I slept on two of the best memory foam mattresses — and there's a clear winner for most sleepers

The Nectar Premier Memory Foam and the Plank Firm mattress represent two sides of the all-foam bed scale. On the one end you have a squishy mattress that feels like a hug. On the other, the Plank Firm — hard, flat and unyielding.

You might be surprised to learn that I've tried and loved both mattresses, rating them among the best mattresses we've tested that you can buy online. But to be perfectly honest, for most sleep styles, there's a clear winner: the Nectar.

While not everyone will love the cushioning of the Nectar Premier, the medium-firm feel makes this a mattress with a wide appeal. The Plank, however, fits a niche. But it's a niche I fall into, as will other stomach sleepers.

In the mattress sales both these beds offer affordable, high-quality comfort. Here's how to decide which is right for you (...and why it's probably the Nectar.)

Nectar Premier vs Plank Firm Mattress: Price

• Little to separate on price: queen Nectar is $949, Plank is $999
• Similar benefits too, although Nectar has a longer trial
• Nectar deals rarely change but you can save more at Plank during sales events

When it comes to price, there's not much between the Nectar Premier and the Plank Firm. A queen Nectar Premier will typically cost you $949 in the year-round Nectar mattress sales, while a queen Plank Firm is often sold for $999.

That's considered mid-range for a mattress: you're unlikely to get something luxurious in this price bracket but you can expect a reliable, supportive mattress with decent longevity.

The Nectar sale rarely changes, so you can shop now without missing a saving. But if you're eyeing up the Plank Firm, it's worth waiting for a major sale day (like Memorial Day or Black Friday) when the usual 25% off deal leaps to 30%.

In terms of benefits, both Nectar and Plank are on the better side of the industry average: Nectar offers a 365-night sleep trial while Plank lags behind at 120-nights — but to be honest, 120 nights is ample time to try the bed.

And both offer a limited lifetime warranty, which is competitive with all the best mattresses in a box.

Nectar Premier Memory Foam Mattress: twin from $549 at Nectar
The Premier is a best-selling mattress from Nectar and this mid-range choice delivers a touch of luxury. Nectar sales rarely change meaning it's always a good time to buy — $949 is a competitive price for a queen of this quality. As a heads up, you can ignore the 'Total Value.' It's the Nectar equivalent of an MSRP but the mattress never sells for that much.

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Plank Firm Mattress: twin was $749 now $561.75 at Plank
The Plank Firm is an unusual mattress — it's got two sides, for a start, and on both sides it feels very firm. You won't find much else like it on the market so the mid-range price tag is a nice surprise, as I'd expect to pay more for the USP. Plank regularly runs a 25% off sale, reducing a queen from $1,332 to $999 but if you don't need a new bed right away, I expect to see 30% off around the major sales days.

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Nectar Premier vs Plank Firm Mattress: Design

• Both use multiple foam layers
• Nectar has a traditional build with thick foam layers
• The Plank is dual sided, with a different feel on each side

The Nectar Premier and Plank Firm are both memory foam mattresses, meaning they use different types of foam to create comfort and support. But that's pretty much where the comparisons end...

Nectar uses three internal foam layers in the Premier, a standard design for an all-foam mattress. Two inches of 'pressure-relief' foam at the top should deliver the distinctive 'hug' of memory foam, while the three inches of responsive support foam beneath help maintain spinal alignment. At the base, eight inches of foundation foam aim to provide stability.

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The Plank does things a little differently. It's a dual-sided mattress, so instead of a foundational base layer the stability foam sits at the middle of the design. On the Extra Firm side, only a thin layer of quilted foam lies between you and the support core. On the Firm side, an extra two inches of comfort foam deliver cushioning while maintaining the firm feel.

From the design alone, it's easy to see that for fans of traditional comfort, the Nectar Premier has the widest appeal.

Nectar Premier vs Plank Firm Mattress: Comfort and support

• For most people, the medium-firm Nectar Premier is superior...
• ... with cushioning for side sleepers and support for back sleepers
• However, stomach sleepers should choose the firmer Plank mattress

The Nectar Premier is our favorite memory foam mattress for good reason; it's an affordable crowd pleaser that delivers the body-contouring comfort we expect from an all-foam mattress.

In our Nectar Premier Memory Foam mattress review, our lead tester described it as "instantly comfortable in all sleeping positions for nearly all types of sleepers." That's partly due to its medium-firm feel. While medium-firm mattresses don't suit everyone, they're good all-rounders.

In addition, the Premier offers a good blend of support and comfort. The spine is held straight while the foams contour to the shoulders and hips to reduce pressure build-up. Memory foam is often known for its 'hug' but the Premier delivers a light embrace — it doesn't feel like sinking into quicksand but the foam does mold to your form.

Thanks to this, we consider the Premier among the best mattresses for side sleepers (and not for nothing, research suggests most people sleep on their sides.)

But there are some sleepers who should avoid the Nectar Premier. Primarily, heavy people (over 230lbs) and stomach sleepers. That's where the Plank Firm comes in...

The Plank Firm is a firm bed whichever way you flip it and in our Plank Firm mattress review we found both sides of the double-sided mattress to suit stomach sleeping. It's supportive from the shoulders down, ensuring your spine is lifted all night long. It's earned a place among our best mattresses for stomach sleepers.

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There is some cushioning on the Firm side and for short bursts of side sleeping, it can feel comfortable. However, an entire night in this position is likely to result in numb arms in the morning. Flip to Extra Firm and side sleeping is instantly uncomfortable — expect sore shoulders.

The Plank Firm also has a higher mattress weight capacity than the Nectar Premier, ranking it among the best mattresses for larger people. Again, heavier side sleepers might want to find an option with a bit more cushioning.

Nectar Premier vs Plank Firm mattress: the winner

For most sleepers, the Nectar Premier Memory Foam Mattress is the obvious choice. It delivers enough cushioning to keep you gently wrapped in a hug, while the supportive base holds the body straight from head-to-toe. It's a real crowd-pleaser and you have 365 nights to test it at home and decide if it's right for you.

But you can't write off the Plank Firm completely. It fits a need: people looking for a super-firm mattress with buckets of support. Admittedly that's quite a niche but if you're seeking the firm, flat feel of a Japanese floor mattress, this is a supportive alternative.

Nectar Premier vs Plank Firm Mattress: which should you buy

Buy the Nectar Premier Memory Foam Mattress if...

✅ You sleep on your side: The Nectar Premier adapts to the shoulders and hips to reduce pressure build-up, so you won't wake up with numb arms and sore hips.

✅ You want a classic memory foam 'hug': Delivering body hugging comfort (without the quicksand effect that can impact softer foams like Tempur Material), the Nectar Premier has a traditional cushioned feel.

✅ You share a bed: Both the Plank and the Nectar excel at motion isolation, trapping movement to one side of the mattress. However, as the Nectar Premier is more of a crowd-pleaser, I think it will appeal to more bed sharers.

Buy the Plank Firm mattress if...

✅ You're a stomach sleeper: Stomach sleepers need support, something the Plank Firm delivers lots of.

✅ You weigh over 250lbs: With a higher weight capacity than the Nectar Premier, the Plank Firm better suits those with bigger builds.

Nectar Premier vs Plank Firm mattress: Alternatives