If you’ve been doing your research while shopping for the best memory foam mattress, you’ve probably heard of the Nectar and Tuft and Needle brands. Both companies have been making waves in the online mattress industry and provide great value for money for people trying to buy a good value memory foam bed.
Which of the two models suits you best depends on your own individual sleeping style and sense of comfort. It’s true that there are some similarities between the Nectar and the Tuft and Needle mattresses. In order to help you make the best decision, we’ve compiled all the information you need to know when comparing Nectar vs. Tuft and Needle
Similarities between the Nectar and the Tuft and Needle
- Both are made of high-quality memory foam
- High density base layer
- Both medium firm
- Ideal for people who switch sleeping positions in the night
Differences between the Nectar and the Tuft and Needle
- The Nectar is thicker and has more layers
- The Tuft and Needle is more responsive, whereas the Nectar has the deep hugging sensation that you would associate with traditional memory foam
- The Nectar is more expensive
Construction of the Nectar vs. Tuft and Needle
The construction of the Nectar and the Tuft and Needle mattresses are somewhat similar, particularly when it comes to the high-density base layer. However, there are some important differences between the two when it comes to construction which you should be aware of before making a choice.
Nectar Construction
The Nectar mattress has three layers as opposed to the two layers in the Tuft and Needle. This helps it to provide a good level of comfort and support for your joints and spine. The memory foam used in this mattress is known as open cell, which means that air can flow freely throughout. This helps to stop heat building up to uncomfortable levels while you sleep. It also prevents very deep sinkage when you lie on the mattress, which could also make overheating more likely. The layers are put together as follows:
- High density base layer
The bottom layer of the Nectar mattress is made using very firm high-density foam. This helps to keep the mattress stable and provides extra support for your back and joints.
- Transitional layer
This layer is made of firm foam. It adds to the overall support of the mattress without interfering with its conforming abilities.
- Top layer
The upper layer of the Nectar mattress is manufactured using highly adaptable memory foam. This hugs the contours of your body and feels soft and comfortable to sleep on while helping to relieve pressure on your joints. Nectar use gel memory foam in their mattresses which helps to wick away heat during the night.
- Soft cotton cover
Nectar wrap their mattresses in a soft, environmentally friendly cover made from cotton. This cotton is blended with a material called Tencel. The advantage of Tencel is that it improves overall breathability and helps to keep you at a cool and comfortable temperature.
Tuft and Needle Construction
The Tuft and Needle mattress contains two layers of foam which work together to provide pressure relief and support. Like the Nectar, Tuft and Needle use open cell technology in their foams to improve responsiveness and increase breathability. Read on to find out more about the Tuft and Needle mattress’ construction.
- High Density base layer
The bottom layer of the Tuft and Needle is made from very dense foam which provides stability and gives a good level of support, making it ideal for people with back or joint pain.
- T&N Adaptive® Upper Layer
The top layer of the Tuft and Needle is made using their own special T&N Adaptive® foam. This is infused with both graphite and gel, which help to wick heat away from your body and keep you at a cool and comfortable temperature. It is more responsive than the memory foam used in the Nectar mattress, so it’s a good option for people who don’t like the deep hugging sensation of traditional memory foam. However, it can still adapt to the shape of your sleeping body which helps to relieve pressure on sensitive joints.
- Soft, breathable cover
The Tuft and Needle mattress is finished with a soft, cozy cover. It’s specially designed to be breathable to stop you sleeping hot.
- Firmness Comparison
It’s important to make sure that you select a mattress firmness that suits your own sense of comfort. Only you know what feels comfortable for you, and if you don’t select the right firmness you won’t be able to sleep comfortably on the mattress. So, firmness should be your first consideration when narrowing down your options when it comes to mattress shopping.
It’s a common misconception that very soft mattresses are the comfiest and coziest to sleep on. However, soft mattresses aren’t usually the best option when it comes to comfort. If you sleep on your side, a mattress that’s towards the softer end of the scale is suitable because it can conform to the curve of the side of your body without putting pressure on your hips and shoulders. Back and front sleepers or people with specific back or joint complaints need more support. Medium firm and firm mattresses are usually more comfortable for back and front sleepers. If you change position a lot in the night, also known as combi-sleeping, a medium or medium firm mattress is probably your best option as it will provide reasonable support in all sleeping positions. The same principle applies if you and your partner sleep in different positions.
Mattresses are usually given a firmness score out of 10. 1 is a very soft mattress while 10 is very firm, sometimes referred to as an orthopedic mattress. Both the Nectar and the Tuft and Needle score around a 6 on the firmness scale, with the Tuft and Needle feeling ever so slightly firmer. This means that they are both categorised as medium mattresses. So, they’re a good choice for most sleepers, especially if you are a combi-sleeper or share your bed with a partner who sleeps differently to you. However, it’s possible that some front sleepers or people with back problems may not find either mattress firm enough.
