Purple Pillow Review: My Honest Take After 30+ Nights
Are you waking up with neck pain and headaches? Struggling to stay cool at night? I‘ve been there. Buying pillows online can feel like a shot in the dark, especially when they cost over $100 like the Purple Pillow. I took the plunge on the Purple Pillow and slept on it for over a month. Now I‘m sharing my detailed Purple Pillow review to help you decide if it‘s the right fit for your needs and preferences.
My Purple Pillow Review in a Nutshell
The Purple Pillow is a unique, premium pillow featuring Purple‘s revolutionary Purple Grid Hex technology. This patented design uses a hyper-elastic polymer molded into a honeycomb-like grid that is highly supportive, pressure-relieving, and temperature-neutral.
Sandwiching the jiggly Purple Grid core are moisture-wicking Breeze Mesh fabric layers. The pillow comes with two foam boosters (1" and 1/2") that you can insert to adjust the height. It costs $109 for a single pillow.
After 30+ nights, I found the Purple Pillow delivers impressive support, comfort, and cooling – if you can get used to the one-of-a-kind jiggly, gel-like feel. Side and back sleepers who want a lofty, supportive pillow will like it best. It may feel too firm and tall for stomach sleepers.
My Purple Pillow Ratings (1-5 Stars):
- Comfort: 4
- Support: 5
- Cooling: 5
- Quality: 5
- Adjustability: 4
- Ease of Care: 4
- Value: 3.5
Pros:
✔️ Exceptional pressure relief and support
✔️ Sleeps very cool
✔️ Adjustable height
✔️ Durable, high-quality materials
✔️ 100-night trial period
Cons:
❌ Expensive
❌ Unique feel may take getting used to
❌ Too firm/tall for stomach sleepers
❌ No size options
Why I Decided to Try the Purple Pillow
I‘m a combination sleeper and a chronic pillow flipper. I get hot at night and frequently wake up with neck pain. My old down alternative pillow was too flat and unsupportive. I wanted a pillow that would keep my head and neck aligned, regulate temperature, and hold its shape.
I was drawn to the Purple Pillow because I love my Purple Mattress. The grid technology is a game-changer for pressure relief. Many reviews raved about the pillow‘s support and cooling. I was intrigued by the unique design and adjustability.
The 100-night trial sealed the deal. With such a generous return window, I figured I had nothing to lose (except return shipping fees) by trying the Purple Pillow.
First Impressions
The Purple Pillow arrived compressed in a compact box. It immediately sprang to life when I removed it. The Purple Grid core is pliable and squishy but has a substantial weight to it. The moisture-wicking cover fabric felt smooth and stretchy.
Assembly was intuitive. The pillow cover has a zipper on one short end where you can insert the Purple Grid and boosters. I loved the bright orchid color and modern design.
I couldn‘t resist playing with the grid material. It‘s delightfully squishy and stretchy. It certainly looks and feels unlike any other pillow fill I‘ve seen. I was excited to see how this unique material would feel to sleep on.
Specs and Features
The Purple Pillow is 24" long, 16" wide, and 3" tall without boosters. It weighs 10.2 lbs, which is quite hefty for a pillow. The loft is 3" unstuffed, 3.5" with the thin booster, and 4" with the thick booster.
Inside the moisture-wicking cover is the 3" tall Purple Grid Hex. This is made of hyper-elastic polymers in a honeycomb pattern. It compresses and folds to cradle your head and neck.
The hexagon-shaped air channels allow air to freely flow so heat doesn‘t build up. This material is temperature-neutral, hypoallergenic, non-toxic, and CertiPUR-US certified. It should last much longer than down or foam.
The stretchy cover fabric is made of 92% nylon and 8% spandex. It‘s moisture-wicking and breathable. The cover is machine washable on cold and dryable on low heat.
Adjustability Options
The Purple Pillow comes with two boosters – a 1" thick and a 1/2" thick option. They slip into the cover to raise the pillow height. These dense polyurethane foam layers provide customization, but the difference between the two feels subtle.
Without boosters, the pillow has a 3" height that works best for stomach sleepers. With the 1/2" booster, you get a 3.5" height that suits petite side and back sleepers. The 1" booster creates a 4" height that average/larger side and back sleepers will prefer. You can‘t use both boosters together.
