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We get it. Mattresses are expensive and you want to make sure that yours won’t fall apart shortly after buying it. In this article we take a look at the Purple mattress lifespan so you can decide for yourself if they’re worth it. How long do Purple mattresses last? Let’s find out.
How long do Purple mattresses last on average?
Purple mattresses are designed to last 10 years (see our Purple mattress review for more details about the brand).
This projection is apparently made based on the life expectancy of the proprietary Purple grid made of hyper-elastic polymer and the polyurethane foam (high-density foam) which supports it.
This number is not bad, provided that the designers at Purple are good at math (which you might expect from actual engineers and literal rocket scientists who made the company).
Ten years is the upper end of the average mattress lifespan. Most mattresses out there today range between 7 and 10 years, with some of the higher-quality going up to 15 years. Honestly, if Purple said that their design was made to last 15 years, I’d probably be calling them out for lying but 10 is more like it, although it still sounds a bit too good to be true.
Here’s a bit of history…
Purple wasn’t actually founded in 2016. That’s when they started making mattresses and created Purple as a mattress brand. The company itself was founded by two Mormon brothers back in 1989.
Since that time, they have been highly creative in inventing and patenting cushioning materials and hyper-elastic polymers, among other things. That’s a total of 23 trademarked materials which have found their place in various uses.
It was only in 2013 that the company was able to make a machine to produce those huge hyper-elastic polymer grid structures which they use for Purple mattresses. A King-size bed isn’t a small thing, so they needed to work hard to get there, ok?
So, my rant above about them using novel materials isn’t baseless. They really haven’t been using them long in mattresses. But the materials have been there for a while, which gave the designers time to learn about the material itself and its durability, which further means that their mattress lifespan projections could be quite accurate if they did all the calculations right.
However, there are certain complaints about Purple mattresses and their longevity. Here are some examples:
- Purple mattress sags after a few months/years of use,
- Purple mattress becomes so soft that it’s completely unsupportive,
- The grid detaches from the edge support foam and the whole middle of the bed sinks in, while the area between the edge foam and detached grid becomes unusable,
- Inner springs break and poke through.
These issues are somewhat common and many people said that they had loved their mattresses until they started sagging/lost supportiveness/the edge foam detached. So, did all of their mattresses have a lifespan of 10 years? Not really. This is why we need to wait for many more years before we can tell how long Purple mattresses last for sure.
Purple mattress models and their lifespan
One thing before we start – there are too many models of Purple mattresses for me to discuss each, so I’ll just talk about the most popular ones. You can use the information from here and apply it to other models, though.
Ok, so – how long do Purple mattresses last and will they live up to our expectations?
- The Original Purple mattress is made of a base layer, the original foam layer, and a 2-inch thick purple grid. This mattress is usually too firm for side sleepers (medium-firm feel on the firmness scale), but since it has only a few materials, I’d guess that it’s more likely to survive longer than other mattresses. But before the dissatisfied customers call me out on this, be informed – this is the very model which caused many backaches because it got much softer after a short time. So, for this one, I’d say probably 5-8 years if it doesn’t sag prematurely.
- Purple Plus mattress is different from the original mattress only in that it has an additional foam layer. The extra layer is made of somewhat softer foam which makes the mattress feel medium, unlike the medium-firm Original Purple. With an extra layer, I’d expect it to be more durable on the whole, but it’s still pretty much like the original Purple mattress. It offers the same if not better pressure relief, but it might be more likely to sag because of the soft layer which, together with the base layer, could get way too soft after breaking in and you might sink in more than you’d like. I’d bet it can last about 6 years.
- Purple Hybrid mattress has a pocketed coil system, two layers of very thin supportive foam to guard it on top and bottom, and 2 inches of hyper-elastic polymer material underneath the soft and stretchy cover. Hybrid mattresses are more durable than all-foam mattresses and this is why I trust the Hybrid Purple mattress to outlive its foam cousins. The coil support system adds to the durability and longevity of the hybrid mattress. I’m not making it up, I literally asked Purple to share their professional opinion, and that’s what they’ve told me (great customer support, by the way). The Hybrid might go up to 7-10 years, keeping my fingers crossed!
- Purple Hybrid Premier 3″ and 4″ mattresses – I banded these together because their only difference is the one inch of the gel grid. You could ask why I didn’t put the regular Purple Hybrid mattress with these, but that’s because Purple gives them a different name. The 3″ and 4″ mattresses are both Hybrid Premier, not just Hybrid. Either way, when you have a thicker gel grid, you’ll get a more durable mattress. This goes for any material. Thin layers of anything are destined to fail sooner. These mattresses are good for combination sleepers and side sleepers, they sleep cooler and decrease motion transfer, but also last longer. These two models will outlive the original Purple mattress, and possibly the other mattresses I mentioned above. Will they live longer than 10 years? Very likely so, as long as their coils don’t break and the gel grid doesn’t separate from the foam.
