Nectar Classic 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 Classic	Average
Overall Score	8.42	8.57
Price (Queen)	$649	$1,076 (Memory Foam only)
Cooling – Score	9.0	8.7
Sinkage – Depth	1.91″	2.14″
Sinkage – Feel	Minimal	Moderate
Motion Transfer – Score	8.0	8.1
Motion Transfer – Acceleration	9.49 m/s²	8.81 m/s²
Response Time – Score	7.4	8.9
Response Time – Mostly Recovered	0.6 sec.	0.4 sec.
Response Time – Fully Recovered	1.3 sec.	0.9 sec.
Bounce – Height	8.07″	9.57″
Bounce – Feel	Moderate	Moderate
Edge Support – Score	9.4	8.6
Edge Support – Sitting	3.25″	4.02″
Edge Support – Lying	Excellent	Good
Sex – Score	8.2	8.5
Pressure Relief – Score	8.0	8.7
Comfort Layer Thickness	4.0″	4.1″
Mattress Thickness	11.5″	12.0″
Off-Gassing – Score	8.3	8.1
Off-Gassing – Smell	Strong	Strong
Off-Gassing – Days	6 days	7 days
Company – Score	9.0	8.7
Trial	365 nights	178 nights
Warranty	Lifetime	25% have lifetime warranties, average of other 75% of mattresses is 13 years

How is Nectar Classic Different?

The Nectar Classic is a memory foam mattress with below-average overall performance, but also a price tag that is 40% less than the average memory foam mattress, for a savings of over $400 on a queen mattress.

Advantages

Advantages of the Nectar Classic include above-average cooling performance, better edge support (when sitting or lying), as well as a longer trial and warranty compared to average.

The price will also be a big advantage to many sleepers. Comparing all memory foam mattresses tested to date, the Nectar Classic has a lower price than 65% of the memory foam mattresses we test.

And of the mattresses that cost the same or less, only one actually performs better than the Nectar Classic (spoiler: it’s the Emma Original).

Neutral Factors

This mattress has minimal sinkage and moderate levels of bounce for a balanced feel when sitting or lying on the mattress.

Disadvantages

Disadvantages of the Nectar Classic include slower material response time, worse sex performance score, and pressure relief that is good, but far from amazing.

The Nectar Classic has excellent cooling. During our tests, I did not feel any significant level of heat retention around my body.

I was quite surprised at the level of cooling performance, as all foam mattresses, especially those that contain memory foam, tend to struggle more with cooling.

• 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

In my view, only having 1.0” of memory foam helps to keep the temperature in check.

While the thinner memory foam layer negatively impacts pressure relief, it has a positive impact on cooling as there is simply less foam that’s more likely to retain heat.

In our objective temperature tests, we measured a max surface level temperature of 88.3° F, which is 1.4° cooler than the average.

When we consider the objective data, subjective experience, and an analysis of the materials, I’m confident most sleepers will find cooling to be sufficient. 

Heat Dissipation Over Time

The Nectar Classic has a minimal level of sinkage. In our tests, we measured a pressure point sinkage depth of 1.91”. This is 0.23” less sinkage than the average of 2.14”, based on all of our tests to date.

Despite the fact Nectar calls this a memory foam mattress, it really doesn’t have a dramatic memory foam feel. Instead, we have only a slight level of body contouring hug.

When we look at the material makeup, it makes sense. There is only a 1.0” memory foam layer and then we have 10.5” of poly foam.

The level of sinkage is documented in the image below.

The 1.0” memory foam layer on top of the mattress does its best to create a classic memory foam body contouring hug, but because there is only 1.0” of material the feel is very restrained.

This is neither good nor bad, but it is a more specific feel. For those who really love the dramatic feel of memory foam, you may be disappointed with the Classic. In such a case the Nectar Premier or Nectar Luxe would be better choices, as both have substantially thicker memory foam layers.

The Nectar Classic has a low level of motion transfer. During our tests, we measured a total acceleration range of 9.49 m/s². This is 8% more motion transfer than the average of 8.81 m/s².

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

The combination of all foam design and memory foam top comfort layer are both helping to deliver a lower level of motion transfer.

In our motion transfer chart, which visualizes our accelerometer data, we can see the highest motion from 0 to 0.14 seconds. We see a secondary spike from 0.43 to 0.58 seconds and by 0.86 seconds we return to near zero levels of energy.

