Nectar vs Tuft and Needle: A Head-to-Head Comparison

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Is it time to invest in a brand-new bed? Has mattress removal been on your mind for some time now?

If so, then you might have decided that you’d prefer to save yourself some crucial time and effort by purchasing something from a bed-in-box mattress company. Online mattress shopping companies offer lots of choices. Nectar and Tuft and Needle, for instance, provide a simpler way to get the mattress offers that you want to be delivered to your door. You’ll never have to worry about searching through countless bedding stores for the right options. With basic know-how of various mattress features, finding one can be hassle-free.

Nectar vs Tuft & Needle mattress comparison of products provides you with an in-depth overview of two memory foam-based mattresses that are designed to provide affordable and reliable memory foam comfort system. While Nectar employs a thicker memory foam layer for pressure relieving effect, Tuft and Needle is all about straightforward performance at a price point you can afford.

Here’s your guide to making the decision between Nectar lush vs Tuft and Needle, when you haven’t had the opportunity to test either bed out in person for yourself.

Tuft and Needle vs Nectar: Mattress Overview

Let’s start simple, by looking at what you can expect from each bed-in-a-box mattresses. Nectar Sleep is actually the new mattress brand of the two – launched in 2016. The flagship bed, known as the Nectar Mattress, provides triple-base layer memory foam comfort and a high-density polyfoam support core. The mattress protector is made from a blend of high quality lyocell cover (Tencel cover) and cotton.

The proprietary Nectar mattress is 11 inches thick and measures in at around medium firm feel in terms of comfort, with a rating of around 6.5 out of 10 (firmness scale: where 10 is the highest firmness range).

On the other hand, Tuft and Needle started life in 2012. The flagship bed is the Tuft & Needle mattress, which is a complete polyfoam model made with a comfort foam layer and a high-density supportive core. The mattress protector of the Tuft and needle product is made from a polyester blend with rayon. The mattress itself is around 10 inches thick, once again rated at “medium-firm”.

While both the Nectar lush and Tuft mattress share the same firmness rating and a commitment to all-foam construction, they provide a very different sleeping experiences. Today, we’re going to look at the key elements that help to separate these two bed options, so you can make an informed investment.

The Similarities Between the Mattresses

Before we can examine the main differences between sleeping on a Nectar mattress and a bed by Tuft and Needle, it’s worth looking at the areas where the two beds are very similar.

For instance, we’ve already established that both of these mattresses are all-foam in design. This means that you don’t have any springs to balance out the bed frame. Instead, the support and comfort are both provided by a unique combination of different memory foam layers. While both Tuft and Needle and Nectar offer a full base foam built, the experience offered by these mattresses differs entirely.

Another thing these options have in common is that they’re both intended to provide cooling relief. That’s because resting on foam-filled beds usually leads to heat buildup. The softer the foam, the warmer you’re likely to get during the night, since you’ll sink into the bed and your body heat will gather around you.

Gel memory foam and natural cooling elements, like Nectar’s use of Tencel, are integrated to prevent overheating on warm nights. Additionally, in the Tuft and Needle mattress, you’ll find that the layers of memory foam are covered by a Tactel material. This is a moisture-wicking substitute to cotton that can help to keep your mattress from becoming too moist when you start sweating.

Finally, another common mattresses feature between Tuft and Needle and Nectar mattresses is that they’re both relatively affordable. As bed-in-a-box solutions that are delivered straight to your door, the products come with a low price tag. Quite a significant advantage, particularly when you consider the premium materials included within. If you’re looking for a high-quality mattress that won’t force you to spend a fortune, then either mattress will be a good option for you.

Nectar vs Tuft & Needle: Contrasting Factors

1. Construction or Mattress Assembly

Now that you know what makes the two mattresses similar, we can start to explore the components that differentiate them from each other. For instance, let’s begin by looking at the construction of both all-foam mattresses.

Nectar

nectar mattress

The Nectar memory foam bed includes a cover made from a blend of Tencel and cotton. Tencel is an eco-friendly fiber best known for its breathability and softness. The mattress is also quilted with an inch of gel memory foam, that aids in keeping you cool throughout the night.

Underneath the Nectar cover, the top layer of the Nectar mattress is the “comfort layer”. This is the part where three inches of thick memory foam work to create a soft and durable environment for any sleep position. The memory foam that  Nectar offers has a fantastic slow response to pressure. Plus, it contours to whatever body types, so you can access fantastic levels of pressure relief. You’ll sink a bit far in this layer, which makes you feel like you’re sleeping “inside” the mattress. A common trait among pure foam bed options.

