Top Nectar Mattress Alternatives in 2024 (+ Why Choose Purple vs. Nectar)

Top Pick: With innovative temperature balancing and soothing pressure relief, Purple mattresses are the best Nectar mattress alternative. Unlike memory foam mattresses, Purple mattresses don’t trap heat and adapt as you move so you can sleep more comfortably with fewer disturbances.

Nectar is an online mattress company that began in 2017 and specializes in memory foam and memory foam hybrid mattresses.

Nectar’s gel-infused memory foam helps sleepers stay cool, but memory foam is more likely to trap heat and make it difficult to move than other mattress materials, leading customers to seek out Nectar alternatives. Comparatively, Purple mattresses sleep up to 4x* cooler than competitors like Nectar, making them a more comfortable choice.

Just as there are several worthwhile alternatives to Leesa memory foam mattresses, some of the top Nectar alternatives include:

1. Purple 
2. DreamCloud
3. Casper
4. Leesa
5. Saatva
6. Cocoon by Sealy
7. Bear
8. Helix
9. Emma
10. Zinus

In this guide, we’ll explore the best Nectar mattress alternatives from Purple, diving into the unique features that make Purple mattresses the best choice of mattress for anyone in search of a Nectar alternative.

Methodology: We assessed the features, benefits, and considerations of each mattress from Nectar and compared them with Purple’s mattresses to determine the best alternatives. Key factors included pressure relief, airflow, motion isolation, and ease of movement.

*Disclaimer: Thermal test and heat flux study conducted by Purple on Purple hybrid mattresses in 2023.

Innovative Sleep Technology

Our GelFlex® Grid is a superior alternative to memory foam that provides conforming pressure relief without a delayed response.

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Best Nectar Mattress Alternatives

Purple mattresses are some of the best Nectar alternatives, providing soothing pressure relief and reducing motion transfer. NapLab’s comprehensive comparison and review of Purple and Nectar make it clear: Purple mattresses are cooler, more durable, more responsive, and better overall than Nectar’s options.¹

While memory foam mattresses like Nectar’s can trap heat during sleep, Purple’s mattresses are some of the best cooling mattresses on the market. Options like the Purple RestorePremier^TM Hybrid Mattress feature the GelFlex® Grid, which increases airflow to keep you at a comfortable temperature all night long. 

1. Purple RestorePlus™ Hybrid Mattress

Alternative for: Nectar Premier Copper Hybrid Mattress

Where Nectar’s Premier Copper Hybrid Mattress combines steel coils and memory foam, the Purple RestorePlus™ Hybrid Mattress cradles your pressure points and dissipates heat with proprietary materials like our innovative GelFlex® Grid.

If you’re searching for the best mattresses for back pain, Purple’s RestorePlus™ is a great option, supporting the broader surface of your back to promote spinal alignment and cushioning your hips and shoulders with zoned coils.

A hybrid mattress with memory foam is more likely to trap heat as you sink into it, but the RestorePlus™ features the breathable GelFlex® Grid and Edge-to-Edge Coils for structured support, contoured relief, and maximum comfort all night long.

• Feel: Two feel options
• Key Features: Up to 3x cooler* than competitors, zoned support, advanced pressure relief
• Materials: 3” GelFlex® Grid, Ultra Comfort Foam, zoned Edge-to-Edge Coil Support System, antimicrobial and Moisture-Wicking Cover
• Sizes: Twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
• Price: $$-$$$

*Disclaimer: Thermal test and heat flux study conducted by Purple on Purple hybrid mattresses in 2023.

Purple’s RestorePlus™ Hybrid Mattress combines the pressure-relieving comfort of memory foam with superior breathability and zoned support for spinal alignment, earning it the following awards:

• PopSugar: Best Luxury Mattress²
• Forbes: Best Cooling Mattress in a Box³

“Great mattress, keeps cool on those hot nights. Very soft and comfortable, reducing back pain as it conforms to your body. Pairs extremely well with the adjustable base. Highly recommended quality mattress, well worth the money.” — Brandon W., Purple RestorePlus™ review

2. Purple Restore™ Hybrid

Alternative for: Nectar Hybrid Mattress + Nectar Premier Hybrid Mattress

The Purple Restore™ Hybrid Mattress offers similar contoured support to Nectar’s Hybrid Mattress and Premier Hybrid Mattress, but with more breathability, responsiveness, and durability compared to memory foam mattresses, Purple’s flagship hybrid mattress is a great alternative.

While Nectar Hybrid and Premier Hybrid Mattresses feature a quilted cooling cover, Purple’s Restore™ Hybrid Mattress keeps you cool with our instantly adaptive GelFlex® Grid; with 1,400 air channels to increase airflow and dissipate heat, our revolutionary sleep technology helps you sleep more soundly.

• Feel: Two feel options
• Key Features: Up to 2x cooler* than competitors, soothing pressure relief, responsive support
• Materials: 2” GelFlex® Grid, Comfort Foam, Edge-to-Edge Coil Support System, Antimicrobial Finish
• Sizes: Twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
• Price: $-$$

*Disclaimer: Thermal test and heat flux study conducted by Purple on Purple hybrid mattresses in 2023.

