Purple Hybrid & Hybrid Premier vs. Leesa Mattress Comparison

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Today’s mattress comparison should get interesting, as we’ll be examining two very different beds. Our first contender is the Purple Hybrid and Purple Hybrid Premier—a luxury foam-coil mattress from one of the most iconic names in the bed-in-a-box game. Our second is the more straightforward—but still effective—all-foam mattress from Leesa. Let’s get into this Purple Hybrid vs. Leesa mattress comparison! [Editor’s Note: The Purple Hybrid and Purple Hybrid Premier are no longer available. Check out our Purple Original mattress review to learn about other Purple options.]

Purple Hybrid Mattresses Vs Leesa Overview

Purple first made a name for itself thanks to its proprietary Smart Comfort Grid. Made from a hyper-elastic gel polymer (cast in a hypnotic shade of purple, to boot), the grid feels firm and supportive while also offering a lot of cushioning. It’s designed to adapt to the whole body by offering maximum pressure relief where needed and evenly distributing body weight. Purple uses their well-known grid as the top layer of the mattress, but each mattress includes a different amount. The Purple Hybrid has a 2″ layer of the gel grid, and the Hybrid Premier model has the option to include 3″ or 4″ inches of their proprietary material. In all hybrid models, the grid works in tandem with a 7.5” layer of coils below, which creates a foundation of extra support. The Leesa’s flagship bed has a much simpler construction, with three layers of foam that create a balanced feel and help the sleeper stay cool. Who Should Get The Purple Hybrid
  • Heavyweight sleepers. The coils should offer the proper support for heavier folks and prevent them from sinking too far into the bed.
  • Those who want variety, as the Purple is available with different amounts of their gel grid material.
  • Anyone who prioritizes durability. The Purple and Leesa mattresses are sturdy, but hybrid beds tend to last a little longer.

Purple Hybrid Premier Mattress

purple hybrid premier

The Purple Hybrid Premier 3? is unlike any mattress I have slept on. The gel technology truly makes for a weightless, unique sleeping experience.

Clarity Score 4.4/5
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

Soft: 6/10

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 hip pain
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
MC sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
MC sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.4/5

Purple Hybrid Premier Mattress

purple hybrid premier

The Purple Hybrid Premier 3? is unlike any mattress I have slept on. The gel technology truly makes for a weightless, unique sleeping experience.

Clarity Score 4.4/5
MC Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Hybrid

MC Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

10-year warranty

MC Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Soft: 6/10

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 hip pain
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
MC sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
MC sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.4/5
purple hybrid premier

Purple Hybrid Premier Mattress

The Purple Hybrid Premier 3? is unlike any mattress I have slept on. The gel technology truly makes for a weightless, unique sleeping experience.

Clarity Score 4.4/5
MC Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Hybrid

MC Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Soft: 6/10

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 hip pain
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
MC sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
MC sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.4/5
Who Should Get Leesa
  • Anyone who loves a balanced foam feel
  • Average-weight back and side sleepers, as well as lightweight sleepers of all three sleeping positions
  • Anyone on a budget. The Leesa is significantly more affordable than the Purple.
  • Couples. Because it’s all foam, it has better motion transfer results than a hybrid bed like the Purple, which contains springs.

Leesa Original Mattress

the Leesa mattress sits on top of a bed frame

Made with responsive foam, the Leesa Original mattress works well for side sleepers and hot sleepers.

Clarity Score 3.9/5
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

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 seniors
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
MC sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
MC sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for 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
4.5/5
Watch Our Video Review

Leesa Original Mattress

the Leesa mattress sits on top of a bed frame

Made with responsive foam, the Leesa Original mattress works well for side sleepers and hot sleepers.

Clarity Score 3.9/5
MC Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

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 seniors
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
MC sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
MC sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for 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
4.5/5
Watch Our Video Review
the Leesa mattress sits on top of a bed frame

Leesa Original Mattress

Made with responsive foam, the Leesa Original mattress works well for side sleepers and hot sleepers.

Clarity Score 3.9/5
MC Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

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 seniors
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
MC sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
MC sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for 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
4.5/5
Watch Our Video Review

Similarities Between The Purple Hybrid And Leesa?

There are a ton of differences between these beds—not just because one is a hybrid and one is all foam, but because Purple’s grid is a different sleeping experience in and of itself. But there are a handful of similarities we should note, too.
  • When it comes to firmness, the Purple Hybrid is the closest to the Leesa. Both fall into the Medium Firm category.
  • Both beds tend to sleep cool.
  • Both brands have similar policies, including a 10-year warranty and 100-night sleep trial.
Purple Hybrid Premier Logo See how the Purple compares with other competitors in our Purple mattress comparisons.

