Leesa vs Nectar Mattress Comparison

Comparing Leesa & Nectar Mattresses

The Leesa Original mattress is a medium-firm memory foam blend with the potential to meet the needs of a variety of sleepers through contouring memory foam and polyfoam. The Nectar mattress is similar in construction but with an added gel memory foam layer that’s designed to cool the body at an affordable price. 

Both all-foam mattresses, the Leesa and Nectar each offer the contouring abilities of memory foam at different firmness levels, using different materials. The Nectar’s softer memory foam layers isolate motion better for couples. The bed is also a great mattress for side sleepers because it cradles their pressure points. The Leesa is a better mattress for combination sleepers because of its mixture of memory foam and polyfoam construction.

Differences

• While they are both memory foam mattresses, the Nectar’s gel memory foam layer and breezy quilted cover should help it sleep cooler than the Leesa. 
• Though both beds are similar firmness levels, the Leesa will feel firmer than the Nectar because of its mix of polyfoam and memory foam layers. The Nectar’s memory foam construction will cause sleepers to sink deeper into the mattress.
• The Nectar offers a longer sleep trial and warranty compared to the Leesa.

Similarities

• Both mattresses can provide comfort and support to most average-weight sleepers, especially back sleepers and side sleepers.
• Both the Leesa and the Nectar can accommodate couples by isolating motion, which is absorbed in the memory foam layers. 
• Both mattresses may lack edge support when sleepers sit on the edge or get in and out of bed.

Who the Leesa Mattress is Best For 

Best For…

• Combination sleepers looking for a balanced surface that won’t cause the hips to sink too much but is responsive enough to adapt to changing sleep positions.
• Average-weight sleepers (weighing between 130 and 230 lbs.) who like the bounce of an innerspring or hybrid mattress but still want a memory foam feel.
• Back sleepers who want proper spinal alignment on top of the Leesa, with their hips sinking slightly into the top layer.
• Budget shoppers looking for a high-quality mattress for their money. Check out the best affordable mattresses for similar options.

May Not be Best For…

• Lightweight side sleepers (people who weigh less than 130 lbs.) seeking pressure relief.
• Heavyweight sleepers (those who weigh over 230 lbs.) who will sink down to the base layers of the 10″ mattress, potentially causing pressure buildup.

Read our full Leesa mattress review to learn more! 

Who the Nectar Mattress is Best For 

Best For…

• Side and back sleepers who will sink into in the gel memory foam layer and receive pressure point relief in the adaptive memory foam layer beneath.
• People who like to sleep “in” the mattress rather than on top of it
• Couples looking for a bed that will absorb motion and decrease disturbances

May Not be Best For…

• Stomach sleepers whose back and hips will sink too deeply into the mattress.
• Heavyweight individuals (those who weigh over 230 lbs.) who will push toward the lower base layer of the mattress, finding less support and less comfort.
• Those seeking an extra-firm mattress; the Nectar allows too much sinkage for those who want a rock-solid bed.

Read our full Nectar mattress review to learn more! 

Deciding Between Leesa & Nectar

Firmness/Feel

At Mattress Nerd, we rate mattress firmness on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the most firm. A softer bed is ideal for side sleepers who need cradling along the pressure points like the hip and shoulders. On the other hand, a firmer mattress is better for stomach and back sleepers who need their spines aligned and their hips resting on top of the mattress. 

The Leesa Original mattress is rated at a 6 out of 10 level of firmness. It’s made with bouncier memory foam, making it the better mattress for combination sleepers. The Nectar memory foam mattress is also a 6/10 firmness level, but it will have the traditional memory foam feel. Sleepers are more likely to sink into the mattress on the Nectar. 

The softer upper layers of these foam beds should provide enough pressure relief and contouring for average-weight sleepers (130 to 230 lbs.) in all sleep positions. Heavier sleepers (those 230 lbs. or more) will want a firmer mattress and lighter sleepers (less than 130 lbs.) need a soft enough mattress that cradles their shoulders and hips.

Motion Isolation

Couples who share a bed will want to consider motion isolation, which is the mattress’s ability to reduce the transfer of motion across the bed. When a bed cuts down on motion transfer, it means that couples are less likely to disturb each other throughout the night while shifting positions or getting in and out of bed. 

Both mattresses offer great motion isolation—memory foam mattresses are well-known for dampening movement and thus isolating motion—but the Nectar slightly surpasses the Leesa because of its thicker memory foam.

Edge Support

Edge support is the level of support around a bed’s borders. Edge support is important for all sleepers but especially for those with back pain or people who have issues getting in and out of bed. 

A high level of edge support means your mattress is less likely to sag over time, so you won’t put as much strain on your back when sitting on the edge of your bed. Both mattresses provide relatively good edge support compared to other memory foam mattresses. Still, you might experience some sagging while sitting on the edges of these mattresses. Compared to hybrid mattresses, memory foam mattresses lack the structure of a coil system.

Pressure Relief 

While shopping for a new mattress, you want one that will deliver relief for common pressure points, including your back, neck, hips and shoulders. 

For side sleepers, the Nectar’s soft, contouring transition layer will cradle the shoulders and hips. While the Leesa may be the better mattress for stomach sleepers, it may be too bouncy and feel too firm for lightweight side sleepers to find pressure relief. Its memory foam recovery layer should relieve pressure in heavyweight sleepers.

