Nectar Mattress Review: Affordable Comfort?

Written by Marten Carlson, Mattress and Sleep Product Reviewer

Methodology

Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches have reviewed 600+ mattresses and accessories for over seven years using proprietary analysis and hands-on testing. We assess each bed for support, cooling, firmness, pressure relief, and more.

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In This Review

I’ll be discussing the Nectar mattress, a memory foam mattress with a contouring feel that offers plus foam and excellent pressure relief, but isn’t as responsive as some other mattresses.

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Nectar is a well-known name in the mattress world, and its flagship mattress, the Nectar Classic, remains a popular pick. Recently, Nectar upgraded the design of its mattresses, including the Classic, which was known as a high-value memory foam mattress with a slow-moving feel. So what’s changed?

I put the newly redesigned Nectar Classic through a series of tests to see how it performs in multiple categories. Keep reading for my unbiased Nectar Classic mattress review.

I Recommend The Nectar Classic For…

• Those who like a balanced foam feel. Despite being an all-foam mattress, the comfort layer isn’t super thick. That makes it easy to move around and change positions.
• Back sleepers. The Nectar Classic has the balanced support back sleepers need for proper spinal alignment.
• Value shoppers. With the brand’s frequent discounts, you can get a queen-size Nectar Classic for less than $1,000.

I Don’t Recommend The Nectar Classic For…

• Heavyweight sleepers. Plus-size people will need a hybrid with coils, or a mattress specifically made to support higher weight, in order to get the support they need to avoid lumbar pain. Take a look at my list of the best mattresses for heavy people for some better options.
• Strict side sleepers. Many side sleepers may feel pressure build up in their hips and shoulders.
• Fans of a slow-moving feel. The Classic is made with memory foam, but it doesn’t have that signature slow-moving feel.

How Firm Is The Nectar? 

I score mattresses on a scale of 1-10, and this mattress felt like a 7/10. It’s just a bit firmer than the industry standard for medium-fim. While the Nectar Classic features memory foam on top, you don’t get a lot of it. It’s not as soft as many other all-foam beds on the market.

Nectar Mattress Test Performance: My Overall Thoughts

I tested the Nectar mattress’s support, cooling ability, durability, and more. Overall, the mattress scored 4.3/5, with close to perfect marks in edge support and motion transfer.

Learn more about our tested categories by hovering over the circles below, and keep reading to see how the Nectar Classic fared.

Mattress Performance Ratings

Poor

Average

Excellent

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3

4

5

4.3

4

3.5

4.5

4.5

3.5

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5

5

Nectar Mattress Performance 

Support – 4/5

In a mattress, support is an indication of how well the materials help you maintain a neutral spine alignment. It’s a key feature in any mattress, and the Classic performed quite well. While this all-foam bed doesn’t have a coil layer, I really didn’t miss it. The thick layer of high-density support foam held up my body nicely, though I felt most supported on my back. For the record, I’m a bigger guy at 6’7” and 270 lbs.

Edge Support – 4.5/5

Edge support can be a really important feature if you share your bed with a partner and want to maximize sleeping space. Generally speaking, all-foam mattresses don’t perform well when it comes to edge support. The Nectar Classic was a pleasant surprise. When I sat on the side of the bed, I measured a mere 2.5” dip, which is extremely impressive given its foam layers. This earned the Classic an almost perfect score.

Cooling 3.5/5

I test cooling ability in a mattress both objectively and subjectively. Using my temperature gun, I found that the Classic warmed from 72.8 F to 80.5 F after I rested on it for five minutes. Even with its cooling cover, that’s a fairly significant increase. However, it’s better than some all-foam mattresses I’ve reviewed, and I didn’t feel uncomfortably hot. Still, if overheating at night is an issue, some of the higher-end Nectar models offer more impressive cooling features.

Motion Transfer – 4.5/5

This is another category that’s important for couples or anyone who shares the bed with a pet. Motion transfer describes movement across the bed, which isn’t something you want in the middle of the night. I expected the Nectar Classic to isolate motion well, and I wasn’t disappointed. Given its all-foam construction, it’s no surprise that it absorbs a lot of movement. 

I tested the Classic’s motion transfer in two ways. First, I put a glass of water on the bed and pressed firmly into the surface around it to see how much it disrupted the water in the glass. I saw little disturbance. Next, I rested on the mattress while a teammate moved around vigorously on the other side, changing positions and getting in and out of the bed. I couldn’t feel much movement at all, so I’m happy to recommend this mattress to couples.

