Buying Guides

What Mattress Is Comparable to a Stearns & Foster? [+ Why Purple Is the Best]

  •  Tyler Wright Senior Product Manager
    Last Updated
    September 9, 2024
    10
    min read

    Our Picks: Wondering what mattress is comparable to a Stearns & Foster? We believe Purple’s Restore Hybrid and Rejuvenate Luxe collections are the best alternatives, offering comparable levels of support and contoured pressure relief with added breathability for a superior sleep experience.

    Stearns & Foster has earned its customers’ trust after 175 years of operation, but traditional innerspring beds and memory foam hybrid mattresses at luxury prices have led some shoppers to consider alternatives.

    So, what mattress is comparable to a Stearns & Foster? The following companies offer some of the best alternatives to Stearns & Foster:

    1. Purple 
    2. Saatva
    3. Sealy
    4. Nectar
    5. Casper
    6. Tempur-Pedic
    7. Beautyrest
    8. DreamCloud
    9. Helix
    10. WinkBeds

    In this guide, we’ll focus on the best Purple mattresses to consider as Stearns & Foster alternatives, highlighting Purple’s unique sleep technology and unparalleled features. Purple mattresses expertly combine breathable comfort and full-body support with innovative sleep technology that outshines most traditional mattresses.

    Methodology: To identify the best Stearns & Foster alternatives, we compared the benefits of each mattress model from Stearns & Foster to Purple’s mattresses. We considered features such as mattress construction, support, comfort, cooling, and more.

    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 Stearns & Foster Alternatives

    Finding the best alternative means comparing Stearns & Foster mattresses with other options, and Purple is the top pick with similar features and benefits. Purple mattresses offer the same benefits of memory foam mattresses without retaining too much body heat or making sleepers feel trapped in their beds.

    With revolutionary sleep technology and innovative designs, Purple mattresses offer a superior sleep experience with enhanced comfort, adaptive support, and improved airflow.

    Stearns & Foster Model

    Stearns & Foster Alternative

    Stearns & Foster Studio Mattress

    Purple Restore™ Hybrid Mattress

    Stearns & Foster Estate Mattress

    Purple RestorePlus™ Hybrid Mattress

    Stearns & Foster Lux Estate Mattress

    Purple RestorePremier™ Hybrid Mattress

    Stearns & Foster Lux Hybrid Mattress

    Purple RejuvenatePlus™ Mattress 

    Stearns & Foster Reserve Mattress

    Purple RejuvenatePremier™ Mattress

    Comparison of Stearns & Foster vs. Purple mattress features and company policies.

    While Stearns & Foster has built a reputation for high-quality, luxury mattresses, their sleep technology is more traditional with memory foam and coils, where Purple features the innovative GelFlex® Grid, designed to maximize your comfort. Slumber Search recommends Purple over Stearns & Foster, rating Purple mattresses higher for valuepain reliefprice range, and customer satisfaction.1 

    As one of the best Stearns & Foster and Sleep Number alternatives, Purple provides high-value mattresses with proprietary materials unlike any other options on the market. Purple mattresses help relieve pressure, support spinal alignment, and keep your body at a comfortable temperature all night long without manual adjustments or the trapped sensation of memory foam.

    1. Purple Restore™ Hybrid

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

    Alternative for: Stearns & Foster Studio Mattress

    The Stearns & Foster Studio Mattress is the company’s basic model, though it still offers the luxury features the brand is known for, like ventilated, responsive innersprings and an optional pillow top.

    The Purple Restore™ Hybrid Mattress provides the same structured support as the Studio Mattress with Comfort Foam, edge support, and our proprietary temperature-balancing GelFlex® Grid for a more comfortable sleep experience. Models from the Restore Hybrid collection are great alternatives to Tempur-Pedic as well as Stearns & Foster.

    • Feel: Two feel options
    • Key Features: Up to 2x cooler* than competitors, responsive support, and soothing pressure relief
    • Materials: 2” GelFlex® Grid, Comfort Foam, Edge-to-Edge Coil Support System, 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 Restore™ Hybrid Mattress is simultaneously responsive and supportive to enhance your comfort with award-winning pressure relief, earning it recognition from sources like:

    • Forbes: Best Pressure-Relieving Mattress for Side Sleepers2
    • CNET: Best Hybrid Mattress3
    • Forbes: Best Hybrid Mattress (Without Fiberglass)4
    • People: Best for Side Sleepers5

    “My husband and I love this bed. I had hip pain and he had back pain before getting this mattress. Now that we are sleeping on the Purple mattress we are both pain free and sleep wonderfully. Highly recommend.” — Mady B., Purple Restore™ 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: Stearns & Foster Estate Mattress

    Where the Stearns & Foster Estate Mattress is another hybrid mattress with memory foam and responsive innersprings, the Purple RestorePlus™ Hybrid Mattress elevates the hybrid experience to support every inch of your body with superior airflow and pressure relief.