While the motion duration isn’t exactly ideal, it’s not bad by any stretch. The vast bulk of motion on the mattress subsides by 0.65 seconds.

When we look at the motion spikes and motion duration I’m pleased with what I see and don’t expect motion transfer will be a problem for most sleepers.

The Nectar Classic has a moderate level of material responsiveness. During our mostly recovered test, we measured a rebound speed of 0.6 seconds. This is 0.19 seconds slower than the average of 0.41 seconds, based on all of our tests to date.

During our fully recovered test, we measured a rebound speed of 1.3 seconds. This is 0.4 seconds slower than the average of 0.9 seconds.

The level of responsiveness is documented in the video below.

Suffice to say, neither of these measurements are especially great. Having only a 1.0” memory foam layer does help to increase material responsiveness.

Even so, that memory foam is the layer that is slowing down the total response speed. The slower responsiveness negatively impacts ease of movement and for some sleepers will create more of a “stuck” feeling on the mattress.

The Nectar Classic has a moderate level of bounce. During our tests, we measured a total bounce height of 8.07”. This is 1.53” less bounce than the average of 9.60”, based on all of our tests to date.

The all-foam design and 1.0” memory foam comfort layer are both helping to reduce bounce. The lower bounce makes it more difficult to move around on the mattress and also decreases sex performance.

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

That said, at 8.07” the bounce is still within the moderate level. Ideally, I like to see 8-12” of total bounce on a mattress.

Nectar’s Classic is within that range, but only just. More sensitive sleepers could find the bounce is on the low side, but most sleepers should find it to be a non-issue.

The Nectar Classic has excellent edge support for both sitting and lying. In our sitting edge support tests, we measured a sitting sinkage compression of 3.25”. This is 0.76” less sitting sinkage compression than the average of 4.01”, based on all of our tests to date.

Even when sitting directly on the edge the mattress remains supportive and there is no collapse of materials.

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

Lying edge support is equally impressive. While lying directly on the edge of the mattress I felt well supported in all sleeping positions. Only having 1.0” of softer comfort foam is definitely helping.

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

While that same fact limits comfort and pressure relief, at least for edge support it’s a great help.

With 10.5” of support foam and support-like poly foam, we have a ton of material helping to create both robust edge support and general support. Overall, I’m pleased with edge support and expect most sleepers will find it sufficient.

The Nectar Classic has good sex performance, however, it’s far from great. On the positive side, noise is minimal, cooling is excellent, and edge support is excellent with just 3.25” of sitting sinkage compression at the edge.

Sex Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Rating
Bounce	65%	7.5	Moderate
Edge Support	20%	9.7	Excellent
Noise	5%	10	Minimal
Pressure Relief	5%	8.0	Good
Cooling	5%	9.0	Excellent

In addition, pressure relief is good. Where the mattress struggles more is bounce. At just 8.07” of bounce the Nectar Classic only earns a “good” score for bounce. Even so, it only just cleared the threshold between “fair” and “good”.

Having a more restrained bounce definitely hold the amorous activity performance back. Some may find the bounce greatly negatively impacts the dance without pants, while others many find it’s less of an issue.

The Nectar Classic has a good level of pressure relief, but it doesn’t quite rise to the “excellent” level.

During our tests, I did not feel any significant level of pressure points on my body. The mattress is equipped with a 4.0” comfort layer consisting of a 1.0” memory foam and a 3.0” poly foam.

We see this same (or at least very similar) memory foam used in virtually all of Nectar’s models (though it will have different thicknesses based on model). The memory foam looks and feels like a high-quality material.

In greater thicknesses, it’s able to create excellent pressure relief. However, with just 1.0” of the material here the Nectar Classic’s pressure relief is only good, but not great.

The 3.0” poly foam in the core of the mattress is a higher quality material than the support foam on the base, but it’s clear it’s not at the same level as the topmost memory foam layer.

Based on all of our tests to date, we see mattresses have an average comfort layer thickness 4.0”. This is the same as the Nectar, but I will say I am disappointed that we don’t see a higher-quality poly foam in the core.

In our objective pressure mapping tests we did not measure any pressure points higher than 1.10 PSI. This is excellent. PSI at or near 2.0 is considered a high pressure point and we are no where near those levels.

Pressure Map – Side Sleepers

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Side Sleepers	0.22	0.81

Pressure Map – Back Sleepers

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Back Sleepers	0.12	1.08

Pressure Map – Stomach Sleepers

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Stomach Sleepers	0.12	1.10

Off-gassing on the Nectar Classic was strong right out of the box and the odor lasted for 6 days. The mattress smell mimicked the odor of wet paint and was pretty offensive, at least the first few days.

