh cover | 3 in |
| Purple Harmony | from $179 | • 26 x 17 in • 34 x 17 in | • hyper-elastic polymer • ventilated Talalay latex • nylon and Spandex mesh cover | • 5.5 in • 6.5 in • 7.5 in |
| Kid Purple | $79 | 18 x 13 in | • hyper-elastic polymer • polyester, nylon, and Spandex mesh cover | 3.25 in |
| Purple Cloud | from $59 | • 24 x 17 in • 34 x 17 in | • gel fiber • 100% cotton, 300 thread count cover | 6 in |
| Purple TwinCloud | from $99 | • 24 x 17 in • 34 x 17 in | • gel fiber • 100% cotton, 300 thread count cover | 6 in |
People looking to buy a new pillow may wish to consider several factors, including:
- Suitability for preferred sleep position: Stomach and back sleepers may need lower pillows, while side sleepers may need more support and height to keep the head and neck in a comfortable position.
- Mattress style: In general, people with firmer mattresses will need softer pillows, while those with softer mattresses will want firmer pillows.
- Budget: Pillows are available in different price ranges.
- Safety: It is advisable to choose a pillow that comes with clear details about its contents and manufacturing process. Some products, especially those made in poorly regulated factories, may contain volatile organic compounds, which may increase the risk of diseases such as cancer.
- Sleep temperature: It can be difficult to sleep when hot or sweaty. People who tend to get hot during sleep may wish to consider pillows with cooling materials, such as a breathable grid or outer gel covering.
In addition to selling pillows, Purple offers four different mattress models that use the Purple Grid technology:
The original Purple mattress is a foam mattress with a polymer grid, while the hybrid mattresses blend the Purple Grid with traditional coils.
Learn more about Purple mattresses here.
Purple continues to expand its range of products offerings, and the company now also offers:
Purple holds accreditation with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and the organization gives the company an A+ grade. Customers give Purple an average rating of 4.21 out of 5 stars.
On Trustpilot, Purple has an average customer rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars.
Positive reviews from both websites state that the company’s customer service was prompt and helpful and the products were of high quality. Several reviewers report that they did not experience as many aches and pains after using Purple mattresses, pillows, and cushions.
However, negative reviews mention difficulty returning products within the warranty period. Others state they experienced shipping delays and that the products were not as durable as they expected.
Purple offers free shipping and a 1-year limited warranty on its pillows. People can return their pillows within 100 days if they are not satisfied with their purchase.
Free shipping is available in the contiguous states. People in Alaska or Hawaii will need to pay an extra fee, which the company calculates at check-out. Purple also ships to Canada.
The website also allows customers to track their orders by inputting their email addresses and order number. Standard shipping takes 5–10 business days once the order has left the company’s warehouse.
People who want to consider brands other than Purple have a range of options available to them, including:
- GhostBed: GhostBed is one of Purple’s biggest competitors. The company offers a memory foam pillow, a down-alternative pillow, and a shredded foam pillow.
- Pluto Pillow: Rather than offering a specific line of pillows, Pluto customizes each pillow based on a customer’s answer to a few questions.
- Tempur-Pedic: Tempur-Pedic sells a wide range of memory foam pillows designed for different sleeping positions.
Learn about the best memory foam pillows here.
Purple vs. competitors
The following table compares Purple to its competitors
| Pillow materials | Price range | Trial and warranty | BBB grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purple | • polymer • polyurethane foam • Talalay latex • gel fiber down alternative | $59–219 | • 100-night trial • 1-year warranty | A+ |
| Ghostbed | • memory foam • microfiber gel fill • memory foam, visco, and microfiber | $95–190 | • 101-night trial • 5-year warranty | no BBB page |
| Pluto Pillow | memory foam | $110–140 | • 110-night trial • 1-year warranty | A+ |
| Tempur-Pedic | TEMPUR material | $69–239 | • no trial • 5-year warranty | A+ |
Here we answer some common questions about this company.
What do Purple pillows do?
Purple claims that its pillows contour to the shape of the head and neck, which. may reduce aches and pains.
Additionally, the company states that the pillows are breathable to keep people cool during sleep and may be more durable than some other pillows on the market.
Do Purple pillows go flat?
According to Purple’s website, the pillows should not go flat or lose their shape.
However, some customers state that their pillows became flat after a few months. People may wish to read customer reviews for the lifespan of a Purple pillow before committing to a purchase.
Do you put a pillowcase on a Purple pillow?
Purple pillows come with a removable cover, so people do not need to purchase a separate pillowcase.
However, the company does sell pillowcases that fit its pillows.
How long are Purple pillows good for?
Purple claims that its pillows are durable and may last a longer time than some other options.
People should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when caring for their pillow to increase its lifespan.
What is the best pillow?
While many studies emphasize that the wrong pillow
Instead, people will need to experiment with different pillows to identify the type and height that feels most comfortable to them. A person’s pillow needs and preferences may change with age, health, or weight.
How does sleep affect health?
For some people, a Purple pillow may offer the perfect balance of support and comfort. As with any other sleep product, choosing the right pillow requires trial and error. Everyone has unique needs and preferences, so they may need to try different products to find the best option.
Anyone who experiences persistent sleep issues should speak with a doctor, who can work with them to improve their quality of sleep.