Get better sleep and fewer disruptions with Purple’s Restore™ Hybrid Mattress, which has earned the following awards:

• CNET: Best Hybrid Mattress for 2024⁴
• Forbes: Best Hybrid Mattress (Without Fiberglass)⁵
• The Spruce: Best Firm Mattress (in the firm feel option)⁶
• People: Best Mattress for Side Sleepers⁷

“We love this mattress. It has been about a year and we could never go back to another brand. It's comfy and big enough for us and our cats for bedtime. Definitely recommend, and get the king while you're at it.” — Asher, Purple Restore™ review

3. Purple Plus® Mattress

Alternative for: Nectar Premier Copper Mattress

The Purple Plus® Mattress offers extra comfort with layers of Ultra Comfort Foam and our proprietary GelFlex® Grid that cradle your body and dissipate heat for cooling pressure point relief that rivals Nectar’s Premier Copper Mattress.

Where Nectar’s Premier Copper Mattresses integrate copper fibers and gel-infused memory foam, the Purple Plus® Mattress instantly adapts to your body for a temperature neutral, breathable experience suitable for most sleep positions — recommended especially for side sleepers.

Memory foam mattresses are more likely to trap heat and make you feel like you’re sinking as you get comfortable, but the Purple Plus® Mattress keeps you cool, supports spinal alignment, and offers exceptional edge support, responsiveness, and motion isolation to enhance your sleep quality — at a lower price point.

• Feel: Medium 
• Key Features: Breathable design, double support layers, great motion isolation, temperature balancing, soothing pressure relief
• Materials: 2” GelFlex® Grid, Ultra Comfort Foam, 2x Base Foam
• Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
• Price: $-$$

The Purple Plus® Mattress cools, supports, and cradles your body to maximize your comfort, earning these awards:

• People: Best Medium Support Mattress⁷
• Esquire: Best Mattress for Side Sleepers⁸

“I don't normally write reviews but I'm loving my Purple Plus. I have chronic knee, back, and neck pain from years of military service and the fact that I'm accident prone and love to do dumb stuff. I also usually sleep 4-5 hours and then wake up. Ever since getting my mattress I wake up feeling like I've actually slept and rested, my body hurts less, and I average 6.5-7 hours of sleep. This is by far the best mattress I've slept on.” — Jeff B., Purple Plus® review

4. The Purple Mattress®

Alternative for: Nectar Premier Mattress

The original Purple Mattress® is unlike other types of mattresses, featuring our innovative, instantly adaptive GelFlex® Grid that cradles your body, keeps your spine aligned, and increases airflow for increased comfort.

Compared to memory foam mattresses like Nectar’s Premier Mattress, the Purple Mattress® offers cooling relief for pressure points like your hips and shoulders without retaining heat. 

• Feel: Medium-firm
• Key Features: Refreshing pressure relief, temperature balancing, durable full-body support
• Materials: 2” GelFlex® Grid, Comfort Foam, Edge Support Foam, Durable Base Foam, SoftFlex Cover
• Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
• Price: $-$$

The Purple Mattress® offers superior cooling, pressure relief, and full-body support, earning it the following awards: 

• Good Housekeeping: Best Cooling Mattress in a Box⁹
• TechRadar: Best Cooling Mattress for Back Pain¹⁰
• Today: Best Innovative Mattress¹¹

“It's so comfortable, but firm enough for my husband. We had just become accustomed to back pain until we bought the Purple. Game changer.” — Emily E.,  The Purple Mattress® review

5. PurpleFlex™ Mattress

Alternative for: Nectar Memory Foam Mattress

The PurpleFlex™ Mattress provides the benefits of memory foam without the heat retention and sinkage thanks to the cooling, responsive properties of the GelFlex® Grid.

The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress offers contoured pressure relief, but memory foam can trap heat and cause discomfort. While you have the option to upgrade the Nectar mattress with a copper-infused cooling cover for an additional fee, the PurpleFlex™ Mattress features the built-in GelFlex® Grid for superior temperature balance and breathability.

• Feel: Medium-firm
• Key Features: Temperature balancing, stable base support, soothing pressure relief
• Materials: Durable Base Foam topped with 2” GelFlex® Grid
• Sizes: Twin, full, queen, king
• Price: $-$$

Experience soothing pressure relief and innovative temperature balancing technology with the PurpleFlex™ Mattress, which has earned the following award:

• Men’s Health: Best Firm Memory Foam Mattress¹²

“Since receiving the mattress, it has exceeded all expectations. Super comfortable for both of us and we're both predominantly side sleepers. The mattress also does a good job of absorbing a lot of the partner movement/noise that a traditional spring mattress might have. I would recommend even the base-level mattress for anyone who's interested!” — Dylan, PurpleFlex™ review

Why Choose Purple vs. Nectar?

Purple mattresses can enhance your sleep quality by providing ample pressure relief without retaining heat, making them great Nectar alternatives.

The key difference between Nectar and Purple mattresses is the sleep technology used and benefits offered. Where Nectar mattresses include layers of memory foam, Purple mattresses feature our proprietary GelFlex® Grid, an innovative piece of sleep technology engineered to cradle your pressure points, support your spine, and promote airflow.

