In-depth Comparison (2024): Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud Pillow vs. Purple Harmony Pillow

Solid Memory Foam

The Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud Pillow is a solid memory foam pillow, which means the loft isn't adjustable. The Tempur-Pedic memory foam is also incredibly soft. For side-sleepers and back-sleepers, this memory foam will likely be too soft in my opinion. For stomach sleepers, who might prefer a thinner and softer pillow, the Tempur-Pedic works perfectly.

The quality of the memory foam is noticeable. When compressed all the way down, the Tempur-Pedic memory foam takes about 3 seconds to bounce back to the original shape, as if it were bouncing back in slow motion.

The foam is much softer compared to the Weekender and Pillow Cube, which are also solid memory foam pillows. I measure all three of these solid memory foam pillows at a 5-inch starting loft. When I lay my head down, the Tempur-Pedic compresses halfway while the Weekender compresses only slightly and the Pillow Cube barely has any noticeable compression, so the Tempur-Pedic ends up effectively thinner. The compression provides a very comfortable sinking feeling for people who enjoy that aspect of a pillow.

I've slept on the Tempur-Pedic pillow in all three positions. As a side-sleeper and back-sleeper, this pillow does not provide enough support for my preferences. My head just sinks down. However, this pillow feels like magic when sleeping on my stomach. I usually hug the pillow vertically so that half my body is on top of the pillow. The Tempur-Pedic will compress more for my body than my head, which is lighter, and the result is a very comfortable incline.

The pillow has a removable cover that feels well-constructed. Where the Weekender and Pillow Cube covers are thin by comparison, the Tempur-Pedic pillow cover is best described as substantial. Based on the feel of the memory foam and the feel of the pillow cover, I'd consider the Tempur-Pedic to have a higher quality construction compared to the Weekender and Pillow Cube.

I highly recommend this option for stomach sleepers. Side-sleepers and back-sleepers, though, need to be aware that this pillow won't have the support they might expect. I see mixed reviews for this pillow, and I suspect it's because the five-star reviews are more likely to be stomach sleepers who prefer a thinner pillow while the one-star reviews are more likely to be side-sleepers and back-sleepers.

Solid Latex Foam

The Purple Harmony Pillow has a very unique feel since it is made of latex foam on the inside and a rubber-like grid built into its cover. The material is fun to squeeze because it is bouncy and squishy, but what makes a good stress ball doesn't necessarily make a good pillow. For back sleepers particularly worried about sweating, the Purple Harmony Pillow is worth trying, but I wouldn't recommend the pillow due to the bounciness.

When I lie down on the pillow, I am distinctly reminded of a water balloon. It is soft enough to squish down and compress, but the elasticity of the latex foam means that my head bounces back. I'll also feel a small trembling vibration make its way through the pillow, not unlike the feeling of water swashing back and forth. Every time I shift my weight on the pillow, the pillow will jiggle. Because I shift my weight occasionally as I fall asleep, the wobbling of the pillow will snap me back awake. I've had several instances where I was close to falling asleep only to be brought back to attention from the wobble. Nevertheless, I do eventually fall asleep, so the pillow doesn't completely prevent me from sleeping.

The signature Purple Grid can be found in the cover of the pillow. The substance of the grid feels like a gel-grip pen. It is fun to squeeze, but when I lay my head on it, I mostly just feel the latex foam underneath. The latex foam is what gives the bounce. The grid serves mainly to provide aeration since solid foam pillows tend to trap heat and sweat against the sleeper. In my experience, I find the grid to be pretty effective in preventing sweat build-up, but if heat and sweat is a concern, down and down alternative pillows tend to be better for breathability than solid foam pillows in general.

The Purple Harmony Pillow comes in three different loft levels, but the options are separated by one inch each, according to the Purple website at my time of purchase. Though I appreciate the different options, a one inch difference is the difference between a size 6 and a size 9 shoe (for both men and women), and I'd prefer a fully adjustable pillow that can accommodate sizes in between. Because the Purple Harmony Pillow is not adjustable, I wouldn't recommend it for side-sleepers.

Overall, I consider the Purple Harmony Pillow a novelty experience akin to a water bed. It's fun to try once, but I don't want to sleep on it regularly. I would not consider it worth purchasing again at the price point that I paid.