Nectar Mattress Review (2024 Update)
Nectar
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Nectar is one of the most popular brands in the bed-in-a-box industry. Many people are drawn to these mattresses because they’re an excellent intersection of quality and value. They’re not the cheapest mattresses out there, but they’re made with high-quality, durable materials—like gel foams and high-density base layers—that more than justify their mid-range price.
The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress is the brand’s most budget-friendly model, and it made our best mattresses guide as the best affordable option. It’s an all-foam bed that comes in seven sizes—Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King and Split King—and works well for many different types of sleepers. But is it right for you?
In this Nectar memory foam mattress review, we’ll go through the components and features of this memory foam mattress, focusing on its performance when it comes to pressure relief, motion isolation, edge support and more. We’ll also highlight the pros and cons, discuss which types of sleepers it will work best for and compare it to the competition on the market in 2024.
Who the Nectar Mattress Is Best For
- People who like the body-conforming feel of memory foam
- Couples that need exceptional motion isolation
- Back sleepers and light- to average-weight side sleepers
- Anyone looking for advanced pressure relief
Who the Nectar Mattress Is Not Best For
- Those who like a really responsive mattress
- Anyone who sleeps really hot
- Heavy sleepers (over 230 pounds) who need more support
What Does the Nectar Mattress Feel Like?
Nectar
Because the Nectar mattress is an all-foam bed, it conforms to your body and has a deep-contouring feel. It has the characteristic slow-sink of memory foam that wraps around your body and makes you feel like you’re lying “in” the bed, rather than on top of it.
This type of body-contouring is exceptional for pressure relief, but it can make it harder to switch positions throughout the night. Memory foam is slow to respond to movement, so if you’re a combination sleeper (you change positions while you sleep), you might notice a lag in how it contours your body when you switch from your back to your side.
Nectar rates their original memory foam mattress a 6.5/10 on the firmness scale (where 10/10 is the most firm), which classifies it as a medium-firm. The top two layers are soft, pressure-relieving foams, while the bottom support layer is a denser foam. This combo lets you sink into the bed just enough to feel comfortable, but not so much that you feel like your body is sagging.
The Nectar Mattress By Sleeping Position
Your sleeping position plays a big role in the type of mattress and firmness level you need. The Nectar mattress works well for back and side sleepers and combination sleepers that don’t mind waiting for it to adjust as they switch positions. Stomach sleepers will likely benefit from a firmer bed with more support under their hips.
Back sleepers
The medium-firm feel of the Nectar mattress is best suited to back sleepers that weigh up to 230 pounds. The various support layers keep the torso and hips from sinking too much into the mattress, while the pressure-relieving top layer provides some cushion and body-contouring for the lower back and buttocks.
If you weigh more than 230 pounds, the Nectar mattress may sink too much in the center, which can create pressure areas and lead to aches and pains. If you’re a heavier back sleeper, you may want a firmer Nectar model or a hybrid mattress that has more support in the center.
Stomach sleepers
Stomach sleeping is the least supportive for your back, so you need a mattress that can hold up your body weight and prevent excess sagging. The Nectar mattress might work for lighter weight stomach sleepers, but average- to heavyweight sleepers will need a firmer mattress that doesn’t compress as much.
In general, memory foam isn’t the best option for stomach sleepers since it has more give than hybrid and innerspring beds. Instead, look for a bed with coils that support the center of the mattress more, or a zoned support mattress, like the Casper Original, that’s firmer in the center to help keep your spine aligned.
Side sleepers
Side sleepers generally prefer a medium-soft to medium-firm mattress. With its 6.5/10 firmness rating, the Nectar mattress is right on the cusp in terms of firmness, but the soft memory foam top layer provides enough give for the shoulders and hips to prevent pressure buildup for average- and heavyweight sleepers.
The Nectar mattress may be too firm for lightweight side sleepers, causing pressure points in the hips, shoulders, legs and arms.
Combination sleepers
The Nectar mattress offers ample pressure relief for combination sleepers, but it responds slower to movement than innerspring or hybrid beds. Because of this, it may take a while for the bed to adjust to your position, creating temporary pressure points in the process. However, as soon as it settles, it will contour to the body whether you’re on your back or side.
If you’re a combination sleeper that switches between your side and stomach, you may need a bed that’s slightly firmer.
The Nectar Mattress By Body Type
While many people consider sleeping position when shopping for a mattress, it’s equally important to factor in your body type and weight. Your weight determines how much pressure you put on a mattress and how much it will compress as a result. This largely affects the feel. The same mattress will feel firmer to a lightweight sleeper (under 130 pounds) and softer to a heavyweight sleeper (over 230 pounds).
