A Purple RestorePremier mattress in a bedroom.
Buying Guides

Best Leesa Alternative for 2024 (+ Why Purple Is #1)

    Last Updated
    August 2, 2024
    8
    min read

    Our Picks: Purple mattresses are the best Leesa alternatives. With the cooling, instantly adaptive GelFlex® Grid, Purple mattresses outshine Leesa’s memory foam beds in cooling, pressure relief, motion isolation, ease of movement, and full-body support.

    Leesa specializes in memory foam and hybrid mattresses designed for pressure relief and comfort, but many sleepers have started moving away from memory foam mattresses because they are more likely to sleep hot and feel trapped when memory foam conforms to their bodies.

    While Leesa mattresses offer a number of benefits at a fairly reasonable price, the downsides of memory foam mattresses urge customers to seek Leesa alternatives. Some of the best Leesa mattress alternatives online include:

    1. Purple 
    2. Saatva
    3. Nectar
    4. Casper
    5. Serta
    6. Tuft & Needle
    7. Zinus
    8. Sealy
    9. Layla
    10. Helix

    In this guide, we’ll explore the top Leesa alternatives from Purple, discussing how the unique benefits and features of Purple’s mattresses make them the best choice of mattress for anyone in search of a memory foam alternative.

    Our reasoning? Purple mattresses feature proprietary sleep technology designed to cradle your body, relieve pressure, promote airflow, and support your spine without the heat retention or trapped feeling of memory foam. 

    Methodology: We compared the benefits and features of each Leesa and Purple mattress to determine the best Leesa alternatives. Our top considerations included features such as pressure point relief, spinal alignment and full-body support, cooling, comfort, and sleep technology.

    Purple GelFlex Grid

    Innovative Sleep Technology

    Our GelFlex® Grid is a superior alternative to memory foam that provides conforming pressure relief without a delayed response.

    The Best Leesa Alternatives

    The main differences between Purple and Leesa are the materials used, key mattress features, and price point. While Leesa mattresses are memory foam or memory foam hybrids, Purple mattresses feature our proprietary GelFlex® Grid, which instantly adapts to your body as you move, providing targeted pressure relief and cooling comfort.

    While Leesa mattresses are available at a lower price point, Purple mattresses have more variety to suit your unique sleep needs and preferences and provide comparable pressure relief and motion isolation without the heat retention of memory foam.

    Leesa Model

    Leesa Alternative

    Leesa Reserve Hybrid

    Purple RestorePremierTM Hybrid Mattress

    Leesa Legend Chill

    Purple RestorePlus™ Hybrid Mattress

    Leesa Legend Hybrid

    Purple RestorePlus™ Hybrid Mattress

    Leesa Plus Hybrid

    Purple Plus® Mattress

    Leesa Sapira/Sapira Chill

    Purple Restore™ Hybrid Mattress

    Leesa Oasis Chill

    Purple Plus® Mattress

    Leesa Original/Original Hybrid

    The Purple Mattress®

    Leesa Studio & Studio Chill

    PurpleFlex™ Mattress

    1. Purple RestorePremier™ Hybrid Mattress 

    Key features of the RestorePremier™ Hybrid shown with the mattress on a poster-style bedframe in a luxurious bedroom.

    Alternative for: Leesa Reserve Hybrid

    Designed to balance your temperature so you can rest without interruption, the Purple RestorePremierTM hybrid mattress offers contoured comfort, dynamic full-body support, and innovative cooling technology, making it a great alternative to Leesa’s Reserve Hybrid.

    Even with a cooling cover, memory foam mattresses are more likely to trap heat than other materials. Purple’s GelFlex® Grid instantly adapts to your body and promotes airflow, keeping you cool and comfortable without sinkage or heat retention.

    If you’re searching for the best cooling mattress, the Purple RestorePremierTM Hybrid Mattress provides exceptional support and cooling comfort. 