    • Feel: Two feel options
    • Key Features: Up to 3x cooler* than competitors, advanced pressure relief, targeted support
    • Materials: Zoned Edge-to-Edge Coil Support System, 3” GelFlex® Grid, Ultra Comfort Foam, antimicrobial and Moisture-Wicking Cover
    • 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 RestorePlus™ offers exceptional pressure relief and support, earning it the following awards:

    • Forbes: Best Cooling Mattress in a Box6
    • Forbes: Best Mattress For Side Sleepers With Neck and Shoulder Pain7
    • Good Housekeeping: Best Mattress for Heavy People With Back Pain8
    • Forbes: Best Tempur-Adapt LuxeAdapt Alternative9

    “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 RestorePremier™ Hybrid Mattress 

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

    Alternative for: Stearns & Foster Lux Estate Mattress

    Stearns & Foster’s Lux Estate Mattress adds 15% more comfort materials that comes with a steep price increase, pairing ventilated coils with layers of memory foam used in mattresses from its sister brand, Tempur-Pedic. But the Purple RestorePremier™ Hybrid Mattress maximizes the comfort and support of a hybrid mattress.

    If you’re worried about new mattress back pain, the GelFlex® Grid instantly adapts to your body and cradles your pressure points, where memory foam may need time to adjust and could put added pressure on sensitive areas in the meantime.

    • Feel: Two feel options
    • Key Features: Up to 4x* cooler than competitors, temperature balancing, dynamic support, exceptional pressure point relief
    • Materials: CoolFlexTM Coils, Advanced Edge Support System, Ultra Comfort Foam, 3” GelFlex® Grid, antimicrobial finish, Moisture-Wicking Cover
    • 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.

    The Purple RestorePremier™ Hybrid Mattress elevates the idea of hybrid mattresses with innovative sleep technology designed to enhance your sleep quality, earning it recognition from the following publications:

    • Good Housekeeping: Best Overall Cooling Mattress10
    • Men’s Health: Best Cooling Mattress Overall11
    • PopSugar: Best Mattress for Side Sleepers12
    • The Spruce: Best Mattress for Side Sleepers13
    • Forbes: Best Mattress for Pressure Relief for Fibromyalgia14

    “This bed has been great for helping me get a better quality of sleep after a long hard day at work. I wake up refreshed with all my fatigue washed away. I would 100% recommend this product to my friends and family.” — Spencer A., Purple RestorePremier™ review 

    4. Purple RejuvenatePlus™ Mattress

    Purple’s RejuvenatePlus™ on an adjustable base in an airy, contemporary bedroom.

    Alternative for: Stearns & Foster Lux Hybrid Mattress

    With the GelFlex® Grid Plus, zoned Edge-to-Edge Coils, and Active Response Comfort Foam, the Purple RejuvenatePlus™ Mattress instantly adapts as you move. Offering ample support, best-in-class cooling, and soothing pressure relief, the RejuvenatePlus™ is a great alternative to the Lux Hybrid Mattress.

    • Feel: Soft
    • Key Features: Zoned body support, dreamy softness, minimal motion transfer with advanced conforming layers
    • Materials: 2.5” High-Density GelFlex® Grid Plus, 8” 3-Zone Coil Core, Active Responsive Comfort Foam, Ultra Comfort Foam, Quilted Euro Top
    • Sizes: Twin XL, queen, king, California king, split king
    • Price: $$$-$$$$

    While the Lux Hybrid features memory foam, pocketed coils, and visible air channels along the sides of the mattress, the Purple RejuvenatePlus™ offers breathability and soothing pressure relief in a luxurious model, earning it awards like:

    • House Beautiful: Best Overall Cooling Mattress15
    • Cosmopolitan: Best Luxury Mattress for Back and Neck Pain16
    • The Spruce: Best Splurge Mattress17
    • People: Best Soft Mattress18

    “Absolutely the best mattress I've ever slept on. Very comfortable. No matter what position you sleep in, I absolutely recommend it to everybody I talk to.” — Robin D., Purple RejuvenatePlus™ review

    5. Purple RejuvenatePremier™ Mattress

    Key features of the Purple RejuvenatePremier™ mattress shown with the bed on an upholstered bedframe in a contemporary bedroom.

    Alternative for: Stearns & Foster Reserve Mattress

    If you’re looking for luxury, the Purple RejuvenatePremier™ Mattress is the ultimate indulgence and a perfect alternative to the Stearns & Foster Reserve Mattress.

