We’re putting two popular bed-in-a-box memory foam mattresses head-to-head in this Bear vs. Nectar mattress comparison. Read on to learn which is the best mattress choice for your nocturnal needs.
Disclosure: By clicking on the product links in this article, Mattress Nerd may receive a commission fee at no cost to you, the reader. Read full disclosure statement.
Bear vs. Nectar Mattress Comparison
The original Bear mattress is designed with athletes in mind, and includes 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.
The Nectar is a better choice for side sleepers and those who like a classic memory foam feel. It’s also a good pick for couples, back sleepers, and those with lightweight or average-weight body types. You’ll like the Bear mattress if you favor back sleeping, stomach sleeping, or changing positions during the night. It’s also a reliable choice for hot sleepers who want to stay cool on an all-foam mattress. Read on to learn more.
Comparing Bear Mattress & Nectar Mattress
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.
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 conforming foam and supportive base layers. If you sleep in the supine position, you may also be interested in our roundup of best mattresses for back sleepers.
- Firmness: These two beds share a medium-firm feel that balances comfort and support.
Best for: hot sleepers who love foam mattresses, combination sleepers, and back sleepers. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. Best for: hot sleepers who love foam mattresses, combination sleepers, and back sleepers. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. Best for: hot sleepers who love foam mattresses, combination sleepers, and back sleepers. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.
Bear Mattress
Read Bear Mattress Review
Material
Foam
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Financing Options
Bear Mattress
Read Bear Mattress Review
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Financing Options
Bear Mattress
Read Bear Mattress Review
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Financing Options
Who the Bear Mattress is Best For
Best For…
- Hot Sleepers Who Love Foam Mattresses: Memory foam tends to retain a lot of body heat, but the Bear adds cooling gel and graphite to their memory foam layer. As a result, hot sleepers stay cooler than they would on other memory foam mattresses.
- Combination Sleepers: Combination sleepers remain more “on top” of the mattress than “in” it, which enables better mobility for changing positions. For more responsive mattresses, check out our roundup of the best mattress for combination sleepers.
- Back Sleepers: Back sleepers experience a comfy combo of whole body contouring and support on the Bear.
May Not be Best For…
- Side Sleepers: Side sleepers will likely bump up against the firmer transition layer, which can cause their shoulders and hips to feel jammed.
- Heavyweight Sleepers: Heavyweight sleepers (those over 230 lbs) typically need a mattress that’s deeper than 12” with a supportive coil base layer, which rules out the 10”, all-foam Bear mattress.
Read our full Bear mattress review to learn more!
Nectar Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
365 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Nectar Mattress
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
365 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Nectar Mattress
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Who the Nectar Mattress is Best For
Best For…
- 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.
May Not be Best For…
- Stomach Sleepers: If you sleep on your stomach, you need a firm mattress with lots of lumbar support. As a medium-firm mattress with a soft top layer, the Nectar does not make our list of best mattresses for stomach sleepers.
- Heavyweight Sleepers: If you weigh more than 230 lbs, you’re likely to sink too deeply into the Nectar, which can cause spinal misalignment and back pain. Heavyweight folks need a more supportive mattress, like one with coils, latex, or other dense and durable materials.
Read our full Nectar mattress review to learn more!
Deciding Between Bear & Nectar
Firmness / Feel
Brand Bear Performance By 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 |
Brand Nectar Performance By 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
Mattress firmness is often rated on a firmness scale that ranges from 1–10. If a mattress has a firmness level closer to one, it’s considered soft. Firm mattresses fall around the 8/10 range, and medium-firm mattresses are between 5–7/10. How a mattress feels is also affected by your body type. For example, heavyweight sleepers usually sink deeper into the mattress layers, and perceive the mattress to be softer or firmer, depending on the materials.
The Bear mattress is 7/10, which is on the firmer end of the medium-firm range. 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 a 6/10 (though the Nectar website says 6.5/10). 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.
Motion Isolation
If you sleep solo, motion transfer won’t be a big concern for you, but if you share your bed, pay attention. Motion isolation is the measurement of how much movement transfers from one side of the bed to the other, and it’s a major factor in determining the best mattresses for couples.
