Puffy Royal Mattress Review According To A 25 Year Veteran Mattress Manufacturer And Expert
My Puffy Royal Mattress review takes a serious, under the hood look at the popular 14″ foam and pocketed coil hybrid mattress pitched as “cloud like” and medium in feel (softer rather than firm).
Right out of the gate, I found it to be lofty and plush, and it’s outfitted with 7 layers of foam, a quilted pillow top and an underlying coil suspension, that sells for $2399 in queen, and $2699 in king.
The company offers a lifetime warranty, a 120 night no questions asked trial, and it’s made in the USA from certified safer and less toxic foams.
I tested the king size version, and since I’ve designed similar mattresses myself, I wanted to see how it performed for pressure and pain relief, supportive spine alignment, and whether or not it improved or worsened my sleep hygiene.
My 14″ Tall King Size Puffy Royal Arrived In A Box, And Was Surprisingly Easy To Setup
I get into spirited detail below on all of the components used in The Puffy Royal Mattress, but first let me show you how my Puffy Royal Mattress sample arrived. Since it was king size (76″ x 80″), it was delivered directly to my front door, and I simply shimmied the box into our sleep lab and into our test room.
The box was a little banged up at the corners, but the mattress itself was thoroughly packaged and wrapped in tons of shrink wrap and thick packaging material, which we bundled up and took to my our recycling center.
Note: plastic shrink wrap is extremely recyclable, by the way. I’d describe the condition of my sample as excellent, and would even say the company uses bulletproofing measures to ship out.
Once we unfurled the mattress, I single handedly placed the mattress on our hardtop foundations, and in 15 minutes, it was ready to test. I was super impressed with how it quickly expanded to its original factory size so fast!
what’s inside the puffy royal 14″ hybrid mattress? Let’s take a look.
The Puffy Royal Mattress is designed to have a softer, plusher feel up top with tailored body contouring, and offers a sumptuous, slightly immersive feel.
My first observation: I didn’t experience that “dig your way out” feel, when trying to change positions- a common complaint especially from light sleepers, including myself.
Described as “cloud-like” and “ultra-plush” as part of the web site’s pitch, there’s no “dead memory foam” feel you often find in thinner and firmer memory foam mattresses.
Since I prefer a softer mattress (not crazy soft, but I want to feel snug and enveloped without being swallowed up) for pressure relief, this mattress was right up my alley, and I’d rate it 5-6 out of 10, 10 being extremely firm, and 1 being too soft to be supportive and difficult to get in and out of.
Truthfully, it’s a bit more expensive than many hybrid (foam and coil combination) mattresses I’ve tested and reviewed, probably about $300-400 more than 12-13″ options overall.
You definitely get more cooling and gel foam right up top where you need it, and the plush, cloud-like feel does live up to its name in my view.
My initial feeling was that the Puffy Royal felt opulent, I’d say, and it was easy to turn from back to side, with little effot.
Between your body and the pocket coil suspension underneath (6″ tall coils, each big enough to be a squeezebox) there are 7 layers of either quilted textiles or specialized foam layers that offer up a much more plush and embracing feel-without making you feel like you have to dig your way out.
The top two layers of foam inside the Royal mattress are unlike what you’d get in a typical “slab of foam” mattress, and offer cooling benefits along with better pressure relief and weight distribution.
By designing the mattress to push weight away from your body and off to the sides, pressure points and excessive sinking can be controlled pretty well- but it is designed to be quite soft, and you will feel immersed with good body contour.
Note that the mattress has very good edge support despite being a softer mattress, as The Puffy Royal has a perimeter foam rail that wraps around the mattress.
The edge foam has a higher density or ILD (learn more about that here) than in the center, making it quite supportive at the edge of the mattress, and as some reviewers report, makes it more conducive for sex.
I would not say that it feels excessively soft and you definitely don’t feel like you’re sinking, but this is not ideal for anyone looking for a firm option.
Safe And Certified Foams Reduce Exposure To VOC’s, Formaldehyde, And Other Toxins
The Puffy Royal Mattress is made with safe, non-toxic components that are hypo-allergenic and made without VOC’s, formaldehyde, heavy metals, PBDE’s, and is certified by Certi-PUR-US®, which is a certification program administered by a nonprofit organization.
Here are the components, top down, inside the mattress, with a little bit of detail about the quality of the materials, based on my decades as a mattress manufacturer myself. There are four layers of memory foam (for comfort) and high resiliency foam (for support), which is above a 6-inch pocketed coil system (tempered steel, which does not fail, mash down, or form ruts over time).
A firmer layer of high density foam runs along the entire four edges of the mattress, enabling easy sitting on the edge and transfer in and out.
