You know the funny thing about Nectar? The bed most people buy is the cheapest one, and it’s also the firmest model in the lineup.
For side sleepers, that’s like buying cheap ski boots because the price is right, then wondering why your feet hurt. If you want the best Nectar mattress for side sleepers, the cheapest model usually isn’t it.
If you’d rather skip comparing eight models yourself, there’s a 60-second quiz below that gives you a straight answer for how you sleep. It asks six quick questions about your weight, preferred feel, and budget, then names your Nectar model and a runner-up.
Prefer to compare? Below you’ll get the pick by weight and budget. You’ll also see how foam and coils stack up for side sleeping.
So, the short version?
Most side sleepers should get the Nectar Luxe. If you want to spend less and still sleep well, get the Nectar Premier.
Key Takeaways
- The Classic is Nectar’s firmest bed according to its own feel page, and testers call it a weak fit for lighter side sleepers.
- NapLab calls the Luxe “perfect for side sleepers”, and the Luxe earns NapLab’s pressure-relief score of 10.
- The Premier is the cheapest model that independent testers consistently recommend for side sleepers, at $999 for a queen.
- Heavier side sleepers over 230 lb tend to do better on the Premier Hybrid or Luxe Hybrid because coils add support.
- Only the Ultra and Ultra Hybrid add a phase-change sheet on top of the memory foam; the cover itself is the same cooling cover on every model.
- Every Nectar model runs the same 365-night trial and Forever Warranty.
| Pick | Nectar’s feel label | Type | Queen price* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nectar LuxeBest Overall for Side Sleepers | Medium | Memory foam | $1,399 | Check Price |
| Nectar PremierBest Value for Side Sleepers | Medium-firm | Memory foam | $999 | Check Price |
| Nectar Ultra HybridSoftest and Coolest Nectar | Soft | Hybrid | $2,249 | Check Price |
| Nectar Premier HybridBest for Heavier Side Sleepers | Medium | Hybrid | $1,199 | Check Price |
| Nectar Luxe HybridHeavier Side Sleepers Who Want More Cushion | Medium-soft | Hybrid | $1,649 | Check Price |
*On nectarsleep.com at the time of writing.
Best Nectar Mattress for Side Sleepers: The Short Answer
If you want the whole Nectar mattress comparison in one place, the box above lays out all eight models side by side. If you want a quick answer about the best Nectar mattress for side sleepers, here are the picks.
- The best Nectar mattress for most side sleepers is the Luxe. It balances a 3-inch memory-foam top, NapLab’s pressure-relief score of 10, and a queen price $600 below the Ultra.
- The best value pick is the Nectar Premier because at $999 for a queen at the time of writing, it’s the cheapest model testers consistently recommend for side sleepers.
- For hot sleepers, pick the Nectar Ultra Hybrid because only the Ultra models add a phase-change sheet, and the Hybrid adds coils for airflow. NapLab gives both Ultra models a cooling score of 10 and calls the Ultra Hybrid the softest Nectar it has tested. If you want to spend less, the Premier Hybrid is the lower-cost pick.
- For bed-sharers, the pick is the Nectar Ultra because NapLab gave the Ultra foam its best Nectar motion score, 9.1.
- For people over 230 lb, pick the Nectar Premier Hybrid or Nectar Luxe Hybrid because the coils add support and push-back.
- The Classic only suits average-weight or heavier side sleepers who like a firmer, on-top feel; lighter side sleepers get more pressure relief one step up the lineup.
Which Nectar Mattress Is Best for You? Take the 60-Second Quiz
The quiz asks about your weight, the feel you like, foam or coils, budget, heat, and your partner. It then names one model.
Why the Nectar Classic Isn’t the Best Nectar for Most Side Sleepers
If you’re eyeing the Classic because it’s the least expensive Nectar, I get it. But for a side sleeper, that firmness is the exact thing that can leave your shoulder and hip complaining by morning.
Nectar mattress firmness in plain words: Nectar’s own feel page calls the Classic firm, while the Premier is medium-firm and the Luxe is medium. That difference in wording is the whole ballgame for a side sleeper.
