Tom's Guide Verdict
The Nectar Luxe memory foam mattress is a simple 3-layered mattress with an indulgent feel. Standing at 14" tall, you can expect a luxury feel for a mid-range price. It excels in pressure relief, thanks to the thick, dense, high quality memory foam, cradling and contouring the body without letting the sleeper sink too far in (avoiding the traditional memory foam hug). The mattress performs exceptionally across the board, for edge support, comfort, and motion isolation. However, it's downfall is in temperature control. Hot sleepers will want to opt for a less dense foam structure for more airflow. Similarly, heavy weight sleepers or stomach sleepers will benefit from a firmer surface, with the Nectar Luxe rating at a 6.5/10. Overall, this is a high-quality, premium mattress suited to most sleeping styles.
Pros
- +
Fantastic pressure relief
- +
Superb motion isolation
- +
Stable edge support
- +
Best for side sleepers
- +
Contouring support for back sleepers
Cons
- -
Too plush for stomach sleepers
- -
Traps heat
- -
Not firm enough for heavier sleepers
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Nectar Luxe mattress review in brief
The Nectar Luxe is a premium memory foam mattress that is one of the most advanced in Nectar’s entire lineup. It comes in either an all-foam or hybrid mode (we tested the all-foam) and promises enhanced cooling and pressure relief that is suitable for all sleep styles and positions.
Nectar is known for its good quality bed-in-a-box mattresses that are also exceptional value. That’s why Nectar features so highly in this year's best mattress guide for all sleepers with their flagship Nectar memory foam mattress. But is the Nectar Luxe a worthy upgrade? We tested the Nectar Luxe memory foam mattress to find out.
The Nectar Luxe has a deep, 14-inch profile and is made up of three internal layers of foam. The Nectar Luxe’s top layer features a breathable cool-to-the-touch cover that has enhanced moisture-wicking fabric that has been treated with an antimicrobial treatment to help keep you cool and clean overnight. Next is a comfort layer made using 3-inches of therapeutic memory foam.
This layer provides outstanding pressure relief and support around your joints and lumbar area. This layer does mean that you’ll feel that sink-in softness memory foam is known for but you won’t feel as though you’re stuck in the bed. Our lead tester reported superb pressure relief around the hips and shoulders when sleeping on her side, and she enjoyed sleeping on top of the mattress rather than the traditional 'hugging' feel of the memory foam.
Type: Memory foam (hybrid also available)
Materials: Memory foam
Firmness: 6.5 out of 10 (medium-firm)
Height: 14”
Trial: 365-nights
Warranty: Lifetime
Price: From $999 at Nectar
Next is a 3-inch dynamic response layer that works to help promote proper spinal alignment and additional back support. This makes this mattress one of the best choices for sleepers with back pain. Before a final 8-inch layer of conventional foam that offers stability and support.
This mattress has medium-firm support and whilst it’s a great choice for all sleeping types, we think it really excels when it comes to providing the right level of comfort and support for side sleepers. Although back and combination sleepers will also find it gives them enough support, our panel of testers found that stomach sleepers may find that it dips a little too much around the hip area causing some discomfort.
When it comes to cooling this mattress didn’t do as well as expected. It certainly wouldn't earn a spot in our best cooling mattress guide. Our tester felt that despite the cool-to-the-touch cover, it didn’t keep the bed as cool as other memory foam brands, with our tester and her partner waking up hot and sweaty in the morning despite the temperatures outside dropping below 40ºF.
This mattress did, however, do well when it came to motion isolation, making it a good choice for anyone who shares a bed with a restless partner or furry friend. In fact, our tester didn't even notice her partner climbing in and out of bed throughout the night. Sleepers who want to enjoy the full surface of the bed or find themselves rolling to the edge of the bed whilst they sleep can rest easy knowing that this mattress also has strong edge support.
This mattress has medium-firm support and whilst it’s a great choice for all sleeping types, we think it really excels when it comes to providing the right level of comfort and support for side sleepers.
Whilst the Nectar Luxe sits at the mid-range price point within the Nectar line up, being more expensive than the Nectar Classic but less expensive than the Nectar Ultra, this mattress represents exceptional value. You don’t have to worry about the MSRP on this mattress as an evergreen sale of 50% off, which can sometimes increase around major holidays, means that you won’t ever pay full price.
