A Nectar mattress is worth it if you are looking for a comfortable memory foam mattress at an affordable price and don't need it to last more than 5–7 years. The brand offers good initial comfort and one of the best sleep trials in the industry, making it a low-risk option for budget-conscious shoppers.
However, Nectar is not a long-term investment. While it provides good pressure relief, common complaints about foam sagging after a few years and weak edge support mean it doesn't compete with more durable, higher-priced brands like Saatva or Casper. Here's what you need to know before you buy.
How Is Nectar's Quality?
Nectar's quality falls into the mid-range category among online mattress brands, offering decent materials for its price point but lacking the premium construction of more expensive competitors.
- Materials & Construction: Nectar mattresses primarily use a three-layer foam design: a gel-infused memory foam comfort layer, a transitional foam layer, and a high-density base foam for support. All foams are CertiPUR-US® certified, meaning they are free from harmful chemicals, but the polyester blend cover is functional rather than luxurious.
- Durability & Longevity: With proper care, a Nectar mattress can be expected to last between 5 and 7 years before showing significant signs of wear. This is a standard lifespan for a memory foam mattress in the sub-$1,000 price range.
- Common Complaints: The most frequent issues reported by customers are foam sagging and the development of permanent body indentations after 2–4 years of use. Another common downside is weak edge support, meaning the sides of the mattress compress easily when you sit on them.
- Generous Trial & Warranty: Nectar stands out with its 365-night home trial and a "Forever" warranty (functionally limited to 10 years for full replacement). The trial period provides a significant confidence boost, but some customers report a difficult process when filing warranty claims for sagging.
Is Nectar Good Value for the Price?
Nectar offers strong initial value, but its long-term value diminishes due to durability concerns. Its aggressive pricing and trial period make it an attractive deal for many buyers.
Price Positioning
Nectar is positioned as an affordable direct-to-consumer brand. A queen-size mattress typically lists for over $1,000 but is almost always on sale for between $700 and $900, often bundled with free accessories. This places it well below premium brands like Tempur-Pedic ($2,000+) but slightly above basic foam mattresses found on Amazon.
What You're Paying For
With Nectar, you are paying for the convenience of online shopping, a comfortable memory foam sleeping surface, and an industry-leading 365-night trial period. The price reflects its mid-range materials and standard construction, not heirloom-quality craftsmanship or luxury-grade components.
Where You Get Good Value
- Short-to-Mid-Term Use: If you need a comfortable mattress for a guest room or for a period of 5–7 years, Nectar provides excellent value.
- Side and Back Sleepers: The memory foam construction offers excellent pressure relief for the shoulders and hips, making it a good choice for side and back sleepers.
- Risk-Free Trial: The 365-night trial period means you can try the mattress for a full year and return it for a refund if it’s not right for you, which is a major value component.
Where You Don't Get Good Value
- Long-Term Durability: If you're looking for a "buy-it-for-life" mattress that will last 10+ years, you will likely be disappointed by Nectar's longevity.
- Heavier Individuals: Sleepers over 230 pounds may find that the foam layers break down more quickly, leading to sagging and a lack of support in just a few years.
- Those Needing Edge Support: The all-foam construction provides minimal edge support. If you frequently sit on the side of your bed, you'll notice significant sinkage.
Nectar Quality by Category
Nectar's product line is primarily focused on mattresses, with quality being fairly consistent across its main offerings.
Memory Foam Mattresses (Nectar Original)
The original Nectar mattress is the brand's bestseller. Built with three layers of CertiPUR-US® certified foam, it provides a classic memory foam feel with good motion isolation, great for couples. Priced at under $900 for a Queen with frequent sales, its main drawback is a lifespan of 5–7 years before sagging becomes an issue. VERDICT: Worth it for budget-conscious shoppers who prioritize initial comfort over long-term durability.
