Layla and Nectar are two memory foam mattress options designed for a wide range of sleepers. Nectar offers three current models (all 100% foam), while Layla has two models—an all-foam and a hybrid. Which is right for you? Let’s find out.
Layla
Nectar
| Layla Mattresses | Score | Read Review | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Layla | 8.66 | Read Review | Check Price |
| Layla Hybrid | 8.95 | Read Review | Check Price |
| Nectar Mattresses | Score | Read Review | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nectar Hybrid | 7.87 | Read Review | Check Price |
| Nectar Hybrid Premier | 8.48 | Read Review | Check Price |
| Nectar Hybrid Premier Copper | 8.87 | Read Review | Check Price |
| Nectar Original | 7.95 | Read Review | Check Price |
| Nectar Premier | 8.64 | Read Review | Check Price |
| Nectar Premier Copper | 8.78 | Read Review | Check Price |
Our Verdict
In today’s match-up of Layla vs. Nectar, we’re looking at a head-to-head of memory foam mattresses. Nectar offers three different mattresses, with excellent cooling and a balanced feel.
On the opposite end, we have Layla, which offers two mattresses with a flippable design for two different firmnesses.
While both mattresses struggled with edge support, they did offer fast response time (except for the Nectar Original) and good pressure relief.
In my view, this is really a contest between the 2 Layla mattresses vs. Nectar’s Premier & Premier Copper. The original Nectar mattress feels like a very distant last place, with worse cooling, the worst response time, unimpressive edge support, and lacking sex performance.
When we exclude the original Nectar the choice becomes much harder. Looking at both our objective data and subjective experiences, both Layla and Nectar performed extremely similarly. My ultra brief recommendation for each mattress looks like this:
Buy Nectar Premier Copper if you want the best memory foam experience. It slightly edges out the rest of the field.
Buy the Layla Hybrid if you care at all about flippable comfort, you want the best cooling, or you want the best sex performance.
There is nothing wrong with the Layla memory foam or Nectar Premier, I just think the others edge them out by a bit. So if price is a bit flexible it’s better to go with the higher performance mattress.
Our Testing & Selection Process
8
Mattresses Tested
In Comparison
35
Data Points Tested
On Each Mattress
5
In-Depth Mattress Analyses
This guide highlights the most important factors in determining if Layla or Nectar offers the right mattress for you.
In This Comparison
Compare the Models | Performance Tests | Firmness | Design | Materials | Summary
30-Second Summary
- Performance: On average, Layla mattresses have better performance than Nectar mattresses. Layla has an average score of 8.80 and Nectar has an average of 8.43 (out of 10).
- Price: On average, Nectar mattresses are more affordable than Layla mattresses. For a queen-sized mattress, the average cost for Layla is $1,224 and the average cost for Nectar is $1,024.
- Cooling: Layla (9.0) has better cooling than Nectar (8.66) and has better heat dissipation overall.
- Sinkage: Layla mattresses have deeper sinkage than Nectar mattresses.
- Motion Transfer: Nectar (2.45) has lower levels of motion transfer than Layla (3.45) mattresses.
- Response: Layla mattresses have a faster material response time than Nectar, excluding the Nectar Premier Copper which had a response score of 9.4 out of 10.
- Bounce: Layla mattresses have low to moderate bounce levels and Nectar mattresses have low to very low bounce levels.
- Edge Support: Both brands struggle with edge support, but Nectar technically has the higher average score in this area.
- Sex: Layla has better sex score than Nectar, thanks to slightly higher bounce levels and slightly more supportive edges.
- Pressure Relief: Layla has slightly better levels of pressure relief compared to Nectar.
- Off-Gassing: Both brands have comparable off-gassing strength and duration.
- Company: Nectar has the better company score, with a longer 365-night trial period and lifetime warranty.
- Firmness: Layla has a has a wider range of firmnesses (4.5-8 out of 10) than Nectar (5-6.5).
- Design: Both Layla and Nectar offer a mix of memory foam mattresses or memory foam hybrids.
In This Comparison
Compare the Models | Performance Tests | Firmness | Support & Sleeping Positions | Design | Materials | Summary
Compare the Models
At NapLab, we put each mattress to the test.