This means a queen is regularly sold at $1,249, despite an MSRP of $3,424. The current Nectar Black Friday mattress sales offer a further $100 off when you spend over $1,000, bringing the price of a queen down to $1,149. Like all Nectar mattresses, the Luxe comes with a 365-night risk free trial, free shipping and returns, and has a forever warranty which are great perks given the price of the mattress.
Nectar Luxe mattress review: Price & Trial
- A queen size Nectar Luxe has a sale price of $1,249
- An evergreen sale of 50% off the MSRP which can increase around major sales events with an extra $100 off
- Has a 365-night sleep trial and lifetime warranty
The Nectar Luxe is one of the most expensive memory foam mattresses in the Nectar line up, with the all-foam model we tested costing less than the hybrid version.
You can however ignore the MSRP because there is always a Nectar mattress sale running and we are used to seeing a standard up to 50% off. However, around major sales holidays like the Black Friday mattress sales you will see a deeper discount.
Here’s the current MSRP and sale pricing for the Nectar Luxe mattress:
- Twin: $999 (MSRP $1,696)
- Twin XL: $1,099 (MSRP $2,924)
- Full: $1,199 (MSRP $2,266)
- Queen: $1,249 (MSRP $3,424)
- King: $1,499 (MSRP $3,997)
- Cal King: $1,499 (MSRP $4,001)
- Split King: $2,198 (MSRP $5,848)
Right now, the Nectar mattress sales are offering an extra $100 off when you spend over $1,000. That means you can expect to get that discount off all sizes apart from the twin which just sits below that $1,000 when on sale. We don’t expect the extra $100 off to last must beyond Black Friday nor do we expect to see the discount drop below the standard 50% off we are used to seeing.
When it comes to the trial period Nectar offer a very generous 365-nights. And that’s not where the perks end, you also get a lifetime warranty and free shipping and returns on all Nectar mattresses. The industry standard averages between 100-180 night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty, so Nectar to go above and beyond.
Nectar Luxe mattress review: Design
- At 14” the Luxe is 2” taller than the top-rated Nectar Classic mattress
- Features a three-layer design
- Has a cool-to-the-touch cover to aid temperature regulation
When it comes to design the Nectar Luxe keeps it simple. For this review we tested the Nectar Luxe memory foam in a queen size. This mattress is made from three internal layers of memory foam, which is encased in a top cool-to-the-touch cover and a heavy-duty anti-shift bottom.
The cover is made from a soft fabric that is infused with cooling fibres and also has antimicrobial properties to help promote extra airflow, wick away moisture and create a clean and healthy sleep surface. Nectar claim that the Luxe has two times more cooling power than the Nectar Classic which is 40% more than the Nectar Premier but 2 times less than the claims made about the Nectar Ultra.
The first layer is 3" of pressure-relieving memory foam. This layer will contour to your body’s natural curves and provide plenty of cushioning around the back, hips and knees. The Classic only has 1" of this foam, and the premier 2".
The next layer is a responsive support layer, this is also 3" and is designed to help promote proper spinal alignment. This layer comes with dynamic support that helps you keep on top of the mattress rather than sinking into the surface like more traditional 'marshmallow soft' memory foam, which can feel uncomfortable if you’re in the same position for more than a few hours.
Finally, there’s a motion isolation layer. This is the thickest layer of all at 8" and is a foundational foam that enhances the stability of the whole mattress to reduce motion transfer, offering better edge support so you can make use of the whole sleep surface.
Nectar Luxe mattress review: Comfort & Support
- We rate this mattress as 6.5 out of 10 for firmness
- This mattress offers exceptional pressure relief for side sleepers
- This bed may be too soft for stomach sleepers
The Nectar Luxe offers a medium-firm feel, which hits a sweet spot for almost all sleeping styles. The Nectar Luxe has been designed to offer sink-in softness whilst keeping the body and spine in alignment, something we found to be completely accurate. Whilst sleeping on this mattress, we felt the top layers contoured the body, our pressure points sank in slightly but we still felt like we were sleeping on top of, not in, the mattress.
While this mattress suits all sleeping styles, our lead tester found that sleeping on her side was incredibly comfortable. The comfort layers did a great job of cushioning the shoulder and hip areas, while the support layer kept her spine in alignment.