The Nectar lush transition layer comes underneath the comfort component. The transitional portion acts as a bridge between your foundational “support” foam and the softer portion above. This section responds more quickly to pressure, but it still contours well to the shape of your body. In turn, this makes it highly convenient for anyone with average weight.

Finally, the Nectar’s foundation layer at the base of the mattress is made of 6 inches of high-density polyfoam. This is the part of the bed that gives it its stability and shape. It also ensures that your unit along with its bed frame remains durable for years to come.

Tuft and Needle

a couple drinking in the bed

Like the Nectar mattress, the Tuft and Needle product starts with a mattress cover made from a blend of high quality polyester and Tactel material. Tactel is similar to Tencel, and it’s known for its quick-drying properties. If you’re the kind of person who sweats a lot at night, then this could be the best option for you. Underneath the cooling cover, you’ll find the first layer of the Tuft and Needle mattress – the comfort layer.

The comfort section or top layer of the Tuft and Needle mattress is made out of three inches of memory foam. Though soft, this foam responds quickly to pressure. This means that you get a bouncier level of top support. Additionally, because the Tuft and Needle mattress is highly responsive to pressure points, it’s a good option for combo sleepers who tend to change positions frequently.

The mattress’s comfort layer sits atop seven inches of polyfoam, which also serves as the foundational support layer of the mattress. This feature of the Tuft and Needle bed helps the mattress to maintain its shape.

Since the Tuft and Needle mattress only has two layers of memory foam, it’s a much simpler bed design than what you would typically get from Nectar. However, that doesn’t make it any less comfortable, depending on what you need from your mattress.

Winner: If you’re looking for a more luxurious bed, then the Nectar mattress is probably the winner in this category. Those who need simplicity should look to Tuft and Needle.

2. Measuring Comfort and Support

The comfort layers in both the Nectar and Tuft and Needle beds contribute to the mattresses’ unique vibes. While Nectar’s top memory foam helps to provide deeper sinking and body contouring, Tuft and Needle’s proprietary foam offers more bounce. Hence, if you don’t like feeling as though you’re sleeping in your mattress, Tuft & Needle offers might be the best option.

On the other hand, the design of the Nectar mattress means that you’re going to feel a lot more like you’re sinking into the bed. This traditional foam feel can appeal to a lot of weight sleepers and back sleepers who prefer to be hugged on all sides. However, not everyone likes a bed that mimics quicksand.

Although the unique combination of materials plus the gel memory foam in the Nectar mattress provides luxurious comfort, it can be a bit overwhelming if you’re used to sleeping on your bed, instead of ‘in’ it. The Nectar is better suited to sleepers who like feeling cocooned in a single position when they’re asleep.

Notably, however, just because the Nectar mattress allows you to sink quite deeply into it, doesn’t mean that it’s overly soft. You’re still going to get a relatively high mid-level mattress firmness of around 6.5 out of 10.

Alternatively, when it comes to measuring comfort and support in the Tuft and Needle mattress, it’s worth noting that it does have a lot more pressure relief and lumbar support to offer.

Winner: Tuft and Needle delivers better back and lumbar support due to its buoyancy.

3. Support for Different Kinds of Sleepers

Side sleepers will do quite well with the Tuft and Needle, although there are better beds out there if you need extra support around your hips and shoulders. The good thing about the Tuft and Needle for side sleepers is that you can switch between different positions quickly without noticing any bumps or dips in your bedding.

Unfortunately, since there’s no transition layer in the Tuft and Needle, like there is in the Nectar, you may feel more of the firm support layer at the bottom of the bed, especially if you’re a side sleeper.

Winner: Although both mattresses will suit combo sleepers (or people who like to sleep in a lot of different positions), overall, the Tuft and Needle is more recommended to back and stomach sleepers who want to avoid too much sagging around their hips and spine.

4. Motion Transfer (Sleeping with Partners)

When determining which kind of sleepers will fare best with Nectar vs Tuft and Needle beds, it’s worth noting that there’s more to consider besides your sleeping position. Side sleepers, as well as back sleepers and stomach sleepers, will also need to ask themselves if these beds are going to be comfortable when shared with a partner.

The good news is that, since both Nectar and Tuft mattresses are all-foam beds, they’re generally not going to have as much motion transfer or motion isolation as with hybrid and spring beds. That’s because all-foam mattresses can absorb a lot of motion and stop it from spreading out to the other side of the bed. Memory foam and the two layers of foam in the Tuft and Needle are excellent in limiting vibrations.

