Purple Restore Hybrid Mattress Collection Overview

Michael Magnuson

Founder of GoodBed, Leading Mattress Expert

Note: This is not a review. This is our plain-English explanation and overview of the Purple Restore Hybrid mattresses line. 

If you’d prefer to watch rather than read, watch our Purple Restore Hybrid Mattresses Overview video.

Purple Restore Hybrid Mattresses

New for 2023, the Purple Restore Hybrid mattress collection, which includes a total of six mattress models, replaces the company's very popular Purple Premier Hybrid line. The new Restore Hybrid collection is different from those outgoing models, while adding some new materials and features. 

The Restore Hybrid Collection is the 'middle' collection from Purple, bookended by the Essentials collection of basic mattresses and the Luxe collection on the high end. All Purple models, regardless of collection, include Purple's signature GelFlex Grid, the unique solid-gel comfort material that put this company on the map.

In addition to the common features below, it is worth noting that all of these models are compatible with an adjustable base. Because they are heavy mattresses, we found that they conform to the adjustable base particularly well.

Purple GelFlex Grid

The main comfort material in all of these models is the company's proprietary GelFlex Grid. Made from solid gel, this material might have an unforgiving appearance, but it has some really interesting benefits in our opinion, especially in terms of pressure relief and temperature/air flow. 

Without getting too technical, the gel grid offers what we would call "non-lineal resistance." Think about a piece of foam, for example: When you press it, it immediately gives under the pressure of your hand, and leaves behind an impression of your handprint. 

Purple's gel grid does not do that. Instead, when you press down on it, it holds its shape for a long time until eventually the grid collapses to the side -- not directly down. This also means that the gel grid AROUND your hand does not collapse at all. The grid buckles more than compresses.

In practical terms, this offers unique pressure relief, giving you both support and also that "sinkage" your heavier and pointier parts need to prevent hot spots or pain. 

The other major benefit of the GelFlex Grid is cooling. Gel is a proven conductor of heat. Many mattresses use flecks of gel in their comfort foams, but Purple's GelFlex material is SOLID gel. In addition to its ability to conduct heat, the construction of the grid--in hollow columns-- allows for what we think is the biggest contributor to sleeping cool: Air flow. Especially combined with the coil support unit, that allows for a lot of vertical movement of air in the Purple Restore Hybrid mattresses. 

The Purple website has a great deal more information on their proprietary gel.

Coil Support Units

The six models in the Purple Restore Hybrid collection share a similar support unit, with fabric-encased springs. There is some variety from model-to-model in terms of how the pocket springs are used, but all of these mattresses are what we call "hybrid" mattresses since all use a coil support system under the GelFlex Grid. We'll get into the coil unit differences further below.

Covers

The mattresses all have similar covers. The are "tight top" non-quilted, and stretchy. This is by design: In order to move with the GelFlex Grid, the covers need to stretch as it's compressed. 

The covers all have an anti-microbial treatment, intended to help keep your mattress fresh. As you go up in the collection, covers have additional features.

Edge Support

All of the coil units feature stronger edge-support coils along the sides. Since we last evaluated Purple mattresses a couple of years ago, we think that edge support has really improved overall.

In addition to the edge support coils, Purple also includes a foam "frame" for the GelFlex Grid layers (you can see that in the illustration above). This foam frame sits on top of the edge support coils and gives extra support and firmness right along the edges. 

Transition Foam

Lastly, all of the Purple Restore Hybrid mattresses have some transition foam that sits in between the coil support unit and the GelFlex Grid. The transition foam is mainly what's giving the different models a range of "feels" in terms of softness. It's the only layer that really varies between the models in terms of softness or firmness. 

Purple Restore

There are two models in the entry level of the Purple Restore Hybrid collection, called the "Restore" models. Both are 11.5" in height, and feature 2" of the signature GelFlex Grid material along with the foam encasement around the sides for edge support.

Under the GelFlex material is 1.5" of transition foam. That layer is what gives the "Soft" version and "Firm" version different levels of softness and cushioning.

Neither model has any memory foam, so there's none of that "melting sensation" you get from memory foam. If you DO like that feeling, have a look at the RestorePremier, which does have some memory foam (but still not a ton of that ooey-gooey memory feel). 

Owing to the spring support unit, both models have lots of bounce, but because the GelFlex Grid does not transfer much motion from one side of the bed to the other, we still think it will be a good choice for those that don't like to feel the motions of their partner on the other side of the mattress.

Purple's softness classification of these models varies a little from our scale. Here's how we would rate them:

In terms of cushioning -- meaning how deeply you sink into the mattress, and the difference between feeling like you are sleeping "on" your mattress versus "in" your mattress, we would rate the Firm version as about average. It's a blend of the sleeping "in" versus "on" feeling. The Soft version has a slightly deeper than average cushioning depth, so you do feel a bit more like you are sleeping "in" the mattress, with the bed conforming more closely to your curves.

