Nectar Mattress Review – Is It Really That Good?

Author’s avatar OptimumSleep

If you’re in the market for a new foam mattress and are considering The Nectar, then this comprehensive review has got you covered.

We’ll let you know how it performs in every area that matters, based on the findings of professional mattress testers, so that you can make an informed choice. We’ll tell you who The Nectar mattress is best suited for and answer some common questions.

Our Methodology

We’re a review aggregator that curates, vets, and fact-check the best mattress reviews. Since mattresses are such a subjective product, we base our findings on the consensus from many experts and customers rather than one person’s opinion.

Review Summary

The Nectar is an all-foam mattress with a medium-firm feel that is an all-rounder with broad appeal. It offers excellent comfort, support, and pressure relief, making it suited to all sleeping positions. It’s an especially good option for side and combination sleepers.

Extra-heavy (250lb +) individuals may find support a bit lacking, but overall it is suitable for all weight ranges. Strict stomach sleepers may experience excessive sinking around the hips, causing pressure buildup and spine misalignment.

Ease of movement, edge support, and motion isolation are all good, meaning the Nectar is a worthy choice for couples. However, those who prefer the bounce and fast responsiveness of a hybrid or spring mattress may find it not the best suited for sex.

The overall quality of The Nectar for the price makes it great value for money. And with a full 365-night risk-free trial period and a lifetime warranty that’s the best in the industry, The Nectar is one purchase that can be made with complete confidence.

Nectar’s logo

Starting from

$499

See Full Prices

Recommended For:

  • Those who love all-foam & memory foam mattresses
  • Those who suffer from back pain
  • Side or combination sleepers
  • Light to average sleepers (130-230lb) weight range

Not Recommended For:

  • Those who prefer the feel of a hybrid or spring mattress
  • Those who like a highly responsive mattress
  • Those who like a mattress with some bounce
  • Those who tend to sleep hot
  • Strict stomach sleepers
  • Significantly heavier-than-average sleepers (>230lb)

Pros:

  • High level of support and pressure relief
  • Excellent motion isolation
  • Great for back pain
  • Good value for money

Cons:

  • Potentially not the best for sex
  • Not the best option for stomach sleepers
  • Only one firmness option

Ratings by Point of Concern


Ratings by Sleeping Position or Body Frame

Fact Sheet

Trial Period

Nectar has one of the best trial periods in the industry, giving you a full 365 nights to try the mattress out. This gives the consumer a better chance to try it out through all seasons and temperatures, compared to some brands that only offer a 90 or 120-night trial period — only as long as a single season.

It is worth noting, too, that Nectar does specify a minimum trial period of 30 nights before it can be returned.


Refund & Return Policy

According to Nectar, if you decide at any time during the trial period that the mattress is not for you, “Returning It Is As Easy As An Email.”

If you have tried it out for 30 nights and decide it is not a perfect match, simply email or call, and Nectar will arrange for the mattress to be collected at no charge to you and will locate a local donation center (they do not restock returned mattresses). You will be issued a full refund (White Glove delivery fee is non-refundable).


Warranty

Nectar is a company that really stands behind the quality of workmanship and materials of its mattresses. Nectar offers an impressive “Forever Warranty,” which is exactly as it sounds — any flaws in workmanship or materials that appear at ANY time for the entire life of the mattress, and Nectar will replace or repair it for free.

Within the first 10 years, Nectar will replace the mattress for free, and after 10 years, they will fully repair it for free. To make the warranty even sweeter, Nectar does not ever charge for shipping and handling. It truly is the best warranty in the industry.


Delivery (S&H)

Shipping within the contiguous United States is free; a charge of $150 applies for delivery to Alaska and Hawaii. Nectar does not ship internationally, including the US territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands.

The shipping weight of Nectar mattresses ranges from 45lb for the Twin up to 105lb for the King.


White-Glove Delivery

Nectar offers a White Glove delivery service (in-home delivery and set up) for an extra $149. This fee covers the in-home set up as well as the optional removal of your old mattress.

