Key Takeaways
- Choose Puffy Royal Hybrid if you want one distinctly ultra-plush, 14-inch luxury hybrid with deep contouring, a wool-and-cooling-gel comfort story, and five-zone support.
- Choose Nolah Evolution 15 if you want to select Plush, Luxury Firm, or Firm and decide whether an optional cooling pillow top belongs in your setup.
- Side sleepers and pressure-sensitive shoppers may appreciate Puffy Royal's softer direction, while Nolah gives mixed-position sleepers and couples more ways to tune the feel.
- Cooling depends on the whole bed, including the mattress cover, foam, coils, protector, sheets, room temperature, and how deeply you sink into the surface.
- Check height, base support, delivery, and current policies before ordering either tall premium hybrid.
The Puffy Royal Hybrid Mattress and the Nolah Evolution 15-inch Hybrid Mattress serve shoppers who want more than a basic foam bed. Both combine substantial comfort layers with coil support, both lean into pressure relief and temperature comfort, and both have a tall premium profile. Yet they solve the comfort question in different ways.
Puffy Royal offers one clearly ultra-plush direction. Its current product information describes a 14-inch hybrid with premium blended wool, cooling gel, contouring comfort, responsive coils, and five-zone support. Nolah Evolution is a 15-inch hybrid built around selectable comfort. Shoppers can choose Plush, Luxury Firm, or Firm, then keep the standard cover or add a cooling pillow top. That makes this comparison less about which brand has the longer feature list and more about whether you want a fixed luxury-plush experience or a mattress you can tune before checkout.
This guide compares feel, firmness, cooling, pressure relief, couples comfort, sleep-position fit, bases, bedding, and online purchase details so you can make a practical decision. If you are still building a wider shortlist, browse the hybrid mattress collection and the luxury mattress collection before narrowing back to these two models.
Quick Verdict: Puffy Royal or Nolah Evolution 15?
Choose Puffy Royal for a clearly ultra-plush luxury feel
Puffy Royal is the more direct choice when you already know you enjoy a soft, deeply cushioned mattress. The comfort story is not built around choosing among three firmnesses. It is built around an ultra-plush surface, contouring foams, cooling materials, and zoned support over responsive coils. That makes it especially appealing to side sleepers who want more shoulder and hip give, people who dislike a flat or rigid surface, and shoppers who want their luxury mattress to feel noticeably plush from the first lie-down.
The tradeoff is equally clear: a strongly plush mattress is not automatically the safest fit for every back sleeper, stomach sleeper, heavier midsection, or person who prefers to move on top of the bed. Puffy Royal can still provide support, but support and surface firmness are different sensations. Choose it because you want its softer direction, not because the word luxury sounds universally comfortable.
Choose Nolah Evolution 15 for more firmness control
Nolah Evolution 15 is the more flexible choice before purchase. Plush gives side sleepers and pressure-sensitive shoppers a softer starting point. Luxury Firm aims for a broader balance that can work for many back sleepers, combination sleepers, and couples. Firm provides a flatter, steadier route for shoppers who dislike deep sink or need more midsection lift. The optional cooling pillow top adds another decision: more cushioning and a cool-touch cover versus the simpler standard-cover configuration.
This flexibility is valuable when two people share the bed or when you like the idea of premium cushioning but are uncertain about an ultra-plush feel. It also means you must select carefully. “Nolah Evolution” is not one single comfort experience; the firmness and cover choices are central to the final mattress.
Use one decision rule when the matchup feels close
Ask whether your priority is a specific plush sensation or control over the final configuration. Start with Puffy Royal if the answer is a soft, enveloping, high-profile hybrid. Start with Nolah Evolution if you want to choose among three firmness levels or add cooling pillow-top cushioning. If you cannot answer that question confidently, read the mattress firmness guide and compare a soft mattress, a medium mattress, and a firm mattress in person before ordering.
Puffy Royal vs Nolah Evolution 15 at a Glance
Profile and construction direction
Puffy Royal is listed as a 14-inch hybrid. Its current manufacturer and Mattress On Demand information emphasizes an ultra-plush feel, blended wool, cooling gel, contouring foam, responsive coils, and five-zone support. Nolah Evolution is a 15-inch hybrid with quilted comfort, high-density AirFoam Luxe, zoned foam, an individually wrapped zoned coil core, three firmness selections, and an optional cooling pillow top. Both are tall hybrids, but Nolah adds more configuration while Puffy keeps the message focused on plush luxury.