Lightweight (under 130 pounds)
The Nectar mattress will feel firmer to lightweight sleepers. Because of this, it’s a good option for back sleepers and stomach sleepers under 130 pounds, but may not have enough give for lightweight side sleepers. A mattress that’s too firm when side sleeping can create uncomfortable pressure points in the shoulders and hips.
Average-weight (130–230 pounds)
The Nectar mattress is really built for average-weight sleepers. Because of its medium to medium-firm feel, it works well for back sleepers, side sleepers and combo sleepers that weigh between 130 and 230 pounds.
The combination of foams provides the right balance of support and give to keep the spine aligned when side sleeping, while still allowing the shoulders and hips to sink in slightly. This can prevent pressure points and aches and pains that can develop from sleeping on a mattress that’s too firm.
Memory foam beds are not typically recommended for stomach sleepers, who need a firmer mattress to keep the spine from sagging.
Heavyweight (over 230 pounds)
The Nectar mattress isn’t the best fit for heavyweight sleepers, regardless of sleeping position. While it does have a base layer that offers some support, sleepers over 230 pounds generally benefit from the more supportive coil system that you find in hybrid or innerspring mattresses. The Nectar mattress will feel softer to heavyweight sleepers, but it will compress and sag too much, losing much of its pressure-relieving ability.
Thickness plays a role too, and because there’s no reinforced perimeter, heavy sleepers may sink when getting too close to the edge. While Nectar doesn’t say exactly how thick your mattress should be, the company, as well as professional reviewers, recommend choosing one that’s on the thicker side, with a four to five-inch comfort layer for ideal support. The Nectar Mattress is 12 inches thick, which is about average.
Nectar Mattress Performance Factors
Nectar
When choosing a mattress, some of the most important factors to consider are pressure relief, temperature regulation, motion isolation, support and durability. Here’s how the Nectar mattress stacked up in each category.
Pressure relief
Because memory foam molds to your body shape, the Nectar mattress excels at pressure relief. The gel-infused memory foam comfort layer cushions your body while the dynamic layer in the middle of the bed helps keep your spine aligned. While the Nectar mattress has the characteristic body-conforming feel of memory foam, the middle layer provides extra support and responsiveness that prevents you from sinking too deeply into the mattress.
The medium-firm feel reduces the likelihood that lightweight and average-weight sleepers will develop pressure points while sleeping on their back and side. However, heavy sleepers and stomach sleepers may find that it sags too much in the middle, which can contribute to pressure and back pain.
Temperature
Memory foam is known for trapping body heat, but the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress has some cooling features that improve its ability to regulate temperature. The gel in the top layer helps draw excess body heat away from the body, while the breathable quilted cover prevents that heat from getting trapped in the mattress. The convoluted (egg crate shaped) middle layer also promotes airflow and keeps you from sinking too far into the mattress, which also helps with temperature regulation.
If you want additional cooling technology, you can upgrade the bed’s cover for an extra $99, regardless of the mattress size. This specialized cover has polyethylene, which wicks away superficial body heat and stays cool to the touch. Note: This upgrade isn’t available for the split king.
If you run especially hot, you may want to opt for the Nectar Premier Copper Mattress, which has additional cooling technology.
Motion isolation
Memory foam is the gold standard when it comes to motion isolation. Since the Nectar mattress is all-foam, it practically eliminates motion transfer, making it a good option for couples or those who sleep with a pet in the bed.
Support
The Nectar Mattress gets its main support from the six-inch base layer of high-density memory foam. The middle layer of dynamic foam also provides support, along with some rebound that keeps you from totally sinking into the mattress. This combo helps keep your spine aligned and provides the right amount of back support for light- to average-weight sleepers. Heavy sleepers may find that it compresses too much in the middle since there’s no zoned support layer.
In addition to overall support, you also want to think about edge support, which is how well the mattress can hold up weight around the perimeter. In general, memory foam mattresses have less edge support than hybrid models, which often have reinforced perimeters to prevent sinking. The Nectar mattress has decent edge support, but it might compress too much under heavier weights. The dense foam base layer and the medium-firm feel contribute to keeping the mattress from sinking completely.
Durability
Because the Nectar mattress has a high-density base layer, it’s fairly durable and should last six to eight years for average-weight sleepers. It’s not as durable as mattresses that have coils or latex, but it should stand up to normal use for several years. The mattress cover is made of a nylon blend that’s resistant to tearing, which contributes to the durability.