Response – 3.5/5

Responsiveness is the other side of motion transfer. It describes the level of bounce a mattress has, which affects how easy it is to change positions. It’s an important consideration for combination sleepers in particular. Memory foam isn’t known for its high response time, but the Classic has a balanced foam feel that gives it more bounce than you might expect. Still, if you’re looking for a responsive mattress, you’re better off with a latex or innerspring bed.

Durability – 4/5

Since I don’t have the luxury of testing mattresses over years, I estimate durability based on materials and construction. WIth regular cleaning and rotation, I think it’s reasonable to expect the Nectar Classic to perform as expected for at least seven years. Most mattresses last between 7 and 10 years, so this is in line with the average.

Nectar Mattress Company Policy Scores 

Trial Period – 5/5

Nectar has one of the best trial periods in the industry. Each mattress has a 365-night sleep trial window, which means you have a full year to decide whether it meets your sleep needs. If you decide it’s not working, you’re asked to email Nectar to be issued a full refund. The company will also work with you to find a local donation center. 

It’s important to note, however, that Nectar requires you to test out your mattress for at least 30 days before issuing a return. That’s because it often takes people a few weeks to adjust to a new mattress. Also, Nectar does not accept returns outside of the contiguous United States.

Warranty – 5/5

Nectar’s warranty is as generous as its sleep trial. The company backs its mattresses with its Forever Warranty, which protects against manufacturer defects the entire time you own it. If you notice workmanship flaws in the first 10 years, Nectar will replace it. After 10 years, the company will make necessary repairs.

Nectar Mattress – Other Factors to Consider

To ensure I put the Classic through its paces, I conducted a few additional tests.

Two-Hour Nap 

The two-hour test is one of my favorite ways to assess a mattress. In this case, it’s how I learned that I feel best on my back when I’m on the Classic. Even as a bigger guy, I felt like I got enough support, but there is potential for that to be an issue over the long run. For that reason, I would recommend the hybrid version of this mattress if you weigh more than 270 lbs. 

The two-hour test was also a great opportunity to test temperature. I didn’t feel myself overheating on the Classic while I slept. While it’s not necessarily cool to the touch, I didn’t wake up feeling hot or sweaty.

Off-gassing 

The Nectar Classic may be redesigned, but it still ships compressed, rolled, and tucked in a box. Between that and the foam layers, off-gassing is to be expected. There was a noticeable, but mild, odor at first. But it dissipated after a few days.

Noise

Since the Nectar Classic doesn’t have coils, there are no springs that might squeak or creak now or in the future. No matter how much I rolled around, the Classic didn’t make a sound.

Sex

A good mattress for sex usually has a high response score, which indicates that it has enough bounce for sexual partners to move around comfortably without feeling stuck. Based on that, the Nectar Classic will be decent for sex. You won’t have the bounce of an innerspring, but you shouldn’t have too much trouble moving around.

Mattress Height

The Nectar Classic is a 12” mattress, which is about average. Most people should find it an appropriate height for their needs.

Sleeping Position and Weight 

Since the Classic is a little firmer than average, it’s a great match for back sleepers. I felt my hips sink in just the right amount to keep my spine comfortably aligned. I’m a bigger guy, so I noticed some pressure when I tested it on my side. Light and average-weight side sleepers, however, should fare better since they won’t sink in as far. Still, I think there are better mattresses for side sleepers.

On my stomach, I felt a decent amount of support, but the Classic really isn’t designed for larger stomach sleepers. Average-weight stomach sleepers will feel more comfortable, and it’s a great match for lightweight stomach sleepers. In both cases, they’ll get the support they need to keep their hips elevated for a neutral spine.

Sleeper Weight	Back Sleepers	Side Sleepers	Stomach Sleepers
Lightweight (130 lbs or under)	Fair	Good	Excellent
Average-weight (130 to 230 lbs)	Excellent	Fair	Good
Heavyweight (230 lbs and up)	Good	Bad	Fair

Heavyweight Tester – 6’7”, 270 lbs

“As a bigger guy, I felt best when I was back sleeping on this mattress. There was a decent balance of comfort and support when I was in this position. However, I don’t feel like this mattress is really made for people in my weight range.” — Marten

Average-weight Tester – 5’3”, 150 lbs

“I felt great when I rested on my back. The comfort layer cushioned my lower back, and the base layer kept my spine in a neutral alignment. I felt some pressure when I rested on my side, though. ” — Elisa

Nectar Mattress Construction 

Now that I’ve covered how the Classic performs, let’s take a look at the materials and construction 

Cover

The Nectar Classic has a polyblend cover that’s woven with cooling fibers. The cooling cover also has an antimicrobial finish to help keep the mattress fresher.

The higher you go in the Nectar lineup, the more cooling fibers you’ll get. If you’re a particularly hot sleeper, you may want to upgrade to one of Nectar’s Luxe models. 