We score each mattress using a series of performance tests. Here is a full comparison of all current models we’ve tested between Layla vs. Nectar.
This first table shows the factor scoring of all current models that we have tested:
| Factor | Layla | Layla Hybrid | Nectar Hybrid | Nectar Hybrid Premier | Nectar Hybrid Premier Copper | Nectar Original | Nectar Premier | Nectar Premier Copper |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 8.66 | 8.95 | 7.87 | 8.48 | 8.87 | 7.95 | 8.64 | 8.78 |
| Cooling | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 |
| Motion Transfer | 10 | 10 | 6.0 | 5.6 | 7.7 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Response | 9.2 | 9.0 | 5.0 | 9.1 | 9.2 | 5.0 | 8.7 | 9.4 |
| Edge Support | 6.0 | 7.0 | 8.7 | 8.2 | 9.6 | 6.0 | 6.4 | 7.5 |
| Sex | 7.3 | 7.5 | 8.4 | 9.6 | 8.6 | 6.0 | 6.8 | 6.3 |
| Pressure Relief | 9.0 | 10 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 |
| Off-Gassing | 9.2 | 8.9 | 9.2 | 8.9 | 9.4 | 8.9 | 8.9 | 9.2 |
| Company | 8.5 | 8.5 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 |
This second table shows the testing data from each test. In many cases, the difference between scores can be minimal, but this table helps to highlight these differences in a visible way.
| Factor | Layla | Layla Hybrid | Nectar Hybrid | Nectar Hybrid Premier | Nectar Hybrid Premier Copper | Nectar Original | Nectar Premier | Nectar Premier Copper |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (Queen) | $949 | $1,499 | $799 | $1,099 | $1,399 | $649 | $949 | $1,249 |
| Cooling | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Excellent |
| Sinkage – Depth | 2.35″ | 2.33″ | 1.70″ | 2.35″ | 1.99″ | 2.03″ | 2.23″ | 2.22″ |
| Sinkage – Feel | Deep | Deep | Minimal | Deep | Minimal | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Motion Transfer – Acceleration | 4.45 m/s² | 2.45 m/s² | 14.00 m/s² | 14.73 m/s² | 10.04 m/s² | 2.67 m/s² | 2.80 m/s² | 1.88 m/s² |
| Response Time – Mostly Recovered | 0.3 sec. | 0.4 sec. | 2.5 sec. | 0.3 sec. | 0.3 sec. | 3.0 sec. | 0.4 sec. | 0.3 sec. |
| Response Time – Fully Recovered | 0.7 sec. | 0.5 sec. | 6.8 sec. | 0.8 sec. | 0.7 sec. | 5.0 sec. | 0.8 sec. | 0.5 sec. |
| Bounce – Height | 7.51″ | 8.02″ | 8.83″ | 13.11″ | 9.30″ | 4.76″ | 7.10″ | 5.14″ |
| Bounce – Feel | Low | Moderate | Moderate | Very High | Moderate | Very Low | Low | Very Low |
| Edge Support – Sitting | 6.25″ | 6.25″ | 3.50″ | 4.25″ | 3.75″ | 6.25″ | 7.25″ | 6.25″ |
| Edge Support – Lying | Mediocre | Good | Good | Good | Outstanding | Mediocre | Good | Excellent |
| Comfort Layer Thickness | 5.0″ | 4.5″ | 3.0″ | 4.0″ | 5.0″ | 5.0″ | 6.0″ | 5.0″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 10.5″ | 13.0″ | 12.0″ | 13.0″ | 14.0″ | 12.0″ | 13.0″ | 14.0″ |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | Strong | Strong | Strong | Strong | Moderate | Moderate | Strong | Strong |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 3 days | 4 days | 3 days | 4 days | 2 days | 4 days | 4 days | 3 days |
| Trial | 120 nights | 120 nights | 365 nights | 365 nights | 365 nights | 365 nights | 365 nights | 365 nights |
| Warranty | 10 years | 10 years | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime |
Best Mattress For
Before we get into the gritty details, let’s honor some specific mattresses first. The mattresses noted below are recognized as the best for each respective performance category.
