As a side sleeper, I can confirm that a moderately cushy, memory foam mattress is the only sleeping option that provides that rare combination of comfort and supportand experts agree.
“Memory foam mattresses may be particularly beneficial for side sleepers because they are able to accommodate the specific positioning of the neck and the lower back as the body moves throughout the night to facilitate sleep,” explains Peter Whang, MD, a Yale Medicine orthopedic surgeon who specializes in spine conditions.
However, not all of the squishy, body-conforming sleeping surfaces are created equal. In fact, some of them have serious drawbacks. For example, while some memory foam mattresses are cooling, other absorb and retain body heat, a serious con for hot sleepers.
Memory foam can also weaken over time and become less supportive, creating issues for your spine health, and according to Dr. Whang, too much squish is not a good thing. “While features such as adjustable positioning and temperature control may be attractive, one of the most important considerations is making sure that the mattress provides sufficient support to ensure that the body does not ‘sink’ into the material and potentially put it into abnormal alignment,” he says.
I’ve been sleeping on the Nectar Premier Copper Memory Foam Mattress for more than two year, and I can’t recommend it enough for side sleepers (and stomach sleepers and back sleeper alike!) as one of the best mattresses in a box. Here’s my honest review.
What is the Nectar Premier Copper Memory Foam Mattress?
The Nectar Premier Copper Memory Foam mattress has five key components, starting from the first shift-resistant, stabilizing lower layer, a supportive base foam layer, a transitional layer, a cooling and pressure-relieving gel foam layer adaptive to your body temperature and finally, a breathable and cooling copper cover. (Take note, though: Because all five layers differ, it is not a flippable mattress.)
The major difference between this mattress and the Nectar Premier Memory Foam Mattress is the addition of the cooling copper fibers. Dr. Whang notes that it is important to select a memory foam that is breathable, “to allow for circulation of air which can help to dissipate body heat.” Copper is an element “which may have a number of benefits such as better temperature regulation and antimicrobial properties,” he adds. This is something I can personally attest to: My husband is an inferno-person, and he’s never had an issue waking up sweaty with the Nectar Premier Copper Memory Foam Mattress, as it actively combats heat retention.
First Impressions
The Nectar mattress is a bed-in-a-box, and my king-size model arrived in a surprisingly compact package for how heavy it was (it weighed over 100 pounds, making it hard to move around). Once my husband and I managed to get it into the bedroom and unbox it, we were immediately impressed by how substantial it really was. The mattress was shrink-wrapped into a jelly roll with layers-upon-layers of protectant plastic wrap. Nectar provided a blade to open it, but it broke almost immediately, so we broke out the scissors to get it unwrapped. Once free, it sprung open, inflating in just seconds.
Compared to other bed-in-a-box mattresses, the Nectar Premier is noticeably thicker and taller. I was also immediately impressed by how plush and comfortable the mattress was, and the silky smooth-slash-cooling sensation of the copper threading. As for the smell, initially I noticed a faint odor, but that dissipated pretty quickly after it had a few hours to air out.
VIA MERCHANT
We Tried It
Nectar Premier Copper Memory Foam Mattress
With triple action cooling and two extra inches of support, the Premier Copper is Nectar's tallest, coolest and most supportive mattress.
Product Features
The Nectar Premier Copper Memory Foam Mattress is a medium firm mattress with a 6.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale. Nectar also offers a generous trial period of 365 nights. If you aren’t happy, simply send an email and you will receive a full refund. They also back their mattress up with a “forever warranty,” promising to fix any flaws with either a repair or replacement.
In terms of sizes offered, Nectar covers all the bases: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King and Split King. The mattress is available as a memory foam (which I tested) or a hybrid with springs. The hybrid is slightly more expensive and includes seven layers versus five.
The total height of the memory foam mattress is 14 inches, including seven inches of foundational memory foam, four inches of supportive but responsive foam and four inches of cooling, gel-infused memory foam on top. This is the layer that really makes the bed comfortable, as it contours to the curves of your body while relieving pressure where you need it to. The tech-forward substance also reacts to your body temperature.
How We Tested It
While I’ve now been sleeping on the mattress for two restful years, I took the most notes after my first 30 nights, focusing on a few specific categories, starting with comfort.
As a longtime side (and sometimes stomach) sleeper who is married to a back sleeper, I looked at comfort from every position. I also considered supportiveness, comparing it to my last mattress, an innerspring pillow-top.
Because one of the standout features of this mattress is the copper threading, I considered heat retention and how well the cooling technology lived up to the hype. Motion transfer was another consideration, as my husband thrashes around a lot at night and I could often feel every kick, bounce and movement on our old mattress.
And last but certainly not least, I considered my back and body health. Since I suffer from recurrent lower-back pain, I wanted to see whether I would wake up with more or less pain.
I am happy to report that the Premier Copper Memory Foam Mattress passed all of my tests.
- Comfort: I found the 6.5, medium-firmess of the Nectar perfect for my side sleeping. It cradled my body at the pressure points, without allowing it to sink in.
- Support: I was really impressed with the mattress’s exceptional dynamic support layer. It is firm enough to support your whole body, whether you are sleeping on your side, back or stomach, but with enough give that it hugs your body.
- Heat retention: As I mentioned, my husband sleeps hot, but I am basically a vampire with no body heat. Even with the cooling technology, both of us slept very comfortably. The heat-regulating technology of the mattress kept him cool all night long, while it kept me feeling just right.
