Nectar VS Tuft & Needle

Nectar and Tuft & Needle are two leading US mattress brands that have revolutionized the modern sleep industry. Both brands share a similar ideology: to provide sleepers with the ultimate sleep solutions. But where do the two companies differ in the execution of this ideology? And which of the two brands offers the best sleep solution for your needs? This article compares Nectar VS Tuft & Needle to help you better understand what the two offer to make a more informed decision about your next mattress purchase.

Both Nectar and Tuft & Needle are bed-in-a-box mattress brands that provide premium sleep solutions. While both providers offer mattresses with some similar features, each bed has its own touch of uniqueness that makes it stand out. We will compare and contrast the two across various dimensions, such as mattress firmness, size differences, warranties, prices, material and construction, motion transfer, and edge support.

Nectar VS Tuft & Needle – Types of Mattresses

Both Nectar and Tuft & Needle offer various mattress options. Nectar offers two all-foam mattresses, the Nectar Mattress and the Nectar Lush Mattress. In contrast, Tuft & Needle boasts three models: the T&N Original Mattress, the T&N Mint Mattress, and the T&N Hybrid Mattress.

The Nectar and Nectar Lush are both memory foam mattresses with five layers each. The Nectar Original (known simply as the Nectar mattress) is the flagship model, whereas the Lush is a  luxury option for sleepers looking for a softer, more elegant sleep solution.

The Tuft & Needle  Original and Mint beds are all-foam mattresses,  whereas the T&N Hybrid is, well, a hybrid model. Both foam mattresses do not consist of memory foam rather polyfoam, which is why they have a foamy-yet-resilient feel. T&N’s flagship model,  the Original, comprises two layers of T&N Adaptive foam and open-cell foam. In contrast, the Mint comes with an additional transitional layer of foam, adding 2-inches to the overall thickness of the mattress.  The Hybrid model combines coils with both polyfoam and memory foam and is the brand’s priciest model.

The Tuft & Needle Mint is most similar to the Nectar Mattress, so let’s see how the two compare and contrast. What does one offer over the other?

Nectar Mattress VS Tuft & Needle – Material and Construction

Nectar Construction

The Nectar is constructed using two memory foam comfort layers and a memory foam transitional layer. The Nectar Mattress’s top layer consists of 1-inch memory foam quilted into its cover, followed by 3 inches of low-density memory foam and a 2-inch transitional layer of gel-infused memory foam. The bed’s support core features 6 inches of high-density polyfoam, which is much firmer and denser than the other layers.  The adaptive memory foam contours effortlessly to your body’s outline, creating the feeling of being hugged without the sleeper experiencing too much sinkage. The bed is encased in a covering made of polyester, nylon, and polyethylene. The mattress adds up to a total of  12-inches in height.

Tuft & Needle Construction

The T&N Original is an all-polyfoam model with a 3-inch comfort layer and a 7-inch support core. The comfort layer uses T&N adaptive® foam, which consists of graphite and is infused with ceramic gel to provide you with a cool and comfortable experience as it wicks the heat away from you.  The T&N Original also contours nicely to the sleeper’s body – offering up some much-needed pressure relief. However, polyfoam does not have the same hug as memory foam and offers more ‘bounce’ instead, due to which T&N original may feel more like the sleeper is “on” the mattress rather than “in” the mattress. The covering of the bed uses micro polyamide and polyester blend as its material. The mattress stands at a total of 10-inches in height.

While the T&N Original misses out on a transitional layer, the more advanced Mint model does include one. Boasting a total of 2-inches more in height, the T&N Mint has a slightly softer adaptive top layer, an additional transition layer of the same adaptive foam, and 30% more gel beads and graphite than the Original (enhancing its cooling properties).  At a total of 12-inches in height, the T&N Mint is just as thick as the Nectar mattress.

Like the Nectar mattress and the T&N Mint, the T&N Hybrid also checks in at 12-inches thick. Constructed from alternating layers of coils and foam, the hybrid model facilitates greater air circulation and boasts superior cooling technology. For comfort, the upper layer consists of polyfoam, followed by a layer of micro-coils and a necessary transitional layer that comes just before the pocketed coils.

Nectar mattress VS Tuft & Needle – Mattress Firmness

Different types of sleepers generally prefer varying levels of firmness. However, Nectar staunchly believes that it has cracked the perfect level of firmness that a mattress should have – a level that works for all sleepers. On a scale from 1-10, where 1 is very soft, and 10  is firm, the Nectar  Mattress ranks at 6.5. This is considered a medium-firm level. Nectar is ideal for front, back, and side sleepers between 130 to 230 pounds. It also works for side sleepers above 230 pounds. Since it has a memory foam layer, you will experience the mattress providing you the hug factor. However, despite Nectar’s insistence that the Nectar mattress is a fit for all, they did roll out the Nectar Lush, which is considerably softer and offers side sleepers more support.

The Tuft & Needle Mint also offers medium-firmness, and ranks at around 6-6.5 on the scale, around the same as the Nectar. Although the top layer of adaptive foam is very soft, the mattress derives its firmness from the substantial support core. It offers pressure relief without too much of a ‘hugging’ sensation. For sleepers who weigh more than 230 pounds, the T&N Mint might sag near their mid-sections, which discourages spinal alignment. So heavier sleepers may benefit more from the T&N Hybrid instead.

