Nectar vs. Tempur-Pedic Mattress Comparison

The original Nectar mattress is a three-layer memory foam bed with a medium-firm firmness setting and a traditional memory foam feel. The TEMPUR-Adapt is Tempur-Pedic’s best-selling mattress model, and it’s available as an all-foam or hybrid bed. The flagship Nectar is best for value shoppers looking for the signature hug of memory foam on a budget. It also works especially well for average-weight sleepers in almost any sleeping position.

The TEMPUR-Adapt is best for shoppers who want a luxury memory foam bed and the noticeably dense, close-conforming feel of a Tempur-Pedic mattress. To find out which mattress is in your budget, see the best luxury mattresses and the best affordable mattresses.

Comparing Nectar Mattress & Tempur-Pedic Mattress

Below, we explore the differences and similarities, construction, performance and key policies (for instance, the shipping, warranty and sleep trial) of the flagship Nectar mattress and the TEMPUR-Adapt by Tempur-pedic. Keep reading to learn which might be right for you.

Differences

• Part of the Tempur-Pedic luxury line of mattresses, the TEMPUR-Adapt comes at a much steeper price point but includes white glove delivery and the signature dense, deep body-contouring of a Tempur-Pedic bed.
• While both are rated medium to medium-firm, they accommodate different body types. The Nectar is better for average-weight side and back sleepers, and the TEMPUR-Adapt is best for average-weight back sleepers and people who sometimes change positions at night.

Similarities

• Both appeal to different types of budget-conscious shoppers. The Nectar is a low-cost, comfortable mattress for memory foam lovers. The TEMPUR-Adapt is the simplest, most affordable mattress in the Tempur-Pedic line.
• The mattress covers are designed to feel cool to the touch and promote breathability.
• Both beds offer exceptional pressure point relief for tension and back pain and the sensation of sinking “into” the mattress rather than sleeping “on” it. They are also both virtually silent and isolate motion well.

Who the Nectar Mattress is Best For 

Best For…

• Value shoppers: The Nectar typically costs less than $1,000 and often comes with two free pillows. It’s ideal for people who love memory foam but aren’t looking to spend a fortune. They also have monthly payment options available through Affirm.
• Most side and back sleepers: The Nectar’s deep pressure relief shines for side sleepers as it prevents “jamming” at the hips and shoulders. Back sleepers should feel pretty comfortable from the pressure relief in the lumbar region and shoulders. For similar options, see the best mattress for back sleepers.

May Not be Best For…

• Heavyweight sleepers: Plus-size sleepers typically require a supportive mattress, like a hybrid bed or innerspring mattress, that won’t sink or “bottom out,” meaning the body sinks down into the support layer. The Nectar is thicker than the average all-foam bed, but most heavy people should choose a more supportive model. If you are looking for a more supportive mattress, see the best mattress for heavy people.
• Very hot sleepers: While the Nectar’s cooling cover and medium-density memory foam layers sleep cooler than some memory foam beds, we wouldn’t say it sleeps noticeably cool. If you sleep very hot, you may experience uncomfortable body heat on this temperature-neutral bed.
• Strict stomach sleepers: Face down on the Nectar, many stomach sleepers may notice your hips sinking, which can pull the spine out of alignment.

Read our full Nectar mattress review to learn more! 

Who the Tempur-Pedic Mattress is Best For 

Best For…

• Average-weight sleepers: The medium feel of the Adapt is well-suited to average-weight sleepers who need a mattress that balances conforming and support. Though slightly on the firmer side, the TEMPUR-Adapt conforms closely to the body, offers pressure relief and provides support for most sleeping positions if you weigh 130 to 230 lbs.
• Back sleepers: The medium all-foam and medium hybrid versions of the Adapt are slightly firmer than average, which tends to be the ideal firmness range for back sleepers who need even weight distribution and ample lift at the hips and shoulders.
• Hot sleepers: Most memory foam beds have a reputation for overheating, but the TEMPUR-Adapt has a cool-to-touch cover that should help with breathability. If you constantly struggle with sleeping warm, we recommend the hybrid version, which has a coil system that promotes airflow.

May Not be Best For…

• Shoppers who want the latest Tempur-Pedic technology: The TEMPUR-Adapt doesn’t contain some of the brand’s newer materials and features, like TEMPUR-APR or other Tempur-Pedic collections. Lines like the TEMPUR-ProAdapt offer even more pressure relief, which is great for seniors and those struggling with joint pain. 
• Strict stomach sleepers: Stomach sleepers need firm mattresses to keep the hips in line with the shoulders. The TEMPUR-Adapt is only available in medium options. For firmer mattresses, see the best mattress for stomach sleepers.
• Strict side sleepers: If you sleep only on your side, you need a softer mattress that will contour around your hips and shoulders. The medium firmness options offered with the TEMPUR-Adapt might be uncomfortable for you.

