Nectar Mattress Review

Written by Loren Bullock, Certified Sleep Science Coach

Methodology

Here at Mattress Nerd, we’ve tested hundreds of mattresses to bring you unbiased, expert reviews of the top brands. Learn more.

In This Review

From its cooling properties to excellent motion isolation, we’ll cover how the Nectar mattress performed during our hands-on testing.

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Is the Nectar Mattress for You?

Who’s Going to Love It

• Hot sleepers who still want a memory foam mattress
• Average-weight back and side sleepers
• Couples who crave top-notch motion isolation 

Who Should Steer Clear

• People who want a traditional, bouncy mattress—instead, consider the Saatva Classic mattress.
• Those who sleep along the edge of their bed—instead, look for a mattress with a high score for edge support, like the Helix Midnight mattress.
• Average-weight and heavyweight stomach sleepers—instead the Plank mattress is a firmer option.

Nectar Mattress Video Review

Are you more of a visual person? Our editor Loren breaks down the results of our Nerd performance tests, including who this mattress is best for.

Nectar Mattress Firmness & Feel

Nectar Mattress Firmness

Mattresses are rated on a firmness scale ranging from one to 10. One is the softest mattress—it will have a cloud-like sinking feeling—and a 10 is reserved for the firmest mattresses. Nectar’s firmness rates around a 6/10 on the firmness scale. The average mattress falls around a 6 or 6.5 firmness, so Nectar is similar to many other bed-in-a-box mattresses. 

What Does the Nectar Mattress Feel Like?

Nectar added stabilizing measures in its construction to balance the hugging feel of memory foam without feeling stuck in the mattress. Still, some of the softer upper layers may cause heavier side sleepers and heavier stomach sleepers to sink into the mattress. If you are a plus-size sleeper, see the best mattress for heavy sleepers.

What Sleeping Position Is the Nectar Best For?

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

Back Sleepers

Despite being an all-foam mattress, the Nectar is on the firmer side of the firmness scale and can support some back sleepers. With a memory foam layer dedicated to keeping sleepers from sinking into the mattress, lightweight and average-weight back sleepers should find their spines stay aligned on top of the bed. For other mattresses that support the entire body, see the best mattress for back sleepers.

For back sleepers, the Nectar distributes pressure evenly along the body and supports the lower back, helping to prevent lower back pain. Heavyweight sleepers may feel the mattress sink more than they’d like, and we’ve seen reviews that it becomes softer over time. If you’re waking up in pain, see our list of the best mattress for back pain.

Stomach Sleepers

If you are a strict stomach sleeper, consider your weight when purchasing the Nectar Mattress. Since the Nectar is a medium-firm mattress, you may start to feel your hips sinking while laying on your stomach.

If you’re an average-weight or heavyweight stomach sleeper who wants to avoid pressure build-up in your hips, consider other mattresses. The Nectar doesn’t offer a dense enough support core for most stomach sleepers. Still, it should be plenty supportive for some lightweight stomach sleepers. For mattress options that suit even more stomach sleepers, see our list of the best mattress for stomach sleepers.

Side Sleepers

The Nectar is a great mattress for side sleepers because of the pressure-relieving foam under the shoulders and hips. Average-weight and some heavyweight side sleepers should sink into the contouring layers designed to keep the spine aligned. Lightweight sleepers may not sink beyond the top layer and, thus, might not feel as much of the Nectar‘s pressure-relieving benefits. Still, very few side sleepers should feel an excess buildup of pressure on the Nectar. 

Combination Sleepers

Overall, the Nectar is compatible with all sleeping positions, depending on your weight category. Especially for stomach sleepers, it is important to consider what position in which you spend a majority of the night.

Sleepers also need to consider how heavy or light you are. Average-weight and lightweight combination sleepers should be able to find comfort in the layers of memory foam, but heavyweight side and stomach sleepers might not find the support they will need in the Nectar. For mattresses that make movement easier, see the best mattress for combination sleepers for more options.

Nectar Mattress Performance

Is The Nectar Mattress Cooling? 

Memory foam mattresses tend to trap heat next to the body because the foam isn’t very breathable. Nectar aims to counter this effect by adding cooling gel to the memory foam top layer. The gel neutralizes body heat that may build up in the foam. We still noticed significant warmth building up under our bodies, so we don’t consider the Nectar to be a good cooling mattress for hot sleepers.

Edge Support 

We noticed a little sinkage when sitting along the edges of the Nectar, probably because it’s made entirely of foam, but generally felt well supported. If you often sit along the perimeter of the bed, you may sink a little, but shouldn’t slide off the bed. Those who lie along the edges of the bed should also feel stable. 

Responsiveness

Memory foam responds to changes in position more slowly than latex or springy materials like innerspring coils. That makes it the least responsive type of mattress, which can affect the comfort of combination sleepers or those who toss and turn. 

The Nectar earned average marks for responsiveness—it takes a second or two for the foam to return to its original shape after pressure is removed, but that shouldn’t be an issue for those who stay fairly still while sleeping.

Motion Isolation: Is it good for those who share a bed? 

If you sleep with a partner or even a pet who tosses and turns throughout the night, you know how important motion isolation is in a bed. During testing, the Nectar did an excellent job of cutting down on motion transfer. 

Our testers noticed only a slight movement transferring across the mattress when another person got on or off the bed. The movement isn’t significant enough to wake most people up, so we think the Nectar is a great mattress for couples concerned about motion transfer.

Noise

We didn’t notice any noise coming from our Nectar mattress, and feel confident calling it a quiet bed.

Pain Relief

If you experience a lot of pain in your shoulders or hips, the Nectar is a good option—it offers enough pressure relief to cushion average-weight side sleepers. Lightweight sleepers with shoulder pain may not sink deep enough into the foam to get deep body contouring, while heavier side sleepers will likely press all the way down to the firm support layer. 

Those who experience back pain, especially lower back pain, need a mattress that’s firm enough to keep their hips and lower back lifted on top of the mattress. That rules out the Nectar. For better options, see the best mattresses for back pain.

Sex

We don’t include the Nectar in our roundup of the best mattresses for sex because it’s not very responsive and retains some body heat. To its credit, it’s a very quiet mattress.

Off-Gassing

Almost all bed-in-a-box mattresses require a few days to air out after being unboxed. Similar to how new cars and shoes have a fresh, leathery smell after they’re purchased, some memory foam mattresses have a chemical smell that’s released when they’re first opened. The Nectar mattress does have a slight off-gassing smell, but if you leave the mattress in a well-ventilated space for 24–72 hours after it’s unpackaged, the smell should dissipate.

Durability

The Nectar should stay supportive enough for sleepers under 230 lbs for six or seven years. You may eventually notice permanent body impressions forming in the top layers of foam. If those indentations get deeper than 1.5” and you’re using a firm, supportive foundation, you may be eligible for a warranty claim. For durable mattress options, check out our roundup for the best mattresses that won’t sag.

Construction: What’s the Nectar Made Of? 

The Nectar is an all-foam mattress designed for cooling comfort. The Nectar‘s poly-blend cover and gel memory foam layer will provide cooling: perfect for those who tend to sleep hot but still love the feel of memory foam. We think sleepers will be able to find comfort on their sides and back without feeling stuck in the comfort layers of this mattress.

Layer #1—Quilted Memory Foam Cover: The bed’s plush top cover is soft to the touch; sleepers should find the cover to be breathable for a better sleep. 

Layer #2—Nectar Comfort Layer (3″): The top memory foam layer is infused with cooling gel that neutralizes excess body heat. 

Layer #3—Dynamic Support Layer (2″): The Nectar’s adaptive memory foam layer responds to your changes in position more quickly than traditional memory foam.

Layer #4—Foam Base Layer (7″): For support and durability, the base layer helps stabilize the layers above while enhancing edge support. 

Layer #5—Bottom Mattress Cover: The bottom of the mattress cover is textured to help prevent the mattress from sliding off your bed frame.

How Much Does A Nectar Mattress Cost?

Mattress Size	Price	Dimensions	Height	Weight
Twin	$873	38″ x 75″	12”	40 lbs
Twin XL	$1,043	38” x 80”	12”	42 lbs
Full	$1,298	54” x 75”	12”	55 lbs
Queen	$1,398	60” x 80”	12”	66 lbs
King	$1,698	76” x 80”	12”	84 lbs
Split King	$2,086	76″ x 80″	12″	84 lbs
California King	$1,698	72” x 84”	12”	83 lbs

To learn more about the cost of the Nectar mattress, check out our Nectar mattress coupons. Check out the Best Mattress for the Money for more of our favorite mattresses.

How Do the Policies Measure Up?

Shipping & Unboxing

The Nectar should arrive compressed after five to 10 business days of ordering. Shipping is free in the contiguous U.S. While unboxing the Nectar mattress, expect it to be heavier than some of the other bed-in-a-box mattresses because of its 11” height. Fortunately, Nectar also offers white glove delivery service for an additional cost. This includes the set up of the new mattress and removal of the old mattress. 

The Nectar mattress is a little heavier than some other bed-in-a-box brands, but with the extra weight comes extra layers of comfort. Depending on the size of the mattress you buy, the box it arrives in will vary in weight from 45 lbs to around 100 lbs, so we recommend finding an extra set of hands to help you carry the box to the room it’s going in.

Warranty

How Long Does Nectar Warranty Period Last?

The Nectar Forever warranty is a lifetime guarantee on the company’s mattresses for the original mattress owner. If you give your Nectar mattress to a friend or resell it to another owner, you will lose coverage under the brand’s Lifetime warranty. 

If your mattress encounters any workmanship or material defects within the first 10 years, Nectar will replace it at no cost to you. From year 10 onward, Nectar will repair, re-cover or replace your mattress at its own discretion. All you will need to pay is a $50 dollar transportation cost each way. Nectar says this fee will later be waived when the brand confirms the defect exists.

What is Covered by the Nectar Warranty?

Deterioration leading to visible indentations 

The Nectar Forever warranty will cover deterioration in the mattress that causes visible indentations greater than 1.5″. However, these indentations must not be associated with improper use or unsupportive bed bases, bed frames or foundations. 

Manufacturing defects related to the assembly of the Nectar mattress

If you notice any mattress defects as a result of poor manufacturing or workmanship, Nectar’s Forever warranty will cover it. We advise customers to carefully inspect the base layer, comfort layer and top layer of the mattress upon receiving it to see if you can spot any notable defects.

Physical flaws that cause foam deterioration

The Nectar Forever Warranty covers physical flaws in the mattress that may lead to quicker deterioration under normal, proper usage. These flaws include splits, cracks and similar degradation in the foam layers. 

Workmanship or material defects resulting in less pressure relief

Nectar prides itself on creating mattresses that offer pressure relief for your body’s sensitive joints: a great feature for back sleepers and side sleepers. If a Nectar mattress develops any defects in the material or construction that negatively impact its pressure-relieving abilities or cause pressure point aggravation, it may be covered under the Forever warranty.

What the Nectar Forever Warranty Does Not Cover

• Mattresses subjected to neglect or misuse
• Normal increase in softness over time
• Comfort preferences
• Physical abuse

What Could Void my Warranty? 

• Burns, cuts, tears, stains and spills to the bed’s cover
• Using an incorrect base or foundation
• Transferring the mattress to a new owner
• Removing the “law tag” from the bed, which makes it impossible to prove the bed is the one you ordered

How does the Nectar Warranty Measure Up? 

Typically, warranty coverage among bed-in-a-box mattresses lasts for around a decade. That means customers get 10 years of protection against common defects like foam cracking, zipper breakage, and other issues. The Nectar mattress warranty goes above and beyond the typical mattress warranty: Nectar provides a “Forever warranty,” or lifetime coverage for the original owner of the mattress. If you’re looking for a mattress with one of the most comprehensive and long-lasting warranties on the market, we think you’ll hit the mark with a Nectar bed. 

Filing A Warranty Claim with Nectar

After going to the Nectar Sleep website, click on the Customer Support page. Here you can file a claim with the customer service department.

The Nectar team is available by web chat or email seven days a week from 8 a.m to 4 p.m. PST. They can help lead you through the process. It’s always a good idea to have your proof of purchase readily available when making a warranty claim. 

Trial Period & Returns

One of the benefits of purchasing a Nectar Sleep mattress is that it comes with a 365-night sleep trial period, one of the longest trial periods in the industry. This year-long trial is nearly three times the trial length offered by competing companies, like Purple and Casper.

The trial begins the day your mattress is delivered, but there is a mandatory 30-night break-in period. The break-in period gives customers the opportunity to break in their mattress for least 30 nights before deciding to return it. This ensures the body can adjust to the bed.

If you decide to return the mattress, Nectar will cover all shipping and handling costs if your address is located in the contiguous U.S. Nectar coordinates pickup services, so you don’t need to place the mattress back in its original packaging while returning it.If you decide to exchange the mattress for a different model, you’ll be asked to purchase the replacement before receiving a refund. That refund will cover the full cost of the original model that was ordered. 

How Do I Return? 

Nectar’s return process is simple and straightforward. Customers in the contiguous U.S. can return their mattresses, but products shipped outside of the contiguous U.S. are not eligible for return. You can return your mattress whether you purchased it new directly from Nectar or through the Nectar Sleep store on Amazon.com.

1. Contact Nectar: Fill out the Resident Home Return Request form at NectarSleep.com.
2. Speak with a specialist: A Nectar specialist will contact you within 24 hours. The support team is available seven days a week, not just on business days.
3. Donation or pickup: The specialist will work with you to ensure the mattress is donated or disposed of locally. There’s no need to worry about fitting your mattress back into the original box.
4. Receive your refund: After your mattress has been donated or disposed of, Nectar will process your return and issue a refund.

Note: If you paid for white glove delivery, keep in mind that the associated delivery fee is not refundable. You will not receive a refund for the cost of white glove delivery in the case of a return, but you will still receive a refund on your mattress purchase.

Addressing Nectar Complaints

Shipping Delays

Some Nectar customers have expressed concern over shipping delays and shipping dates that seem to change often. Nectar sources its materials overseas and also outsources its construction internationally. While all final Nectar products are shipped from Washington state, supply chain delays occur from time to time, slowing down the delivery process as a whole. It’s difficult to say how often this occurs, but several customer reviews mention it.

If shipping is a concern for you, consider purchasing your Nectar mattress from a third-party retailer, such as The Home Depot, Mattress Firm, or Macy’s. If those companies have Nectar mattresses already available in their respective warehouses, your order may arrive faster.

Customer Service

Some customers expressed disappointment in Nectar’s customer service, including long chat wait times, unanswered emails and phone calls, and vague responses to questions and complaints. Based on what we’ve read, it’s possible that Nectar needs to improve their customer service practices. If this is a big issue for you, Layla, Casper, and Saatva are all known for their excellent customer service interactions.

Not Supportive Enough for Heavyweight Sleepers

Most sleepers sink into the Nectar mattress and experience a comfortable blend of support and pressure relief. However, heavyweight sleepers might find that the original Nectar is a little too plush for their needs. Instead, we recommend looking for a mattress that has a coil support layer and height over 12″. The Saatva HD, WinkBed Plus, Helix Plus, and Awara are all great options specifically designed for those with heavyweight body types.

Comparing Different Nectar Mattresses

Nectar vs. Nectar Premier

Nectar Mattress is Best For:	Nectar Premier Mattress is Best For:
Back & Side Sleepers	Side & Back Sleepers
Couples	Those Who Want A Cloud-Like Feel
Budget-Conscious Shoppers	Those Shopping For A Tempur-Pedic Alternative

The Nectar Premier is an upgraded version of the original Nectar mattress. It’s also made entirely of foam, but it has a slightly softer feel due to an extra inch of foam. The Premier is marginally better for side sleepers and those who prioritize pressure relief, particularly those over 130 lbs. Both beds work well for back sleepers under 230 lbs.

Couples shouldn’t experience much, if any, motion transfer on either mattress, and should also feel stable along the sides of the bed. Neither mattress excels at temperature control or ease of movement, probably because of the memory foam top layers used in both. You’ll pay more for the Premier, but get Nectar’s 365-day trial period and Lifetime warranty with both.

See our full Nectar Premier Mattress Review for more details.

Nectar vs. Nectar Premier Copper

Nectar Mattress is Best For:	Nectar Premier Copper Mattress is Best For:
Couples	Back & Side Sleepers
Side & Back Sleepers	Those Under 230 lbs
Budget-Conscious Shoppers	Those Who Want A Softer Mattress

The Nectar Premier Copper is the softest Nectar mattress at 5/10 on the firmness scale. It also has the most cooling features—including gel, copper, and Phase Change Materials—that all regulate temperature. We think it stays only a fraction cooler than the other Nectar mattresses, so it’s still not a great choice for hot sleepers.

Like the original Nectar, the Premier Copper is best for back and side sleepers under 230 lbs. You’ll sink deeper into this mattress, so it’s great for those who like the “hug” and deep contouring of traditional memory foam. The Premier Copper is Nectar’s luxury mattress, so it’s the priciest of the collection.

See our full Nectar Premier Copper Mattress Review for more details.

Comparing Nectar to the Competition

Nectar vs. Purple

Nectar Mattress is Best For:	Purple Mattress is Best For:
Back Sleepers	Combination Sleepers
Average-Weight Side Sleepers	Side & Back Sleepers
Couples Concerned About Motion Transfer	Hot Sleepers

The Nectar and Purple are both foam mattresses, but they differ greatly on their feel and construction. The Nectar‘s softer foam layers provide pressure relief and cradle pressure points like the hips and shoulders. The Purple has a gel-like, grid-shaped top layer that’s cushioning and evenly distributes your weight.

The Purple’s construction increases airflow beneath sleepers and is responsive enough to keep up with combination sleeper’s movements. The Nectar’s dense memory foam isolates motion, but can trap body heat. The Nectar costs a little more than the Purple, but Nectar runs generous discounts that price their original mattress below the price of the original Purple.

See our full Nectar vs. Purple Mattress Comparison for more details.

Nectar vs. Casper

Nectar Mattress is Best For:	Casper Mattress is Best For:
Back Sleepers Under 230 lbs	Side & Back Sleepers Under 230 lbs
Average-Weight Side Sleepers	Stomach Sleepers Under 130 lbs
Memory Foam Lovers	Those Who Need Great Pressure Relief

As two of the most popular bed-in-the-box brands, the Casper and the Nectar are memory foam mattress staples. The Casper‘s zoned support may provide better pressure relief than the Nectar, appealing to a wide range of sleeping positions.

The Casper‘s slightly firmer feel gives the mattress some bounce, and it’s able to support stomach sleepers and combination sleepers on top of the mattress. Both mattresses should support pressure relief in side sleepers and ensure spinal alignment in back sleepers. Couples will appreciate the great motion isolation offered by the Nectar.

Read our full Casper vs. Nectar Mattress Review to learn more. 

Nectar vs. Tuft & Needle

Nectar Mattress is Best For:	Tuft & Needle Mattress is Best For:
Memory Foam Lovers	Combination Sleepers
Average-Weight Side Sleepers	Budget-Conscious Shoppers
Back Sleepers Under 230 lbs	Hot Sleepers

The Tuft & Needle is a simple, two-layer foam mattress. It works for similar types of sleepers as the Nectar—back sleepers under 230 lbs and average-weight side sleepers—although the T&N is supportive enough to accommodate lightweight stomach sleepers, too.

The Nectar and T&N earned similar scores for pressure relief. They both scored high for motion isolation, but the Nectar scored higher. Neither mattress is particularly cooling, but you should stay cooler on the T&N. Budget shoppers will save on the T&N, unless Nectar is running one of their generous discounts.

See our full Tuft & Needle vs. Nectar Mattress Comparison for more details.

Nectar FAQs

How long does the Nectar mattress last?

While it’s impossible to say exactly how long your particular mattress will last, we would estimate that the mattress will last around a decade. To help avoid indentations in the mattress, customers can rotate the mattress 180 degrees (from head to toe) every few months.

Does the Forever Warranty really mean forever?

Yes! As long as you are the original owner, Nectar will replace your mattress if something goes wrong. Nectar claims that, if you own a Nectar Sleep Mattress, that is the only mattress you should ever own.

Will the Nectar have a strong off-gassing smell?

As with almost all memory foam mattresses from online mattress companies, customers will experience some off-gassing when they first unbox a new Nectar Mattress. The smell is normal and expected: it comes from the materials used to create the foams. It should start to go away within two to three days of airing out. See More FAQs at nectarsleep.com.

The Nerd’s Take: What’s the Bottom Line?

Made of three memory foam layers, the Nectar successfully achieves a balance of contouring and support. It may not be the best for stomach sleepers, but average-weight side sleepers and back sleepers under 230 lbs will find the balance of comfort and support needed for enough pressure relief. 

Those who like the traditional feel of memory foam but tend to sleep hot will appreciate the gel-infused memory foam. These folks will get the “hug” of memory foam with cooling gel to help regulate their temperature. Sleepers on a budget will also appreciate this quality mattress at an affordable price.

The Nerd’s Score

Performance Factor	Out of 5
Motion Isolation	5
Pressure Relief	4
Ease of Movement	3
Edge Support	4
Temperature Control	2
Durability	4

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

• Nectar vs. Bear
• 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

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