Depending on what exactly you’re looking for, you may find Layla or Nectar to be best suited for your needs.
| Factor | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Layla Hybrid | 8.95 |
| Best Cooling | Layla, Layla Hybrid, Nectar Hybrid, Nectar Hybrid Premier, Nectar Hybrid Premier Copper, Nectar Premier, Nectar Premier Copper | 9.0 |
| Most Sinkage | Layla, Nectar Hybrid Premier | 2.35″ |
| Least Sinkage | Nectar Hybrid | 1.70″ |
| Lowest Motion Transfer | Layla, Layla Hybrid, Nectar Original, Nectar Premier, Nectar Premier Copper | 10 |
| Fastest Response Time | Nectar Premier Copper | 9.4 |
| Most Bounce | Nectar Hybrid Premier | 13.11″ |
| Least Bounce | Nectar Original | 4.76″ |
| Best Edge Support | Nectar Hybrid Premier Copper | 9.6 |
| Best for Sex | Nectar Hybrid Premier | 9.6 |
| Best Pressure Relief | Layla Hybrid | 10 |
| Least Off-Gassing | Nectar Hybrid Premier Copper | 9.4 |
| Best Company | Nectar | 9 |
Performance Tests
We test 9 different factors that impact the comfort and feel of the mattress, as well as assessing the company as a whole.
Testing categories include:
- Cooling
- Sinkage
- Motion Transfer
- Response
- Bounce
- Edge Support
- Sex
- Pressure Relief
- Off-Gassing
- Company
Cooling Test
Between the Layla and Nectar mattresses, they were both good. Each brand has its own advantages, like the coils in the Layla Hybrid or the copper-infused phase change cover in the Nectar Premier Copper.
Gel memory foam throughout helps all of these mattresses to avoid heat retention and keep the sleeping surface cool.
| Cooling Test | Score | Baseline | Max Temp | Ending Temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Layla | 9.0 | 84.9° | 90.1° | 84.2° |
| Layla Hybrid | 9.0 | 88.0° | 92.3° | 86.9° |
| Nectar Original | 8.0 | 83.0° | 90.6° | 85.0° |
| Nectar Premier | 9.0 | 80.7° | 90.5° | 86.6° |
| Nectar Premier Copper | 9.0 | 84.4° | 90.6° | 87.2° |
- Baseline Temperature – the temperature of the mattress before anyone lies on it
- Maximum Temperature (0 minute) – the temperature of the mattress after lying on it for 15 minutes
- Ending Temperature (after 5 minutes) – the temperature of the mattress after being lied upon and having no one on it for 5 minutes
The cooling performance of both Layla and Nectar is good overall. Scores range between 9.0-9.5 from both brands. This is a solid performance, especially for memory foam mattresses.
The best option from Layla is the Layla Hybrid. Adding coils to the memory foam design allows for air to flow freely and promotes heat dissipation.
If you’re looking at Nectar, the best cooling has got to be the Nectar Premier Copper. This mattress uses a copper-infused phase change cover and a gel memory foam top layer. Both of these design decisions help to improve cooling performance and make the mattress very comfortable.
Compare the Models
Below you can watch a video of how the heat dissipates on each mattress during our cooling test. For this test, we lie on the mattress for 15 minutes, get off the mattress, and then take periodic surface-level temperature measurements.
Layla Original
Nectar Original
Layla Hybrid
Nectar Premier
Nectar Premier Copper
Sinkage Test
The level of sinkage for each mattress is documented in the images and table below.
| Sinkage Test | Sinkage Feel | Sinkage Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Layla | Deep | 2.35″ |
| Layla Hybrid | Deep | 2.33″ |
| Nectar Original | Moderate | 2.03″ |
| Nectar Premier | Moderate | 2.23″ |
| Nectar Premier Copper | Moderate | 2.22″ |
Between all five of these mattresses, the sinkage was consistently similar. At the lowest end of the sinkage spectrum is the Nectar Original (2.03″) and the mattress with the most sinkage is the Layla Original (2.35″).
The one exception to this is the firm side on the Layla Original and Hybrid. The firmer sides of these mattresses have less sinkage than the softer sides, as to be expected.
Layla Original – soft side
Layla Original – firm side
On the firmer side of the Layla Original, there was only about 1.6″ of sinkage, about 30% less sinkage than on the soft side. read our full Layla review and Layla Hybrid review for more info.
