Purple mattresses take a unique approach to support and comfort, relying on their patented hyperelastic polymer grid.
Looking more like something you’d find in a science lab, this grid serves as the top layer of comfort in all Purple mattresses.
But is the grid good for sleepers with back pain? The short answer is, yes—it can be.
What causes back pain?
One of the primary causes of back pain is poor spinal alignment while sleeping. When your spine lacks alignment, vertebrae within your spinal column can shift or move, which can lead to back pain.
One of the best ways to alleviate back pain is to promote spinal alignment.
This can be done in a number of ways, but the three most common recommendations are:
- A Firmer Mattress (6-8 out of 10 on the firmness scale)
- Improved Edge Support
- Improved Pressure Relief
Purple Mattress for Back Pain
With these three factors in mind, we can quickly identify the best Purple mattresses for back pain.
| Mattress | Overall Score | Firmness | Edge Support | Pressure Relief |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purple Original | 8.99 | 5 | 5.1 | 9.0 |
| Purple Restore Hybrid | 8.31 | 5 or 7 | 8.9 | 8.0 |
| Purple Restore Plus Hybrid | 8.88 | 5 or 7 | 10 | 9.0 |
| Purple Restore Premier Hybrid | 8.47 | 4 or 6 | 9.9 | 9.0 |
For the best value, go with the Purple Restore Plus in the firmer feel. This mattress has a firmer feel, exceptional edge support, and excellent pressure relief as well.
For the best pressure relief, go with the Purple Restore Premier. The 4″ layer of Purple grid material really takes pressure relief to the next level on this mattress and is fantastic for relieving back pain.
I would not recommend the Purple Original for sleepers with back pain. This mattress is softer than the ideal range for back sleepers and has poor edge support.
Purple Original
Purple Restore Plus Hybrid
The photos above show the comparison between lying on the edge of the Purple Original (left) compared to the edge of the Purple Restore Plus (right).
As you can see, the spinal alignment on the Purple Original is just isn’t as good. Coil supports on the Purple hybrids do much better at preventing back pain and keeping that alignment.
Even for smaller budgets, there are other mattresses (non-Purple mattresses) that would be better suited for your needs.