    • Feel: Two feel options
    • Key Features: Pin-point dynamic support, exceptional pressure point relief, 4x* cooler than competitors, temperature balancing
    • Materials: 3” GelFlex® Grid, antimicrobial finish, Moisture-Wicking Cover, CoolflexTM Coils, Advanced Edge Support System, Ultra Comfort Foam
    • Sizes: Twin XL, queen, king, California king, split king
    • Price: $$-$$$

    *Disclaimer: Thermal test and heat flux Study conducted by Purple on Purple Hybrid mattresses in 2023.

    Cooling comfort, instantly adaptive pressure relief, and an innovative six-layer design have earned the Purple RestorePremierTM hybrid mattress the following awards:

    • CNET: Best Luxurious Mattress for Couples1
    • CNET: Best Firm Mattress for Back Pain2

    “I love love love this mattress! It's so comfortable, and has really helped relieve my body aches and soreness from not having good support while sleeping. It has definitely helped. The customer service is also incredible! They are so nice, helpful, and knowledgeable!” — Orchid, Purple RestorePremier™ review

    2. Purple RestorePlus™ Hybrid Mattress

    Key features of the Purple RestorePlus™ shown with the mattress on low upholstered bedframe in a beachy bedroom.

    Alternative for: Leesa Legend Chill and Leesa Legend Hybrid

    Purple’s RestorePlusTM hybrid mattress combines Ultra Comfort Foam with our adaptive, breathable GelFlex® Grid for unparalleled comfort, pressure relief, and cooling, making it a superior alternative to Leesa’s Legend Hybrid and Legend Chill mattresses.

    While the Leesa Legend Hybrid features four 1-inch layers of foam and the Leesa Legend Chill uses gel-infused memory foam for a cooler feel, Purple’s RestorePlusTM Hybrid mattress promotes airflow, pressure relief, and indulgent comfort with high-density GelFlex® Grid Plus technology, giving you more comfort without the sinkage and trapped heat of memory foam.

    Our elevated hybrid mattress is an excellent choice for anyone searching for the best mattress for back pain, as responsive coils, support foam, and our GelFlex® Grid promote spinal alignment while relieving pressure from your hips and shoulders.

    • Feel: Two feel options
    • Key Features: Advanced pressure relief, targeted support, up to 3x cooler* than competitors
    • Materials: 3” GelFlex® Grid, antimicrobial and Moisture-Wicking Cover, Ultra Comfort Foam, zoned Edge-to-Edge Coil Support System
    • Sizes: Twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
    • Price: $$-$$$

    *Disclaimer: Thermal test and heat flux Study conducted by Purple on Purple Hybrid mattresses in 2023.

    The Purple RestorePlusTM Hybrid mattress offers an enhanced sleep experience, earning the following awards:

    “Our previous mattress was unsupportive and resulted in sore neck, shoulders, and back. After an accident and back surgery, this mattress offers the support that my partner needs, as well as breathability and comfort.” — Ben, Purple RestorePlus™ review

    3. Purple RestoreTM Hybrid Mattress

    Key features of the Purple Restore™ Hybrid shown with the mattress on an upholstered bedframe with pillows and bedroom furniture.

    Alternative for: Leesa Sapira Hybrid and Leesa Sapira Chill

    The Purple RestoreTM hybrid mattress is a great alternative for the Leesa Sapira Hybrid and Sapira Chill Hybrid mattresses. Purple’s flagship hybrid mattress offers increased airflow for a cooler night’s sleep while providing superior pressure relief in two feel options to better accommodate your unique sleep needs.

    The Restore™ mattress combines the instantly adaptive GelFlex® Grid with Comfort Foam and Edge-to-Edge Coils for full-body support and comfort. Unlike memory foam, the GelFlex® Grid is engineered to cradle your hips and shoulders, support spinal alignment, and keep you cool without heat retention or feeling like you’re sinking into your mattress. 

    • Feel: Two feel options
    • Key Features: Responsive support, up to 2x cooler* than competitors, and soothing pressure relief
    • Materials: 2” GelFlex® Grid, Edge-to-Edge Coil Support System, Comfort Foam, antimicrobial finish
    • Sizes: Twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
    • Price: $-$$

    *Disclaimer: Thermal test and heat flux Study conducted by Purple on Purple Hybrid mattresses in 2023.

