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Nectar vs Purple is one of the most searched mattress matchups because these two bed-in-a-box brands feel completely different. The Nectar Classic is a traditional memory foam mattress with a slow, hugging feel, while the Purple Mattress swaps memory foam for a stretchy polymer grid that feels bouncy and sleeps cool. We compared specs, expert testing and owner reviews to show which one fits your body, sleep position and budget.
Part of our Mattress & Sleep Buying Guides.
The short answer
Buy the Nectar Classic if you are a side or back sleeper who likes the cradling feel of memory foam, you share a bed with a restless partner, or you want the longest trial and warranty for the least money. Buy the Purple Mattress if you sleep hot, change positions a lot, or dislike feeling stuck in memory foam. Our overall pick for most shoppers is the Nectar Classic, because expert testers rate it highly for pressure relief and motion isolation and it typically costs far less.
Check price: Purple Mattress →
Side-by-side specs
| Spec | Nectar Classic | Purple Mattress |
|---|---|---|
| Type | All-foam (memory foam comfort layer) | Polymer grid over polyfoam (no memory foam) |
| Comfort layer | Memory foam over a transitional polyfoam layer | 2-inch Purple GelFlex Grid |
| Height | 12 inches | 9.25 inches |
| Firmness (1-10) | About 6, medium firm | About 6 to 7, depending on the reviewer |
| Feel | Slow-responding contour, hug | Springy, responsive, floats you on top |
| Queen weight | About 83 lb | About 88 lb |
| Sleep trial | 365 nights (30-night minimum) | 100 nights (21-night minimum) |
| Warranty | Lifetime limited | 10-year limited |
| Shipping | Free in the contiguous US; white glove extra | Free in the contiguous US; in-home setup extra |
| Price range (queen) | Budget to mid-range; almost always on sale | Mid-range to premium |
Price tiers for a queen mattress: Budget = under $800, Mid-range = $800 to $1,400, Premium = over $1,400. Both brands discount heavily year-round, so check the current price before you buy.
Feel and firmness
This is the biggest difference between the two. The Nectar Classic uses memory foam on top, so it slowly sinks and molds around your shoulders and hips. Most testers rate it around a 6 out of 10, a medium-firm feel that cradles without letting you bottom out. Some reviewers note it can feel a little like sleeping “in” the bed, which memory foam fans love and combination sleepers may not.
The Purple Mattress uses a 2-inch grid of hyper-elastic polymer that collapses under pressure points but pushes back elsewhere. It feels bouncy and responsive, nothing like memory foam. Firmness ratings range from about 6 to 7 depending on the source, and Sleep Foundation calls the feel polarizing: some sleepers love it immediately, while others find it too firm or odd.
Winner: Tie. Choose Nectar for a classic memory foam hug and Purple for a buoyant, on-top feel.
Pressure relief and support
Both mattresses do a good job relieving pressure for side and back sleepers in the average weight range. Expert sources split on which is better: Sleep Foundation’s testing gave the Nectar a slight edge for pressure relief, while Sleepopolis and Tom’s Guide leaned toward Purple’s grid. Tom’s Guide also suggests Purple for heavier bodies and back pain, while Nectar suits lighter sleepers. Neither is firm enough for most stomach sleepers, according to Sleep Foundation.
Winner: Tie, with Nectar slightly better for lighter side sleepers and Purple for heavier back sleepers.
Cooling
Purple is the clear choice if you run hot. Its open grid lets air move freely and holds almost no heat at the surface, and both Sleep Foundation and Sleepopolis rate it cooler than the Nectar. The Nectar has a breathable cover and gel-infused memory foam, but all-foam beds still tend to trap more warmth. Sleep Foundation notes that even the Purple’s polyfoam base sleeps warmer than a coil hybrid.
Winner: Purple.
Motion isolation and edge support
All three expert sources agree both mattresses absorb motion well, which helps couples. The Nectar’s memory foam is slightly better at muffling a partner’s movement in Sleep Foundation’s testing. Edge support is a weakness for both, as is common with all-foam beds, with the Nectar scoring a little higher.
Winner: Nectar, narrowly.
Ease of movement
If you toss and turn or switch positions during the night, Purple’s springy grid makes moving around much easier. Memory foam takes a moment to recover, so some Nectar sleepers report feeling slightly stuck when rolling over.
Winner: Purple.
Trial, warranty and value
Nectar’s 365-night trial and lifetime limited warranty are among the most generous in the industry, compared with Purple’s 100-night trial and 10-year warranty. Nectar also sells for much less: Sleep Foundation describes the Purple as costing almost double the Nectar Classic, and both Tom’s Guide and Sleep Foundation call the Nectar one of the better values online. Sleep Foundation does note that some owners of both beds report soft spots after several years.
Winner: Nectar.
Pros and cons
Nectar Classic
|
Purple Mattress
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What owners say (Nectar Classic): Sleepers frequently praise the pressure relief and value and say a partner’s movements barely register, while the most common complaints are warmth on summer nights and some sagging or soft spots after several years.
What owners say (Purple Mattress): Fans rave about how cool and buoyant it feels and say it relieved pressure points, but others find the grid too firm or strange and dislike the higher price and heavy weight.
Which should you buy?
Choose the Nectar Classic if: you sleep on your side or back, love memory foam, share the bed with a restless partner, or want the safety net of a year-long trial at a lower price.
Choose the Purple Mattress if: you sleep hot, move around a lot at night, are a heavier back sleeper, or have tried memory foam and felt trapped.
Our pick: The Nectar Classic is the better value for most people. The Purple Mattress is worth the extra money for hot sleepers and anyone who wants a responsive, non-memory-foam feel.
Check price: Purple Mattress →
Alternatives worth a look
- Nectar Classic Hybrid: the same memory foam feel over coils for more bounce, edge support and airflow. Check price on Amazon
- Purple Plus: a thicker grid version for extra cushioning and pressure relief. Check price on Amazon
- Casper Original: a balanced all-foam option that sits between memory foam hug and responsive bounce. Check price on Amazon
FAQ
Is Nectar or Purple better for side sleepers?
Both work well for average-weight side sleepers. The Nectar’s memory foam contours closely around shoulders and hips, while the Purple’s grid relieves pressure with a bouncier feel. Lighter side sleepers often prefer the Nectar; hot sleepers may prefer the Purple.
Does the Purple Mattress sleep cooler than the Nectar?
Yes. Expert testers consistently rate the Purple cooler because its open grid surface allows airflow and retains very little heat. The Nectar is breathable for a memory foam bed but tends to feel warmer.
How long are the Nectar and Purple sleep trials?
Nectar offers a 365-night trial with a 30-night minimum before returning. Purple offers 100 nights with a 21-night minimum. Check each brand’s current terms before buying.
Is either mattress good for stomach sleepers?
Sleep Foundation found neither is firm enough for most stomach sleepers. Stomach sleepers usually do better on a firmer mattress that keeps the hips from sinking.
Related guides
- The Best Memory Foam Mattresses of 2026
- The Best Cooling Mattresses of 2026 for Hot Sleepers
- The Best Mattress for Side Sleepers of 2026
- The Best Mattress Under $1,000 of 2026
- Mattress & Sleep Buying Guides
Sources
Sleep Foundation: Nectar vs Purple; Sleepopolis: Nectar vs Purple; Tom’s Guide: Nectar vs Purple. Owner feedback is summarized in our own words from public reviews. Photos courtesy of Unsplash.