Our Nectar vs. Purple Bed Comparison for 2023

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After recognizing Nectar's bold value and falling in love with Purple’s innovative design, we were curious to see the results of a Nectar vs. Purple comparison. Can Purple’s new materials and head-turning raw egg demonstration (where eggs remain uncracked on its Hyper-Elastic Polymer™ under weights) compare to Nectar’s construction that has bed owners writing great reviews?

Both beds deliver high-quality performance, comfort, and longevity, so it’s just a matter of choosing which one best meets your needs. We’ll discuss construction, sinkage, cooling, bounce, and more to help you decide which one of these beds is for you.

Quick Comparison: Nectar vs. Purple

nectar bed small product image
Check pricing and availability by clicking the button below
  • Excellent pressure relief
  • All-foam construction
  • 365-night trial period
  • Nectar Review
the purple small image
Check pricing and availability by clicking the button below
  • Great edge support
  • Temperature-neutral
  • 100-night trial
  • Purple Review

Who I’d Recommend the Nectar For

  • Pressure relief seekers – Those struggling with achy joints and pressure buildup should like how the Nectar cradles the body to relieve pressure and pain in sensitive areas.

  • Memory foam fans – People who like slow-responding memory foam and the deep hug it provides should appreciate Nectar’s construction, which offers a bit more sinkage.

  • Value shoppers – Nectar comes at an affordable price and offers a 365-night trial with a forever warranty that backs up the quality claims.

Who I’d Recommend the Purple For

  • Hot sleepers – This Purple mattress has a grid system with over 1,400 air channels that allow the air to flow in order to maintain a comfortable temperature, which is excellent for those who sleep hot.

  • Versatility seekers – The Purple has a versatile firmness that makes it a good fit for multiple sleeping positions and partners with different sleeping habits.

  • Couples – The Purple has a bit of bounce in the top layer and reinforced edges, allowing couples to use the entire surface of the bed.

Comparing Nectar vs. Purple: Top Similarities

  • Firmness – Purple and Nectar have a similar feel. We rated the Purple a 6 out of 10 on our firmness scale, and the Nectar came in at a 6.5. They share a medium-firm feel that makes them versatile and suitable for many sleepers.
  • All-foam construction – These are all-foam mattresses with multiple layers of different foams that adapt to your body and respond to movement similarly.
  • Cooling – Although they’re made from foam, these beds have cooling features that prevent them from overheating.

Comparing Nectar vs. Purple: Key Differences

  • Height – The Nectar is 12 inches tall, whereas the Purple is 9.5 inches tall.
  • Sinkage – The Purple mattress offers gentle cradling in some positions, while the Nectar has a deep hug for better pressure relief when on your side.
  • Warranty and trial – The Purple comes with a 100-night trial and a 10-year warranty, and the Nectar has a forever warranty and a 365-night trial.

Comparing Firmness, Support & Feel

Firmness

Close in firmness, we rated Nectar 6.5 and Purple 6 on our 10-point firmness scale (where 1 is softest and 10 is firmest). These are medium/medium-firm options, which most people respond well to.

This versatile firmness level should fit most people, though there may be some variance depending on their preferred sleeping position and body weight. In addition, the beds have a slow-responding foam construction that should provide a balance of pressure relief and support.

purple and nectar firmness scale comparison

Support

We have found that Nectar’s memory foam construction is amazing for side sleepers due to its excellent pressure-relieving properties. On the other hand, Purple’s unique grid adds a new twist on support for back and stomach sleepers that can be appreciated as its cells buckle (and it should feel firmer in these positions).

Significantly heavier people may feel increased firmness with Purple, and the same group may need a slightly firmer mattress than Nectar.

Feel

The beds are opposites in regards to their response time. Purple’s grid springs immediately back into place while Nectar’s slow-sinking memory foam has a slow rise.

Both beds feel medium-firm, but the Purple has a bit more bounce in the top layer. On the other hand, the Nectar mattress doesn’t have as much bounce, which is something couples should keep in mind.

Comparing Sinkage and Bounce

Between both brands, there are differences with regard to sinkage and bounce.

Nectar has a low level of bounce because of its memory materials, which is great if you like less bounce and added pressure relief. The memory foam also provides a deeper hug and contouring.

Purple’s Hyper-Elastic Polymer™ layer gives more overall bounce. People should feel gently cradled on the product. However, in the back and stomach sleeping positions, the cells respond differently and cradle sleepers on a shallower level.

Purple’s grid and its elastic properties help it provide increased ease of repositioning.

Comparing Motion Transfer

Although responsiveness is different, motion transfer between the brands is similar.

Those who wake easily from motion transfer need more motion isolation than the average person. Motion isolation will help light sleepers stay undisturbed while partners move about or climb in and out of bed.

Partners with different sleeping habits should be careful with buying a mattress, ensuring it isolates motion well enough so both of you can get a good night’s sleep. Both brands have strong isolation capabilities and you should be undisturbed throughout the night. However, the Purple has a bit more bounce, so the Nectar may be a better option if this is a top concern.

Comparing Cooling

Hot sleepers know the struggle of trying to doze off when the bed’s surface is too hot. Trying to find a cool spot on the mattress gets more difficult as time passes, making it harder to fall asleep after a while. 