    Both are considered luxury mattresses, so if you’re wondering how much to spend on a mattress, these options tend to come with a higher price tag. But with exceptional comfort, support, and indulgent features, the Purple RejuvenatePremier™ is especially worth the investment.

    • Feel: Medium
    • Key Features: 50% more GelFlex® Grid Plus between two layers, zoned support, ultimate comfort
    • Materials: High-Density GelFlex® Grid Plus, Talalay latex foam, dual layers of Ultra Comfort Foam, 8" 5-Zone Coil Core, Active Response Comfort Foam, Quilted Euro top
    • Sizes: Twin XL, queen, king, California king, split king
    • Price: $$$-$$$$

    Our most indulgent, luxurious model, the Purple RejuvenatePremier™ has earned the following awards:

    • Health: Most Comfortable Mattress19
    • The Spruce: Best Euro Top Mattress20
    • Health: Best Splurge Cooling Mattress21
    • The Spruce: Best Splurge Hybrid Mattress22
    • Amerisleep: Best Luxury Mattress23

    “This mattress is heaven. I cannot remember the last time I had a perfect nights sleep. No tossing… no turning… no waking up during the night to go sleep on the couch. My husband has a bad back and he has seen some improvement with comfort during the night. This in and of itself was worth the money spent. We both actually feel rested when we wake up.” — Renee W., Purple RejuvenatePremier™ reviews

    8 Reasons To Choose a Purple vs. Stearns & Foster Mattress

    If you’re wondering whether Stearns & Foster mattresses are worth the money, the truth is that it depends on your unique needs and preferences. For some sleepers, the risk of heat retention, premature sagging, and feeling like you’re sinking into your mattress make mattresses from Stearns & Foster less appealing.

    Purple mattresses feature proprietary materials and sleep technology designed to keep you cool, adapt to your body, isolate motion, and relieve pressure for a wide range of sleepers, making them a great alternative to memory foam-hybrid options from Stearns & Foster.

    8 reasons Purple mattresses are the best Stearns & Foster alternative with a photo of the Purple RestorePlus™.

    1. Supportive Sleep Technology

    The GelFlex® Grid is soft and supportive with more than 1,400 air channels to dissipate heat from your skin, making it a cooler alternative to Leesa, Stearns & Foster, and other memory foam mattresses. Like memory foam, the GelFlex® Grid relieves pressure by adapting to your body, but Purple mattresses instantly adapt as you move, providing targeted support and relief where you need it most.

    2. Ultra Cooling

    Unlike memory foam models, Purple mattresses feature the GelFlex® Grid, promoting a temperature-neutral sleep environment by drawing heat from your skin. Increased airflow promotes an optimal sleep temperature so you don’t wake up sweating every night, and mattresses from the Restore Hybrid Collection have been tested to sleep up to 4x cooler* than leading competitors.

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

    If you’re stuck between latex and memory foam, latex mattresses tend to sleep cooler. But if you want a bed that elevates your sleep experience, keeps you cool, and maximizes your comfort, opt for a Purple mattress instead.

    3. Responsive Coil System 

    Purple’s hybrid mattresses feature responsive coils that adapt to your body while isolating motion for fewer sleep interruptions. Compared to traditional innersprings, Purple’s responsive coil system offers quiet, comfortable, adaptive support as you move.

    Paired with the GelFlex® Grid, the responsive pocketed coil system provides incredible support with even weight distribution, shifting as you move for maximum comfort and support. 

    Comparison of Purple’s responsive coils and traditional innersprings for support, durability, noise, and motion transfer.

    4. Superior Motion Isolation 

    Memory foam mattresses tend to perform well with motion isolation. But combined with bouncy coils, some hybrid mattresses may allow too much motion transfer, resulting in disrupted sleep if you or your partner frequently change positions overnight. With this in mind, the best mattress for couples is often one that makes it easy to shift in bed without moving your partner.

    The GelFlex® Grid, along with cushioning comfort layers, offers ample motion isolation, cradling your body as you move and evenly distributing your weight to prevent unnecessary interruptions. Responsive coils and the GelFlex® Grid make it easier to shift your position without waking yourself up or jostling your partner, meaning you can get more restful sleep in whatever position is most comfortable.

    5. Compatible With an Adjustable Base

    You don’t need a special mattress for an adjustable bed, but you do need a compatible one. Both Purple and Stearns & Foster offer mattresses that can pair with an adjustable base, allowing custom sleep angles to improve relaxation and comfort.

    Purple adjustable bases are compatible with most mattresses, but the Stearns & Foster base only specifies compatibility with their own mattresses, which may limit your options.

    6. Better Pressure Relief  

    Compared to memory foam, the GelFlex® Grid provides a tailored feel without making you feel like you’re sinking. Purple mattresses contour around pressure points like your hips and shoulders while supporting the natural curve of your spine for ultimate comfort. With even weight distribution, full-body support, and a cradled feel, the GelFlex® Grid instantly adapts to your body, contouring where you need the most relief.