Firmness path
Puffy Royal has one pronounced ultra-plush identity. Nolah Evolution offers Plush, Luxury Firm, and Firm. That difference matters more than a small variation in layer count or marketing language. A shopper who already loves a soft surface may find Puffy refreshingly simple. A couple negotiating between cushion and lift may find Nolah's Luxury Firm easier to evaluate. A stomach sleeper who wants a premium hybrid but little sink will have a clearer route through Nolah Firm than through Puffy Royal.
Cooling path
Puffy Royal uses blended wool and cooling gel as part of its temperature-comfort story, while its coil unit can create more open space than a solid foam core. Nolah Evolution uses breathable and perforated foam, an airflow-oriented border, copper in its AirFoam Luxe, and a coil core; shoppers can add a GlacioTex cooling pillow top. Neither mattress can guarantee that every hot sleeper will feel cool. Body temperature, bedding, room airflow, and how deeply you settle into the foam all shape the result.
Support and pressure-relief path
Puffy Royal uses five-zone support foam and coils to combine plush pressure relief with more targeted lift. Nolah Evolution uses zoning in both foam and coils, with softer flexibility around the shoulders and firmer support through the middle. In practical terms, both are trying to cushion prominent areas without letting the torso settle unevenly. The better match depends on whether you want Puffy's deeper plushness or Nolah's selectable balance.
Puffy Royal Hybrid: Best-Fit Profile
The Puffy mattress guide and Puffy mattress collection show a lineup that moves from simpler foam comfort toward increasingly plush luxury hybrids. Puffy Royal sits in the premium part of that range. It is a useful choice when a shopper wants more contouring and cushioning than a basic medium-feel mattress can provide, but still wants responsive coils underneath.
Who should start with Puffy Royal?
Start with Puffy Royal if you are a dedicated side sleeper, regularly notice shoulder or hip pressure on firmer beds, or describe your ideal mattress as soft, plush, or cloudlike. It can also appeal to lighter sleepers who do not compress medium or firm mattresses enough to reach the comfort layers. Couples who agree on a softer surface may enjoy the deep cushioning, especially when neither partner spends most of the night on the stomach.
Puffy Royal is also a straightforward choice for shoppers who do not want to compare several firmness variants. The model has a strong personality: it is meant to feel ultra-plush. That clarity can simplify shopping when you already understand your preference.
What should make you pause?
Pause if you sleep mostly on your stomach, strongly prefer a flat hotel-firm feel, move frequently and dislike deeper contouring, or share the bed with someone who wants much more lift. A plush mattress can be supportive and still feel too soft for a particular body or position. If your hips settle farther than your shoulders and legs, the mattress may not keep your posture comfortable through the night.
Also consider finished bed height. A 14-inch mattress on a tall foundation and frame can create a high sitting surface. The luxury look may be attractive, but everyday entry, exit, sheet fit, and headboard proportions should work too.
What should you notice during a test?
Lie on your side long enough for the comfort layers to settle. Notice whether the shoulder relaxes without being pushed forward and whether the hip is cushioned without the waist dropping. Then roll onto your back. The lower back should feel supported rather than suspended, and the hips should not continue sinking. Sit near the edge, change positions, and get out of bed to learn whether the contouring feels comforting or restrictive.
Nolah Evolution 15: Best-Fit Profile
The Nolah mattress collection includes several foam and hybrid directions, while Evolution 15 is the tall luxury hybrid with the widest comfort tuning in this matchup. Its combination of firmness choice, zoned foam, zoned coils, and optional cooling pillow top makes it suitable for shoppers who want to configure the mattress around their sleep position rather than accept one universal feel.
Who should start with Nolah Evolution?
Start with Nolah Evolution if you want a premium hybrid but are not committed to ultra-plushness. It is especially useful for couples, combination sleepers, and households where one person wants pressure relief while the other worries about sink. Luxury Firm gives that group a logical baseline. Side sleepers can move toward Plush, while shoppers who need more lift can consider Firm.
Nolah also makes sense when cooling matters enough that you want a cover choice. The standard cover keeps the configuration simpler, while the cooling pillow top adds a cool-touch textile and extra quilted cushioning. Decide whether you want the cooler initial touch, the added softness, or both.