    The Purple RestoreTM hybrid mattress helps sleepers maintain an optimal temperature while relieving pain and isolating movement, earning it the following awards:

    • People: Best Mattress for Side Sleepers5
    • CNET: Best Hybrid Mattress for 20246
    • Forbes: Best Pressure-Relieving Mattress for Side Sleepers7
    • The Spruce: Best Firm Mattress (in the firm feel option)8
    • Forbes: Best Hybrid Mattress (Without Fiberglass)9

    “I purchased this when I was 8 months pregnant because I just couldn't sleep, and got the best night's rest in a long time. Now I sleep well every night!” — Sam, Purple Restore™ review

    4. Purple Plus® Mattress

    Key features of the Purple Plus® mattress shown with the unmade mattress on a modern wood bed frame in a boho bedroom.

    Alternative for: Leesa Oasis Chill and Plus Hybrid

    If you’re looking for a supportive mattress that cradles your pressure points and keeps you cool, the Purple Plus® mattress is a great alternative to the Leesa Oasis Chill and Plus Hybrid memory foam mattresses.

    Where the Oasis Chill contains gel- and copper-infused memory foam layers, the Purple Plus® features streamlined comfort and stability with 2x Base Foam topped with Ultra Comfort Foam and our patented GelFlex® Grid, promoting airflow and relieving pressure from your joints.

    • Feel: Medium 
    • Key Features: Double support layers, great motion isolation, breathable design
    • Materials: 2” GelFlex® Grid, 2x Base Foam, Ultra Comfort Foam
    • Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
    • Price: $-$$

    The Purple Plus® mattress is a great choice for sleepers who want cooling comfort and support, earning it the following awards:

    • Esquire: Best Mattress for Side Sleepers10
    • People: Best Medium Support Mattress11

    “My partner and I were dealing with constant joint pain and headaches with our last mattress as well as no sleep (tossing and turning). This was a game changer, and we both get amazing sleep every night.” — Kaylin C., Purple Plus® review

    5. The Purple Mattress®

    Key features of the Purple Mattress® shown with the mattress in a minimalist purple bedroom.

    Alternative for: Leesa Original and Original Hybrid

    While the Leesa Original and Original Hybrid mattresses feature layers of memory foam, the Purple Mattress® provides ample contoured support and pressure relief with layers of Durable Base Foam and Comfort Foam topped with our instantly adaptive GelFlex® Grid.

    Memory foam may provide pressure relief, but it also traps heat and makes it difficult to shift positions overnight. With the GelFlex® Grid, the Purple Mattress® offers exceptional pressure relief while keeping you cool with a responsive, cushioning surface that makes it easy to move around without disturbing your partner.

    • Feel: Medium-firm
    • Key Features: Temperature balancing, durable support, refreshing pressure relief
    • Materials: 2” GelFlex® Grid, Durable Base Foam, Comfort Foam, Edge Support Foam, SoftFlex Cover
    • Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
    • Price: $-$$

    With a medium-firm feel and innovative sleep technology, the original Purple Mattress® can help you sleep more comfortably, earning it these awards:

    • Today: Best Innovative Mattress12
    • Good Housekeeping: Best Cooling Mattress in a Box13
    • TechRadar: Best Cooling Mattress for Back Pain14
    • CNET: Best Mattress for Side Sleepers With Shoulder and Hip Pain15

    “Really love this mattress. It provides support without any pain. It is like you are floating on the bed. Also feels cooler than a regular or memory foam mattress. Love that the material instantly goes back to the regular shape as you move unlike memory foam which takes time to puff back up. Overall, I am a fan and when the time comes I will go to Purple first again!” — Jaron, Purple Mattress® review

    6. PurpleFlex™ Mattress

    Key features of the PurpleFlex™ mattress shown with the mattress in a beachy bedroom

    Alternative for: Leesa Studio and Studio Chill

    The PurpleFlex™ mattress outshines Leesa’s Studio and Studio Chill mattresses, offering enhanced stability, full-body support, and cooling to keep you comfortable all night long.

