Decided it’s time to invest in a grown-up pillow? The ones from mattress maker Purple might be on your list of picks, but it’s worth getting all the deets — including what other sleepers think — before dropping the dough.
Here are all the facts (and nothing but the facts) about these popular pillows.
Purple pillow pros
- soft, medium, and firm pillow options
- adjustable pillow options
- all pillows are designed to prevent you from getting too hot
- made from durable, high quality materials
- hypoallergenic
- 100-night trial and 1-year warranty
- free shipping
Purple pillow cons
- pricey $$$
- boosters required (at added cost) for adjustable pillows
- pillows featuring the Purple Grid are heavier than most other pillows, making it harder to move or adjust them at night
- not all pillows can be machine washed
Purple pillow deets
The Purple Pillow
- Price: $109
- Firmness: very firm
- Dimensions: 24 x 16 x 3 inches (in.)
- Best for: back and side sleepers
Construction
The original Purple Pillow boasts the same unique grid-like design as the brand’s signature mattress.
The grid is designed to offer max head and neck support that cradles pressure points, with open-air channels to help you sleep cool. And unlike pillows filled with polyester or down, it won’t bunch up or lose its shape over time.
Sizewise, it’s a fairly standard 24 in. by 16 in., but the 3-in. depth is on the flatter side. You can choose from 1/2-in. and 1-in. boosters (add one or two) for more height — which is prob necessary if you sleep on your side.
Materials
The pillow comes with a polyester cover (so you’re not, like, feeling the grid right on your face) that’s designed to wick moisture away. But while you can toss the cover in the washer and dryer, the pillow needs to be cleaned by hand with soap and warm water and air-dried.
All the feels
The pillow is sorta one-size-fits-all in that it doesn’t come in soft, medium, or firm options. But you can get some customization by adding the brand’s adjustable foam pillow boosters — you stick them in the cover to give your headrest a little more height.
What reviewers think
As for what people actually think? You could probably sum up the 4/5-star average rating as good but not mind-blowing, especially for the price.
Here’s what happy sleepers say:
- “…a really comfortable pillow that doesn’t lose its shape during the night.”
- “At first I was skeptical and now I am a believer. This pillow has saved my neck and my back so much unneeded pain and discomfort.”
- “What do you guys put in the pillow??? Once my head hits the pillow I’m instantly drifting off to dreamland.”
But not everyone is totally enamored.
Some people say the grid-like feel takes a while to get used to, while others just can’t get past it. Some complain that the nearly 12-pound weight is waaaay too heavy for a pillow: “When you wake up in the middle of the night and are very groggy it’s HARD to move the pillow half asleep,” one reviewer writes.
The good news is that Purple offers free shipping and a 100-night no-risk trial. So you can see if the pillow is right for you without making a huge commitment.
The Purple Harmony Pillow
- Price: $159
- Firmness: medium
- Dimensions: 26 x 17 x 5.5 in. for low height (6.5 in. for medium and 7.5 in. for tall)
- Best for: back and side sleepers
Like the OG Purple pillow, the Harmony model also features the brand’s proprietary grid design. Purple claims it’s the GOAT of pillows. But is it?
Construction
The Harmony has a similar design to the original Purple pillow thanks to its grid-like construction. But it features swanky Talalay latex foam at its core.
It’s also available in multiple heights (low, medium, and tall) to accommodate basically all sleep styles and body sizes.
Materials
A Talalay latex core provides plenty of support with a dose of softness. And it’s hella durable compared to other types of foam. Plus a moisture-wicking cover helps sop up sweat — great if you’re a hot sleeper!
All the feels
It’s softer than the original Purple pillow. And with three height options to choose from, you can find the perfect loft to fit your frame and fave sleeping position.
What reviewers think
The average rating for this model is around 4.4/5. So people generally really like it. Some people say the pillow offers great neck support.
The reviews include comments like these:
- “My head and neck are supported in some magical way on this pillow. I am now sleeping longer and deeper than I ever did before — and I have always been a good sleeper. I wake up feeling very well rested and happy to start the day.”
- “It is comfortable, I’ll give it that. But one of the main attractions was it being cool and it most definitely gets too warm. Still debating about returning, I do appreciate their 100 day return-policy, I wouldn’t have spent so much without it. Gives you plenty of time to be sure.”
- “Perhaps I am just used to high quality down pillows, but I found this pillow overpriced and uncomfortable. It is “floppy” and unsupportive. At the same time, it isn’t “huggable” which is what I liked about down.”
Happy customers describe it as a great investment and “harmony indeed.”
Not sure if this high-end pillow is right for you? You can try it out risk-free for 100 nights.
The Purple TwinCloud Pillow
- Price: $89
- Firmness: adjustable
- Dimensions: 17 in. x 24 in. x 6 in.
- Best for: combo sleepers
The TwinCloud Pillow is actually two pillows in one. Score! The two-in-one design makes it a stellar choice for pretty much any sleep position.
Construction
There’s no need to fiddle with inserts or remove clumpy, messy filling with this cleverly designed pillow. The TwinCloud features a unique reversible cover design that allows you to adjust the feel instantly — no clumping or uneven support here!
Size-wise, it’s a fairly standard 17 x 24 inches, but it’s a lofty 6 inches in height.
Materials
The pillow comes with a cotton cover and has a gel fiber-filled inner chamber that’s supposed to be hypoallergenic, so it won’t cause your allergies to act up.