Both of these beds are pretty effective in controlling jarring motions or disturbance between back and stomach sleepers. However, it’s worth noting that both the mattress Tuft offers and the Nectar’s leave something to be desired when it comes to edge support. The thick comfort transition layer atop both of these mattresses makes the bed sink quite a bit when you move towards the edges. You might need to be careful if you’re rolling away from your partner in the middle of the night or sitting on the edge of your bed.

Winner: While the very sides of the bed make a poor sitting area due to minimal edge support, you should be able to roll up to the edge if you sleep on your back and stomach, without a problem. However, side sleepers might experience more of a dip, making the Nectar more appealing.

5. Body Heat and Temperature Management

While mattress type options like those from Tuft and Needle and Nectar are excellent in reducing motion transfer, they have issues with heat control. Whether you’ve got three layers of foam, like with the Nectar mattress or just two layers as with the Tuft and Needle option, all foams tend to hold onto heat.

The good news is that various mattress providers today do take extra precautions to keep you from feeling too warm when you go to bed at night. Nectar uses its cooling gel infusion in the top foam layers to help eliminate excess warmth.

On the other hand, Tuft and Needle mattress construction are infused with graphite to help pull heat away from the body and keep you cool. There’s also a gel infused on top of that and open-cell technology within the proprietary foam layers that maintain the cooling effect. These gel beads work wonders to enhance the temperature regulation of the material. The combined layers of foam come together to create a very unique experience for people who want all the benefits of memory foam, minus the heat problem.

Winner: If you’re looking for a memory foam mattress that is infused with graphite, has a good level of edge or support core and fantastic heat regulation, then the Tuft and Needle could be an instant winner for you.

6. Mattress Delivery and Off Gassing

newly delivered mattress

It’s easy to get carried away focusing on things like pressure relief and edge support when you’re choosing the perfect mattress. However, you’ll also need to think about the kind of customer experience you’re going to get, too.

An important thing to note is that many foam mattresses options will come with an annoying and somewhat off-putting mattress smell. The odor that comes with your mattress is called off gassing. This happens when the mattress is compressed for an extended period of time. You can’t always know how long your mattress will stay in a warehouse before it gets to you. Hence, it’s difficult to guess how bad that new mattress smell is going to be.

The Nectar beds are compressed and shipped overseas to customers around the world (which needless to say vary in shipping fee). You shouldn’t need to wait more than a few days for your mattress to arrive, and the short delivery time should help to reduce the odor. Additionally, the Tuft and Needle mattress has a fast shipping process, too. You just might want to check its shipping charges.

One important thing to note is that both mattress brands use the rights reserved CertiPUR-US label. This basically means that each bed has been approved to ensure that it doesn’t include any toxic products or chemicals. If you’re wondering “are Tuft and Needle mattresses any good? Chemical-wise, the answer is a huge yes.

Great thing is, you have tons of delivery options to explore. Popular picks include the White Glove delivery and Bed in a Box services.

Winner: Tuft and Needle wins hereTuft and Needle mattresses generally has a better air circulation system and also feature the rights reserved GreenGuard Gold certification, too, along with an Intertek Clean Air certification. Even if your mattress does smell a bit at first, those certifications are sure to give you some peace of mind.

7. Customer Service and Warranty Coverage

Another thing that will help you to sleep easier at night when you’re making the choice between a Nectar mattress vs Tuft and Needle is whether you’re going to get good customer service. Ultimately, we all expect a certain level of support from any company. When you’re buying a mattress online and you don’t have a chance to put each layer to the test yourself, it’s even more important to have a service you can trust.

Crucially, it’s worth noting that warranties, as well as the terms and conditions offered by brands like Tuft and Needle and Nectar, tend to feature a lot of fine print. For instance, Nectar has a lifetime warranty but it doesn’t apply to natural wear and tear that happens over time. On the plus side, this brand gives you a full year trial period, which is a lot more than you’re going to get from any other mattress company. The Nectar’s product allows you a 365 nights trial, perfect for testing out the mattress construction durability.

If you’re wondering “how long does Tuft and Needle last?” then taking a look at their own approach to night trial period agreements and trial warranty might help. You can get a 100 nights trial period with Tuft and Needle, which should be more than enough for most people. Although the trial period is shorter than Nectar’s, it should give you insight into the kind of comfort this unique memory foam design offers.

Additionally, Tuft and Needle also offers a 10 years warranty, along with free returns options if you feel that you need to send you mattress back. Overall, you get a fantastic level of customer support from both mattress brands.

Winner: Nectar’s trial period is definitely a deal-breaker. Furthermore, the lifelong warranty offered by Nectar compared to the competitor’s 10 years signifies the manufacturer’s confidence in their mattress. Besides, a longer warranty will be an advantage for you.

Which Mattress Should You Buy?