    Leesa’s best value mattresses feature thick layers of memory foam that contour to your body, but soft memory foam can create a sinking or trapped feeling. The PurpleFlex™ mattress has the benefits of memory foam without the heat retention and sinking feeling thanks to the revolutionary GelFlex® Grid. While memory foam is prone to trapping heat, the GelFlex® Grid is incredibly breathable, providing you with the support and pressure relief you need while helping you maintain an ideal sleep temperature.

    • Feel: Medium-firm
    • Key Features: Stable base support, soothing pressure relief, temperature balancing
    • Materials: 2” GelFlex® Grid, Durable Base Foam
    • Sizes: Twin, full, queen, king
    • Price: $-$$

    Offering fewer sleep disruptions, increased pressure point relief, and innovative temperature balancing technology, the PurpleFlex™ Mattress has earned the following award:

    • Men’s Health: Best Firm Memory Foam Mattress16

    “I have never slept better in my life. I used to wake up with back pain every morning because of my mattress, but now I can't remember the last time I woke up with a sore back because of my Purple Mattress. Would definitely recommend.” — Sarah S., PurpleFlex™ review

    6 Reasons To Choose Purple vs. Leesa Mattresses

    Purple mattresses are a great Leesa alternative, offering a unique sleep experience with innovative technology that keeps you cool, reduces motion transfer, and provides unparalleled pressure relief. The variety of Purple mattresses available means you can find your perfect match no matter what sleep position you prefer.

    Seven reasons why Purple is the best Tempurpedic alternative with a photo of the GelFlex® Grid exposed on a Purple mattress.

    1. Unique Sleep Technology

    Compared to memory foam, Purple’s GelFlex® Grid provides superior pressure relief without retaining heat, keeping you cool no matter how much you move around. 

    Leesa mattresses contain memory foam for a contoured, cradled feel that relieves pressure points. Memory foam mattresses may create a sinking feeling and trap heat, resulting in discomfort, but the innovative Purple GelFlex® Grid provides comparable benefits while supporting your body and promoting airflow for a temperature-neutral environment. 

    The GelFlex® Grid provides a unique feel with 1,400 air channels that draw heat away from your skin and instantly adapt to your body as you move, providing pressure relief for hips and shoulders while supporting broader surfaces like your legs and back. Hybrid mattresses like the Purple Restore™ mattress combine our innovative GelFlex® Grid with zoned support to promote spinal alignment and keep you cool.

    Comparison of the GelFlex® Grid and memory foam features and disadvantages.

    2. Superior Cooling

    Purple mattresses are up to 4x cooler* than competitors, creating a temperature-neutral effect that keeps you comfortable without trapping heat. Unlike Leesa, Purple doesn’t need to create “chill” versions of our mattresses because the cooling GelFlex® Grid is featured in every Purple mattress for maximum comfort.

    *Disclaimer: Thermal test and heat flux study conducted by Purple on Purple Hybrid mattresses in 2023.

    3. Better Motion Isolation 

    Experience fewer sleep disruptions with enhanced motion isolation from Purple mattresses. Sleepopolis rates Purple’s motion isolation higher than Leesa mattresses, meaning you won’t get jostled as much if your partner moves around at night.17

    According to Mattress Clarity, Purple mattresses are also bouncier than Leesa’s, making it easier to shift positions without significant motion transfer and providing a more comfortable, uninterrupted sleep experience.18

    Comparison of the motion isolation of the GelFlex® Grid vs. memory foam.

    4. Exceptional Pressure Relief

    Purple’s GelFlex® Grid cradles your pressure points and supports broader areas, relieving pain and promoting correct spinal alignment. For some sleepers, memory foam may hurt your back if your mattress isn’t the right firmness for your preferred sleep position. If your mattress is too soft, you may sink too far, putting more pressure on your lumbar spine and causing discomfort.

    Hybrid mattresses like the Purple Restore Hybrid Collection may provide additional pain and pressure relief for those with body aches, combining the structured support of individually wrapped springs with layers of comfort foam and our adaptive GelFlex® Grid.

    5. Ideal for Any Sleep Positions

    The instantly adaptive GelFlex® Grid supports all sleep positions, cradling pressure points like the shoulders and hips to keep you comfortable. Combination sleepers can find pressure relief no matter what position they’re in thanks to the GelFlex® Grid’s unique structure.

