After several years of suffering from back pain upon waking, I realized sleep can play a big part in our overall health.

When I researched more about it, I discovered an unsupportive mattress doesn’t only result in spinal issues. When the discomfort disrupts your sleep, it can contribute to other problems like diabetes, obesity, depression, and high blood pressure. [1, 2, 3]

After learning this, I decided it was time to invest in a high-quality mattress to help with my sleep.

I stumbled across several brands through my research. But two that really stood out to me were Purple and Molecule because they seemed to have a science-based approach to developing their mattresses.

Purple’s founders have a history of being involved in medical cushioning. While Molecule mattresses are developed by sleep doctors for athletes.

Both sounded good on the surface. But I wanted to dig deeper to find out which is better.

If you’re also weighing up between these 2 brands, you’ll learn everything you need to know about them. By the end of it, you’ll have all the information you need to decide which is better for your needs.

Why Buy a New Mattress?

Over time, mattresses become less supportive and can collect dust mites, aggravating your allergies and conditions like asthma.

This can lead to chronic pain, muscle stiffness, and trouble sleeping. That’s why it’s often recommended that you should change your mattress every eight years or so.

However, if you’ve previously bought a low-quality mattress. Some of these issues can start appearing much earlier.

So it’s not uncommon for people to look for a new one much earlier.

If you want to prevent further sleep issues, it’s essential to look for one that’s made of high-quality materials with a construction that suits your sleeping style.

Molecule vs Purple: How do They Compare?

Any further considerations?

Purple also offers white-glove delivery and full setup for their products.

Currently, Molecule is only sold online through their website and some retailers.

They don’t have any physical store locations or partners and do not offer in-home setup.

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Molecule Mattress Review

How Did Molecule Start?

Molecule is based in Manhattan Beach, California. The company was started by Channing Chor and Raymond Lyle, who launched Molecule in 2018.

They developed their products with sleep experts, neurologists, and engineers to provide restful recovery for professional athletes and active individuals. 

The brand has partnered with high-profile athletes, including Michael and Nicole Phelps, Alex Morgan, Tom Brady, and Russell Wilson, who all endorse the products.

What’s Great About Molecule?

Molecule mattresses can be used by anyone. But they’ve been specifically designed with the sleep needs of athletes in mind.

Here are some of the main benefits of their mattresses:

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What Mattresses Does Molecule Offer?

Molecule offers 3 versions of their mattress:

• The Molecule 1 features a three-layer foam design with three times the airflow of a traditional memory foam mattress.
• The Molecule 2 AirTEC with Microban offers a four-layer design with five times the airflow of a traditional memory foam mattress. An antimicrobial treatment helps deter germs and allergens.
• The Molecule Hybrid comes with four layers of foam and additional springs for more support. The top cover is also antimicrobial for healthier sleep.

Where to Buy a Molecule Mattress?

Molecule mattresses are only available online through the company’s website.

During the order process, you can customize your mattress and add additional bedding to your order.

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How Does Delivery for a Molecule Mattress Work?

Once you order your mattress, it’s delivered to your door, rolled up, and compressed in a box.

You’ll need to open the box and unroll the mattress onto your bedframe to let it decompress for a few minutes.

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Molecule Reviews

Molecule got an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 162 reviews on Target and Amazon.

Most customers noted that the mattress had improved the quality of their sleep.

Many said that they found their mattress to be comfortable, especially after trying it for at least 30 nights. This allowed them to get used to the feel of the foam layers.

Of the positive reviews, many users noted that the beds helped with conditions like back and joint pain. And most appreciated how it was on the firmer side.

Unfortunately, some felt that the firmness was too extreme for them. And the cooling properties for the foam were a little hit and miss.

This was a little disappointing for some as it’s meant to be designed for athletes that run at a higher body temperature.

Overall, most seemed satisfied with their Molecule mattress. And here is what some had to say about it:

Other Molecule Products

In addition to their mattresses, Molecule offers several related bedding products for the whole family, including your pets. They include:

• Pillows
• Sheets and pillowcases
• Comforters
• Duvet covers
• Pillow shams
• Automatically adjustable frames
• Pet beds
• Mattress toppers

Is Molecule a Good Mattress?