While I like that Purple offers adjustability, I wish the height difference between the boosters was more substantial. The 1/2" booster feels only slightly taller than no booster. An extra inch would‘ve made a bigger impact. Other adjustable pillows provide more loft options.
Support
The Purple Grid shines in the support department. This material distributes your head‘s weight evenly and springs back into shape immediately. I never felt my head sinking too deeply. My neck always felt supported and aligned with my spine.
As a side sleeper, I loved how the grid adapted to my contours. It compressed more in the center under my head‘s weight while staying lifted at the edges to support my neck. I woke up without any cricks or aches.
When I slept on my back, the Purple Grid cradled my head while maintaining its height. I didn‘t need to fold or fluff the pillow to get adequate loft. The grid rebounded quickly when I shifted positions.
Interestingly, Purple doesn‘t recommend its pillow for stomach sleepers, who generally need flatter designs. I agree that even without boosters, the Purple Pillow felt too tall on my stomach. My head and neck tilted upwards uncomfortably.
Pressure Relief
Another area where the Purple Pillow excels is pressure relief. The elastic grid genuinely cradles your head, causing a floating sensation that‘s different from memory foam. There are no hard spots or pressure points.
For a pillow, the Purple Grid provides an impressive amount of pressure relief. Much like the Purple Mattress, it redistributes your weight across its surface, molding to your exact shape. The hexagon walls fold and adapt to your contours for custom support.
The Purple Pillow relieved my recurring jaw and ear pain from TMJ. The grid was most noticeable beneath my ear, collapsing strategically to remove pressure. As a migraine sufferer, I appreciated not waking up with a pounding head.
Cooling and Breathability
If you‘re a hot sleeper, the Purple Pillow is a fantastic choice. The breathable grid design, moisture-wicking cover, and temperature-neutral materials keep the pillow cool all night. It‘s a refreshing change from memory foam that clings to body heat.
The Purple Grid‘s open channels allow air to circulate freely. You can actually feel a breeze flowing through the honeycomb structure when you press on it. This ventilation prevents heat from building up around your head and neck.
The moisture-wicking cover fabric helps too. It feels cool to the touch and draws sweat away from your skin. I‘m prone to night sweats, but I didn‘t wake up damp or clammy once while using the Purple Pillow. Even in the summer, both sides of the pillow stayed comfortably cool.
Durability and Quality
After a month of nightly use, my Purple Pillow looks and feels exactly the same as day one. The Purple Grid bounced back instantly every morning with no loss of height, shape, or elasticity. Based on my experience with the Purple Mattress, I expect this pillow to hold up for years without getting flat or lumpy.
The materials are undoubtedly high-quality. From the cover fabric to the Purple Grid, everything has a substantial, well-made feel. There are no loose threads, flimsy seams, or defects. I appreciate that the pillow is made in the USA too.
Purple backs its pillow with a 1-year warranty. This coverage inspires confidence that you‘re getting a premium product. While a longer warranty would be ideal, one year is on par with most other online pillow companies. Just be sure to use a pillowcase to protect the pillow, as stains aren‘t covered.
Ease of Care
The Purple Pillow is fairly low maintenance. You can machine wash the cover in cold water and tumble dry it on low heat. The Purple Grid and boosters can only be spot cleaned with a damp cloth and mild detergent. Make sure the pillow is completely dry before reassembling it.
While I wish the entire pillow was machine washable, I understand why it‘s not. The elastic Purple Grid could degrade in the washer. Since the pillow isn‘t exactly a typical size, finding a pillowcase that fits securely is tricky. A zippered or envelope-style pillowcase works best.
Pricing and Policies
There‘s no beating around the bush – the Purple Pillow is expensive. It costs $109 for a single pillow, regardless of whether you get boosters. While Purple does offer discounts, the price rarely drops below $90. This cost is considerably higher than the average foam, down, or poly fill pillow.
However, the value really depends on how much mileage you get out of it. $109 may seem reasonable if this pillow drastically improves your sleep quality and lasts for 3+ years. Paying more for a pillow that actually keeps you cool and pain-free can be a worthy investment. Only you can decide if the price makes sense for your budget.
In terms of policies, Purple offers free shipping and free returns on the pillow. You get a 100-night sleep trial and a 1-year warranty. The trial period is quite generous and gives you ample time to adjust to the pillow‘s unique feel. Just know if you choose to return the pillow, you‘re on the hook for return shipping fees (usually $10-15).
