Nectar Mattress Review: Affordable Comfort?

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If you want a mattress that hugs your curves and contours your body, you may want to consider getting one made entirely out of foam. Nectar, in particular, is known for its plush and slow-moving feel. But is this the best memory foam mattress for your needs?

That’s where I come in. I’ve personally tested hundreds of mattresses, so I know what you should look for when shopping for your next bed. In this Nectar memory foam mattress review, I’ll share my subjective opinion and explain how it performed in my objective tests.

A man poses on the Nectar Classic mattress

Nectar Mattress

nectar classic update airtable

Nectar is a very comfortable memory foam mattress that happens to also be an amazing value.

Clarity Score 4.3/5
MC Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

MC Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

365 nights

MC Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

MC Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6.5/10

MC Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

MC Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$699 - $1798

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

MC sleeper type couples
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
MC sleeper type back pain
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
MC sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
MC sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for heavyweight side sleepers.
MC sleeper type stomach sleepers
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5
Watch Our Video Review

Nectar Mattress

nectar classic update airtable

Nectar is a very comfortable memory foam mattress that happens to also be an amazing value.

Clarity Score 4.3/5
MC Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

MC Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

MC Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6.5/10

MC Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

MC Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

365 nights

MC Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$699 - $1798

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

MC sleeper type couples
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
MC sleeper type back pain
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
MC sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
MC sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for heavyweight side sleepers.
MC sleeper type stomach sleepers
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5
Watch Our Video Review
nectar classic update airtable

Nectar Mattress

Nectar is a very comfortable memory foam mattress that happens to also be an amazing value.

Clarity Score 4.3/5
MC Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

MC Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6.5/10

MC Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

365 nights

MC Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

MC Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

MC Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$699 - $1798

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

MC sleeper type couples
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
MC sleeper type back pain
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
MC sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
MC sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for heavyweight side sleepers.
MC sleeper type stomach sleepers
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5
Watch Our Video Review

I recommend the Nectar for…

  • Fans of a slow-moving memory foam feel. The Nectar mattress is not very responsive, so that means it slowly comes back into place after pressure is applied. This is great for people who need a lot of cushioning and pressure relief. 
  • Side sleepers. Because this mattress has a plush and slow-moving feel, it works particularly well for side sleepers. The soft foam helps cushion pressure points and alleviate pain along shoulders and hips. 
  • People looking for a great value mattress. The Nectar memory foam mattress doesn’t cost as much as many other mattresses, and it should last at least seven years. For these reasons, I think it’s one of the best mattresses for the money.

I don’t recommend the Nectar for…

  • People who weigh more than 230 lbs. People in this weight category may not get the lumbar support they need on this mattress, so they run the risk of developing lower back pain. 
  • Fans of bouncy mattresses. If you are looking for a bed that’s responsive and easy to move around on, you should consider getting the Nectar Hybrid or another bed with coils. The all-foam Nectar mattress might make some people feel “stuck” inside the layers. 
  • Stomach sleepers. The Nectar memory foam mattress has a classic medium-firm feel, so it may not be supportive enough for most stomach sleepers. If you tend to rest on your stomach, you should consider getting one of the best firm mattresses

How Firm Is The Nectar? 

The Nectar memory foam mattress has a traditional medium-firm feel, which comes in at 6.5/10 on our firmness scale. For reference, 1/10 feels like cotton candy and 10/10 feels like concrete. The Nectar memory foam mattress has a soft top layer and a supportive base layer, which creates the balanced support that medium-firm mattresses are known for.

Nectar Mattress Test Performance: My Overall Thoughts

Now, let’s examine some numbers. I put the Nectar mattress through several objective tests to assess its support, responsiveness, edge support, and more. Overall, the mattress earned a score of 4.3/5, with particularly high scores in motion isolation and cooling. 

Scroll over the circles below to learn more about each category, and keep reading to learn more about the individual testing methods. 