Which mattress is best for my sleeping position?
Many people are unaware that their sleeping position plays a key role in determining which firmness of mattress they should choose. As we’ve already explained, the Nectar and the Tuft and Needle are extremely similar in terms of firmness. That being said, there are a few factors that might affect which mattress you choose according to your sleeping position.
The Tuft and Needle mattress feels ever so slightly firmer and is more responsive than the Nectar. This means you may prefer it if you sleep on your back or front, as it can provide a little more support and stops you sinking in too deeply.
On the other hand, people who sleep on their sides may find that they prefer sleeping on the Nectar mattress. This is because the memory foam used in the Nectar provides a deep hugging sensation, adapting to the side of your body and taking uncomfortable pressure off your shoulders and hips.
However, both the Nectar and the Tuft and Needle are excellent options when it comes to support and pressure relief, and there is very little to separate the two in these key areas. You are likely to find both pretty comfortable no matter how you sleep.
Which mattress will help with back and joint pain?
Both the Nectar and the Tuft and Needle mattresses are ideal choices if you suffer from back or joint pain at night. Both options provide a good level of support, which is vital for keeping your spine in a healthy alignment and reducing discomfort. They also do a good job at relieving pressure on sore joints because of the pressure relieving qualities of the foams used in their construction.
When it comes to choosing between the two in terms of pain relief, the key factor is probably going to be your sleeping position. Refer to the section above to find out which mattress is most recommended depending on how you sleep.
Which mattress is the coolest to sleep on?
Overheating at night can be uncomfortable and really wreaks havoc with your sleep. Some groups of sleepers, for example women going through the menopause, are more likely to struggle with night-time overheating than others. Traditional memory foam tends to overheat more than other materials because it retains heat. Additionally, it allows your body to sink in which can also add to overheating. That being said, many memory foam mattress manufacturers have found ingenious ways to solve this problem in their beds and make them more breathable. If overheating is a specific issue for you, you should always check how a mattress rates in terms of sleeping cool before you buy it.
When it comes to sleeping cool, there’s very little to separate the two mattresses. Both mattresses make use of open cell technology in their memory foam. This helps air to circulate freely through the mattress, allowing heat to escape more readily.
However, there are some differences in the way that these two mattress manufacturers have addressed the problem of overheating. Nectar have used Tencel in their cover, which is a very breathable material ideal for wicking away heat during the night. The memory foam in the top layer is infused with gel to help transfer heat away from sleepers.
Tuft and Needle also use gel in their memory foam. They’ve combined this with an infusion of graphite to reduce overheating and help excess warmth travel away from your body. Their cover is also highly breathable.
As both mattresses are well-designed in terms of sleeping cool, both are an excellent option if you’re looking for a temperature-neutral mattress.
Nectar vs. Tuft and Needle price comparison
If you decide to buy either the Nectar or the Tuft and Needle, you’ll be getting a good value memory foam mattress. The Tuft and Needle is the cheapest option, retailing for around $600 for a queen, while the Nectar comes in at around $800 for a mattress of the same size. This is based on the assumption that you are purchasing the mattresses outright in one lump payment through the company website. It’s a good idea to keep an eye out for promotions, especially during sale periods such as Black Friday, and to check out other suppliers such as Amazon to see if they are currently offering a discount. Just make sure that you check the terms and conditions, delivery and sleep trial offers before you buy through a third-party retailer as these can differ from those offered if you buy direct.
For some people, it may not be financially feasible to buy their mattress outright. Both Nectar and Tuft and Needle offer financing options for qualifying customers through their websites.
Sleep Trials and Warranties
As you’ll most likely be buying these mattresses online, it’s important to make sure that they come with a sleep trial and warranty to protect you in case you’re unsatisfied or your bed has a manufacturing defect. A sleep trial allows you to return your mattress if you don’t like it for any reason during the trial period for a full refund. Never buy a mattress online if it doesn’t come with a sleep trial- if you’re not satisfied with your purchase, you won’t have any recourse.
In terms of sleep trial periods, the Nectar provides the longest at 365 nights. This is one of the longest in the industry. The Tuft and Needle mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial, which should still give you ample time to decide if you want to keep it long-term.
The Nectar mattress also comes with the longest warranty. It’s described as a ‘forever’ warranty, which means you are essentially covered against issues caused by manufacturing faults for as long as you keep the mattress. Tuft and Needle provide their customers with a 10-year warranty which is standard for mattresses. As it’s not recommended to sleep on a mattress for much longer than this anyway, you may decide that 10 years is long enough to give you peace of mind.
