Written by Julia Forbes, Lead Product Tester
Purple continues to flex their muscles in the mattress industry, and this time, it’s with their new PurpleFlex mattress.
The brand is well-known for their innovative approach, which involves using premium materials that might not be as traditional as old-school memory foam. Why is it special? Well, I think it performs well, but the feel is somewhat unusual due to the GelFlex® grid underneath the cover. This could be a good match for you if you’re after a unique mattress that is both soft and kinda firm.
I tested this bed in various sleeping positions and also checked its motion isolation, cooling, bounce, and other factors sleepers may be interested in.
PurpleFlex
The PurpleFlex is a unique mattress with a soft top and a firm base that should accommodate a range of sleepers, including those who sleep hot.
Free instant gift with mattress purchase
Material
Foam
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
PurpleFlex
The PurpleFlex is a unique mattress with a soft top and a firm base that should accommodate a range of sleepers, including those who sleep hot.
Material
Foam
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
PurpleFlex
The PurpleFlex is a unique mattress with a soft top and a firm base that should accommodate a range of sleepers, including those who sleep hot.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Watch My PurpleFlex Video Review
Editor’s note: Purple updated the name of this mattress to the PurpleFlex. The bed’s construction remains the same, though.
Customer Reviews of the PurpleFlex Mattress
The PurpleFlex has an overall score of 3.8 out of 5 on Purple’s official website. Customers were mostly happy with the bounciness and cradling the GelFlex® Grid material provides. Those who didn’t like it found it to be too thin.
Testing the PurpleFlex Mattress
Sleep Advisor’s Testing Methodology
At Sleep Advisor, our mattress reviews are based on findings from in-person tests that allow us to have a genuine understanding of how the mattress feels and performs.
When testing the PurpleFlex, I evaluated specific performance features important to mattress shoppers, such as pressure relief, support, cooling, and more. I also made sure to include feedback from testers of different weight groups since this can impact how a bed feels. I gathered feedback from Loren Bullock for lightweight sleepers and Spencer Bland for heavier sleepers.
Check our full product review process page to learn more.
Who I Recommend the PurpleFlex For:
- Kids – I think kids would love the grid layer and the softness it provides. There’s just enough cushioning, and they probably wouldn’t weigh enough to bottom out to the firm core underneath.
- Back sleepers – The firm foam is decent for keeping the spine lifted, and you get some light pressure relief with the GelFlex® foam. This should work nicely for back sleepers who typically seek a combination of support and pressure relief.
- Lightweight and average-weight stomach sleepers – Stomach sleepers should experience good spine alignment with enough cushioning on the hips and shoulders. The firmness level helps to keep your hips from sinking too deeply, but this depends on your exact body weight.
Who I Don’t Recommend the PurpleFlex For:
- Those who want a softer bed – Although there’s quite some cushioning coming from the GelFlex™, I can also feel the firm base underneath this grid layer. If you’re a fan of softer beds, I think you’d be better off with the Purple Original or another softer mattress altogether.
- Couples – I noticed a lot of motion transfer when I tested this bed, so I wouldn’t recommend it for couples. If you and your partner have different sleeping habits and schedules, you’re likely to feel every bit of their tossing and turning on this Purple mattress. Instead, take a look at our favorite couples’ mattresses for more choices.
Firmness & Feel
Firmness Scale: 6.5/10
Please remember that firmness is a subjective characteristic and your shape will dictate how you experience a bed. A heavier person whose weight can more easily push through softer comfort and support layers may experience a bed as softer than a lightweight person. The way you are shaped could also play a role here. Consider your weight, shape, and size when evaluating firmness scores.
We rank mattress firmness on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest. Although Purple mattresses are known to be at around 4 to 5 out of 10, I found the Flex mattress to be firmer, falling at a 6.5 out of 10.
How Does It Feel?
I wasn’t crazy about how this Purple mattress felt. I expected it to feel unusual due to the grid layer, which is not a standard foam or a spring unit.
In other Purple mattresses, this grid helps with cooling and pressure relief, but here, it feels squishy and like a wet sponge – not at all like the other Purple mattresses we’ve tested.
Overall, I think it has a non-traditional feel and would take some getting used to.
Sleeping Positions for Different Body Types
Purple suggests a weight limit of 300 pounds per person, which would be 600 pounds in total for this mattress.
Side Sleepers
- Lightweight Sleepers – Even with the GelFlex® grid, Loren found that the Flex wasn’t the best at relieving pressure for lightweight side sleepers. When compared to other Purple models, it didn’t have as much softness to relieve pressure, though it did well for spine alignment.
