In this comparison, we’ll share key highlights, similarities and differences, and who each bed is best for. Keep reading to discover if the Nectar or Tuft & Needle mattress is right for you.
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.
Tuft & Needle vs. Nectar Mattress Comparison
The Tuft & Needle mattress is an all-foam mattress with advanced cooling technology that moves hot air away from the body and prevents the mattress from trapping heat. The Nectar comes with a higher price tag than the Tuft & Needle, but includes a Lifetime warranty, which adds a tremendous value. The Tuft & Needle is a good option for those seeking a simple sleep surface. It’s also a good model for a mattress that won’t get daily use, like a guest bedroom mattress.
The Tuft & Needle is slightly firmer than the Nectar, making it a better option for back and stomach sleepers who need more support. The Nectar’s softer sleeping surface makes it one of our picks for the best mattresses for side sleepers. The Nectar is ideal for those who need more pressure relief, those who have sensitive joints, and people with arthritis.
Comparing Nectar and Tuft & Needle Mattresses
Differences
- The Nectar memory foam mattress has a medium firmness level, while the Tuft & Needle Original is slightly more firm, making the Nectar ideal for side sleepers and the Tuft & Needle better for back sleepers.
- The Nectar mattress is significantly more expensive than the Tuft & Needle Original.
- The Nectar memory foam mattress comes with a Lifetime warranty and a one-year trial period; the Tuft & Needle offers a 10-year limited warranty and a 100-night sleep trial period.
Similarities
- The Casper and Tuft & Needle mattresses incorporate foam in their construction.
- Both companies offer free shipping within the continental U.S.
- Each mattress offers good pressure relief, making them each great mattresses for back pain.
Nectar
Who Should Buy this Mattress?
- Side sleepers
- Couples that share a bed
- Those who want targeted pressure point relief
Firmness
6
Trial period
365
Warranty
Lifetime
Price
$$$
Who the Nectar Mattress is Best For
Best For…
- Side sleepers will love the extra plushness that comes from the three layers of memory foam in this mattress.
- Couples will appreciate that the memory foam design cuts down on motion transfer.
- Those who are looking for pressure point relief will find it in this all-foam, cushioning bed, especially when it comes to hip pain; the Nectar is one of our best mattress for hip pain.
May Not be Best For…
- Back or stomach sleepers may find that this mattress doesn’t include enough support to keep them fully elevated and in a comfortable spinal alignment.
- Heavyweight sleepers should consider getting a more supportive bed, possibly one with supportive coils.
- Hot sleepers may find that the Nectar’s cooling measures don’t offer quite enough breathability.
Read our full Nectar mattress review to learn more!
Tuft & Needle
Who Should Buy this Mattress?
- Back sleepers
- Hot sleepers
- Stomach sleepers
Firmness
6
Trial period
100 days
Warranty
10-Year Limited Warranty
Price
$$
Who the Tuft & Needle Mattress is Best For
Best For…
- Back sleepers who want to keep their spine elevated and aligned, rather than sinking into the mattress, should love this model.
- Those who tend to sleep hot will find cooling comfort in the T&N’s open-cell base foam layer.
- Lightweight and average-weight stomach sleepers will find that the firmness of the Tuft & Needle adaptive foam keeps their hips elevated and supported.
May Not be Best For…
- Heavyweight sleepers might not find the all-foam T&N a great fit, especially for those who might need a more supportive hybrid or innerspring model.
- Side sleepers will probably feel more comfortable with more cushioning layers around sensitive pressure points.
- Memory foam purists who seek a slow-moving, classic memory foam feel likely won’t find it in the Tuft & Needle.
Read our full Tuft & Needle mattress review to learn more!
Deciding Between Nectar and Tuft & Needle
Firmness / Feel
Mattresses are rated on a firmness scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest. Generally, the best mattress for back sleepers are firmer while softer mattresses are better for side sleepers. The Nectar memory foam mattress is approximately a 6 on the firmness scale, making it a good mattress for side sleepers who need hip and shoulder support.
