Nectar vs. Purple: Which foam mattress is better?
Nectar might be sweet, but Purple is the color of royalty.
Credit:
Nectar / Purple / Reviewed
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Nectar and Purple are two major players when it comes to mattresses in a box. Each boasts tens of thousands of online reviews, which could make it difficult for you to settle for one brand over the other. Not to worry. Here at Reviewed, we subjected mattresses from both companies to rigorous testing, involving an at-home sleep stint and time in our lab. And we have the low-down on the benefits and drawbacks of each bed in this Nectar vs. Purple showdown. (Spoiler alert: Our answer varies based on whether you prefer a firm or soft mattress.)
Price and discounts
A queen from Nectar is significantly cheaper than one from Purple.
When it comes to pricing, Nectar easily edges out Purple. In a queen size, a full-priced Nectar mattress is just shy of $1,300, but with the company’s evergreen discounts, you can score it for closer to $800. That’s not to mention the free pillows, sheets, and mattress protector thrown in with each purchase.
A queen from Purple will set you back about $1,400—and the company doesn’t typically offer ongoing discounts or added bonuses. At the time this was written, you could score a free sheet set—but a customer service rep wasn’t sure how long the promotion would last and indicated that, unlike Nectar’s freebies, the perk isn’t ongoing.
Our pick: Nectar
Sleep surface sensation
The Purple mattress has a firm surface that's extra comfortable for back and stomach sleeping.
The Purple and Nectar mattresses might both be foam beds, but the way they feel is worlds apart.
The Nectar mattress has a soft sleep surface. Our tester said it was plush, like most memory foam mattresses, but she didn’t feel like she was sinking in too much. “It’s likely great for side sleepers, where uncomfortable pressure points are more prone to reveal themselves, but it might prove too soft for stomach and back sleepers,” she wrote.
The Purple mattress, on the other hand, was firm. Our tester, who generally sleeps on her stomach or side, said her lumbar spine was well supported. She didn’t sink too far into the bed in either sleep position. And the mattress felt great even when she tried it on her back.
In lab testing, both mattresses did well in diffusing heat, though the Purple had a bit of an edge. At home, our tester’s experience with each mattress mirrored lab findings. Neither made her feel overly warm, but the Nectar tended to heat up when our tester remained in one spot—though the surface would feel cool again a few minutes after she moved.
The Purple mattress was noticeably cool overnight, even during a New England summer. As such, it may be a great choice for hot sleepers in particular. “I tested it in early summer in my Boston apartment, which is on the third floor and lacks air conditioning,” she wrote. “Even so, I never woke up feeling overbaked and after I got up or moved on the mattress, I was consistently impressed by how quickly it was able to diffuse heat.”
Our pick: Purple for a firm surface, Nectar for a soft one
Materials
The Nectar mattress mattress has three layers of foam.
It’s no surprise that the two mattresses have distinct sleep sensations—it’s largely attributable to the different materials the companies use. The Nectar is a foot tall traditional memory foam mattress made of three internal layers: a top layer of gel memory foam, a “dynamic support” layer, and a stable memory foam base. The mattress is wrapped in a fabric cover that, unlike many others on the market, is fully removable and can be machine-washed. While this sounds like a plus, this negates the company’s warranty once you dig into the fine print.
The Purple mattress is 9.25 inches tall and has five layers, including its cover. Beneath its cover, there’s a two-inch hyper-elastic polymer grid. The company claims its unique grid will adapt and give pressure relief while keeping your body supported. Our tester didn’t notice a huge difference based on the grid, but she thought it may have provided extra air circulation and explain why the mattress slept so cool. Beneath the grid lies three layers of “comfort foam.”
While no mattress is easy to move, especially alone, the Purple’s construction made it particularly challenging. Not only was it heavy, it was also immensely floppy in our tester and lab staffs’ experiences. (We'll admit we move these things around more than the average consumer.) Finally, you'll have to stick to spot-cleaning the mattress cover with a mild laundry detergent. The company also suggests purchasing a machine-washable mattress protector.