- Average-Weight Sleepers – If you’re an average-weight side sleeper, I think the grid is likely to feel more pliable as your weight presses down on the surface. However, I felt the firm foam underneath taking that away a bit, so you’re still not getting much pressure relief. Spine alignment is still on point, though.
- Heavyweight Sleepers – Based on Spencer’s experience, I think a thicker mattress with coils would be a better option for heavy side sleepers. The Flex mattress didn’t distribute his weight well, which could eventually lead to pain.
Back Sleepers
- Lightweight Sleepers – This group of sleepers should enjoy the Flex mattress. Loren said she experienced a good amount of sinkage and lumbar support.
- Average-Weight Sleepers – The mattress offers good spine alignment and only a little bit of sinkage on a surface level, mostly due to its grid layer.
- Heavyweight Sleepers – I think heavy back sleepers might be better suited to the Flex mattress than others, but Spencer still noticed a lot of sinkage around the hips, which can result in lower back pain for some people.
Browse: Best Mattress for Back Sleepers
Stomach Sleepers
- Lightweight Sleepers – Lightweight stomach sleepers should feel nicely supported by the overall firmness of the Flex mattress. Loren said her spine alignment felt comfortable, and there was enough cushioning for her shoulders and hips.
- Average-Weight Sleepers – Average-weight stomach sleepers should like the firmer feel, as it helps keep the spine aligned. The grid did a good job of supporting my hips in this position.
- Heavyweight Sleepers – Heavy stomach sleepers would do better with a firmer mattress. Spencer didn’t feel it was supportive enough and added that the mattress’s surface didn’t mesh well with the firmer foam below.
PurpleFlex
The PurpleFlex is a unique mattress with a soft top and a firm base that should accommodate a range of sleepers, including those who sleep hot.
Material
Foam
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
PurpleFlex
The PurpleFlex is a unique mattress with a soft top and a firm base that should accommodate a range of sleepers, including those who sleep hot.
Material
Foam
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
PurpleFlex
The PurpleFlex is a unique mattress with a soft top and a firm base that should accommodate a range of sleepers, including those who sleep hot.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Pressure Relief
3/5
The grid layer was made to enhance cooling and pressure relief, and while I felt the cooling part, I didn’t get too much pressure relief. There’s an underlying element of rigidness, probably due to the firm base.
I feel like there’s something missing when it comes to this bed’s pressure-relieving capabilities. If you’re a side sleeper, you may get away with it if you’re not particularly interested in pressure relief. If you are, I think the Flex mattress would leave you unsatisfied.
Is the PurpleFlex Mattress Good for Pain Relief?
It’s hard to tell if the Flex mattress would be good for pain relief. In my opinion, it depends on the type of pain you’re dealing with. It may work if you’re struggling with hip pain, but not so much if you’re dealing with back pain. On top of that, it depends on your preferred sleeping position.
Back Pain
People with back pain should appreciate the spine alignment this mattress helps with. This keeps the body in a healthy sleeping posture, which in turn helps prevent back pain. Find more beds for back pain here.
Hip Pain
Hip pain can happen due to too much sinkage, so be careful with the Purple’s softer surface. I noticed a good amount of sinkage and cushioning, but I’d suggest a softer mattress if you’re a side sleeper with hip pain. Find more suitable mattresses for hip pain here.
Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain can be equally tricky for side sleepers. If you’re a side sleeper with shoulder pain, I’d suggest the Purple Original over the Flex mattress. However, if you want to stick to the Flex mattress, it’s best to try to sleep on your back, which is the position I think works best for pressure relief and support. If you aren’t a back sleeper and need more support, explore our picks for the best mattresses for shoulder pain.
Support
4/5
The PurpleFlex mattress has a firm base that acts as the main support layer underneath the grid layer. I found that it provides good support for most people, but I’d recommend it to back and stomach sleepers the most.
There’s more lift across the mattress surface, which provides support for the lower back — the most critical part for back and stomach sleepers. Side sleepers, on the other hand, are likely better off with a softer mattress.
Motion Isolation
2/5
I didn’t like the motion isolation of this mattress, so I wouldn’t recommend it for combination sleepers or couples. There’s a lot of motion transfer due to the softer surface, so you can feel very slight movements from the other side of the bed, which you can see in our seismograph image. This can make it difficult for couples with different sleeping habits, particularly in situations where one person is restless, and the other is easily awakened.
Temperature Regulation / Cooling
4/5
The PurpleFlex mattress doesn’t have too many cooling features, but I found it’s still breathable and crisp enough for hot sleepers to enjoy. The grid layer is designed to enhance cooling, and it does this pretty well. The material allows plenty of airflow to keep the mattress surface breathable and prevent heat buildup.
