Nectar's firm foam mattress soothed my sore back — and it's just $349 in Memorial Day sales

Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress on a wooden bd frame, with two Tom's Guide mattress testers sitting on top of it. A blue Tom's Guide Price Drop badge is overlaid in the top right hand corner
(Image credit: Future)

A sore back has been ruining my sleep recently, but from my first night on the Nectar Classic Memory Foam, down to $349 (was $1,053) at Nectar, my aches and pains in bed have eased off. The feel of the mattress is much firmer than I expected (my colleague Ruth described the Nectar as feeling similar to the Plank Firm) and it's incredibly comfy for back sleeping.

Nectar makes some of the best mattresses we've tested (the Nectar Premier is our top-rated memory foam mattress overall), and after sleeping on the Nectar Classic Memory Foam for three weeks, I now recommend it to back sleepers searching for an affordable mattress that doesn't compromise on quality.

While it's one of the best deals in the Memorial Day mattress sales, you will see these prices ($699 for a queen Nectar Classic) most months in the regular Nectar mattress sale. That means you don't have to rush to make a decision, as the Nectar is likely to remain on sale after the long weekend.

And if you want to see the very latest price cuts, we're tracking all the best value Memorial Day mattress sales and today's top deals live, so you have plenty of options to pick from.

Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress (twin)
Save 67% ($704)
Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress (twin): was $1,053 now $349 at Nectar Sleep

The Nectar Classic Memory Foam is ideal for back sleepers seeking a firmer mattress that keeps them on top of the bed, rather than cradling them more deeply. (For a more cradling feel, see the Nectar Premier instead for $549 at Nectar.) A queen Nectar Classic Memory Foam costs $649, making it one of the most competitively priced mid-range mattresses you'll come across, and over five times cheaper than many top-rated mattresses for back pain. Nectar also offers excellent benefits on par with luxury brands like Saatva: a one-year trial period, lifetime warranty and free shipping.

The perfect firm support for back sleepers

Unlike some of the best memory foam mattresses we've tested, the 12" Nectar Classic does not feature a "sink-in" feel.

This works in favor of combination sleepers (side and back) like me, who struggle with a sore back from time to time. The five-layered mattress (including top and bottom covers) features three layers of foams designed to offer responsive support, good motion isolation — which stops movements from transferring from one side to the other — and overall stability.

The Nectar Classic Memory Foam is certainly a mattress that holds you up rather than sinks under your body weight.

From night one sleeping on it, I felt like I could settle into the mattress quickly, without tossing and turning trying to find a comfortable position — which reduced the time it took me to fall asleep. And, I found that stiffness in my back was alleviated right away.

What's more, the Nectar Classic occasionally doubles up as a reliable seat, thanks to its excellent edge support. Not only does this mean you don't need to worry about the edges sinking down beneath you if you sit on them to tie your laces, it also makes getting in and out of bed easy.

Smaller budget? Try this instead...

Zinus Original Green Tea Memory Foam mattress (twin)
Zinus Original Green Tea Memory Foam mattress (twin): was $499 now $159.20 at Zinus

Considering the plush feel and the low price, it's no surprise that the Zinus Original Green Tea Memory Foam is our best cheap mattress for side sleepers. Zinus currently has up to 60% off and you can use the code MEMORIAL20 at checkout to get an additional 20% off. That discount means a twin bed has now dropped in price from $499 to $199, and with the additional 20% off code you'll only actually pay $159.20. While the benefits are not as impressive as the Nectar, it's a decent package for the price: 100-night trial, 10-year warranty and free shipping.

If you prefer plush, contouring support and more of the traditional 'hug' of memory foam, but are on a tighter budget, the Zinus Original Green Tea Memory Foam is a good alternative.

Like the Nectar Classic Memory Foam, it has three foam layers, but it's slightly shorter, standing at 10". In our Zinus Original Green Tea Memory Foam mattress review we praised its exceptional pressure relief and body-hugging comfort, describing the feeling of sleeping on it as "like a big hug from a marshmallow," making it an ideal fit for those who sleep on their side.

Our lead tester also reported that it "excels" at isolating motion. You won't get the same sturdy edge support the Nectar offers, and it did show a tendency to trap heat, but it's an incredibly affordable bed for side sleepers who like a plush-feeling mattress.

Becky George
Sleep Writer

PPA accredited journalist Becky covers all things sleep-related, from mattress and pillow reviews to reporting on the latest sleep science. Becky loves exploring the intricacies of sleep and its effects on skincare, mental wellbeing, and work performance. When not writing about sleep, Becky can be seen reading in cozy bookshops or learning about global food culture.

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