Nectar Hybrid Review

In This Review
Performance Tests | Firmness | Support & Sleeping Positions | Design | Materials | Comparisons | FAQs

At NapLab, we put each mattress to the test.

We test 10 different factors that impact the performance, comfort, and value of the mattress. We then take the results of that test and compare to every mattress we’ve tested to date.

Check out the full performance table below to see how this mattress ranks:

Factor	Nectar Hybrid	Average
Overall Score	7.87	8.64
Price (Queen)	$799	$1,594 (Memory Foam Hybrid only)
Cooling – Score	9.0	8.8
Sinkage – Depth	1.70″	2.16″
Sinkage – Feel	Minimal	Moderate
Motion Transfer – Score	6.0	8.2
Motion Transfer – Acceleration	14.00 m/s²	8.64 m/s²
Response Time – Score	5.0	8.9
Response Time – Mostly Recovered	2.5 sec.	0.4 sec.
Response Time – Fully Recovered	6.8 sec.	0.9 sec.
Bounce – Height	8.83″	9.69″
Bounce – Feel	Moderate	Moderate
Edge Support – Score	8.7	8.6
Edge Support – Sitting	3.50″	4.07″
Edge Support – Lying	Good	Good
Sex – Score	8.4	8.5
Pressure Relief – Score	8.0	8.8
Comfort Layer Thickness	3.0″	4.2″
Mattress Thickness	12″	12.0″
Off-Gassing – Score	9.2	8.4
Off-Gassing – Smell	Strong	Strong
Off-Gassing – Days	3 days	6 days
Company – Score	9.0	8.7
Trial	365 nights	165 nights
Warranty	Lifetime	25% have lifetime warranties, average of other 75% of mattresses is 14 years

How is Nectar Hybrid Different?

The Nectar Hybrid mattress has pretty significantly lower performance than the average mattress. Of the 178+ mattresses we’ve tested to date, the Nectar Hybrid scores in the bottom 5% of all mattresses tested to date.

Now granted, the price is also 50% less than the average memory foam hybrid so if you’re on a very tight budget, it could still be a good pick for some.

Advantages

Advantages of the Nectar Hybrid include slightly better cooling, better edge support, and better sex performance. The price may also be a big advantage for some sleepers.

Neutral Factors

This mattress has 22% less sinkage than average as well as 8% less bounce than average. These factors are more preferential than anything else, but still worth considering.

Disadvantages

The biggest drawbacks of the Nectar Hybrid include high levels of motion transfer, slow material response time, and a thinner comfort layer. Less comfort material can contribute to poorer pressure relief, especially for heavier sleepers over 200 lbs.

Cooling performance on the Nectar Hybrid is excellent. During our tests, I felt no significant heat build-up or retention around my body.

The Nectar Hybrid uses a thin cover that seems to breathe well. The comfort layers consist of a 2.0” layer of gel memory foam and 1.0” poly foam.

In terms of response, contour, and hug, it feels like classic memory foam. However, in terms of cooling performance, it seems to breathe well.

• 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 (5 minute) – the temperature of the mattress after being lied upon and having no one on it for 5 minutes

Only having 3.0” of foam comfort material helps to restrain heat retention further, as there is physically less material for heat to absorb into (though it does have a negative impact on pressure relief, which we’ll discuss below).

Furthermore, the support coils provide ample airflow, creating additional breathability and cooling.

Our objective data measured a maximum surface level temperature of 88.8° F. From minutes 0 to 1 the Nectar Hybrid was able to release 4.1°, dropping to 84.7° F. This is slightly better than average for minutes 0 to 1 (compared to all mattresses we’ve tested to date).

Heat Dissipation Over Time

From minutes 2 to 5 heat continued to gradually step down on a modest curve. Overall, I’m pleased with the heat dissipation curve as the vast majority of heat is released within 1 minute after we got off the mattress.

The Nectar Hybrid has a minimal level of sinkage. In our tests, we measured 1.70” of sinkage depth. This is less sinkage than the average sinkage depth of 2.17” (based on all of our tests to date).

The level of sinkage is documented in the image below.

The Nectar Hybrid has a classic memory foam feel. It’s got a dramatic contouring hug around the body with a slower response time.

This creates a feel that tightly hugs the precise shape of your body. The support coils help to balance the feel, especially in contrast to the all-foam Nectar mattress.

However, the contouring hug of classic memory foam on top is still the prevailing feel.

The Nectar Hybrid has a high level of motion transfer. In our tests, we measured 14.00 m/s² acceleration range. This is nearly double the average motion transfer (8.52 m/s²), based on all of our tests to date.

