Is a Purple Mattress Good for Side Sleepers?
Sleep is essential for good health, and choosing the right mattress is crucial in ensuring a comfortable and restful sleep. Side sleepers, in particular, have specific needs when it comes to mattress comfort and support. The mattress they choose should balance softness and support, offering pressure relief while maintaining proper spinal alignment.
Purple mattresses have gained popularity over the years due to their unique material, smart grid technology, and promise of comfort. But is a Purple mattress good for side sleepers? This article will explore the features of Purple mattresses and determine how well they meet the needs of side sleepers.
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Understanding Side Sleeping
Before deciding whether a Purple mattress is good for side sleepers, it’s important to understand the specifics of sleeping on your side. According to a 2012 survey, up to 74% of people sleep on their sides, making it one of the most common sleeping positions. Side sleeping has its benefits, such as improved breathing and better digestion, but it also comes with challenges.
Challenges for Side Sleepers:
- Pressure Points: Side sleepers tend to put more weight on certain body parts, such as the hips, shoulders, and knees. If not adequately supported, this added pressure can lead to discomfort, joint stiffness, and even pain.
- Spinal Alignment: Proper spinal alignment is critical for all sleeping positions, but it can be tricky for side sleepers. A mattress that is too firm may push the spine out of alignment, while one that is too soft may not offer enough support to keep the spine in a neutral position.
- Edge Support: Good edge support is important for side sleepers who tend to move around during sleep or sleep close to the edge of the mattress to prevent them from feeling like they are about to roll off the bed.
The right mattress for side sleepers needs to address these challenges, providing pressure relief for sensitive areas, proper spinal alignment, and solid edge support.
What Makes Purple Mattresses Unique?
Purple mattresses stand out from other mattresses on the market due to their use of proprietary materials and innovative technology. Instead of traditional memory foam or innerspring coils, Purple mattresses feature a special “Purple Grid” made from a hyper-elastic polymer. This material is designed to flex under pressure, adapting to your body’s shape and providing both support and comfort.
Key Features of Purple Mattresses:
- Purple Grid Technology: The Purple Grid is the standout feature of Purple mattresses. It’s a flexible, responsive material that provides support where you need it and cushioning where you don’t. This makes it especially good for contouring around pressure points.
- Temperature Regulation: The grid design allows for increased airflow, which helps keep the mattress cool throughout the night. This can be particularly beneficial for side sleepers, who may experience body heat buildup in areas where there’s more contact with the mattress.
- Durability: Purple mattresses are known for their durability, with the grid material being highly resilient and resistant to sagging over time.
- Motion Isolation: The grid’s unique design also helps isolate motion, which is great for couples. If you’re a side sleeper who shares the bed, this can prevent disturbances when one person moves during the night.
What Do Side Sleepers Need in a Mattress?
Side sleepers typically need a mattress that falls into a mid-range firmness level—soft enough to cushion pressure points but firm enough to keep the spine properly aligned. The ideal firmness level for side sleepers usually falls between a 3 to 7 on the firmness scale, where 1 is the softest and 10 is the most firm.
Let’s break down the most important factors for side sleepers:
- Firmness: A medium to medium-soft mattress (3-7) is often the sweet spot for side sleepers. It offers enough give to cradle the shoulders and hips without letting the body sink too much, which can cause spinal misalignment.
- Pressure Relief: Side sleepers often develop pressure points on their shoulders, hips, and knees. A mattress that provides good pressure relief can alleviate discomfort in these areas, ensuring a more restful sleep.
- Spinal Alignment: Proper spinal alignment is critical to prevent back pain. The mattress must provide adequate support to keep the spine in a neutral position.
- Edge Support: Side sleepers who sleep close to the edge of the bed need a mattress with solid edge support to prevent the feeling of rolling off and maximize usable sleep space.
With these factors in mind, we can assess how well Purple mattresses meet the needs of side sleepers.
The Best Purple Mattresses for Side Sleepers
Purple offers several mattress models, each with its own unique combination of firmness, support, and comfort. Let’s take a closer look at the best Purple mattresses for side sleepers.
1. Purple Original Mattress
- Overall Score: 8.99
- Firmness: 5
- Edge Support: 5.1
- Pressure Relief: 9.0
The Purple Original mattress is a medium-firm mattress, making it a great choice for side sleepers who prefer a balance between softness and support. With a 5 out of 10 firmness level, this mattress provides enough cushion pressure points while maintaining proper spinal alignment.
The Purple Grid technology in this mattress is particularly effective at contouring around the shoulders and hips, making it a good option for side sleepers needing pressure relief. However, the edge support on this mattress isn’t as strong as some of the hybrid models, so if you sleep close to the edge, this might be something to consider.
2. Purple Restore Hybrid
- Overall Score: 8.31
- Firmness: 5 or 7
- Edge Support: 8.9
- Pressure Relief: 8.0
The Purple Restore Hybrid is available in two firmness levels (5 or 7), allowing side sleepers to choose the firmness level that best suits their preferences. This mattress combines the Purple Grid with supportive coils, offering enhanced edge support and pressure relief.