Choosing White Glove delivery may extend the delivery time, but Nectar’s local partners’ delivery is coordinated to happen within a time window that suits you.


Customer Service

Unfortunately for Nectar, their customer service seems to be one area that could be seen as a letdown, probably best described as ‘inconsistent.’

The consensus is that it is below the standard of their competitors’ service, with many customers complaining of bad experiences, including having difficulty with returns and shipping delays (an issue the company has acknowledged and said they have worked to rectify).

While reviews aren’t always totally representative of a company’s service, many of the negative customer reviews do use words such as “terrible,” “horrible,” and “worst” when describing their Nectar customer service experience. If customer service is a make or break for you, you may want to proceed with caution if you wish to try a Nectar.


Company Info

Nectar’s logo

  • Founded: 2016
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, CA, U.S. 🇺🇸
  • Made in: China

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How Is The Nectar Different?

While The Nectar does not make itself stand apart from other mattresses in terms of any game-changing technological innovation or fancy bells and whistles, it does represent a good-quality all-foam mattress that performs well and is suited to a wide range of sleepers at a reasonable price.

Where The Nectar really stands out is how all risk is really removed from the purchase — You have a full 365 nights to trial the mattress in your own home.

It is covered by a genuine lifetime warranty that ensures full replacement or repair due to workmanship or defects, and shipping is always free — even for returns and warranty claims.

It is these “peace of mind” factors that should get you off the fence if you’re considering The Nectar but are just not quite sure yet.

Layers & Materials

Thickness 11”
Number of Layers 5

The Nectar mattress layers breakdown

  1. Top Cover: Tencel Long Staple Fiber Removable Cooling Cover

    The cover is combined with a cooling gel memory foam designed to help regulate temperature as you sleep while contouring your body.

  2. Comfort Layer: Medical Grade Visco Elastic Memory Foam

    Billed by Nectar as “the most premium gel foam available” that holds 5 patents, this layer is again designed for cooling, body contouring, and even weight distribution.

    This expensive foam is not normally used in mattresses and usually reserved for other uses. It absorbs and distributes heat and returns to its flawless untouched state with the removal of weight and pressure.

  3. Transition Layer: Hi-Core 9.2 Grade Transition Foam

    The main support layer, providing rebound and all-important bounce, Nectar claims no other direct-to-consumer mattress company uses this foam in their mattresses.

    Though heavy and expensive to ship, they insist on using it because they believe it is the best material for contouring to your body’s pressure points for all-important pressure relief.

  4. Base Layer: High Vegetable Base Super Core 5 lb Support Foam

    The base layer is very dense and supportive while at the same time being very breathable, promoting airflow through specially-molded channels.

    It offers sturdy and durable reinforcement for the upper layers, and its durability is one reason Nectar is confident enough to provide its Forever Warranty™.

  5. Bottom Cover: Tencel long-staple fiber

    Designed to prevent the mattress from slipping on the bed frame.

Model Comparison

 The NectarThe Nectar Lush
Sizes
  • Twin
  • Twin XL
  • Full
  • Queen
  • King
  • California King
  • Twin
  • Twin XL
  • Full
  • Queen
  • King
  • California King
Layers5 layers5 layers
Thickness11” thick12” thick
Layers Breakdown
  • 5-Layer foam construction
  • Medical grade Visco elastic memory foam
  • Hi core 9.2-grade transition memory foam
  • High vegetable base super core 5 lb support foam
  • Tencel long-staple fiber removable cooling cover
  • 5-Layer foam construction
  • Medical grade Visco elastic memory foam
  • Hi core 9.2-grade transition foam
  • High vegetable base super core 5 lb support foam
  • Tencel long-staple fiber removable cooling cover

What’s the Difference Between The Nectar and The Nectar Lush?

The Nectar Lush is touted as more of a ‘luxury’ option compared to the Original Nectar mattress. The Nectar lush is thicker, softer, and more expensive.

