Nectar Hybrid Mattress Review: Dense Support Meets Comfortable Cushion

Forbes

a day ago

Nectar is a popular online mattress and bedding brand that was among the early pioneers of the bed-in-a-box style. It's one of our best-loved at Forbes Vetted for a number of reasons, but most of all because it offers great values, including the Nectar Classic Hybrid Mattress. This model is the sturdier coil version of the flagship Nectar Classic; it has similar pressure-relieving features with better spinal support and temperature regulation. Along with a long-term tester, nine of our team members tested this hybrid to see how it performed for differing genders, preferred sleep postures, body types and pain points. In this Nectar Hybrid Mattress review, we detail how it scored in important categories like pressure relief, support, firmness, motion isolation and more.
The Nectar Classic Hybrid Mattress has a balanced firmness profile, good motion isolation and ample ... More pressure relief. ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILER
The Nectar Hybrid Classic Mattress is an optimal choice for those who enjoy a medium-firm memory foam feel with enhanced responsiveness and support. Below, we highlight the bed's strengths, the types of sleepers we think it's best for and its potential drawbacks. If you prefer a softer feel, you might want to also consider other models from Nectar, such as the Nectar Luxe Hybrid or Nectar Ultra .
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Type: Hybrid | Brand firmness rating: Medium-firm (6.5) | Trial period: 365 nights | Warranty: Lifetime
Buy if: You're a back, stomach or combination sleeper
You're a side sleeper over 150 pounds
You co-sleep with a partner (good motion isolation and edge support)
You live with back pain
Skip if:
Nectar recently revamped its entire lineup of mattresses, giving the Classic Hybrid a new look and feel that the majority of our testers liked. Mattress updates writer Alex Garrett says it feels similar to the new Nectar Memory Foam model in that 'it's firm yet cushioning with a touch of sinkage.' She adds, 'The only thing I notice that's separating them is the hybrid version is a little bouncier.' Another tester says, 'I fell in love with the feel of this mattress right off the bat. It might be because I'm biased toward hybrid mattresses , but this is better than the one I have at home.' With the current retail price around $800 for a queen size, our editors and testers agree it's a premium value.
Although this model is the brand's entry-level hybrid mattress, don't expect minimal features. Here's a breakdown of the 12-inch Nectar Hybrid. Cover: It has a soft cover that's made from a blend of polyester and viscose, and it's woven with cooling polyethylene fibers to help draw body heat away.
It has a soft cover that's made from a blend of polyester and viscose, and it's woven with cooling polyethylene fibers to help draw body heat away. Comfort layer: Beneath the cover is a 1-inch layer of comforting memory foam that cushions your joints and curves.
Beneath the cover is a 1-inch layer of comforting memory foam that cushions your joints and curves. Transition layer: Sandwiched in the middle of the bed is two inches of what the brand calls 'responsive support foam,' which helps lift the spine and prevent the mattress from offering too much sinkage.
Sandwiched in the middle of the bed is two inches of what the brand calls 'responsive support foam,' which helps lift the spine and prevent the mattress from offering too much sinkage. Support layer: Next is a system of 8-inch pocketed coils that are reinforced along the perimeter for greater support and sturdiness.
Next is a system of 8-inch pocketed coils that are reinforced along the perimeter for greater support and sturdiness. Base layer: A 1-inch layer of dense foam acts as the foundation for the rest of the mattress' materials.
A look at the five layers that make up the Nectar Classic Hybrid Mattress. Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailer
Nectar rates the Classic Hybrid Mattress a 6.5 on the firmness scale, with 10 being the firmest and 1 being the softest. All of our testers agreed it falls in the medium-firm ballpark, with most rating it a 6.5 as well. (We found the last version of this mattress to be softer than advertised.)
'This mattress is a nice balance between firm, bouncy and contouring,' says one tester who weighs under 150 pounds. 'I like that the memory foam in the top helps to add some cushion. Plus, the springs help distribute weight more evenly and offer good support.' Another tester echoes this thought and says, 'This bed has a nice middle ground between cushiony and dense; it provides that contouring feel that I prefer with a medium-firm profile.'