For comparison, the average amount of sinkage is 2.20″, considering all mattresses tested to date.
Layla Hybrid – soft side
Layla Hybrid – firm side
The difference on the Layla Hybrid was a little less drastic, with about 15% less sinkage on the firm side than on the soft side.
On the Nectar Original, we noted 2.03″ of sinkage, just slightly below the average and still in the moderate range.
The Nectar Premier and Premier Copper have a bit more sinkage, closer to the average 2.2″ range.
Nectar Premier
Nectar Premier Copper
Again, none of these sinkage numbers are that different compared to each other. When it comes to sinkage, both Layla and Nectar are highly similar.
Motion Transfer Test
The chart below shows the results of our motion transfer tests.
The maximum acceleration (Max Acc.) is the amount of motion that was measured after dropping a ball on the mattress. The minimum acceleration (Min Acc.) marks the motion documented in the inverse direction.
| Motion Transfer Test | Score | Acc. Range |
|---|---|---|
| Layla | 10 | 4.45 m/s² |
| Layla Hybrid | 10 | 2.45 m/s² |
| Nectar Original | 10 | 2.67 m/s² |
| Nectar Premier | 10 | 2.80 m/s² |
| Nectar Premier Copper | 10 | 1.88 m/s² |
Layla and Nectar both had excellent levels of motion transfer, all below 5.0 m/s². Across all mattresses that we’ve tested to date, the average is 5.89 m/s².
Compared to most mattresses, both Layla and Nectar are among the very best we’ve tested to date. If you exclude the Layla memory foam mattress, which was closer to average, the other 4 Nectar & Layla mattresses represent 4 of the top 11 rankings for least motion transfer.
The level of motion transfer on the Layla vs. Nectar mattresses is documented in the videos below.
Layla Original
Nectar Original
Layla Hybrid
Nectar Premier
Nectar Premier Copper
The graphs below show a quantifiable version of motion transfer based on accelerometer data.
Layla Original: Accelerometer Data
Nectar Original: Accelerometer Data
As you can see in the graph, both mattresses hit a similar max, around 2.0 m/s², but Nectar was able to restrict that motion a bit faster than Layla.
By 0.4 seconds, the motion on Nectar had basically been absorbed into the mattress and on Layla it was absorbed around 0.5 seconds.
Of course, the difference is truly minimal, but for the sake of a true comparison, it feels relevant to note the difference in performance.
If you’d like to see the motion transfer chart for each specific model please see our full reviews:
Response Test
Memory foam is oftentimes slower than the response time for other mattresses. On average, mattresses are mostly recovered by 0.6 seconds and completely recovered by 0.9 seconds.
The table below shows the response time for Layla and Nectar mattresses.
| Response Test | Score | Mostly Recovered | Completely Recovered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Layla | 9.2 | 0.3 seconds | 0.7 seconds |
| Layla Hybrid | 9.0 | 0.4 seconds | 0.5 seconds |
| Nectar Original | 5.0 | 3.0 seconds | 5.0 seconds |
| Nectar Premier | 8.7 | 0.4 seconds | 0.8 seconds |
| Nectar Premier Copper | 9.4 | 0.3 seconds | 0.5 seconds |
All Layla and Nectar mattresses performed better than average except for the Nectar Original. The Original takes over 5X longer to completely recover from the weight of the ball.
Excluding the Nectar Original, for most sleepers, the response time provided by the Nectar and Layla mattresses will be more than fast enough. All of the mattresses quickly adapt to changes in weight, pressure, and movement. As a result, there is little risk of sleepers feeling stuck or otherwise having difficulty moving.
That said, the Nectar Original is very likely going to be too slow for many sleepers. The foams simply take a long time to recover. As a result, some sleepers may feel stuck and dislike the feeling of being overly enveloped by the foams.
The Nectar Original is the 3rd slowest responding mattress out of all mattresses we’ve tested to date.
The level of responsiveness for each mattress is documented in the videos below.
