DreamCloud Classic vs Nectar Premier: I've tried both, this is the mattress to buy if your partner wakes you up when they go to bed

After extensive testing, the Tom's Guide Sleep Team agree the DreamCloud Classic Hybrid and Nectar Premier Memory Foam are among the best mattresses you can buy online. The DreamCloud wins the title of our best value mattress while the Nectar Premier takes the place of our favorite all-foam bed.

So which one should you buy? I've been hands-on with both, so I'm familiar with the DreamCloud's luxurious support and the Nectar Premier's cradling pressure relief. If you're a side sleeper, you'll find two great choices here.

But for co-sleepers, particularly those with un-synced sleep schedules, the DreamCloud has a feature you need to know about: there's a lot of bounce. In comparison, the Nectar Premier just eats up movement.

There's more to bed sharing than motion isolation, so let's dive into my full comparison of the DreamCloud Classic Hybrid vs the Nectar Premier Memory Foam mattress, to decide which to buy in the Black Friday mattress deals.

DreamCloud Classic Hybrid Mattress: twin $399 at DreamCloud
We think the DreamCloud Classic Hybrid is exceptional value for money at $699 for a queen, even if the DreamCloud Black Friday sale is nothing new — we've seen the same offer for the past few weeks. But if you buy now you'll also get a free bedding bundle worth up to $599. That's an impressive perk on top of a great price.

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Nectar Premier Memory Foam Mattress: twin was $549 at Nectar
Nectar's best-selling Premier mattress is $949 for a queen in the Nectar Black Friday sale. That's the standard pricing we see year-round and while there's a small chance we'll see a flash sale from Nectar this month, I doubt a significant price drop is coming. You can shop now without missing out on a major deal.

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DreamCloud Classic vs Nectar Premier mattress: Price, trial & warranty

• Both mattresses come with a year trial and limited lifetime warranty
• DreamCloud Classic queen is typically $699, Nectar Premier is $949
• Sale prices rarely change from either brand

I think both mattresses are good value for money but if you want the most bang for your buck, it has to be the DreamCloud Classic Hybrid. A queen is only $699 in the DreamCloud mattress sales, and in turn you get a high quality hybrid with a hotel-style build. Plus, you might snag a free bedding bundle.

On the other hand, you'll pay around $949 for a queen Nectar Premier Memory Foam mattress in the standard Nectar mattress sale. Although that's not quite as budget-friendly as the DreamCloud, we still think it's a good price for a well built mattress. I track Nectar sales year-round and the prices rarely change, so you can shop now with confidence.

In terms of benefits, there's nothing between them. Both come with a 365-night sleep trial, limited lifetime warranty and free shipping and returns. At this point, it's probably worth mentioning that DreamCloud and Nectar are owned by Resident Home, hence the similar (and excellent) extras.

One final note on pricing. Nectar and DreamCloud sell a Classic, Premier, Luxe and Ultra version of their signature mattresses (ranging from budget to premium.) Here, I'm comparing the DreamCloud Classic to the Nectar Premier but there are more designs to choose from (i.e. the DreamCloud Premier Hybrid or Nectar Classic Memory Foam.) However, as well as a price change, each model in the line-up has a slightly different feel.

DreamCloud Classic vs Nectar Premier mattress: Comfort & support

• Both are medium / medium-firm mattresses, good for side sleepers
• DreamCloud Classic Hybrid has a bouncy feel and quick response
• Nectar Premier Memory Foam has slow moving body contouring

The DreamCloud's quilted cover and memory foam comfort layers yield to the body, cushioning the touch points to create an almost weightless feel when side sleeping. Beneath that, a spring base ensures plenty of support. My body was both cradled and held straight, so I could avoid aches at the shoulder and discomfort in the lumbar. I was also comfortable back sleeping (but found it too soft for stomach sleeping.)

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It's similar for side sleepers on the Nectar Premier. The upper foam layers contour to the body, delivering cushioning as soon as your shoulder hits the bed. But the base foams are sturdy so while you sink into the surface, you never lose support. I was also comfortable back sleeping but the 'hug' was too much for stomach sleeping — I naturally moved from my front to the side.

So they're both medium-firm on the mattress firmness scale, and among the best mattresses for side sleepers. How will you choose?

Motion isolation might be the dealbreaker for bed sharers

We're talking couples (or co-sleepers; your kids and pets count) so it's time to dive into performance. In terms of edge support, these mattresses are evenly matched, meaning you and your partner can stretch out across the bed.

The DreamCloud is slightly more breathable (not a surprise as the best cooling mattresses are often hybrids) so if your co-sleeper turns into a heater during the night, I recommend the DreamCloud for its superior temperature control. The Nectar's pretty good here — we used a thermal camera to monitor its quick heat dissipation — but expect a slightly stuffier feel.

So let's talk motion isolation. The DreamCloud, as a hybrid, is bouncy. I could feel the springs shudder when my fellow tester got on the bed or rolled over. The Nectar Premier, on the other hand, eats up movement. While you'll be disturbed if your co-sleeper literally dives onto the mattress, normal tossing and turning shouldn't cause disruption.

I don't think opting for the DreamCloud means you'll be bothered by every twitch of your partner — especially once you've drifted off — but if you have different sleep schedules, prepare for some disruption. On the Nectar, I expect even your kids jumping up for a 3am slumber party shouldn't be too much of an annoyance... at least, the bed shouldn't become a bounce house.

DreamCloud Classic vs Nectar Premier mattress: Materials & design

• DreamCloud Classic is a hybrid with springs and foams
• Nectar Premier is an all-foam mattress
• The DreamCloud is 12" and four layers, the Nectar 13" and three layers

A quick look at the interior of the DreamCloud and the Nectar makes it apparent why the performed so differently in our mattress lab testing.

The DreeamCloud Classic is a hybrid (and one of the best hybrid mattresses we've tested.) It pairs its quilted cover with two layers of foam (roughly four inches altogether) followed by eight inches of mattress springs. That's where its responsive support and breathability come from, but it's also responsible for the bounciness.

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The Nectar Premier is foam from head-to-toe, including five inches of comfort foams. This gives the mattress a 'deadened' feel with no bounce, resulting in the excellent motion isolation. But it also means the Nectar can trap more heat and without the bounce, it's slightly harder to change positions.

DreamCloud Classic vs Nectar Premier mattress: Should you buy?

Buy the DreamCloud Classic Hybrid Mattress if...

✅ You're a combination sleeper: I found the DreamCloud to be the better all-rounder, comfortable for side and back sleeping, plus short bursts of stomach sleeping. And as the responsive springs make it easy to change position, you can adjust during the night.

✅ You want the best value for money: At $699 for a queen (plus a free bedding bundle) the DreamCloud Classic Hybrid is exceptional value. The best mattress in a box we've tested, I don't think you'll get a better bed at this price.

✅ You sleep hot: With a cooling cover and the enhanced air flow of springs, the DreamCloud maintains a comfortable, even temperature during the night. That's good for bed sharers, particularly if one of you sleeps hotter than the other.

Buy the Nectar Premier Memory Foam Mattress if...

✅ You and your partner go to bed at different times: The Nectar's motion isolation outstrips the DreamCloud. For bed sharers, that means you can move around and get on and off the mattress without disturbing the other person.

✅ You prefer a mattress with a 'hug': The Nectar's our favorite memory foam mattress, partly because it delivers a traditional memory foam feel with its slow-moving hug and dense, squishiness.