Bear vs. Nectar Mattress Comparison

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December 2, 2022

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Curious about the differences between the Bear vs. Nectar mattresses? You’re in the right place. Discover their firmness and feel, find out if they are the right bed for your sleeping position, learn their warranty details, and know how much they cost.

Make sure to check out our testing methodology to see what others are saying about the Bear and Nectar mattresses.

Bear vs. Nectar Overview

The original Bear mattress is designed with athletes in mind. It applies advanced recovery technologies and graphite and gel-infused memory foam. The Nectar is a memory foam mattress made with three layers of contouring foam that provide lots of pressure relief.

Bear is best for…	Nectar is best for…
Hot sleepers who love foam mattresses	Side sleepers
Combination sleepers	Couples
Back sleepers	Those with joint pain

Who Should Choose the Bear Mattress?

Hot sleepers who love foam mattresses: Memory foam tends to retain a lot of body heat, but the Bear adds cooling gel and graphite to its memory foam layer. As a result, hot sleepers stay cooler than they would on other memory foam mattresses.
Combination sleepers: Combination sleepers remain more “on top” of the mattress than “in” it, which enables better mobility for changing positions. For more responsive mattresses, check out our roundup of the best mattress for combination sleepers.
Back sleepers: Back sleepers experience a comfy combo of whole-body contouring and support on the Bear.

Who Should Choose the Nectar Mattress?

Side sleepers: Side sleepers will sink into the soft memory foam layer on top of the Nectar, which can alleviate strain on pressure points like shoulders and hips. We even consider the Nectar to be one of the best mattresses for side sleepers.
Couples: Couples can expect fewer sleep disruptions because memory foam naturally reduces motion transfer.
Those with joint pain: Those with hip or shoulder pain experience ample pressure relief from the Nectar’s comfort layers.

Bear vs. Nectar Mattress Video Comparison

Bear vs. Nectar: Top Similarities

Spinal Alignment: We noticed excellent spinal alignment on both of these mattresses, which means they evenly support your body weight from head to toe.
Back Sleeper Compatibility: The Bear and Nectar are both great mattresses for back sleepers, thanks to their conforming foam and supportive base layers. If you sleep in the supine position, you may also be interested in our roundup of the best mattresses for back sleepers.
Firmness: These two beds share a medium-firm feel that balances comfort and support.

Bear vs. Nectar: Top Differences

Strengths: We found the Bear to be more responsive to changes in position, which is ideal for combination sleepers and couples. On the other hand, the Nectar isolated motion a bit better, which is also helpful for couples.
Feel: While both mattresses provide excellent pressure relief, the Nectar mattress provides deeper cushioning for shoulders and hips, whereas the Bear has less sinkage.
Temperature: The Bear mattress sleeps cooler than the Nectar, although both employ effective cooling technologies.

Bear vs. Nectar: Firmness & Feel Differences

bear original mattress — Bear Original mattress

Nectar mattress in the studio — Nectar mattress

Firmness and feel are two of the key factors to sleeping comfortably. In this section, find out how the Bear and Nectar perform on this scale.

What’s the Firmness of the Bear & Nectar Mattresses?

The Bear is a medium-firm mattress. It has a soft top layer and firmer second and third layers, so the further you sink into the mattress, the firmer it will feel. This firmness level is best for sleeping positions that require more support, like back and stomach sleeping.

We found the Nectar mattress to be softer compared to the Bear. This is a true medium-firm mattress—it has lots of pressure relief without compromising support. Lightweight sleepers won’t sink as far into the memory foam, so they may perceive it to be slightly firmer.

What Do the Bear & Nectar Mattresses Feel Like?

The 10-inch thick Bear mattress has a graphite-gel infused memory foam which helps sleepers stay cool all night. The Nectar mattress, on the other hand, also has cooling technology but is not as powerful as the Bear. The Nectar mattress, however, has more sinkage that contours your body better and is softer than the Bear mattress.

What’s It Like to Sleep On the Bear & Nectar Mattresses?

