A night spent tossing and turning in bed can make you tired and irritable the next day. Poor sleep can negatively impact our mood and overall mental health, highlighting how crucial high-quality sleep is for our physical and mental well-being.
Many factors affect our sleep quality, from potential medical issues to sleeping on an old, unsupportive mattress. If you’re ready to replace your mattress to help improve your sleep, you’re not alone. The majority of the 600 mattress owners surveyed by our Handbook Team purchased a new mattress for better comfort and support to improve their sleep. We also conducted a sleep focus group, and multiple participants connected their mattress quality with their overall sleep quality and well-being.
From our focus group
“I can finally get rest, and I can finally get a decent night’s sleep and just kind of wake up with a better, more positive feeling than waking up every day and just being annoyed and tired.”
The Handbook Team evaluated more than 100 mattresses to help narrow down the best options for our readers. The Nectar Memory Foam mattress is one of our top memory foam mattress picks. Learn how this affordable mattress helps support restorative sleep based on our hands-on testing.
Nectar mattress highlights
Our final verdict on the Nectar mattress
If you want to sink into a soft, cushioning memory foam mattress at the end of the day, the Nectar mattress may be for you. We think its deep sinkage offers great support and pressure relief for light- or average-weight sleepers, especially side sleepers.
When one of our mattress testers lay on their side on the Nectar, their shoulders and hips slightly sank into the top layer of gel memory foam, relieving pressure in both areas without feeling crunched on one side. Our testers said they felt more cradled “in” the mattress than “on” it thanks to the slight sinkage.
From our tester
The Nectar Memory Foam is best for people who like to be conformed or cradled by their mattress. This feeling isn’t for everyone, but the mattress has amazing pressure relief.
Higher-weight sleepers (weighing over 250 pounds) may sink too deeply into the Nectar mattress since the memory foam is so soft and plush. While deep sinkage sounds like the ultimate goal of a memory foam mattress, too much sinkage means the mattress isn’t providing enough reinforced support for your spine and joints.
We also don’t recommend the Nectar Memory Foam mattress for stomach sleepers. Our tester’s hips sank uncomfortably into the mattress when lying on their stomach, and they felt smothered—not supported—by the plushy mattress surface. When sleeping on your stomach or back, a mattress must keep your hips aligned with your spine without sinking into the mattress. Otherwise, you’re at risk of developing chronic pain.
There are firmer memory foam mattresses that are more fitting for higher-weight or stomach sleepers. We suggest a firmer, denser memory foam mattress for adequate support. Our best memory foam mattress picks have different firmness levels and foam composition to support a variety of body types and sleeping positions.
Some Nectar models contain fiberglass, a long-lasting material helps to make a mattress fire resistant, but which can be harmful to the upper respiratory tract and skin if it escapes the inner layers of the mattress. Sleepers aren’t exposed to fiberglass unless the mattress is torn, ruptured, or the protective cover is taken off, but this is something to be aware of while shopping.
Tip
A zippered mattress cover does not guarantee that a mattress will not have hazardous materials inside. Check the label for fiberglass materials, or call the manufacturer to confirm whether fiberglass is used in the mattress construction before opening the cover or taking it off.
The Handbook Team recommends the Nectar Premier as the best mattress for side sleepers. You can learn more about it in our roundup of the best mattresses of 2024.
HelpGuide Handbook’s testing methodology and score breakdown
Our testing methodology includes a nine-factor score breakdown that our Handbook testers use to rate mattresses. Here’s how the Nectar Memory Foam mattress performed:
Firmness: 6.5/10
Our testers rated the Nectar mattress medium-firm. A medium-firm mattress has the right balance of support and firmness to help relieve pressure. While the mattress feels medium-firm initially, it’s more plush than some medium-firm mattresses we’ve tested, especially the longer you lay on it.