That being said, the average mattress takes a full 7 days to off-gas. Even with the odd smell, it still off-gassed 1 day faster than average.

Nectar mattresses have a 365-night trial period and a lifetime warranty. Shipping is free and returns are too if the mattress ends up not working out.

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%		USA

When it comes to company terms, this is basically the best you can get. It checks all our boxes with both a trial and warranty that are longer than the average (comparing over 250+ mattresses tested to date).

The Nectar Classic is available in a single firmness, 6 out of 10, which gives the mattress a medium-firm feel.

The Nectar Classic has excellent support. During our tests, I felt well-supported in all sleeping positions. The mattress uses a 7.5” support foam layer. This is just slightly thinner than the average support layer thickness of 7.9”, based on all of our tests to date.

The Classic is available in a single firmness, which is a medium-firm. This firmness is ideal for most body types and sleeping positions.

Notably, the mattress doesn’t use any type of zoning or reinforced edge support foams. However, it doesn’t seem to need them.

We have a 4.0” comfort layer, however, 3.0” of those are highly supportive. This effectively gives the mattress 10.5” of support and support-like materials.

While I do wish at least some of that 3.0” poly foam was more comfort-like to aid in pressure relief, at least with respect to improving longevity and overall support it is beneficial to have them the way they are.

Check out the table below to see the sleeper weights and sleeping positions that would be best suited for this mattress.

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

Design

The Nectar Classic is designed as a 12″ memory foam mattress with a medium-firm feel. But there are a few things to keep in mind.

First, the mattress we tested was only 11.5″. According to Nectar, it’s supposed to be 12.0″.

Secondly, although Nectar does call it a memory foam mattress and there is a top layer of memory foam, the mattress as a whole feels and performs more like a blended foam mattress. It doesn’t have the deep contour and hug of traditional memory foam. Instead, it is more of a balanced feel.

Materials

The Nectar Classic is made from three foam layers that get increasingly thinner as you move up the mattress. From top to bottom, the layers include:

• 1.0” memory foam
• 3.0” poly foam
• 7.5” support foam

The Cover

The Nectar Classic has a thin cover made from a blend of polyester and polyethylene. It is soft and stretchy with a diagonal geometric pattern stitched into the top.

The Comfort Layer

The comfort layer is made of two separate foams. On top, we see a 1.0″ memory foam (orange) followed by a 3.0″ poly foam (blue). The layers work together to create a comfort dynamic as well as transitional support as sleepers sink deeper into the mattress.

The Support Layer

The support layer is a 7.5″ support foam (white). It is a denser foam than the layers above and the main job of this foam is to provide support and pushback to the layers above.

Product Evolution

The Nectar Classic was first launched in 2017 as traditional memory foam. It was a 10″ mattress that was made up of a 3.0″ gel memory foam comfort layer and a 7.0″ support foam layer.

In 2022, the mattress was revamped to be a 12″ mattress and added a transitional layer of poly foam. Adding poly foam generally improves response time, breathability, and pressure relief.

In 2024, the mattress was updated again, being renamed from the Nectar mattress to the Nectar Classic. It sported a redesigned cover and further upgrades to the comfort layer.

Today, the mattress has only a 1.0″ gel memory foam (2.0″ thinner than earlier versions of the mattress) and has a 3.0″ poly foam layer.

For this reason, we see this mattress performing more like a regular foam mattress than exclusively memory foam.

The score also went up considerably. The original 2022 version of this mattress ranked in the bottom 13% of all mattresses tested to date. But the 2024 version improved rank considerable, scoring in the top 68% of all mattresses tested.

Check out the table below to see exactly how the mattress layers have changed over the years.

	2017 Version	2022 Version	2024 Version
Thickness	10″	12″	11.5″
Comfort Layer	3.0″ gel memory foam	3.0″ gel memory foam 2.0″ poly foam	1.0″ gel memory foam 3.0″ poly foam
Support Layer	7.0″ support foam	7.0″ support foam	7.0″ support foam
Overall Score	—	7.95	8.42

Other Mattresses to Consider

Not sure if the Nectar Classic is the right pick for you? Check out these three other top-rated foam mattresses for high-performing alternatives you may want to consider.

Frequently Asked Questions

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