Key Differences Between The Purple And Leesa?

As we said, there are a lot of differences between these two mattresses. Let’s take a moment to cover some of the most notable ones.
  • The Purple is a hybrid bed while Leesa is all foam.
  • The Purple costs more than the Leesa.
  • For the most part, Purple is going to be softer and provide more body contouring.
  • The Leesa is going to be the more comfortable bed for couples because of its motion transfer results.
  • Purple is going to be the better option for heavier folks.
Leesa Mattress Review Compare Leesa with other beds with our Leesa mattress comparisons.

Firmness and Feel Differences

Firmness and feel are always going to be important factors to discuss when buying a new mattress, especially when the materials are as different as they are here. Let’s see how these two beds compare to one another.

How Firm Are The Purple and Leesa Mattresses?

Purple’s firmness varies from model to model. The Purple Hybrid feels like a 6.5/10 on our firmness scale — which is medium firm. Because the Purple Hybrid Premier has a thicker layer of the gel grid, it feels a bit softer – 6/10 on our firmness scale. Because there is only one model for the Original Leesa, its firmness is fixed at a Medium Firm 6.5/10.

Sleeping On The Purple And Leesa Mattresses

Because the grid is meant to provide comfort and contouring as well as support, the Purple Hybrid Premier felt equally great on the back, stomach, and side. The gel material does a great job adapting to the sleeper, cushioning at certain points and lifting up at others. To put it succinctly, it’s both squishy and firm at the same time. Purple Hybrid Premier - Side Sleeping Back sleepers will likely prefer the Purple Hybrid, and side sleepers will likely prefer the Hybrid Premier. Because stomach sleepers usually require a combination of support and softness, we recommend that they choose the Purple Premier with 3″ of the gel grid. The Leesa’s balanced feel will likely appeal to back sleepers, who should feel held up by the support layer as the top foams conform to the curves of their bodies. Side-sleeping should also be fairly comfortable, with just the right amount of pressure relief. Leesa Mattress - Back Sleeping Stomach sleepers of light or average weight may also get the support they need on the Leesa, although it could vary depending on exactly how heavy you are (more on that in the below section).

What Do The Purple Hybrid And Leesa Mattresses Feel Like?

Even though the Purple toggles between support and comfort, it’s still going to have a more plush feel than the uniform Medium Firmness of the Leesa. And of course, it’s all going to vary depending on your body type and sleeping position. Here are some of the variations.

Average-Weight Sleepers – 130lbs – 230lbs

In general, sleepers under 180 lbs might not be best-suited for any of the Purple hybrid models. That’s because lighter-weight sleepers may not be heavy enough to activate the comfort grid. But average-weight sleepers at the upper end of the spectrum (over 180lbs) should be fine. On the Leesa, average-weight back sleepers will feel supported—held up by the support layer while the top foams conform to the curves of their bodies. For average-weight stomach sleepers, those under 200 lbs will likely find the right amount of pressure relief, but folks nearer to 230 lbs might feel pressure on their shoulders and hips.

Heavyweight Sleepers – Over 230lbs

The Purple is often named one of the best mattresses for heavy people, as their body weight is enough to activate the comfort grid. With the Leesa, it’s going to vary from position to position. Heavier back and side sleepers closer to 230lbs might find the required pressure relief, but people closer to 300lbs might not get enough support from the base foam layer. However, Leesa does offer hybrid beds with coils that could offer a stronger base for heavier sleepers.

Lightweight Sleepers – Under 130lbs

Lightweight sleepers are likely going to experience some discomfort on the Purple since they may not be heavy enough to activate the comfort grid, leaving the mattress feeling too firm. The one exception is lightweight stomach sleepers, who usually need a firmer bed anyway. The Leesa is a different story. Lightweight sleepers of all three positions should feel comfortable—so much that it’s often ranked as one of the best mattresses for lightweight sleepers.

Mattress Construction Differences

Let’s peel back the covers and see what’s going on inside these two beds.

Cover

Each of the Purple hybrid models is protected by a StretchMax cover—a soft, elastic material designed to promote airflow and breathability. Also soft and breathable, the Leesa’s cover is made of a simple twill fabric.