    Memory foam mattresses like Leesa’s may be comfortable enough for side and back sleepers, but they may not provide sufficient support and pressure relief for certain sleep positions. Stomach sleepers and combination sleepers may not get pressure relief in critical areas, and if the memory foam is too soft, stomach sleepers can sink too deeply, compromising their spinal alignment and causing pain or stiffness.

    6. Variety in Mattress Options

    The GelFlex® Grid adapts to every body, providing instant pressure relief and cooling comfort, but everyone has unique sleep needs. That’s why we’ve developed three distinct collections of mattresses, each offering different benefits and features to provide a more tailored sleep experience.

    Compared to Purple, Leesa’s mattresses have similar features and a relatively uniform construction. Leesa mattresses have little variety in price point, making it challenging to determine which option will best suit your needs. 

    Each Purple mattress offers unique features and benefits to best support your needs and preferences no matter your sleep position, body size, or budget.

    Where the Purple Restore™ Hybrid provides the responsive support of Edge-to-Edge Coils and the adaptive, breathable comfort of our GelFlex® Grid in our flagship hybrid mattress, the Purple RejuvenatePremier™ combines the GelFlex® Grid, 5 Zone Edge-to-Edge Coils, responsive comfort layers, and Talalay latex for the ultimate luxurious comfort and full-body support.

    Comparison of Purple and Leesa mattresses, including cooling, pressure relief, support, durability, price, and warranty.

    Sleep Better With Purple

    While Leesa’s memory foam mattresses can provide cushioned relief, Purple mattresses are the best Leesa alternatives, offering more pressure relief, motion isolation, responsive support, and cooling than memory foam thanks to our proprietary GelFlex® Grid.

    Enhance your sleep experience with a Purple mattress, available online or in-store. With all the benefits of memory foam and none of the downsides, Purple mattresses are the superior Leesa alternative.

    RestorePlus Mattress

    Maximize Your Sleep Quality

    Enjoy cooling comfort and full-body support with Purple’s revolutionary GelFlex® Grid in every mattress.

     

    FAQ

    Purple mattresses are not considered memory foam; they contain our proprietary GelFlex® Grid, a specially engineered technology designed to gently cradle your body for pressure relief and promote cooling airflow as you sleep. Our mattresses contain Comfort and Base Foam, not memory foam, for additional support and pressure relief.

    While memory foam and the GelFlex® Grid both contour to your body and relieve pressure from your joints, the responsive GelFlex® Grid doesn’t trap heat and allows you to move freely while minimizing motion transfer, ensuring you sleep comfortably no matter what position you prefer.

    Because memory foam tends to trap heat and can be uncomfortable for sleepers who get hot easily, gel memory foam is a cooling alternative with the benefits of memory foam.

    Gel-infused memory foam mattresses offer the same contoured feel and cushioned pressure relief as standard memory foam mattresses with the addition of cooling gel that is more breathable than memory foam alone.

    Memory foam mattresses are more likely to retain heat than other types, and sleepers may feel like they’re sinking depending on the mattress. People who sleep hot, change positions overnight, or need more stability may be moving away from memory foam mattresses in favor of more supportive, cooling options.

    Purple mattresses support most body types and are tested to support a weight limit of up to 700 pounds. 

    Designed to instantly adapt to most body types, Purple mattresses support your spine and relieve pressure from joints like your hips and shoulders to ensure you sleep soundly. Ultimately, what you find most comfortable should determine the mattress you choose because everyone has unique needs.

    About the authors

    Sydney Fuhrman

    Sydney brings more than five years of experience writing about a range of topics including health, lifestyle, and technology. They have a B.A. in Creative Writing and Literature from Lebanon Valley College. They’re a big fan of sharing dreams and discussing symbolism for fun. Sydney is always searching for tips to improve their sleep quality and hopes to help others get the best sleep possible with their writing. 

    Kristen Olson-Turner
    Senior Director of Merchandising, Mattress and Bases

    Kristen Olson-Turner is the Senior Director of mattresses, where she has spent 10+ years understanding customer needs and integrating solutions into Purple products for better sleep and comfort.