Nectar’s hybrid mattresses feature a combination of innersprings and memory foam while Purple’s Restore™ Hybrid Mattresses combine the unique GelFlex® Grid with Edge-to-Edge coils to better support your body and relieve pressure.

1. Innovative Sleep Technology

We developed the GelFlex® Grid to transform your sleep experience, resulting in an unparalleled piece of sleep technology that delivers contoured relief for key pressure points, soothing airflow and breathability, and full-body support.

Memory foam mattresses like Nectar’s provide a conformed feel that cradles your pressure points, but sleeping on memory foam can trap heat and feel like you’re sinking, especially for heavier individuals. Mattresses that use gel memory foam provide more cooling than standard memory foam and are often more responsive, but the sinkage remains consistent with this type of mattress.

Unlike memory foam, the GelFlex® Grid keeps you cool with 1,400 air channels that dissipate heat and instantly adapt to the movement of your body, providing targeted pressure relief where you need it most. Specially engineered to provide pressure relief, full-body support, and temperature balancing, the GelFlex® Grid is a revolutionary sleep technology unlike any other.

2. Best-in-Class Cooling

In a comparison of Nectar and Purple mattresses, Mattress Clarity rates Purple as the cooler option, as memory foam is more likely to trap heat, even with a gel infusion.¹³ 

Sleepopolis also recognizes Purple mattresses as a great option for hot sleepers compared to Nectar mattresses thanks to increased airflow from its open-cell design.¹⁴

While memory foam can trap heat as you sink into it, Purple mattresses sleep up to 4x* cooler than major competitors because they are more effective at removing excess heat. The open air channels of the GelFlex® Grid draw heat away from your skin while supporting your body and relieving pressure from sensitive areas, keeping you more comfortable no matter what position you prefer.

*Disclaimer: Thermal test and heat flux study conducted by Purple on Purple hybrid mattresses in 2023.

3. No Sinking Feeling

Memory foam mattresses are known for their cushioned, contoured pressure relief, but the sinking, trapped feeling that often accompanies this benefit can make memory foam less appealing. If a memory foam mattress is too soft and you sink too much, the memory foam can hurt your back by putting too much pressure on your hips, lumbar spine, and neck.

You won’t sink into a Purple mattress and find it hard to escape like you might a memory foam one. Our responsive GelFlex® Grid makes it easier to move around while offering pressure relief and broader support, keeping your spine aligned, and taking pressure off sensitive areas. 

4. Adapts Instantly

While memory foam sinks to contour to your body, the GelFlex® Grid instantly adapts to cradle your pressure points and support broader surfaces, offering a tailored sleep experience no matter what position you prefer. NapLab recognizes Purple mattresses’ bounciness and responsiveness, which makes it easier for you to shift positions and get out of bed.¹ 

5. Exceptional Durability

How long your mattress should last depends on the type, construction, and quality, your mattress. The lifespan of a Nectar mattress typically ranges from seven to 10 years with proper care, but memory foam mattresses are more prone to sagging and sinkage with time, especially if you and your bedding exceed the mattress weight limit.

Purple mattresses are made with durable materials that are less likely to break down over time, so you can enjoy high-quality, restful sleep for longer. Mattress Clarity agrees that Purple mattresses last longer and withstand more use compared to Nectar mattresses.¹³

6. Options for All Sleepers

The unique construction of our GelFlex® Grid adapts to your body as you move to cradle your pressure points, making it a great option for combination sleepers, according to Sleepopolis.¹⁴ If you’re a side sleeper, Vice recommends the Nectar Premier Memory Foam Mattress, but for better spinal alignment and refreshing pressure relief, try the Purple Mattress® instead.¹⁵

Most Purple mattresses are available in two feel options to accommodate your individual preferences, but Nectar mattresses are only available in one standard firmness level, which may not be comfortable or supportive enough for your needs.

We offer mattresses to suit any sleep style, firmness preferences, and budget:

• Purple Rejuvenate Luxe Collection: The Purple Rejuvenate Luxe Collection offers luxurious pressure relief, blissful cooling, full-body support, and indulgent comfort.
• Purple Restore Hybrid Collection: Our primary hybrid collection combines the incredible pressure relief of our GelFlex® Grid with zoned full-body support from Edge-to-Edge Coils, keeping you comfortable and aligned.
• Purple Essential Collection: Featuring the innovative GelFlex® Grid, the Purple Essential Collection features a simple construction offering exceptional pressure relief, soothing airflow, and support for spinal alignment at a lower price point.

Purple: The Memory Foam Alternative

So, is Nectar or Purple better? Between the GelFlex® Grid and memory foam, Purple’s proprietary sleep technology offers innovative support and relief no matter your preferred sleep position or comfort preferences.

The best mattress for you depends largely on what you need and want most, but the variety of Purple’s different mattresses, cradling pressure relief, and instantly adaptive responsiveness make Purple one of the best Nectar mattress alternatives on the market.

Maximize Your Sleep Quality

Enjoy cooling comfort and full-body support with Purple’s revolutionary GelFlex® Grid in every mattress.

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