It actually uses one less layer of foam, despite being one-inch thicker. It has a 3” memory foam top layer, a 2” transition foam layer composed of Energex foam as opposed to memory foam (Energex is more responsive), and a full 7” of dense support foam.

Whereas The Nectar sits in the medium-firm feel range, the Nectar Lush is softer — on the soft side of medium. This makes the Nectar Lush a particularly good choice for side sleepers, due to its soft yet highly pressure-relieving surface.

The Nectar is a more budget-friendly mattress, while the Nectar Lush is perfect for those who prefer a luxurious, thicker, softer feel to their bed and who are not put off by a higher price tag. The Nectar Lush ranges from $1,099 for a Twin to $1,799 for the King and California King.

illustration representing aggregate ratings

Ratings by Point of Concern

Motion Isolation:  Great

The Nectar rates among the best foam mattresses for motion isolation/transfer and partner disturbance.

Memory foam is very good at deadening and minimizing bounce, which explains why The Nectar consistently received ‘excellent,’ ‘A,’ and 9/10 ratings.

It passed tests involving standing a bowling pin on one side of the mattress while first a 16lb bowling ball, and then a 200lb man, were dropped onto the other side, with flying colors. The pin barely registered any movement.

This shows that those who sleep with partners, and those who are light sleepers and easily disturbed by movement will be very well served.

Temperature Regulation:  Good

Memory foam mattresses don’t have the best reputation when it comes to sleeping cool. A lot of people who sleep on them find they don’t breathe very well and cause overheating when sleeping.

Unfortunately, this is one aspect that reviews aren’t very helpful for because how warm or cool a mattress sleeps can vary wildly between individuals — and the comments in customer reviews bares this out.

Climate plays a part here, too. Even with a breathable mattress, those in hot and humid climates may still find it too hot.

Nectar realizes this, which is part of the reason why they offer the full 365-night trial period — to allow you to experience it during all 4 seasons, including the coldest and hottest times of the year.

The Nectar does have features that show they’ve definitely constructed it with coolness in mind — the moisture-wicking cover, the gel foam designed to absorb and channel away heat, and the foam that is less-dense, with channels designed for airflow.

Overall, most reviewers found The Nectar sleeps cooler than other memory foam mattresses, while a minority thought the opposite. Which reinforces the fact that coolness relies a lot on the individual, and as such, this is one aspect that is probably best settled by trialing it in your own home.

Firmness: 6.5 / 10

The consensus from reviewers who tested The Nectar is that it is definitely in the medium-firm range, averaging a 6.5/10 on the firmness scale, with a number finding it to be on the firmer side of medium-firm. One reviewer even stated it was the firmest memory foam mattress they had tested.

Some reviews suggested that The Nectar may be too firm for lighter sleepers, i.e., those under about 130lb. It seems to be the case that it feels firmer when you first start sleeping on it.

And due to the soft cushioning layer on top, it manages to have a slight ‘sink,’ meaning you may feel slightly ‘enveloped’ by the top 2 layers while still enjoying a relatively firm feeling.

Support & Comfort:  Great

The Nectar rates very well for support overall, with ratings from the reviewers as high as 9/10, with all providing very positive reports and ratings, the consensus being a “very good” rating.

Of course, support is going to differ for people of different sizes and weights and depend on your sleeping position.

The consistent finding of reviewers is that support offered by The Nectar in terms of spinal alignment is probably best for back and side sleepers, and sleepers whose body weight is light to above average. In contrast, heavy people and stomach sleepers may not get the best support.

The high-quality memory foam is one contributor to this very good support. While providing good cushioning, it is a firm gel foam that sinks ‘slowly,’ not giving straight away under pressure (which is one reason why it may feel firmer for lighter people).

The combination with the sturdy and dense foam below it is what gives it the relatively firm yet highly-supportive feel.

Edge Support:  Good

Traditionally, all-foam mattresses do not have the same level of edge support of spring mattresses, sometimes resulting in a lot of sinking. That means those who sleep near the edge can feel unsupported and sometimes even like they will roll or be tipped out of bed.