Mattress Performance Ratings

Poor
Average
Excellent

1
2
3
4
5
4.3
Overall Score
3.5
Support
4.5
Cooling
4
Edge Support
4.5
Motion Transfer
3
Response
4
Durability
5
Trial Period
5
Warranty

Nectar Mattress Performance 

Support: 3.5/5 

When I test a mattress’s support, I assess how it feels in each sleeping position. While side sleeping, the Nectar supported my spine and cushioned my hips. However, I didn’t get a lot of lumbar support when I rested on my back and stomach. For this reason, I gave it a decent score of 3.5/5. It’s important to note, however, that I’m a bigger guy. I’m 6’7” and weigh 270 lbs. Smaller people may feel more supported than I did. 

Edge Support: 4/5

Edge support is exactly what it sounds like: When you sit near the side of the mattress, will you feel supported or unstable? When I sat along the edge of the Nectar mattress, the sides sagged 3.5,” which is better than average. For this reason, I gave this mattress an edge support score of 4/5. 

A man tests the edge support on the Nectar Classic mattress

Cooling: 4.5/5 

To test the Nectar’s cooling capabilities, I used my handy heat gun. First, I calculated the temperature of the mattress before anyone had rested on it. Then, I settled in for a short nap on top of the bed. After five minutes, I got up and pointed the heat gun back to the surface of the mattress. 

A man tests the cooling on the Nectar Classic mattress

I found that the Nectar mattress was 1.9 degrees Fahrenheit warmer after I rested on it, which is very good for an all-foam mattress. I personally didn’t feel hot on this bed during my short nap, so even though memory foam tends to trap body heat, that shouldn’t be an issue with this bed.

Motion Transfer: 4.5/5

If you share a bed with a partner, you may want to pay close attention to a mattress’s motion transfer score. If a bed doesn’t isolate motion well, you could feel your partner’s movements come over to your side of the bed. And if you’re a light sleeper, like I am, this could disrupt your rest. 

I test motion transfer in two ways. First, I place a glass of water on top of the bed. Then, I press into the surface around it and see how much the water ripples in the glass. When I conducted this test on the Nectar, I didn’t see a lot of disruption. 

A man tests the motion transfer on the Nectar Classic mattress

Next, I asked my coworker to test it out with me. I rested on one side of the bed, while my colleague rolled around on the opposite side. Even as they tossed and turned, I didn’t feel a lot of movement transfer to my side of the bed. For these reasons, I gave the Nectar a great motion transfer score of 4.5/5. It should be a great mattress for couples.

Response 3/5 

If a mattress has a high response score, that means it’s very bouncy and easy to move around on. To test a mattress’s responsiveness, I press my hand into the surface of the bed and see how long it takes for the comfort layer to snap back into place. 

Not surprisingly, the Nectar took several seconds to return to its original place after I applied pressure. This bed has the classic, slow-moving feel that memory foam is known for. So if you’re looking for a particularly responsive mattress, you should consider getting a bed with coils. 

Durability 4.5/5

Because I wasn’t able to test this mattress out for several years, I based the durability score on its materials and construction. 

For an all-foam mattress, the Nectar is quite durable. The high-density base foam layer should offer support for at least seven years, which is longer than many other bed-in-a-box mattresses. With good care, this bed could last as long as a decade.

Nectar Mattress Company Policy Scores 

Trial Period 5/5

The Nectar mattress comes with an impressive 365-night sleep trial period, which gives you a full year to decide whether the bed is right for you. If, during this period of time, you decide the bed isn’t a good fit, simply email a customer service representative and they will issue a full refund. Nectar will even help you find a local donation center so you give the bed to someone in need. 

Warranty 5/5

The Nectar mattress also comes with a forever warranty, which covers manufacturing defects. If you’ve had your mattress for less than 10 years and notice any flaws in workmanship, Nectar will send you a free replacement. After 10 years, Nectar will repair your mattress. 

Nectar Mattress – Other Factors to Consider

Two-Hour Nap 

Objective testing is valuable, but nothing quite compares to the information I get from my two-hour nap test. For my nap, I started out on my back. In this position, I felt some nice cushioning along my hips. But because I’m a bigger guy, I didn’t get the lumbar support I needed. I felt my spine sink out of alignment a bit. 

A man sleeps on his side on the Nectar Classic mattress

Next, I switched to my stomach. I was only here for a few minutes because I could feel my hips sinking into the top layer of the mattress. This put a lot of strain on my lower back and caused a twinge of pain. 