Our lead tester isn’t a natural back sleeper but she found that the surface was supportive enough to keep her feeling comfortable with plenty of contouring comfort around the lumbar region
Strict side sleepers who suffer with joint aches and pains will really benefit from sleeping on this mattress, as it will feel like it’s hugging your joints. Another member of our testing team also agreed with this and said "As a side sleeper, I found the Nectar Luxe mattress exceptionally comfortable. Its memory foam contours the hips and shoulders well and my spine felt supported."
We also ran some tests to determine how effective the pressure relief was. Using a 52lb weight we placed this weight in the centre of the mattress so see how far it dipped. This weight sank around 3-3.5 inches which means it had a good amount of 'give' but not too much sinkage around the spine and lumbar area. In fact, our lead tester had her mother in law to stay, who slept on the mattress and reported that she didn't feel nearly as stiff as she usually does in the morning, and her back pain was far less severe. To note, she sleeps on her back.
Our lead tester isn’t a natural back sleeper but she found that the surface was supportive enough to keep her feeling comfortable with plenty of contouring comfort around the lumbar region. Her partner, who is a combination sleeper reported feeling comfortable in every position, and the occasional dead arm he experiences sleeping on his side didn't occur with the Nectar Luxe, due to the pressure relief. However, stomach sleepers may find this bed to be a little too soft, as the stomach and chest area dip too far in to the mattress which causes strain on the neck and the back.
The best mattress for stomach sleepers needs to be a firmer surface which can help keep sleepers' spines in a healthy position overnight. The same goes for heavier sleepers. Our panel of testers think the surface is too plush to adequately support heavier sleepers. They may sink-in too much and end up feeling stuck within the bed, which can also can make it difficult to move around at night and well as leaving the sleeper feeling too hot, not to mention straining the spine.
The Nectar Luxe features slow-moving foams which do a fantastic job of cradling the body but this does come at a cost. This mattress isn’t that responsive so combination sleepers will find they have to put in more effort when moving around and switching positions during the night. Although, our main tester actually found this to be of benefit. Instead of tossing and turning and waking herself up, she settled into one position and barely moved throughout the night, which actually increased her quality of sleep.
Nectar Luxe mattress review: Set up
- Free fast shipping within 1-2 business days
- Gets delivered vacuum packed in a box
- Takes 24-72 hours to fully expand
Nectar is one of the original and best mattresses in a box brand. Delivery of the Nectar Luxe is free and fast within the US, meaning you’ll get your mattress within 1-2 business days. As we’d expect this mattress arrives rolled and vacuum packed in a box for easy transportation and to make it easier to maneuver within your home. Although this is a premium mattress, you don’t get any free premium delivery options like White Glove delivery.
However, Nectar do offer a White Glove delivery service, at a cost. It's priced at $199 and includes your new bed being delivered to a room of your choice, set up and removal of your old mattress. To get this service it needs to be selected at checkout, you can’t add this on after you’ve already placed your order. However, we would say that because the mattress is rolled and vacuum packed, set up is remarkably simple.
Once the mattress has fully expanded, the Nectar Luxe is thick so it can make it difficult to move around. A twin size Nectar Luxe weigh 66lbs whilst a queen weights 97lbs and the largest size a Split king weighs a 142lbs. It is advisable to remove the mattress from the box before you take it up any stairs so that you can get a better grip on it.
Set up was simple, once the mattress was on top of the bed and the plastic was cut carefully with scissors, the bed started to inflate within 30 seconds. Within five minutes it was fully inflated which made it easier to remove the remaining plastic. The rate of expansion can vary between mattresses but Nectar advises that it takes between 24 and 72 hours for the foams to fully take shape.
Some mattresses can cause a strong odor after they’ve been vacuum packed, this is called mattress off gassing and is when the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are released into the air. Our lead testers didn’t find that this mattress had any strong off-gassing smells, and the faint smell when the plastic came off dissipated quickly.
Nectar Luxe mattress review: Performance
- Absorbs motion well
- Edge support wasn’t as strong on the corners
- Temperature control was mediocre
Our lead mattress tester has been sleeping on a queen size Nectar Luxe for over a month. As part of Tom’s Guide's rigorous mattress testing methodology, we carried out a series of tests in order to gauge three specific areas of performance — these include motion isolation, edge support, and temperature regulation. Each of these key features can determine just how good a mattress is and who it appeals too. Here’s what we discovered:
Motion Isolation
Motion isolation refers to how well a mattress stops movement travelling from one area of the bed to another. This can help stop disturbances from fidgety partners, children, or even pets. Our lead tester shares her bed with her husband who has a different sleep schedule and often goes to bed after she’s gone to sleep so testing out the motion isolation was a keen area of interest. And it didn't disappoint. The Nectar Luxe isolated motion incredibly well.