Testers point out the same thing. Sleepopolis says it’s not the best option for lightweight side sleepers, and Tom’s Guide says it lacks pressure relief for side sleepers.
The fair side? NapLab still marks the Classic as suitable for side sleepers at every weight it tests, and Sleepopolis found it fine for average-weight side sleepers. So, is Nectar good for side sleepers?
Yes for most models. The Classic is just the weakest fit.
The Nectar Classic Hybrid is not a workaround. NapLab measures a little more sinkage on the hybrid, but Sleep Foundation still finds it firm for side sleepers under 130 lb. For a deeper look, check out how the Nectar Classic performs overall.
Nectar Luxe: Best Overall for Side Sleepers
Best for: most side sleepers under 230 lb who want deep cushion and top-level pressure relief.
*On nectarsleep.com at the time of writing.
The Nectar Luxe mattress is the pick that keeps showing up when testers talk about side sleepers. It’s 14 inches tall with a 3-inch memory foam comfort layer up top, which gives your shoulder and hip room to sink in without making you feel swallowed.
NapLab and Sleep Foundation both put it in the sweet spot. NapLab rates the Luxe medium 5/10, gives pressure relief a 10, and says it is “perfect for side sleepers.” Sleep Foundation gives it a 9.0 for side sleepers under 130 lb and a 9.5 for those 130 to 230 lb.
Tom’s Guide names it best for side sleepers. It warns the Luxe is not firm enough for heavier sleepers.
That mix is why it’s the best overall. You get deep cushion for your shoulder and hip, a NapLab pressure-relief score shared with the most expensive Nectars, and a price $600 below the Ultra.
Under that 3-inch memory foam top, there’s another 3 inches of support foam. So the Luxe still has structure beneath the sink.
The trade-off is edge support. NapLab’s edge score is 6.8, so the sitting edge feels soft. For side sleeping, that’s a small trade for the cushioning.
Queen price at the time of writing is $1,399 on nectarsleep.com. It’s not cheap, but it’s $400 above the Premier and $600 below the Ultra, and it gets you a 3-inch memory foam top.
The 365-night trial lowers the risk. It helps if you’re deciding between this and a firmer model.
Nectar Luxe Pros and Cons
- 3-inch memory foam top gives deep cushioning
- NapLab pressure-relief score of 10
- NapLab motion score of 8.7, so couples get less disturbance
- Soft sitting edge: NapLab edge score of 6.8
- Not firm enough for heavier sleepers per Tom's Guide
Nectar Premier: Best Value for Side Sleepers
Best for: side sleepers who want the best value from a Nectar with strong pressure relief.
*On nectarsleep.com at the time of writing.
The Nectar Premier mattress is the value pick. At $999 for a queen at the time of writing, it’s the cheapest model that testers consistently recommend for side sleepers.
It’s 13 inches tall with a 2-inch memory foam top. The Luxe has an extra inch of memory foam and costs $400 more, but the Premier still gives your hip and shoulder a real place to sink.
NapLab rates it a medium 5/10 with a 9.0 pressure relief score, and Sleep Foundation gives it a 9.5 for side sleepers between 130 and 230 lb. That’s the kind of one-two score that makes it the default for average-weight side sleepers who don’t want to pay Luxe money.
Mattress Clarity names it as its side-sleeper pick among Nectar’s foam models. NCOA says it had the highest side pressure-relief score of any mattress in that test.
The caveats? NapLab worries about the comfort foam’s long-term durability, the sitting edge is weak, and Sleepopolis doesn’t recommend it above 230 lb.
Nectar’s own page aims the Premier at back and combination sleepers, which is a little odd. But independent testers keep steering side sleepers to it.
Nectar Premier Pros and Cons
- NapLab pressure relief 9.0 at $999 queen
- Mattress Clarity's side-sleeper pick among Nectar's foam models
- NCOA says highest side pressure-relief score in its test
- Weak sitting edge and durability question from NapLab
- Not recommended above 230 lb by Sleepopolis
Nectar Ultra and Ultra Hybrid: The Softest, Coolest Nectar
Best for: hot side sleepers and anyone who wants the softest Nectar; the Ultra foam is the version for bed-sharers.
