TempurPedic are one of the best-known luxury memory foam brands on the market today. These mattresses have become hugely popular with consumers and experts alike because of their excellent conforming abilities and high levels of support. They are one of the go-to companies for people with back or joint pain looking for the best memory foam mattress.
Nectar Sleep launched in 2016 with the Nectar mattress, a more affordable memory foam bed. They are one of many online brands offering more budget-friendly alternatives for those with back and joint pain wanting to reap the pressure-relieving benefits of memory foam.
We’re often asked by readers whether they should choose a TempurPedic memory foam mattress or the Nectar. The answer to this question comes down to your individual needs and preferences, also taking into account your budget. In this article, we’ll review the Nectar mattress against TempurPedic’s bestselling TEMPUR-Adapt mattress. Please note that TempurPedic sell other models which you may also want to consider.
How are the Mattresses Constructed?
There are a lot of similarities between the construction of the Nectar and TEMPUR-Adapt mattresses. Both use memory foam to help relieve pressure and create a comfortable sleeping surface. However, there are some important differences as well which could make one mattress or the other more suitable for your needs.
Nectar Construction
The Nectar mattress has a triple-layered construction and is 11 inches thick. Nectar use gel-infused memory foam made using open-cell technology. This is slightly more responsive than standard memory foam and is also more breathable. Therefore, the Nectar mattress sleeps cooler than many traditional memory foam mattresses you may have tried in the past, which tend to retain too much heat. The layers of the Nectar mattress are put together as follows:
Support layer
The bottom layer of the Nectar mattress is 7 inches thick and made from a mixture of memory foam and polyfoam, both of which are very dense. It’s this section that gives the mattress its support and provides a stable base.
Transitional layer
This layer is part of a 4-inch section known as the comfort layer. It is made of firmer memory foam and helps to provide pressure relief while still maintaining a good level of support for your back.
Upper layer
The second part of the comfort layer is made from soft and comfortable quilted gel memory foam. This layer can conform to the shape of your sleeping body, relieving pressure and providing a cloudlike sleeping surface. The gel infusion helps to stop you from overheating while you sleep.
Tencel cover
Nectar use a blend of cotton and Tencel to make the covers of their mattresses. Tencel helps to increase the overall breathability of the cotton. This feature is great at helping you to sleep as cool as possible.
TempurPedic Construction
TempurPedic don’t publish the density and individual thickness of their mattress layers. However, in combination they create a mattress that is 11 inches thick, matching the thickness of the Nectar. The materials used are extremely durable, giving the mattress a very long lifespan in comparison to many other similar foam mattresses. TempurPedic also reinforce their mattress edges very strongly, giving great edge support. This means that you won’t feel a roll-off sensation when you lie up to the edge of the mattress and makes it more durable. The mattress is constructed as follows:
Supportive core
The base layer of the TempurPedic is made of very dense HD polyfoam. This helps to prevent sagging and makes the mattress supportive and stable.
Comfort layers
The comfort layers of the TempurPedic are made from adaptable memory foam. This material molds closely to the shape of your sleeping body and helps to relieve pressure on joints. It’s also extremely cosy and comfortable to sleep on.
SmartClimate cover
The TempurPedic’s cover is dual-layered and is specially engineered to sleep very cool. You should notice a sensation of coolness when you lie on it. TempurPedic have dubbed this dual-layer construction as their ‘SmartClimate’ cover.
Which Mattress is Firmer?
It’s important to choose the correct firmness when you’re mattress shopping. Many people don’t realise that a softer mattress won’t necessarily feel more comfortable. This is because very soft mattresses don’t give enough support, leading to aches and pains if you sleep on them long term. Support is extremely important for a comfortable and pain-free sleep. Most people will find that they need a medium or medium firm mattress to provide them with the support they need. If you have back pain, you may need a firm mattress. However, beware of buying mattresses labelled as ‘orthopedic’. These are extremely firm and won’t feel comfortable for most people, although some people may find them suitable and use them on the advice of their healthcare provider.
Mattress firmness is often described using a scale of 1 to 10. A mattress rated as a ‘1’ would be very soft, while a ‘10’ would be a very firm ‘orthopedic’ mattress. As you might expect, a mattress rated 5 is a medium mattress.
The Nectar mattress is the firmest of the two options, measuring 6.5 on the firmness scale. This places it at the firmer end of medium. This firmness is sometimes referred to as ‘universal comfort’ as it suits the vast majority of sleeping styles and comfort preferences. This makes it a good option for couples who may have differing sleep needs. This mattress is best suited to people who weigh at least 130 pounds. People with very light body weights are likely to find it too firm.
The TempurPedic Adapt foam mattress measures 5 on the firmness scale, making it a true medium. This means it provides a decent level of support while retaining the softness necessary to conform very closely to your body. However, if you have a higher body weight of around 230 pounds or more, this could cause a mattress like the TempurPedic to sag prematurely.
Which Mattress Should I Choose for my Sleeping Position?