How long is the Purple mattress warranty?
Purple doesn’t stand out from other mattress companies here. If you buy a Purple mattress, you get a 10-year limited warranty period.
In case you’re a skeptic like me and are wondering whether Purple mattresses can really truly last an entire decade of use, a 10-year warranty should give us peace of mind. I guess.
Also, like other companies, Purple’s limited warranty is only valid for the first owner, so if you want to get your mattress on Craigslist or elsewhere, don’t forget that those few bucks you might save could mean the difference between being able to return a mattress and having to find a way to get rid of it.
Your warranty is only valid if the mattress was used with common sense. If you’re treating your Purple mattress right and it still gives you the “it’s not you, it’s me” in the form of sagging more than an inch, you have the right to use your warranty.
I’m not going to get into the warranty any further. If you’re loving the story so far, do check out our article explaining everything about the Purple mattress warranty and what it includes and excludes.
How to extend the lifespan of your Purple mattress
- Use a mattress protector
- Reduce the stress you’re putting on the mattress
- Clean the mattress regularly
- Use a proper foundation
- Get a topper
Use a mattress protector
You can’t really protect your mattress completely, but you can encase it in a mattress protector. This way, your mattress will be protected from spills, sweat, dust, and skin cells.
The longer you protect the mattress and keep it clean, the more you’re prolonging its life because it won’t be collecting odors and stuff that you don’t want inside your mattress in the first place. It might make the mattress sleep hot, though.
Reduce the stress you’re putting on the mattress
By this I mean you should rotate the mattress every few months (if you’re heavy) or less (if you’re not).
This is because your body weight is the highest in the upper half, and when you rotate the mattress, you’ll put stress on the other half of the mattress. Also, if you sleep alone in your bed, you should occasionally switch the side you’re sleeping on – snooze on the left side of the mattress for a while, and then on the right side for a few months.
This way you’ll be wearing out the different parts of the mattress evenly instead of “anchoring” yourself to the same spot every night. I mean, of course you can do so but if you’re heavy, don’t complain about your mattress prematurely sagging.
Clean the mattress regularly
The easiest way to keep your mattress fresh is to vacuum it regularly. I vacuum mine every time I change sheets and the mattress cover looks great for months.
If yellow stains appear, I use an enzyme cleaner or a water-vinegar solution and baking soda.
Don’t underestimate mattress cleaning. If you don’t want the ugly nose-pinching smell and allergic reactions, try to keep your mattress fresh.
Use a proper foundation
There’s a reason why almost every mattress warranty says that you must use a proper foundation.
If you keep your mattress on a too-small or uneven base, you run the risk of damaging it. It’s a really sad way to ruin your mattress if you ask me. Just get the proper foundation – ask the manufacturer which one’s good for your mattress if you can’t figure it out.
Get a topper
Another way to make sure your mattress remains unworn is to practically add another foam layer on top of it. You can buy a special two to three inches thick cover for the mattress which is known as a mattress topper. A topper is in some ways better than a mattress protector because it will protect a mattress both from dirt and pressure.
However, a topper keeps you away from your mattress and the way your mattress feels. If there are any cooling features, you lose them with a topper.
Signs that you need to replace your Purple mattress
- There’s an indentation/sag which is over an inch deep
- The mattress feels unsupportive
- You’re waking up in pain
- Your mattress is over eight years old
- The mattress smells bad
There’s an indentation/sag which is over an inch deep
Here’s an obvious sign to replace your Purple mattress – the impression where you usually sleep is much lower than the height of a new mattress (you can also compare the indentation to the mattress edge).
This can be a sign of a faulty mattress, which means you should be able to return it. Purple will probably ask you for some photos as evidence before they accept a return.
Sagging can also be a sign of an old mattress that should be replaced. At Sleepline, we don’t recommend trying to fix this issue with a mattress topper. A topper might help you go through a week or so (maaaybe) while you’re looking for a new mattress, but it’s not a permanent solution.
The mattress feels unsupportive
It really doesn’t matter whether your Purple mattress is new or old. If it feels unsupportive, you should get a new mattress.
By “unsupportive”, I mean if your hips sink in too much or if the mattress doesn’t give way in places where it should (pressure points), which eventually causes various types of discomfort and pain – all because your spine is out of alignment.
Are you constantly changing sleeping positions, but none of them work for you? It costs you your sleep? It’s not worth the torture.
Some of the Purple mattress complaints are about its firmness and perceived unsupportiveness. It doesn’t mean that Purple mattresses are bad, but it means that – as you probably already know – different people have different preferences.
You’re waking up in pain
Oh, boy, this one’s bad.