Mattress comparison is inevitable when choosing which mattress to buy from a company like Nectar or Tuft and Needle. And it’s not always easy. There are a lot of factors to consider. Questions to answer such as “which layers are going to give you the best pressure relief and support core feature?” or “Is a hi core memory foam best for your sleeping preferences? What about the surface area it occupies?” Ultimately, mattress reviews can vary.

The first thing to consider when deciding between Nectar vs Tuft and Needle is determining what kind of sleeper you are. Nectar’s thicker layers of memory foam are better suited for satisfying pressure relief if you don’t mind sinking into your mattress. Hence, the Nectar mattress is an ideal option for side sleepers or for people who tend to stay in one position while sleeping. On the other hand, if you like to sleep on your lower back or stomach or move around a lot, then you might like the Tuft mattresses better.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that the Nectar mattress is a bit more expensive than the Tuft & Needle mattress. If you’re looking for mattresses on a budget, then you may need to take the extra expense of the Nectar into account. However, do bear in mind that it comes with a longer night sleep trial period.

a woman sitting on a bed

Choose the Nectar Mattress if:

• You sleep on your side and don’t change position very often on your mattress

• You want a traditional foam feel for your mattress purchase

• You like the idea of a lifetime warranty and a long trial

• You need a lot of pressure relief

• You’re not quite a heavy sleeper

tuft & needle mattress

Choose the Tuft and Needle Mattress if:

• You want to sleep on your mattress instead of ‘in’ it

• You need excellent heat and temperature neutrality control

• You want highly responsive foam for combination sleepers

• You prefer to sleep on your stomach or back

• You’re looking for mattresses that are more budget-friendly

Which is Better – Casper vs Tuft and Needle?

There’s no one-size-fits-all for choosing the perfect mattress. However, the Tuft and Needle option may be better if you’re looking for a non-traditional memory foam mattress experience.

Which is Better – Purple or Tuft and Needle?

Tuft & Needle mattress options could be a better choice if you have a lot of issues with overheating at night. This brand’s mattress foams work wonders in eliminating extra heat.

Is Casper Better Than Nectar?

It all depends on your personal preference, but the Nectar mattress is a good choice for those who like sinkable softness and fantastic contouring.

Creating a Personalized Checklist

Another option you can explore when finalizing your mattress purchase between Nectar and Tuft & Needle is a checklist. We’ve compiled a sample set of items to consider when getting a comfortable mattress that’s within your preferred price points.

  • Be specific on sizes. Popular picks include: Twin XL, queen size, 350 twin XL, Twin XL 569, and Twin XL 39.
  • Pick your preferred built. Options like mint mattress, latex mattresses, micro polyamide made, adaptive  hi core memory built, or those with excellent adaptive foam transition layers are buyers favorite. Do I want pillow top or memory foam?
  • Sleeping preference.  The kind of foam mattress you choose will rely on how you sleep. Side sleepers will have different needs from stomach sleepers throughout the night. Mattress type varies in terms of comfort layers and memory foam feel.
  • Side features. These are add-on things that you can use to break the tie. Offers like free shipping, security features during delivery, at least 10 year warranty, sleep trial duration (365 night trial and 100 nights trial are offered in most), memory foam contour quality, motion isolation, positive customer reviews, pressure relief capability, edge support, bed in a box delivery method and comfort layers can be part of your consideration.
  • Reviews. Like it or not, there’s some truth behind what customers say online. Searching for Nectar mattress review or Tuft & Needle mattresses comments will already reveal a lot about the products.

Finishing Thoughts

Bottom line is, old mattress removal need not be a headache. Choosing the best memory foam feel mattress for a splendid sleeping experience is a tough process not to mention the tight competition in the mattress industry today. You’ll need to consider the firmness scale of the mattress, your body type and body weight, how effective the temperature regulation is, plus the night sleep trial duration. Even price range and the foundation or support layers of the item is crucial – is a polyfoam base better than polyurethane foam? You can also check some free shipping or ground shipping options for all brands.

In our opinion, the Tuft and Needle mattress is likely to be the better choice for people with overheating issues and those who like to change positions a lot at night. As a luxurious but affordable mattress, Tuft and Needle is the overall winner. It’s ideal for a range of sleepers and provides a more in-depth layer of back support.

Have you tried any of these mattresses? Do share your thoughts or sleeping experiences with these particular mattress models. We’d love to hear from you! Let us know which is the best mattress for you and feel free to leave your own mattress reviews!

Additional Resources

Rebekah Carter
Rebekah Carter

Rebekah Carter is a dedicated writer and researcher of sleep and relaxation solutions. She has years of experience testing out mattresses, pillows, and other products

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