*On nectarsleep.com at the time of writing.
The Ultra and Ultra Hybrid are Nectar’s biggest and softest beds, and NapLab’s cooling scores make them the coolest. If you want a soft mattress for side sleepers, these are the two to look at.
Both are 15 inches tall with a 4-inch memory foam layer and a phase-change sheet on top of the memory foam. The cover itself is the same cooling top cover on every other Nectar. Phase-change is the extra material that sets these two apart.
NapLab calls the Ultra Hybrid the softest Nectar mattress it has tested, at 4/10. It earns a cooling score of 10 and an overall score of 8.99.
The foam Ultra gets NapLab’s best Nectar motion score, 9.1, so it’s the quietest choice for side sleepers who share a bed. If you’re sharing and want more room than a queen, here’s how much room a Nectar king gives you.
That softness comes at a price. At the time of writing, the Ultra is $1,999 and the Ultra Hybrid is $2,249 at queen.
Sleep Foundation hasn’t reviewed either one yet, so most of what’s published comes from NapLab and the materials. NapLab gives both Ultra models a cooling score of 10.
If you’re a hot side sleeper, the Ultra Hybrid is the pick because it adds coils for airflow, and only the Ultra models have a phase-change sheet. If you also want to spend less, the Premier Hybrid is the lower-cost alternative for hot sleepers.
It has a NapLab cooling score of 9.0, just below the Ultra Hybrid’s 10.
Nectar Ultra Hybrid Pros and Cons
- Softest, deepest sink in the lineup per NapLab
- Phase-change sheet and a 4-inch memory foam layer
- NapLab cooling and pressure-relief scores of 10
- Highest price in the lineup
- Edge support is not its strong suit, per NapLab edge score of 7.3
Nectar Premier Hybrid: Best for Heavier Side Sleepers
Best for: heavier side sleepers, especially if they sleep hot, who want coils without the Luxe Hybrid price.
*On nectarsleep.com at the time of writing.
Side sleepers over 230 lb get coils that keep hips and shoulders lifted, plus memory foam up top to soften contact points. The Nectar Premier Hybrid pairs two inches of memory foam and two inches of support foam over eight-inch coils and a one-inch base, and Nectar calls it medium. It’s a 13-inch cushion over that coil floor.
Sleep Foundation gives it a 9.5 for side sleepers over 230 lb, its top score for heavier bodies. NapLab rates pressure relief at 9.0 and side sleeping as suitable at every weight tested. That means hips and shoulders get enough give without sinking into the coils.
NapLab also gives it an 8.53 overall at 5/10, with motion at 8.2 and edge support at 7.8. Sleep Foundation says it’s best for side sleepers who weigh at least 130 lb and rates temperature at 7.5. The coil push-back above 230 lb is what separates it from all-foam models, where testers split.
Nectar posts a 1,000 lb capacity for hybrid models queen and up, but none for the foam models. That gives heavier couples something to check. At the time of writing, a queen costs $1,199 on nectarsleep.com.
Nectar Premier Hybrid Pros and Cons
- 9.5 side score above 230 lb from Sleep Foundation
- Coils add support and airflow
- Lower price than Luxe Hybrid
- NapLab edge support is unremarkable at 7.8
- Not as plush as the Luxe Hybrid
Nectar Luxe Hybrid: Best for Heavier Side Sleepers Who Want More Cushion
Best for: heavier side sleepers who want more cushion on top of coils.
*On nectarsleep.com at the time of writing.
Side sleepers over 230 lb who want more cushion get an extra inch of memory foam up top. The Luxe Hybrid pairs three inches of memory foam and two inches of support foam over eight-inch coils and a one-inch base, and it’s 14 inches tall. Nectar calls it medium-soft and says that feel is most recommended for side sleepers.