Support: 2.5/5
Although we rated the Nectar mattress as “medium firm,” our testers were concerned the mattress may sag over time. We gave it a lower support score since testers quickly sank into the mattress as the memory foam conformed to their body. This is great for weight distribution and pressure relief but indicates the mattress may not offer as much reinforced support over time.
Edge support: 2/5
The Nectar mattress doesn’t have strong edge support since the edge is constructed of the same soft, cushioning materials the rest of the mattress is made with. The edge collapsed quickly when our testers sat on it, and they couldn’t lie close to the edge of the mattress without sliding off the side.
Cooling: 4/5
While the Nectar mattress didn’t feel cool to the touch like other mattresses we tested, it has a top layer of gel memory foam designed to keep the surface cool.
Many factors can influence mattress cooling, including bed sheets. We recommend bed sheets made of breathable, organic material such as cotton, linen, or bamboo to help keep your mattress cool and comfortable.
Motion transfer: 5/5
The Nectar mattress is excellent at absorbing movement, meaning you likely won’t feel your partner or pet’s movements when sharing the mattress. When testing motion transfer, our testers barely felt their testing partner’s movements beside them—even when their partner was jumping on the mattress.
Bounce: 1.5/5
The Nectar Memory Foam has very little responsiveness. Our tester felt stuck in the mattress and had to roll out of a sunken, indented area whenever they changed sleeping positions—there was no bounce to assist them. For people who move frequently while sleeping or prioritize sexual activities in their bed, a responsive mattress is beneficial for ease of movement.
Pressure relief: 4.25/5
We think back and side sleepers will get great pressure relief on the Nectar mattress. The top gel memory foam layer is softer than the denser, more durable lower layers. It’s designed to relieve pressure by evenly distributing body weight on the mattress.
Sex: 2.15/5
We factor in bounce, edge support, and cooling ratings to determine a sex score. The Nectar mattress has good cooling, but we gave it a low rating for sex because of its poor bounce and edge support.
Family: 3.15/5
To calculate a family score, we factor in edge support, cooling, motion transfer, and overall support. This helps us determine how the mattress may support a partner, pet, or other family members.
The Nectar mattress has great motion transfer and good cooling, but it scores lower in edge support and overall support. Poor edge and overall support may create an unstable, unsupportive surface with multiple people (or people and pets) on the bed.
HelpGuide Handbook’s mattress testing methodology
Purchase mattress as mystery shoppers.
Set up mattress in testing lab.
Lie on mattress and rank firmness.
Lie on back, side, and stomach to find the best sleeping position.
Place 10-pound ball in mattress center and measure sinkage.
Find biggest pressure points using pressure map reading.
Evaluate cooling capabilities by recording temperature differences.
Drop 10-pound ball onto mattress to measure bounce score.
Test motion isolation.
Test edge support.
Calculate composite scores.
The Handbook Team hand-tests every mattress we review. We evaluate brands and models by recording our findings on a 42-question standardized testing form to identify standout features and services, document issues with each product, and describe our personal experience lying on each mattress. For example, we record:
- Firmness score and whether the mattress is best for back, side, or stomach sleepers.
- Starting temperature of the mattress and how much it heats up after two testers lie on the mattress for five minutes.
- How many times a 10-pound ball bounces on the mattress after dropping from a height of two feet in order to arrive at a mattress bounce score.
We pay close attention to specific considerations that sleepers of all ages seek, as identified by respondents in our survey of 600 mattress owners. This includes price, features, and the set-up process. We also interview real people to better understand the motivations behind shopping for a new mattress, as well as the benefits of purchasing one.
According to our survey
According to our survey, about 80 percent of all respondents say their new mattress helps them sleep better, and 65 percent report improved mental health.
As our testers evaluate each brand and its features, we consider why many people choose a new mattress in the first place. Of our respondents in our [month/year] survey, 42 percent decided to purchase a new mattress for “improved comfort and support for better sleep,” while only seven percent did so for “pain relief and targeted support.” The most common pain respondents wanted relieved was lower back pain.
