Nectar Mattress Review
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Tired of mattresses that promise a comfortable night's sleep at an affordable price but end up being less comfortable than a concrete slab? Nectar may be worth checking out. Launched in 2016, Nectar has surprised the world with how comfortable sleep can really be.
I wanted to check out Nectar for myself and put a renowned mattress to the test. Below, I share the results of my quantitative tests and thoughts about the functionality of the Nectar mattress. I also share how it feels for each type of sleeper and which sleeper it best suits so you can make an informed decision.
Let’s dive in.
Nectar Mattress Review: Our Rating
| Score | Categories |
|---|---|
| 9.5 | Off-gassing |
| 6 | Firmness |
| 7 | Cooling |
| 9 | Sinkage |
| 7.5 | Response |
| 6 | Bounce |
| 8.5 | Edge Support |
| 8.5 | Motion Transfer |
| 8 | Sex (Sinkage + Edge Support + Cooling / 3) |
| 7.77 | Overall Score |
You can find out more about my mattress testing methodology here and how I review my mattresses.
Nectar Mattress Review: Construction and Design
To start off my review of the Nectar mattress, I will go through its construction and design, sharing how each layer feels and performs.
The Nectar mattress uses a Tencel cover, which I noticed to be cool to the touch. The cover is soft and doesn’t retain heat, staying cool even while I maintained contact. There isn’t much stretch, only about 0.1 inches. This differs from the Puffy mattress’s cover, which stretches by about 0.5 inches. However, the Nectar’s heat-wicking properties and soft, cotton-like feel make for a comfy sleep space.
Another added bonus of the Nectar’s cover is that it comes with a zipper along the bottom. Lifting the mattress up, the zipper can be removed in under a few seconds. I found this useful for washing the cover and maintaining that ‘new mattress’ feel longer.
The next layer is 2 inches of gel memory foam, which is beneficial in two ways. I found this layer soft with considerable sinkage, allowing for immense, full-bodied pressure relief. Gel memory foam also has the added benefit of not retaining heat, similar to the cover. Even though I was well-enveloped by this layer, my temperature remained neutral.
Below the gel memory foam is 3 inches of soft transitional foam, which provides a cushioning barrier between the soft top and the firmer base. I found this layer soft with good isolating properties, so I couldn’t feel my partner’s movements.
The base of the Nectar mattress consists of 7 inches of high-density ActiveSupport foam. I immediately noticed this base's supportive properties as it held my hips aloft and kept my spine pleasantly neutral.
Unboxing and Off-Gassing of the Nectar Mattress
Receiving the Nectar mattress was easy and straightforward. When the box was delivered, I had to take it up several flights of stairs. That’s when I noticed how light this mattress was. With two people moving it, I didn’t even break a sweat hauling it up the stairs. It was an incredibly promising sign, making me consider this model one of the best mattresses I’ve reviewed.
Unboxing the Nectar mattress was quick and convenient. They provide a letter opener in the box if you choose to go in that direction. The mattress is nicely packaged, so all I had to do was tip the box on its side and ease the packaged mattress out.
Once I cut the mattress free of its plastic and laid it out on my bed frame, it sprung to its near-full height almost instantly. I let it decompress for about an hour. After that hour, it had risen to its full height and I could then start testing.
A key feature I noticed immediately with the nectar mattress was how fresh it smelled. No ‘manufacturer smell,’ no off-gassing. It smelled like a normal mattress after airing out for an hour, which I was impressed with, earning a rating of 9.5.
The Nectar mattress had similar, albeit slightly faster, off-gassing than The Osgoode by 3 hours. Of the two, I would recommend the Nectar for sleepers who are sensitive to off-gassing smells or want to enjoy their mattress sooner.
Firmness of the Nectar Mattress: How Does it Feel?
Giving the mattress a try, I would rate it a 6 on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the firmest. It has a pleasant contouring that made me feel like I was sleeping on a cloud. Despite this softness, it still had the support necessary for full-body tension relief, and I could more liberally feel my aches and pains of the day washing away.
Looking at the layers, its soft gel memory foam layer contributes the most to this overall soft contour. There was enough sinkage where I felt hugged, but not enough where I felt like I was in the mattress. Therefore, it’s easy to move and switch positions despite the soft feel.
If you are interested in more firm options, the best firm mattresses usually are on a scale of 6-7, or even 9 for ultra firmness
Also Read: How to Make a Mattress Firmer
Nectar Mattress Review: Cooling Features
Let’s talk about cooling for the Nectar mattress for my review. The cool cover and memory foam work in tandem to deliver a cool sleep. When testing the mattress, I noticed my temperature stayed pleasantly neutral despite the contour of the memory foam mattress around my body. In light of my tests, I measured a temperature of 30.8 degrees Celsius, earning the Nectar a rating of 7.