Because Nectar offers a lifetime warranty, if anything goes wrong with the mattress prematurely (like it forms an indent that’s more than 1.5-inches thick), Nectar will replace the mattress free of charge. While it’s still important to consider the durability of a mattress, this can provide some peace of mind that you’ll be able to get a new one if it doesn’t stand up to regular use.
Nectar Mattress Layers
Nectar
The Nectar mattress has three main layers. There’s a six-inch conventional foam base, a four-inch convoluted soft foam layer and two inches of pressure-relieving gel memory foam on top. All foams are CertiPur-US certified, which means they’re low VOC and made without toxic chemicals, like heavy metals, formaldehyde, phthalates and ozone depleters.
The main job of the foam base is to give the mattress stability and hold up the other two layers (and your body weight) so the mattress keeps its shape and keeps you comfortable. The foam base also provides some edge support, albeit not as much as coils, but enough to suit light- to average-weight sleepers.
The soft foam middle layer gives a little rebound to the mattress. Memory foam isn’t as responsive as hybrid or innerspring beds, but this layer keeps you from getting enveloped so you don’t feel like you’re sinking into the bed too much. It has just enough “bounce” to prevent you from being swallowed up, but not too much that it negatively affects the motion isolation. This layer is also convoluted, which aids in pressure relief and helps promote airflow.
The top gel layer has a dual purpose. It conforms to your body to help alleviate pressure and properly support you in any sleep position. The gel also helps prevent the mattress from trapping heat—a common complaint with all-foam beds—so you stay at a comfortable body temperature throughout the night.
These layers are wrapped up in a lower cover and a quilted top cover. The lower cover keeps all of the layers in place, while the top cover adds a small amount of cushion and some breathability to the bed. If you want to upgrade the cover of the mattress, you have that option too. While the cover that comes with the mattress is breathable, it doesn’t have advanced cooling technology beyond that. The upgraded cover is made with polyethylene, which can make the mattress feel cool to the touch.
Nectar Shipping, Return Policy and Warranty
Return policy
Nectar has one of the most generous sleep trial periods and warranties in the industry. The company gives you 365 nights to try your mattress at home. If you decide you don’t like the mattress at any time in the first year, you can request a full refund. However, if you paid any shipping fees or upgraded to white glove delivery, you won’t get reimbursed for that.
There are some caveats, though. Because mattresses have a break-in period, you can’t request a refund for an opened mattress within 30 days of receiving it. If your mattress is unopened you can submit a refund request at any time within the first 30 days. If you haven’t opened your mattress within 90 days of getting it, you won’t be eligible for a refund. This actually voids the warranty, too, so make sure you either open your mattress right away or request a refund ASAP if you changed your mind.
Warranty
Nectar’s warranty is just as generous. The industry standard is 10 years, but Nectar offers a lifetime warranty, which the company calls a “Forever Warranty,” on all its mattresses. There is some notable fine print, though. The warranty covers a visible indentation of at least 1.5 inches, a physical flaw in the mattress and any manufacturing defects in the cover.
You won’t be covered for normal wear and tear or any defects caused by mishandling, like burns, cuts or stains. If you sleep with pets or kids, or you eat or drink in your bed, you might want to consider using a mattress protector under your bed sheets to decrease the likelihood of a voided warranty. Using the wrong type of bed frame can also void the warranty, since the mattress won’t be properly supported. (Nectar recommends a platform-style base.)
For the first 10 years, Nectar will replace your mattress with a brand new one (of equal or greater value) at no cost to you. After 10 years, Nectar will either replace or repair your mattress at their discretion. You’ll have to pay a $100 fee to have a technician come look at your mattress, but if they find a defect, that cost will be reimbursed.
Keep in mind that the warranty only applies if you purchased your mattress directly from Nectar Sleep or one of its authorized retailers. It doesn’t transfer over if you buy the mattress from someone else.
Shipping
Standard shipping is free for all Nectar mattresses. This means Nectar will ship via a standard carrier like UPS or FedEx, who will leave the mattress in its box on your doorstep. If you don’t want to set up the mattress yourself, you can upgrade to white glove delivery, which includes removal of your old bed, for $149. If you opt for white glove delivery, you’ll be able to choose a specific delivery date.
Comparing the Nectar Mattress
Nectar vs Nectar Premier and Nectar Premier Copper
Nectar has three main mattresses: the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress, the Nectar Premier Mattress and the Nectar Premier Copper Mattress. Each of these mattresses come in all-foam and hybrid versions. The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress, which is the brand’s original mattress, is the most budget-friendly.