When sleeping with a partner, the Bear and Nectar mattresses are top options. Thanks to its motion isolation, sleepers who toss and turn won’t bother their companion. Plus, the Bear and Nectar mattresses are highly compatible with back sleepers thanks to their memory foam and support layers.

The Bear vs. Nectar Mattresses By Body Type

Bear Performance By Body Type & Sleeping Position:

Body Type:	BACK SLEEPERS	STOMACH SLEEPERS	SIDE SLEEPERS
Lightweight (< 130 lbs):	5	5	2
Average-weight (130–230 lbs):	5	4	3
Heavyweight (> 230 lbs):	3	2	3

Nectar Performance By Body Type & Sleeping Position:

Body Type:	BACK SLEEPERS	STOMACH SLEEPERS	SIDE SLEEPERS
Lightweight (< 130 lbs):	4	3	3
Average-weight (130–230 lbs):	4	2	5
Heavyweight (> 230 lbs):	2	2	3

1 = Very poor, 2 = Not good, 3 = Fair, 4 = Good, 5 = Excellent

Average-Weight Sleepers (130–230 lbs)

Average-weight back sleepers will find the Bear mattress comfortable as it contours and supports the body. As for average-weight side sleepers, the Bear is not the best option as it may feel firm against their shoulders and hips. On the other hand, the Nectar mattress provides great support for side sleepers thanks to its soft memory foam. The soft comfort layer of the Nectar, however, doesn’t provide the right support for stomach sleepers.

Heavyweight Sleepers (> 230 lbs)

Heavyweight back sleepers and stomach sleepers probably won’t get the support they need on the Nectar mattress as you might sink too deeply. Similarly, we do not recommend the all-foam Bear mattress for heavyweight sleepers as a coil mattress often works best for this.

Lightweight Sleepers (< 130 lbs)

Lightweight back sleepers and stomach sleepers will appreciate the support that the Bear mattress provides. The Nectar mattress is also a great choice for lightweight side sleepers. It will depend, ultimately, on your preference in mattress firmness and feel.

Differences In Mattress Construction

Although the Bear and Nectar are both foam mattresses, the height of the Nectar is “2” higher compared to the Bear. Read more about how each mattress is constructed in this section.

Bear Mattress Materials	Nectar Mattress Materials
Celliant Cover	Quilted Poly-Blend Cover
Graphite-Gel Memory Foam	Gel Memory Foam
Polyfoam	Adaptive Hi-Core Memory Foam
High-Density Support Foam	Base Foam

Cover

The Bear Mattress is made of a cover made with Celiant yarn that improves blood flow and speeds up muscle recovery times. While the Nectar mattress is wrapped in a breathable, moisture-wicking cover that’s made with quilted poly-blend fibers.

Comfort Layers

Both the Bear and Nectar mattresses are made of Gel Memory Foam comfort layers. Although they are both designed to reduce heat retention, the Bear mattress has a slightly cooler feel due to its Graphite-Gel comfort layer.

Support Layers

The Bear and Nectar’s support layers are both made of foam. It effectively functions to support your spine and keep the mattress from sagging.

Bear vs. Nectar Pricing

Size	Bear Prices	Nectar Prices
Twin	$	$
Twin XL	$	$
Full	$	$
Queen	$	$
King	$	$
California King	$	$

For exclusive discounts on both beds see our Bear mattress coupons and Nectar mattress coupons.

Bear vs. Nectar Mattress Performance Ratings & Differences

The Bear 4.6/5

Designed for people with active lifestyles, the Bear mattress is Bear’s flagship model. It features foams that work well for sleepers of all positions and sizes. The bed’s standout cover includes Celliant, which converts body heat into infrared energy to promote muscle recovery.

The Nectar 3.7/5

The Nectar is a value memory foam mattress that excels at providing pressure relief and minimizing motion transfer. The medium-firm feel is ideal for cradling pressure points. Plus, it comes with a year-long trial period and a Lifetime warranty.

Temperature

Mattress temperature is a top priority for good reason—if you’re too hot or cold, you won’t fall asleep as quickly and may not stay asleep for very long.

