updated July 2023
Bear vs Nectar Mattress Comparison
Our Nectar vs Bear comparison examines the feel, performance, trial periods, similarities and differences, price point, and more of these two popular bed-in-a-box mattresses.
Bear and Nectar are two of the leading budget-friendly all-foam mattresses. With each registering at a medium-firm firmness level, it may come as a surprise that these mattresses are each better suited for different sleepers.
In this article, we’re going to compare these two beds side-by-side. From what it feels like to sleep on them, how long you have to try them out, and who’s best suited for each, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to choose the best mattress for your needs.
At a Glance
Customer Rating
MA Score
Summary
Firmness
Type
Trial Period
Warranty
Customer Rating
MA Score
8.6/10
Summary
Known to help relieve pressure points and aid in muscle recovery
Firmness
Medium firm: 6.5/10
Type
Memory foam with graphite gel
Trial Period
120 days
Warranty
Lifetime limited warranty
Customer Rating
MA Score
8.7/10
Summary
Affordable quality mattress with excellent trial period
Firmness
Medium-firm: 5.5-6/10
Type
Gel memory foam
Trial Period
365 days
Warranty
Lifetime warranty as long as you own the mattress
Bear
Nectar
Customer Rating
MA Score
8.6/10
8.7/10
Summary
Known to help relieve pressure points and aid in muscle recovery
Affordable quality mattress with excellent trial period
Firmness
Medium firm: 6.5/10
Medium-firm: 5.5-6/10
Type
Memory foam with graphite gel
Gel memory foam
Trial Period
120 days
365 days
Warranty
Lifetime limited warranty
Lifetime warranty as long as you own the mattress
The Nectar mattress has a distinctly traditional memory foam feel that cradles the body. Its hugging contouring offers better pressure relief than the Bear, but some sleepers won’t like the sensation of sleeping more “on” than “in” the mattress.
The Nectar memory foam is great for all sleep positions, making it better suited for side sleepers than the Bear. With an added inch of loft and more generous comfort layers, the Nectar mattress is the better choice for heavier sleepers. Additionally, it’s slightly better for couples than the Bear thanks to superior motion isolation.
The Bear mattress was designed to benefit athletes. Its breathable cover and cooling graphite gel foam create a much cooler, dryer sleeping experience than the Nectar. At our in-house testing lab, the Bear excelled at spine alignment, which can help the body heal after a workout.
The same attributes that make the Bear ideal for athletes are excellent for hot sleepers and those with back pain. Because the Bear bed is slightly firmer than the Nectar with very little sinkage, it’s a superb fit for both stomach and back sleepers. Finally, the Bear is more responsive than the Nectar. Combination sleepers and those who toss and turn a lot may find themselves sleeping more soundly on the Bear.
Key Similarities
- The Bear and Nectar are memory foam mattresses
- Both have a similar budget-friendly price point
- Both offer a universal comfort level great for the average sleeper
- Both are impressively responsive, quickly adjusting to the body’s movements
- Neither has a plush enough top layer for lightweight side sleepers
Key Differences
- Nectar offers superior pressure relief and a deeper, more cradling feel
- Bear better supports the spine, relieving back pain and stiffness
- Bear is more breathable and sleeps cooler
- Nectar sleep trial period is longer
Bear Mattress Review Highlights
- A neutral foam feel for those who like a balance between sleeping “on” and “in” a mattress
- Designed to enhance recovery and increase deep sleep for athletes and other sleepers
- One of the best mattresses for back pain relief
- Exceptionally cool for an all-foam mattress
- Comes with a 120-night sleep trial and lifetime warranty
- Responsive foam allows for seamless movement. For an even more responsive mattress, check out the Bear Hybrid
Nectar Mattress Review Highlights
- Traditional memory foam feel with deep contouring cushions pressure points
- Great for couples thanks to motion isolation, responsiveness, and solid edge support
- Medium-firm feel works well for all sleeping positions
- Comes with a year-long sleep trial and free returns
- Forever warranty for as long as you own the mattress
- The Nectar Lush model offers a more luxurious feel
Compare Sizes
The Nectar and Bear mattresses come in the same standard sizes as outlined below. The one difference between the two is that the Nectar mattress is thicker. A thicker mattress is usually a better option for heavier sleepers, especially if you weigh more than 230 lbs.
Bear |
Nectar |
|
| Thickness | 10″ | 12″ |
| Twin Size | 38″ x 75″ | 38″ x 75″ |
| Twin XL | 38″ x 80″ | 38″ x 80″ |
| Full Size | 54″ x 75″ | 54″ x 75″ |
| Queen Size | 60″ x 80″ | 60″ x 80″ |
| King Size | 76″ x 80″ | 76″ x 80″ |
| Cal King Size | 72″ x 84″ | 72″ x 84″ |
| Split King | 76″ x 80″ | 76″ x 80″ |
Learn more about mattress sizes.
Compare Prices
As you can see in the table below, Bear and Nectar mattresses have a similar price point. Click on any of the links in this article to receive our exclusive Mattress Advisor discount on the Bear or Nectar bed to get the best deal.
Bear |
Nectar |
|
| Twin | $748 | $499 |
| Twin XL | $811 | $669 |
| Full | $873 | $799 |
| Queen | $998 | $899 |
| King | $1,248 | $1,199 |
| Cal King | $1,248 | $1,199 |
| Split King | $1,622 | $1,238 |
Compare Construction
The biggest difference between the Bear and Nectar mattresses is that the Nectar has a more traditional memory foam feel and the Bear a sturdier, more responsive foam feel. These differences are thanks to their foam construction, and they make these two mattresses better for different sleepers.