Many mattress shoppers aren’t aware that their sleeping position is a key factor in deciding which mattress suits them best. This is because different positions put strain on the body in different ways, so you will need to carefully select a mattress to counteract this. Most people sleep on their sides, with a smaller number of people preferring to sleep on their back or stomach. Additionally, some people are ‘combi-sleepers’, which means they switch positions in the night. People who are combi-sleepers will need to select a mattress that performs well for all their adopted positions.
The Nectar mattress is well-suited to all sleeping positions as it can provide enough pressure relief for side sleepers, who are prone to pressure build up in their shoulders and hips, while giving enough support to back and front sleepers. This also means it is a good choice for combi-sleepers. If you are a side sleeper and have a light body weight, you may find the Nectar mattress too firm to mold to the side of your body, which could cause aches and pains.
As the TempurPedic mattress is somewhat softer, it can mold to your body effectively even if you are very light. This makes it a good option for side sleepers, especially those with lower bodyweights who may have found the Nectar too firm. It also provides good support for front and back sleepers, although people with higher body weights who sleep in these positions may need the support provided by a firmer mattress.
Which Mattress is Best for Back and Joint Pain?
If you suffer from back and joint pain, this can make getting a good night’s sleep very tricky. The good news is that the correct mattress can ease aches and pains at night and may prevent new issues from developing. However, the incorrect mattress could make your night-time pain worse or even create discomfort.
The most important thing to look for in a mattress for pain management is pressure relief for your joints and a good level of support. The correct amount of support helps to encourage your spine into a good alignment while you sleep and can ease pain. Both the Nectar and the TempurPedic mattresses are good memory foam mattresses for back pain. Which one you choose comes down to which firmness suits your sense of comfort and sleeping position, as we described above.
Which Mattress Sleeps Cooler?
Memory foam mattresses tend to sleep hot for a couple of reasons. First of all, the material itself isn’t especially breathable and tends to retain heat. Additionally, they allow your body to sink into the mattress, which can cause heat to build up around you. This can make sleeping at night uncomfortable, especially if you tend to sleep hot anyway due to a factor such as menopause.
The TempurPedic’s SmartClimate cover does go some way to helping you sleep cool. However, the Nectar is probably the most highly engineered of the two mattresses when it comes to tackling heat retention. The memory foam used in the Nectar is made using open-cell technology and the top layers are infused with gel. This helps to wick heat away from you while you sleep and allows air to circulate more freely within the foam, making it more breathable and encouraging heat to escape. The Tencel blend cover is also very breathable and noticeably cool to sleep on.
If you want to buy a TempurPedic mattress but sleeping hot is a specific issue for you, you might be better off going for the hybrid version of their TEMPUR-Adapt mattress or the TEMPUR-breeze, which is specially designed with temperature neutrality in mind.
Nectar vs. TempurPedic Price Comparison
Price is one of the areas where the Nectar and TempurPedic mattresses vary significantly. If you’re on a budget, the Nectar mattress is the most affordable option. It usually retails through the Nectar Sleep website at $799 for a queen size, although they are currently offering it at a discounted price of $699 during their January sale promotion. Nectar include a free gift of two pillows with every mattress purchase, which usually sell for a combined price of $150.
The TEMPUR-Adapt all foam mattress is significantly more expensive at $2,199 for a queen size. This makes it a luxury option. However, due to the quality and durability of Tempur mattresses, you may feel it’s worth the investment if the mattress suits your needs well and you have the budget available.
Both companies offer monthly payment financing options through third-party lenders if, like many people, you can’t afford to pay for your new mattress in one go. However, you should be aware that you will need to meet the lender’s requirements and it is important to make sure you can afford the monthly repayment schedule.
Trials and Warranties
Most mattresses come with a sleep trial. This is an important factor for most people, especially if you’re buying a mattress online without trying it out first. Sleep trials allow you to try out the mattress for a set period and return it if you don’t like it. A decent warranty is important as well as it protects you should you experience a manufacturing fault.
When it comes to sleep trial length, the Nectar mattress has the most generous offer. Nectar mattresses come with a 365-night sleep trial, which is one of the best available. Crucially, it has no breaking-in period, which means you can return the mattress at any point during the sleep trial and receive a full refund. The only exception is if you had to pay a delivery charge due to your location or paid a fee for white glove delivery, as these are non-refundable. You should also be aware that purchases made through Amazon only come with a 180-night trial period.
The TempurPedic mattress comes with a shorter sleep trial of 90 nights. There is also a breaking-in period of 30 days, which means you are obliged to keep your mattress for at least this period of time before returning it for a refund. If you had to pay a shipping charge because of your location, this will not be refunded.
The Nectar mattress also has the longest warranty. It is a lifetime warranty, which means it applies as long as you choose to keep the mattress. For the first 10 years after purchase, Nectar will repair or replace a faulty mattress and you won’t have to pay a dime. Once 10 years have elapsed, you will need to pay a delivery charge of $50 each way. However, if Nectar agree that the bed is defective, this charge will be fully refunded. The warranty covers manufacturing flaws or defects in the mattress or the cover, including dips or sagging deeper than 1.5 inches. It does not cover damage caused by misuse. In order for your warranty to be valid, you will need to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines regarding the use of a properly supportive base. It is also non-transferrable, which means it can only be used by the original purchaser.