If you look at the images from our temperature gun, the Flex started at 69.8 degrees and went up to 75.5 degrees after lying on it. It only took roughly 3 minutes and 30 seconds to get back down to its original temperature, so that shows us it’s helpful for cooling.
Bounce
4/5
When you see poor motion isolation, you can expect a good amount of bounce because the two usually cancel each other out. Grid and foam around it react quickly, giving the Flex mattress plenty of bounce atop the bed. This works excellent for sexually active couples, people with mobility issues, and combination sleepers because it can help facilitate easier repositioning.
Edge Support
2/5
Sleepers who like sleeping at the edge of the bed are likely to be disappointed by Purple’s edge support. I noticed a lot of sinking in this area, even with the foam reinforcement. The foam reinforcement acts more as something to encompass the grid. In my opinion, it doesn’t provide good enough edge support for you to sleep or sit in this area.
Performance for Couples
2/5
I wouldn’t recommend this mattress for couples. Couples usually look for good motion isolation, edge support, and cooling, and the Flex mattress doesn’t perform the best in these categories.
Although the GelFlex® grid offers a good amount of breathability, couples who tend to overheat may need additional cooling features. On top of that, the mattress lacks good motion isolation and edge support, which help couples sleep more peacefully together and use all available space on the bed.
Find the best mattresses for couples here.
PurpleFlex
The PurpleFlex is a unique mattress with a soft top and a firm base that should accommodate a range of sleepers, including those who sleep hot.
Material
Foam
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
PurpleFlex
The PurpleFlex is a unique mattress with a soft top and a firm base that should accommodate a range of sleepers, including those who sleep hot.
Material
Foam
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
PurpleFlex
The PurpleFlex is a unique mattress with a soft top and a firm base that should accommodate a range of sleepers, including those who sleep hot.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Preference-Based Features
Innovative Materials
It really doesn’t get more distinctive than when a brand uses proprietary materials and technologies. The PurpleFlex mattress has a GelFlex® grid, which is a unique-feeling material, unlike traditional foam or coils. While I wasn’t crazy about it personally, I think those looking for something different could really appreciate the grid on the PurpleFlex.
SoftFlex Cover
Although the Flex mattress doesn’t have a particularly cooling cover, it has a stretchy fabric that does an excellent job of adapting to the grid layer. As the grid is highly pliable, the cover is stretchy enough to adapt without tearing apart.
Adjustable Base Compatible
This unique mattress works with all bed foundations and frames, including adjustable bed frames.
Made in the USA
Purple is based in Utah, and they make all their mattresses in their facilities. Find more mattresses made in the USA here.
Construction: What’s Inside the PurpleFlex?
The Flex mattress is 8 inches tall, which positions it among the thinnest models we tested. This bed feels bouncy and doesn’t have the best edge support, even with the reinforced edges. It has proprietary materials and should feel medium to medium-firm for most people. The grid is softer, so you won’t feel that firmness on the surface of the bed but underneath where the base layer is.
- The SoftFlex cover is made from a stretchy fabric to adapt to how the grid moves. This flexibility ensures the cover stays in good condition and doesn’t tear.
- The GelFlex® grid is the star of this mattress and offers a balance of pressure relief and support. Although I didn’t like the feel of it, I must say it offers good breathability. The grid is meant to adapt to all sleeping positions, but this depends on your body weight.
- The edge support layer goes around the grid, reinforcing it and giving this mattress some more structure along its perimeter. Still, I wasn’t impressed by its edge support.
- The base support foam is firmer than the rest of the mattress. This is meant to give it structure and stability that helps with spine alignment so you can maintain a healthy sleep posture. You can feel this firmness as you sink into the grid layer.
Unboxing & Off-Gassing
Purple mattresses are shipped inside a bag instead of a box. You can use the bag later as it’s completely reusable and waterproof. However, the mattress is vacuum sealed inside this bag as it would be inside of a box, so the concept is pretty similar.
The unboxing process is simple, but you have to wait a few hours for the mattress to come to its full size. I suggest you only sleep on it once it’s done expanding. If you notice any off-gassing, this is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. The smell should dissipate within a day or two.
Certifications
- Eco-Friendly Certifications – The foams in this bed are CertiPUR-US® certified. CertiPUR-US® is a third-party program that ensures the foams meet rigorous health and safety standards. This means they don’t contain harmful substances like ozone depleters, PBDEs, heavy metals, formaldehyde, and phthalates. They should also have low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.
Coupons, Trials, Warranties, and Shipping
- Shipping – Purple offers free shipping within the United States.