How should side sleepers compare the three firmnesses?
Dedicated side sleepers should usually begin with Plush because the shoulder and hip need enough room to settle. Luxury Firm can work for a side sleeper who wants more support, has a larger frame, changes positions, or dislikes deep cushioning. Firm deserves caution for strict side sleeping because a flatter surface can create pressure even when the deeper support is excellent. Use the side-sleeper mattress collection and the side-sleeper comfort guide to frame the test.
How should back and stomach sleepers compare the firmnesses?
Back sleepers may find Luxury Firm the most natural starting point because it balances lumbar contact with hip support. Firm can be a better fit for a person who feels the pelvis drop on medium surfaces or simply prefers less contour. Stomach sleepers should compare Luxury Firm and Firm, paying close attention to whether the middle of the body stays level. Plush may feel inviting at first but can allow more sink than a stomach sleeper wants.
What should make you pause?
Pause if you feel overwhelmed by options or if you assume the cooling pillow top is automatically better. More choices only help when you use them thoughtfully. Extra pillow-top cushioning can improve pressure relief, but it also changes surface feel and finished height. A firmer label does not guarantee better support, and a plush label does not guarantee better pressure relief. Your body, partner, base, and preferred position should decide.
Sleep-Position Comparison
Side sleepers
Puffy Royal and Nolah Evolution Plush are the natural first comparison for dedicated side sleepers. Puffy offers a fixed ultra-plush direction with zoned support, while Nolah Plush combines a softer surface with targeted foam and coil zoning. The deciding question is how much contour you want. Puffy may feel more enveloping. Nolah Plush may feel more configurable, especially if you are deciding between the standard cover and cooling pillow top.
Side sleepers should not judge from a quick hand press. Spend time on the shoulder and hip, then check whether the waist still feels supported. Tingling, numbness, or a strong pressure point suggests the surface is too firm. A twisting sensation through the lower back can suggest too much sink or not enough support through the middle.
Back sleepers
Nolah Evolution Luxury Firm is the safer first comparison for many back sleepers because it is designed as the broad middle option. Puffy Royal can work for back sleepers who genuinely prefer plush contouring and still feel steady through the pelvis. The lower back should make comfortable contact with the surface, but the hips should not form a deep bowl. If Royal feels too soft, move to Nolah Luxury Firm or browse the medium mattress collection.
Stomach sleepers
Nolah Evolution Firm has the clearer advantage for stomach sleepers who want a flatter surface and stronger midsection lift. Luxury Firm may suit a lighter stomach sleeper or someone who alternates between stomach and side. Puffy Royal is less likely to be the first recommendation because its ultra-plush design can allow more sink. If you love plushness but sleep on your stomach, test carefully rather than assuming zoned support will offset every amount of surface cushioning.
Combination sleepers
Combination sleepers need both comfort and easy movement. Nolah Evolution Luxury Firm often makes the most logical starting point because it balances contour with responsiveness and gives the sleeper a more neutral surface across positions. Puffy Royal can suit a side-back combination sleeper who enjoys deeper cushioning, but a restless sleeper may prefer less hug. The combination-sleeper guide explains why the transition between positions matters as much as the first position.
Couples: Motion, Edges, Firmness, and Heat
Couples should evaluate the bed as a shared system. Browse mattresses for couples, but do not assume the most popular firmness will satisfy two different bodies. The better choice is the one that protects sleep when both people are lying down, turning, getting up, and using the edge.
Motion control
Both mattresses use comfort foams over individually responsive coils, a combination that can soften small movements while preserving support. Puffy Royal's deeper plush layers may absorb some surface motion, while Nolah's transition foam is designed to damp movement from the coil unit. Test with real actions: roll over, sit up, move toward the edge, and leave the bed while your partner stays still. The motion isolation guide can help you separate bounce, tilt, and vibration.
Edge comfort
A usable perimeter gives couples more sleeping width. Nolah describes edge-to-edge comfort and reinforcement in its coil system. Puffy uses responsive coils within its luxury hybrid build. Product descriptions help, but the meaningful question is how secure each partner feels near the side. Sit, lie, and turn near the edge rather than testing only in the center. A queen with a confident perimeter can feel more practical than one that pushes both sleepers inward.