Memory foam mattresses are typically a good choice for couples and co-sleepers because memory foam absorbs most motion before it has the chance to spread. 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 isolation, so it’s 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 do so in their original mattresses. Predictably, we noticed only average levels of edge support when we tested the Bear and Nectar mattresses.
Pressure Relief
Pressure relief is the factor that contributes the most to a mattress feeling cozy and cloud-like. It’s a particularly important feature for side sleepers, who need extra softness around their shoulders and hips.
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.
Spine Alignment
Have you ever been told to sit up straight and improve your posture? You can maintain a good sleeping posture effortlessly on a mattress that provides good spinal alignment.
We think both of these 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.
The Bear mattress is protected for 10 years, and the Nectar is covered for your lifetime (as long as you’re the original owner).
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.
Memory foam has a reputation for retaining lots of body heat, and we won’t deny that neither of these mattresses are 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.
| Cover | Celliant Cover |
| Comfort Layer | Graphite-Gel Memory Foam |
| Transitional Layer | Polyfoam |
| Support Layer | High-Density Support Foam |
| Mattress Thickness | 10″ |
The Bear mattress cover is made with Celliant yarn, which may improve blood flow and speed up muscle recovery times. The top layer is made of memory foam that’s infused with gel and graphite—both of which reduce heat retention. Next up, a firmer polyfoam transition layer adds buoyancy and support to the mattress, while a high-density layer of base foam keeps the mattress from sagging.
Nectar Mattress Construction
| Cover | Quilted Poly-Blend Cover |
| Comfort Layer | Gel Memory Foam |
| Transitional Layer | Adaptive Hi-Core Memory Foam |
| Support Layer | Base Foam |
| Mattress Thickness | 12″ |
The Nectar mattress is wrapped in a breathable, moisture-wicking cover that’s made with quilted poly-blend fibers. The cover is also padded with a thin layer of memory foam. The top layer has the slow sink typically associated with memory foam, but it’s infused with gel, so it doesn’t retain as much heat. The second layer of memory foam is a touch denser, which supports your spine and keeps you from sinking all the way to the firm base layer.
Sizing & Price Comparisons
| Mattress Size | Bear Mattress Price | Nectar Mattress Price |
| Twin | $695 | $798 |
| Twin XL | $695 | $968 |
| Full | $895 | $1,198 |
| Queen | $995 | $1,298 |
| King | $1,095 | $1,598 |
| Cal King | $1,095 | $1,598 |
For special discounts on either brand, check out our Bear mattress coupons and Nectar mattress coupons.
Shipping and Returns
Bear
Bear mattresses are made in the U.S. and ship for free* via FedEx. Delivery takes between two and seven days. For an extra $150, you can receive white glove delivery and old mattress removal. Bear mattresses come with a 100-night trial period and free returns after 30 days. If it’s not the right fit, Bear will arrange for the mattress to be picked up and donated to charity.
The original 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.
Related: Bear Mattress Warranty
*Shipping to Alaska and Hawaii costs an extra $100.
Nectar
Mattresses from Nectar Sleep are sourced and manufactured in Vietnam, Malaysia, China, Mexico, and the U.S. You’ll receive free shipping if you live in the contiguous U.S.*, and you can add white glove delivery and old mattress removal for an extra $150.
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.
Related: Nectar Mattress Warranty
*Shipping to Alaska and Hawaii costs extra.
The Bear Hybrid mattress captures all the most coveted features in a mattress and jam packs them into this state-of-the-art hybrid. The cooling gel memory foam continuously carries away heat, promising you a cooler, more restful night’s sleep.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Bear Hybrid mattress captures all the most coveted features in a mattress and jam packs them into this state-of-the-art hybrid. The cooling gel memory foam continuously carries away heat, promising you a cooler, more restful night’s sleep.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Bear Hybrid mattress captures all the most coveted features in a mattress and jam packs them into this state-of-the-art hybrid. The cooling gel memory foam continuously carries away heat, promising you a cooler, more restful night’s sleep.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.