The Nectar rated well with the majority of testers for edge support. The lowest rating was a 4/10, with the average being a 7.5/10, and the highest rating an 8/10.

The consensus from the majority of testers is that The Nectar is above average in terms of edge support for a foam mattress.

So, if you’ve tried a foam mattress before and found the edge support lacking, you may not find The Nectar any different. Like all-foam mattresses, you will feel some sinking if you sit on the edge or sleep very close to it, but this should not be an issue unless you are a very heavy person.

Pressure Relief:  Great

Pressure relief is essential for anyone who has niggles and pains in their joints, especially areas like the lower back, hips, and shoulders, or anyone who sleeps on their side.

The measure of how well a mattress relieves pressure lies in how well it contours, supports, and distributes weight around points that transfer the most bodyweight to the bed, including the shoulder, hips, and knees.

This is of biggest concern to side sleepers because the body’s weight is distributed over the smallest surface area (meaning more pressure).

Because pressure relief relies a lot on the mattress’s ability to mold to the contours of the body, those with extra ‘curvy’ bodies may not experience pressure relief that is as good as people with ‘flatter’ bodies.

The finding of some of the reviewers is that it is likely to be only heavier people (>250lb) who may notice a slight drop in the level of pressure relief, regardless of how curvy their body is.

This is due to the firmness of the layers underneath the thinner cushioned top layers. Otherwise, the Nectar’s high-quality gel foam performs very well, scoring an average of 8.5/10 for pressure relief, with its lowest a 7 and highest score a 9.5.

Smell & Off-Gassing:  Good

The Nectar performed relatively well in terms of odor from off-gassing. The majority found the ‘new mattress smell’ to be no worse than other foam mattresses, and the time taken for the smell to dissipate ranged from a few hours to 3-4 days at the most.

Like coolness, how bad the off-gassing smell is and how long it takes to dissipate to an acceptable level will vary between individuals simply because people’s sense of smell differs so much. Some people are a lot more sensitive to the type of ‘chemical’ smell given off by foam mattresses than others.

The consensus, from reviewers who physically tested The Nectar, is that off-gassing is not a significant issue.

Bounce & Sex:  OK

Memory foam mattresses don’t have the best reputation as being good for sex, and The Nectar does appear to follow suit here. Why? The main reason is the lack of responsiveness — memory foam is not very ‘springy’ and does not shift back into place quickly.

Due to the motion-absorbing properties of memory foam, there is some bounce, but not as much as a hybrid or spring mattress would have.

Though the level of comfort is high and the edge support is good, it is the lack of responsiveness and bounce, which means it may not be the best option when it comes to sex.

Another finding was that although in general, The Nectar stays in place fine, it was found that it can move around a bit on the base due to movement from sex.

It’s most likely a result of the combination of not being especially heavy compared to other foam mattresses, and the lack of bounce, which would normally help dissipate the energy of any ‘activity.’

So our conclusion would be that The Nectar is ‘average’ for sex, though due to this being quite a subjective area, trialing it yourself would be the best way to found out.

Durability:  Good

Like most direct-to-consumer mattresses-in-a-box, Nectar has only been around since 2016, meaning there is minimal data on their mattresses’ durability and longevity.

However, based on comparing it to similar all-foam mattresses on the market (which traditionally do not have a lifespan as good as spring mattresses), most reviewers expect it to have an average lifespan, which for foam mattresses is 6-7 years.

The quality of materials is taken into account and used by reviewers and testers as a predictor of durability and longevity.

The majority of testers agree that the foam used in The Nectar is both high-quality and high density. The foam used in the base layer is especially high-density and sturdy, which is a good indicator that it will last.

The most common problem with all-foam mattresses reported by actual customers is sagging in the upper layers, leaving permanent indentations after some time.

We have not found reports of this happening with The Nectar, though it is traditionally the softer upper layers that deteriorate first.

