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If you’ve wondered what the difference is between the Puffy Mattress vs the Tuft and Needle, you’re in the right place.
Finding the best mattress can be tricky, and on the surface, the Puffy Mattress and Tuft and Needle are very similar. They’re both made from foam, and they’re both medium firm. They can both be used on any type of surface. So how can you tell which one is best for you?
We’ll be taking a look at both mattresses, including their materials and feel and construction, so you can get an idea of which one will suit you best.
Let’s start with the main differences, so you can quickly see how they compare to each other.
Main Differences Between Puffy Mattress vs Tuft and Needle
Here are the main differences between the Puffy Mattress and Tuft and Needle:
- The Puffy Mattress is more expensive, whereas Tuft and Needle is cheaper
- The Puffy Mattress cradles you, whereas the Tuft and Needle has a bit more resistance
- The Puffy Mattress isn’t suitable for stomach sleepers, whereas the Tuft and Needle is suitable for all sleeping positions
- The Puffy Mattress isn’t good for heavier sleepers, whereas the Tuft and Needle isn’t comfortable for lighter sleepers
- The Puffy Mattress may be good for back pain, whereas the Tuft and Needle isn’t as cushioned or comfortable for back pain
Puffy Mattress vs Tuft and Needle: The Mattresses Compared
Let’s take a look at both mattresses in more detail, so we can compare them in terms of comfort, materials, and construction.
Puffy Mattress
Materials and Feel
The Puffy Mattress is the flagship mattress for the brand Puffy, and it’s a popular best-seller.
Puffy uses different types of foam for the construction (which we’ll get into in more detail in the next section). The top layer of comfort foam includes a gel-infused ‘Cooling Cloud’ foam, which is good for temperature regulation.
It also has transition foam, which is temperature-resistant, denser than memory foam, as well as contoured support foam. This makes it an ideal solution for side sleepers, as it compresses at pressure points like the hip and shoulder. It curves a little to support the waist, too.
The Puffy mattress is medium-firm. Thanks to the contouring, it feels as though you’re being cradled, so it’s a comforting mattress to sleep on. Very hot sleepers might find this a bit suffocating, but the cooling layers on top do seem to help to combat this.
While it feels great for lightweight sleepers, offering just the right amount of support and comfort, sleepers over 230lbs may find it to be too soft to offer the right amount of support at night – heavier sleepers may want to look for something thicker than the Puffy (at 10 inches thick, this is about average for a mattress, but there are thicker options out there which may mitigate sinkage for those over 230lbs).
It’s also not a great one for stomach sleepers. The softness of this mattress can cause the hips to sink out of alignment, which can cause back pain over time.
Despite the excellent support this mattress provides, which may help if you suffer from joint or back pain, it still feels soft and comfortable to sleep on. The stain-resistant cover is a helpful bonus, too. You can zip it off, throw it in the wash, and put it back on again easily. The cover is Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Certified, too. This means that the cover has been tested for harmful substances.
It’s a good choice for couples. It has great motion isolation, meaning you won’t disturb your partner if you need to get up at night.
Construction
Let’s take a closer look at how this mattress is made:
- Comfort layer – 2” of soft comfort foam, infused with cooling gel (known as the ‘Cooling Cloud’ layer)
- Transition layer – 2” of temperature-resistant polyfoam (known as the ‘Climate Comfort’ layer)
- Support layer – 6” of high-density polyfoam (known as the ‘Firm Core Support’ layer)
The useful thing about the Puffy mattress is that it can be used on any surface, including box springs, flat frames, slats, and adjustable frames.
The Puffy mattress does suffer from a bit of off-gassing when unboxed (which is common for most foam mattresses – they tend to emit a strong smell, which is a natural process due to the release of chemicals when unrolled). The smell will dissipate after a couple of days.
Tuft and Needle
Materials and Feel
The Tuft and Needle Original Mattress is the flagship mattress offered by Tuft and Needle.
It uses some great cooling materials in the top layers. Graphite helps to conduct heat away from you, while ceramic gel beads help to wick away heat. The foam itself is designed with an open-cell construction, which makes it a very breathable mattress to sleep on. It’s also cooling, despite being made from foam. If you normally sleep hot on a foam mattress, you might find some relief with the Tuft and Needle.
