The Nectar and Casper mattresses are two beds with some similarities in construction, upon first glance. They are both made with four layers and both are all-foam, in construction.
In terms of firmness, these two beds are also quite similar, with the Nectar mattress feeling slightly firmer than the Casper. But the overall feel of each mattress is a bit different, due to their individual, unique materials.
Another difference between the two is that Casper’s newest incarnation features Zoned Support in one of its layers, meaning you get firmer support throughout the hips and shoulders.
Casper’s goal here is to improve spinal alignment and support, so if that is one of your big concerns, you should take note. For hot sleepers, the Nectar mattress is the clear winner for their layers of cooling gel memory foam and it’s hard to beat their warranty and sleep trial period. It’s also at a great price point and cheaper than the Casper mattress.
But, the Casper mattress has some great features in its own right, including a very high level of customer satisfaction and years of experience to work out their kinks and mattress design.
Nectar offers an amazing product and they are a new company with astounding growth, but they’ve had a bit of trouble getting their product to customers within a reasonable time frame and responding to customer complaints. Keep reading to figure out which one is best for you.
Construction
While both mattresses are comprised of four layers of foam, there are some differences in the type of foam in each bed, which affects things like its overall feel, coolness and firmness.
The Nectar mattress is 11 inches in thickness and starts with a 6-inch stabilizing foundation layer with cooling properties. This layer is made of a high-density foam and has the ability to draw in air through its specially designed channels.
This layer also provides the stable base for the overall bed, helps to absorb motion transfer and prevent sagging. It is quite a bit denser than some of the other mattresses on the market, with a 2.2+ ILD rating, which means it has longevity and is very durable.
Above this is a 3-inch transition layer of what the company calls Adaptive Hi Core memory foam, which not only acts as the transition layer between the base and upper layers of the bed, but also helps to provide a bit of bounce, while being adaptive to all body types.
The third layer from the bottom is another memory foam layer, this time infused with gel. This semi-open Lush Foam is designed to absorb and distribute heat and provide a “just right” feel that adapts to all body types while returning to its original shape, quickly.
The top layer is also made of gel infused memory foam, but it is fully quilted, which not only promotes air circulation and breathability, but gives a bit of loft and comfort.
All foams in the Nectar mattress are CertiPUR-US Certified and wrapped in a natural, removable and cooling Tencel cotton blend cover, which wicks sweat and heat from the body, while being naturally antibacterial and bed bug resistant.
As we mentioned already, the Casper mattress is also made of four separate foam layers and comes in at 10 inches in height.
What you might not know is that the Casper mattress company has changed the design of their mattress several times over the years and, always seeking to improve, they have recently updated the construction of their mattress to enhance one of its four layers.
But first, the mattress starts with a 7-inch layer of foundation foam, made of polyurethane. As with all-foam mattresses, the thick base layer is designed to provide the main structure and stability of the mattress and is designed to support weight without sagging, while carrying the layers above it.
The next layer up is that new and improved layer we were talking about. This transition layer is what they call their Zoned Support foam, which is defined by firmer foam under your hip area and softer under your shoulders, to keep your spine more aligned.
Above this is a layer of high density memory foam to support pressure points. Since it is not an overly thick layer, it provides just the right amount of cushioning without letting you sink in too much. After all, this is still a bed on the firmer end of the scale.
Next is an open-cell top comfort layer, designed for air circulation and breathability. While it is made of a proprietary foam, it has the slight feel of latex, giving the bed a bit of bounce and a nice level of responsiveness.
All layers of the Casper foam mattress are CertiPUR-US certified.
The bed is wrapped in a poly-blend cover which, like the Nectar mattress, is removable for washing.
Firmness and Support
As a medium firm mattress, the Nectar comes in around a 6 to a 6.5 in terms of firmness, which means that although it does contain memory foam, you aren’t going to be sinking into this mattress.
It is designed to be firm enough to support your body fully and keep your spine aligned, but to be cushioning on joints and pressure points.
Similarly, the Casper mattress rates at about a 6.5 on a 10-point scale of firmness and some authorities even rate it as a 7. With its new layer of Zoned Support foam, this bed will be firm and supportive throughout the hips and shoulders, with nice sinkage, without being hard.