    7. Ideal for All Sleep Positions

    The instantly adaptive GelFlex® Grid provides the support and pressure relief most sleepers need, dispersing your weight and cradling pressure points to maximize your comfort. Whether you’re a devout side sleeper or you mix it up every night, Purple mattresses can comfortably accommodate most sleepers regardless of weight or preferred sleep style.

    Sleepopolis reports that Purple mattresses accumulate minimal pressure buildup in any sleep position, providing ample relief.24 The Purple Restore Hybrid Collection is especially suitable for a variety of sleeping styles, responding to your movements to provide relief where you need it most.

    If you’re searching for the best Stearns & Foster mattress for a side sleeper, consider the Purple RestorePremier™. With a combination of the innovative GelFlex® Grid and responsive coils, comfort layers, and added support, the RestorePremier™ can help relieve shoulder pain from side sleeping while promoting spinal alignment and keeping you cool.

    8. More Mattress Options

    Purple is committed to providing you with a selection of high-quality sleep solutions to meet your unique needs. With nine mattresses across three collections, Purple offers mattresses that vary in feel, thickness, construction, and features so you can choose the option that’s best for you.

    At this time, Stearns & Foster only offers five different mattresses, four of which are hybrid models. While each mattress has some unique features, the biggest difference across their offerings is price. On the other hand, the different Purple mattresses feature the same proprietary materials with enough variety to appeal to individual sleep needs and preferences.

    So whether you’re shopping for a simple sleep solution or you’re eager to invest in a luxurious sleep experience, Purple has a mattress for you.

    Stearns & Foster vs. Purple: Which Is Right for You?

    So, what mattress is comparable to a Stearns & Foster? It largely depends on the model, but Purple mattresses offer similar levels of comfort, pressure relief, and support as Stearns & Foster mattresses — without the downsides of memory foam.

    Depending on your preferences, you may find a Stearns & Foster mattress comfortable. But if you don’t like the conforming feel of memory foam or you’re prone to sleeping hot, try one of the best cooling mattresses from Purple for incredible pressure relief, support for spinal alignment, and unparalleled comfort every night.

    RestorePlus Mattress

    Comfort for Every Position

    The GelFlex® Grid instantly adapts to your body, cradling pressure points and supporting your spine no matter your sleep position.

    FAQ

    Stearns & Foster offers a 10-year warranty on their mattresses, primarily applying to defects from the manufacturer, but how long a mattress lasts depends on several factors including materials used, construction quality, and mattress care.

    Their website acknowledges that a quality mattress should last between eight and 10 years, but some reviews report that their mattresses may be prone to premature sagging.

    Stearns & Foster mattresses weigh between about 50 for their smallest and lightest bed to 180 pounds for their largest and heaviest bed, according to their website. Purple mattresses have similar mattress weights, ranging from a twin Purple Mattress® at 65 pounds to a split king RejuvenatePremier™ mattress at 262 pounds (131 pounds per side).

    Mattress weight doesn’t always correspond to quality, but mattresses with substantial support and comfort layers tend to weigh more than simpler models.

    Stearns & Foster is owned by parent company Tempur-Sealy, which also owns the Sealy and Tempur-Pedic mattress brands. Some Stearns & Foster mattresses feature memory foam developed for Tempur-Pedic mattresses, offering a traditional innerspring structure with layers of conforming foam on top.

    If you enjoy a memory foam hybrid bed and feel confident in the company’s reputation, Stearns & Foster may be a good option — the company’s been around for over 175 years for good reason! But before deciding to buy from this brand, you should consider the pros and cons of Stearns & Foster mattresses.

    Pros

    • Company has a good reputation after more than 175 years in business
    • Range of comfort feels available from soft to firm
    • Hand-crafted luxury options
    • Free white glove delivery service

    Cons

    • Premium prices for a high-end brand
    • Memory foam may make sleepers feel constrained if they sink too much
    • Memory foam can also trap heat, making sleepers sweat
    • Memory foam mattresses are more prone to premature sagging than other mattress types
    • Returns require an additional fee of $175

    Ultimately, whether a Stearns & Foster mattress is right for you depends on your unique preferences and sleep needs. Consider the features and benefits you want from your mattress making a decision, and opt for a bed that feels comfortable and fully supports your body.

    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. 

    Tyler Wright Senior Product Manager
    Tyler Wright
    Sr. Product Manager

    Tyler Wright is a Senior Product Manager of mattresses. With over 10 years of experience in product development, he is dedicated to developing innovative products that enhance and improve lives. At Purple that means building products that help people get the best sleep ever.