Molecule is a good mattress that was designed with athletes in mind. It may work well for those that want an adaptive foam construction that contours to your body and keeps sleepers cool.

Their foams are technically 3-7x more breathable than regular memory foam. And it worked well for most. But a small minority of reviewers have noted that this feature just didn’t work for them.

These mattresses were also developed by medical professionals and sleep experts. So it’s a good choice for those that want something that’s science-backed.

Do note that some have said that it tends to be on the firmer side. So it may suit back and stomach sleepers best.

They are also priced very competitively against other memory foam mattresses and are shipped right to your door, making them a good choice for your bed.

Free sheets with select mattresses: Purple

Purple Mattress Review

How Did Purple Start?

Purple Innovation is located in Alpine, Utah, and was founded by brothers Terry and Tony Pearce in 2015.

The company originally manufactured wheelchairs and wheelchair cushions.

Their cushions provided them with the idea of using their proprietary foam and gel-like polymer materials to create mattresses. [5]   

What’s Great About Purple Mattress?

Purple Mattresses are most famous for their iconic purple hyper-elastic polymer grid design.

It’s a material that is unique to Purple. And here’s how it benefits sleepers along with the brand’s other features:

Free sheets with select mattresses: Purple

Which Purple Mattress is the Best?

The Purple Hybrid Premier is considered the best Purple mattress. It includes the thickest layer of their flexible gel grid – at 4 inches deep – together with layers of memory foam and pocketed steel coils.

It’s the most expensive model but it also has the most cushioning and pressure relief of its range.

Their other models all feature the proprietary hyper-elastic polymer grid. But their different constructions means their feel can be quite different:

• Purple Mattress is medium-firm, which is considered the most universal feel. And is made from two layers of comfort foam and one 2-inch layer of gel grid.
• Purple Plus gives more cushioning compared to The Purple mattress as it has an extra layer of comfort foam.
• Purple Hybrid Mattress is their firmest mattress made from a 2-inch layer of their gel grid, a layer of foam, and stainless-steel pocketed mattress coils.
• Purple Hybrid Premier 3 has a very similar construction to the Premier 4. But it’s more supportive with slightly less breathability.
• Purple Kid’s Mattress is made from two layers of their comfort foam and one 2-inch layer of their gel grid.

Where to Buy a Purple Mattress?

Purple mattresses are available online through the company’s website or in-person at various retailers.

As they offer a 100-day trial of their mattress you can easily order online: Purple Mattress

How Does Delivery for a Purple Mattress Work?

Once you order your mattress, it’s delivered to your door, rolled up, and compressed in a box.

You’ll need to open the box and unroll the mattress onto your bed frame to let it inflate.

It can also be set up in your home with Purple’s white glove delivery option for an additional charge.

Other Purple Products

Purple provides a wide variety of bedding products and seat cushions, including:

• Pillows
• Pillow boosters
• Sheets and pillowcases
• Mattress protectors
• Duvets
• Weighted blankets
• Pajamas
• Bed frames, including automatically adjustable frames
• Seat cushions
• Back cushions
• Pet beds
• Kids twin beds and bedding

Free sheets with select mattresses: Purple

Purple Mattress Reviews

Purple Mattress got an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 757 reviews on their website.

Most customers commented on how comfortable the mattress is and how well the mattress is ventilated. This is likely due to the grid design which has pockets to allow airflow.

Many reviewers mentioned that any back pain or neck pain improved greatly after sleeping on the Purple mattress.

They also noted that the bed conformed to their bodies to help them sleep through the night without pain.

Many positive reviewers noted that the mattress gave them good support when they slept and improved their sleep quality.

The dissatisfied customers mentioned that the bed does require more than one person to set up because of its weight and that they could feel the grid while sleeping, though it wasn’t uncomfortable.

Others noted that those who prefer a firmer mattress might find this one too soft. So for those that want something with more support, their Hybrid model is probably the most suitable.

Overall, most were happy with their Purple mattress as seen from the following reviews:

Is Purple a Good Mattress?

