Have you been curious about the bed-in-a-box trend that's become so popular lately? Foam mattresses are more accessible these days than they've been for decades. There are dozens of options on the market, many of which are priced more affordably than the multi-thousand dollar price tag that these beds used to carry.
Two of the most popular mattresses worldwide are the Puffy and Nectar mattresses. These brands have a number of similarities, but they also have enough differences to be very distinctive designs. I've taken a look at the main differences between the original mattresses to help you decide which one fits your needs best.
Overview of Puffy and Nectar Mattresses
Shared Features
Unique Puffy Mattress Features
Unique Nectar Mattress Features
Comfort
Puffy
The feel of the original Puffy Mattress is light and airy. The mattress is comprised of three total layers:
The "Cooling Cloud Foam" is a proprietary foam utilized by the company. In addition to having the same plush contouring that most memory foam mattresses boast, it's also formulated with cooling properties. The layer is breathable enough to keep fresh air flowing through the mattress so you don't overheat as you sleep.
That means that you're less likely to wake up sweaty in the middle of the night. Your sleep tends to be less interrupted and much more restful. It's also an asset for people in areas with hot, humid summers. When the air around you feels sticky, you shouldn't have to suffer the same from your bed.
The "Climate Comfort Foam" is a little denser, allowing for less airflow. At the same time, though, it continues to transfer the heat away from your body to keep you cool while you sleep - without making you too cold.
These foams don't quite have the same contouring level as true memory foam. That's because they lack the same density to make the material more breathable. They do still contour enough to provide moderate pressure point relief, though, so you'll wake with less general aching in your body.
Nectar
Nectar's feel is closer to dense memory foam. Rather than using thin, airy layers of breathable material, the mattress is made from close-packed foam that conforms to your body and provides total pressure point relief. For those who prefer the texture and feel of true memory foam, this mattress will boast some nice advantages.
Upon first laying down on the mattress, you'll experience a feeling of dense firmness. You won't sink into the cushioning as easily as with the competition. But after waiting a few seconds, you will begin to sink into the mattress. The top layer of foam will conform to your curves like a cushion.
Many people prefer the feeling of true memory foam because of the way the denseness supportively envelopes you. If you experience a lot of muscle aches when you sleep, true memory foam might work best for you.
Winner: Nectar
Nectar wins this round because of the way the true memory foam offers total pressure point relief. However, if you live in a hot area or tend to sweat a lot in your sleep, you might prefer the climate-controlled upper layers of the Puffy mattress construction. Both options offer exceptional comfort, but they have distinctly different feels.
Firmness
Puffy
One of the biggest selling points of the Puffy Mattress is that it's soft without being unsupportive. On a mattress rating scale, it's somewhere in the middle in terms of firmness. There's a solid balance between skeletal support and muscle cushioning, which means you can fall asleep fast and wake up without feeling achy.
The right mattress firmness for you is intensely a matter of personal preference. Some people have trouble with any padding at all, while others find a very hard mattress too uncomfortable to fall asleep at all. Because the Puffy mattress is somewhere in the middle of the comfort-to-firmness scale, it will appeal to a wider range of sleepers.
If you sleep on your stomach, you'll find that there's adequate support for your spine and head. For those who sleep on their sides, there's enough padding to keep your hips and ribs from aching in the morning.
Nectar
The Nectar Mattress is a little firmer. That's partially because of the denser foam. You won't sink as far into the mattress. In addition, your spine may end up in a straighter alignment because your hips don't dip into the bed. This may make the mattress a better bet for heavier people who find that too-soft beds misalign their spines.
Even though the mattress is firm, it can still accommodate any type of sleeper and sleeping position. Some firm mattresses have so little padding that they cannot be used by side sleepers. Side sleepers might have a hard time with the Nectar model for a minute or two, but then they'll nestle into the top layers.
Whether you're on your back, stomach, or side, the memory foam layers offer helpful relief in cradling your shoulder and hip pressure points. They can also ease pressure points in the spine and neck for back sleepers.
Winner: Puffy
The right firmness can't really be quantified. Some people prefer a firmer fit, while others want something more plush and relaxed. Puffy wins this contest because the balance of plushness with support will appeal to a wider consumer range than a firmer mattress. But for those who need more intensive spinal support, the Nectar is better.
Covering
Puffy
Most mattress-in-a-box models come with some kind of removable covering. However, Puffy's stands apart from the crowd because it's both stain-resistant and machine-washable. With most other mattresses, you need to buy a covering separately to meet these requirements.
The cover, which is crafted from the company's Zip-N-Wash material, is designed to be deep cleaned seasonally. This helps remove germs and dirt that build up as you use the mattress. The buildup of this residue is inevitable regardless of how often you wash your sheets and bedding. With non-washable covers, cleaning it can be difficult.
Each mattress cover has received an Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification. This means that the materials and manufacturing process have passed rigorous tests and been found free of potentially harmful chemicals, carcinogens, plastics, and other substances.
Nectar
The Nectar Mattress unfortunately doesn't include a machine-washable mattress protector. The cover doesn't have the same stain resistant capabilities. However, you can add a mattress protector to your purchase.
The lack of included mattress protector is part of what makes the Nectar mattress a more affordable option than the competition. When you start adding coverings and luxury sheets, the price tag rises quickly.
Winner: Puffy
Puffy wins because it comes with a stain-resistant and easily-washed mattress protector by default. This makes it much easier to maintain, as opposed to competition that requires you to buy a mattress protector separately.
See Full Review of - Puffy Mattress | Nectar
Pros and Cons of Puffy
Pros
Cons
Pros and Cons of Nectar
Pros
Cons
Final Thoughts: Which is Better?
Both of these mattresses are excellent options for those seeking a multi-layer foam option for the bedroom. They can both accommodate every sleeping position, and they're both best for small to average sized sleepers.
Puffy works best for those who prefer a plush, soft feel to their mattress. It's also best if you don't mind paying a little extra to get a high-quality cover that makes maintenance much easier. Though this is a soft choice, it does still provide firm spinal support.
Nectar works for those who want a slightly firmer feel to their mattress. It's also good if you prefer a traditional memory foam texture to a hybrid or alternative foam type. This is the more affordable option of the two as well, which makes it the best one to look at if you're on a budget.