Layla Original
Nectar Original
Layla Hybrid
Nectar Premier
Nectar Premier Copper
Bounce Test
Bounce is a preferential factor, but definitely still worth talking about here in this comparison. When it comes to Layla and Nectar, bounce is low to moderate, depending on exactly which model you’re looking at.
| Bounce Test | Bounce Feel | Bounce Height |
|---|---|---|
| Layla | Low | 7.51″ |
| Layla Hybrid | Moderate | 8.02″ |
| Nectar Original | Very Low | 4.76″ |
| Nectar Premier | Low | 7.10″ |
| Nectar Premier Copper | Very Low | 5.14″ |
The mattress with the lowest level of bounce is the Nectar Original, which was as to be expected. The Nectar Original has a max bounce range of 4.76″.
Considering how this mattress performed on the response and motion transfer tests, it’s clear to see that the foams used in this mattress rapid dissipate energy. This means less bounce, slower response, and limited motion transfer.
The Nectar Premier Copper is also pretty low when it comes to bounce range—a max of 5.14″. I would describe this as “low” bounce.
The Layla, Layla Hybrid, and the Nectar Premier all have slightly higher levels of bounce, between 7-8″. I would describe this as a “moderate” level a bounce, albeit on the low end of moderate (which I usually think of as 8-12″).
You can also check out these results in the short video clips below.
Layla Original
Nectar Original
Layla Hybrid
Nectar Premier
Nectar Premier Copper
Edge Support Test
Between the Layla and Nectar, neither mattress was really that impressive when it comes to sitting edge support. The max point sinkage was 6.25″ on the original models and even worse on the Nectar Premier.
Check out the table below for a full look at edge support on the complete collection:
| Edge Support Test | Score | Sitting Sinkage | Lying Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Layla | 6.0 | 6.25″ | Mediocre |
| Layla Hybrid | 7.0 | 6.25″ | Good |
| Nectar Original | 6.0 | 6.25″ | Mediocre |
| Nectar Premier | 6.4 | 7.25″ | Good |
| Nectar Premier Copper | 7.5 | 6.25″ | Excellent |
The average edge support compression across all mattresses we’ve tested to date is 4.72″ of max sinkage. So both of these originals are beyond that.
All of the models from Layla and Nectar leave something to be desired for edge support.
Layla – Sitting
Nectar – Sitting
This much sinkage results in feeling unsupported and uncomfortable when sitting directly on the edge of the mattress.
And the problems continue when lying on the edge of these mattresses as well.
Layla – Lying
Nectar – Lying
As you can see, it’s very difficult to get the support you need at the edge when there is this much compression. When lying on the edge of these mattresses, I often felt like I was going to roll right off of the edge.
Layla Hybrid vs. Nectar Premier
The Layla Hybrid vs. Nectar Premier both have better lying support than their original counterparts.
Layla Hybrid – Sitting
Nectar Premier – Sitting
Both the Layla Hybrid and Nectar Premier had a lot of sinkage directly at the edge, but the Nectar Premier was 1″ deeper than the Layla.
Layla Hybrid – Lying
Nectar Premier – Lying
The last mattress that we’re going to look at in this comparison is the Nectar Premier Copper.
Nectar Premier Copper – Sitting
Nectar Premier Copper – Lying
While the Nectar Premier Copper was the same as the field for sitting support (at 6.25″ of compression), it was notably better when it came to edge support while lying. I felt fully supported while lying directly on the edge.
When it comes to edge support, be it lying or sitting, the Nectar Premier Copper is the only mattress from Layla or Nectar that I was reasonably happy with.
Sex Test
Moving on through our review, let’s talk about sex. Sex performance is an important part of the overall experience for couples.
The table below shows five factors that we believe have the strongest connection to sex performance.
| Sex Test | Sex Score | Bounce | Edge Support | Noise | Pressure Relief | Cooling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Layla | 7.3 | 7.2 | 5.9 | 10 | 9.0 | 9.0 |
| Layla Hybrid | 7.5 | 7.5 | 5.9 | 10 | 10 | 9.0 |
| Nectar Original | 6.0 | 5.4 | 5.9 | 10 | 9.0 | 8.0 |
| Nectar Premier | 6.8 | 6.9 | 4.7 | 10 | 9.0 | 9.0 |
| Nectar Premier Copper | 6.3 | 5.7 | 5.9 | 10 | 9.0 | 9.0 |
The factors are weighted based on their importance.