Our pick: Nectar for a traditional memory foam feel; Purple for a cool, supportive foam
Trial and return policies
Nectar offers a generous trial period.
Nectar has one of the best sleep trials of any mattress-in-a-box company: Customers have a full year to make sure the bed is a good fit. The one caveat: You must try the mattress for at least 30 days before initiating a return. The company claims this is to allow your body enough time to adjust to a new mattress.
Purple’s return policy isn’t as generous time-wise; it will take mattresses back within 100 days. Its mandatory trial is also somewhat shorter at 21 days—a perk if you find that you hate the bed.
Both companies will help remove the mattress if you initiate a return. Purple’s website says the mattresses can be recycled if a charity isn’t found to take a mattress. The company will help you find a place for it to go. If you decide to return a Nectar mattress, the company says it will work with you to donate it or dispose of the unwanted mattresses with local community organizations.
Our pick: Nectar
Customer service
Purple has a much better track record with the BBB than Nectar.
The biggest drawback of Nectar is its customer service track record. Nectar’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) page reveals the company has received more than 1,000 complaints over the past three years, and its rating is just 1 star, based on more than 200 reviews. Complaints include allegations of unhelpful customer service representatives and rude managers as well as problems with returns or receiving promised free pillows.
Nectar’s parent company, Resident Home, has also faced multiple FTC charges for falsely claiming it used materials made in the United States and assembled its products in the U.S.
Purple fares better, with an average of four stars on its BBB page based on more than 300 reviews. Its track record isn’t spotless, with 191 complaints against it in the past three years—but it’s still far better than Nectar.
Online service reps have been polite and responsive to Reviewed’s sleep writers when they’ve reached out anonymously with questions about return policies or mattress warranties. Though one found Nectar reps a bit too pushy for her liking.
Our pick: Purple
Warranty and setup requirements
The Nectar mattress has a "forever warranty."
Purple customers can file a warranty claim within 10 years—a pretty standard length. If defects due to bad workmanship, such as an indent more than an inch deep or a split in the mattress, arise in that period you can start a claim by calling the company.
Purple says its mattresses must be kept on a firm, flat foundation or frame for customers to retain the warranty. The company says a bed frame, platform, or box foundation will work, but any slats must be three inches or less apart. The warranty is void if the mattress is used by a “medical patient,” which a customer service representative said refers to someone who is bed-bound.
The company also advises that customers use a mattress protector as stains and odors can be reasons a mattress is declared too abused for the warranty to count. Other signs of abuse include insect infestation or evidence someone has been jumping on the bed.
Nectar also offers a long warranty: its “Limited Nectar Sleep Forever Warranty.” It covers indents greater than 1.5 inches in depth as well as cracks or splits in the mattress. The warranty is technically as long as you have the product—but it isn’t without a catch. For the first 10 years, the company will replace your mattress for free. After 10 years, the “forever” really kicks in. The company will still repair or replace a mattress—you’ll just have to pay a shipping fee of $50 each way.
Nectar mattresses must be on a firm, solid surface like a bed base. Removing the mattress cover, which is advertised as washable, negates the warranty.
In order to file a warranty with either Purple or Nectar, you must be the original owner of a mattress. If you purchase either, it’s worth reading through all the warranty terms.
Our pick: Nectar
And the winner is…
Nectar came out slightly higher in our rankings, but Purple is a good bet, too.
The best decision for a mattress is ultimately personal.
Purple and Nectar are neck-and-neck in our rankings of the best mattresses, but Nectar edged out the lead in our tests. Its reasonable price and plush feel make it one of our top picks. Consider whether its customer service track record is important to you as a consumer.
But we’re big fans of Purple, too! Our tester, who is a stomach sleeper, loved the mattress’ supportive feel and cool temperature. She wrote that it “blew [her] away.”
Which mattress you love might rest on whether you like soft or firm mattresses. If you want soft, go Nectar. If you prefer firm, go Purple. And if neither option has fully won you over, we’ve reviewed plenty of other mattresses in a box.