The Nectar Premier Mattress is a slight upgrade from the original. It has a similar construction, but the top gel memory foam layer and base layer are an inch thicker, while the middle layer is an inch thinner. The gel layer is also infused with phase-change material, making this a better option for hot sleepers and those who need a little more pressure relief and support. It has the same medium-firm feel as the original Nectar mattress.
The Nectar Premier Copper Mattress is the brand’s luxury model. The middle transition layer is only one-inch thick, but it has four inches of gel memory foam and a nine-inch base layer that provides the most support of the three. Like the Nectar Premier, this mattress is infused with phase-change materials so it sleeps cooler than the original Nectar mattress.
Nectar vs Casper
Casper is another popular online mattress brand that sells six different models. The Casper Original is the most similar to the Nectar mattress. It has three layers of memory foam, but Casper rates it a 7–8/10, which makes it a firm mattress. Rather than gel memory foam, it has a perforated top layer that conforms to your body while also promoting airflow. The middle layer is divided into three ergonomic zones—it’s softer under the shoulders and firmer near the hips, waist and lower back. This makes it a good option for heavier back sleepers and stomach sleepers.
Nectar vs DreamCloud
The DreamCloud is a hybrid mattress that has an 8.5-inch layer of individually wrapped coils sandwiched between four layers of foam. It has the same medium-firm feel of the Nectar mattress (it’s rated a 6.5/10), but the coils add breathability and responsiveness that you can’t get with all-foam mattresses. This mattress also has less sinkage than the Nectar, so it works well for people who like to feel like they’re lying on top of their mattress, rather than in it.
Nectar vs Purple
The Purple Mattress is in a class of its own. It combines two polyurethane foam layers with a two-inch layer of a proprietary material called the Purple GelFlex Grid. This grid, which is the signature of all Purple mattresses, is hyper-flexible so it instantly responds to your body in any position. There’s no slow sinking feel like with memory foam. Because of this, it adapts to most sleeping positions and is one of the best options for combination sleepers. The open air channels of the grid also promote airflow and prevent heat trapping, so this mattress sleeps exceptionally cool. Purple doesn’t give an official firmness rating for this mattress, but does classify it as a medium-firm.
Nectar Mattress FAQs
Can you really return a Nectar mattress after a year?
Nectar has a 365-night sleep trial that allows you to try the mattress for a full year before committing to it. While you can’t return the mattress after the first year, you can request a full refund any time within that 365-day period as long as you’ve opened and slept on the mattress for at least 30 nights. If you don’t open the mattress within 90 days of receiving it, you won’t be eligible for a return.
Do Nectar mattresses sleep hot?
Nectar has several different types of mattresses, including memory foam and hybrid models. The hybrid models are generally better for hot sleepers since they sleep cooler than memory foam. However, all of Nectar’s mattresses include some type of cooling material, from gel memory foams to a cooling cover, that prevent them from trapping heat like traditional memory foam. The Nectar Premier Copper mattress is the brand’s coolest mattress.
Does a Nectar mattress get softer?
All mattresses have a break-in period, usually the first 30 to 60 days, where they get a little softer. If your Nectar mattress feels a little too firm at first, give it some time to adjust before making a decision about whether or not you like it. This break-in period is so important that many mattress companies, including Nectar, won’t let you initiate a return until after the first 30 days have passed.
Are Nectar mattresses good for heavy people?
Heavy people need more support to prevent dipping and sagging that can lead to discomfort. While the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress might not be the best fit for sleepers over 230 pounds, the hybrid Nectar Premier Copper Mattress has more support in the form of coils and thicker foams.
Do Nectar beds have a smell?
Nectar beds may have a slight smell when you first unbox them. This off-gassing is common with foam mattresses and usually goes away within a few days. While the smell can be unpleasant, the foams used in Nectar mattresses are CertiPur-US certified, so you don’t have to worry about toxic chemicals. If you want to air out the mattress faster, you can open the windows or turn on a fan.
How often should you replace a Nectar mattress?
You should replace your Nectar mattress every seven to 10 years, which is the average lifespan of a mattress. If anything goes wrong with your mattress before that time, you may be covered by Nectar’s lifetime warranty.
Final Thoughts
The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress is an excellent mid-range bed that works well for side and back sleepers. It offers superior pressure relief and also excels at motion isolation, making it a great fit for couples. If you like the body-contouring and slow-sinking feel of memory foam, you’ll likely love this bed. However, if you’re a very hot sleeper, you might want to consider a cooling mattress instead.
Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.