Hybrid Mattresses
Nectar also offers hybrid models that combine foam layers with individually wrapped coils. This construction provides better edge support, improved airflow (a cooler sleep), and more bounce compared to their all-foam models. They cost slightly more, usually an additional $100–$300, but offer a more supportive and durable option. VERDICT: A better choice for those concerned about weak edge support or sleeping hot, and likely to offer a longer lifespan than the foam-only models.
Bedding & Accessories
Nectar sells pillows, bed frames, and bedding, which are often bundled for free with a mattress purchase. The quality of these items is decent for promotional add-ons but generally not on par with products from specialized bedding companies. They are functional and are a nice perk but shouldn't be the primary reason for choosing Nectar. VERDICT: A nice bonus, but don't buy the mattress just to get the free accessories.
Our Verdict: Is Nectar Worth It?
Nectar is a solid choice for anyone looking for an affordable, comfortable memory foam mattress for short-to-mid-term use. Its market-leading trial period makes it a virtually risk-free purchase. However, shoppers seeking a durable mattress that will last a decade or more should look at more robustly built alternatives.
Quality Grade: B-
Nectar earns a B- for quality. The use of CertiPUR-US® certified foams and good initial comfort are significant positives. It loses points due to common long-term durability issues, specifically foam sagging that can occur after just 3–5 years, and very weak edge support that is a hallmark of many budget-friendly all-foam mattresses.
Value Grade: B
The value grade is a solid B. Nectar's aggressive promotional pricing and generous 365-night trial offer fantastic upfront value. For under $900, you get a comfortable mattress delivered to your door that you can try for a year. The value proposition is only held back by its shorter 5–7 year realistic lifespan, which means the cost-per-year of use is higher than a more durable mattress.
Better Alternatives to Nectar
If Nectar's durability issues are a concern, several alternatives offer better construction and longevity, often for a similar or slightly higher price.
Saatva Classic
Saatva offers a luxury hybrid innerspring mattress that provides significantly better durability and edge support thanks to its coil-on-coil system. While it costs more ($1,500–$2,000 for a queen), it's built to last 10–15 years, offering better long-term value for those who want to buy once and keep it for a decade.
Shop now at saatva.com
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid
Priced competitively with Nectar's hybrid models, the Signature Hybrid is known for excellent build quality, durability, and multiple firmness options. Its combination of pocketed coils and high-quality foam provides superior support and temperature regulation compared to Nectar's all-foam models.
Shop now at brooklynbedding.com
Casper Original
Casper offers both foam and hybrid mattresses known for consistent quality and zoned support systems that provide firmer foam under the hips and softer foam under the shoulders. It generally has more durable foam layers and better edge support than Nectar, making it a better mid-tier choice for longevity.
Shop now at casper.com
Tuft & Needle Original
For those seeking a simple, affordable, and durable foam mattress, Tuft & Needle is a strong contender. It uses a high-density proprietary foam that provides a responsive yet supportive feel and tends to resist sagging better than Nectar's memory foam, often at a slightly lower price point.
Shop now at tuftandneedle.com
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a Nectar mattress really last?
Most users report that a Nectar mattress remains comfortable for 5 to 7 years. After that period, issues like foam softening and body impressions become more common, affecting sleep quality and support. This is a typical lifespan for a mattress in its price category.
Is the Nectar mattress good for side sleepers?
Yes, Nectar is generally a great option for side sleepers. Its memory foam comfort layer excels at contouring to the body, which helps relieve pressure points on the shoulders and hips. This cradling feel is a key benefit of its design.
Does the Nectar mattress sleep hot?
Nectar infuses its top memory foam layer with gel meant to improve temperature regulation. While this helps it sleep cooler than traditional memory foam, it is still an all-foam mattress and may retain more body heat than hybrid or innerspring beds with more airflow.
Is the Nectar warranty actually useful?
The "Forever Warranty" will cover impressions deeper than 1.5 inches, along with physical flaws in the construction. While the terms are good, some customers have reported that navigating the claim process can be difficult and time-consuming, requiring extensive documentation.
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