The upper two layers of foam provide a nice amount of cushioning and more of a “floating on top” feel, rather than a traditionally soft memory foam bed, that has a cushy, hugging feel.
Motion Transfer and Sinkage
Customers report little to no motion transfer with the Nectar mattress, due to its thick, supportive base layer and all-foam construction.
Since memory foam tends to absorb motion, this is a great option for couples who move around a lot at night. It also has no reported issues with sagging and it cradles the body supportively, without leaving body impressions when you move.
Like most foam mattresses it has a certain amount of edge sinkage, particularly with sitting on the edge of the bed. That being said, it offers a lot more edge support than a softer memory foam bed and is a level typical for foam mattresses.
Overweight edge sleepers might not like an all-foam bed for this reason. A great bonus of the Nectar mattress is that, in addition to their “forever” warranty, they guarantee that the mattress against any permanent body impressions that are deeper than 1 ½ inches.
This guarantee lasts as long as you decide to keep the mattress, for its entire life and if you have any permanent sags, they will replace the mattress, free of charge.
The Casper mattress also gets great reviews for its lack of motion transfer, also because it is an all-foam mattress so it is a good choice for couples or light sleepers.
It has no major issues with sinkage and it is expected that the new layer of Zoned Support foam will just enhance the Casper’s ability to support average weight without sagging.
The thick base layer of high density foam also helps the bed’s overall durability and it retains its shape well, even over a long period of time.
Like the Nectar mattress and all other foam mattresses, there is a certain amount of sinkage at the edge of the bed but Casper actually gets good reviews for edge sinkage.
As with all-foam mattresses, sinkage is heavily dependent on your weight, which we’ll speak more about, below. It’s also important to note that a certain amount of sinkage is a good thing, as a bed that doesn’t sink at all is likely going to be too hard.
Temperature Regulation
Nectar gets great reviews for regulating temperature and keeping their customers cool, even those who normally sleep very hot.
Their mattress contains several cooling technologies and customers report that they sleep much cooler than with their previous bed. These technologies begin in the base layer.
Nectar reports having the densest and yet most breathable base layer of any mattress, giving their mattress the most stability, durability and support, but still promoting airflow.
This base layer draws fresh air through specially moulded channels.The gel memory foam layer, second from the top, is also designed to keep sleepers cool.
This layer is made from Nectar’s proprietary semi-open Lush Foam, which they report is the most premium gel foam out there. It is designed to both absorb and distribute heat.
The top layer of gel memory foam just further works to promote this cooling. It is quilted, which means that you’ll have that “floating on top” feel, rather than being hugged by the bed and pockets of air will be able to move around the quilting better than if it was a flat surface.
Even their Tencel cotton blend fabric cover is custom-milled to breathe, draw away heat and move around fresh air. It dries quickly and wicks away sweat, while staying fresh.
Casper also rates well for customers who normally sleep hot, but a lot of this has to do with the fact that, as a firmer memory foam bed, you don’t sink in too deep and it doesn’t have that hugging feel of a soft memory foam bed.
It also has added features that are designed to target hot sleepers. Specifically, the top, comfort layer of foam is made of a proprietary, latex-like material, with open-cell technology.
You won’t sink in to this layer and it has a bit of responsive bounce-back. The majority of reviews report that this bed does a good job at keeping them cool, even when sleeping with a partner.
But, there are a few people that say that, despite the majority of positive feedback, it still feels too hot for them, particularly heavier people that may be sinking in more than others.
With that said, if it’s a choice between the two and you are a hot sleeper, you may want to consider the Nectar mattress for its extra cooling gel technologies.
Sleep Position and Body Type
As a firmer memory foam bed, Nectar performs well for back and stomach sleepers, as it supports the weight of hips, keeping your spine aligned so you don’t sink in too much.
Side sleepers are also very happy with the Nectar, as it has just the right amount of memory foam to be supportive and cushioning on joints and pressure points, while still offering firm support.
Some large customers over 250 pounds feel that all-foam beds are too soft to support their weight, as they tend to sink through the top layers easier than average sized sleepers.
Conversely, some lightweight customers feel that firmer, all-foam beds can be too hard. This is often because the layers of memory foam are thinner and there isn’t enough cushioning for pressure points.
Some of these customers tend to find better results with a mattress topper, when buying a medium firm to firm mattress.