Firmness compromise
Puffy Royal works best when both partners agree on ultra-plush comfort. If one person loves soft mattresses and the other prefers more lift, Nolah Evolution Luxury Firm offers a clearer compromise. If both sleep on their sides, Nolah Plush or Puffy Royal may be appropriate. If one partner sleeps on the stomach, compare Nolah Luxury Firm and Firm before accepting a softer shared bed.
Shared temperature comfort
Two sleepers produce more heat than one. Puffy Royal brings wool, cooling gel, and hybrid airflow to the comparison. Nolah combines ventilated foam, heat-dissipating materials, airflow features, and an optional cooling pillow top. Pair either mattress with breathable sheets and a protector that does not trap excess heat. The cooling hybrid guide for couples offers a wider comparison if temperature is the main concern.
Cooling and Pressure Relief in the Real Bedroom
Cooling is more than a cold first touch
A cool-touch surface can feel refreshing when you first lie down, but overnight comfort also depends on airflow and heat movement through the layers. Nolah's optional pillow top focuses on cool-to-the-touch textile performance and extra cushioning. Puffy combines wool and cooling gel with the open structure of coils. Compare the cooling mattress collection and most-cooling mattresses if you need more cooling-first choices.
Room temperature, humidity, sleepwear, bedding, and whether two people share the bed can outweigh a single material. No mattress can replace reasonable bedroom airflow. Treat cooling claims as one part of the setup, not a guarantee.
Pressure relief must be paired with alignment
Plushness can reduce pressure at the shoulder and hip, but too much sink can create a different problem by letting the body settle unevenly. Puffy Royal aims to offset deep cushioning with five-zone support. Nolah uses zoned foam and zoned coils to create softer shoulder flexibility and firmer support through the middle. During a test, ask whether you feel both relaxed and level. Pressure relief without steadiness is incomplete, and firmness without comfort is not a better answer.
Bedding can change the surface feel
A tight protector or fitted sheet can create surface tension that makes a plush mattress feel firmer. A thick topper can hide the feel you paid for and hold extra heat. Choose a mattress protector and sheets from the sheet collection that fit a 14- or 15-inch mattress with enough pocket depth. Wash and dry bedding according to its care instructions so shrinkage does not create an overly tight fit.
Height, Foundations, and Adjustable Bases
Plan for a 14- or 15-inch mattress
Puffy Royal's 14-inch and Nolah Evolution's 15-inch profiles are substantial before a foundation or frame is added. Measure the current floor-to-top height, then add the new mattress, foundation, and frame dimensions. Sit on a surface at the estimated height. Your feet should reach the floor comfortably, and getting in or out should not require a climb or deep drop.
Inspect the support system before delivery
A worn foundation or bowed slats can make a new mattress feel uneven. Review mattress foundations and platform frames, then confirm the exact manufacturer's requirements for slat spacing, center support, and compatible surfaces. Do not guess from appearance or reuse a damaged base because it seems convenient.
Confirm adjustable-base compatibility
If you plan to raise the head or feet, verify compatibility for the exact mattress, firmness, size, and base. Tall hybrids can work with many modern adjustable bases, but the feel and flexibility may differ by construction. Review adjustable bases and the adjustable-bed mattress guide, then ask how the complete setup changes finished height, sheet fit, and delivery.
Measure the delivery route
Measure doorways, halls, stairs, elevator openings, and tight turns. Confirm whether the mattress arrives compressed, full-size, or through a particular service level, and plan where it will be opened. Tall hybrids can become difficult to move after expansion. Review Mattress On Demand's delivery and pickup information and verify current details for your order before checkout.
9 Questions to Answer Before You Buy
Use this list before choosing Puffy Royal, Nolah Evolution, or another mattress from the broader mattress collection.
- Do you truly want ultra-plush comfort? If yes, Puffy Royal deserves the first look; if you are unsure, Nolah offers more firmness control.
- What is your primary sleep position? Side sleepers need shoulder and hip room, while stomach sleepers usually need more midsection lift.
- How much contour do you enjoy? Decide whether you want to settle into the surface or stay closer to the top.
- Are two people sharing the bed? Compare motion, edge comfort, heat, and the firmness compromise together.
- Do you want a cooling pillow-top upgrade? Nolah gives you that choice, but the upgrade also adds cushioning and height.