Bear Hybrid Mattress
Read Bear Hybrid Mattress Review
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
Bear Hybrid Mattress
Read Bear Hybrid Mattress Review
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
Bear Hybrid Mattress
Read Bear Hybrid Mattress Review
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6/10
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
See Bear Hybrid mattress review to learn more.
The Bear Pro is one of Bear's newer all-foam mattresses. With four foam layers, including a copper-infused comfort layer designed for enhanced cooling, the Pro offers more of a cradling feeling than the original Bear mattress.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Bear Pro is one of Bear's newer all-foam mattresses. With four foam layers, including a copper-infused comfort layer designed for enhanced cooling, the Pro offers more of a cradling feeling than the original Bear mattress.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Bear Pro is one of Bear's newer all-foam mattresses. With four foam layers, including a copper-infused comfort layer designed for enhanced cooling, the Pro offers more of a cradling feeling than the original Bear mattress.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.
Bear Pro Mattress
Read Bear Pro Mattress Review
Material
Foam
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
Bear Pro Mattress
Read Bear Pro Mattress Review
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
Bear Pro Mattress
Read Bear Pro Mattress Review
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6/10
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
Read Bear Pro mattress review to learn more.
More Nectar Mattresses
The Nectar Premier is a slightly softer version of Nectar’s original mattress. Not only does it have an extra inch of supportive memory foam, but it also incorporates phase change materials that keep the mattress temperature in a comfortable range. The Nectar Premier is a slightly softer version of Nectar’s original mattress. Not only does it have an extra inch of supportive memory foam, but it also incorporates phase change materials that keep the mattress temperature in a comfortable range. The Nectar Premier is a slightly softer version of Nectar’s original mattress. Not only does it have an extra inch of supportive memory foam, but it also incorporates phase change materials that keep the mattress temperature in a comfortable range.
Nectar Premier Mattress
Read Nectar Premier Mattress Review
Material
Foam
Trial Period
365 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-soft: 5.5/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Nectar Premier Mattress
Read Nectar Premier Mattress Review
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Medium-soft: 5.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
365 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Nectar Premier Mattress
Read Nectar Premier Mattress Review
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-soft: 5.5/10
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Read Nectar Premier mattress review to learn more.
The Nectar Premier Copper is a luxury foam mattress infused with special cooling materials such as gel, copper, and Phase Change Material. This mattress is a great option for back sleepers who love all-foam beds.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Nectar Premier Copper is a luxury foam mattress infused with special cooling materials such as gel, copper, and Phase Change Material. This mattress is a great option for back sleepers who love all-foam beds.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Nectar Premier Copper is a luxury foam mattress infused with special cooling materials such as gel, copper, and Phase Change Material. This mattress is a great option for back sleepers who love all-foam beds.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.
Nectar Premier Copper Mattress
Read Nectar Premier Copper Mattress Review
Material
Foam
Trial Period
365 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-soft: 5/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
Nectar Premier Copper Mattress
Read Nectar Premier Copper Mattress Review
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Medium-soft: 5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
365 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
Nectar Premier Copper Mattress
Read Nectar Premier Copper Mattress Review
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-soft: 5/10
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
See Nectar Premier Copper mattress review to learn more.
Haven’t made a decision yet? Check out these other comparisons:
- Bear vs. Brooklyn Bedding
- Bear vs. Casper
- Bear vs. Helix
- Bear vs. Layla
- Bear vs. Leesa
- Bear vs. Nectar
- Bear vs. Nolah
- Bear vs. Purple
- Bear vs. Tuft & Needle
- Bear vs. Winkbed
- Nectar vs. Brooklyn Bedding
- Nectar vs. Casper
- Nectar vs. DreamCloud Premier
- Nectar vs. GhostBed
- Nectar vs. Layla
- Nectar vs. Leesa
- Nectar vs. Loom & Leaf
- Nectar vs. Lull
- Nectar vs. Nolah
- Nectar vs. Puffy
- Nectar vs. Purple
- Nectar vs. Tempur-Pedic
- Nectar vs. Tuft & Needle
- Nectar vs. WinkBed
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.