The Nectar mattress had 1.2 degrees more cooling power than the GhostBed Luxe. It is also $749 cheaper than the GhostBed Luxe. I would recommend the Nectar for hot sleepers and those who prefer sleeping more temperature-neutral for a more cost-effective price.
Sinkage of the Nectar Mattress
The sinkage of the Nectar mattress is one of my most preferred features. It’s pleasantly deep. From my tests, I measured a sinkage of 2.1 inches. I was well-enveloped without feeling like I’d fall too deep into the mattress. There was also enough sinkage, so I felt pressure relief of my joints. The sinkage of the Nectar is at an excellent level, earning 9 in this category.
The Nectar had 0.18 inches more sinkage than the Novosbed. Observing this, I would recommend the Nectar mattress to sleepers who want a more pressure-relieving feel.
Also Read: Best Mattresses for Adjustable Beds
Response of the Nectar Mattress
Response is how slow or quick a mattress responds in relation to pressure. The Nectar mattress has a balanced response that performs well for sleepers who enjoy ease of movement.
Derived from my tests, the Nectar mattress is exceptionally easy to switch positions on. I could easily change my position, all while still enjoying its pleasant contour. When performing my tests, I noted it took 0.2 seconds for the mattress to partially recover from impressions and 0.7 seconds to recover fully, earning 7.5 in this category.
The Nectar mattress was slightly outperformed by the GhostBed Flex, as I noted comparisons. The Nectar mattress had a 0.4-second faster response.
So, I would recommend the GhostBed Flex to sleepers who prefer a slower response to their bed. However, some sleepers prefer quick and effortless movement. In that case, I would recommend the Nectar mattress for its fast response timing.
Nectar Mattress: Bounce
Bounce is how effective a mattress is for fast movements and mainly applies to active couples. The Nectar has a moderate bounce, allowing me to move across the width of the bed with a slight spring in my movement. In light of my tests, the Nectar had a bounce of 5.2 inches, earning it a rating of 6.
The Nectar’s bounce is a bit low for a memory foam mattress, though. Comparing the Nectar with the Novosbed, I noted that the Nectar had 1.59 inches less bounce. I would recommend the Novosbed for active couples and those who prefer the heightened mobility that a bouncier bed can provide.
Edge Support of the Nectar Mattress: Is it Supportive?
Edge support is crucial for avoiding the unpleasant experience of falling out of bed due to merely sitting along unsupportive edges. Needless to say, edge support is essential for a mattress. Memory foam mattresses are known for having softer edges, but the Nectar does well in providing firmer, more reliable edges.
In light of my tests, the Nectar had a sinkage of 3.5 along its edges. The cover is a bit smooth, but even with the frictionless surface, I felt stable and supported without feeling like I might accidentally fall out. The mattress balances softness and support to make even its edges a stable place, earning a rating of 8.
The Nectar mattress has somewhat of a midground rating regarding edge support. It has softer edges than The Summerhill by 0.1 inches. However, it has firmer edges than the Ghostbed Luxe by 0.4 inches.
I would recommend The Summerhill as the ultimate choice for firm and stable edge support. However, if you are a budget-shopper, you can save $250 if you opt for the Nectar mattress instead of The Summerhill mattress. In this light, I would recommend the Nectar mattress for sleepers on a tight budget who want decent edge support.
The Nectar Mattress Review: Motion Transfer
Motion transfer is especially helpful for light sleepers who share the bed with a restless partner. Motion isolation helps motion transfer from changing a sleeping position from travelling across the bed and disturbing the other person. The Nectar mattress performs quite well in this category.
Derived from my tests, my glass of water began reacting to my approaching compressions at about 3 inches. This is a very high motion isolation score, earning it an 8.5 in this category. I could come to bed late, and my partner would not notice or be woken up by my movement.
The Nectar had better Motion isolation than the GhostBed Flex by 2 inches. However, the Douglas had slightly better motion isolation than the Nectar mattress by 1 inch. Considering these, I would recommend the Douglas for light sleepers who want fewer disturbances at night. My second recommendation would be the Nectar mattress, as it still does a fair job of isolating motion.
Nectar Mattress: Performance for Sex
Performance for sex is incredibly important for a mattress and directly benefits active couples. It mainly relies on a mattress's sinkage, edge support, and cooling. The Nectar mattress performed admirably in the sinkage and edge support categories but slightly sub-par in the cooling category.
Due to this, and combining the scores, the Nectar mattress earned a rating of 8 in this category. It also has fair bounce, which helps facilitate fast movement, making the Nectar mattress a suitable potion for active couples.
How It Feels for Different Types of Sleepers
A mattress will feel different depending on a sleeper’s preferences, sleeping positions, and weight. This is true with all mattresses, not just the Nectar mattress. This is why getting a feel for how a mattress will behave given different circumstances is essential.
Below, I share the results of my tests when trying out the Nectar mattress in different sleeping positions. For reference, I am an average-weight sleeper.