Although we typically advise side sleepers to choose a soft to medium mattress rather than a medium-firm one, our team rated the Nectar Classic Hybrid an 8 out of 10 for side sleeping because of its contouring and cushiony feel. However, this bed shines most for back and stomach sleepers, which we rated an 8.5 out of 10 for each position. Nectar Classic Hybrid Mattress Features
Firmness and feel are factors mainly influenced by weight and preferred sleep posture, but other important features like pressure relief, temperature and motion transfer remain more constant. Here's what our testers thought after putting the Nectar Classic Hybrid through our mattress testing process . Pressure Relief
Your mattress should properly cradle your joints and relieve pressure along your spine, otherwise it's not doing your body (and sleep) any good. Stomach and back sleepers typically require the least amount of pressure relief, while side sleepers benefit from more since their shoulder and hip bear greater weight. Our testers rated the Nectar Classic Hybrid an 8 out of 10 for pressure relief overall, crediting its medium-firm profile for providing both cushion and support. 'The mattress doesn't fully conform to my body, but it still is very comfortable. There is no pressure buildup in my neck, shoulders or hips while side sleeping,' says one tester.
Our long-term tester who slept on it in her home for 3o nights agrees, and says, 'The mattress provides excellent pressure relief, particularly when I sleep on my side. It has enough give to allow my shoulders and hips to sink in comfortably.' Lightweight side sleepers, on the other hand, should consider a softer mattress that has more cushion and give. Cooling
Memory foam mattresses are known to retain heat, but the Nectar Hybrid is designed to help combat this claim. Garrett says, 'The mattress cover is noticeably cooling,' while another tester adds, 'The cover feels cool to the touch and my body heat isn't badly trapped after lying in a single position for a while.' The coils inside the Nectar Hybrid let air flow through more efficiently, and its cover is woven with cooling fibers to help absorb excess body heat.
The Nectar Classic Hybrid features cooling tech in the cover to help absorb body heat. BRIDGET CHAPMAN FOR FORBES
However, our long-term tester says, 'While it wasn't enough to cause overheating during the night, if I happened to wake up for other reasons, I needed to change positions to alleviate the heat buildup underneath my body.' She adds that she'd recommend the Nectar Classic Hybrid for those who don't have major temperature regulation issues. If you sleep hot, you may want to consider a cooling mattress instead. Motion Transfer
Even though its coils help make the Nectar Hybrid Mattress more responsive, it still offers good motion isolation that deadens movement from your co-sleeper (whether it's a human or your restless pet). Our testers rated this category an 8.5 out of 10 after performing a water glass test, which entails placing a glass on one side of the mattress and making movements around it to see how the water's impacted. 'The motion isolation is pretty impressive on this mattress,' says one tester. 'I went tossing and turning, but the water in the glass only moved about half an inch in the glass, and the actual glass itself did not budge.' Another agrees on its performance and says couples would give it high marks. Support
Support is an important metric for anyone shopping for a mattress, but especially heavyweight individuals over 250 pounds and back and stomach sleepers. According to the brand, a queen-size Nectar Classic Hybrid can support up to 1,000 pounds of evenly distributed weight. One tester weighing between 150 and 250 pounds says, 'I feel like it provides a lot of support while still conforming to my body shape.'
It also received high marks for stomach sleeping, which our testers rated an 8.5 out of 10. However, our long-term tester thinks heavyweight stomach sleepers should consider a different choice. 'It doesn't feel like it causes a big enough misalignment in my spine to create an issue, however, a heavier stomach sleeper might find it does.' We recommend stomach sleepers over 250 pounds check out our list of the best mattresses for heavy people instead.
The Nectar Classic Hybrid can support up to 1,000 pounds. Jamie Ueda For Forbes
Edge support, or perimeter strength, is also an important factor, especially for couples who have to share a full- or queen-size mattress or people who like to sleep or sit on the side of the bed. During testing, we found this bed's edge support stands out as one of its strongest features (9 out of 10), thanks to its reinforced coils. 'Its edge support is impressive; I really do not notice much of a difference between the edges and center in terms of support,' says a tester. Ease Of Movement
Some memory foam mattresses provide pushback or resistance when you switch positions because your body has to warm up the material before it softens and gives. The Nectar Classic Hybrid Mattress is different in that it offers good ease of movement and takes the struggle out of changing sleep postures or getting in and out of bed. As a result, our testers rated its ease of movement an 8.5 out of 10. Nectar Classic Hybrid Mattress Pricing
Nectar is owned and operated by parent company Resident Home, which also owns the comfortable and competitively priced DreamCloud mattresses. Nectar mattresses are known for their signature feel that is reminiscent of memory foam from popular competitors, but Nectar offers some of the best values and company policies in the industry. Shipping And Delivery
Nectar offers free standard delivery where your mattress ships compressed in a box within three to five business days from when you order and then arrives two to five business days after that. You can upgrade to a white glove delivery service for an additional $199, which covers in-person delivery and setup of two items and old mattress removal if you choose. Trial Period And Returns
Most standard mattress trials are 100 nights, but Nectar offers 365 nights. You can choose to return your mattress for a full refund within the trial window, but Nectar asks you to wait at least 30 days to initiate a return so your body settles to the profile and feel of your new bed. Warranty
Nectar offers what it calls a Forever Warranty, which is essentially a limited lifetime guarantee. It states that if you experience specific defects in construction, materials or quality, the company will replace your mattress free of charge within the first ten years of ownership. After ten years, Nectar will fully repair your mattress, although shipping fees apply. To maintain coverage, it's important to follow the warranty guidelines carefully to avoid voiding the policy. Other Mattresses From Nectar
Nectar currently offers four different mattress models that are all available in all-foam and hybrid constructions, including the Premier and Ultra below.