Purple RestorePlus

There are also two models in the middle of the Purple Restore Hybrid collection, called the "RestorePlus" models. Both are 13" in height, and feature 3" of the signature GelFlex Grid material along with the foam encasement around the sides for edge support (compared to 2" of the GelFlex material in the base Restore models).

An upgrade compared to the Restore versions, the coil unit features some zoned support; that is, the central third of the bed, the area that would be under your hips (the heaviest part of your body) features stronger coils for extra support in that area.

Under the GelFlex material is 2" of transition foam. As with the Restore models, that layer is what gives the "Soft" version and "Firm" version different levels of softness and cushioning.

And again, neither model has any memory foam, so there's none of that "melting sensation" you get from memory foam. 

Compared to the Restore versions, the cover gets the addition of moisture-wicking material in addition to the anti-microbial treatment, so that could help draw sweat from the body, keeping you cooler.

If you were a fan of the old Purple Premier Hybrid models that are now discontinued, we think these RestorePlus models feel the closest to those older versions.

Owing to the spring support unit, both models have lots of bounce, but because the GelFlex Grid does not transfer much motion from one side of the bed to the other, we still think it will be a good choice for those that don't like to feel the motions of their partner on the other side of the mattress.

Purple's softness classification of these models varies a little from our scale. Here's how we would rate them:

It's worth noting that the "Firm" version of the RestorePlus felt softer to us than the Firm version of the Restore mattress. We class it as a Medium Firm on our scale. 

In terms of cushioning -- meaning how deeply you sink into the mattress, and the difference between feeling like you are sleeping "on" your mattress versus "in" your mattress, both of these mattresses offer more conformance to the body than the two Restore mattresses. Both are deeper than average, with the Soft version having the deeper cushioning and conformance between the two.

Overall, on both Purple RestorePlus mattresses, you get more of a "sleeping in" feeling as opposed to a "floating on top" feeling. 

One note on edge support: We found edge support to be excellent on the Firm version, but not as good on the Soft version.

Purple RestorePremier

The final two models in the Restore Hybrid collection are the RestorePremier Soft and Firm. Both are 13" tall mattresses, like the RestorePlus mattresses, and these versions also have 3" of the GelFlex Grid comform material.

The coil support unit, however, is very different, and is very unique. On top of each of the fabric-encased coils is a 3" column of memory foam -- sort of a cylinder of memory foam on top of each coil. Because the memory foam is on top of each coil, that means it moves along with coils as they are depressed -- each moves independently. 

That means you really get a lot of conformance to your body's curves. On the Soft model, the cushioning depth is about as deep as we've seen on ANY mattress. So if you really like to feel like you are sinking deeply into your mattress, the RestorePremier Soft give you the most of that.

The other benefit to using memory foam in this way is that it combats the "overheating" reputation that sheets of memory foam can have. Rather, the vertical arrangement means you get a lot more airflow than you would with a sheet of memory, and good airflow means you feel cooler.

The RestorePremier doesn't have a transition layer to help vary the softness feels. Rather, each model uses different coils to achieve the two different softness levels. 

As for memory feel -- that "sinking' sensation -- keep in mind that the memory foam sits under 3" of the gel grid, which dampens most of that slow melting sensation that we associate with memory foam. You do feel it a little bit, but that gel grid really does dampen it.

Given all of that, here's how we rate the overall softness of the two models:

In terms of bounce, as with the other Purple Restore Hybrid mattresses, there's plenty. We rate the Soft version as having average bounce while the Firm version has an above average amount of bounce.

Edge support on both models is very good.

Other Factors to Consider

Delivery

• Free delivery
• Free in-home setup

Purple includes free delivery, which is not particularly unusual among its competitors. And with the Restore mattresses, you also get in-home delivery, meaning it will be placed and set up in the room of your choice for free. 

Returns

• 100-day trial period
• Full refund, including free pickup within trial period

Purple offers buyers a 100-day trial period, and suggests that buyers try the mattress at least 30 days before returning it. Returns within the trial period are free, with pickup of the mattress. See: Purple return policy.

Warranty

• Warranty Length: 10 years
• Cover is warranted for 2 years
• Indentation Coverage: 1” and above

One of the biggest, if not THE biggest complaints about any mattress from consumers regards body impressions — the inability of a mattress to spring back, eventually creating a low spot/sinkhole in the mattress. As such, mattress warranties all contain a term defining how big a sag or ‘body impression’ (measured when no one is on the mattress) is considered a defect, and thus covered under the warranty. The industry standard for mattresses is generally between ¾” and 1.5”. Purple has chosen to cover indentations that meet or exceed 1”. Practically speaking, that means any softening or sagging would need to be at least that deep before the warranty would offer you protection. See: Purple warranty policy.