No matter how much you toss and turn, finding the perfect pillow can take years. Just ask the creators of Purple, brothers Tony and Terry Pierce, who have dedicated their careers to mastering the science of comfort.
If you haven’t heard of Purple — the company that invented the soft purple checkered mattress — you might still think of them as a stress-relieving technique. The Pierce brothers helped design Dr. Shore’s insoles, Jane Spotter’s backpack straps, and Nickelodeon’s soft catch toy balls.
In 2016, the brothers’ reputation and the product’s unique porous structure sparked immediate interest. Now, Purple offers pillows that mimic the design of the company’s original namesake mattress. While the brand says its products can help anyone sleep better, they also claim its pillows can relieve back, neck, and shoulder tension.
We reviewed three models, each with different firmness and firmness, but each designed to keep side, back, and tummy pillows cool. Put on your nightcaps, dreamers, and we’ll find the perfect purple pillow for you.
1. Pros and cons of purple pillows
Here are the pros and cons of purple pillows.
1) Advantages
Variety: Purple’s pillows are all designed based on different characteristics, such as height, firmness, and feel, to suit every sleeping style. Some models also come with zippers and inserts for raising, lowering, softening, or firming your pillow.
Regulate body temperature. The brand’s porous design “purple mesh” is said to relieve stress while keeping sleepers cool. While only the purple pillow is the same as the original mattress, all three prioritize breathability—from the moisture-wicking cover to the latex foam core.
SAFE: Purple’s mattresses and pillows are all US-certified, which means they are free of harmful chemicals. These designs are also flame retardant with no added chemicals and the purple mesh is allergen-free.
brand experience. The brand offers a 100-night sleep trial, a 1-year warranty, and free shipping and returns on all products to take the stress out of the buying process.
2) Disadvantages
Price: According to customer feedback, the most common complaint about the Purple Pillow and Purple Harmony Pillow was the price. Priced at $109 and $159, respectively, these two products are more suitable for the higher-budget crowd.
Packaging: Additionally, online reviews reveal quirks in shipping and packaging such as plastic powder coatings and odd odors. While these characteristics won’t affect the quality of the pillow, it may take time for the pillow to breathe.
Be hygienic: While the purple plush pillow can be washed and dried, the other two must be hand-washed and air-dried.
2. Pricing Guidelines
As far as luxury pillows go, Purple’s offerings range from middling to expensive. Plush purple pillows are priced similarly to other high-end standard pillows, while others are more expensive. For example, similar gel and memory foam pillows range in price from $70 to $200.
$ = less than $60
$$ = $60 – $120
$$$ = over $120
3. Healthline’s review of purple pillows
Here’s Healthline’s review of the purple pillow in question.
#1. Purple Pillow
Price: $$
Firmness: Very Sturdy
Height: 3 inches (without foam padding)
Weight: 11.7 pounds (typical)
Best for: Back and side sleepers, those who sleep hot, or the back, shoulders, or neck nervous person
Purple mesh is used to make the purple pillow. This porous design, combined with the polyester-blend cover, makes for a cooler night’s sleep, the company says. While originally designed to be thinner than standard therapy pillows, the product also features two foam pads that add height to the pillow.
Reviewers who knew what they were doing before buying this pillow tended to love it. Those who were prepared for the sturdy feel of the Purple Plaid said they liked its strict construction, with firmer edges to support your neck and a softer center to support your head.
The biggest problem is the maintenance of the product. You can machine wash and dry the mesh cover. But you have to hand wash the inner material and then air dry for at least 24 hours.
#2. Purple Plush Pillow
Price: $
Firm: Soft
Height: 5.5 inches (zipper)
Weight: 3.6 lbs (standard)
Best for: Tummy sleepers and people who like soft pillows
Purple Plush Pillows are the brand’s luxurious take on standard pillows. The pillow is significantly less expensive than other Purple products because it swaps out the Purple Grid for what the company calls “smart down.” It’s made of poly fiber balls (fluffy spherical stuffing). The lighter interior is paired with a soft pillowcase that feels like snuggling up inside a cloud.
The pillow is also adjustable with zippers on both sides. Keeping the zipper closed compresses the filling together, making the pillow firmer, while opening the zipper makes it softer, the company says. Reviewers praised the product for its adaptability, but reviews said it wasn’t as cool and supportive as other purple pillows. Some customers report that the pillow feels flatter after a few weeks.
#3. Purple Harmony Pillow
Price: $$$
Firm: Medium
Height: 6.5 or 7.5 inches
Weight: 4.5 lbs (standard)
Best for: Back and side sleepers
The Purple Harmony Pillow combines elements of the Purple Pillow and the Purple Plush Pillow, giving fans of purple a supportive but softer option. On the surface, the Purple Harmony is similar in design to the Purple Pillow. But unlike the original purple mesh, it has a honeycomb elastic mesh wrapped around an inner pillow made of Talalay latex foam.