Read our full Tempur-Pedic mattress review to learn more! 

Deciding Between Nectar & Tempurpedic

Firmness / Feel

Our one to 10 mattress firmness scale is used to rank mattresses from very soft (1/10) to very firm (10/10). Heavyweight stomach sleepers typically need mattresses on the firmer side of the spectrum, while petite side sleepers typically enjoy softer mattresses. Average-weight, combination and back sleepers usually do best on medium to medium-firm mattresses.

Both the Nectar and the TEMPUR-Adapt fall into the mid-range of the firmness scale, making them suitable for most average-weight sleepers. The Nectar works especially well for back and side sleepers, and the TEMPUR-Adapt’s slightly firmer feel works very well for back sleepers. Stomach sleepers are likely to feel some unhealthy torso and hip sinkage on both mattresses.

Nectar Performance By Sleeping Position:

Tempur-Pedic Performance By Sleeping Position:

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

Motion Isolation

If you share a bed with a partner, you may be easily disturbed by their movements at night. The Nectar and the all-foam version of the TEMPUR-Adapt offer very low motion transfer and make virtually no noise, making both great choices for couples and co-sleepers who toss and turn at night. For other motion-isolating mattresses, see the best mattresses for couples.

Edge Support

Edge support, or the resistance to sinkage around the perimeter of a mattress, is key for people who like to sit on the edges of the bed. Edge support is also great for some elderly individuals and for couples who want to use the full surface area of a mattress. It can also be a key indicator of a mattress’ durability. The Nectar and the all-foam TEMPUR-Adapt perform as expected for memory foam beds, sinking significantly close to the edges. The TEMPUR-Adapt hybrid version offers better performance in this category. 

Pressure Relief 

When it comes to the best materials for alleviating aches and pains, memory foam is at the top of the list. Memory foam is also great at cradling tender joints and heavy parts of the body.

Both the Nectar and the TEMPUR-Adapt mattress are known for their ability to cradle a sleeper closely, allowing just enough sinkage for the body to relax without a sagging sensation in the spine. If we had to choose, we’d say the TEMPUR-Adapt offers better pressure relief than the Nectar from the brand’s signature, proprietary TEMPUR-ES foam. The Nectar mattress, however, offers superb pressure relief for the price. For other pressure relieving mattresses, see the best mattresses for side sleepers.

Spine Alignment 

A mattress that keeps your spine in its natural “S” curve throughout the night is essential to sleep health. If you’re a lightweight sleeper, we think you’ll feel better on the slightly softer Nectar, which can allow you to sink in more deeply for proper spinal alignment. Average-weight sleepers can achieve spinal alignment on either bed. Heavyweight sleepers likely need a firmer or more supportive mattress, but some plus-size side and back sleepers may find the spinal alignment they’re looking for on the hybrid version of the TEMPUR-Adapt.

Durability

Both beds have average to above-average durability because of their thick layers. Still, memory foam has been known to break down faster than other materials. The Nectar’s Forever warranty (a Lifetime warranty) provides customers with some peace about cracks or body impressions associated with durability issues. Tempur-Pedic’s specialty memory foams may also have longer-than-average lifespans, performing well for seven to 10 years. 

Temperature 

Both beds incorporate some cooling features, but we don’t think you will sleep actively cool on either mattress. If you select the hybrid version of the TEMPUR-Adapt, you’re likely to experience a much cooler night’s sleep thanks to the ample airflow through the coil layer. Check out the best mattresses for hot sleepers for more top picks.

Nectar Mattress Construction

The Nectar cover is woven with a fabric blend, which is breathable and helps keep the mattress cool compared to other all-foam mattresses. In the comfort layer of the Nectar is 3 inches of gel memory foam. The gel infusion is intended to prevent some of the heat-trapping properties of memory foam. These layer alleviates aches and pains, and provide a noticeable hug to the body.

The transition layer is 2” of soft memory foam. While most all-foam mattresses use polyfoam in the transition layer, the use of memory foam in the Nectar enhances the body-hugging sensation unique to memory foam without creating issues with sagging.

The base layer of the mattress is a 7” layer of high-density foam, which provides structure, durability and lift to encourage spinal alignment. Overall, the mattress measures slightly thicker than the average memory foam mattress.