The TempurPedic warranty is shorter at 10 years, which is standard for mattresses. If your mattress is damaged due to an error in the manufacturing process, Tempur will replace or repair it for free. However, you will have to pay shipping costs. The warranty covers manufacturing flaws and any indentations or sagging areas deeper than 0.75 inches. Like the Nectar, you will need to use a supportive base as per the manufacturer’s guidelines and the warranty doesn’t cover damage from misuse. It is also non-transferable.
Are the Mattresses Certified?
The foams used in both the Nectar and the TempurPedic mattresses carry the Certi-Pur certification. This means that they are guaranteed to be free from harmful chemicals that could pose a risk to your health following a rigorous testing process. This is good news, as some of the chemicals traditionally used in the manufacture of foam bedding can cause health problems, especially if you have a respiratory condition. The Certi-Pur certification also gives shoppers reassurance that the mattresses have a lower negative impact on the environment, making them a more eco-friendly choice.
Delivery Information
The Nectar mattress comes in bed-in-a-box packaging, which means that it is firmly compressed and tightly rolled to fit inside a small box. This makes it easy to transport your mattress upstairs and into your bedroom. Delivery usually takes 5-7 business days. There is no delivery charge to the contiguous United States. If you live in Alaska or Hawaii, delivery costs $250. Nectar do not currently offer international delivery. If you wish to have your mattress set up for you, you can opt for their white glove delivery service, which costs $149 to the contiguous United States and $299 to Alaska or Hawaii. Nectar will also remove and dispose of your old mattress for an additional cost of $20.
The TempurPedic mattress comes with free white glove delivery to the contiguous United States. This price includes the set-up of your new mattress and the removal and disposal of your old mattress. If you live in Alaska or Hawaii, you will need to pay a $600 white glove delivery charge. Tempur do not offer standard bed-in-a-box shipping. You can expect to receive your mattress in around two weeks. Please note that someone over the age of 18 must be present in your home when the mattress is delivered.
Where Can I Buy the Nectar and TempurPedic Mattresses?
You can purchase the Nectar mattress online through their company website. Nectar also sell their mattresses through other online third-party retailers such as Amazon. Make sure that you have checked out key information such as the delivery policy if you buy through a third party as these may differ from those published in this article.
The TempurPedic mattress can also be purchased on the Tempur website or through other websites such as Amazon. Tempur also have their own bricks and mortar stores and are stocked by various third-party retailers in physical stores. This makes them a good option if trying out a mattress in person before you buy is an important factor for you. Local availability may vary. You can find a Tempur retail store near you by using this link: https://www.tempurpedic.com/find-a-retailer/#closest-5
Which Mattress Should I Choose?
Now you have a thorough understanding of how these two mattresses compare to each other, it’s time for the all-important decision. We can’t say outright that one mattress is better than the other; both are high-quality options and have their own advantages. Which one you choose ultimately depends on your own needs, preferences and budget. However, we’ve put together some handy guidelines to help make your decision a little easier.
Choose the Nectar if:
You’re on a tight budget
The Nectar mattress is by far the cheapest of the two options at just $799 for a queen (or $699 if you snap it up in their current sale). This is an extremely reasonable price, especially when you consider the amount of engineering and technology that goes into making a Nectar mattress.
You sleep hot
The Nectar mattress is well-designed with temperature neutrality in mind. The open-cell foam structure combines with gel to help heat escape away from your body, creating a cool sleeping experience. The Tencel blend cover is also noticeably cool to the touch.
You want a medium firm mattress
The Nectar mattress is somewhat firmer than the TEMPUR-Adapt. This makes it a more suitable option for those that generally prefer a firmer feel or people with higher bodyweights.
Choose the TEMPUR-Adapt if:
You’re a side sleeper, especially if you weigh less than 130 pounds
Although the Nectar is generally suitable for side sleepers, the TEMPUR-Adapt is probably more suitable if you have a lighter body weight. This is because the mattress is softer, so it can adapt well to the shape of the side of your body and relieve pressure on your hips and shoulders, even if you’re very light.
You want a very durable mattress
The TEMPUR-Adapt is a highly durable memory foam memory mattress thanks to its high-quality materials and strong edge support. As long as you take good care of it and have a supportive foundation for the mattress, it should have a very good lifespan.
You need good motion isolation
The TempurPedic mattress is especially good at isolating movement from one side of the bed to the other. This may be important to you if you share the bed with a partner, especially if one of you is a restless sleeper, as it means you won’t be aware of movement from the other side of the bed.
The bottom line
Both the Tempur and the Nectar mattresses rank among the best memory foam mattresses in 2020. Which one you choose depends on your budget and what you find to be comfortable. Now that you understand more clearly how they compare to each other; the decision should hopefully be far easier. It’s always important to do your research before you buy any mattress by reading user and expert opinions to make sure you’re choosing a bed that meets your personal sleep needs.