Though durability is hard to predict without significant data collected over a long period of time, The Nectar does get bonus points for its warranty — many other mattresses only come with a 10-year warranty.

In contrast, it comes with a ‘Forever Warranty™’, meaning it’s covered as long as you own it, which should give you some significant peace of mind.

Ease of Movement:  Good

One drawback of some memory foam mattresses is because they allow you to sink into the mattress as well as contouring and conforming to the body and eliminating bounce and responsiveness, which can all add up to requiring a bit of effort just to change position.

While the Nectar has these traditional memory foam properties to some degree, the level of firmness means most people will not sink too deeply.

Most reviewers found their movement was not restricted to enough of a degree to be a problem — it didn’t restrict movement, but some found it not as easy to move around on as other mattresses.

Your weight will have a bearing on how easy it is to move around; if you are much heavier than average, you may feel a bit ‘stuck’ in the mattress.

Overall, the Nectar does appear to perform pretty well for a memory foam mattress — meaning most people will have no issues, but if mobility is an issue, a memory foam mattress, in general, is probably not the right choice for you.

Ease of Setup:  Great

Luckily, the Nectar is not the heaviest mattress out there, given its all-foam construction and lack of heavy reinforcing and steel springs. The weight ranges from 45lb for the Twin size up to 89lb for the California King.

It is always recommended to have some help when lifting and carrying a bulky and heavy item like a boxed mattress, though many people would have no issue moving the boxed mattress on their own.

Nectar offers a white glove delivery service for an extra cost, meaning the mattress will be delivered, set up in the room, and the packaging, along with your old mattress, will be removed and taken away if you wish.

Unboxing is straightforward, though some assistance may make it easier. It’s just a matter of cutting open and removing the outer plastic, laying it in place, and cutting open the remaining plastic layer and allowing it to expand.

Value for Money:  Great

The Nectar is a high-quality foam mattress that sells at a lower price than comparable mattresses, meaning it represents very good value for the money.

Some reviewers call the quality to price ratio “unmatched,” and it has been awarded Best Value pick among professional mattress testing and review sites.

The opinion is pretty much unanimous that the Nectar is excellent value for the money and is top of its class in terms of price to quality.

illustration representing sleeping positions

Ratings by Sleeping Position

Suitability for Side Sleepers:  Great

The Nectar may feel a bit too firm for very light people who side-sleep. The contouring, support, and pressure relief of the gel foam used make The Nectar a better option for side sleepers than many other all-foam mattresses.

Average, above average, and even heavy people should all find it well above average for side sleeping.

Suitability for Stomach Sleepers:  OK

Stomach sleepers appear to be the least well served by The Nectar. The key for stomach sleepers is hip support; relieving pressure on the hips and lower back, and keeping the spine in alignment.

The level of ‘sink’ allowed by the gel foam top layers means this support may not be adequate for all users, and it may feel too firm. Some lighter stomach sleepers may find it fine, and stomach sleepers of average weight should enjoy The Nectar best, with it perhaps not being suited to heavy people.

Suitability for Back Sleepers:  Good

The Nectar is very well suited to back sleepers of all weights, who should have an optimal feeling of comfort and support.

Significantly heavier people may find some sinking of the hips, or that they sink too deep in general (not good if you prefer not to feel enveloped by and lying ‘in’ a mattress as opposed to feeling ‘on top’ of it. Most people, however, should find a very good level of support and comfort.

Suitability for Combination Sleepers Great

The Nectar was designed to suit all sleeping positions, so combination sleepers should find it to be an ideal fit. The only ones who may not find it to be a perfect fit are heavier than average combo sleepers who spend most of the night on their stomach or who change position a lot.

This is mostly because the enveloping properties of the foam can mean moving around takes more effort, and lighter than average combo sleepers who spend most of the night on their side, due to potentially being ‘on top of’ the mattress and not feeling enough pressure relief.

illustration of a weight scale

Ratings by Body Frame Type

Suitability for Heavy People:  Good

The one area where the Nectar lets itself down in relation to sleepers who are of above-average to very heavyweight is stomach sleeping.