Nectar Vs Tuft & Needle – Motion Isolation

Since the Nectar mattress is composed of memory foam, it offers superior motion isolation compared to an all-polyfoam bed. The foam layers absorb movement whenever you adjust your sleep position or get in and out of bed, minimizing motion transfer across the surface.  This makes the Nectar mattress an excellent pick for couples, as sleeping partners are less likely to disturb one another.

Although polyfoam also offers motion transfer reduction, it’s not nearly as much as the denser memory foam has to offer. The Tuft & Needle Mint does offer up appreciable motion isolation, more than you’d get out of a hybrid bed, but still not as much as a memory foam mattress offers. For people who do not share a bed, this will not be a problem. Nevertheless, the Nectar mattress might be a better option if you do.

Nectar VS Tuft & Needle – Temperature Control

Due to its low and medium density comfort layers, Nectar layers may absorb and trap body heat. This could make you feel uncomfortably warm. The memory foam layers give it a “hugging” factor as well. If you are a hot sleeper, Nectar might not be the choice for you.

Tuft & Needle addresses this problem by using graphite to pull the body heat away from the sleeper. Cooling gel beads in the T&N Mint also helps to absorb the body heat preventing the sleeper from feeling uncomfortably warm. However, the T&N Mint is still an all-foam bed, as is the Nectar, so the cooling properties they offer are still limited. If you are particularly prone to sleeping hot and need a decidedly cooler sleep solution, then the T&N Hybrid might be the way to go. The coils present in the hybrid model encourage superior air circulation, keeping you cool during sleep. So when comparing the cooling technology of Nectar VS Tuft & Needle, T&N gives you more options.

Nectar VS Tuft & Needle – Edge Support

Thanks to its many dense foam layers, the Nectar mattress offers robust edge support. The medium-level firmness of Nectar prevents the excessive loss of support one feels on a softer foam mattress. These attributes collectively make Nectar a good choice if you want decent edge support.

The Tuft & Needle Mint also has its own edge support technology, with 4-inches of reinforced foam at the edges of the support layer. Although the high-density polyfoam used in its composition does offer some degree of reinforcement, you are still likely to experience more sinkage than is ideal. Fortunately, the luxury alternative to the Original – The T&N Mint – contains an additional transition polyfoam layer that offers up some much-wanted edge support. The foam also provides more support to your hips and shoulders. This makes the Mint a better supportive option if you’re up for paying the higher price.

Nectar VS Tuft & Needle – Prices and Sizing

Here’s a quick Tuft & Needle VS Nectar price comparison, corresponding to the models’ individual sizes.

The T&N Mint is noticeably cheaper than the Nectar mattress, and the T&N Original is significantly more affordable, being a value option. However, the Nectar mattress is often available at a discounted rate, usually bringing it to a lower price point than the Mint and around the same as the T&N Original. While the T&N Hybrid appears to be quite expensive, it’s actually far more affordable than many other hybrid models in the market.

Tuft & Needle VS Nectar  – Warranties,Trails,andReturns

In terms of warranty, Nectar offers the best one in the business. The rapidly-growing mattress brand offers sleepers a lifetime warranty. Nectar will replace any defective mattress during the first ten years without any extra expense to the customer. After ten years, the company will either replace or repair and re-cover any defective mattress.  Any Tuft & Needle mattress comes with a limited warranty of precisely ten years, which is on the lower end for bed-in-a-box brands. Any sagging or impressions over .75 inches deep are covered by the warranty. The guarantee also protects against defects in the cover and any physical flaw in the foam.

Nectar also offers a generous 365-night trial which is much longer than most competing brands, including Tuft & Needle, which only offers a 100-night trial. During the trial period, both companies will arrange for a full refund in case of any returns.

Who should choose Nectar?

If you’re looking to make a secure, long-term investment, then Nectar’s Forever Warranty is a step in the right direction. Plus, Nectar offers a year-round trial. This means you can try the mattress out in all seasons and see how it fares on the whole. While the Nectar mattress caters to a wide variety of sleepers, it’s best for side sleepers. Also, if you catch the Nectar mattress during a sale, then it will likely cost you less than the T&N Mint, making it a more affordable option with similar features.

Who should choose Tuft & Needle?

Tuft & Needle has been around since 2011, whereas Nectar only entered the game in 2017. So,  T&N has more of a name for itself, and also more options. If you’re shopping on a budget, the T&N Original offers great value for its price point. Both Nectar and T&N frequently put discounts up though, so it’s always best to check and compare the prices from both vendors before making a final decision. The T&N Mint is the most similar model to the Nectar mattress, and if you’re looking for an all-foam bed with superior edge support, then the Mint takes the cake.

If you’re on the prowl for a more supportive bed with superior cooling technology, then the T&N Hybrid is always an option. Its price is generally lower than most hybrid models in the market, and the reinforced springs offer excellent edge support. The inner pocket springs provide appreciable bounce, aiding ease of movement, and point-pressure relief. So if you’re suffering from pressure buildup in your back or joints, then the T&N Hybrid quite literally has your back.