Side Sleepers
The Nectar mattress well suits side sleepers almost naturally. Its generous sinkage gives the illusion that I was sleeping on a cloud, and I felt incredibly weightless, relieving my tension after just minutes of lying down. My shoulders were comfortably nestled, but my hips didn't sink too deeply. Therefore, my back was still supported despite the generous contour.
The Nectar suits lightweight, average-weight, and heavyweight sleepers who prefer the side position easily.
If you want more options, the best mattresses for side sleepers tend to offer generous sinkage and contouring similar to the Nectar.
Back Sleepers
The firmness in the ActiveSupport layer of the Nectar mattress does an exceptional job of ensuring the spine stays aligned. I slept on my back comfortably, feeling the softer layers adapt to the curve of my body while the firmer layers kept me straight and buoyant.
The Nectar is suitable for light, average, and heavyweight back sleepers who enjoy a mix of cushioning and support.
Stomach Sleepers
I took advantage of the Active Support layer again while lying on my stomach. I felt well-supported, and my spine remained neutral. This is crucial, as sleeping on the stomach is a more sensitive position that requires more support.
The Nectar is suitable for all weight categories of stomach sleepers. However, heavier stomach sleepers over 230 pounds may prefer a firmer sleep surface.
Sleeping Positions: Summary
| Sleeping Position | My experience |
|---|---|
| Side Sleepers | I was comfortable and slept soundly while resting on my side. The layers gave excellent pressure relief. |
| Back Sleepers | My spine was kept straight, and I felt buoyant while resting on my back. I sank in a little before being evenly supported, ensuring optimum pressure relief. |
| Stomach Sleepers | My hips were nicely lifted, so I felt no tension or strain on my spine while lying on my stomach. |
Recommended For
- Restless partners. The Nectar mattress isolates motion due to its transition layer, which can help light sleepers sleep better with fewer disturbances.
- Fans of pressure relief. The Nectar mattress offers a generous sinkage that redistributes your weight, relieving pressure quickly and uniformly.
- Sleepers who prefer solid edges. The Nectar mattress has robust edges that support you while sitting or lying on the edge for extra peace of mind.
Other Important Information
There is some other essential information to note before making a decision regarding the Nectar mattress, which includes:
- Its Forever Warranty.
- Its 365-night sleep trial.
- And its price.
Forever Warranty
The Nectar mattress offers a warranty that will last as long as you use the mattress. It covers all manufacturer defects, such as any faults in the cover, cracks in the foam, or indentations larger than 1.5 inches.
The Nectar mattress’s Forever Warranty is similar in length to Puffy’s Lifetime Warranty and longer than the Novosbed’s warranty of 15 years. Out of these options, I would recommend the Nectar mattress and the Puffy as they are suitable for sleepers who prefer warranties that are as long as possible.
365-Night Sleep Trial
If you ever worry about not having enough time to decide whether to keep a mattress, the Nectar can help. It’s equipped with a 365-night sleep trial, giving you ample time to try the mattress and see how it feels. Longer sleep trials are a testament to the confidence a company has in its product, which means you’re more likely to like the mattress.
The Nectar has a sleep trial that is longer than the Puffy’s by 264 nights and longer than the Novobed’s by 245 nights. I recommend the Nectar mattress for sleepers who want the most peace of mind and utilise one of the longest sleep trials available.
Price
The Nectar mattress comes with a competitive price that will satisfy sleepers with a tight budget. It is $749 cheaper than the GhostBed Luxe and $500 cheaper than the Puffy. Despite the price gap, the Nectar mattress offers similar pressure relief that is only 0.6 inches and 0.4 inches less sinking, respectively.
The Nectar is also similarly priced to the Douglas mattress at $799. Considering all these options, I would recommend the Nectar mattress to sleepers on a tight budget who want a luxury feel to their bed.
Summary
Finding a soft and comfortable bed doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. From my review of the Nectar mattress, it is an affordable and comfortable way to elevate your sleep. Its pressure-relieving sinkage impressed me the most, which made me feel like I was sleeping on a cloud.
The Nectar mattress best suits light sleepers who share the bed with a restless partner and want to feel less jostling at night. The Nectar mattress also suits sleepers who enjoy a modern feel for adaptive pressure relief.
What are your thoughts on the Nectar mattress? Let us know in the comments below!
Still have questions about the Nectar mattress? Alex Savy, the Co-Founder and Chief Editor at Comfynorth has reviewed countless sleep products with over 4 years in the industry and can help you find what you’re looking for. Reach out through email at [email protected]. When emailing Alex, include your full name and phone number or email address.
Pros:
- Excellent pressure relief for fans of memory foam and sinkage;
- Excellent motion isolation for restless partners;
- Easy-to-remove cover for sleepers who prefer an easy-clean solution;
- Excellent edge support for sleepers who enjoy sleeping along the edges.
Cons:
- Too hot for temperature-sensitive sleepers;
- Too soft for some heavier stomach sleepers over 230 pounds.