- White Glove Delivery – The company offers free white glove delivery for select mattresses, so this will appear in checkout.
- Trial – This bed comes with a 100-night trial, giving you enough time to test if it fits your needs and preferences.
- Warranty – The warranty on the PurpleFlex mattress lasts for 10 years.
- Return Policy – You can return the mattress at any point during the trial, and the company will issue a refund. Returns are free and easy.
Sizes & Prices
| Size | Dimensions (inches) | Price (w/o discount) |
| Twin XL | 38” x 80” x 8” | $699 |
| Full | 54” x 76” x 8” | $1,199 |
| Queen | 60” x 80” x 8” | $1,299 |
| King | 76” x 80” x 8” | $1,599 |
PurpleFlex
The PurpleFlex is a unique mattress with a soft top and a firm base that should accommodate a range of sleepers, including those who sleep hot.
Material
Foam
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
PurpleFlex
The PurpleFlex is a unique mattress with a soft top and a firm base that should accommodate a range of sleepers, including those who sleep hot.
Material
Foam
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
PurpleFlex
The PurpleFlex is a unique mattress with a soft top and a firm base that should accommodate a range of sleepers, including those who sleep hot.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
PurpleFlex FAQs
How thick is a PurpleFlex mattress?
The PurpleFlex mattress is 8 inches tall, which, in my experience, is among the thinnest mattresses. I wouldn’t say this is a bad thing since there are people who prefer thinner beds that don’t look as bulky. It’s up to you to decide how this height fits your needs and preferences.
Should I rotate the PurpleFlex mattress?
The company doesn’t suggest rotating the Flex mattress. You can do this, but it’s not necessary. Also, this isn’t a flippable mattress, so flipping it is a no-go.
How long will a Purple mattress last?
Purple says their mattresses should last seven to 10 years. It’s standard to replace your mattress within this timeframe, anyway.
PurpleFlex vs. Other Brands
PurpleFlex vs. Nectar Premier Copper
Product
Type
Score
Who I Recommend the PurpleFlex For
- Average-weight sleepers
- Stomach sleepers
- Those who prefer a bouncy bed
Who I Recommend the Nectar Premier For
- Couples
- Those who want a longer trial
- Affordable luxury shoppers
Read our Nectar Premier mattress review if you think the Nectar is right for you.
PurpleFlex vs. Saatva Loom and Leaf
Product
Type
Score
Who I Recommend the PurpleFlex For
- Back sleepers
- People with back pain
- Lightweight stomach sleepers
Who I Recommend the Saatva Loom and Leaf For
- Hot sleepers
- Couples and co-sleepers
- Sleepers after an organic mattress
Check our Loom and Leaf mattress review if you think this bed may be right for you.
Looking for more options? Find our picks for Purple mattress alternatives here.
PurpleFlex vs. Other Purple Models
PurpleFlex vs. Purple Original
Product
Type
Score
Who I Recommend the PurpleFlex For
- Those who prefer a thinner bed
- People worried about overheating
- Those who enjoy a softer sleep surface
Who I Recommend the Purple Original For
- Couples
- Combination sleepers
- People with pressure buildup
Read our full Purple review if you think their flagship model might suit you better.
PurpleFlex vs. Purple RestorePlus™
Product
Type
Score
Who I Recommend the PurpleFlex For
- Back sleepers
- Budget shoppers
- Sexually active couples
Who I Recommend the Purple RestorePlus™ For
- Sleepers with shoulder pain
- Side sleepers
- Hot sleepers
Read our full review of the Purple RestorePlus™ mattress to learn more about it.
My Verdict
I didn’t like how the GelFlex® grid feels and would recommend people check out the Purple Original mattress instead
The Flex did do well for support and bounce, but I think the price is significant for what you’re getting. All in all, I suggest you look at its specific scores and feedback in each category and decide which factors mean the most to you. In my opinion, I’m a bigger fan of the brand’s flagship model.
This mattress earned an overall score of 3.2 out of 5.
PurpleFlex
The PurpleFlex is a unique mattress with a soft top and a firm base that should accommodate a range of sleepers, including those who sleep hot.
Material
Foam
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
PurpleFlex
The PurpleFlex is a unique mattress with a soft top and a firm base that should accommodate a range of sleepers, including those who sleep hot.
Material
Foam
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
PurpleFlex
The PurpleFlex is a unique mattress with a soft top and a firm base that should accommodate a range of sleepers, including those who sleep hot.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Julia Forbes
Lead Product Tester
About Author
Julia is the Lead Reviewer at Sleep Advisor, specializing in testing out mattresses and sleep accessories – she’s in the right line of work, because she loves to sleep.
Stomach Sleeper