Tempur-Pedic Mattress Construction

The TEMPUR-Adapt is encased in a cool-to-touch cover that’s described as “premium knit technology for superior cool-to-touch feel,” but the exact composition of the cover is not disclosed.

The top layer of the Adapt is a TEMPUR-ES comfort layer. TEMPUR-ES memory foam offers a softer feel that Tempur-Pedic says works well to both support and relax the sleeper. The hybrid version of the TEMPUR-Adapt has a transition layer of higher-density foam to prevent sleepers from acutely feeling the sturdy coils in the support layer.

The support core of the all-foam version is a high-density foam, or the Original TEMPUR Support Layer. The support core of the hybrid version is Tempur-Pedic’s Hybrid Technology, which includes more than 1,000 premium spring coils that are designed in-house to work specifically with Tempur-Pedic foam materials.

Sizing & Price Comparisons 

See our Nectar mattress coupons and the best mattress deals of 2021 for the best price on a new mattress.

Shipping and Returns for Nectar & Tempur-Pedic

Nectar Warranty

Nectar mattresses are available on NectarSleep.com, some third-party retailer websites, like Amazon.com, and many brick-and-mortar retail stores nationwide. If you order directly from Nectar Sleep, shipping is free to the contiguous U.S. Customers in Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico may incur a shipping fee. White glove delivery is available for customers in the contiguous U.S. for a flat fee of $149. Mattresses are shipped via FedEx Ground and usually arrive within one to five business days after the order is processed.

See: Nectar Return Policy

Nectar offers a limited Lifetime warranty and a 365-night sleep trial with any new mattress purchase. After a 30-day break-in period, which allows your body to fully adjust to the Nectar mattress, you can return the mattress for a full refund. Nectar covers all shipping and handling costs associated with the return, but Nectar Sleep cannot refund the cost of white glove delivery.

Nectar’s Forever warranty policy covers the mattress from the date of purchase. For the first 10 years, Nectar Sleep will replace defective mattresses at no cost to the owner, including shipping and transportation fees. After year 10, Nectar will replace a defective mattress, but owners pay a flat charge of $50 each way for shipping and transportation

Tempur-Pedic

The TEMPUR-Adapt is available at Tempurpedic.com, some third-party online retailers and in brick-and-mortar mattress stores. Tempur-Pedic ships the TEMPUR-Adapt free with white glove delivery to most places in the contiguous U.S. Shipping to Alaska, Hawaii and other U.S. territories costs $600 per mattress. Most mattresses arrive within two weeks.

The TEMPUR-Adapt comes with a 90-night sleep trial and a 10-year limited warranty. Tempur-Pedic recommends that you sleep on the mattress for at least 30 nights before deciding to return it. If it isn’t a good fit, you can contact Tempur-Pedic customer service within the 90-night trial to initiate a return for a full refund.

The 10-year warranty covers sagging ¾” or deeper. It also covers cracked or deteriorated foams and defects in the cover zipper. You’ll need your purchase receipt, bed frame and foundation information and the registry number and manufacturing date to file a warranty claim. Tempur-Pedic will replace or repair defective mattresses.

More Nectar Mattresses

Read our Nectar Premier mattress review for more information.

Read our Nectar Premier Copper mattress review for more information.

More Tempur-Pedic Mattresses

Read our Tempur-Pedic Adapt mattress reviews for more information.

Check out our Tempur-Cloud 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. Tuft & Needle
• Tempur-Pedic Alternatives
• Tempur-Pedic vs. Amerisleep
• Tempur-Pedic vs. Casper
• Tempur-Pedic vs. Purple
• Tempur-Pedic ProAdapt vs. Leesa
• Tempur-Pedic vs. Sleep Number

Our Final Take

The Nectar and TEMPUR-Adapt mattresses are both bed-in-a-box memory foam mattresses that are widely available online and in brick-and-mortar mattress stores. Price might be a large factor in your decision between the two. Value shoppers who want to spend less than $1,000 should opt for the Nectar, and luxury mattress shoppers who are curious about the Tempur-Pedic brand but don’t want the most expensive Tempur-Pedic mattress should enjoy the TEMPUR-Adapt. Both work well for couples because they reduce both motion isolation and noise.

Both also work well for average-weight sleepers in most sleeping positions. If you’re a strict side sleeper, the Nectar’s slightly softer feel may suit you better. Back sleepers can do well on either mattress, and strict stomach sleepers should opt for a firmer mattress. If you sleep particularly hot, we recommend the hybrid version of the TEMPUR-Adapt, which has a cool-to-the-touch cover and coil support core to enhance airflow, keeping you cool.