Although both Nectar and Purple are all-foam mattresses, they have cooling features that prevent them from getting too hot. The Nectar has a breathable cover and cooling gel in its memory foam layer. On the other hand, the Purple has a proprietary Hyper-Elastic Polymer™ grid, which is temperature neutral.

Comparing Construction (Materials & Quality)

Nectar Construction

As an online memory bed, Nectar is shipped in a box. However, White Glove service is available for those who want it. The brand can be used with nearly every foundation, including an adjustable base.

The cover has a breathable poly-blend material. This is Nectar’s signature cover, and it’s designed to keep excess body heat away by using heat-absorbent polyethylene fibers. In addition, the bed has a shift-resistant lower cover made from polyester. This bottom cover prevents the upper layers from shifting, ensuring the entire mattress stays in place. Together with the layers below, the bed stands at 12 inches in height.

layers of nectar memory foam mattress
  • The first layer has a 2-inch memory foam infused with gel that offers greater contouring and pressure relief.
  • The second layer has 3 inches of soft conventional foam and serves as a support layer.
  • The base layer has a standard conventional foam that is 7 inches thick and provides the bed with durability.

Purple Construction

Purple has a unique construction of foam with a polymer grid on top. Like Nectar, it is shipped rolled up and compressed. Foundations of almost every kind are usable with this brand.

At 9.5 inches thick, its strong zip-off cover is made of polyester, viscose, and lycra materials. The 2019 refresh updated the cover a touch to make it more complementary to the unique feel of the comfort grid.

Layers of the Purple mattress updated
  • The top layer has a gel-like grid made of 2 inches of Hyper-Elastic Polymer™ that stays temperature neutral. The structure buckles and bends depending on the position, providing support and pressure relief as needed. There is also edge support built in.
  • The second layer consists of 3.5-inch polyurethane foam that transitions from the grid to the base level and adds extra comfort.
  • The base layer is made of 4 inches of polyurethane that supports and gives durability to the bed.

Comparing Company Policies & Price

  • Warranty – Nectar comes with a forever warranty, whereas Purple has a 10-year warranty.
  • Shipping – Purple ships this mattress to the United States and Canada, while Nectar ships to the U.S. only. However, Nectar also offers White Glove Delivery.
  • Trial Period – This Nectar mattress comes with a 365-night trial, and Purple gives you 100 nights to test their bed.
  • Returns – Nectar accepts returns for free within the contiguous United States. Purple also accepts returns and offers a full refund.
  • Price – You can easily spot the price difference between the Purple and the Nectar. The Purple mattress is around 300 dollars more expensive than the Nectar.
SizeNectar Price (w/o discount)Purple Price (w/o discount)
Twin$599$799
Twin XL$769$999
Full$899$1,199
Queen$999$1,399
King$1,299$1,799
Cali King$1,299$1,799
Split King$1,538$1,998

Nectar vs. Purple Compared Side-by-Side

FeaturesNectarPurple
Height12”9.5”
CoverPoly-blend quilted with memory materialsViscose, polyester, and Lycra
MaterialsMemory and conventional foamsHyper-Elastic Polymer™ and poly foams
CoolingCooling gels and breathable coverHyper-Elastic Polymer™ is temperature neutral with airflow design
Firmness6.5/106/10
SupportGreatExceptional
Motion TransferMinimalMinimal
Edge SupportGoodGood
SinkageDeep HugGentle Cradling, depending on position
BounceNoYes, in top layer
WarrantyForever10 years
Trial Period365 nights100 nights
CertificationsCertiPUR-US®CertiPUR-US®
Adjustable Base CompatibleYesYes
ShippingShips to the USA with White Glove Delivery availableShips to USA and Canada
Made in the USANoYes
Read Full ReviewNectar Mattress ReviewPurple Mattress Review
Shop NowNectar MattressPurple Mattress

Final Thoughts

These two online brands are comfortable and durable but accomplish their missions in different ways. Which one sounds more like your style?

The Nectar is more affordable and has excellent cooling thanks to its gel memory foam. However, it offers a deep hug and doesn’t have much bounce, so think about if this would suit your needs. On the other hand, the Purple offers better support and has more bounce, which may be important for sexually-active couples, combination sleepers, and people with limited mobility. 

Although both mattresses are made from high-quality materials and should last years, preference-based features can help you figure out which one would be better for you.

Quick Comparison: Nectar vs. Purple

nectar bed small product image
Check pricing and availability by clicking the button below
  • Excellent pressure relief
  • All-foam construction
  • 365-night trial period
  • Nectar Review
the purple small image
Check pricing and availability by clicking the button below
  • Great edge support
  • Temperature-neutral
  • 100-night trial
  • Purple Review
Olivera Janckin writer
Olivera Janckin
Writer

Olivera is a content writer for Sleep Advisor and is enthusiastic about sleep. She firmly believes in the benefits of daytime naps on top of getting a full 8-hour sleep at night.

She started writing in 2016 and never looked back. What she appreciates the most is her flexible working hours and the ability to work with people worldwide.

In her free time, Olivera enjoys reading Spanish literature, taking pilates classes, and trying out new cocktails with friends.

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