Here’s a look at our sex formula:
Sex Score Formula = (Bounce * 0.6) + (Edge Support * 0.2) + (Noise * 0.1) + (Pressure Relief * 0.05) + (Cooling * 0.05)
We use the following scores, plugged into the formula, to derive a sex score for each mattress.
Layla
Nectar
Considering sex, the Layla Hybrid is the winner in this comparison, coming in with a score of 9.4. Being the only hybrid in this comparison, the Layla Hybrid has some real advantages when it comes to the ‘dance with no pants.’
The Layla Hybrid offers more bounce, good cooling, pressure relief, and minimal noise. Layla’s kryptonite here is the poor edge support. It’s more sinkage than we see on average, which may cause issues for some people who are specifically looking for good edge support.
The Layla Original (9.3) and Nectar Premier (9.1) are close runner-ups to the Hybrid. They have a little less bounce and slightly poorer edge support, but most of the other factors are consistent with the performance of the Hybrid.
Coming in at the bottom of the ranks for sex, we’ve got the Nectar Original (8.8) and the Nectar Premier Copper (8.9).
These two mattresses have the lowest amount of bounce and poorer edge support as well. If you’re looking for the best sex performance, you’re likely not going to find it on these mattresses.
Pressure Relief Test
| Pressure Relief Test | Score | Comfort Layer | Support Layer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Layla | 9.0 | 5.0″ | 5.5″ |
| Layla Hybrid | 10 | 4.5″ | 8.5″ |
| Nectar Original | 9.0 | 5.0″ | 7.0″ |
| Nectar Premier | 9.0 | 6.0″ | 7.0″ |
| Nectar Premier Copper | 9.0 | 5.0″ | 9.0″ |
Layla vs. Nectar
Comparing the original Layla to the Nectar, the top layers are similar. Both have a 3.0″ top layer of gel memory foam followed by a 2.0″ layer of transitional poly foam.
Layla’s poly foam is convoluted, which does increase airflow, but I didn’t notice any major differences in terms of cooling performance.
Layla Original
Nectar Original
The Layla Original is flippable and the comparison image above shows the softer side on top. If you’re lying on the firmer side, the comfort layer will be the 1.0″ gel memory foam directly followed by the support foam.
Honestly, the experience isn’t great on the firm side and I found the pressure relief to be substantially worse than on the soft side of the Layla. While I’m a fan of the Layla original’s soft side, I would recommend different mattresses if you’re planning to sleep mostly on the firm side.
Nectar Premier vs. Premier Copper
Between Nectar Premier and the Premier Copper, the main difference is the comfort layer. On the Premier, there is a 3.0″ layer of gel memory foam with a 3.0″ transitional poly foam.
On the Premier Copper, that top layer is increased to 4.0″ thick gel memory foam with a single 1.0″ thick poly foam transitional layer.
Nectar Premier
Nectar Premier Copper
Both of these mattresses offer sufficient support, but the thicker memory foam on the Premier Copper does tend to offer better pressure relief. If you’re a heavier-weight sleeper especially, the extra thick top layer on the Premier Copper may be the better choice.
Pressure Relief on the Layla Hybrid
On the Layla Hybrid, pressure relief was excellent. When lying on the softer side, it has a 2.5″ top layer of copper gel memory foam followed by a 2.0″ convoluted poly foam layer.
Layla Hybrid
The 6.0″ pocketed coil layer provides the support for either side of the mattress. At the bottom of the mattress is a 1.5″ poly foam followed by a 1.0″ layer of gel memory foam.
If you’re lying on the firm side, this 2.5″ of material will be the comfort layer. Overall, I would say this mattress has better pressure relief than the original Layla.
Off-Gassing Test
Off-gassing is a natural part of any foam mattress and the scores from Layla and Nectar were similar. Check the table below for full details.
| Off-Gassing Test | Score | Initial Smell | Smell Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Layla | 9.2 | Strong | 3 days |
| Layla Hybrid | 8.9 | Strong | 4 days |
| Nectar Original | 8.9 | Moderate | 4 days |
| Nectar Premier | 8.9 | Strong | 4 days |
| Nectar Premier Copper | 9.2 | Strong | 3 days |
Both lines of mattresses had relatively strong smells right out of the box.
