Nectar mattress face off: I slept on the Luxe and the Ultra for three weeks each and there was a clear winner

Nectar is a mattress brand renowned for its quality mattresses, and I’ve been lucky enough to test and sleep on two of its most luxurious models: the Nectar Luxe Memory Foam mattress and the Nectar Ultra Hybrid mattress.

Both have very different designs and, therefore, feels, making each bed suitable for different kinds of sleepers. And, when choosing the best mattress for your sleep style, it’s important to know what works and what doesn’t — especially when shopping online.

As a side sleeper who shares my bed with a restless husband, I have some mattress non-negotiables, including excellent pressure relief and strong support up to the edges of the bed. After sleeping on the Nectar Luxe and Nectar Ultra, there was a clear winner for me. Here’s why.

Nectar Luxe vs Nectar Ultra mattress: Price

• Both mattresses are in the premium price bracket
• A queen Luxe Memory Foam sells for $1,249
• Queen Ultra Hybrid sells for $1,999

Nectar’s line up consists of four mattresses, with the Luxe and Ultra being the more premium, luxury options. All beds have a permanent Nectar mattress sale of up to 50% off applied to them throughout the year, and this discount rarely changes, even during major events like Black Friday.

The Nectar Luxe Memory Foam starts at $999 for a twin, while a queen usually sells for $1,249. Compared with other luxury memory foam mattresses, this is a fair price. You also have the option to add a bedding bundle worth $599 for $179.

For bigger budgets, the Nectar Ultra Hybrid starts at $1,499 for a twin. This is a significant different to the Luxe and puts the Ultra in the more indulgent, upper-premium price bracket. You’ll be able to get a queen for $1,999 and the same bedding bundle option as the Luxe.

Both come with Nectar’s industry-leading benefits, including a 365-night trial, a forever warranty and free shipping and returns.

Nectar Luxe Memory Foam mattress: twin from $999 at Nectar
The Nectar Luxe is always up to 50% off, and this discount very rarely changes. Right now, a queen costs $1,249. We don't expect this price to drop, so you don't need to wait for another big sale to get the best price. You'll also get a 365-night trial, free shipping and returns and a forever warranty.

View Deal

Nectar Ultra Hybrid mattress: twin from $1,499 at Nectar
The same 50% off mattress sale applies to the Ultra Hybrid mattress throughout the year, which means a queen sells at $1,999. You'll get the same perks as the Luxe, including the option to add a cut-price bedding bundle when you buy.

View Deal

Nectar Luxe vs Nectar Ultra mattress: Design

• Nectar Luxe is 14” tall made up of three layers of memory foam
• Nectar Ultra is 15” tall made up of three layers of foam and a layer of individually wrapped coils
• The Luxe has a cooling cover while the Ultra has the same, as well as a phase change material layer

The Nectar Luxe Memory Foam mattress has a relatively simple design but one that's typical of the very best memory foam mattresses of the year. Beneath a cooling, antimicrobial cover, is a three-inch layer of pressure-relieving memory foam, and under that is three inches of responsive support foam.

These two layers are designed to contour to your body shape, allowing you to sink in enough to relieve pressure, but not enough to lose support.

At the base of the mattress is a motion isolation layer. Eight inches of foundation foam add stability to the mattress and absorb movement, stopping it from traveling across the mattress. This is great for couples, but more on that later.

The Ultra Hybrid has a similar design to the Luxe. Beneath the same cooling cover, the Ultra has four inches of memory foam to deliver pressure relief. But an important difference is that this layer is topped with phase change material. This is a fabric that moves heat away from the body, helping sleepers keep cool throughout the night.

Next up is three inches of responsive support foam. Where this differs to the Luxe is the zoning. The layer has three ergonomic zones designed to offer even more support to the shoulders, back and hips.

Then come the coils. Eight inches of individually wrapped coils add even more support and motion isolation. Beneath this is one inch layer of foundation foam for durability.