The level of motion transfer is documented in the video below.

I am very surprised at the high level of motion transfer. Hybrid mattresses tend to have a little more motion transfer, but what we’re seeing here is well beyond the norm.

The classic memory foam feel within the top layers of the Nectar Hybrid creates an abrupt pushback, before contouring to the body. For motion transfer, this is less than ideal, as that immediate pushback creates immediate motion.

When you combine this with the layer of coils the result is a high level of overall motion transfer. If we look at the motion transfer chart, which visualizes the acceleration, we see initial high energy spikes from 0.00 to 0.14 seconds, with a moderate level of motion spiking again at 0.57 seconds.

By 0.91 seconds most of the energy has been expended and we return to near-zero levels of energy. The motion duration is more spikey and less constant. However, it still persists for quite a bit longer than is ideal.

In the case of the all-foam Nectar mattress, we saw motion return to near-zero levels by 0.41 seconds (and the total motion was massively lower). All factors considered, motion transfer just isn’t great on the Nectar Hybrid. We see high spikes and a longer motion duration.

The Nectar Hybrid mattress has a very slow response time. In our tests, we measured 2.5 seconds for the mattress to mostly respond and 6.8 seconds for a full material recovery.

This is a considerably slower response than the average response time.

On average, based on all of our tests to date, we have measured mattresses mostly recovering in 0.4 seconds and fully recovering in 0.9 seconds.

The level of responsiveness is documented in the video below.

That said, I am not surprised that the mattress is slow to respond. The original all-foam Nectar also had a slow response time of 3.0 seconds to mostly recover and 5.0 seconds to fully recover.

The comfort memory foams Nectar uses have a very classic memory foam feel, including a slow recovery time. This is the nature of the foam type.

However, no matter how you slice it, a slower material recovery is worse than a faster one. For many sleepers, a material response this slow will create a feeling of being “stuck” in that mattress.

This response speed will make it more difficult to move on the mattress and make it more difficult to change positions during the night.

The Nectar Hybrid has a moderate bounce height. In our tests, we measured 8.83” of total bounce height.

This is 0.50” less than the average bounce height of 9.65” (based on all of our tests to date). In my view, a bounce height in the 8-12” range is ideal.

It creates enough bounce to make it easier to move around on the mattress and improves sex.

The level of bounce is also documented in the video below.

Given the classic memory foam feel, I do wish the bounce was a little bit higher. Memory foam absorbs a large degree of energy while changing positions.

Nevertheless, it is neither unreasonably low nor unreasonably high. For most people I expect the bounce range to be an appropriate middle ground.

Edge support on the Nectar Hybrid mattress is a bit of a mixed bag. Sitting edge was excellent. However, lying edge support leaves something to be desired.

In our sitting edge support tests, we measured 3.5” of sinkage compression. This is 1.13” less sinkage than the average of 4.63” (based on all of our tests to date).

When sitting directly on the edge of the mattress I felt fully supported. That said, while lying directly on the edge of the mattress the support is good, but not great.

The level of edge support while seated is documented in the images below.

When lying directly on the edge I did not feel as well supported as I did compared to lying closer to the middle of the mattress.

The level of edge support while lying is documented in the images below.

The dramatic contour of the top layer of memory foam isn’t doing the edge support any favors. In my view, it is the primary reason why we’re seeing a more noted level of lying edge support.

All factors considered, Nectar Hybrid’s edge support is good, but not amazing.

The best mattresses for sex have high bounce, good edge support, quiet materials, and good pressure relief and cooling.

These 5 factors make up the NapLab sex performance score.

Sex Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Rating
Bounce	65%	8.0	High
Edge Support	20%	9.4	Excellent
Noise	5%	10	Minimal
Pressure Relief	5%	8.0	Good
Cooling	5%	9.0	Excellent

Overall, this is a good performance score, although I do worry that the top layer of memory foam, which absorbs much of the energy, could end up making sex more strenuous for some.

This mattress has good edge support, good enough bounce, and is comfortable. No major complaints when it comes to sex.

Pressure relief on the Nectar Hybrid mattress is good, but could be better. In our tests, we documented a medium-firm to slightly firm feel, a minimal level of sinkage, and 3.0” of comfort foam.

This combination just isn’t going to create the absolute best pressure relief. The firmness and minimal level of sinkage cause sleepers to sleep more on top of the foams, as opposed to in them.

The more dramatic contouring hug of the memory foam helps to counteract this to some degree, but it’s not enough. 3.0” of comfort foam is sufficient for most lightweight and moderate body weights.

