Choosing between the Purple mattress and the Nectar mattress can be challenging, as both cater to different sleep preferences and offer unique features. Whether you’re a side sleeper, back sleeper, or stomach sleeper, finding the best comfortable mattress for your needs requires careful consideration. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare these popular options across key categories, including performance, price, design, motion isolation, cooling properties for the perfect cooling mattress, and durability. You’ll also find tips on mattress buying, insights into how to choose a mattress, and a closer look at health benefits, unboxing experiences, and maintenance tips to help you make an informed decision.
1. Material and Construction
Nectar Mattresses
- Materials: Nectar uses memory foam for a classic contouring experience. Their models, including the Original, Premier, and Premier Copper, consist of layers like gel-infused memory foam, Dynamic Response foam, and a high-density support base.
- Feel: Provides a classic “hugging” sensation, with the foam slowly conforming to your body. The gel infusion helps with cooling, but some users still report slight heat retention.
- Certifications: All foams are CertiPUR-US certified, ensuring they are free from harmful chemicals.
Purple Mattresses
- Materials: Purple is known for its proprietary GelFlex Grid technology, a hyper-elastic polymer grid that provides a unique responsive feel. The grid is used in both the Original and hybrid models, combined with layers of polyfoam or pocketed coils.
- Feel: The GelFlex Grid gives a bouncy and responsive feel, often described as “floating.” It adapts quickly to movements and offers excellent cooling due to its open-grid design.
- Certifications: Purple also uses CertiPUR-US certified foams, ensuring eco-friendly and safe materials.
Construction Summary
| Mattress |
Materials |
Unique Features |
| Nectar |
Gel-infused memory foam |
Classic memory foam feel, contouring |
| Purple |
GelFlex Grid + polyfoam or coils |
Responsive, “floating” feel, excellent cooling |
2. Performance Comparison
Motion Isolation
- Nectar: Excels in motion isolation thanks to its all-foam construction, making it ideal for couples or those who share a bed.
- Purple: Offers good motion isolation, but the hybrid models may transfer more motion due to their bouncy nature.
Cooling
- Nectar: Uses cooling gel-infused foam and a breathable cover. However, due to the nature of memory foam, some heat retention may occur.
- Purple: Outperforms Nectar in cooling, as the GelFlex Grid promotes excellent airflow and prevents heat buildup, making it a better choice for hot sleepers.
Edge Support
- Nectar: The all-foam versions have weaker edge support, though the hybrid models offer some improvement.
- Purple: The hybrid models have reinforced edge support, providing more stability when sitting or lying near the edge.
Pressure Relief
- Nectar: The memory foam contours to the body, offering excellent pressure relief for side and back sleepers.
- Purple: The GelFlex Grid adapts to body weight, providing a unique pressure-relieving sensation that feels less “huggy” and more “supportive.”
Durability
- Nectar: Considered more durable due to the use of denser foams and stronger support layers.
- Purple: While durable, the GelFlex Grid may be more prone to wear and tear over time compared to traditional memory foam.
Summary of Key Performance Differences
| Feature |
Nectar |
Purple |
| Motion Isolation |
Superior, especially all-foam models |
Less effective, particularly hybrids |
| Cooling |
Good, but may retain some heat |
Excellent, GelFlex Grid provides superior airflow |
| Edge Support |
Lower ratings, all-foam models |
Better, especially hybrids |
| Pressure Relief |
Excellent, contouring memory foam |
Excellent, adaptive and pressure-relieving |
| Durability |
More durable, lifetime warranty |
Good, but potentially less durable |
3. Unboxing, Setup, and Off-Gassing
Unboxing Experience
- Nectar: Comes compressed and vacuum-sealed in a box. Takes about 24-48 hours to fully expand.
- Purple: Also arrives compressed but expands slightly quicker than Nectar due to the GelFlex Grid structure.
Off-Gassing
- Nectar: May have a new mattress smell for the first 24-72 hours.
- Purple: Minimal off-gassing, especially in the hybrid models.
4. Sleep Position Suitability
Nectar
- Side Sleepers: Ideal for those who need pressure relief around the shoulders and hips.
- Back Sleepers: Works well for light to average-weight back sleepers.
- Stomach Sleepers: May not offer enough support for heavier stomach sleepers.
Purple
- Side Sleepers: Provides good pressure relief, but the responsive nature may not feel as soft as some would prefer.
- Back Sleepers: Excellent for back sleepers, as the GelFlex Grid supports spinal alignment.
- Combination Sleepers: The responsive feel makes it easy to change positions.
Sleep Position Summary
| Sleep Position |
Nectar |
Purple |
| Side Sleepers |
Great for most side sleepers |
Better for combination sleepers |
| Back Sleepers |
Suitable for lightweight sleepers |
Great for spinal alignment |
| Stomach Sleepers |
May lack support for heavier individuals |
Works well for most, especially hybrids |
5. Pricing and Value Comparison
Nectar
- More affordable, with queen-size mattresses ranging from $659 to $1,349.
- Ideal for budget-conscious shoppers who still want high performance.
Purple
- Pricier, with queen-size options between $1,095 and $3,495.
- The higher price is attributed to the GelFlex Grid technology and hybrid construction.
Pricing Summary
| Mattress |
Price Range (Queen) |
| Nectar |
$659 – $1,349 |
| Purple |
$1,095 – $3,495 |
6. Health Benefits and Pain Relief
Nectar
- Offers a cradling effect, which can help alleviate joint pain and promote spinal alignment.
- The memory foam helps distribute weight evenly, reducing pressure on sensitive areas.
Purple
- The GelFlex Grid adapts to body weight and movements, making it suitable for combination sleepers who need responsive support.
- Encourages spinal alignment, especially in back sleepers, which may help reduce back pain.
7. Environmental Impact and Certifications
Nectar
- CertiPUR-US certified foams, free of harmful chemicals.
- Uses recycled materials in some components.
Purple
- Also uses CertiPUR-US certified foams.
- Incorporates sustainable practices in the manufacturing process.
8. Warranty and Sleep Trial Comparison
Nectar
- 365-night trial period and lifetime warranty, offering long-term protection.
Purple
- 100-night trial period and 10-year warranty.
Warranty Summary
| Mattress |
Trial Period |
Warranty |
| Nectar |
365 nights |
Lifetime |
| Purple |
100 nights |
10 years |
9. FAQs
- Can I use these mattresses on any bed frame?
- Yes, both mattresses are compatible with platform beds, slatted bases, and adjustable bases.
- Which mattress is better for hot sleepers?
- Purple is typically better due to its GelFlex Grid promoting superior airflow.
- Is there any noise from the mattress when moving?
- Nectar is silent, while Purple’s hybrids may produce slight noise due to coils.
10. Mattress Maintenance and Longevity Tips
- Rotate the mattress every 3-6 months to preserve its shape.
- Use a mattress protector to avoid spills and stains.
- For Purple, clean the GelFlex Grid occasionally with a mild cleaner.
11. Comparing to Other Brands
- Casper: Known for balanced foam feel, but lacks the unique cooling of Purple’s GelFlex Grid.
- Tuft & Needle: More affordable, but lacks the premium features of Nectar and Purple.
- Saatva: Offers luxury hybrid options with better edge support but at a higher price point.
12. Current Discounts and Promotions
- Nectar: Frequently offers discounts and free accessories (pillows, sheets).
- Purple: Offers periodic discounts and bundle deals, such as free pillows or sheet sets with mattress purchases. Keep an eye on seasonal sales like Black Friday or Memorial Day for the best deals.