Despite only 42 percent of respondents prioritizing comfort and support for better sleep when shopping for a new mattress, 68 percent reported they sleep longer on their new mattress and 49 percent and 45 percent, respectively, said their stress and anxiety had improved after switching to their new mattress. Almost all mattress owners we surveyed (95 percent) were at least somewhat satisfied with their new mattress.
In addition to surveys, we consult sleep experts, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and pain specialists to understand what mattresses offer that make an overwhelmingly positive impact.
In order to focus on the mattresses themselves, we structure our test designs to rank each one based on a range of criteria objectively. For example, we test things like bounce, edge support (the sturdiness of your mattress edge), and cooling capabilities the same way on each mattress and compare the results. That way we can accurately compare each mattress’s score in an unbiased way while also sharing our subjective point of view as mattress testers and experts.
Lastly, we compare warranty lengths, trial periods, and white glove delivery (in-home delivery and setup) options. While most brands offer warranties, not all are comprehensive. And many brands on the market don’t have free white glove delivery. This could be a deal-breaker if you’re nervous to invest in a new mattress because you’re worried the bed won’t get set up properly or offer what you need.
For more information, see how we test and review sleep products.
From our tester
“During our research, we realized that the brand’s firmness scale and perceived firmness aren’t always the same. We decided to report how firm we thought the mattress felt so that you can gain a different perspective, but more importantly, feel confident about what you’re purchasing.”
A note on our testing
We acknowledge that every body is different, and what feels comfortable to one person may not feel comfortable to another. Throughout our reviews, we refer to weight categories as light (below 130 pounds), average (130 to 250 pounds), and high (above 250 pounds) to distinguish between body weights.
Typically, lighter sleepers perceive mattresses to feel firmer than they are, and higher-weight sleepers perceive mattresses to feel softer than they are. Keep in mind that most mattresses are designed for the average-weight person.
HelpGuide Handbook for Nectar Memory Foam mattress
One of the most affordable memory foam mattresses.
Recommended for side sleepers to help relieve pressure by cushioning the shoulder and hip area.
Has three layers of memory foam.
Shipped to your home, rolled, compressed, and sealed in a box.
Free shipping and limited lifetime warranty.
Nectar mattress firmness and feel
Our testers’ first impression of the mattress firmness was medium to medium firm, but after lying on the mattress, they noticed how quickly they sank into it. The Nectar Memory Foam has a softer, more cushioning feel than other mattresses we tested.
From our tester
“The mattress doesn’t immediately pop back up after pressing down on the surface. The quilted cover immediately pops back up, but it takes a second for the foam underneath.”
Nectar mattress performance
The cradled, cushioning Nectar mattress is ideal for some sleepers but can be a drawback for others. That’s why we don’t recommend one “best” mattress for everyone.
Let’s review how the mattress performs based on sleeping position, body weight, and pain relief.
Sleeping position and body weight
Overall, our tester felt most comfortable and supported on the Nectar mattress when lying on their side. Their shoulders and hips softly sank into the mattress, and they felt excellent pressure relief. Any mattress will feel and perform differently depending on your sleeping position and physical build. One tester pointed out that sleepers with broader shoulders or a higher weight may feel more pressure buildup and discomfort in this position.
While the Nectar mattress may be best for some side sleepers, others may want another option that suits their body type and sleeping preferences better.
Compare the Nectar Memory Foam mattress for different sleeper types
| Lower weight (<130 pounds) | Average weight (130–250 pounds) | Higher weight (>250 pounds) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back sleepers | Ideal | Ideal | Poor |
| Side sleepers | Good | Ideal | Poor |
| Stomach sleepers | Poor | Poor | Poor |
The softer memory foam may not properly support higher-weight sleepers and stomach sleepers. And while we recommend the Nectar mattress for side sleepers, if you switch positions throughout the night (i.e., you’re a “combination sleeper”), the mattress doesn’t give you much bounce to work with. Our testers had difficulty maneuvering out of the divot their bodies had created in the mattress when trying to switch sleeping positions.