The Tuft & Needle is a 7 on the firmness scale, and thus more suited for back and stomach sleepers. However, heavier sleepers may find that their hips sink in on the Tuft & Needle, which can throw off spinal alignment. We recommend that stomach sleepers check our list of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers for a firmer bed: even an innerspring or hybrid bed.
Motion Isolation
Motion isolation is a mattress’s ability to prevent motion from transferring across its surface. Motion isolation is important for couples who share a mattress and want to avoid disturbing each other when getting in and out of bed. The Nectar memory foam mattress is softer and offers a deeper contour for the body, making it a bit better for couples than the Tuft & Needle Original. Still, each all-foam mattress should isolate motion fairly well.
Edge Support
Edge support is necessary for people with back pain or those who have trouble getting in and out of bed. Typically, you’ll find a greater level of edge support in hybrid or coil mattresses that offer a reinforced mattress border. The Nectar and Tuft & Needle mattresses do not offer reinforced edge support, but the Tuft & Needle has a slightly higher level of firmness that makes it a little better in this area.
Pressure Relief
The Nectar features adaptive contouring memory foam that alleviates pressure points under your shoulders, hips and legs. The Tuft and Needle’s proprietary open-cell structure also adjusts to your body as you move throughout the night. If you’re looking for pressure relief, the Nectar will provide a slightly softer feel for those with sensitive joints. Still, the Tuft & Needle is the better mattress for combination sleepers because it allows for easier movement and changes of position.
Spine Alignment
Depending on your sleep position, both mattresses can deliver optimal spinal alignment. The Nectar mattress will keep your spine aligned while cradling your shoulders if you are a side sleeper, and the Tuft & Needle will provide firmness that creates great alignment for back sleepers.
Durability
Most shoppers want a mattress that will last seven to 10 years, so durability will likely be an important factor to consider. Both of the mattresses feature highly durable base layers that reduce sagging and wear and tear for a long time, but the Nectar comes with a lifetime “Forever warranty.” The Tuft & Needle includes a 10-year limited warranty, which is the industry standard. While memory foam mattresses don’t tend to hold up as long as mattresses with sturdy steel coils, we’re still impressed with the thick foam layers in these beds.
Temperature
One concern for memory foam mattresses is that they tend to “hug” sleepers, which can trap body heat and make you feel hot. While newly developed mattresses feature more innovative memory foam that sleeps cooler, the Tuft & Needle Original uses open-cell base foam and cooling graphite to draw heat away from your body as you sleep.
For the best cooling mattress, we recommend looking into a hybrid mattress. The coil system in hybrid mattresses naturally increases airflow around the body.
The 12-inch Nectar mattress consists of five layers of plushness. The top layer is the quilted cover that is soft, airy and breathable, promoting temperature regulation all year long. The next layer is made of gel memory foam that helps distribute your weight, meaning you shouldn’t have to worry about an uneven sleep surface.
Underneath that layer lies the Adaptive Hi-Core memory foam, which delivers balanced support and keeps your body from sinking into the mattress. Finally, the base layer stabilizes the overall mattress and provides reinforced support and durability.
Tuft & Needle Mattress Construction
The Tuft & Needle Original mattress consists of two primary layers. The top layer is made of proprietary T&N Adaptive Foam, which is durable, breathable, flexible and supportive. The base layer of the mattress is made of open-cell support foam that is long-lasting and supportive. For back sleepers and lightweight stomach sleepers, the Tuft & Needle should work well to keep your spine aligned while you rest.
To see all mattress models made by Tuft & Needle, check out our Tuft & Needle Mattress Comparison.
