Purple’s DreamLayer pillow is total luxury for all sleep styles — but there’s one big reason I can’t give it 5 stars

Purple DreamLayer Pillow: Review in brief

Online sleep brand Purple has made some of the best pillows we’ve tested, earning praise like “ultimate relaxation” from our expert testing team. With that ringing in my ear, I jumped at the chance to test the Purple DreamLayer pillow, a multi-layer design that’s made to match every sleep style.

Purple’s iconic GelFlex Grid is a mainstay of its mattresses (we rate many Purple beds among the best mattresses you can buy online). In the DreamLayer pillow a micro-version of this same grid is used to provide pressure relief. Think of it like a cloud is cuddling your head.

Removable ‘booster’ layers give the DreamLayer pillow three potential pillow lofts, or heights. Picking the right loft for your sleep style helps prevent neck strain and with the DreamLayer, you can play about with what works for you. As a stomach sleeper, I swiftly ditched the booster. But side sleepers should appreciate the chance to tweak.

Boosters also add support to the pillow, so side sleepers won’t feel like they’re sinking all the way through. It’s a strong all-rounder and while I can’t guarantee it’ll suit every sleep style, it does a good job at appealing to most. Especially with the breathable feel, which prevents overheating and limits night sweats.

The big drawback is the price. The MSRP starts at $229 which puts it at the top end of the premium bracket. But after sleeping on it for over three weeks, I don’t think that should turn you away. Here’s why…

Purple DreamLayer Pillow: Price & deals

I’m a big believer in investing in sleep comfort. But even I’ll admit $229 is a steep price to pay for a pillow. And that’s just for a standard size — you’ll pay $269 for a king.

Purple mattress sales do happen semi-regularly, although they’re notoriously hard to predict. However, patience can bring you a saving. You’re most likely to get money off when you buy two or more pillows, but sometimes Purple does offer discounts on single pillows.

To put the price into context, the top-rated Coop Sleep Goods Original has an MSRP of $89, while the luxury Saatva Latex Pillow has an MSRP of $165.

However, $200+ isn’t a shocking price for a luxury or organic pillow. The Downright Mackenza White Down pillow, for example, is $212 for a firm feel. And Norvegr’s heritage luxury pillows start at $635 in a standard size (but they will refresh your pillow every five years.)

Purple’s benefits are a little limited, with a 30-night sleep trial and a 1-year warranty. In comparison, Coop offers a 100-night trial and a 5-year warranty; among the best you can expect for a pillow.

Purple DreamLayer Pillow: Design & materials

There are quite a few unusual features to the Purple DreamLayer Pillow. We’ll start at the top, where you find Purple’s GelFlex Grid. This is made from hyper-elastic polymer, molded into a grid shape. It’s designed to deliver comfort that adapts to your every curve and it’s found in all Purple mattresses.

Next is the MicroAir Foam. This is attached to the GelFlex Grid and uses “billions of microscopic air capsules” to create airflow and contouring.

Finally, there are two removable layers. These are made from standard polyurethane foam. Adding and removing layers changes both the pillow loft and who the pillow suits, as so:

The cover is made of a stretch knit fabric, which helps you feel the contouring effect of the GelFlex Grid, and can fit over the pillow even with all the boosters in place.

Purple DreamLayer Pillow: Performance

I’ve been using the Purple DreamLayer pillow for over three weeks and I’ve played around with the booster levels to get a good feel for its versatility. Here’s what I’ve found…

Set up

The Purple DreamLayer pillow is delivered flat (no rolling or vacuum packing). One booster layer is pre-inserted, while the other comes loose.

The stretchy fabric of the cover makes it relatively easy to get the layers in and out. That said, you might have to so some poking and prodding at the corners to achieve a perfect fit.

As a stomach sleeper, I had a quick lie down with one booster before taking it out. I imagine most stomach sleepers will follow suit. Back and side sleepers, however, will want to play around with the layers to see what works best for them.

Comfort & support

I was expecting the GelFlex Grid to make the DreamLayer pillow feel bouncy, like latex. But instead it has the ‘hug’ of memory foam. It reminds me of the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud pillow, which uses signature Tempur-Material (AKA the original memory foam) to deliver exceptional cushioning.