From our tester
“The mattress surface has mild resistance when I change sleeping positions. I have to roll out of the divot I created to switch positions. I can feel the mattress adjusting to my new position, but it takes a second or two to respond to the new position.”
Nectar mattress pain relief performance
We reviewed support, pressure relief, and motion isolation to determine how the Nectar mattress may help relieve pain. Sleepers with an injury or experiencing chronic pain may get relief from this mattress due to its excellent pressure relief and motion isolation. Still, its lower-performing support may not be enough reinforcement for some sleepers.
The Handbook Team used a pressure map to measure how their body weight was distributed when lying on the Nectar mattress. There was hardly any pressure buildup in the hips and shoulders when a tester lay on their side, which is great news for side sleepers.
“One of the unique properties of memory foam is that it is highly effective at offloading forces from specific areas of the body,” says Jimmy Pajuheshfar, physical therapist and clinical director at FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers.
“Working with many patients who deal with chronic inflammatory or arthritic conditions of the back and hips, incorporating the use of memory foam has enabled greater sleep tolerance with less tossing and turning.”
Warning
If you’re experiencing chronic pain, changing your mattress may not be enough to manage your condition. Pain is often a multifactorial symptom that requires a proper workup, diagnosis, and treatment plan tailored to you. Consult with your doctor to receive directed and personalized recommendations for your case.
When lying on their back, our tester noticed how the mattress contoured to their lower back, supporting this area and keeping their spine neutral. There was no pressure buildup on the pressure map when testers tried this position.
We also recommend the Nectar mattress for people living with chronic pain who may be disturbed by a partner or pet’s movements while sleeping. The mattress has excellent motion isolation and absorbs common movements such as switching positions or getting in and out of bed.
Overall thoughts about the Nectar Memory Foam mattress
The Nectar Memory Foam is one of our top memory foam mattresses. If you’re considering purchasing a Nectar mattress, here are the Handbook Team’s favorite and least favorite things about it.
Our favorite things about the Nectar mattress
- The classic plush, cradling memory foam feel.
- Reasonable price and a generous one-year trial period.
- Sleepers may experience great pressure relief.
- The mattress absorbs and isolates partner and pet movements.
Our Nectar mattress complaints
- Unstable mattress edge that quickly sags under weight.
- Too much sinkage for sleepers who need or want more support.
- May be uncomfortable for those who want to feel “on” the mattress instead of “in” it.
Nectar mattress frequently asked questions
A memory foam mattress can last six to seven years, or even 10-15 years, according to Nectar. The lifespan of the mattress depends on the foam quality and how well it’s cared for.
Yes, the Nectar Memory Foam mattress is excellent for side sleepers. The mattress sinks just enough to relieve pressure in the shoulders and hips while offering reinforced support. We recommend the Nectar mattress for lighter- (less than 130 pounds) or average-weight (130–250 pounds) side sleepers, but it may not be supportive enough for higher-weight (more than 250 pounds) or stomach sleepers.
The Nectar Memory Foam mattress costs $699–$1,798. The queen-sized mattress is $1,099. Shipping is free, and white glove delivery is available for $199.
The Nectar Memory Foam is a medium-firm mattress. It sinks a little more than other medium-firm mattresses, but we believe it offers the right combination of pressure relief and support found in medium-firm mattresses.
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- Blackwelder, A. J., Hoskins, M., & Huber, L. R. B. (2021). Effect of inadequate sleep on frequent mental distress. Preventing Chronic Disease, 18. Link
- Scott, A.J., Webb, T.L., Martyn-St James, M., Rowse, G., & Weich, S. (2021). Improving sleep quality leads to better mental health: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 60, 101556. Link
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019, June 21). Fibrous glass. Link