NapLab gives the Luxe Hybrid a 10 for pressure relief, and Sleep Foundation rates it 9.5 for side sleepers over 230 lb. That extra foam cradles hips and shoulders like a thick pillow top before the coils take over. NapLab found side sleeping suitable at every weight it tested.
NapLab scores it 8.86 overall at 5/10, with motion at 8.1 and edge support at 7.8. Sleep Foundation gives it a 9.0 overall and notes mild heat retention for sleepers over 230 lb. The Nectar Luxe Hybrid replaced the discontinued Premier Copper.
At the time of writing, a queen costs $1,649, more than the Premier Hybrid. If you sleep hot, that mild heat note makes the Premier Hybrid the better-leaning pick.
Nectar Luxe Hybrid Pros and Cons
- NapLab pressure-relief score of 10
- Sleep Foundation 9.5 side score over 230 lb
- Deeper 3-inch memory foam layer
- Mild heat retention above 230 lb per Sleep Foundation
- Pricier than Premier Hybrid
Is Nectar Memory Foam or Hybrid Better for Side Sleepers?
Neither is better outright, but a Nectar memory foam mattress tends to suit lighter side sleepers, couples, and tighter budgets. A Nectar hybrid mattress tends to suit heavier side sleepers and people who want more airflow around the coils.
The reason is simple: coils push back. Under a heavier body, that push-back keeps your hips and shoulders from sinking too far.
An all-foam bed soaks up movement well. NapLab’s motion scores are 9.1 on the foam Ultra and 8.7 on the Luxe. A memory foam mattress for side sleepers often feels quieter for couples, and if you want a flippable foam bed, how Nectar stacks up against Layla is the next stop.
Hybrids cost $150 to $250 more at queen across the lineup. On heat, Sleep Foundation’s temperature scores run a little higher for hybrids than for their foam versions.
But edges are less predictable. NapLab actually measures better sitting edges on the foam Classic and Ultra than on their hybrid twins, so don’t buy a hybrid mattress for side sleepers just for the edge.
There’s also a firmness disagreement. Nectar labels each hybrid softer than its foam version, while Sleep Foundation rates three of the hybrids firmer. If you’re stuck between those descriptions, the trial is how you settle it.
Plus, every Nectar foam is CertiPUR-US certified. It’s also fiberglass-free.
Nectar Mattress for Side Sleepers by Body Weight
Nectar mattresses for side sleepers changes with your body weight, so here’s the simple map.
| Your weight | Best pick | Also worth a look | Skip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 130 lb | Nectar Luxe | Nectar Ultra | Classic and Classic Hybrid |
| 130 to 230 lb | Nectar Premier (value) or Luxe (more cushion) | Nectar Ultra | No hard skip; the Classic works if you like a firmer feel |
| Over 230 lb | Nectar Premier Hybrid or Luxe Hybrid | Nectar Classic Hybrid | the all-foam Luxe and Premier are contested |
Weight changes the answer because Sleep Foundation’s hybrid side scores climb with body weight and drop below 130 lb, while its foam scores stay more level. That means a heavier side sleeper gets more value from coils, while a lighter side sleeper does fine in foam.
For side sleepers over 230 lb, testers split on the all-foam Luxe and Premier. Some say they work, others say they feel stuck or too soft, so the hybrid models are the safer pick. Check the weight a mattress should support for you for a more exact figure.
Shoulder and Hip Pressure: What Side Sleepers Should Know
Nectar’s own side-sleeper page says side sleeping puts weight on your shoulder and hip, so the comfort layer lets them sink into foam while the rest stays supported. It describes that as pressure relief: the shoulder and hip need room to sink in, with support underneath.
People often search for the best mattress for side sleepers with shoulder pain or the best mattress for side sleepers with hip pain. A mattress can’t treat pain, and anyone with ongoing pain should talk to a doctor.
For the most give, testers point to the Luxe and Ultra, both with a NapLab pressure-relief score of 10. If you’re not sure how soft or firm to go, use the calculator to find the firmness your body needs.