Comfort Layers 

A 1” layer of contouring  memory helps minimize heat retention and offers pressure relief. This is stacked over a 3” responsive support layer that serves as a transition to the denser foam below. It also makes the mattress more responsive and helps promote the proper spinal alignment.

Support Layers

The 8” base layer is made of dense foam, which offers support and helps isolate motion. It’s wrapped in a shift-resistant lower cover that keeps the layers above secure and in place.

How to Try and Buy the Nectar Mattress 

You can try a Nectar mattress at one of 4,365 stores across the country. If you don’t live near one of these shops, though, you can also order it online. Nectar mattresses come with a 365-night sleep trial period, and there’s no fee if you decide to return it. It’s important to note, however, that you cannot return your mattress if you live outside of the contiguous United States.

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.

Size	Dimensions	Price
Twin	38” x 75”	$699.00
Twin XL	38” x 80”	$899.00
Full	54” x 75”	$949.00
Queen	60” x 80”	$1099.00
King	76” x 80”	$1399.00
California King	72” x 84”	$1399.00

Nectar Mattress

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

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Clarity Score

4.3 / 5.0

How The Nectar Classic Compares

It can be useful to compare mattresses before clicking “add to cart.” Here’s how the Nectar stacks up to three other popular foam beds. You can also compare Nectar to other mattresses on our mattress comparison page.

Product

Type

Score

Product

Nectar Mattress

Type

Foam

Score

4.3 / 5

Check Price

Read Nectar Mattress Review

Product

DreamCloud Original Mattress

Type

Hybrid

Score

4.0 / 5

Check Price

Read DreamCloud Original Mattress Review

Product

Saatva Mattress

Type

Innerspring

Score

4.3 / 5

Check Price

Read Saatva Mattress Review

Product

TEMPUR-Cloud Mattress

Type

Foam

Score

3.6 / 5

Check Price

Read TEMPUR-Cloud Mattress Review

Nectar Classic vs DreamCloud

Right out of the gate, there are construction differences between these two mattresses. The Classic is all-foam, and the DreamCloud is a hybrid mattress. That makes it more breathable, since the coil layer offers more airflow than foam layers, so it’s a better option for hot sleepers.

The DreamCloud has a firmer feel, so it’s a great option for stomach sleepers. Back sleepers, on the other hand, will benefit from the slightly-firmer-than-average Nectar.

If you like a mattress with a bit of bounce, the DreamCloud is the better option. It has the springiness you might expect from a hybrid, while the Nectar has more of a balanced foam feel.

Nectar Classic vs Saatva

Nectar and Saatva are quite different. First of all the Saatva Classic is a hybrid with a tufted pillow top. This gives the mattress a more traditional look and feel. The Saatva is also available in three firmness levels, so it works for a variety of people. 

The Saatva Classic performed better in my responsiveness test, so if you tend to switch sleeping positions during the night, this could be the way to go. 

Also, Saatva mattresses are never compressed into cardboard boxes. This means there is no off-gassing period, and you can sleep on the bed right away. Saatva mattresses also come with free white glove delivery, which means a professional will place the mattress directly on your bed frame. 

Nectar Classic vs Tempur-Pedic

Tempur-Pedic made its name on memory foam, and the TEMPUR-Cloud has the slow-moving feel that the material is known for. That means you’ll slowly sink into the mattress, while the Classic has a more “on top” of the mattress feel.

The TEMPUR-Cloud is softer than the Nectar Classic, so it’s better if you’re a side sleeper. The Nectar is a better option if you spend most of the night on your back.

If you overheat, the Nectar has more cooling materials. If you tend to sleep warm, the Tempur-Cloud could make that worse. From a price standpoint, you’ll spend far less on the Nectar Classic.

Nectar Mattress FAQs

Is the Nectar Classic a good mattress?

The Nectar Classic is a good mattress, but it depends on what you’re looking for. With its firmer-than-average feel and budget-friendly price tag, back sleepers and value shoppers will likely find it an excellent buy. 

How long will a Nectar Classic mattress last?

Given its materials and construction, you can reasonably expect a Nectar Classic mattress to last about seven to 10 years.

Do you need a box spring with a Nectar Classic mattress?

No, the Nectar Classic doesn’t require a box spring but it does need proper support. Nectar recommends any foundation, base, or adjustable frame that they sell, or similar items from other manufacturers. The company advises against putting the Classic on the floor, a plastic base, or a homemade foundation.

Is Nectar or Purple better?

Both are good brands, so the choice really comes down to personal preference. Nectar is a better choice for back sleepers who like a balanced foam feel. The Purple is a better option for larger sleepers and those who overheat at night.

Nectar Mattress Video Review