Nectar vs. Purple® Mattress Reviews

A comfortable mattress keeps your spine in a neutral position and lets you get a full seven hours of sleep. If you’re in the market for a new model, you may find that your options have grown in the last few years. Purple® and Nectar are two fairly new competitors in the mattress world. They each take their own approach to mattress design, which gives their models a unique feel.
In this mattress comparison, we give you a look at each brand’s strengths and weaknesses. With the right information, you may find a Nectar or Purple® bed to be the best mattress for you.
Nectar Mattresses
Nectar entered the market in 2017. The pricing and quality of their single model have pushed their products into the spotlight. Nectar sells online only, delivering their mattresses mattress-in-a-box style. They also offer everything you need to complete your bed like bases, an adjustable frame, sheets, pillows, and weighted blankets.
Nectar’s three-layer memory foam mattress provides comfortable support that prevents too much sinkage. It comes in six sizes, including a twin XL. If you’re looking for affordability with an excellent warranty, the Nectar might be for you.
Nectar Mattress Materials
The Nectar’s cover is made of a cooling Tencel™/cotton blend fabric quilted to cooling gel memory foam. The gel absorbs body heat for a cooler sleep while increasing the overall conformability of the mattress. Gel memory foam is also used in the three-inch comfort layer. Sleepers sink into its surface where they find relief at painful pressure points.
An adaptive one-inch memory foam acts as the transition layer, adding support while deepening contouring to the body. The channeled surface of the six-inch, high-density, poly-foam base layer improves breathability while giving the mattress shape and durability.
Nectar uses CertiPUR-US® certified foams in their mattresses. To receive this certification, the foams have to be free of harmful substances like heavy metals, chemical flame retardants, and ozone depleters.
Nectar’s Temperature-Regulating Technologies
The gel memory foam in the quilted cover and comfort layer help pull heat away from the sleeper. That heat continues to move through the channeled support core. Overall, the Nectar’s combination of foams performs above average for temperature regulation and breathability for a cooling memory foam mattress.
Nectar’s Support, Conformability, and Motion Isolation
The medium-firm Nectar appeals to many different types of sleepers. The contouring of the memory foams definitely relieves pressure for the average side and back sleeper. However, the foams are slow to respond, so combo sleepers may find themselves stuck in the imprint of their own bodies. The Nectar may not provide enough support for stomach sleepers either. The cushioning of the memory foam may allow their hips to sink, causing the back to bow.
As far as motion isolation, it’s hard to beat the motion absorption of foam. Those who share a bed won’t feel much movement from a bed partner while on the Nectar.
Nectar’s Durability and Longevity
Nectar uses high-quality foams with a high-density support core that gives it impressive durability for a mattress at this price. It also comes with a lifetime warranty that protects you from any mattress defects. That suggests that Nectar expects the mattress to hold up for well beyond the average six to eight-year foam mattress life.
Nectar’s Sleep Trial, Warranty, and Return Policies
Nectar offers a 365-night trial, one of the longest on the market. The trial includes a 30-day break-in period. After that, if the mattress doesn’t work for you, it can be returned. Nectar will cover any shipping and handling costs.
Nectar’s lifetime “forever” warranty is split into two parts. Nectar will replace a mattress with defective workmanship or components in the first ten years. For the remaining life of the mattress, a defective mattress will be replaced, recovered, or repaired at Nectar’s discretion for a $100 transportation fee.
The warranty only remains valid if the mattress has been used on a suitable foundation as defined in the warranty. It includes coverage for indentations over 1 ½ inches as long as they are not due to misuse or improper support. Other limitations include, but are not limited to, tears, stains, or improper use of the mattress. Warranty claims can only be made by the original purchaser with proof of purchase.
Nectar’s Social Responsibility
Nectar only uses CertiPUR-US® certified foams. These foams have passed strict testing for potentially harmful substances such as flame retardants, formaldehyde, and heavy metals like lead.
However, we must note that Nectar mattresses do contain fiberglass, a material that has sparked consumer concern in recent years.
Who Are Nectar Mattresses For?
The Nectar is an excellent budget-friendly mattress mattress with a sleep trial period and warranty that are hard to beat. Back sleepers are the most likely to find all-night comfort in its contouring layers. If you don’t like to sink too far into the mattress, the Nectar offers a cool sleep that’s worth considering.
However, side and stomach sleepers may have issues. For side sleepers, there might not be enough pressure relief, while stomach sleepers could find their hips sinking into its surface.
Purple® Mattresses
In 2016, Purple® came to the mattress scene with its patented Purple Grid™ technology (also known as the Smart Comfort Grid). It provides one of the “coolest” sleep experiences on the market. Purple® sells its mattress in a boxes directly from the Purple® website, but they’re also carried and sold by authorized dealers.
Along with mattresses, Purple® produces and sells a line of bedding and bases, including an adjustable base. Their three mattress models include the Purple® Mattress, Purple® Hybrid, and the Purple® Hybrid Premier. However, the Purple® Hybrid Premier comes with a three or four-inch Purple Grid™ bringing the total number of mattresses they offer up to four.
- The Purple® Mattress: The Purple® Mattress starts with a two-inch Purple Grid™. It’s supported by two poly-foam layers. The first has added edge support to prevent break down when you sit on the edge of the bed. The second, firmer poly-foam layer adds support as it transitions into the high-density poly-foam support core.
- Purple® Hybrid (AKA Purple.2): The Hybrid also starts with a two-inch Purple Grid™. However, it covers a layer of individually-wrapped, pocketed coils over a thin support layer made of poly-foam. The pocketed coils provide firmer support and room for air to circulate throughout the mattress.