The main foam – Tuft and Needle Adaptive Foam – was designed by chemists, to provide great support and comfort. It’s also durable, which is especially great given the price (but more on that a little later).
Interestingly, the cover is made from soft-knit fabric which feels cozy and comfortable, and you can choose to include HeiQ NPJ03 (a substance with strong antiviral and antibacterial properties). The cover can’t be removed and requires spot cleaning instead.
The Tuft and Needle is a medium-firm mattress. It feels comforting to sleep on but won’t allow you to sink too deeply. It doesn’t cradle the body in the same way that the Puffy mattress does. It has a little more ‘bounce’ to it. If you were to press your hand into the Tuft and Needle, it would bounce back more quickly than it would if you were to do the same to the Puffy mattress.
This mattress works best for average weight sleepers. Those weighing under 130lbs may experience a bit of pressure, especially in the shoulder area (lightweight sleepers will be better off looking for something a little softer – like the Puffy mattress). If you’re over 130lbs, you should find this mattress comfortable without the worry of pressure points developing.
It’s also a good mattress for couples. Like the Puffy mattress, it has great motion isolation.
Construction
Here’s a breakdown of how the Tuft and Needle is constructed:
- Comfort layer – 3” of low-density polyfoam, infused with cooling gel and graphite
- Support layer – 7” of high-density polyfoam
The Tuft and Needle can be used with most frames, including traditional frames, box springs, platform frames, slatted frames, and adjustable frames.
Like the Puffy mattress, it also suffers from off-gassing, which should dissipate after a few days.
Puffy Mattress vs Tuft and Needle – Warranties and Test Times
Both Puffy and Tuft and Needle offer decent warranties. Puffy offers a 101-night sleep trial and a lifetime warranty for the original owner. Meanwhile, Tuft and Needle offers a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year limited warranty.
| Brand | Trial period | Warranty |
| Puffy | 101 nights | Lifetime |
| Tuft and Needle | 100 nights | 10 years |
It’s best to try your mattress for 30 nights, to get a feel for whether it works for you. You may experience a little discomfort initially, as your body adjusts to the new mattress. If you find you are still experiencing pain or discomfort after those 30 days, you can request a refund.
The great thing about Puffy is that they donate any returned mattresses to charity. This means that you can be assured that your mattress is going to someone who needs it rather than being wasted.
Puffy Mattress vs Tuft and Needle – Prices
It’s always a good idea to have a budget in mind before you start mattress shopping. The bigger the mattress, the more expensive it will be. However, all-foam mattresses (like Puffy and Tuft and Needle) do tend to be a bit cheaper than hybrid mattresses.
Price Comparison
So how do they compare in terms of pricing? Well, the Puffy is quite a lot more expensive than the Tuft and Needle. The Puffy is (at the time of writing) over $500 more expensive than the Tuft and Needle (for the Queen size). If you want the antimicrobial coating for the Tuft and Needle, that will set you back an extra $50. Even so, it’s a lot cheaper.
Is the Puffy worth the extra money? It depends on what you’re looking for. The lifetime warranty, long sleep trial, and great quality justify the price in our opinion. However, the Tuft and Needle is also durable and comfortable and still offers a good warranty. It will come down to what you’re looking for in terms of feel.
Puffy Mattress vs Tuft and Needle – Who are These Mattresses Best for?
How can you decide which one is best for you? Here’s a quick summary of who they are best for:
Puffy
As we mentioned, the original Puffy mattress is popular for a good reason. It’s expensive in comparison to the Tuft and Needle, but it’s versatile, and you’ll have plenty of time to test it out with the sleep trial.
If you’re a side sleeper or a back sleeper, and you weigh under 230lbs, the chances are you’ll get on well with the Puffy. If you like the feeling of being softly cradled as you sleep, it’s a great choice. It offers excellent pressure relief for side sleepers, and despite the soft cozy feeling, it doesn’t get particularly hot compared to some other foam mattresses out there.
The addition of a removable cover is a great bonus too, from a hygiene perspective.
However, if you’re a stomach sleeper or a heavier sleeper, we wouldn’t recommend the Puffy. There are more supportive mattresses out there that will provide you with the right amount of support.