All the feels
Zip it one way for a softer feel or flip it and reverse it (à la Missy Elliot) and enjoy a firmer surface and higher loft. If you’re looking for a floofy, cloud-like down-alternative pillow, this is the Purple pillow model for you.
What reviewers think
Here’s the thing. The TwinCloud is new to Purple’s pillow posse (say that three times fast) so there aren’t any reviews at the time of publishing.
But since Purple offers free shipping and a 100-night no-risk trial. You can try the pillow without worrying about wasting your hard earned moolah.
Purple company policies
Here’s a breakdown of how Purple measures up in terms of its policies:
- Warranty: All pillows come with a 1-year warranty, so you’re covered if there’s a defect in the pillow.
- Trial period: Purple lets you try out its products — pillows included — for 100 nights before committing 100 percent to a long-term relationship.
- Return policy: Purple says you can return a pillow anytime during the first 100 nights. But some people say that the returns process is a pain in the you-know-what. But Purple seems highly responsive to complaints made on its Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile.
FYI: If you buy a Purple product from a third-party retailer, these policies don’t apply.
BUT which Purple pillow should you buy?
Is a Purple pillow right for you? Here’s how to figure that out:
Loft
The wrong loft (aka height) for your body size and sleep position can totally mess with your Zzz’s. A pillow that’s too high can throw your spine’s alignment out of whack. And one that’s too flat can do the same.
So what’s the sweet spot?
Two separate studies suggest opting for a pillow height of around 3.94 inches for back sleepers and side sleepers. But you may need to experiment a bit to find what’s most comfortable.
The good news? Purple pillows come in a range of heights — plus some, like the TwinCloud, are adjustable, while others, like the Harmony, are available in different height options.
Firmness
How do you like to sleep? If you tend to end up lying flat on your stomach, a softer, flatter pillow will help cradle your head without putting too much pressure on your neck and spine.
Side sleepers usually like a pillow that’s a bit firmer but still has some contouring capabilities — this combo lets the pillow smush into your shoulder a bit to properly support your head. Back sleepers need something a little firmer to keep their neck supported and aligned with the rest of their spine, so avoid anything super soft.
Purple offers soft, medium, and firm pillow options. Some of them are even adjustable.
Adjustability
Both the OG Purple pillow and TwinCloud model allow users to adjust height and firmness level.
Indecisive combo sleeper? No idea what you find comfy? An adjustable pillow might be a good choice for you.
Temp control
Don’t expect a pillow to magically blow cool air in your face all night.
Most “cooling” pillows don’t actively cool. They’re really more temp neutral, meaning they’re made of breathable materials less likely to retain heat, like latex. Memory foam, for example, is a bad choice for hot sleepers because it realllly traps heat. Yeah, no thanks.
All of Purple’s pillows are designed to prevent heat from trapping. This is a big selling point for Purple’s special grid materials in general — but even the gridless TwinCloud pillow was designed to allow for some airflow to keep you from heating up.
Shape retention
Solid foam pillows are more likely to retain their shape than models with shredded or down fill. But don’t expect a pillow to keep its shape forever and ever.
It’ll probably start to lose its oomph in 1 to 2 years. 🙁
Durability
Down is the most durable pillow fill. BUT since Purple doesn’t offer down-filled pillows, what’s the next best thing?
Talalay latex foam is more durable than other types of foam, so go with the Harmony pillow if longevity is your biggest want. But TBH, since the Purple Grid is so new, it’s hard to tell if it’ll stand the test of time — though Purple says it designed the stuff with long-lasting durability in mind.
Frequently asked questions
What Purple pillows are best for stomach sleepers?
The TwinCloud pillow is the best choice for stomach sleepers because of its flatter profile. Flatter pillows (or no pillows at all) are a good choice for belly sleepers to avoid straining your neck.
What Purple pillow is best for back and side sleepers?
All three pillows are good options — just make sure the height works well for your body size.
Purple provides some guidance on choosing a pillow for your body size in its product descriptions (typically taller pillows for larger body frames and shorter pillows for smaller body frames), but don’t be afraid to take advantage of the super sweet at-home trial and return the pillow if it’s not absolutely perfect.
Can I wash Purple pillows?
Washing instructions depend on the pillow model.
For the OG and Harmony pillows: the cover is machine washable, the inner material needs to be washed by hand (spot cleaning only for the Harmony).
The TwinCloud pillows are machine washable.
Are Purple pillows good for people who have neck or back pain?
That depends on the source of your neck or back pain. If your aches are the fault of an old, terrible, wrong-for-you pillow then sure! Otherwise, there’s no guarantee a new Purple pillow (or any pillow, for that matter) will help with your chronic pain issues.
Do Purple pillows come with a trial period?
Yep! You can try out a pillow for up to 100 nights. Pretty sweet, huh?
The bottom line
Purple has a solid lineup of pillows with different shapes, sizes, and materials. If you’re looking to experience Purple’s unique grid-like material, try The Purple Pillow or The Purple Harmony. If you want to avoid the grid, you can try The Purple TwinCloud Pillow.
No clue what you’re looking for in a new pillow? Purple’s lineup is diverse enough that you’re bound to find something that works for you. And Purple’s legit return policy means you can try any of them for 100 nights and still return it to try another one.
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