Feedback on Casper’s new Zoned Support foam has been positive, with reviewers saying that they feel great pressure relief from the mattress when laying on their backs and stomachs.
Because the Zoned Support targets the hips and shoulders, the mid-lumbar region feels like there is an extra added feeling of support and lift, making your spine feel aligned and supported.
This Zoned Support foam has been rated as a marked improvement for side sleepers, as well.
Reviewers feel supported and cradled when on their side and the proprietary top level of latex-like foam gives a nice amount of bounce when changing position, throughout the night, making this a nice option for those who tend to shift position a lot.
Sleep Trial and Warranty
It’s pretty hard to beat Nectar’s sleep trial and warranty period, as it’s currently the best on the market. They offer an unbeatable 365-night sleep trial period.
You get a whole year to try out the bed and make sure it works for you. This will give you plenty of opportunity to try it in all seasons, in all sleep positions and will give you time to get used to its feel and to make sure it has the durability they promise.
If you don’t like it, they’ll pick it up and give you a hassle-free refund.
They also boast the best warranty in the business and it lasts a lifetime or as long as you decide to keep the mattress. If, at any point, the Nectar mattress fails or breaks down or forms permanent indentations that are deeper than 1 ½ inches or more, they will replace the mattress free of charge.
Forever.
No other mattress company is offering this at the moment. The Casper mattress offers a 100-night sleep trial period, which serves as their return policy.
If you decide, after this time, that the mattress doesn’t work for you, they’ll pick it up and donate it to charity or have it recycled.
They also offer a limited 10-year warranty and it’s good to note that this also covers permanent indentations or sagging in the mattress, in this case greater than 1 inch.
As with all warranties, there is a certain amount of small print here, so do make sure you read it thoroughly before purchasing, particularly in regards to Casper’s requirement for a bed base or foundation in order for the warranty to be valid.
Conclusion
- You sleep hot – The Nectar mattress has multiple cooling technologies that keep the vast majority of hot sleepers comfortable, throughout the night. From their cooling gel memory foams, moisture wicking Tencel cotton blend cover, breathable air channels and quilting, they’ve thought of hot sleepers with every layer.
- You want a firmer memory foam mattress – The Nectar mattress offers a firmer memory foam mattress, so you won’t sink in and it doesn’t hug the body. It has a thick, stabilizing base layer of foam and just enough thickness in the upper layers to keep the bed cushioning, without being too soft.
- You want the longest sleep trial period and great warranty – Hands down, there is no better bed out there when it comes to sleep trial period. And, with a lifetime warranty, there is really no risk in purchasing the Nectar bed. It can be picked up, free of charge, at any point in its life if you have problems.
- You want extra support for hips and shoulders – With Casper’s newest incarnation, they’ve added extra support through the hip and shoulder area, that gives a cradling feel throughout the lumbar region of your back. If you have back issues or like the idea of this extra Zoned Support foam, the Casper is the bed for you.
- You want a company with a bit of history – Casper has been on the scene for a few years now and so they’ve had time to improve their design, deal with customer feedback and gain a solid reputation.
- You want a memory foam mattress that is on the firmer side – Like the Nectar mattress, the Casper bed is a mattress that gives all the benefits of memory foam without sinkage or that wrap around hug feeling of soft foam. This keeps you cooler and more supported.
Really, the differences between these two beds comes down to materials and feel, as well as in the sleep trial and warranty. While they are both firmer memory foam beds, the Casper does have those new and improved areas of Zoned Support foam and this has made a difference in its feel.
Nectar’s feel is consistent throughout and it is made with layers of gel-infused memory foam, so it’s going to sleep firmer and cool, making the Nectar bed the better option for hot sleepers.
There is a big of a price difference too, with the Casper coming in at a few hundred dollars more than the Nectar, which is something to think about, especially considering how much better the Nectar’s sleep trial and warranty is.
That being said, the Casper mattress has years of customer satisfaction behind them, whereas the Nectar mattress is a newer company and has had some hiccups with production and customer care.
It’s also good to note that the Casper company now offers three different mattresses, so they do have a cheaper model, as well as one with even stronger, “Hyper-Targeted Support”.
So after comparing the Nectar vs Casper mattress we can say that all in all, they are two great mattresses with a few things to consider before purchasing either.