The Bear and Nectar is made of memory foam and has a reputation for retaining lots of body heat, which doesn’t make it the coolest on the market. Still, they both feature cooling elements that prevent too much warmth from pooling under your body. They’ll work for the average sleeper, but if you run especially hot at night, check out our list of best cooling mattresses.

Motion Transfer

Memory foam mattresses are typically a good choice for couples and co-sleepers because memory foam absorbs the most motion. Surprisingly, the Bear didn’t have the best motion isolation. It felt very shaky to our testers. On the other hand, the Nectar had pretty decent motion transfer, making it the better choice for shoppers concerned about sleep disruptions.

Edge Support

Edge support is an important factor if you need to use the entire surface of your mattress, or if you sit on the edge of your bed to get ready in the morning. Some mattresses incorporate extra edge support features, but neither Bear nor Nectar does so in their original mattresses. Predictably, we noticed only average levels of edge support when we tested the Bear and Nectar mattresses.

Pressure Relief

The Nectar provides excellent pressure relief, which is why we recommend it to most side sleepers. The Bear is a little firmer, but it still provides good pressure relief. It should work for back sleepers and stomach sleepers, but the Nectar is our choice for side sleepers and those with shoulder or hip pain.

Pain Relief

Both the Bear and the Nectar mattresses do an above-average job of keeping your back in a healthy neutral position, regardless of sleep position, but those prone to lower back pain should consider the Bear over the Nectar since it offers better lumbar support.

Durability

The Bear and Nectar mattresses have about the same durability. High-quality memory foam lasts between five and seven years, on average. If your mattress develops indentations over 1.5”, you may be eligible for a replacement under both companies’ warranties.

Shipping, Returns, & Warranties

Bear

The Bear mattress offers free shipping within the continental U.S., though there is a shipping fee for customers living in Alaska or Hawaii. Bear mattresses come with a 100-night trial period and free returns after 30 days. The Bear mattress is covered by a 10-year warranty. If yours develops indentations over 1.5”, cracks in the foam, or a torn/unraveled mattress cover, you could receive free repairs or a brand new mattress.

Nectar

The Nectar mattress offers free shipping if you live in the contiguous U.S.* but shipping to Alaska and Hawaii costs extra. You get a 365-night sleep trial—that’s right, a whole year—to test out the Nectar mattress in your home. Returns are free after 30 days, and used mattresses are donated to charity. Read our full Nectar mattress return policy breakdown for more details.
Nectar mattresses are covered by a Lifetime warranty that entitles you to a free replacement mattress or repairs if yours develops permanent impressions over 1.5”, cracks or splits in the foam, or any mattress cover defects.

More Mattresses to Consider

Haven’t made a decision yet? Check out these other comparisons:

Our Final Take

Overall, these are both tested and true options for memory foam lovers. They each come with convenient bed-in-a-box delivery, budget-conscious pricing, and generous trial periods and warranties. Plus, returns are free! So which should you choose?

The Bear is our pick for back sleepers, hot sleepers, and those with an active lifestyle. The Nectar is better suited to side sleepers, couples, and those prone to hip or shoulder pain. You’ll probably like the Nectar better if you prefer the slow sink of traditional memory foam. The Bear is a better choice for foam lovers who want a firmer mattress with some pressure relief.

Bear & Nectar FAQs

How long will a Bear mattress last?

Compared to other foam beds in the market, the Bear is one of the most durable. It is an all-foam bed made from high-quality materials that should last for many years. Plus, the Bear mattress comes with a 10-year warranty—ensuring all users quality sleep for a long time.

Do you have to flip a Bear mattress?

No. The Bear’s mattress construction is built with layers that provide optimal support and comfort, so it should not be flipped. Flipping the Bear will affect a sleeper’s comfort. Those concerned with wear can try rotating the mattress by 180 degrees from time to time.

Do you have to flip a Nectar mattress?

No. You do not have to flip a Nectar mattress since it is engineered to be one-sided. In other words, flipping the Nectar to its Base Foam support layer would mean a firmer, sturdier, and uncozy surface compared to the Quilted Poly-Blend Cover comfort layer.