Purple is a good mattress because of its unique gel-like polymer grid, which gives the most unique supportive yet soft feel.

At the same time, the pocket structure throughout the materials allows air to circulate easily. And it was one of the most loved features cited by users.

Purple offers a variety of mattress models. And cater to those looking to purchase a softer mattress and those looking for a firmer coil mattress with their hybrid versions.

Some have found the base model to be too soft. And motion isolation was hit and miss for some.

They also offer a low-cost option for kids, making them a good choice for couples and families alike.

Free sheets with select mattresses: Purple

Purple or Molecule, Which Mattress is Better?

Molecule may be better for active people that want a firmer feel mattress with added technology for physical recovery. While Purple may suit those that want more cushioning and ventilation.

Molecule was made for athletes. And the Molecule 2 even includes supportive foam layers with a special crystal infusion that helps with recovery from tough workouts.

Their mattresses tend to be on the firmer side — which should work great for back and side sleepers. The cooling technology seemed to work well for most but not all users.

Molecule mattresses are slightly more competitively priced and they offer a wide range of models to choose from. Plus, Molecule even offers a convenient takeaway service for your old mattress.

On the other hand, Purple offers mattresses containing their proprietary hyper-elastic polymer grid material which is designed to give the best balance of support and cushioning.

In general, many loved how comfortable their Purple mattresses were. Some reported that it helped relieve previous back and neck pain.

But the base model was noted to be a little soft — which may be good for side sleepers, but not back and stomach sleepers. And there was some motion transfer for some reviewers.

Fortunately, they’ve also got a firmer Hybrid model which has the highest firmness rating of their range.

Apart from the feel, many raved about how cool it was. This is because the square pockets throughout the material give it natural ventilation.

Overall, both Molecule and Purple create quality mattresses to help support your body while you sleep. Both would be a great option to try for your new bed.

Molecule and Purple both offer 100-day trials. So there’s really no harm to giving either a try.

If you find that it doesn’t suit you, simply return the mattress and you’ll get a refund!

Molecule Mattress FAQs

How long do Molecule mattresses take to expand fully?

Mattresses are ready to sleep on immediately but take 24 to 72 hours to inflate to their full size.

Will Molecule take my old mattress away?

Yes, for an added fee that varies by state, Molecule will arrange to have your old mattress taken away and recycled.

How thick are Molecule mattresses?

Both models are 12 inches thick.

Are Molecule mattress flame resistant?

Yes, they are encased in flame-retardant materials.

Can you flip a Purple mattress?

No, the mattress is layered to provide specific support and cannot be flipped over.

Where are Molecule mattresses made?

Molecule mattresses and the mattress foam materials they use are made in the USA.

Does a Molecule mattress need a box spring?

No, Molecule mattresses don’t require one. Molecule mattresses work with any bed foundation and can even be placed directly on the floor.

For slatted foundations, Molecule recommends using one with slats no more than 3 inches apart.

Does Molecule mattress come in a box?

Yes, Molecule mattresses come compressed and rolled up in a box when delivered.

What is Molecule mattress made of?

Molecule mattresses are made from a mixture of specialized foams and coils that are designed for cool sleep and physical recovery. The individual construction differs with each model.

Purple Mattress FAQs

How thick are purple mattresses?

The Purple mattress is 9 inches thick, the Purple Hybrid is 11 inches thick, and the Purple Hybrid Premier is 12 to 13 inches thick, depending on the model.

Does Purple offer mattresses for kids?

Yes, Purple offers a less expensive version of its twin-size mattress for kids up to 14 years old.

Are Purple mattresses flame-resistant?

Yes, they are surrounded by flame-resistant materials.

Can you flip a Purple mattress?

No, the grid layer must stay on the top to properly support your body.

How long will a Purple mattress last?

Purple mattresses are covered by a 10-year warranty and should last at least 10 years.

Does the Purple mattress sag?

All mattresses will sag after a while due to wear and tear. But Purple mattresses should last for a minimum of 10 years as this is the length of their warranty.

How long does it take to break in a Purple mattress?

It may take at least 21 days to break in a new Purple mattress. And they advise customers to try it for this long before initiating a return.