Casper Element vs Purple: Which Should You Choose?

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The Casper Element vs Purple Original are both popular mattresses available for order online. These mattresses have similar feels, but they use different materials that will appeal to different sleepers. We’ll compare them here to help you make a more informed decision. EDITOR’S NOTE: The Casper Essential mattress has been renamed the Casper Element; however, at this time, the Element is currently out of stock. Check out our Casper foam mattress review for another great option!

Casper Element vs. Purple: Top Similarities

  • Both are are made with three layers and do not feature coils in the support layer.
  • Both have responsive surfaces that are also fairly bouncy.
  • Both are suitable for side sleepers.
  • They are close in thickness. (Purple is 9.5″ thick, compared to Casper Element’s 8.5″.)
  • Both offer 100-day trials, free shipping, and great customer service.

Casper Element vs. Purple: Key Differences

  • Purple costs more ($999.00 to $ for the original Purple; $595.00 to $1395.00 for Casper Element).
  • Casper Element is more of a budget mattress.
  • Purple is suitable for more sleep styles and positions.
  • Casper Element uses memory foam, while Purple uses its proprietary hyper-elastic polymer in the top layer.
  • Casper Element is just a little softer.
Deals: You can get a free Purple pillow with a mattress purchase by clicking HERE. You can get the highest available discount on the Casper by clicking HERE. A mattress is opened to show its construction.

Casper Element Construction

  • Casper Element has a soft, polyknit cover that doesn’t affect the overall feel of the mattress too much.
  • The first layer is 2″ of bouncy, breathable, open-celled “Fusion Foam.”
  • The middle is comprised of 1.5″ of responsive memory foam that conforms to your contours.
  • The support layer is 4.5″ of durable polyfoam that is pretty standard on the market.

Casper Element Mattress

CasperElementMattress

The Casper Wave Hybrid is a comfortable option for back sleepers, hot sleepers, and many side sleepers.

Clarity Score 3.6/5
MC Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

MC Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

100 nights

MC Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

MC Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Firm: 8/10

MC Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

10-year limited warranty

MC Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

MC sleeper type seniors
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
MC sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
MC sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.3/5
Watch Our Video Review

Casper Element Mattress

CasperElementMattress

The Casper Wave Hybrid is a comfortable option for back sleepers, hot sleepers, and many side sleepers.

Clarity Score 3.6/5
MC Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

MC Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

10-year limited warranty

MC Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Firm: 8/10

MC Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

MC Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

100 nights

MC Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

MC sleeper type seniors
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
MC sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
MC sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.3/5
Watch Our Video Review
CasperElementMattress

Casper Element Mattress

The Casper Wave Hybrid is a comfortable option for back sleepers, hot sleepers, and many side sleepers.

Clarity Score 3.6/5
MC Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

MC Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Firm: 8/10

MC Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

100 nights

MC Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

10-year limited warranty

MC Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

MC Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

MC sleeper type seniors
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
MC sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
MC sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.3/5
Watch Our Video Review
casper element vs purple

Purple Construction

  • The original Purple has a relatively simple construction and features just three layers.
  • Purple’s cover is a breathable blend of viscose, polyester, and polyester-lycra.
  • On top is a 2″ layer of hyper-elastic polymer. This unique material gives the mattress its particular bounciness, pressure relief, and coolness. It is both supportive and pressure-relieving at the same time.
  • In the middle is 3.5″ of relatively dense polyurethane foam.
  • The base is 4″ of denser polyurethane foam that is also standard on the market.

Purple Mattress

the Purple Original mattress sits on a bed frame in a bedroom

Purple is an innovative mattress that is a great fit for all three sleeping positions and doesn’t sleep hot.

Clarity Score 4.1/5
MC Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Hybrid

MC Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

100 nights

MC Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

MC Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6.5/10

MC Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

10-year warranty

MC Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

MC sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
MC sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
MC sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
MC sleeper type stomach sleepers
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.6/5

Purple Mattress

the Purple Original mattress sits on a bed frame in a bedroom

Purple is an innovative mattress that is a great fit for all three sleeping positions and doesn’t sleep hot.

Clarity Score 4.1/5
MC Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Hybrid

MC Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

10-year warranty

MC Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6.5/10

MC Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

MC Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

100 nights

MC Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

MC sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
MC sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
MC sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
MC sleeper type stomach sleepers
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.6/5
the Purple Original mattress sits on a bed frame in a bedroom

Purple Mattress

Purple is an innovative mattress that is a great fit for all three sleeping positions and doesn’t sleep hot.

Clarity Score 4.1/5
MC Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Hybrid

MC Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6.5/10

MC Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

100 nights

MC Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

10-year warranty

MC Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

MC Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

MC sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
MC sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
MC sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
MC sleeper type stomach sleepers
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.6/5

Construction Differences and Notes

  • Both are made of three layers and neither has coils.  
  • Both have springy surfaces that are responsive to pressure.
  • Purple offers better support to back sleepers and more support overall. Make sure to check out our Casper Hybrid vs Purple comparison for a more supportive Casper option. 
  • Casper Element works especially well for children and teens.

Firmness and Feel Differences

Both mattresses are responsive, springy, and relatively soft. I believe most will think the Element is softer. The Purple is both firm and pressure-relieving at the same time. The only type of sleeper who might think it’s too firm is a lightweight side sleeper.
 

Motion Transfer Differences

Both mattresses isolate motion well from personal experience. I would give the Element a little bit of an advantage in this area, but the differences are not huge. 
 

Pick Casper Element If …

  • You are lightweight and you sleep on your side- Casper Element is just a little softer. Also, people who weigh less may not get the full benefit of Purple’s gel, which requires some weight in order to be responsive.
  • You want to save money- This is a budget mattress and it’s great for something like a guest room.

Pick Purple If …

  • You weigh more- Purple is more supportive and most likely can handle heavier people better.
  • You switch positions in the night- Purple’s unique top material makes it supportive for side, back, and stomach sleepers alike.
RELATED: Best Mattress Choices Overall

Overall

These are two mattresses that will appeal to some of the same people, but not in all cases. Hopefully this comparison helped you determine which is a better fit for you. If you are looking for more information on how these mattresses stack up to different brands, it may be helpful to also check out our other Casper and Purple comparisons such as Casper Element vs Ghostbed and Purple vs Amerisleep. Please leave any specific questions about Purple or Casper Element in the comments.

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Joe Auer

Joe Auer

Founder/Managing Editor

About Author

Joe is the founder of Mattress Clarity and has been reviewing mattresses and other sleep products for more than five years. Joe knows a lot about mattresses, having tested more than 100 personally. Through his experience, he has developed a straightforward and practical approach to making mattress recommendations.

Joe does not believe there is one best mattress for everyone and that a more tailored approach is often the most helpful to mattress shoppers. He tries to make clear what types of sleepers a particular mattress would be good for. He also notes what considerations people should make when looking at a particular type of bed.

His extensive knowledge of mattresses, and the mattress industry, has garnered him some media attention. He’s been interviewed and featured in several online publications, including Inc.om, Business Insider, New York Magazine, Huffington Post, and Forbes.

Thanks to his expertise, Joe has tested countless approaches to improving his own sleep quality. He has two top sleep tips that he’s benefitted from personally. He limits his caffeine consumption to 100 mg a day and meditates for 15 minutes daily.

Joe has an undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University and an MBA from Columbia University, where he studied entrepreneurship.

When he isn’t reviewing mattresses, Joe loves to play classical piano, read fiction and non-fiction, and travel.