Sizing & Price Comparisons
| Nectar | Tuft & Needle | |
| Twin | $798 | $645 |
| Twin XL | $868 | $695 |
| Full | $1,098 | $795 |
| Queen | $1,198 | $895 |
| King | $1,398 | $1,095 |
| Cal King | $1,398 | $1,095 |
See our Tuft & Needle Coupons and Nectar Coupons for the best deal on a new mattress.
Shipping and Returns
Nectar
Nectar ships its bed-in-box mattresses anywhere within the contiguous U.S. for free, and to Alaska and Hawaii for an additional charge of $150. For an additional fee starting at $149, you can choose the brand’s white glove service option, which includes setting up your new mattress and removing your old one. If you live in the states of California, Rhode Island or Connecticut, there will be an added mandated fee due to the states’ specific laws for recycling. This fee is included whether you choose the free shipping option or the white glove service option.
Nectar mattresses come with a generous 365-night sleep trial period that starts on the day of delivery. If for any reason you’re unhappy with your mattress during that time period, you can contact the company’s customer support line and coordinate a return. There are no charges for returns on Nectar products if you live within the continental U.S. For more information, see our Nectar return policy guide.
You also have the choice to exchange your mattress for another Nectar mattress. It’s up to you if you decide to purchase your replacement before or after receiving your refund. Nectar’s Forever warranty also covers defects for as long as you own the mattress.
Before buying the Nectar, read our Nectar Mattress Complaints, so you can avoid the same problems.
Tuft & Needle
When you purchase a Tuft & Needle mattress, you can have peace of mind knowing that your product will be carefully compressed and vacuum-sealed before being shipped free to your home (that is, if you live within the contiguous U.S.).
Tuft & Needle offers a 100-night sleep trial period, meaning you can test your mattress for approximately three months before deciding whether it’s the right fit for you. If you’re not happy with your purchase, you can call the customer support line and coordinate a hassle-free return. Tuft & Needle Mattresses also comes with a 10-year limited warranty.
Before buying your Tuft & Needle, be sure to read our Tuft & Needle Mattress Complaints.
Tuft and Needle Hybrid
The Tuft & Needle Hybrid pairs the brand’s proprietary Adaptive foam with a layer of individually pocketed springs. The result? Great edge support and a medium-firm feel.
See our full Tuft & Needle Hybrid mattress review to learn more.
Tuft and Needle Mint
Made with proprietary Adaptive foam layers that protect the back while cradling the hips, the Mint is an appealing all-foam option. Its layers are infused with heat-wicking graphite to maintain a cool sleeping surface.
Check out our full Tuft & Needle Mint mattress review to learn more.
Tuft & Needle Nod
The Nod is a version of the Tuft & Needle mattress sold through Amazon.com. A relatively inexpensive mattress, the Nod by Tuft & Needle should work well for lightweight and average-weight side and back sleepers.
Check out our full Nod by Tuft & Needle mattress review to learn more.
More Nectar Mattresses
Nectar Premier
This 13" memory foam mattress has five layers that are branded as "life-changing comfort." Featuring dual-action cooling and premier support elements, the Nectar Premier could be the right choice for you. It is a good option for hot sleepers, couples and strict side sleepers.
See our Nectar Premier Mattress Review for more information.
Nectar Premier Copper
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.
See our Nectar Premier Copper Mattress Review for more information.
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
- Tuft & Needle vs. Bear
- Tuft & Needle vs. Brooklyn Bedding
- Tuft & Needle vs. Casper
- Tuft & Needle vs. GhostBed
- Tuft & Needle vs. Layla
- Tuft & Needle vs. Helix
- Tuft & Needle vs. Leesa
- Tuft & Needle vs. Purple
Our Final Take
Both the Nectar memory foam mattress and the Tuft & Needle Original mattress are good sleep options, but depending on your sleep type, one may be better than the other. If you’re a side sleeper or if you share a bed with someone, the Nectar may be the best fit for you. If you prefer to sleep on your back or stomach, tend to sleep hot, or want more budget-friendly mattresses, then we recommend the Tuft & Needle Original.