- Cover Material: Stain resistant polyester knit (long lifespan) that is removable and washable.
- 1.5″ Gel-Infused Memory Foam (comfort, cooling, and body contouring)
- 1.5″ Reflexive Memory Foam (pressure relief and void area cradling)
- 2″ Climate Comfort Polyfoam (cooling)
- 2″ Cloud Air Technology Polyfoam (cooling, pressure relief, improves weight distribution)
- 6″ Pocketed Coils (individually provide buoyancy and lift)
- 1″ Firm Core Support Polyfoam (motion dampening and protects underside of mattress)
Note: The Puffy Royal Mattress uses CertiPUR-US® certified foams, are made without ozone depleters, PBDEs, TDCPP, or TCEP flame retardants, mercury, lead, and other heavy metals, formaldehyde, and phthalates. Puffy mattress foams also have low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) emissions for indoor air quality (less than 0.5 parts per million).
The Puffy Royal Mattress is definitely better at dispersing the weight to the side, rather than down, avoiding painful pressure spots. It’s definitely got a more lofty and cloud like feeling than many hybrid foam/coil combination mattresses I’ve tested, but is not as stiff as traditional innerspring options.
I’d call it cozier than the Dreamcloud Premier Hybrid, and slightly softer than the Nolah Evolution mattress which I’ve also thoroughly reviewed and rated highly- and it is substantially softer and more immersive.
How The Puffy Royal Mattress Performed In My 12 Point Sleep Lab Test
Our Results: How I Rated The Puffy Royal 14″ Hybrid Mattress
Overall Comfort– initial feel, level of immersion – remember, it’s soft! 10
Support– spine alignment, pain relief, pressure relief in 30min or less 9
Solo Sleeper-overall impressions with comfort, ease of turning, back and side 10
Couple Experience– I noticed minimal sink in middle, good motion transfer dampening 9
Edge Support– no sliding off, as experienced by 190 lb test subject 9
Cooling Ability– both initial feel and when stationary for >30 min 10
Sex– as reported by online reviews and voluntary reporting- great edge of the bed sex 9
Bounce, Motion Transfer, And Liveliness– not excessive, no dead memory foam feel 9
Cost Value– 1-10 rating 10 being best bang for your buck- solid 10
Trial Period, Warranty, And General Customer Service– 9+
Shipping And Delivery Experience– ease of delivery, clean packaging, ship time 10+
Overall Score: 9.6 Excellent, especially if you like a plush yet supportive feel.
Cons: Probably not best choice for individuals weighing more than 250lb (see best mattresses for heavy people), not an option for firmer mattress lovers. Not my first choice for belly sleepers.
ANALYSIS OF MY RESULTS FOR THE PUFFY ROYAL MATTRESS
1. Overall Comfort: 10 out of 10
The The Puffy Royal Mattress is available in one configuration that features 7 foam layers and a pocketed coil suspension. Compared to their other models, including the Puffy 10″ Original and The Puffy Luxe, it is dramatically softer, slightly more immersive, and is targeted at side sleepers and back sleepers. If you keep telling your partner you can’t find a soft mattress– this is your baby.
Despite the luxury feel up top, you won’t feel like you’re sinking, and turning is pretty effortless- unless your individual weight is over 250lbs. The pocket coils in this mattress are quite supportive, and the overall feel of the mattress whether on side, back, or belly, is inviting and buoyant. I also factored in that the mattress feels comfortable all the way out to the edge, increasing the usable surface area you have get for investing in The Puffy Royal.
2. Support: 9 out of 10
Support is always the important consideration in all of my mattress reviews. The Puffy Royal Mattress is really great at helping you relax muscle groups, joints, and connective tissue which prevents pain and inflammation during sleep. I have both knee and shoulder damage from decades of high impact activities like snow skiing.
After sleeping on my sample, I noticed the following benefits immediately:
- A good level of suspension that prevented pressure points minimizing constant position change
- Excellent support while on my back, with pillow top and the multiple layers of Puffy’s specialized CloudFoam, memory foam, and kept me from sinking in
- I sleep on my sides and back, changing position 6-7 times during the night. Easy to turn on, excellent choice for combination sleepers of people who change position a lot.
- Zoned layers in both upper layers of comfort foam and in pocketed coil system provide better support for key areas like lower back, between shoulder blades, even legs and arms. This also helps to distribute load sideways rather than down.
