Nectar vs. Tuft & Needle Mattress Comparison

Nectar and Tuft & Needle are both renowned for creating high-quality mattresses that have been a favorite among customers for years. Both mattresses have an all memory foam construction, offering cradling for the back, shoulders, and hips.

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 best mattresses for side sleepers who need more pressure relief, or those who like the feel of sleeping “in” the mattresses versus “on” it.

Comparing Nectar and Tuft & Needle Mattresses

The Tuft & Needle comes with advanced cooling technology that moves hot air away from you and prevents the mattress from trapping heat. The Nectar is softer than the Tuft & Needle and comes with a higher price tag, but includes a lifetime warranty, which adds a tremendous value. The Tuft & Needle is a good option for those seeking a simple sleep surface, or a mattress that won’t get daily use like in a guest bedroom.

Differences

• The Nectar memory foam mattress is of medium firmness, while the Tuft & Needle Original is slightly more firm, making the former ideal for side sleepers and the latter better for back sleepers.
• The Nectar memory foam mattress is significantly more expensive than the Tuft & Needle.
• 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

• Both mattresses incorporate memory foam into their construction.
• Both companies offer free shipping within the continental United States.
• Both offer great pressure relief, making them ideal options for those with back pain

Who the Nectar Mattress is Best For

Best For…

• Side sleepers will love the extra plushness from three layers of memory foam in this mattress.
• The memory foam design cuts down on motion transfer, making this a good choice for couples.
• Those who are looking for pressure point relief will find it in this all-foam, cushioning bed.

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.
• Heavyset sleepers should consider getting a more supportive bed.
• Hot sleepers may find that the Nectar’s cooling measures don’t offer enough breathability.

Read our full Nectar mattress review to learn more! 

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 memory foam layer.
• Stomach sleepers of lightweight and average-weight sizes will find that the firmness of the T&N adaptive foam keeps their hips elevated and supported.

May Not be Best For…

• Heavier-sized people 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 need more cushioning layers around sensitive pressure points (think shoulders and hips) than the T&N can offer.
•   should take a look at our best firm mattresses, though the T&N is definitely the firmer bed of this matchup.

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 most firm. Generally, firmer mattresses are ideal for back and stomach sleepers while softer mattresses are better for side sleepers. The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress is approximately a 5 on the firmness scale, making it a good mattress for side sleepers who need hip and shoulder support.

The Tuft & Needle is a 6 on the firmness scale, and thus more suited for back or stomach sleepers. However, heavier sleepers may have trouble on their stomachs due to their hips sinking in, which can throw off spinal alignment. We recommend a firmer bed – or even an innerspring or hybrid bed – for stomach sleepers.

Motion Isolation

Motion isolation is a mattress’ ability to prevent motion from transferring across the 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 designed to minimize motion transfer, making it a bit better for couples than the Tuft & Needle Original.

Edge Support

Edge support is necessary for people with back pain or who have trouble getting in and out of bed. Typically, you’ll find a high level of edge support in hybrid or coil mattresses because of the added support around the mattress border. The Nectar and Tuft & Needle mattresses do not offer reinforced edge support, but the Tuft & Needle’s slightly higher level of firmness 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, while the Tuft and Needle’s proprietary open-cell structure adjusts to your body as you move throughout the night. If you’re looking for pressure relief, both mattresses excel in this department.

Spine Alignment 

Depending on your sleep position, each mattress can deliver optimal spinal alignment. The Nectar Memory Foam 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 

You want a mattress that will last you a long time, so durability will 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’s 10-year limited warranty is pretty much the industry standard. 

Temperature 

One concern for memory foam mattresses is that they tend to “hug” sleepers, which can trap body heat and make you sleep hot. While newly developed mattresses feature more innovative memory foam that sleeps cooler, the Tuft & Needle Original is noted for its use of open-cell foam and cooling graphite to draw heat away from your body as you sleep. However, for the best cooling mattress, we recommend looking into a hybrid mattress- the coil system naturally cools better and increases airflow.