- Is your current foundation suitable? Confirm support requirements instead of assuming an old base will work.
- Will the finished bed be too tall? Add mattress, foundation, and frame height before ordering.
- Have you read the current policies? Verify delivery, trial, return, warranty, and setup terms that apply to the exact seller and purchase date.
- Would a showroom test reduce uncertainty? If you are between plush and luxury firm, an in-person comparison can prevent an expensive guess.
How to interpret your answers
If your answers repeatedly favor soft, deep, and pressure-relieving comfort, Puffy Royal is the stronger starting point. If your answers emphasize compromise, multiple positions, firmness control, or a choice of cover, Nolah Evolution is more adaptable. If your answers are inconsistent, widen the comparison. The right mattress should solve your actual sleep concern rather than force you into a brand-first decision.
Do not overvalue one feature
Cooling, height, zoning, pillow tops, and coil counts can all matter, but no single feature decides comfort. A cooling mattress in the wrong firmness is still the wrong mattress. A zoned mattress that feels uncomfortable at the shoulder is not rescued by the word zoned. Use construction details to explain what you feel, not to override your body.
Mattress On Demand Recommendations to Compare
Puffy Royal Hybrid Mattress
The Puffy Royal Hybrid Mattress is the lead recommendation for shoppers who want an ultra-plush, 14-inch luxury hybrid with deep contouring, cooling materials, responsive coils, and zoned support. It is the first product to compare for dedicated side sleepers and anyone who already knows that a soft luxury surface fits them.
Nolah Evolution 15-inch Hybrid Mattress
The Nolah Evolution 15-inch Hybrid Mattress is the lead recommendation for shoppers who want Plush, Luxury Firm, or Firm choices plus the option of a cooling pillow top. It is the more flexible starting point for couples, combination sleepers, and buyers who want premium pressure relief without committing to one ultra-plush feel.
Puffy mattress collection
The Puffy mattress collection is useful when Royal sounds appealing but you want to compare it with other Puffy comfort levels and constructions. This can help you determine whether you want the Royal's ultra-plush direction or a different Puffy model with less depth or a different support balance.
Nolah mattress collection
The Nolah mattress collection is the better next step when you like Nolah's pressure-relief and cooling story but want to compare the Evolution with other foam, hybrid, natural, or specialty options. Visit a Mattress On Demand showroom to try, test, and feel the Puffy Royal Hybrid, Nolah Evolution 15, and related luxury hybrid mattresses in person before choosing your final comfort level.
How to Buy Either Mattress With More Confidence
Read the exact variant before checkout
Confirm size, firmness, cover, price, availability, and the selected product name in the cart. Nolah's Plush, Luxury Firm, and Firm options create materially different comfort paths, and the cooling pillow top changes the configuration. Puffy Royal includes several size choices, including specialty split directions on the current product page. Do not assume one selected variant represents every size or option.
Verify current trial, return, and warranty terms
Policies can change and may differ by seller, delivery method, product, and purchase date. Read the exact terms before opening or using the mattress. Note any adjustment period, return condition, pickup arrangement, fee, foundation requirement, or exclusion that applies. The mattress trial guide explains what to look for without assuming every purchase follows the same rules.
Plan total cost and setup
Include the mattress, suitable base, protector, sheets, delivery, setup, removal, and any adjustable equipment in the budget. Review financing options only after you have chosen the correct sleep system. A monthly payment should not persuade you to select a mattress, base, or accessory that does not fit your comfort and budget.
Know when a showroom visit is worth it
A hands-on comparison is especially useful when you are deciding between Puffy's ultra-plush feel and Nolah Luxury Firm, or when two partners disagree. Local shoppers can use the Richmond showroom or Katy showroom. Call ahead if a specific model or firmness is essential to your test, then bring your partner, preferred sleeping positions, and basic frame measurements.
Related Guides for a Wider Shortlist
If Nolah interests you but you want a different cooling comparison
Read Nolah Evolution 15 vs Leesa Sapira Chill. That matchup keeps Nolah Evolution in focus while comparing it with a different cooling pillow-top hybrid. It is useful when you like Nolah's firmness choices but want to understand how another premium hybrid approaches cooling and support.
If Puffy interests you but Royal may be too plush
Read Puffy Lux Hybrid vs WinkBed. Puffy Lux provides another Puffy direction, and the comparison can help you separate brand preference from the specific ultra-plush identity of Royal.
