Quick Answer: What Makes the Purple Pillow Unique?
The Purple Pillow is unlike anything else on the market. It is made of a hyper-elastic polymer grid (the "Purple Grid") rather than foam or feathers.
Pros: It sleeps incredibly cool (air flows right through the grid), never loses its shape, and provides instant neck support.
Cons: It is very heavy (about 10 lbs!), quite flat (unless you use boosters), and feels "jiggly," which some people dislike. It is also expensive ($150+). If you want the cooling benefits without the heavy grid feel, a Gel-Infused Memory Foam pillow might be a better local alternative.
Brad, Owner, 40+ years of experience: "We have been helping Brantford families sleep better since 1997. Every customer gets personal attention, honest advice, and the kind of follow-up service you just do not get from big box stores."
5 min read
The Purple Pillow is a viral sensation. Its unique purple grid is instantly recognizable. But watching a video of an egg not breaking on a pillow is different from sleeping on it for 8 hours. For Brantford residents curious about this high-tech sleep aid, here is the breakdown.
At Mattress Miracle, we test every sleep technology. The Purple Pillow is a love-it-or-hate-it product.
Prefer to shop in person? Our Brantford store is on West Street.
The Purple Grid Technology
Most pillows are "fluff" (down/poly) or "blocks" (foam). Purple is a Grid.
- Material: Hyper-Elastic Polymer. It feels like a very firm, heavy gummy bear.
- Structure: A honeycomb of open squares. This allows massive airflow. It is arguably the coolest sleeping surface available because there is almost no solid material trapping your body heat.
How Does It Feel?
The "Jiggle": Because it is elastic, the pillow has a distinct wobble. It responds instantly to movement.
The Firmness: Despite looking squishy, it is actually quite firm and supportive. Your head doesn't sink in; it floats on the grid.
The Height Issue: The original Purple Pillow is quite thin (about 3 inches). If you are a side sleeper with broad shoulders, you absolutely need the "boosters" (foam inserts) to raise it, otherwise, your neck will kink.
Local Cooling Alternatives
If you want cooling but aren't sold on sleeping on a 10-pound grid, we have options in Brantford:
Cooling Gel Memory Foam
This is the "middle ground." It uses a solid foam core for consistent support but is infused with Phase Change Gel and ventilated with holes. It offers 80% of the cooling of Purple but with a more traditional, comfortable feel. Plus, it's usually half the price.
Shredded Latex
For those who want the "bounce" of Purple but the adjustability of down. Latex is naturally cool and springy. You can unzip the case and remove fill to get the perfect height.
Durability & Care
Longevity: The polymer grid is nearly indestructible. It won't flatten like down or degrade like cheap foam. It is a "forever" shape.
Washing: You can wash the cover, and you can actually wash the grid itself with warm soapy water (in the bathtub/sink) and air dry. This makes it very hygienic.
Pillow Material Science: Gel Grid vs. Traditional Options
Purple's Hyper-Elastic Polymer grid represents one approach to pillow design, but it is not the only scientifically validated option. Research published in the Journal of Pain Research (Gordon et al., 2009) found that pillow material matters less than pillow height and cervical support for preventing neck pain. The study tested latex, memory foam, feather, and polyester pillows and found that proper loft matching to sleep position was the strongest predictor of comfort and pain reduction, not the material itself.
A key consideration for Canadian buyers: gel-based products like Purple pillows can feel firmer in cold bedrooms. Ontario winter bedroom temperatures (16-18°C overnight per EnergyRates.ca) cause the gel polymer to stiffen slightly, changing the feel from what you might experience in a heated showroom or during summer months. Latex and memory foam pillows also change feel with temperature, but down and down-alternative pillows remain consistent year-round.
Pillow Alternatives at Mattress Miracle
Our Natura organic pillow collection offers multiple material options you can test in person: the Natura Latex Contour ($139) provides firm cervical support for back sleepers, the Natura Down Alternative ($89) offers plush comfort for side sleepers, and the Natura Memory Foam ($119) delivers conforming pressure relief for combination sleepers. Unlike online pillow purchases, Brad will measure your optimal loft based on shoulder width and sleep position in about 5 minutes. Visit us at 441 1/2 West Street, Brantford.
Find Your Perfect Mattress at Mattress Miracle
We are a family-owned mattress store in Brantford, helping our community sleep better since 1997. Come try mattresses in person and get honest, no-pressure advice.
441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, Ontario
Call 519-770-0001Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Purple Pillow heavy?
Yes, extremely. It weighs about 10 lbs. It is not a pillow you easily flip over in the middle of the night or use for pillow fights.
Does it come with a warranty?
Purple typically offers a 1-year warranty on their pillows.
Is it good for neck pain?
For back sleepers, yes. The low profile and firm support align the neck well. Side sleepers often struggle with the height unless they use boosters.
Do you sell Purple products?
We focus on brands you can try in-store. While we don't stock Purple, we carry advanced Gel and Latex pillows that offer similar cooling benefits without the "jelly" feel.
What is the Hush Grid pillow and is it available in Canada?
The Hush Grid pillow is a Canadian-made pillow from the Hush Blankets brand, featuring a grid-patterned foam or gel-infused foam core designed to improve airflow and reduce heat retention during sleep. It is sold directly through hushblankets.com with shipping to Canada. The Hush Grid pillow is positioned in the mid-range premium category alongside Purple and similar cooling pillow competitors. Key considerations when comparing cooling pillows are the base fill (solid foam vs. shredded), loft adjustability, and whether the cover is washable. Gel-infused foam pillows provide passive temperature moderation rather than active cooling.
Test Drive Cooling Pillows
Before you order a heavy box online, come to Mattress Miracle (441 1/2 West Street). Test our Cooling Gel and Latex pillows. Find the cool side of the pillow that stays cool all night.
Sources
- Gordon SJ, Grimmer-Somers K, Trott P. Pillow use: the behaviour of cervical pain, sleep quality, and pillow comfort in side sleepers. Manual Therapy. 2009;14(6):671-678. DOI: 10.1016/j.math.2009.02.006
- Gordon SJ, Grimmer-Somers KA, Trott PH. Pillow use: the behaviour of cervical stiffness, headache and scapular/arm pain. J Pain Res. 2010;3:137-145. DOI: 10.2147/JPR.S11074
- Erfanian P, Tenzif S, Guerriero RC. Assessing effects of a semi-customized experimental cervical pillow on sympathetic nervous system parameters. J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2004;48(1):20-28. PMCID: PMC1840035
- Persson L, Moritz U. Neck support pillows: a comparative study. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1998;21(4):237-240. PMID: 9608379
Visit Our Brantford Showroom
We are located at 441½ West Street in downtown Brantford. Free parking available, wheelchair accessible. Our team does not work on commission, so you get honest advice based on your needs.
Mattress Miracle , 441½ West Street, Brantford, ON · (519) 770-0001
Hours: Monday–Wednesday 10am–6pm, Thursday–Friday 10am–7pm, Saturday 10am–5pm, Sunday 12pm–4pm.