# FORM Core vs The Purple Mattress: Firmness, Price, and Construction Compared

Canonical: https://squishmat.com/compare/form-core-vs-purple-the-purple-mattress · Data refreshed 2026-10-08 · Source: SquishMat

These two are close substitutes on paper — the spec table below shows where they differ.

## Full spec table

| Spec | FORM Core | The Purple Mattress |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Type | Foam | Foam |
| Firmness | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Height | 9" | 9.25" |
| Queen price | $1,349 | $1,299 |
| Price range (all sizes) | $1,099–$1,849 | $799–$1,899 |
| Foam densities (lb/ft³, top → bottom) | 1.7 / 1.6 | 1.8 / 2.0 |
| Coil gauge | — | — |
| Coil count (queen) | — | — |
| Cooling | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Motion isolation | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Edge support | 5/10 | 5/10 |
| Pressure relief | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Support | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Natural materials | 3/10 | 3/10 |
| Notable features | GelGrid pressure-relief surface, Purple-style gel grid over foam, Medium-firm supportive feel, Launched 2026 by FORM | GelFlex Grid comfort layer, Temperature-neutral grid, Responsive pressure relief |
| Spec source | NapLab | Sleep Foundation |

## Key differences

- On the published specs these two are close substitutes — similar firmness, price, and construction. Decide on current price, trial length, and returns policy.

## Who each mattress is for

**FORM Core:** The FORM Core has a medium feel that works for many side and back sleepers, and for combination sleepers who switch positions.

**The Purple Mattress:** The The Purple Mattress has a medium feel that works for many side and back sleepers, and for combination sleepers who switch positions. Strengths: Excellent pressure relief at the shoulders and hips.

## FAQ

### Which is firmer, the FORM Core or the The Purple Mattress?

They rate the same: both are a 6/10 on the firmness scale, a medium feel that works for many side and back sleepers, and for combination sleepers who switch positions.

### Which is cheaper, the FORM Core or the The Purple Mattress?

The The Purple Mattress is cheaper in a queen: $1,299 versus $1,349, as of 2026-10-08.

### What is the main construction difference between the FORM Core and the The Purple Mattress?

Both are foam builds with similar published specs — the differences come down to feel and price rather than construction. The full layer-by-layer comparison is in the table above.

## More

- [FORM Core — full specs](https://squishmat.com/mattresses/form-core)
- [The Purple Mattress — full specs](https://squishmat.com/mattresses/purple-the-purple-mattress)
- [Comparison matrix: every mattress we track](https://squishmat.com/compare)

Free to cite with attribution — link to the canonical page. Where a datapoint traces to a third-party teardown, please credit the original measurer too (sources are cited per bed on https://squishmat.com/mattress-database).