If you're a fan of memory foam mattresses, you might be wondering which all-foam bed can best deliver the pressure relief you seek. Two of our favorite memory foam models are the Purple Original and the Leesa Original mattress, but despite similar materials, these are very different beds. So which mattress is right for you?
Like all the beds in our best mattress guide, the Purple and Leesa Original deliver high levels of support and pressure relief. But they go about it in diverse ways; Purple uses a proprietary GelFlex grid to offer support for the entire body (more on that later), whereas the Leesa has a more traditional all-foam feel.
Both beds feature in our best memory foam mattress round-up and, at MSRP, retail for fairly similar prices. A queen Purple is currently $1,499, while the Leesa has an MSRP of $1,332 (but is frequently on sale for $1,059). And with the Black Friday mattress sales coming up, it might soon be the perfect time to snap up your new bed. So, should you choose the Purple Original or the Leesa Original mattress?
Purple Original vs Leesa Original mattress: key differences
Type: Memory foam with GelFlex Grid
Firmness option: Medium firm
Height: 9.25”
Sizes: 7
Sleep trial: 100 nights
Warranty: 10 years
Price: from $999 at Purple
Free gift: Not currently
Type: Memory foam
Firmness option: Medium firm
Height: 10”
Sizes: 6
Sleep trial: 100 nights
Warranty: 10 years
Price (on sale): from $699 at Leesa
Free gift: Two free pillows
Purple Original vs Leesa Original mattress: price & trial
- Purple discounts of between $200 and $400 appear from time to time
- The Leesa Original currently has 20% off, along with two free pillows
- Both mattresses come with a 100-night trial and two free pillows
The Purple Original is an upper mid-range mattress, but the MSRP has recently raised from $1,399 to $1,499. Currently full price, if you’re not in a rush, we recommend waiting for a Purple mattress deal to come along. Discounts of between $200 and $400 are common, although Black Friday next month may see something bigger. Purple also often offers free gifts such as pillows, mattress protectors, or sheets, but these gifts are typically instead of a saving.
There’s almost always a Leesa mattress sale on. Leesa’s current deal takes 20% off all sizes, and throws in two free pillows. This means you can pick up a queen size mattress for $1,059 (MSRP $1,332). Again though, we expect to see bigger discounts at Black Friday — Leesa tends to offer 25% off around the major sales days.
There is also a Leesa Amazon store and a Purple Amazon store, where you can find deals cropping up from time to time. But in general, the prices tend to be the same as the retailer — we recommend buying directly from the brand, for better after care. You’ll get the exact same benefits with both mattresses: a 100-night trial, 10-year warranty, and free shipping.
Purple Original vs Leesa Original mattress: materials & design
- The Purple Original is 9.25” high and has five layers
- The Leesa Original is 10” high and has four layers
- The Leesa is all-foam, while the Purple uses the brand’s GelFlex grid
The Purple Original has a slightly different design to most all-foam mattresses. Underneath a soft, stretchy cover is Purple’s patented GelFlex grid, a hyper-elastic polymer grid that’s designed to be durable and adapt to body type and sleep position.
Next up, surrounding the grid, is edge support foam to increase stability at the sides. This is followed by comfort foam, to conform to the body and aid pressure relief. The whole mattress is supported by a base layer of stabilizing foam. At 9.25” high it’s one of the shallowest mattresses we recommend (we usually advise 10” for adults as a minimum), but the unique design means it still manages to offer enough support.
The Leesa Original, in contrast, has a more traditional memory foam design. It starts with a grey knit cover for breathability and softness, followed by a comfort layer of breathable foam for a gentle hug and bounce. Next up is a memory foam recovery layer that contours to the body to relieve pressure points. The mattress is finished off with a high-density foam base for structure and durability.
Designed and assembled in the US, the Leesa Original has been awarded Greenguard Gold certification, meaning it contains low VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions and is better for the environment. Both mattresses are CertiPUR US certified, so are free from certain chemicals.
Purple Original vs Leesa Original mattress: support & comfort
- Purple and Leesa Original are both medium firm mattresses (we rated 7/10)
- Purple’s GelFlex grid offers a different feel to traditional memory foam
- Leesa Original is best for side and back sleepers
Purple classifies the Original mattress as medium firm, rating it at 6-7 out of 10 (10 being the firmest). In our Purple Original Mattress review, our testers found it nearer to 7, with a unique feel that manages to be both soft and firm where needed. This is down to the GelFlex grid – an open structure layer that provides support and cushioning.
The Grid takes some getting used to but, once you have, you should feel ample pressure relief at the shoulders, hips, and knees. The flexible grid is particularly suited to side and back sleepers. However, stomach sleepers and those of a heavier weight are likely to find the Purple Original isn't supportive enough. The mattress is also excellent at easing joint pain – you’ll find its big brother, the Purple Plus, featured in our best mattresses for back pain guide.
The Leesa Original is rated 5-7 out of 10 by the brand but in our Leesa Original mattress review, our tester felt that it slept at the higher end of this scale. If you’re looking for a more classic memory foam feel, the Leesa Original still manages to deliver cushioning and support, despite the firmer finish.
Like many of the best mattresses for side sleepers, the Leesa Original provides plenty of cushioning at the pressure points. We also feel it will suit many back sleepers. However, like the Purple, it’s not supportive enough for stomach sleepers or those of a heavier build.
Purple Original vs Leesa Original mattress: temperature regulation
- Purple Original’s GelFlex grid promotes airflow similar to the coils in a hybrid
- The Leesa Original has a twill fabric cover and top cooling layer
- Both mattresses do a good job of keeping sleepers cool
Although both mattresses are technically ‘foam’, the Purple Original’s GelFlex grid layer helps to boost overall breathability and airflow in a similar fashion to the coils in a hybrid mattress. Our testers found that it did a great job of dissipating heat.
The Leesa Original is surprisingly cool for an all-foam mattress. This is down to the top cooling foam layer, combined with the twill fabric cover, both of which help prevent heat from getting trapped in the mattress. As good as the Leesa Original is, we’d still say the Purple does a slightly better job of regulating temperature.
However, neither of these are specialist cooling mattresses and, if you sleep particularly hot, we would recommend investing in one of the best cooling mattresses instead.
Purple Original vs Leesa Original mattress: which should you buy?
Buy the Purple Original mattress if...
✅ You suffer with joint pain: The GelFlex grid is designed to respond to pressure to be both soft and firm, and its gentle flexing does a fantastic job of easing joint pain by adapting to every curve of the body.
✅ You sleep on your side or your back: The medium firm mattress is soft enough to provide cushioning around pressure points, whilst also keeping your spine aligned and supported.
✅ You’re a hot sleeper: Although it’s not a cooling mattress, the combination of cooling cover and breathable grid promotes airflow for a neutral feel.
Buy the Leesa Original mattress if...
✅ You want a more traditional all-foam feel: The Leesa has more cushioning than the Purple and will allow sleepers to sink in a little further. Plus, you don't have the GelFlex Grid to get used to.
✅ You share your bed with a restless partner: Both mattresses are good at motion isolation, but the Leesa has a little more cushioning to absorb any movement from your partner tossing and turning.
✅ You want a mattress with good eco credentials: The Leesa is Greenguard certified and designed and assembled in the US.