Nectar Mattress Prices for Side Sleepers
Here’s the full Nectar mattress price picture for a queen, at the time of writing.
| Model | Type | Queen price* |
|---|---|---|
| Classic | Memory foam | $699 |
| Classic Hybrid | Hybrid | $849 |
| Premier | Memory foam | $999 |
| Premier Hybrid | Hybrid | $1,199 |
| Luxe | Memory foam | $1,399 |
| Luxe Hybrid | Hybrid | $1,649 |
| Ultra | Memory foam | $1,999 |
| Ultra Hybrid | Hybrid | $2,249 |
*Price on nectarsleep.com at the time of writing.
For a side sleeper, the step that matters most is the $300 from the Classic to the Premier. That one upgrade changes the feel from firm to medium-firm: Nectar calls the Classic firm and the Premier medium-firm, and NapLab measures them 6/10 and 5/10.
That’s the change one upgrade makes. It’s the gap between “I feel the support” and “my shoulder can sink a little.”
The Luxe and Ultra add more memory foam from there. Only the Ultras add phase-change. For most side sleepers, the Premier is enough, and how big a Nectar queen actually is is the page to check if your room or frame feels tight.
Nectar’s 365-Night Trial and Forever Warranty
Every Nectar comes with a 365-night trial from delivery, but returns can only be requested after the first 30 days. That’s Nectar’s rule, not a trick: you have to give the bed a month before you ask for pickup.
The Forever Warranty replaces your mattress free for the first 10 years. After that, Nectar will repair, re-cover, or replace it, with a $50 transport fee each way, waived if a defect is confirmed. A dip deeper than 1.5 inches counts as a defect.
For a side sleeper, the trial is the useful part of the decision. If the Premier turns out too firm on your shoulder, you have most of a year to send it back. That’s a long runway when you’re spending $999 to $2,249.
What Nectar Owners Complain About
Read Nectar reviews on Trustpilot and the number jumps out: a TrustScore of 1.4 out of 5 across 262 reviews. Themes include sagging, customer service, warranty and return friction, and delivery delays.
Independent testers add a few material notes. The Premier and Luxe foam have a soft sitting edge, and NapLab has a durability concern about the Premier’s comfort foam.
The good news is that the Forever Warranty’s 1.5-inch dip line covers sagging, and the 365-night trial covers a bad fit. If the bed sags beyond that point, or if the firmness is wrong for your shoulder, you have a path out.
But Nectar’s own site shows much higher star ratings. Those reviews are hosted by Nectar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Nectar Mattress good for a side sleeper?
Yes, most models work well for side sleepers. The Premier, Luxe, and Ultra get the strongest endorsements, while the firm Classic is the weakest fit for lighter side sleepers.
Is the Nectar luxe hybrid a good mattress?
Yes, it scores well: NapLab gives it 8.86 and Sleep Foundation 9.0 overall. It’s best for heavier side sleepers, with mild heat retention above 230 lb.
Is there a better mattress than Nectar?
It depends on the model and what you need. The Classic sits near NapLab’s average, while the Ultra Hybrid is among its top-rated beds.
Maybe you want coils and a more upscale feel. If that sounds right, Saatva’s lineup ranked for side sleeping is a solid place to start.
Which mattress is the softest?
The Ultra Hybrid is the softest Nectar. Nectar labels it soft, and NapLab calls it the softest Nectar it has tested. If you want something even softer than Nectar, here’s how Puffy’s softer beds compare.
Final Thoughts: Which Nectar Should a Side Sleeper Buy?
The best Nectar mattress for side sleepers isn’t the one most people default to. Most side sleepers should get the Luxe because it matches deep cushion with NapLab’s pressure-relief score of 10. On a budget, the Premier’s the value play.
Hot sleepers should look at the Ultra Hybrid. If you’re over 230 lb, choose the Premier Hybrid or Luxe Hybrid. The Classic only works if you’re average weight or heavier and like a firmer, on-top bed.
The 365-night trial lowers the risk of guessing wrong. If the mattress turns out too soft or too firm for your shoulder, you have a long runway to change course.