These odors took 3-4 days to fully dissipate from the mattress when left uncovered with bedding in an open room with good ventilation.
These results were about as I expected considering their makeup of primarily memory foam.
Company
Looking specifically at company policy, Nectar takes the win here, but only because of the extended trial period. Check out the top company policies below.
| Company | Layla | Nectar |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 8.5 | 9 |
| Trial Period | 120 nights | 365 nights |
| Warranty | 10 years | Lifetime |
| Shipping | $0 | $0 |
| Returns | $0 | $0 |
| Trust | Good | Good |
| Country of Origin | USA | China |
Both Layla and Nectar have a lifetime limited warranty and free shipping / returns. They both also ship from the USA.
That leaves the only difference to be the trial period. Layla offers a 120-night trial period, but Nectar over doubles that with a 365-night trial period.
If after an entire year of sleeping on the mattress you decide that the Nectar is not right for you, you can return the mattress for a 100% refund.
Firmness
Both Layla and Nectar offer a range of firmnesses, although Layla tends to cast a wider net. Check the table below to see the full range.
| Firmness | Rating | Feel |
|---|---|---|
| Layla | 5, 8 | Medium, Firm |
| Layla Hybrid | 4.5, 7.5 | Soft, Slightly Firm |
| Nectar Hybrid | 6.5 | Medium-Firm |
| Nectar Hybrid Premier | 6 | Medium-Firm |
| Nectar Hybrid Premier Copper | 6.5 | Medium-Firm |
| Nectar Original | 6.5 | Medium-Firm |
| Nectar Premier | 5.5 | Medium |
| Nectar Premier Copper | 5 | Medium |
The interesting thing about Layla is that the flippable design allows for 2 firmnesses within a single mattress.
I will say that the soft sides of both the Layla and the Layla Hybrid are more supportive and comfortable than the firm side.
I found both firm sides to lack pressure relief and not have an adequate amount of comfort material before reaching the support layers. In general, I’m not blown away with the firm side of the original Layla mattress. However, their are additional comfort materials on the Layla Hybrid firm side, making it a superior option.
Nectar offers a more narrow firmness range, between 5 and 6.5 out of 10, but for most sleepers, that’s kind of the sweet spot of what is comfortable.
Support & Sleeping Positions
Regardless of your weight or sleeping position, it is possible for a wide range of sleepers to find anything in the 5 – 6.5 range to be comfortable.
Are Nectar mattresses right for you?
| Sleeper Weight | Stomach Sleepers | Side Sleepers | Back Sleepers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 150 lbs. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 150-250 lbs. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 250-300 lbs. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Sleepers who are looking for a softer or firmer feel may benefit from the Layla or Layla Hybrid. The Layla is slightly firmer on both sides than the Layla Hybrid.
Is the soft side of the Layla right for you?
| Sleeper Weight | Stomach Sleepers | Side Sleepers | Back Sleepers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 150 lbs. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 150-250 lbs. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 250-300 lbs. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Is the firm side of the Layla right for you?
| Sleeper Weight | Stomach Sleepers | Side Sleepers | Back Sleepers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 150 lbs. | Maybe | No | Maybe |
| 150-250 lbs. | Maybe | No | Maybe |
| 250-300 lbs. | Yes | Maybe | Yes |
Is the soft side of the Layla Hybrid right for you?
| Sleeper Weight | Stomach Sleeper | Side Sleeper | Back Sleeper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 150 lbs. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 150-225 lbs. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 225-300 lbs. | Maybe | Maybe | Maybe |
Is the firm side of the Layla Hybrid right for you?
| Sleeper Weight | Stomach Sleepers | Side Sleepers | Back Sleepers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 150 lbs. | Yes | Maybe | Yes |
| 150-250 lbs. | Yes | Maybe | Yes |
| 250-300 lbs. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Design
Both the Nectar and the Layla are designed as memory foam mattresses. So what separates these mattresses? Check out the table below to find out.
| Design | Type | Mattress Thickness |
|---|---|---|
| Layla | Memory Foam | 10.5″ |
| Layla Hybrid | Memory Foam Hybrid | 13.0″ |
| Nectar Original | Memory Foam | 12.0″ |
| Nectar Premier | Memory Foam | 13.0″ |
| Nectar Premier Copper | Memory Foam | 14.0″ |
Layla
Nectar
#1. Flippable. The Layla and Layla Hybrid are both flippable designs. This means that they have a softer side and a firmer side. If you’re not sure if you’d like a softer mattress or a softer mattress, the Layla could be right for you.