When I moved over to my side, however, I was able to fall asleep easily. The plush comfort layer alleviated pressure along my shoulders, and I felt the base layer support my spine. 

I didn’t overheat during my nap, which is great news. I have found that many all-foam beds make me feel slightly stuffy and warm, but that wasn’t an issue at all on the Nectar. 

Off-gassing 

Like most bed-in-a-box mattresses, the Nectar emitted a chemical smell after I opened it. To speed up the off-gassing process, I placed the mattress in a well-ventilated room and turned on the ceiling fan. It took about 48 hours for the mattress to fully air out and expand, so that’s something to keep in mind if you decide to purchase this bed. 

Noise

When I rolled around and switched sleeping positions on the Nectar mattress, I didn’t hear any annoying creaks or squeaks. This is to be expected, because it doesn’t contain any coils.

Sex

When I assess a mattress for sex, I pay close attention to the bed’s responsiveness score. If it has a high score, I know that sexual partners can easily move around on top of the bed. The Nectar memory foam mattress didn’t score particularly well in responsiveness, so it could cause some people to feel “stuck” in the bed while getting intimate. 

Mattress Height 

The Nectar mattress is 12” tall, which is about average. That said, it should still offer the support and comfort that most people need in a bed. 

Sleeping Position and Weight 

If you weigh less than 130 lbs, the Nectar mattress should work for you no matter your sleeping position. Because you won’t compress the layers too much, you should get the comfort and support you need. 

If you weigh between 130 and 230 lbs, you should feel comfy and supported while back and side sleeping. But because the Nectar mattress isn’t super firm, you may not get the hip support you need while stomach sleeping.

A man sleeps on his back on the Nectar Classic mattress

Heavier people, like myself, probably won’t feel comfortable while side and stomach sleeping. The Nectar offers enough support for heavier back sleepers, but even so, there may be better options out there. Take a look at my list of the best mattresses for heavy people for some more ideas. 

Sleeper WeightBack SleepersSide SleepersStomach Sleepers
Lightweight (130 lbs or under)ExcellentGoodExcellent
Average-weight (130 to 230 lbs)ExcellentExcellentPoor
Heavyweight (230 lbs and up)GoodPoorPoor

Heavyweight Tester – 6’7”, 270 lbs

“I felt nice and supported when I rested on my back, but I developed some shoulder and hip pain when I slept on my side and stomach. I will say, though, for an all-foam bed, the Nectar’s cooling abilities are excellent.” – Marten

Average Weight Tester – 5’3”, 150 lbs

“I really liked the Nectar’s slow-moving feel. It cushioned my shoulders when I rested on my side, and I felt it hug my hips when I slept on my back. I didn’t quite get enough support when I slept on my stomach, though.” – Elisa

Nectar Mattress Construction 

Now, let’s take a close look at what this mattress is made of. 

Cover

The Nectar has a polyethylene cover, so it feels breathable and cool to the touch.

Comfort Layers

On top of the Nectar mattress, there’s a 3″ layer of gel foam. It’s not very responsive and it takes a few moments to reform after I apply pressure. The gel infusion helps offsets the heat-trapping properties of the memory foam.

A cross-section shot of the Nectar Classic Hybrid

Below that, there’s a firmer, higher density layer of Soft Conventional Foam. It acts as a transition layer and eases sleepers down to the support layer beneath. It also dynamically adjusts to movement, making it easier to move around the mattress.

Support Layers

On the bottom of the Nectar, there’s a 7″ layer of high-density base foam. This material offers lumbar support and makes the mattress quite durable.

I recommend pairing the Nectar with the extremely supportive Nectar Adjustable Base for more customization options. 

How to Try and Buy the Nectar Mattress 

You can try out Nectar mattresses at various stores throughout the country, but if you don’t feel like dealing with pushy salespeople, you can easily order the mattress online. The bed is shipped directly to your doorstep and comes with a 365-night trial period and forever warranty.

Sizes and Prices of the Nectar Mattress

For more information regarding size options and price points, take a look at the chart below. Please note: Prices do not reflect discounts. You can save money by using the Mattress Clarity coupons found below.