Recap: You Should Love the Puffy Mattress If You …
- Are a side sleeper
- Are part of a couple – thanks to great motion isolation
- Want to invest in a long-lasting mattress with a good warranty
- Are a lighter sleeper
- You enjoy the feeling of being cradled by your mattress
Tuft and Needle
What about the Tuft and Needle? Just because it’s cheaper than the Puffy doesn’t necessarily mean the quality is bad. It’s a supportive, durable mattress, with a decent warranty and a 100-night sleep trial to test it out. If you’re on a tighter budget, it’s a good choice.
The Tuft and Needle is ideal for those who want a bit more resistance from their mattress. You won’t feel as though you’re sinking into the Tuft and Needle (especially in comparison to the Puffy). It ideally suits those over 130lbs, as it offers good support. It works well for side sleepers, back sleepers, and stomach sleepers. If you normally sleep hot on foam mattresses, you should find that the cooling materials used help to wick heat away from you.
It’s also a great one for couples, as it also has excellent motion isolation. You won’t have to worry about disturbing your partner if you don’t sleep well at night.
Lighter sleepers might want to steer clear of this one – you might find it doesn’t offer the right amount of softness for you.
Recap: You Should Love the Tuft and Needle If …
- You have a slightly smaller budget but still want a high-quality mattress
- You don’t like the feeling of sinking too much into your mattress
- You are a side, stomach, or back sleeper
- You are a couple
- You’re a hot sleeper
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the most commonly asked questions about the Puffy or Tuft and Needle:
Answer: Unfortunately, you can’t try out the Puffy without ordering one online. They don’t have any brick-and-mortar stores, which is where the sleep trial comes in handy.
Some stores – like certain branches of Lowe’s – do carry the Tuft and Needle mattress, so you can see it in person. Their website has a directory of stores that carry their mattresses.
Answer: This depends on the kind of back pain you have. Medium-firm mattresses tend to be good for back pain in general, and both the Puffy and the Tuft and Needle are classed as medium-firm. The Puffy is good for cradling you, keeping your spine aligned.
The Tuft and Needle may not be as well suited to you if you suffer from back pain. While it offers good support, the polyurethane foam doesn’t offer the same cushioning to reduce back pain.
It is a personal decision, which is where sleep trials come in handy – both companies allow you to return their mattresses if they do cause or worsen back pain.
Answer: Not always!
As a general rule, you do get what you pay for, and the same applies to mattresses. Many higher-priced mattresses are made from excellent quality materials and designed using the latest technology. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean the most expensive mattress will be the right one for you.
There are many variables involved in finding the best mattress for you – not just materials, but firmness, construction, and thickness. A great mid-priced mattress could be better for you than the most expensive one on the market, which is why it’s always worth doing some research before you buy.
Answer: There are a few mattresses you may want to check out:
• Amerisleep AS4 – this is another medium-firm mattress with excellent support for side sleepers. It’s made with eco-friendly, cooling memory foam, with extra cushioning around the hip and shoulder area. You can find out more about it in our Amerisleep A4 Review.
• Dynasty – slightly thicker at 12”, this is another great medium-firm memory foam mattress with five layers. It can accommodate any sleeping position, which is great. Read more about it in our Dynasty Mattress Review.
• Purple – the Purple mattress is a little thinner at 9.5”, and while it’s classed as medium-firm, it leans a little more towards the firm side. It has great motion isolation, too. You can find out more about it in our Purple vs Nectar Mattress Comparison.
Puffy Mattress vs Tuft and Needle – Which is Best for You?
There’s a lot to love about both mattresses. They’re durable, comfortable, and cool to sleep on, which is especially great considering they are made from foam. Both offer different things, so it’s worth bearing that in mind. Stomach sleepers or heavier sleepers may be better off with the Tuft and Needle, whereas lighter sleepers and side sleepers might prefer the Puffy mattress.
If we had to pick one, we’d go for the Puffy, mostly because of the great customer service and lifetime warranty. It’s durable and should remain comfortable for a long time, making it a great investment for the price.
If you want to find out more, you can see how both mattresses stack up against their competitors in our comparisons: