Nectar Mattress Review

The Mattress Nerd’s Take: The Nectar mattress combines the hugging feel of memory foam with cooling gel. It provides pressure relief and comfort without causing average sleepers to overheat. Because the Nectar is a medium-firm mattress with contouring layers, average-weight side sleepers and lighter back sleepers should feel supported. Known for its affordability and quality, Nectar’s foam layers are constructed with the customer in mind.

For similar options, see the best affordable mattresses.

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
• Those who sleep along the edge of their bed
• Average-weight and heavyweight stomach sleepers

Nectar Mattress Video Review

How Does the Nectar Mattress Feel? 

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. 

Nectar has added stabilizing measures in its construction in order 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 stomach sleepers to sink into the mattress. If you are a plus-size sleeper, see the best mattress for heavy sleepers.

Temperature

While designing this memory foam mattress, Nectar paid a lot of attention to how heat dissipates from the bed. While foam mattresses tend to trap heat next to the body with nowhere for the air to flow, Nectar’s top layer of gel memory foam should dissipate heat and keep the sleeper temperature neutral. The cover is breathable, and gel underneath makes the bed feel cool to the touch. For other cooling mattresses, see the best mattress for hot sleepers.

Support

If there’s one thing all shoppers are looking for in a new mattress, it’s support. Because the Nectar is an all-foam mattress, it doesn’t earn the highest marks for edge support (the strength of a mattress along its perimeter). Still, the mattress is supportive enough for most back and side sleepers. And even though the mattress is an all-foam construction, we think the thick foam layers should hold up fairly well for around seven years. 

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 folks may feel the mattress sink more than they’d like, and we’ve seen reviews that it becomes softer over time. If you are waking up in pain, see our list of the best mattress for back pain.

Stomach Sleepers

If you are a strict stomach sleeper, it is important to consider your weight when purchasing the Nectar Mattress. The Nectar is a medium-firm mattress, but once you lie on your stomach for a while, you may start to feel your hips sinking and becoming unaligned with your spine.

If you’re an average-weight or heavyweight stomach sleeper who wants to avoid pressure build-up in your hips, we recommend considering other mattresses. The Nectar just 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 need in the Nectar. For mattresses that make movement easier, see the best mattress for combination sleepers.

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

Does the Nectar Mattress Fit Your Lifestyle? Couples and Budget Shoppers 

What if I Sleep with a Partner? 

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 a decent job of cutting down on motion transfer. However, it showed a slight movement transferring to a partner when another sleeper is getting out of bed or adjusting their sleep position.

The movement isn’t significant enough to wake most people up, so we still think it is a great option for couples who like memory foam. For other memory foam mattresses that absorb motion well, see the best mattress for couples.

How does the Nectar Mattress Work for Budget Shoppers?  

Priced at $1,198 for a Queen size mattress, the Nectar is a great choice for shoppers who are watching their bank account closely. The Nectar is a great value for the price, offering a durable and comfortable mattress that will suit a variety of sleepers and sleep positions. While the Nectar is not the most responsive mattress on the market, it’s great for those seeking to outfit a guest bedroom on a budget. 

Construction: What’s Under the Surface? 

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. If you are looking for a mattress that incorporates coils beneath the memory foam layers, see the best hybrid 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: Gel Memory Foam Layer: Memory foam mattresses can sleep hot and trap heat. The Nectar uses gel in the layer directly under the cover to promote better airflow and provide a cooling mattress surface. 

Layer #3: Adaptive Hi Core Memory Foam Layer: Some memory foam mattresses can also make sleepers feel stuck inside of it. The Nectar’s adaptive layer supports sleepers on top of the mattress and is responsive around the body.

Layer #4: Base Layer: For support and durability, the base layer helps stabilize the layers above while enhancing edge support. 

Layer #5: Bottom Mattress Cover: This outer cover prevents sinking along the edges and further stabilizes the rest of the mattress.

How Much Does A Nectar Mattress Cost?

To learn more about the cost of the Nectar mattress, check out our Nectar Mattress Coupons article. 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 pounds to around 100 pounds, so we recommend finding an extra set of hands to help you carry the box to the room it’s going in.

Warranty

The Nectar comes with a Lifetime warranty, which runs as long as the original owner has the mattresses. Still, be sure to use a bed frame that’s appropriate for the mattress. For more information, see our Nectar mattress warranty breakdown.

Trial Period

Nectar offers a year-long trial period for the mattress, one of the longer trial periods available in the industry. Nectar suggests a 30-day break-in period to allow your mattress to adjust to your body. 

If you decide to return the Nectar mattress for a full refund within the year-long trial period, reach out to Nectar through its website. The company will then begin the process to initiate a free refund. To learn more, see our Nectar mattress return policy breakdown.

FAQs

How long does the Nectar mattress last? 

While it’s impossible to say exactly how long your particular mattress will last, we’d 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.

Comparing the Nectar Mattress

Nectar vs. Purple

The Nectar and Purple are both all-foam mattresses, but they differ greatly on their feel and construction. The Nectar‘s softer foam layers provide pressure relief and cradling of pressure points like the hips and shoulders, especially for side sleepers. On the other hand, the Purple‘s grid construction increases airflow beneath sleepers and is firm enough to support most back sleepers and combination sleepers.

If you want to sink into the mattress, the Nectar will be your best choice. If you’re looking for bounce in a memory foam mattress, check out the Purple!

See: Purple Mattress Review

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

Nectar vs. Casper

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.

See: Casper Mattress Review

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

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

• 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 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.
• Off-Gassing Smell: Almost all bed-in-a-box mattresses require a few days to air out after arriving and 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 to 72 hours after it’s unpackaged, the smell should dissipate.
• 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 and Casper are both 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.

What’s the Bottom Line?

Made of four foam layers, all of different densities, the Nectar successfully achieves a balance of contouring and support. It might not be best for average-weight or heavyweight stomach sleepers, but side sleepers and lightweight back sleepers 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. Sleepers on a budget will also appreciate this quality mattress at an affordable price.

Interested in what else Nectar has to offer? Take a look at our reviews of the Nectar Premier and Nectar Premier Copper.

The Nerd’s Score