SizeDimensionsPrice
Twin38” x 75”$699.00
Twin XL38” x 80”$899.00
Full54” x 75”$949.00
Queen60” x 80”$1099.00
King76” x 80”$1399.00
California King72” x 84”$1399.00

How the Nectar Compares

Let’s see how the Nectar compares to other popular picks. You can also compare Nectar to more mattresses by checking out our mattress comparison page.

Product
Firmness
Score
nectar classic update airtable
Nectar Mattress
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
4.3/5
the Purple Original mattress sits on a bed frame in a bedroom
Purple Mattress
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
4.1/5
casper original hero
Casper Original Mattress
Medium-firm: 7/10
3.7/5
Nectar Premier Mattress New Featured Image
Nectar Premier Mattress
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
4.3/5
nectar classic update airtable
Product
Nectar Mattress
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Score
4.3/5
the Purple Original mattress sits on a bed frame in a bedroom
Product
Purple Mattress
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Score
4.1/5
casper original hero
Product
Casper Original Mattress
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Score
3.7/5
Nectar Premier Mattress New Featured Image
Product
Nectar Premier Mattress
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Score
4.3/5

Nectar vs Purple 

The main difference between the Nectar and Purple mattresses can be found in the comfort layers. The Nectar features soft memory foam, and the Purple features a hyper-elastic gel polymer grid.

Purple Mattress - Side Sleeping

This gel grid feels both squishy and firm, and there’s nothing else quite like it. In general, the Purple mattress works best for heavier people because they will compress the grid enough to feel its pressure-relieving qualities. And because the grid is quite supportive, the Purple mattress may last longer than the Nectar. However, Purple does have a higher price point 

Read my Purple mattress review for more information. 

Nectar vs Casper

Nectar and Casper are both all-foam mattresses, but they’re different in a few ways. The Nectar has memory foam on top, while the Casper has a more responsive polyfoam. Because of this, the Nectar has a slow-moving foam feel, and the Casper has a balanced foam feel. 

A man sleeps on his side on the Casper mattress

Also, the Casper features a zoned support system while the Nectar doesn’t. This makes the Casper feel firmer when you rest on your back and stomach and softer when you sleep on your side.

Check out my Casper mattress review to learn more. 

Nectar vs Nectar Premier

Because these two beds come from the same company, they have a similar slow-moving feel. They’re both all-foam beds, but the main difference lies in their firmness and durability. 

A man sleeps on his side on the Nectar Premier

The Nectar Premier is slightly softer than the original Nectar mattress, making it a better choice for side sleepers. It can really help cushion joints, especially for those with joint pain. And because the Nectar Premier mattress is 1” thicker than the original Nectar, it may have a longer lifespan. This does come at a slightly higher price tag, though.

Read my full Nectar Premier mattress review for the full scoop.

Nectar Mattress FAQs

Is Nectar a good mattress?

The Nectar is a good mattress, but it may not work well for everyone. The Nectar mattress works well for most side sleepers and couples, but it’s not a great option for heavy people and stomach sleepers.

How long do Nectar mattresses last?

The Nectar mattress should last between eight and ten years, which is pretty standard for all-foam mattresses. It has a high-density base layer that should prevent the mattress from sagging.

Do you need a box spring with the Nectar mattress?

The Nectar mattress does not require a box spring.

Is Nectar or Purple better?

Neither mattress is better, but they are better for different types of people. The Nectar is better for side sleepers, fans of memory foam and lightweight sleepers; the Purple is better for combination sleepers, larger people and those who want something more durable.

Does Nectar take your old mattress?

If you opt for Nectar’s Premium In-Home Setup, the company  will deliver your mattress, set it up in your bedroom and take away your old mattress. This service costs $199.

Nectar Mattress Video Review

Marten Carlson

Marten is the Lead Reviewer at Mattress Clarity. He is a Certified Sleep Science Coach and covers the mattress industry as well as sleep science news. He is specifically interested in the connection between sleep and overall health. Marten has written for media publications like Consequence of Sound and received a master’s degree in Film Studies from Emory University. He comes from Franklin, Indiana, and spends all the time he can writing, directing, and acting in films.