Nectar vs. Tuft & Needle Mattress Construction

Nectar Construction 

The 11-inch Nectar Memory Foam Mattress consists of 5 layers of plush. The top layer is the quilted Tencel and memory foam mattress 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 won’t have to worry about lumps or an uneven sleep surface.

Underneath that layer is the adaptive Hi Core memory foam, which delivers level support and keeps your body from sinking into the mattress. The base layer stabilizes the overall mattress and provides reinforced support and durability.

Cover: Quilted Memory Foam cover: The quilted cover is soft to the touch and helps with cradling of the body.

Layer #1: Gel Memory Foam: The gel component of this layer helps prevent overheating and help the sleeper stay cool. As a comfort layer, it is slow to respond so that is can really contouring around the sleeper’s body to protect sharp pressure points.

Layer #2: Adaptive Hi Core Memory Foam: For improved contouring, this adaptive layer is meant to really personalize the feel of the mattress around the sleeper’s body without letting you sink too deeply in that mattress so that you feel stuck.

Layer #3: PCF Polyfoam: As high-density polyfoam, this strong base layer will keep the mattress durable and prevent heavier sleepers from sinking too far down into the layers. It also provides what edge support the Nectar does have, although it won’t be as strong as a hybrid mattress.

Tuft & Needle Construction 

The Tuft & Needle Original Mattress consists of 2 primary layers. The top layer is made of proprietary T&N Adaptive Foam, which is durable, breathable, flexible and supportive. For back sleepers, the Tuft & Needle is guaranteed to keep your spine aligned while you rest. The base layer of the mattress is made of open-cell support foam that is long-lasting, supportive and durable, ensuring you sleep comfortably for years to come.

Cover: Ultra-soft cotton cover: This cotton and polyester cover is breathable enough to allow airflow through the mattress, helping the Tuft & Needle

Layer #1: 3″ T&N Adaptive Foam: This signature polyfoam from Tuft & Needle is meant to bounce back quickly while still contouring around the body. Additions of cooling gel and graphite try to prevent the foam layers from trapping heat.

Layer #2: 7″ Open-cell memory foam layer: Another layer of polyfoam, the open-cell construction is meant to provide more breathability in the mattress and it is very dense, giving the mattress its support.

To see all mattress models made by Tuft & Needle, check out our Tuft & Needle Mattress Comparison.

Sizing & Price Comparisons 

See our Tuft & Needle Coupons and Nectar Coupons for the best deal on a new mattress. 

Shipping and Returns

Nectar

Nectar ships its mattresses anywhere within the contiguous United States for free, and to Alaska and Hawaii for an additional charge of $150. For an additional fee starting at $149, you can choose the 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 United States.

You also have the choice to exchange your mattress for another option. It’s up to you if you decide to purchase your replacement before or after receiving your refund, and the entire process is conducted as seamlessly as possible to ensure you get the best experience. 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 (if you live within the contiguous 48 United States).

Tuft & Needle offers a 100-night sleep trial period so that you can test your mattress for approximately 3 months before deciding whether or not 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 free, 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. 

More Nectar Mattresses

See our full Nectar Lush Mattress Review to learn more.

More Tuft & Needle Mattresses

See our full Tuft & Needle Hybrid Mattress Review to learn more

Check out our full Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress Review to learn more.

Check out our full Nod by Tuft & Needle Mattress Review. 

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

Nectar vs. Loom & Leaf

Nectar vs. GhostBed

Nectar vs. Lull

Nectar vs. Puffy

Nectar vs. Layla

Tuft & Needle vs. Casper

Tuft & Needle vs. Leesa

Tuft & Needle vs. Brooklyn Bedding

Our Final Take: Nectar vs. Tuft & Needle

Both the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress and the Tuft & Needle Original Mattress are good sleep options, but depending on your sleep personality, 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 options, then we recommend the Tuft & Needle Original.