However, heavier sleepers are likely to find that it’s just not enough foam to create enough pressure relief. When I compare the Nectar Hybrid to the Nectar original I cannot help but feel a noted difference in pressure relief.

Off-gassing on the Nectar Hybrid was strong right out of the box. It smelled for 3 days, which is pretty close to the average we typically see.

Nectar included a couple of deodorizer packs, which certainly helped reduce the smell duration and strength.

Of all the mattresses that we’ve tested, this is something I’ve only seen Nectar’s family of mattress brands do.

It’s pretty simple and smart—an appreciated touch when unboxing a brand new mattress.

The company score takes a look at factors that may influence your experience with the mattress.

Factors include length of the trial period, warranty, shipping / return costs, and country of origin.

Company Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Data
Trial Period	15%	10	365 nights
Warranty	10%	10	Lifetime
Shipping	5%	10	$0
Returns	20%	10	$0
Trust	50%	8.0	Good
Country of Origin	0%		China

Nectar has good company policies. They offer a long 365-night trial period and a lifetime warranty.

Shipping is free and returns are free as well. Overall, Nectar has a history of positive company policies, terms, and conditions.

The Nectar Hybrid is a 6.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale. It is between a medium-firm and a slightly firm feel.

Generally speaking, this firmness would be acceptable for a wide range of sleepers. It’s firm enough for adequate support, but not so firm that it creates uneven pressure points or pushback.

Support on the Nectar Hybrid is excellent. Throughout our series of tests, I felt well supported in all sleeping positions.

The mattress has a proven material design and layer configuration that creates plenty of support for most body types and all sleeping positions.

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

Provided you like the medium-firm / slightly firm feel of 6.5 out of 10 firmness, then you will most likely feel sufficiently supported by the Nectar Hybrid. 

Design

The Nectar Hybrid takes the foam-based elements of the original Nectar and combines them with the benefits of pocketed coils.

The combination creates a feel that is distinctly different from the Original Nectar and Nectar Premier or Premier Copper.

Materials

The Nectar Hybrid mattress is made up of four main layers. These layers are outlined in the bulleted list below. From top to bottom, we have:

• 2.0” gel memory foam
• 1.0” poly foam
• 8.0” pocketed coil
• 1.0” support foam

The Cover

The cover of the Nectar Hybrid is a similar cover as what we’ve historically seen on other Nectar mattresses being that it is thin, stretchy, and breathable.

The cover of the Nectar Hybrid does not have a zipper. Note: All foam Nectar mattresses have a zipper, but Nectar advises to not take the cover off so it’s not really an advantage in this case.

The sides of the Nectar Hybrid have a dark gray fabric with vertical stitching and heavy-duty carrying handles installed along the side.

The Comfort Layer

The comfort layer of the Nectar Hybrid is made up of two layers—a gel-infused memory foam and a transitional poly foam.

The gel foam works well at keeping the sleeping surface cool and somewhat counteracting the natural tendencies of traditional memory foam.

Below the gel foam is a thin convoluted layer of poly foam. This secondary layer has a higher density and allows the weight and pressure from sleepers to be more evenly distributed amongst the pocketed coils below.

The Support Layer

The support layer includes an 8″ layer of pocketed coils. These coils are individually encased in fabric and these separate pockets allow each spring to move independently of each other, resulting in better pressure relief.

Many times, this pocketed coil approach also means lower motion transfer, but as we saw in the tests above, motion transfer levels really struggled with the Nectar Hybrid.

Product Evolution

The Nectar Hybrid was launched in August 2022. It is the first hybrid mattress sold by Nectar in the USA.

Other mattresses available from Nectar include: the Nectar Original, Nectar Premier, and Nectar Premier Copper in addition to the Nectar Hybrid Premier and Hybrid Premier Copper.

Nectar Hybrid vs. Nectar Original

Nectar currently manufactures three all-foam mattresses—Original, Premier, and Premier Copper— Additionally, they also manufacturer three hybrid mattresses, Nectar Hybrid, Nectar Hybrid Premier, and Nectar Premier.

Below is a quick comparison of the Nectar Hybrid vs. Nectar Original (all foam version)

Nectar Hybrid was a slightly better performer than the all memory foam Nectar Original.

The Nectar Hybrid has:

• Better cooling
• Faster response
• Better edge support
• Better sex performance

However, the Nectar original (all foam) has:

• Less motion transfer
• Better pressure relief

Other Mattresses to Consider

Not sure if the Nectar Hybrid is the best pick for you? Check out these three top-rated alternative mattresses below for other options to consider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Check out some of the top FAQs on the Nectar Hybrid mattress below and get the answers you’re looking for.