It’s hard to get up and running when you wake up stiff, sore, and in pain. Worse yet, you’re not getting good sleep. Now, some people are stiff because they are getting older, and others might have conditions that are causing stiffness or pain. But if neither applies to you, then it could be the mattress. And you might need to get another one.
Finally, some of the side sleepers who sleep in a Purple bed (especially those with a 2″ purple grid) often complain about it being too firm for them. This gives them shoulder pain and poor pressure relief.
You should make use of the free trial – Purple offers a 100-night free sleep trial period which requires you to spend 21 nights on a mattress to break it in. If the mattress seems to be breaking you during all that time, you know what to do!
Pro tip: If you highly suspect that Purple mattress firmness is the one to blame, then you’ll have issues with any other mattress of a similar firmness, so it’s better to learn a bit about the mattress firmness scale, just in case!
Your mattress is over eight years old
I’m not pushing you to get a new mattress if yours is eight years old and still feels great. But if it’s eight and on top of that giving you problems such as bad smell, sagging, or pain, then I don’t know what you’re waiting for!
Your Purple mattress smells horrible
There are two reasons why your Purple mattress can smell bad.
The first one is off-gassing, which is that “new mattress smell” that comes out of memory foam mattresses (or any other artificial foam). This smell is supposed to fade away after a while, but it really depends on the mattress. Sometimes it’s not even about the manufacturer or the model – a random memory foam mattress can have a much stronger smell than another memory foam mattress of the same model, for example. I’ll take the liberty to speculate that it might be due to how the materials were stored or how long it went from the moment the foam was produced to it being used for a mattress.
Either way, this smell doesn’t bother some people but it might cause symptoms like eye or nose irritation in others.
The second reason it might smell bad is due to the age and/or hygiene of the mattress. Here are some things that add up and make your Purple mattress smell horrible:
- it was moistened with spills, vomit, or cat urine,
- you didn’t change sheets or vacuum frequently,
- you kept the mattress in a damp room,
- you never cleaned it.
If your mattress is just dirty, you could try to save the day with a thorough cleaning, and it might as well work, but don’t get your hopes too high. Also, if it developed mold, you should just get rid of it.
Your Purple mattress is way too hot
Some people say that their Purple bed is way too hot for some reason. I mean, it has a grid with lots and lots of air compartments that should help dissipate heat, but then again, those little squares might be preventing the air from circulating.
Some say that they’re sleeping cool on their Purple mattress but others say they’re only sleeping hot, regardless of the sleeping position.
Either way, both hot sleepers and non-hot sleepers might sleep hot on a Purple mattress, which is a sign they should get another one.
Hint: to sleep cool, natural mattresses are the way to go! You can thank me later.
FAQs
One of the common complaints of the original Purple mattresses is that they are more likely to start sagging or to soften so much that it causes unsupportiveness and pain. Your Purple mattress might also start sagging prematurely if you’re over 250lbs and always sleep in the same spot (you don’t rotate the mattress). Check out the Purple Luxe collection because those should be more durable.
You’re not supposed to flip your Purple mattress. The way all of them are designed is to be used only on one side. The purple grid is the top layer of all of their mattresses, even foam mattresses, so flipping defeats the purpose. You can rotate your Purple mattress and we recommend doing so to prolong its life, especially if you’re on the heavy side.
Lightweight sleepers won’t wear out their Purple mattress fast, but some models might have wear and tear which Purple considers normal, but that their customers tend to hate. For example, they use foam side support and an adhesive to attach the grid to it. The adhesive might fail over time and cause the grid to sink in too much under the weight of a sleeper. Some customers reported that Purple called this normal wear and refused to take it back. That’s a big no for me!
Conclusion
We can’t know for sure how long Purple mattresses are going to last because the company is still quite young. According to the manufacturer and their warranty, Purple sells mattresses that are made to last ten years.
Some of those mattresses might as well live up to that number, some might even exceed it, but there are a number of complaints about Purple mattresses and their premature sag, adhesive failure, or excessive softening of materials. These changes might not occur during the free sleep trial which lasts for 100 nights, and if you exceed that time frame, you won’t be eligible for a refund, but rather for a replacement or a rebuild.
Many people love their Purple mattresses and they wouldn’t trade them for anything, but it’s still too early to say how long we can expect them to last because of the novel technology. This is why you should take all the good and bad sides when you make the final decision.
Next step: Read our guide to Purple mattress alternatives. It’s important to look at all of your options before making a final decision. That’s why we recommend reading our Purple vs. Nectar vs. Casper mattress comparison article as well.
With over 5 years experience writing about sleep and mattresses, she's considered one of the go-to experts on the topic.
She likes cycling, nature, art, and languages. She pays special attention to providing you with accurate and useful information when it comes to your sleep quality.
After solving her personal sleep and tiredness problems, she is on to help others by sharing this invaluable information.
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