- Purple® Hybrid Premier (AKA Purple.3 and Purple.4): The Premier’s construction is the same as the Hybrid’s. Except, in this model, customers can choose either a three or four-inch Purple Grid™. As in the Hybrid, the pocketed coils are supported by a thin poly-foam layer.
Purple® Mattress Materials
Purple® uses a polyester/viscose/lycra knit in the SoftFlex Cover found on the Purple® Mattress. It’s designed to stretch, so the cover doesn’t restrict the body as it’s supported by the Purple Grid™. The Hybrid and Premier have a Premium StretchMax Cover made of a polyester blend knit that’s even more flexible than the SoftFlex. The Stretch Max has breathable side panels to boost breathability.
Purple® makes its own four-way stretch mattress protector and sheets, which they recommend to get the full benefits of their mattresses. Bedding without the extra flex of Purple’s® own products can cause discomfort and restrict the cushioning of the mattress.
Purple® always starts their mattresses with their signature Purple Grid™ top layer. It consists of a patented hyper-elastic polymer arranged in an open grid pattern that cushions and contours the body while creating room for heat and moisture to escape. The Purple® Mattress also has a 3.5-inch poly-foam layer that further cushions the body. Underneath, there’s a four-inch high-density poly-foam support core to give shape and stability.
The Hybrid has the same two-inch Purple Grid™ as the Purple® Mattress, but in the Hybrid, it’s supported by a thin poly-foam layer and 7.5-inch pocketed coils. A firm poly-foam edge increases support around the Purple Grid™. Coils can sometimes be bouncy, but pocketed coils are not interconnected, so they only flex at pressure points. While they’re not as quiet as foam, pocketed coils do reduce motion transfer. Beneath the coils, a thin layer of poly-foam adds support.
The Premier’s Purple Grid™ comes in either a three or four-inch thickness. The rest of its construction is identical to the Hybrid. You get the same benefits of the pocketed coils only with a thicker grid, which provides more contouring and support.
All of Purple’s® poly-foams are CertiPUR-US® certified, so they’ve been tested for content of PBDEs, mercury, formaldehyde, and ozone depleters.
Purple’s® Temperature Regulation Technologies
The columnar design of the Purple Grid™ supports and conforms to the body while maximizing airflow. Body heat and moisture readily move away from the sleeper for a temperature neutral sleep experience. The Hybrid and Premier’s pocketed coils and side ventilation panels further enhance breathability.
If you love the conformability of foam, but you sleep warm, one of Purple’s® models are about as cool as you’ll find. However, keep in mind that these mattresses are just as cool and breathable in cool weather as they are hot. If you live in a cold climate, heat loss could be a problem.
Purple’s® Support, Conformity, and Motion Isolation
Purple’s® conformability and comfort begin with the Purple Grid™. It sinks at the shoulders and hips, conforming to each individual sleeper while supporting the head, lower back, and knees — making it one of the best mattresses for side sleepers. Side sleepers reap the benefits of these models’ impressive pressure relief as the grid shifts and changes according to each person’s unique shape.
The grid adapts to back sleepers by supporting the lower back and conforming to the hips and shoulders. Stomach sleepers, on the other hand, may have issues with the grid because of bowing and pressure in the lower back. However, a thicker grid may prevent too much sinkage for some sleepers.
Purple® mattresses isolate motion incredibly well for quiet night’s rest. However, when comparing their models to one another, the Hybrid and Premier transfer slightly more motion because of the responsive nature of the coils.
Are Purple® Mattresses Durable?
Purple mattresses have an estimated lifespan of six to eight years, which is average for a mattress of this type. Purple’s® 10-year limited warranty covers indentations over one inch and tells you how long the manufacturer expects the mattress to last.
Purple’s® Trial Period, Warranty, and Return Policies
Purple® mattresses come with a 100-day trial period. During that time, you can return or exchange the mattress once. You have to try the mattress for 21 days before a return or exchange will be started.
The limited 10-year warranty covers defective materials or manufacturing issues that result in cracks and tears. It also includes coverage for indentations over one inch, but they cannot be due to improper support or misuse of the mattress. The warranty specifies what is meant by adequate support. And, adequate support varies by mattress size.
The warranty is only valid for the original owner with proof of purchase along with proof of the original purchase date.
Purple’s® Social Responsibility
Purple® uses CertiPUR-US® certified foams that have been independently tested for emissions, chemical content, and durability.
Who are Purple® Mattresses For?
Back and side sleepers can take full advantage of the Purple® Mattress’s ability to cushion and contour to the body. The breathability is hard to beat, so those who sleep warm will appreciate the enhanced air circulation.
The Hybrid and Premier provide firmer support but excellent pressure relief due to the combination of the Purple Grid™ and pocketed coils. The coils also enhance breathability. Back, side, and combo sleepers are likely to find comfort on either one. Stomach sleepers may or may not find comfort on these models depending on their weight and the grid thickness. The thicker Purple Grid™ available in the Premier offers extra support, but it will also increase the amount of conformability.
Nectar vs. Purple®: The Bottom Line
- The Nectar mattress has a balanced combination of comfort and support at an affordable price, making it a great option for budget shoppers.
- Nectar’s lifetime warranty is one of the longest in the mattress industry.
- Purple® offers several models with impressive breathability and conformability. Side sleepers, in particular, will get amazing pressure relief.
- For hot sleepers, you really can’t beat the coolness of a Purple® mattress.
Your preferred sleeping position, weight, and whether or not you share a bed are a few of the factors that influence your nighttime comfort. Look for one of the most comfortable mattresses that address your unique needs and rely on the sleep trial period to make sure you’ve made the right choice. There are enough options out there that you’re sure to find a mattress that lets you get a full seven to nine hours of sleep.