This pillow is available in two heights. Purple will recommend the right height for you based on your sleeping position and body shape. Of the three products, Purple Harmony has the highest ratings on the company’s website. Satisfied customers say the pillow is firm yet compressible and effectively cools their heads.
4. Where to buy purple pillows
In addition to being available on Purple’s website and Amazon, Purple’s pillows are also available for purchase online or in person through limited retail partners like Mattress Firm. The brand often has sales on holidays like Black Friday, offering coveted deals for coupon junkies.
5. How to choose the right purple pillow
Not sure which purple pillow is right for you? Keep these things in mind.
1) Material
Purple’s pillow is unlike any other pillow on the market. Many companies fill pillows with various foams, feathers, or synthetic materials. However, Purple uses its own stretchy material, which they say offers the ideal combination of pressure relief, durability, and temperature regulation.
Many reviewers confirm that, unlike traditional memory foam, products with purple mesh provide fantastic pressure relief without trapping heat. If you are interested in this material, you can choose a purple pillow or a purple harmony pillow.
The Purple Harmony Pillow also contains latex foam, which research shows is ideal for reducing pressure points when used on mattresses and provides ideal neck support when used in pillows. If you’re looking for a fluffy feel, the Purple Plush Pillow, which doesn’t have the purple grid, might be a good option to try.
2) Firm
In general, back and side sleepers prefer firm pillows that firmly support your head and neck, while stomach sleepers prefer to nap on softer, flat surfaces. Despite the lack of research on pillow firmness, a 2020 study found that firmer memory foam and latex pillows provide the best neck support. A 2014 study also found that feather pillows are generally softer and don’t support the neck well.
In general, though, firmness is a personal preference. For example, if you sleep comfortably and pain-free on a soft pillow, you can definitely choose a soft pillow over a firm one.
3) Attic
The height of the pillow refers to the height of the pillow. Side sleepers and back sleepers prefer higher pillows to keep their neck and spine in a straight line. On the other hand, stomach sleepers generally prefer flat pillows. The 2015 study found that pillows 10 centimeters (nearly 4 inches) high were the best at maintaining the natural curvature of the spine when participants were lying on their backs.
Another 2015 study found that pillows of the same height were most comfortable for side sleepers. In addition, side sleepers found that pillows 10 centimeters and 14 centimeters (about 5.5 inches) tall reduced muscle activity in their necks and upper middle backs. Two of Purple’s pillows are either adjustable or come in a variety of height options. Adjustability and a variety of height options make it easier to find the perfect pillow for you.
This purple pillow is 3 inches long and features two boosters (one 1-inch and one 1/2-inch) for height adjustment. Meanwhile, the Purple Harmony Pillow comes in two heights: 6.5 inches and 7.5 inches.
6. Purple for reputation and transparency
Purple’s business reputation is strong, based on the following criteria:
Purple is rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). They seem to have addressed and resolved many customer complaints on the website, many of which have been removed.
They are not involved in any lawsuits related to business practices. However, the company did successfully sue a journalist and publisher for defamation, and the court found that he lied about the toxicity of the packaged powder and intentionally damaged Purple’s reputation. The lawsuit shows how seriously Purple Purple takes its commitment to safety.
None of their products have been recalled. Please keep in mind that this information is true at the time of publication, but circumstances may change.
In terms of transparency, all Purple products are CertiPUR-US certified. The website advertises that its purple mesh is made from food-grade and food-contact-grade materials. There are no known toxins or allergens in this product.
7. Purple reviews and customer service
As a company, Purple’s customer service reviews are mostly positive. While their products are highly rated on their website with an average of 3-4.5 stars, Purple also responds to negative feedback on their website and their BBB profile.
Most of the negative reviews say they were told by customer service that they are not eligible to return either because they bought the item at the final discount or because they haven’t tried it for at least 21 nights. While many of the negative reviews mentioned difficulties with returns, some of these complaints were eventually addressed and amended.
Purple said that, like many companies, some customers have faced delivery delays during the COVID-19 pandemic.
8. Purple return policy
If any of the purple pillows don’t work for you, the company has a solid return policy. Their policy includes a 100-night sleep trial, a full-year warranty, and free shipping and returns as long as the product is clean and undamaged.
The only caveat is that the company insists that you try their products for at least 21 nights before returning them. Because their products are ergonomically designed to change the way you sleep, some customers have reported initial pain before becoming comfortable. Purple calls this awkward few weeks an “adjustment period.”
9. Conclusion
Since the launch of the first-generation Purple mattress in 2016, Purple has become known for its unique products designed to meet the needs of every sleeper. However, not every pillow is your perfect snuggle companion. It’s important to do your research before purchasing a pillow so you can learn which design will best help you sleep.