Comfort Layers

We’ve talked a lot about the Purple’s comfort layer, which once again consists of the brand’s proprietary, temperature-neutral Smart Comfort Grid. The Hybrid mattress has 2″ of the grid, while the Premier model has the option to get 3″ or 4″ of their unique material. Purple Hybrid Premier - Construction The Leesa’s has its own proprietary foam in the top comfort layer called LSA200. Bouncy, soft, and responsive, the texture is more breathable than typical memory foam and keeps the mattress from getting too hot. Beneath that is a layer of slow-moving memory foam that provides pressure relief and just a little bit of contouring. The push and pull between the two comfort layers is where the Leesa gets its balanced feel. Leesa Mattress - Construction And Layers

Support Layer

The Purple’s final layer is a massive stretch of individually wrapped coils—7.5” to be exact. These durable springs make the mattress incredibly supportive and assist with temperature control. Like most all-foam mattresses, the Leesa has a standard base of polyfoam that’s durable and supportive.

Mattress Height

The Purple Hybrid is 11” tall, and the Hybrid Premier is 13″ tall. The Leesa is 10” tall.

Purple Hybrid Premier And Leesa Size Options and Price

See the charts below for the most up-to-date size and pricing information for the Purple and Leesa mattresses. Note: We included pricing information for the Purple Hybrid Premier with 3″ of the gel grid. Purple Hybrid Premier – 3″
Size Dimensions Price
Twin XL 38″ x 80″ $3249.00
Full 54” x 75” $
Queen 60″ x 80″ $3699.00
King 76″ x 80″ $4399.00
California King 72″ x 84″ $4399.00
Split King Two 38” x 80” pieces $6498.00
Need an extra boost of comfort? Check out our Purple Harmony pillow review. Leesa
Size Dimensions Price
Twin 39″ x 75″ $849.00
Twin XL 39″ x 80″ $899.00
Full 53″ x 75″ $1099.00
Queen 60″ x 80″ $1299.00
King 76″ x 80″ $1599.00
California King 72″ x 84″ $1599.00
If you don’t feel like purchasing a brand new mattress yet, take a look at our Leesa mattress topper review.

Purple And Leesa Performance Differences

We put both of these beds through a series of tests to measure some of their performance factors. Note that we used the Purple Hybrid Premier 3″, but you can expect similar results with the other hybrid models.

Sleeping Hot or Cold

While both of these beds sleep cool, Purple’s StretchMax cover—not to mention the temperature neutrality of the grid—is a bit more effective than the Leesa’s lightweight twill cover and LSA200 foam. Purple wins this round.

Motion Transfer

All-foam beds are always going to have the upper hand here, and that proved to be the case with the Leesa. It’s much better at isolating motion than the Purple, and is thus the better bed for couples.

Edge Support

When sitting on the edge of the Leesa, we felt a lot of collapse. Not so much with the Purple, which has a polyfoam outer shell that reinforces edge support. Another win for Purple.

Durability

Both the Purple and Leesa beds are constructed with dense, reliable materials that should last seven to 10 years with little issue.

Off-Gassing

Off-gassing is just another word for the faint smell that emerges when opening and unrolling any bed-in-a-box mattress. It’s only temporary, and in the case of both these beds, went away after 48 hours. Try placing the mattress in a well-ventilated room if you want to speed up the process.

Noise

While we didn’t hear any squeaking when lying on either of these beds, the Leesa is the default winner since mattresses with springs (like the Purple) could begin to squeak over time.

Sex

If you’re looking for one of the best mattresses for sex, memory foam usually isn’t the best material. With that in mind, the Leesa would probably make it difficult to change positions and move around. The Purple, however, has a bounce and responsiveness that helps it win this category.

Company Policies

Make sure to read the fine print! We’ve highlighted Purple and Leesa’s company polices below.

Warranty Info

Both beds have a 10-year warranty.

Sleep Trial

They also both come with a 100-night sleep trial.

Return Policy

Customers can return their Purple mattress for a full refund within the 100-day trial period. But the company asks that they wait at least 21 days to allow their bed to properly break in. Read more about the return policy on Purple’s website. If you’re not satisfied with the Leesa after 30 nights, you can return it for a full refund within the 100-day trial period. Leesa will even coordinate the pickup from your home. However, this only applies to your first Leesa purchase.

FAQs

Still wondering which mattress is best for you? Here are some frequently asked questions that could help.

Which mattress is better, Purple or Leesa?

These are vastly different beds, so it’s all about what you’re looking for. If you’re interested in sleeping technology that offers a dynamic experience, we recommend one of the Purple hybrid models. But if you want something more traditional and balanced, you should probably stick with the Leesa.

How long will the Purple and Leesa mattresses last?

Because of the durable materials and lengthy warranties, each of these beds will likely be a satisfying long-term investment.

Can you flip the Purple and Leesa mattresses?

No, neither of these beds are flippable.

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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.