Purple RestorePlus Hybrid Mattress review: This plush mattress eased my back pain and kept me cool all night

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Over the last few years, I have been on a mission to design the most comfortable bed imaginable. There are many things I have learned in the process — ranging from, yes, you should splurge on the best mattress protector to no, the best sheets are not necessarily the most expensive. However, the most important component of mastering the perfect sleeping situation undoubtedly involves finding the best mattress.  

I have tried out many popular mattresses in recent years, but I was curious about Purple, especially after seeing our sleep reporter's favorable experience in his Purple mattress review. When it was time to choose a mattress for the new king-sized bed we purchased, I decided to give the Purple RestorePlus Hybrid Mattress a shot. 

Design

What sets this brand's products apart is its trademark "Purple Grid" technology, known as GelFlex Grid, which the company claims took "years and over 30 patents to perfect." It is the top layer for all the Purple mattresses and adapts to your body while keeping it cool, comfortable, and supported. The cooling characteristic it offers stems from the grid-like design that serves as open-air channels. 

The 13-inch RestorePlus features three inches of GelFlex Grid material, a memory foam comfort layer that cradles your body, and zoned individually wrapped pocket coils for support and airflow. It also has reinforced edges and an antimicrobial and moisture-wicking soft cover. It's available in soft and firm options. I tested the soft.

Purple offers nine different models, plus a kids' mattress. The Purple RestorePlus Hybrid is the most popular mattress, priced in the middle. Like all Purple mattresses, the RestorePlus comes with free shipping, a 100-night trial, and a 10-year warranty.

Setup

Most Purple mattresses are rolled up, wrapped in plastic, and shipped to your home free of charge. It is always a bit shocking to see how such a large mattress has the ability to compress and roll up the way it does — especially this one because it is so thick. But it is nonetheless amazing, as you can simply drag it to your bedroom, open up the packaging, and watch it expand into a thick, plush sleeping surface.

Because the RestorePlus Hybrid is so heavy — a Queen weighs around 147 pounds — you'll need help to bring it in and set it up. Or, for $200, Purple will coordinate setting up the mattress in your bedroom and removing the packaging and your old mattress.

Our review of the Purple RestorePlus Hybrid Mattress

As I mentioned before, the RestorePlus is among the softest of Purple's offerings — and one of the first thoughts that came to mind when I lay down on it was, "This is the most comfortable mattress I have ever experienced." 

As someone who has struggled with back pain most of my life, I have always wanted a pressure-relieving mattress. And this totally fits the bill. Your body doesn't exactly sink into it as you would expect of a soft mattress, but instead, it lightly cradles it in all the right spots — your hips, shoulders, etc. — providing you with both support and that softer-feeling experience. This makes it a great option for side sleepers. 

I also tend to sleep hot. Purple promises that all its mattresses are cooling, and I have found this to be accurate. 

Now, onto the grid-like experience. The first night I slept on the mattress, I didn't have a mattress protector on it. While some might enjoy the squishy, honeycomb gel grid trademarked by the company, it felt strange. However, once I placed a mattress protector on it — Brooklyn Bedding's Luxury Cooling Mattress Protector — it smoothed things to my liking. Purple does have its own mattress protector. haven't tried it, but our team rated it as the best overall in our guide to the best mattress protectors. 

Another huge sleeping issue for me is motion transfer, as my husband weighs more than 225 pounds and is a restless sleeper. At one point, when we were sleeping on an old, cheap mattress, I started sleeping in the guest room because I would get woken up every time he moved. The RestorePlus was a true game changer. If he is on one side of our king bed and I am on the other, I can't feel him move most of the time.

Cons to consider 

So far, I have mentioned all the pros of this mattress. The biggest drawbacks? Well, first of all, the price.

The model I tested retails for anywhere from $2,549 for a Twin XL to $5,098 for a Split King — so it isn't cheap. While it is definitely on the more expensive side, it really is an amazing sleeping experience. However, if you have a budget, it might be too expensive. 

If you don't like a soft mattress, you won't enjoy the RestorePlus Hybrid and may prefer Purple's other models or the firm option instead. The GelFlex Grid can also take getting used to, and I find you either love its squishy sensation or you don't. 

What are your alternatives?

Purple makes nine different mattresses for adults. If you're set on a Purple mattress, read our Purple mattress review to compare the brand's best mattresses. Our mattress expert recently tested the PurpleFlex mattress, the brand's budget option and less than half the price of the RestorePlus. It offers outstanding pressure relief, cooling, and spinal alignment but has poor motion isolation. Read our full PurpleFlex Mattress review.

Purple mattresses have an unusual feel because of the brand's signature gel grid, which takes some getting used to. At RestorePlus's price point, our mattress expert recommends the Sleep Number i8. It features air chambers that adjust to your preferred firmness. Each side is independent, so you and your partner can have different firmnesses. It comes with in-home setup and a built-in sleep tracker. However, the heat dissipation and motion isolation aren't as good as the RestorePlus. Read our full Sleep Number i8 Smart Bed review.

Check out our best mattress guide for more recommendations. For more specific needs, consider the best cooling mattresses, best mattresses for side sleepers, and best mattresses for back pain. 

The bottom line

I've slept on this mattress for more than six months, and I have never been happier. I said to my husband the other day, "Remember when I used to always complain about my back hurting?" While I can't say that this amazing mattress is totally responsible for that pain relief, I'm confident it's a big part of it. I would recommend this mattress to anyone who can afford a luxury mattress. 

Like most other mattress brands, Purple offers a 100-night trial — meaning if you don't love it, you can return it free of charge. 

If you like a softer mattress, need limited motion transfer, and can afford to spend more than $2,000 on a mattress, this is a great option. But if you prefer a firmer mattress or are on a budget, consider the cheaper entry-level Purple mattress or one of our other top mattress picks.