Our team at Sleep Foundation conducts extensive hands-on tests for each mattress to provide you with the most reliable, data-driven recommendations and reviews. Below are key guidelines that inform our testing methodology:
Our testers lie on the surface of each mattress to evaluate factors such as contouring and support. We also use specialized tools to measure performance criteria like pressure relief, heat retention, and motion isolation.
We test each mattress using various sleep positions to observe whether a mattress is better suited for side, back, or stomach sleeping. We roll around the surface and sit on the edges to gauge ease of movement and perimeter support.
We have tested hundreds of mattresses and bring years of experience in the mattress industry to the test lab. Our testing team covers a wide range of sleep preferences, sleep positions, and body types. This helps us represent as many sleeper types as possible in our reviews.
Strong support for side sleepers over 230 pounds and stomach sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds
Sleeps very cool
May be too firm for side and back sleepers under 130 pounds
Does not have the same “hug” as memory foam
Available in only three sizes
The NewDay is the firmest all-foam mattress offered by Purple, a Utah-based mattress-in-a-box brand known for its patented GelFlex Grid. A form of buckling column gel, the GelFlex Grid is made from a hyperelastic polymer that’s engineered to adapt to body movements and promote airflow.
The NewDay Mattress consists of just two layers, with 2 inches of the GelFlex Grid material sitting atop 6 inches of sturdy polyfoam. A polyfoam rail surrounds the GelFlex layer for added edge support. Our testing team rated it firm (7) on our 10-point mattress firmness scale.
Besides the NewDay, the all-foam models in Purple’s lower-priced Essential Collection include the flagship Purple Mattress and the slightly taller and softer Purple Plus Mattress. As determined by our product testers, these beds have respective firmness ratings of medium firm (6) and medium (5).
Purple also sells two collections of hybrid mattresses. The Purple Restore, available in medium soft (4) and firm (7) options, headlines the mid-tier Premium Collection. The Purple Rejuvenate, the base model in the top-shelf Luxe Collection, combines polyfoam and GelFlex material with 8 inches of pocketed coils for a medium (5) feel.
We’ll concentrate on the NewDay Mattress, providing a full breakdown of its materials and construction. We’ll also discuss which types of sleepers we think are best suited for this bed.
Let us help you find the perfect bed
Answer a few questions to find the right mattress for your unique needs
Please select all options
Sleeping Style and Body Weight
Purple NewDay Mattress
Sleeper Type
Under 130 lbs
130-230 lbs
Above 230 lbs
Side Sleepers
Under 130 lbs
5/10
130-230 lbs
7/10
Above 230 lbs
7/10
Back Sleepers
Under 130 lbs
5.5/10
130-230 lbs
7.5/10
Above 230 lbs
7.5/10
Stomach Sleepers
Under 130 lbs
5/10
130-230 lbs
7/10
Above 230 lbs
7/10
Side Sleepers
In general, side sleepers need enough contouring in a mattress’ comfort system to cushion their joints but enough support to keep them from sinking in too far. Because of its relatively responsive GelFlex Grid comfort layer and firm (7) feel, the NewDay provides great comfort and support for side sleepers weighing more than 230 pounds.
Our testing also revealed that the NewDay Mattress comfortably supports side sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds. Testers under 130 pounds said the mattress felt too firm and allowed pressure to build up in their hips and shoulders.
Back Sleepers
Back sleepers generally need an even sleep surface that keeps the lumbar region from sinking too deeply. At the same time, they typically benefit from gentle contouring to ease pressure in the shoulders and upper back.
Our back sleepers over 130 pounds felt that the NewDay did a reasonable job of achieving this balance of support and cushioning. Those under that weight level remarked that the mattress felt a bit too rigid.
Stomach Sleepers
Stomach sleepers often have a hard time finding a mattress that provides enough support. It can be difficult to keep the spine aligned in this position, and if a mattress is too soft, a person’s midsection can sink too far.
Our testers determined that the NewDay has the right amount of firmness for most stomach sleepers. At only 2 inches thick, the comfort system also doesn’t allow very much sinkage, so stomach sleepers can more readily feel the support of the dense polyfoam base. Our stomach sleepers weighing between 130 and 230 pounds felt that the NewDay struck a nice balance between firm support and light contouring.
Mattress Performance
In addition to the hands-on feedback from our team, we conduct a number of quantitative tests in our Test Lab. The below ratings are based on the experience of our testers.