3. Solo Sleeper: 10 out of 10
The The Puffy Royal Mattress is a really great option for solo sleepers because of its wide ranging appeal to both petite sleepers, as well as bigger bodies all the way up to 250lb., delivering a lush feel along with pressure relief and if you are of typical height and weight or have a bigger body, you’ll get the support you need. I think it performs much like an investment grade mattress that is about 50% of the price of retail store brands. It offers cooling, pressure relief, and a slightly springy, yet immersive level of comfort.
Another solo sleeper advantage is that because the mattress is gently pre-compressed and vacuum packaged, it is easily handled and setup with two people. One person could do it, but if it’s a queen or king, the weight of the box is 94lb. for a queen, and 120 lb. for a king. I can easily handle the queen, but the king size might be more difficult to get up steps and lift.
4. Couple Experience: 9 out of 10
There’s a common complaint from couples when mattress shopping that drives them nuts? Without question, it’s motion transfer. For bigger couples, it’s really hard, and even the slightest movement can send jiggles and shakes through the top of a mattress.
By incorporating dampening high density foam layers and a pocket coil system built with just the right amount of tension, resists motion transfer and is highly effective.
Checkout the real reason why we are all very sensitive to motion transfer in this NIH study. Evidence suggests that auditory levels when moving around at night become enhanced if one partner is sleeping restlessly.
Being mammals, evolution has wired us to respond to predatory alerts, kind of like cats, who sleep just below the fully alert level, to protect themselves. Not being cats, though, we require deep REM sleep to experience restorative sleep. So, it’s essential to invest in a mattress with minimal motion transfer.
5. Edge Support: 10 out of 10
Superior edge support can be found in The Puffy Royal Mattress largely due to the use of a perimeter high density foam edge around the entire perimeter of the mattress. This also makes this option terrific for people who are bed bound, disabled, or otherwise confined to bed for lengths of time.
You can check out my Best Mattress For People With Disabilities page for more mattress options on this topic, too.
6. Cooling Capability: 9 out of 10
Using Puffy’s which contains heat dissipating fibers, along with a graphite infused layer of high resiliency foam right underneath the pillow top section, is cool to the touch. I noticed continued cooling for hours when lounging and testing out my initial perception of this pocketed coil hybrid.
We Sleep Deeper When Our Bodies Are Cooler
When you are hot, whether created by room temperature, menopause, or other medical conditions, falling asleep is much more difficult. this causes you to toss and turn which generates even more heat.
Your body will naturally lower your internal temperature by 1-2° F as you fall asleep, which is why you can’t easily fall asleep when you have a fever. If you are hot sleeper, you need effective cooling technology to help you get to sleep and stay there.
The Puffy Royal Mattress has multiple elements built in that help cool you down, and keep the immediate environment around you cool, too. It’s also ideal for couples and larger people that naturally sleep hot.
Another note: when I tested our sample, we kept our room temperature at about 68°F, which research suggests is ideal for your body and your brain.
If I had to single out one component or ingredient in The Puffy Royal Mattress that really sets this mattress apart, it’s definitely the use of the brand’s four distinct foam layers, including a 1.5 inch layer of infused cooling foam, a 1.5 inch layer of reflexive memory foam, a 2″ layer of humidity resistant climate foam to promote ventilation, all situated above the pocketed coil unit. For the owner, you’ll experience a nest like sanctuary that I would rate as the single most comfortable hybrid mattress I’ve tested.
7. Sex And Intimacy: 9 out of 10
Note that most mattress review sites are not actually testing every mattress sample by pairing up reviewers to make love and record each datapoint- but- actual owners do write about it.
As a mattress designer myself, I’ve custom made mattresses for couples who specifically ask for a bedding option designed for optimal sex. What this usually meant was incorporating a comfortable and softer surface rather than too firm, the use of motion dampening and energy absorbing materials like memory or gel foams, and in some cases natural latex.
I gave The Puffy Royal Mattress high marks primarily because of actual owner reviews which offered the following value feedback to consider
- Not bouncy or jiggly, ideal motion dampening without having a typical “dead memory foam slab kind of sensation”
- Excellent support for edge of the mattress sex, with minimal sliding
- Cooling capabilities prevents overheating even when using cover-ups like sheets and comforters
- Just the right amount of sink- get firmer options for couples that weigh over 350 combined
- Really great for after sex cuddling
If you are looking for something with some serious bounce or spring back with minimal sinkage, you could consider Natural Latex Mattresses which are a bit springier allowing for better “grip” on bodies, however options might be limited for larger couples to keep from feeling trapped.
8. Bounce, Liveliness, And Motion Transfer: 9 out of 10
I found that The Puffy Royal Mattress delivers a pretty good level of subtle bounce, better described as responsiveness when it comes to motion transfer, which is a common complaint heard from larger couples, especially when there are light sleepers and restless sleepers in the mix.