While very heavy sleepers may experience a little too much sinking for their liking if they are a back sleeper, generally, the Nectar is a very good option otherwise. Side sleepers of all weights should feel very good levels of support and pressure relief too.

Heavy stomach sleepers may find the nature of the foam in the top layers means there is not enough support underneath the hips and lumbar area, meaning the hips may sink too far, bringing the spine out of alignment and causing lower back issues.

Generally speaking, though, the firmness and thickness of the Nectar mean it is a very viable choice for most heavy people.

Suitability for Average People:  Great

Sleepers in the average range should find themselves very well served by the Nectar. The performance of the construction and materials used in the mattress means that there is not going to be any extremes for the average person.

This also means no excessive sinking, no lack of sink, perfect contouring, support, and pressure relief — even for side sleepers who are normally hardest to cater for in regards to this.

Given the suitability for most average weight people, suitability will ultimately come down to personal preference, so don’t be afraid to take advantage of the generous trial period to test it out for yourself.

Suitability for Light People:  Great

While the Nectar may feel slightly firmer to anyone in the lightweight range, the mattress’s conforming nature means that the softer top layers of foam will combine with the firmer ones underneath to provide excellent support and pressure relief, which is especially important for side sleepers.

FAQs

Can I try The Nectar mattress before buying it?

Yes — even though Nectar mattresses are sold online, you can try them out for yourself in-store first if you wish — Nectar’s products are available in mattress stores nationwide. Simply check for your nearest location using their store locator.

However, if you are not located near a physical store where you can try one out, Nectar’s trial and warranty periods are second to none. Most mattress-in-a-box sellers offer a 100-night trial period — Nectar’s trial period is a full 365 nights (that starts 30 days after delivery) — the longest trial period in the industry by far.

And the mattress comes with a lifetime warranty — compared to the standard 10-years offered by most mattress sellers — so you’re covered as long as you own it.

Better yet, if for any reason you are not satisfied after trying the mattress out in your own home for up to a full year, all it takes is a call to the customer care team to arrange for your mattress to be donated to a charity or disposed of locally, and there is no return fee.

How safe are the foams used in the Nectar mattress?

All the foams used in Nectar mattresses are CertiPUR-US® certified.

This means that Leesa mattresses are free from:

  • Ozone depleters
  • PBDEs, TDCPP, and TCEP flame retardants
  • Mercury, lead, and other heavy metals
  • Formaldehyde
  • Phthalates

And they are certified as having low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) emissions, meeting air quality standards with less than 0.5 parts per million.

What about chemical fire retardants in The Nectar?

As per CertiPUR-US® certification, None of the materials that go into Nectar mattresses are chemically treated with fire retardants.

Like other eco-friendly mattresses, Nectar uses a proprietary ‘sock’ just under the cover that, in the event of a fire, melts on itself, suffocating the fire before it can spread.

Are Nectar mattresses environmentally friendly?

Yes. The foams used in the Nectar mattress are made to meet rigorous standards and are made primarily from vegetable-based polyurethane, which is latex-free, as well as being naturally bed bug and dust mite resistant.

The mattress cover is made from Tencel, the fibers of which are made from sustainable wood cellulose, and organic, non-GMO, Fair Trade, GOTS certified cotton.

All dyes used are low-impact and OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified.

What kind of foundation do I need for a Nectar mattress?

Like any other foam mattress, the Nectar requires a base or foundation that is flat, supportive, and distributes weight evenly — this can include a solid foundation, frame with box spring, divan, or bunkie board.

Are slats okay?

Yes — so long as the slats are flat with no flex, bend, or give in them, and are spaced evenly no more than 3 inches apart.

What is the star rating for The Nectar mattress?

According to our algorithm that calculates the average star rating for each mattress based on how well it was rated for different points of concern, The Nectar has scored 4.2 out of 5 stars.