Nectar vs. Tuft and Needle Certifications
Certifications are important because they verify the safety and eco-friendly status of mattresses. Both the Nectar and the Tuft and Needle hold the Certi-Pur certification, which means that they have been through a rigorous testing process to prove that they:
- Contain zero ozone depleters
- Don’t use hazardous flame retardants
- Do not contain heavy metals
- Don’t use formaldehyde in the manufacturing process
- Aren’t made using regulated phthalates
- Give off negligible VOC emissions
However, the Tuft and Needle mattress also has the GREENGUARD Gold certification. This is another certification which reassures consumers that it doesn’t release harmful levels of any chemical.
Shipping Information
Nectar and Tuft and Needle both offer free delivery throughout the USA. You can also claim free delivery of the Tuft and Needle mattress if you live in Canada. Tuft and Needle also offer a same day delivery service to certain areas for a $50 surcharge.
Both mattresses use the bed-in-a-box packaging method for shipping. This means that the mattress is rolled and tightly compressed in a compact box. The advantage of this type of packaging is that it’s very easy to manoeuvre around your home and upstairs and is cheap to ship. However, bear in mind that you will need to allow both mattresses time to fully decompress before you can sleep on them. This should take a maximum of 72 hours from the time you first unpack it.
Where to purchase
You can buy either mattress through the individual company websites or on Amazon. The Tuft and Needle mattress is stocked by some other third-party retailers such as Lowes.
If trying out a mattress first before you make a purchase is a key factor in your decision making, you might prefer the Tuft and Needle mattress depending on which area you live in. Tuft and Needle have their own bricks and mortar stores in some parts of the USA. You may also be able to find their mattresses stocked in the stores of some of their third-party retailers, although availability varies. You can search for a location near you here: https://www.tuftandneedle.com/stores/
Which mattress is best for me?
Now you have a clear overview of the features and benefits of both the Nectar and the Tuft and Needle mattresses, it’s time to choose which is best for you. The truth is that either mattress should be comfortable for most sleepers. However, there may be particular advantages to choosing one over the other depending on your needs. To make the process easier, here’s our expert opinion on which type of sleeper both types of mattress suit:
Buy the Nectar if:
- You want a thicker mattress
The Nectar mattress has more height than the Tuft and Needle, and this may be a key deciding factor depending on your needs. Thick mattresses like the Nectar are ideally suited to heavier individuals and do a better job at limiting motion transfer. A thick mattress also looks more luxurious in your bedroom akin to a boutique hotel bed, which is a desirable aesthetic for many.
- You want a long sleep trial
If you want the most time possible to decide if a bed is right for you, the Nectar has a longer sleep trial than the Tuft and Needle at 365 nights. This is one of the longest sleep trials offered in the mattress industry.
- A longer warranty is important to you
The Nectar mattress has a longer warranty than the Tuft and Needle. It offers a very generous ‘forever’ warranty, which is the longest in the industry.
- You like a deep hug sensation
The foam in the upper layer of the Nectar is highly adaptable, which allows it to mold to your body giving a sensation of being hugged while you sleep. If you like this feeling, you’ll like sleeping on the Nectar.
Also Read: Is Nectar Mattress Good For Heavy Sleepers?
Buy the Tuft and Needle if:
- You don’t like the feeling of sinking in
The memory foam used in the Tuft and Needle is more responsive, which means that you won’t sink in as deeply. Not everyone likes the feeling of traditional memory foam, and the Tuft and Needle allows you to reap the benefits with a sleeping sensation more similar to a standard foam bed.
- You need a cheap memory foam mattress
The Tuft and Needle mattress is around $200 cheaper for a queen size than the Nectar mattress. If you’re on a tight budget, this could give it an important advantage over the Nectar mattress.
- You want to test a mattress instore
Tuft and Needle give you the option of trying before you buy in one of their own stores or through one of their third-party retailers. If you’re nervous about buying a mattress without testing it first, this might just give the Tuft and Needle the edge. However, bear in mind that there may not be a stockist local to you.
The bottom line
Hopefully, you now understand the key differences when it comes to Nectar vs Tuft and Needle. While it’s true that these mattresses are very similar, there are a few important differences which could sway you when it comes to making a decision, especially when it comes to construction and price. Which one you ultimately go for depends on your sleeping style, budget and what you personally find to be comfortable.
Before you buy any mattress, it’s important to do your research to make sure that you’re getting the best deal and product for your needs. For this reason, we recommend reading review articles and buyers’ guides on expert sites like Sleep Aim to make sure you’re making an informed decision.