If you share the bed and cooling is the main problem
Read the cooling hybrid guide for couples. It expands the field to Bear, Nolah, Leesa, Puffy, and Brooklyn Bedding options while keeping motion, edge support, temperature, and shared firmness in view.
If you are deciding between online ordering and local testing
Read the local store versus online mattress guide. Online product pages are excellent for narrowing features and variants, while a showroom can clarify the part specifications cannot fully communicate: how plush, firm, springy, stable, or enveloping the mattress feels to you.
FAQ: Puffy Royal vs Nolah Evolution 15
Which mattress is softer?
Puffy Royal has the clearer ultra-plush identity. Nolah Evolution is available in Plush, Luxury Firm, and Firm, so its feel depends on the selected variant. Compare Puffy Royal with Nolah Plush if softness is the main goal. Compare Puffy Royal with Nolah Luxury Firm if you are deciding between deep cushioning and a more balanced surface.
Which mattress is better for side sleepers?
Puffy Royal and Nolah Evolution Plush are both logical starting points for side sleepers because they emphasize pressure relief. Puffy may suit someone who wants deeper contouring and one unmistakably plush feel. Nolah Plush may suit someone who wants a softer mattress with the option of a standard cover or cooling pillow top. Shoulder, hip, and waist comfort should decide.
Which mattress is better for back sleepers?
Nolah Evolution Luxury Firm is the safer first comparison for many back sleepers because it aims for a middle balance of cushioning and support. Puffy Royal can work for back sleepers who enjoy a softer surface and remain level through the hips. If your pelvis drops or your lower back feels strained, compare a firmer Nolah choice.
Which mattress is better for stomach sleepers?
Nolah Evolution Firm or Luxury Firm has the clearer advantage for most stomach sleepers because those options provide a flatter path with more midsection lift. Puffy Royal is ultra-plush and therefore less likely to be the first choice for a dedicated stomach sleeper. Personal testing is important for anyone who alternates between stomach and side.
Which mattress is better for couples?
Nolah Evolution may be easier for couples who need a firmness compromise because Luxury Firm provides a broad middle choice. Puffy Royal can be excellent when both partners agree on a softer, more contouring surface. Couples should test motion, edge use, temperature, and both primary sleep positions rather than letting one person's preference decide.
Which mattress sleeps cooler?
Both have credible cooling features, but the experience will vary. Puffy Royal uses blended wool, cooling gel, and hybrid airflow. Nolah Evolution uses breathable and perforated foam, heat-dissipating materials, airflow features, and an optional cooling pillow top. Bedding, room temperature, partner heat, and how deeply you sink can matter as much as the listed materials.
Do I need deep-pocket sheets?
Most shoppers will need sheets made for a tall mattress because Puffy Royal is 14 inches and Nolah Evolution is 15 inches before a protector is added. Check the finished depth with the exact cover and protector, then compare it with the sheet pocket specification. Sheets should stay secure without pulling tightly enough to change the surface feel.
Can these mattresses work with an adjustable base?
Many modern hybrids are designed to work with adjustable bases, but confirm compatibility for the exact mattress, firmness, size, and base before ordering. Also verify the base capacity, finished height, sheet fit, and delivery plan separately. A tall plush hybrid may bend and feel different from a firmer configuration.
Should I choose the Nolah cooling pillow top?
Choose it if you want a cool-touch cover and additional quilted cushioning. Keep the standard cover if you prefer a simpler surface, do not need the extra cushioning, or want to minimize finished height. The upgrade is not automatically better; it changes feel as well as cooling presentation.
Should I buy online or test first?
Buy online when you understand your preferred firmness, have verified the current terms, and feel confident about the base and delivery. Test first when you are unsure about ultra-plush comfort, deciding between Nolah firmnesses, shopping with a partner, or replacing a mattress that caused both pressure and support concerns.
Puffy Royal and Nolah Evolution 15 are both premium hybrids, but they are not interchangeable. Puffy Royal is the clearer choice for a shopper who wants one ultra-plush, deeply contouring luxury feel. Nolah Evolution is the more adaptable choice for a shopper who wants three firmness levels and an optional cooling pillow top. Let your sleep position, partner, temperature needs, base, and real comfort preference choose the winner.