To test just how well the mattress absorbs motion from different areas our panel of testers placed an empty wine glass on the surface of the mattress and dropped a 10lb weight 25-inches away from the glass at different heights. This replicates the feeling of someone else tossing, turning or getting in and out of bed.
We dropped the weight from 4”, 8”, and 12” and for every height, the wine glass jus wobbled ever so slightly and then remained stable. There was never enough motion transfer to knock the glass over. Even when our lead tester climbed over the bed to adjust the weight, the glass didn’t move at all. The only time the glass did move was when our tester experimented by dropping a 52lb weight close to it and it did fall, as expected.
Aside from these objective tests, our lead tester was sometimes even shocked to find her husband sleeping next to her as she had not felt the bed move at all in the night. Even when she had been awake in the evening, facing the other way, she had not felt her husband sit on the edge of the bed. Undoubtedly, this mattress has exceptional motion isolation that won’t fail to impress.
Motion isolation: 5/5
Temperature control
The Nectar Luxe claims that it is 2 x more cooling than the Nectar Classic. It comes with the same soft, breathable knit cover which is cool-to-the-touch, but that’s where the cooling technology ends. So, we wouldn't necessarily agree with the brands claims that is has 'cooling power'. Plus, when our testing panel felt the mattress cover, it didn't have the same effect as other cool-to-touch fabrics they had felt. It was possibly slightly cooler, but it certainly didn't have much of an effect.
Our lead tester slept on this mattress with her partner who sleeps hot. And despite sleeping in conditions where the temperature outside regularly dropped under 40ºF (and they hadn't put the heating on), both still woke up hot and sweaty in the morning. For our lead tester, this is unheard of, as she usually sleeps cool most nights, with a duvet and a weighted blanket.
Despite sleeping in conditions where the temperature outside regularly dropped under 40ºF (and they hadn't put the heating on), both still woke up hot and sweaty in the morning.
This is a very thick mattress and 14” of dense memory foam means that heat will ultimately get trapped. It does lead to a very cozy bed in the winter, but if you experience hot flashes or sleep in a hot climate, we can't imagine this mattress being very comfortable. Instead, opt for one of the best cooling mattresses for a guaranteed comfortable night's sleep.
For hot sleepers on a smaller budget, we'd recommend taking a look at the Cocoon by Sealy Chill mattress. This mattress is usually on sale but this Black Friday you can get 35% off bringing the cost of a queen down to $699. Although this mattress doesn’t have the same luxurious feel as the Nectar Luxe, it is a better choice for hot sleepers who crave the contouring comfort of memory foam. Read our Cocoon by Sealy Chill mattress review for full test data.
Temperature control: 3/5
Edge Support
Good edge support is an important feature of any mattress. Edge support is a term used to describe how stable the bed remains around the perimeter of the mattress. Good edge support lets you use more of the bed's surface and makes getting in out of bed, as well as sitting on the edge easier. This is important for many types of sleepers, including elderly sleepers or those with restricted movement ability.
The Nectar Luxe claims that it has robust edge support. So we put it to the test and placed a 52lb weight on the perimeter of the mattress, near the middle, and measured the depth it sank.
The weight sank the same 3-3.5 inches as when it was placed in the centre indicating the same level of support around the edges as the middle of the mattress, which is great. Sitting on the edge also backed this up with our panel of testers finding it comfortable, stable, and supportive, with no feeling that it was going to collapse or that they were going to fall off. Our lead tester also slept close to the edge and found that it was super comfortable and it afforded both her and her partner more room in the bed, reducing the amount of night time disturbances and fights over who has more space.
However, the corners and foot of the bed didn’t quite have the same stability. When we placed the 52lbs weight in the corners, it collapsed quickly and our panel of testers reported that these areas were too soft when sitting on them, and it felt unstable, as though they could fall off.