Nectar Luxe vs Nectar Ultra mattress: Comfort & support

• Both are described as having a ‘medium firm’ feel
• I found the Nectar Ultra was a lot softer than the Luxe
• Both are excellent choices for side sleepers

The Nectar Luxe mattress has a classic memory foam feel. When I reviewed the Nectar Luxe mattress, I found the bed has a slow-moving, sinking feeling beneath you. It contours around your body to cradle you with an almost cloud-like feel. This is fantastic for side sleepers. The hips, shoulders and knees will be cushioned enough to stop any pressure from building up.

However, it’s not overly soft. I found that after I had sunk into the bed a little, I stopped and was held in position, supported. This helped to keep my spine aligned so I didn’t wake with any aches or pains.

I think lighter weight back sleepers will also find this mattress comfortable, but front sleepers and heavier weight sleepers might find their hips sink too much — compromising the support of the bed.

My husband and I loved the Luxe mattress, primarily because of its excellent motion isolation and edge support. We have different sleep schedules, but on the Luxe I didn’t even notice when my husband came to bed, which was bliss. And with the mattress remaining stable right up to the edge, we could use the full surface of the bed - it certainly competes against this year's best mattresses for couples.

Image 1 of 3

Mattress firmness is, of course, subjective. But when I reviewed the Nectar Ultra Hybrid mattress, I found it felt a lot softer than the Luxe. This felt a lot more like a foam hug, where you sink more into the mattress rather than sleeping on top of it.

This can be fantastic for side sleepers who like a cozy feel or those with joint pain who need extra cushioning, but it’s likely to be much too soft to provide the right kind of support for back or stomach sleepers.

Despite the reinforced edge, similar to what you'd find in many of the best hybrid mattresses, our panel of expert testers during the Nectar Ultra Hybrid mattress review found the bed to be very unstable. In fact, with the slippery cover, weak edges and tall build, one of our team likened it to a big slide. Not exactly what you want in a mattress.

Sharing the bed was also a challenge. The plush feel and weak edges meant my husband and I felt as if we were both rolling into the center, unable to get the space we needed to feel comfortable.

Image 1 of 3

Nectar Luxe vs Nectar Ultra mattress: the winner

I was expecting the Nectar Ultra Hybrid to take my breath away, and perhaps even be a new addition to our best luxury mattress of the year guide. However, I think it’s clear I wasn’t that impressed. In fact, I’d go as far to say I was a little disappointed. The combination of the plush feel, lack of support and weak edges meant I struggled to sleep well on this mattress.

The Nectar Luxe, on the other hand, offered everything I needed in a mattress. I could get comfortable straight away, sleep through the night easily without tossing and turning too much and share my bed without any disruptions. It also has a luxurious feel. The height of the mattress feels indulgent and the contouring around the body feels like it’s tailor made for you.

Nectar Luxe vs Nectar Ultra mattress: which should you buy?

Buy the Nectar Luxe mattress if…

✅ You’re a combination sleeper: While you do sink slightly into this mattress, you can also change position easily and get comfortable again quickly. As a combination sleeper, I found this very comfortable.

✅ You share your bed: The combination of excellent motion isolation and edge support makes this bed great for couples.

✅ You want a luxury feel without breaking the bank: While the price of the Luxe is certainly premium, the mattress feels even more high-end.

Buy the Nectar Ultra mattress if...

✅You’re a side sleeper: If you sleep only on your side, the Nectar Ultra has the kind of plush feel that cradles your body, and like the best mattresses for side sleepers, this relieves pressure at the hips, shoulders and knees.

✅You like a soft mattress: The Ultra’s design gives it a very soft, plush feel that cradles the body.

✅You sleep hot: With phase change material, a more airy hybrid structure and a cooling cover, the Ultra Hybrid has better cooling abilities than the Luxe.

Nectar Luxe vs Nectar Ultra mattress: Alternatives