Spine Alignment 

Besides pressure relief, you want a mattress that also promotes healthy spinal alignment in order to reduce the chances of back pain. If you’re a lightweight side sleeper (less than 130 lbs.), the Leesa mattress may feel too firm. Side sleepers will find more cushion of the hips and shoulders, as well as better spinal alignment, with the Nectar.

Durability 

Mattresses are manufactured to last for a long time, but some tend to lose their support and responsiveness quickly because of the materials used in their construction. 

Both the Nectar mattress and the Leesa mattress are made solely of foam, a material that tends to break down faster than the steel coils used in hybrid and innerspring mattresses. But the thick foam layers should help each bed last between seven and 10 years, and both offer competitive warranty policies for extra peace of mind.

Temperature 

For those who sleep hot, it is important to understand the construction of prospective mattresses. Memory foam can sometimes trap body heat in its dense layers, so it’s important to look for foam beds that mitigate the heat entrapment.

While the Leesa uses breathable polyfoam in its upper layer, the Nectar’s integrated gel memory foam may help it sleep cooler. Check out our guide to the best cooling mattresses for more information.

Leesa Construction 

The Leesa Original mattress has a construction that starts with a top layer of a seamless and soft twill fabric cover to promote comfort and cooling. The next layer is 2” of polyfoam, which is breathable and responsive for a comfortable and temperature-regulated sleep. Under that lies a 2″ memory foam recovery layer to deliver additional pressure relief. Finally, the base layer is a 6” layer of thick polyfoam to give the mattress a high level of support and durability.

Nectar Construction

The top layer of the Nectar memory foam mattress is a quilted cover that promotes airflow and keeps you cool. The comfort layer underneath it is crafted with quilted gel memory foam, further encouraging airflow and contouring to the sleeper’s body. The transitional layer is made of Adaptive Hi-Core memory foam to support the body and to maintain structure within the mattress. Finally, the base layer provides a thick, dense foundation to keep your mattress cool and stable.

Sizing & Price Comparisons 

To see if the Nectar is in your budget, check out our Nectar Coupons article. If you want to learn more about the Leesa price, see our Leesa Coupons page. 

Shipping and Returns for Leesa & Nectar

Leesa

Anyone living in the continental U.S. or certain provinces of Canada can benefit from Leesa’s free shipping policy. However, for an additional fee, you can take advantage of the white glove delivery option, which means Leesa will bring your new mattress into your home, set it up, and then remove and dispose of packaging materials and your old mattress.

Your Leesa mattress purchase comes with a 100-night sleep trial period. For 100 days, you can test out the mattress and see if it suits your preferences. If you’re unhappy with your mattress, you can return it for a full refund. Please keep in mind that Leesa’s return policy requires you to allow for a 30-night break-in period to ensure you allow your body enough time to adapt to the bed. 

In addition, the Leesa mattress is covered by a 10-year full replacement limited warranty. For 10 years after you purchase your new mattress, Leesa will replace or repair it when it has a defect covered under the warranty. Coverage includes all parts of the mattress determined to have a defect, and there’s no deductible.

Nectar

The Nectar mattress is shipped to customers completely free of charge if they live within the continental U.S. For residents living in Alaska or Hawaii, your delivery may incur a $150 charge. For an extra $149, you can select the white glove service option, which comes with the setup of your new mattress and removal and disposal of your old mattress.

Nectar offers a 365-night sleep trial period on its mattresses, meaning you have a year to test out the new mattress to determine if it’s right for you. If you decide to return the mattress during that time period, you can call Nectar’s customer support center and coordinate a pickup and removal. For residents of the continental U.S., you will not be charged a return fee within the 365-night trial. Moreover, Nectar offers a Forever warranty to help ensure satisfaction years down the road.

More Leesa Mattresses

See our Leesa Hybrid mattress review to learn more.

See our Leesa Legend mattress review to learn more.

See our Studio by Leesa mattress review to learn more.

More Nectar Mattresses

See our Nectar Premier Mattress Review for more details. 

See our Nectar Premier Copper Mattress Review for more details. 

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

• Leesa vs. Amerisleep
• Leesa vs. Bear
• Leesa vs. Casper
• Leesa vs. GhostBed
• Leesa vs. Helix
• Leesa vs. Layla
• Leesa vs. Nolah
• Leesa vs. Puffy
• Leesa vs. Purple
• Leesa vs. Tempur-Pedic ProAdapt
• Leesa vs. Tuft & Needle
• Nectar vs. Casper
• Nectar vs. DreamCloud Premier
• Nectar vs. GhostBed
• Nectar vs. Layla
• Nectar vs. Loom & Leaf
• Nectar vs. Lull
• Nectar vs. Nolah
• Nectar vs. Puffy
• Nectar vs. Purple
• Nectar vs. Tuft & Needle

Our Final Take

Deciding between two reputable bed-in-a-box mattresses requires an understanding of your sleep position. As memory foam mattresses, both the Leesa and the Nectar offer contouring foams for pressure-point relief. However, the varying firmness levels means the Nectar’s plush layer of memory foam will feel differently than the Leesa, which is more able to support heavier sleepers. 

If you sleep on your back or stomach, the Leesa mattress could be a great choice to distribute your body weight evenly. Side sleepers are going to need a bit more plushness, which is where the Nectar comes in. Either way, you can’t go wrong with the competitive sleep trials and warranties offered by these two great brands.