#2. Profile Thickness. Nectar has a bit of a thicker profile, but not necessarily a thicker layer of comfort material. That being said, if you like the aesthetic look of a taller mattress, Nectar is a great pick.
#3. Foam vs. Hybrid. One mattress that stands out in this pack is the Layla Hybrid. This is the only mattress in this comparison that is a hybrid—using both foam and coils. Coils help provide better cooling, pressure relief, higher bounce, and improved edge support.
Materials
Here is a breakdown of the insides of Layla vs. Nectar:
Layla Original
Layla Original
- Cover: polyester + viscose blend
- 3.0″ copper gel memory foam
- 2.0″ poly foam (transitional)
- 4.5″ support foam
- 1.0″ copper gel memory foam
Nectar Original
Nectar Original
- Cover: thin, removable with zipper
- 3.0″ gel memory foam
- 2.0″ poly foam (transitional)
- 7.0″ support foam
Layla Hybrid
Layla Hybrid
- Cover: polyester + viscose blend
- 2.5″ copper gel memory foam
- 2.0″ poly foam (transitional)
- 6.0″ pocketed coils
- 1.5″ poly foam
- 1.0″ copper gel memory foam
Nectar Premier
Nectar Premier
- Cover: thin, removable with zipper
- 3.0″ gel memory foam
- 3.0″ poly foam (transitional)
- 7.0″ support foam
Nectar Premier Copper
Nectar Premier Copper
- Cover: thin, removable with zipper
- 4.0″ gel memory foam
- 1.0″ poly foam (transitional)
- 9.0″ support foam
Layla vs. Nectar: Which Should You Buy?
So when it comes to these two similar memory foam mattress companies, which is right for you? It can be tricky to know so here is a quick round-up of all five mattresses we’ve talked about above.
Who is each mattress best for? Here is a low down.
The original Layla mattress is best for sleepers who want the contour, hug, and pressure relief of a memory foam mattress. Additionally, sleepers who also want a little more softness, ideally a 5 out of 10 on the softer side. While the original Layla mattress is flippable, I am just not overly impressed with the comfort or support dynamic on the firm side. If you plan to mostly use the soft side then the Layla original is a great choice. However, if you want to use the firm side I would recommend a different mattress.
Read our full Layla mattress review.
The Layla Hybrid mattress is best for sleepers who like the feel of memory foam, but want a little more bounce, better cooling, and better sex performance. While the original Layla leaves much to be desired on the firm side, the design of the Layla Hybrid mattress solves many of these issues. It utilizes a more robust comfort layer with thicker materials. As a result, the Layla Hybrid mattress is a good choice whether you plan to sleep on the soft or the firm side.
Read our full Layla Hybrid mattress review.
The original Nectar mattress is best for sleepers who enjoy a traditional memory foam feel. It has got a slow response and sharper contour that creates a classic memory foam hug around the body. The slightly firmer feel with a 6.5 firmness makes it better suited for sleepers with heavier bodies, especially back and stomach sleepers. Lighter-weight side sleepers in particular should probably avoid this model.
Read our full Nectar mattress review.
The Nectar Premier mattress is best for a wide variety of sleepers. The 5.5 firmness, good cooling, good pressure relief, and supportive design make it well suited for most body types and sleeping positions. If you just need a great all-around mattress in the middle price tier this it. The only major downside is a lack of edge support. If you utilize your mattress edges often (sitting, sleeping, sex, etc.) then you should pick something else.
Read our full Nectar Premier mattress review.
The Nectar Premier Copper mattress is best for a variety of sleepers. It shares many similarities to the Nectar Premier mattress, but improves edge support. If you like the sounds of the Nectar Premier, but want better edge support then the Nectar Premier Copper mattress is the right choice. This is one of the best memory foam mattresses we’ve tested to date.