For side sleepers, the softer firmness option (5) may be the better choice, as it provides more cushioning for the shoulders and hips. The added edge support makes this mattress a good choice for those who move around during the night or sleep near the edge of the bed.
3. Purple Restore Plus Hybrid
- Overall Score: 8.88
- Firmness: 5 or 7
- Edge Support: 10
- Pressure Relief: 9.0
The Purple Restore Plus Hybrid is another great option for side sleepers. Like the Restore Hybrid, it’s available in two firmness levels. However, the Restore Plus offers even better edge support, making it ideal for side sleepers who like to spread out across the bed.
The combination of the Purple Grid and coils in this mattress provides excellent pressure relief and spinal alignment, making it a top contender for side sleepers. If you’re looking for a mattress that balances support and comfort, the Purple Restore Plus Hybrid is an excellent choice.
4. Purple Restore Premier Hybrid
- Overall Score: 8.47
- Firmness: 4 or 6
- Edge Support: 9.9
- Pressure Relief: 9.0
For side sleepers who prefer a softer feel, the Purple Restore Premier Hybrid is the softest mattress in Purple’s lineup, with a firmness level of 4 out of 10. This mattress offers more give, allowing side sleepers to sink deeper into the comfort layers, which can be particularly beneficial for those who experience shoulder or hip pain.
While this mattress is softer than the other models, it still provides excellent edge support and pressure relief, making it a great choice for side sleepers who want a plush, cloud-like feel.
Purple Mattresses: Pros and Cons for Side Sleepers
While Purple mattresses offer many benefits for side sleepers, there are also some potential downsides to consider.
Pros:
- Pressure Relief: The Purple Grid provides excellent pressure relief, especially for side sleepers who need extra cushioning for their shoulders and hips.
- Spinal Alignment: The grid’s flexibility helps keep the spine aligned, which can prevent back pain for side sleepers.
- Temperature Regulation: The open design of the Purple Grid allows for better airflow, keeping the mattress cool throughout the night.
- Durability: Purple mattresses are known for their long-lasting durability, thanks to the resilient hyper-elastic polymer used in the grid.
Cons:
- Edge Support (Original Model): While the hybrid models offer solid edge support, the Original Purple mattress has weaker edge support, which could be a concern for side sleepers who sleep near the edge of the bed.
- Motion Transfer: The Purple Grid is not the best at isolating motion, especially in the softer models. For couples, this may result in feeling the other person’s movements during the night.
- Firmness Options: While Purple offers a range of firmness levels, side sleepers who prefer an ultra-soft feel may not find their perfect match among the Purple lineup.
FAQs about Is the Purple Mattress Good for Side Sleepers
1. Is the Purple Mattress suitable for side sleepers?
Yes, the Purple Mattress is considered suitable for side sleepers. Its unique grid design provides support and pressure relief, especially for areas like the hips and shoulders, which are common pressure points for side sleepers.
2. How does the Purple Mattress relieve pressure for side sleepers?
The Purple Grid technology flexes under the body’s pressure points, such as the hips and shoulders, while still supporting the spine. This allows side sleepers to maintain proper spinal alignment while reducing discomfort in those pressure areas.
3. Will the Purple Mattress help with back pain for side sleepers?
The Purple Mattress can help alleviate back pain for side sleepers by offering balanced support and pressure relief. Its adaptive grid design helps align the spine, which is crucial for reducing pain in the lower back, common for side sleepers.
4. Is the firmness of a Purple Mattress ideal for side sleepers?
The Purple Mattress is considered medium-firm, which is generally ideal for side sleepers. It’s soft enough to cushion pressure points but firm enough to provide proper support for spinal alignment.
5. Does the Purple Mattress sleep cool for side sleepers?
Yes, the Purple Mattress is designed to sleep cool. The open structure of the Purple Grid allows for airflow, which helps prevent heat buildup, making it a great option for side sleepers who tend to overheat at night.
Conclusion: Are Purple Mattresses Good for Side Sleepers?
In conclusion, Purple mattresses are a solid option for side sleepers, especially those who prioritize pressure relief and spinal alignment. The unique Purple Grid technology excels at contouring the body and relieving pressure points, making it particularly well-suited for side sleepers who struggle with shoulder or hip pain.
The Purple Restore Plus Hybrid is the best overall choice for side sleepers due to its combination of firmness options, edge support, and pressure relief. However, those who prefer a softer mattress might gravitate toward the Purple Restore Premier Hybrid.
Ultimately, Purple mattresses offer a unique and comfortable sleep experience that addresses many of the common issues side sleepers face. Whether you choose the Original or one of the hybrid models, you’ll likely find a Purple mattress that suits your needs as a side sleeper. Their grid technology provides targeted support and pressure relief, which can help alleviate discomfort in key areas like the hips and shoulders. However, if you prioritize edge support or need an ultra-soft mattress, it’s worth exploring the hybrid models or softer options within the Purple lineup.
With the different models available, side sleepers can find a balance between support and softness that promotes both comfort and proper spinal alignment, leading to more restful sleep.