Motion Isolation
7/10
The NewDay’s GelFlex Grid layer is designed to adapt to movement, so motion is less likely to be transferred across the surface of the bed. This feature is important for light sleepers who share a bed with a partner or a pet.
That said, the NewDay doesn’t isolate motion quite as well as many traditional memory foam mattresses that conform more closely to sleepers’ bodies.
Pressure Relief
5.5/10
The NewDay offers decent pressure relief, especially for sleepers over 130 pounds. The GelFlex comfort layer compresses somewhat under weight, which works to cradle joints and pressure-prone areas.
Compared with a typical memory foam mattress, the NewDay doesn’t hug the body to the same extent. It also has a relatively thin comfort layer, and its firm (7) rating means sleepers won’t sink very far into the mattress. Side and back sleepers under 130 pounds may find the mattress doesn’t have adequate pressure relief for their needs.
Temperature Control
7/10
While memory foam mattresses tend to retain body heat, the geometric grid pattern of the GelFlex layer contains open spaces designed for air circulation. The breathable polyester cover also encourages airflow, making it a great choice for hot sleepers.
Edge Support
6.5/10
Because of its reinforced polyfoam perimeter, the NewDay has better edge support than many foam mattresses. Edge support is key for anyone who sleeps on the edge of the mattress or has trouble getting out of bed.
Still, foam is inherently designed to compress at least somewhat under a person’s weight. We found that the edges of the NewDay still sank to some degree when pressure was applied. For anyone who has mobility issues, the firm version of the Purple Restore Hybrid Mattress might be a better fit.
Ease of Movement
5/10
The open design and responsiveness of the GelFlex Grid mean that sleepers can shift positions and the comfort layer will almost immediately spring back to its original shape.
Ease of movement is especially important for people with mobility issues or sleepers who frequently change positions during the night.
Off-Gassing
5.5/10
Off-gassing is the chemical-like smell that occurs when volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are released after unboxing a mattress containing foam.
We found the NewDay’s off-gassing to be about average. Though it has a thick polyfoam support core, the gridded design of the comfort layer promotes airflow and helps odors dissipate.
The Purple NewDay is an 8-inch mattress that differs somewhat from traditional foam models. It features Purple’s proprietary GelFlex Grid, a form of buckling column gel that’s designed to encourage airflow while quickly responding to sleepers’ movements. The NewDay includes a 2-inch layer of this hyperelastic polymer that offers pressure relief with minimal sinkage.
A supportive polyfoam perimeter surrounds the mattress’ sole comfort layer. This design reinforces the edges of the mattress and makes it easier to get in and out of bed.
Under the comfort layer is a 6-inch polyfoam support core. This base layer stabilizes the comfort system and adds strong support to the entire bed. The mattress is encased in a polyester cover that includes a non-slip panel on the underside made from a blend of rayon and polyester.
Firmness
Firm – 7
Mattress Type
Foam
Construction
Cover Material:
Polyester
Comfort Layer:
2″ Buckling Column Gel
Support Core:
6″ polyfoam
Mattress Prices and Sizing
Priced fairly competitively, the NewDay is among Purple’s most affordable mattresses. It’s on the higher end of average compared with other foam mattresses, though shoppers may be willing to pay more for its unique materials and design.
The NewDay is currently available in only full, queen, and king sizes. Purple’s other models are sold in additional sizes.
You can purchase the NewDay Mattress from Purple’s website or from Amazon.com. Purple mattresses are also available at a variety of retail locations across the U.S., including dedicated Purple showrooms.
Shipping
If you order through Purple’s website, the NewDay ships for free to the contiguous U.S. and to Hawaii and Alaska for a fee. The mattress arrives compressed and rolled inside a plastic tube.
Purple partners with Sleep Country Canada to ship its mattresses to Canada, but the NewDay is not currently part of the program.
Additional Services
Purple offers White Glove delivery for a fee within the contiguous U.S., which includes in-home delivery and mattress setup. The company also hauls away your old mattress as part of this service.
Sleep Trial
The NewDay Mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial. Purple requires that you try the mattress for 21 nights before initiating a return. If you decide it’s not for you, Purple issues a full refund after the mattress is removed from your home.
Warranty
The NewDay comes with a 10-year limited warranty that covers certain manufacturing or material defects. This includes indentations greater than 1 inch and splits and cracks in the mattress materials. The warranty is voided if the mattress is not used as directed.
Still have questions?
Our product experts have extensive experience testing just about every sleep product on the market. Send an email to [email protected] or call us at (877) 672-8966 with your questions and we’ll help you find exactly what you’re looking for.