The Bear mattress is best for back sleepers, side sleepers, and combination sleepers that weigh less than 230 lbs. Heavier sleepers may find that they sink through the thinner comfort layers. Thanks to exceptional spine support offered by Bear’s high-density foam layers, we love the Bear for sleepers with aches and pains. This mattress is one of the coolest all-foam beds that we’ve tested, so if you’re looking for a foam mattress that doesn’t sleep hot, the Bear is an excellent option.
The Nectar mattress has thicker memory foam layers than the Bear, and this foam acts more like a traditional memory foam that delivers a hugging sensation. This brings better pressure relief, but it can sleep a bit hotter than the Bear mattress. You must be someone who likes the feeling of slightly sinking into a mattress to enjoy the deep cradling feel of the Nectar. If you find yourself having pain in your hips or shoulders, the Nectar may help bring relief. This type of foam is also excellent for couples, reducing motion transfer better than the foam found in the Bear.
Inside The Bear Mattress
The Bear mattress is a 3-layer memory foam bed. Bear pairs 2” of plush memory foam with firmer, more responsive foam layers underneath for exceptional spine support. By keeping the hips in line with the rest of the body, the Bear works best for stomach and back sleepers. Its cover is designed to boost blood circulation to speed athletic recovery. The cover and the foam layers beneath are breathable and don’t trap body heat, making it one of the coolest all-foam mattresses we’ve tested.
Here’s what you’ll find within:
- Cooling Celliant Cover: The Bear mattress comes wrapped in a breathable Celliant Cover which helps provide a cooling surface.
- Graphite-Gel Memory Foam Comfort Layer (2″): This layer removes heat away from the body and provides a comfortable experience.
- Responsive Foam Transition Layer (2″): A responsive foam layer that gives balanced support and pressure relief benefits.
- High-Density Polyfoam Base Layer (6″): The final layer of the Bear mattress offers a long-lasting durability.
Inside The Nectar Mattress
The Nectar mattress is a three-layer memory foam mattress with a traditional memory foam feel. What this means is that you’ll sink somewhat into the top layer as the cushy foam cradles your body. It’s this property that makes the Nectar exceptional at relieving pain at pressure points like the hips and shoulders. Its medium-firm feel and balance of pressure relief and support make the Nectar a good fit for every sleep position.
Here’s what’s inside:
- Quilted Cool Cover: Nectar wraps its mattresses with a soft, breathable poly-blend cover which includes cooling technologies and heat wicking benefits.
- Nectar Smart Layer (3″): The first layer consists of cushioning high-density gel memory foam, giving excellent pressure relief while you sleep.
- Dynamic Support Layer (2″): A dynamically adjusting foam layer gives full-body support.
- Stay-Stable Base Layer (7″): The Nectar’s final foam layer provides support to the entire mattress.
- Shift-Resistant Lower Cover: A shift-resistant bottom cover helps keep the mattress in place all night long.
Compare Testing Scores
We personally tested the Bear and Nectar beds at our in-house testing lab. Here’s how they performed.
| Bear | Nectar | |
| Shipping | 10 | 9 |
| Trial Period | 9 | 10 |
| Return Policy | 10 | 10 |
| Warranty | 9 | 10 |
| Set-Up Test | 7 | 8 |
| Motion Transfer Test | 7.75 | 8.5 |
| Edge Support Test | 8.5 | 9 |
| Pressure Relief Test | 7 | 8 |
| Spinal Alignment Test | 8.5 | 7.5 |
| Responsiveness Test | 9 | 8.5 |
| Cooling Evaluation | 9 | 8.5 |
| Durability Evaluation | 8 | 8.5 |
| Customer Service Score | 9 | 8.5 |
| Social Impact Score | 6 | 5 |
| TOTAL SCORE | 8.6/10 | 8.7/10 |
Spinal Alignment
Keeping your spine in a neutral position is important so that you don’t wake up with any new aches. While the Bear mattress did excellent in this category, we felt the Nectar mattress was pretty average. If you’re someone with back pain, the Bear mattress may be the better choice for you.
Cooling
Memory foam mattresses tend to trap heat more than hybrid mattresses but the Bear and Nectar did a great job at keeping us cool. Both companies take great efforts to incorporate cooling technology into their mattresses so you can sleep at an ideal temperature. Bear uses graphite-infused foam to remove heat from the body and Nectar uses a cooling cover.
Motion Transfer
Couples need a mattress that isolates motion well so that they don’t disturb their partner. The Bear succeeded in this category, earning an 8.5/10 score, while the Nectar performed poorly. If you sleep with a partner, consider going with the Bear mattress.
Summary
Is Bear or Nectar the Right Choice for You?
The Nectar is the better mattress for some sleepers, and the Bear for others. It all depends on your personal mattress needs—which vary based on your body weight, sleeping position, personal preferences, and more.
The Bear mattress is an excellent choice for athletes and sleepers with aches and pains. It’s responsive, cool, and offers exceptional spine support. Bear even claims that their cover can boost blood flow and expedite healing. It’s minimal comfort layers are best for back and stomach sleepers, while its responsive feel helps combination sleepers sleep soundly.
The Nectar mattress has greater pressure-relieving abilities thanks to comfort layers that closely hug the body. This bed is best for those who like to sink into their mattress a bit, making it an excellent choice for side sleepers. Couples, too, benefit from Nectar’s proprietary foam layers as they dampen motion and help you co-sleep peacefully. Finally, both Nectar’s sleep trials span a full year—so you have plenty more time to test it out than the Bear.
Whether you go with the Bear or Nectar, you’ll be buying a high-quality mattress from a trustworthy company.
Other Bear and Nectar Comparisons
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