In the next tier above the Nectar Classic Hybrid is the Nectar Premier Hybrid Mattress, which provides a slightly softer feel and a more advanced cooling cover. We think it's better for back and side sleepers who prefer something more cushioned than the dense, medium-firm Nectar Classic.
The Nectar Ultra Memory Foam Mattress is one of the brand's most premium choices. It has a softer, marshmallowy feel and a tall 15-inch profile that makes for a luxe sleep experience. We think it's best for side sleepers or lightweight back sleepers because of its doughy profile.
There aren't many mattresses that can suit back, stomach and side sleepers all at once, but the Nectar Classic Hybrid Mattress hits the mark. Unless you're a side sleeper under 150 pounds, you should enjoy its balanced feel and firmness, which testers say is both dense and cushioned. Couples should also enjoy its highlight features including edge support and motion isolation, meaning the perimeter is sturdy enough for those who share a smaller mattress and it deadens motion so you aren't disturbed by your partner's movements.
However, strict side sleepers and others who prefer a softer mattress should consider something more pressure relieving for the hips and shoulders, like the Nectar Ultra, which also comes in a hybrid version. On the other hand, if you're looking for a more supportive or firmer option, check out the best mattresses for heavy people and best firm mattresses instead. Why Trust Forbes Vetted
Our team of editors and writers has extensive experience in the sleep space and a passion to help you find quality products that lead to better rest. We also put every mattress through the same testing process to eliminate outside factors that may interfere with results and maintain consistency. McKenzie Dillon, author of this article, is a mattress and sleep editor at Forbes Vetted who has been researching and writing about the topic of sleep for over six years. She has her sleep science coach certification and has tested over 100 different beds, and has tested many different models from the Nectar and DreamCloud brands.
Bridget Chapman is the senior mattress and sleep editor at Forbes Vetted and oversees the category with Dillon. She has tested over 200 different beds and is a tenured editor in the mattress space with a sleep science coach certification. How We Tested The Nectar Classic Hybrid Mattress
We tested the Nectar Classic Hybrid Mattress in two ways: through group sessions and long-term individual use. So far this year, our team's tested over 90 mattresses in group settings, focusing on metrics that are essential for identifying the most accommodating and comfortable choice. During our group testing, eight individuals—all varying in size, sleep posture and more—tested the Nectar Classic Hybrid alongside dozens of other top-rated models.
We also had a long-term tester sleep on the Nectar Classic Hybrid at home for a full month to understand how it performs in a regular, overnight setting.
Our testers evaluated key features including firmness, feel, support, pressure relief, temperature, motion isolation and more.
How Long Does A Nectar Hybrid Last?
Nectar offers a limited lifetime warranty, meaning it will replace any hybrid mattress that has manufacturing defects within the first ten years of ownership free of charge. After ten years, it will completely repair and re-cover the mattress if it has a defined defect and charge a shipping fee. That said, a hybrid mattress should generally last around ten to 12 years with proper care, and no mattress should be used forever.
Is A Nectar Hybrid Mattress Good For Back Pain?
The Nectar Classic Hybrid Mattress has a medium-firm profile that balances support with pressure relief and a hybrid construction with steel coils, which are both features that doctors and experts recommend if you live with back pain.
Is The Nectar Hybrid Mattress Good For Side Sleepers?
The Nectar Classic Hybrid Mattress is good for most side sleepers over 150 pounds, but lightweight side sleepers should consider a softer mattress with more cushion and pressure relief.