To me, the only way to describe it is like a big marshmallow. Your head sinks into the surface as the GelFlex Grid lives up to its name and flexes around the ear, jaw and neck. It’s a slow moving pillow, meaning the materials gently ease themselves back to form when you adjust.

I used a 10lb weight to get an objective look at the sink and response of the DreamLayer pillow. The weight made a deep impression on the surface and when removed after five minutes, it took roughly four seconds for the materials to bounce back. In comparison, the Helix Talalay Latex pillow bounced back immediately.

Adding the boosters does change the feel slightly. The boosters provide support, stopping you from sinking all the way through the foams. That’s good for side sleepers, who will benefit from a higher loft and a firmer feel.

The use of layers, rather than removable fill, creates an even feel throughout (no lumps). I’ve tried all of the DreamLayer’s lofts and as a stomach sleeper, it’s ‘no booster’ that works for me. Add on the sink-in feel and it’s just right when lying on my front. This is the feel I suspect will appeal most to back sleepers as well.

One booster was my preferred loft for side sleeping, as this neatly filled the gap between my shoulder and the bed. However, those with a larger build might prefer to layer their boosters. My dad, a perennial pillow stacker, went for maximum loft when I passed it on to him.

Temperature control

No one likes a sweaty head when they’re trying to sleep. The Purple DreamLayer Pillow aims to counteract this with the breathable GelFlex Grid and MicroAir foam. These materials are designed to enhance airflow, so body heat doesn’t build up in the night.

I was impressed with how well the DreamLayer Pillow regulated the temperature, even though it was holding my head in a deep hug. Soft memory foam pillows tend to be heat traps but while the Purple pillow wasn’t cool to the touch, it didn’t feel particularly warm.

There is one issue, however. We’re all familiar with ‘flipping to the cool side’ but that’s not an option with the DreamLayer pillow (unless you want to sacrifice the GelFlex Grid). On very warm nights, I can see this causing an issue. For something that stays neutral all over, try a latex build like the Bearaby SoftForm pillow.

Purple DreamLayer Pillow: Durability & care

When you’re dropping upwards of $200 on a pillow, you want it to stay in top condition for as long as possible. Here’s everything you need to know about what to expect from the DreamLayer…

Build quality

The DreamLayer’s base of MicroAir foam and GelFlex grid has a dense feel that suggests a high quality build. It’s the booster layers that seem more prone to wear and tear, due to their thin build and basic foam.

If you do take one (or both) boosters out, I recommend keeping the spare properly stored. That way when your pillow does start to lose its oomph, you can extend the lifespan slightly by swapping or adding a booster.

It’s worth noting that while the DreamLayer pillow has an overall high user score (4.1/5 at Purple), negative reviews often note a lack of durability.

Care and maintenance

The stretch knit cover can be removed and machine washed separately. Purple recommends machine washing on warm and air drying flat.

The core pillow and the booster layers are spot clean only. This isn’t unusual for a pillow but it does mean a bit more work when it comes to keeping it clean (some pillows can be machine washed). However, thanks to that GelFlex grid you shouldn’t see as much sweat and oil build-up on the pillow itself.

Purple DreamLayer Pillow: Should you buy it?

Considering the high price tag of the Purple DreamLayer pillow, you’ll want to be certain that this design will suit you before you invest. The multi-layered build makes the decision slightly easier: with pillow lofts of 5″, 6″, and 7″, you can pretty much adapt the DreamLayer to any sleep need.

The squishy feel of the GelFlex Grid and MicroAir foam delivers buckets of cushioning. It’s a dream if you want a pillow like a giant marshmallow. The sink-in comfort also helps reduce pressure build-up at the jaw and ear, while the optional booster layers allow you to adjust the support to your needs.

A deep hug can often result in heat build-up in a pillow (see: the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud). However, the DreamLayer effectively dissipates warmth to create a comfortable, neutral feel during the night. It’s a shame you can’t flip it, though, to find the cool side on very hot nights.

There aren’t many people I wouldn’t recommend this pillow to. It really is a great all-rounder and the luxurious feel helps justify the cost. If you’re willing to invest, you’ll get an exceptional pillow for your money. But if you don’t want to splash the cash, you can find decent alternatives at a lower price.

Purple DreamLayer Pillow: Alternatives

community guidelines.

” data-join-the-conversation-text=”Join the Conversation”>

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.