Real Purple Pillow Reviews and Ratings
To give you a diverse perspective, here are some Purple Pillow reviews and ratings from trusted third-party sources:
Sleep Foundation (4.6/5) – "The Purple Pillow‘s unique construction provides excellent pressure relief and support. The Green Grid, along with the breathable cover, allows plenty of airflow and helps the pillow maintain a neutral temperature."
CNET (8.4/10) – "The Purple Pillow has a very unique, satisfying feel that‘s firm and pressure-relieving. While it isn‘t the right pillow for everyone, certain types of sleepers will absolutely love it."
Slumber Yard (89/100) – "After testing, we think the Purple Pillow is best for back, side, and combination sleepers. If you like a firmer pillow, you‘ll probably like it. Also, this pillow is fantastic in terms of airflow. It does not trap heat at all."
On Purple‘s website, verified buyer reviews give the pillow an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars. Here are some testimonials that reflect common opinions:
"The Purple pillow took some getting used to, but I‘m loving it. I‘m a side/back sleeper and was waking up every morning with severe neck and shoulder pain. I‘ve had ZERO pain since using the Purple pillow. 100% would recommend it!" – Lauren D.
"I love my Purple mattress so I figured I‘d like the pillow too. I was right! It‘s the only pillow that is tall enough for me as a side sleeper. Most pillows collapse under the weight of my head, but not the Purple. It‘s so supportive." – Ryan S.
"Definitely a unique, odd feel but in the best way. I don‘t know how else to describe it other than you feel like you‘re floating. I sleep so much cooler on this pillow than any other pillow I‘ve tried." – Emily T.
Of course, the Purple Pillow has its critics too. A few gripes include the high price, hefty weight, and inability to scrunch the pillow. Stomach sleepers and those who prefer a softer, more traditional feel don‘t like it.
Alternatives to the Purple Pillow
While the Purple Pillow‘s innovative design sets it apart, it‘s not the only premium cooling pillow on the market. Here are a few alternatives that offer similar benefits:
TEMPUR-Cloud Breeze Dual Cooling Pillow ($189) – This luxury memory foam pillow has cooling gel layers on both sides. It molds to your head while promoting airflow. Shoppers seeking a high loft and slow response foam feel may prefer it over the jiggly Purple Grid.
Layla Kapok Pillow ($89) – If you like the feel of down but want better support, this pillow fits the bill. It‘s stuffed with kapok tree fibers and shredded memory foam that you can add or remove to achieve your ideal loft. Copper fibers woven into the cover add cooling properties.
Coop Home Goods Eden ($96) – A longtime favorite among hot sleepers, this pillow uses a blend of gel-infused memory foam and microfiber fill. You can adjust the loft by adding or removing fill. It‘s less expensive than the Purple but still sleeps exceptionally cool.
Ultimately, no pillow works for everyone. Your perfect match depends on your unique needs, preferred sleep position, and ideal feel. The Purple Pillow‘s one-of-a-kind design and responsive support make it a strong contender, but trying a few models is the only way to know for sure.
Verdict: Is the Purple Pillow Worth It?
After sleeping on the Purple Pillow for over 30 nights, I‘m confident it‘s worth the investment for the right person. Here‘s my take on who should buy it:
The Purple Pillow is best for:
- Side and back sleepers
- Hot sleepers or those in warm climates
- People with neck pain or pressure points
- Those who want a supportive pillow that holds its shape
- Sleepers open to a unique, jiggly feel
Consider other options if you:
- Are on a tight budget
- Sleep primarily on your stomach
- Prefer a soft, squishy, or downy pillow
- Want to be able to scrunch and fold your pillow
Is the Purple Pillow expensive? Yes. Is the feel an acquired taste? Definitely. But in my experience and research, the Purple Pillow‘s pressure relief, support, and cooling power are unrivaled. No pillow I‘ve tried (and I‘ve tried dozens) kept my neck so aligned and pain-free while feeling cool to the touch all night.
The 100-night risk-free trial means you have nothing to lose by trying the Purple Pillow for yourself. While it may take a few nights to adjust to the jiggly, elastic grid, I think you‘ll be amazed at how much better you sleep once you do. The innovative Purple Grid hasn‘t let me down yet.
If you can get past the sticker shock and keep an open mind, the Purple Pillow is absolutely worth a try. This unique pillow is proof that investing in your sleep can truly change your life for the better. Sweet dreams!