The pilowtop section, which has an organic cotton covering, has a lot of motion dampening ability, primarily due to the taught feel that the pillow top area has. It has just the right amount of tension to keep is a bit tighter up top. Generally, mattresses that use a sleeker fabric, such as the ArcticTex used in the Nolah Evolution, you’ll experience a bit more flexing and springiness.
9. Cost vs. Value Delivered: 8 out of 10
For the money, The Puffy Royal Mattress pricing is on point. I’ve seen Sealy, Serta, and Tempur-Pedic mattresses that cost a lot more ($3,000 and up for a queen) that don’t deliver what you get with this mattress. Selling for $2399 in queen, and $2699 in king, it is an excellent value.
10. Trial Period, Warranty, Customer Service 10 out of 10
Saatva’s premium delivery and setup service, factory and fulfillment network of 15 strategically located facilities helped drive up my score for this category.
The turnaround time of 9-21 days to receive your mattress is acceptable considering each mattress is made to order and not rolled and compressed, collecting dust in a dusty warehouse. Customer service is something I thoroughly checked out too, with 6 different chat questions regarding pretty technical questions being answered rapidly and effectively. The best part about their customer service: NO BOTS on the chat line. Genuine human beings. That alone is worth a healthy five stars!
11. Shipping And Delivery Experience 10 out of 10
Overall, 10 out of 10, with excellent packaging and timely shipping. Your order ships out fast, and typically arrives within one week after the day you place your order. Puffy uses strategic shipping points around the country. Shipping and delivery is typically reliable with most online mattress companies, but with enhanced services, the ability to coordinate production and scheduling in home setup services takes some effort. I did it for years with my own online mattress companies.
Why The Puffy Royal Mattress Might Be A Worthwhile Hybrid Mattress Option To Consider
A hybrid mattress can be beneficial for individuals with back pain because of the unique design and construction which includes foam and textile layers positioned above a layer of either continuous coils or individual pocket coils. The extent of their effectiveness will vary depending upon personal preferences, type of pain, and the densities and thicknesses of the foam layers.
I definitely do not recommend the older, continuously woven coil unit that is the precursor to today’s pocketed coil system.
The reason for this is that pocketed coils, like those found in The Puffy Royal Mattress can follow the contour of your body and provide easing pressure relief at places such as your hips and shoulders and are effective at distributing your weight that a slab of dense foam or a wound spring coils system, also known as Marshall coils.
Each coil is wrapped with a piece of fabric so that it can respond much like the keys on a piano. These coils are highly effective for reducing motion transfer, too.
During the manufacturing process, the pocket coil layer can easily be tucked between one or more layers of foam or textiles, usually attached by stitching to an outer encasement or “ticking”.
The sidewalls of the outer fabric are also attachment points that help to maintain the integrity of the mattress and prevent shifting of contents.
Here are some potential benefits that The Puffy Royal Mattress might offer for back pain because of its hybrid construction.
- Acting as a supportive structure for both vertical and horizontal support: The pocketed innerspring coils in The Puffy Royal Mattress provide a supportive structure that helps maintain spinal alignment. Proper alignment can relieve pressure on the back and alleviate pain.
- Contouring comfort: Multiple layers of cooling gel foam, memory foam, and more supportive high density foam provide bodycontouring comfort, allowing the mattress to shape to the body’s outline or imprint. This can help distribute weight evenly and alleviate pressure points, reducing discomfort for individuals with back pain.
- Motion dampening: Hybrid mattresses often have superior motion isolation properties when compared to all foam mattress options. This means that movements of one person on the bed are less likely to disturb their partner, promoting better sleep and potentially reducing back pain associated with disturbed sleep.
- Durability and lifespan: Hybrid mattresses tend to be more durable than traditional innerspring mattresses. This durability can help maintain consistent support and comfort over time, which is essential for managing back pain. Sinking, dips and and depressions, and wear and tear for constant body movements are less likely to occur with pocket coils.
However, it’s important to note that the effectiveness of a mattress for back pain can vary depending on the individual. Factors such as body weight, sleeping position, and the specific cause of back pain can influence how a mattress feels and whether it provides adequate support. It’s always a good idea to try out different mattresses and seek professional advice when choosing a mattress specifically for back pain.
For anyone who has had trauma, surgeries, or other medical intervention, I think The Puffy Royal is also a good option for recovery and restoration.
Additionally, while a mattress can play a role in relieving back pain, it’s essential to address the underlying causes of the pain through lifestyle changes, exercise, proper posture, and, if necessary, seeking medical advice from a healthcare professional.