Edge support: 4/5
Nectar Luxe MATTRESS REVIEW: CUSTOMER REVIEWS
- The Nectar Luxe has 4.5 out 5 from 2,547 verified reviews
- Critics found this bed much softer than other Nectar models
- 5-star reviews praised its ability to alleviate aches and pains
At the time of writing, the Nectar Luxe has received 2,547 verified customer reviews on the Nectar website. This bed has been given an average rating of 4.4 out of 5. You can sort these reviews by age, size, sleep style and temperature to get an accurate view of what people think who have the same sleep traits as you.
As expected those who leave five-star reviews have praised the mattress for its comfort, softness and lumbar support. Although, some negative reviews have also commented that the bed is too soft. We think this could be a genuine concern for both heavier sleepers and stomach sleepers, so it's worth taking a look at our best firm mattress guide to find the right choice if this applies to you. There are also a lot of reviews praising the pressure relieving qualities of this bed, especially for easing back and hip pain.
There are a lot of reviews that echo our experience when it comes to temperature regulation citing that this bed leaves them feeling too hot throughout the night. And other third-party mattress reviewers have echoed these concerns. So if you're a hot sleeper, it's worth opting for another mattress. But in general, this bed has outstanding reviews with customers happy with how comfortable it is, and it will suit most sleepers.
Should you buy the Nectar Luxe mattress?
The Nectar Luxe brings together outstanding pressure relief with full body support to create a bed that will appeal to all sleeping positions. Although, side sleepers will really embrace the medium-firm feel and cushioning support that takes pressure off when sleeping. This is also a good mattress for those suffering with back, hip or joint pain as the combination of pressure-relieving memory foam contours the body’s shape offering support in all the right places.
The motion isolation is another reason why this mattress really stands out as one of the best. If you’re sharing a bed with a restless partner then you can look forward to nights of uninterrupted sleep. The temperature regulation isn’t the best, especially if you are a very hot sleeper, but the breathable cover does mean that you’ll get some airflow. The edge support does as well as we’d expect from a memory foam mattress, holding up very well when weight is applied but the corners and foot of the bed do collapse when sitting on them. If you're someone that uses specifically the corners of the bed, consider opting for a firm mattress topper to create a harder surface.
After experiencing the Nectar Luxe first hand we recommend this mattress to anyone who enjoys a medium-firm feel. If you like a bouncy surface, we wouldn't recommend the Nectar Luxe, but instead point you to a latex option like the Avocado Green mattress, which is a similarly priced, organic mattress. Read our full Avocado Green mattress review for more details. But for those who enjoy gentle pressure relief, particularly side sleepers, then opt for the Nectar Luxe. The close contouring will hug key pressure points while the stability layer will keep you sleeping on top of the bed rather than sinking in to it, for optimum spine alignment. This will also help reduce aches and pains.
This is a great mattress for all type of sleeper but side and back sleepers will benefit the most. Stomach sleepers may find this mattress too soft and could cause lower back pain. But for everyone else, the outstanding pressure relief and motion isolation make this an excellent choice.
NECTAR LUXE MATTRESS REVIEW: ALTERNATIVES
If you’re looking for quality memory foam bed but without a large price tag, the Nectar Classic is a great choice. This mattress is made up of three layers of foam just like the Nectar Luxe and although it’s not quite as deep it still offers a good balance of cushioning and support. You can read more in our Nectar classic Memory Foam mattress review to find out more. A queen is currently $649 (was $1,563) and you'll get the same perks as the Luxe, like a forever warranty and 365-night sleep trial.
For an exceptional memory foam mattress that has exceptional cooling qualities look no further than the Cocoon by Sealy Chill mattress. This mattress suits all sleeping positions and the memory foam will always provide that deep hug that delivers pressure relief, as well as keeping sleepers cooler than in the Nectar Luxe. Find out what we thought about this mattress in our Cocoon By Sealy Chill mattress review. The Black Friday sales bring a queen down to $699 (was $1,079), but the perks aren't as generous, with a 100-night trial and a 10-year warranty.
This hybrid mattress is designed for side sleepers. With a medium feel, it has a plush quilted pillow top followed by layers of cushioning memory foam and steel coils that provide a good blend of sink in softness and support. This is a better choice of bed for combination sleepers who need that feeling of responsiveness to move around easily at night. Check out our Helix Midnight Luxe review to see how it performances during testing. In the Helix Black Friday mattress sale, you can take 27% off with our code TOMS27, bringing a queen size down to $1,732.50 (was $2,373.33) and you'll get a 100-night sleep trial, 10-15 year warranty, and free shipping.