- Motion transfer: After night one I awoke completely shocked: There was virtually no motion transfer. My husband could have been pounding his feet on the mattress and I felt nothing but that whack of my cat’s tail on my face.
- Pain relief: After a month of sleeping on the mattress, my shoulder joint pain had subsided dramatically, which I attribute to the top layer of foam. The mattress also did wonders in terms of lower back support, filling the gap between my spine and the mattress when I slept on my back. Where before I would wake up feeling like I had been arching my back all night, I awoke with zero kinks or pain after a few nights on the Nectar.
Two Year Update
After two years of sleeping on the Nectar, I can happily report that its just as comfortable as ever. The mattress shows zero signs of sinking or indentation, and the memory foam is still as supportive as it was on day one. It hasnt lost its subtle cooling properties, either (though I wouldnt go so far as to call this the most cooling mattress on the market). My husband and I continue to marvel at just how much we love sleeping on this bed!
The two signs of wear Ive noticed are staining and pilling. As you can see in the photos throughout (all of which are current to the two-year mark), the mattress is susceptible to stains from regular use. Even through sheets, the surface of the mattress can hold onto buildup from skin oils over time. I cleaned these with baking soda and a steam cleaner, but wasnt able to kick them completely. And speaking of the mattress surface, you can see how certain spots have pilled up and threads have pulled loosethese issues happened during spot cleaning, so be sure to use non-abrasive tools and rub gently when treating mattress stains.
Pros
- The mattress instantly inflates after unboxing
- Threaded in copper, the cover is silky smooth and cooling
- Offers support and comfort with the perfect amount of firmness
- A great option for side and back sleepers and helps with shoulder joint and lower back pain
- Zero motion transfer
- Full year risk-free trial period and forever warranty
- Free shipping and returns
Cons
- The mattress is thick and very heavy, so you will need help setting it up
- Slight odor after first opening, which dissipates quickly
- The edge support is minimal compared to a spring mattress
- Non-flippable
FAQ
What is the firmness of the Nectar Premier copper mattress?
The Nectar Premier Copper Mattress measures at a 6.5 out of 10 in terms of firmness, making it medium-firm.
Is the Nectar Premier copper good for stomach sleepers?
The Nectar Premier Copper Mattress is good for every type of sleeper, including stomach sleepers. While I primarily sleep on my side, the nights spent on my stomach were just as enjoyable.
Are copper mattresses worth it?
If you are a hot sleeper who tends to have the night sweats, you should consider investing in a copper mattress.
What Other Reviewers Have to Say
Both Amazon reviewers and those who purchased straight from the Nectar website rave about the Premier Copper Memory Foam Mattress. Over 4,200 Amazon shopper gave the bed a perfect 5-star rating.
Karen Taylor, an Amazon shopper who slept on a TempurPedic “top-of-the-line mattress for years,” initially bought the Copper for her guest room, but quickly moved it into the primary bedroom. She notes that it is “superbly comfortable” and maintains that the “pressure-point pain” she experienced sleeping her last bed went away. “The mattress stays comfortably cool, and it is light enough that I can easily lift it to put on linens,” she adds. “I am no longer limited to side-sleeping. I can lie on my back without experiencing lower back pain. I like how the upper layer of the mattress cradles my body, and I am no longer tossing and turning.”
Brian I, another Amazon shopper, also attests that after sleeping on the mattress for just two nights, both he and his wife, who suffered from “joint and muscle aches attributed to aging” woke up “pain-free,” adding that the bed is “firm and supportive, but very comfortable.”
A few reviewers did note that you should give the mattress a few days of testing before you make a decision, noting that it doesn’t fully fluff out until the second night of sleeping on it. Another con mentioned by a handful of reviewers is the weight, making it hard to move on your own.
Product Comparison
The closest comparison to the Nectar Premier Copper Memory Foam Mattress is the Nectar Premier Mattress. It offers similar specs and features, minus a few things. The biggest difference is that the Copper is designed with the cooling copper threading. It also has an inch more of the therapeutic gel layer and triple-action cooling versus double. According to reviewers, they are both great mattresses, but the Copper was rated slightly higher in terms of cooling and also comfort.
Price wise, the Premier is quite a bit more affordable, with a range of $1,049 for a twin up to $2,398 for king split.
Final Verdict
After two years, I am still happily sleeping on the Nectar Premier Copper Memory Foam Mattress. I haven’t noticed any changes in terms of its unbeatable cooling quality or motion transfer, and the memory foam has yet to deteriorate. While you won’t need a mattress topper, I do recommend adding a mattress protector (and even this mattress vacuum cleaner) to extend the life of any mattress.
While on the expensive side, the Nectar checks all the boxes including comfort for all sleeping styles, body temperature adaptation and little to no motion transfer, making it well worth the investment. However, if you don’t have a hot sleeper in your bed, the Nectar Premier Mattress is a great alternative that will save you money.
Where to Buy the Nectar Premier Copper Memory Foam Mattress
VIA MERCHANT
We Tried It
Nectar Premier Copper Memory Foam Mattress
Combines advanced copper fiber cooling technology, memory foam, ActiveLift HD and springs for cooling comfort and support.
The Premier Copper Memory Foam Mattress comes in sizes twin to split king, with prices ranging from $1499 to $3,298. You can purchase the mattress on Amazon, Mattress Firmor the Nectar website.
Sometimes the brand runs promos, offering hundreds of dollars off or freebies like mattress protectors, sheet sets and premium pillows. Qualified buyers can pay over the course of up to 18 months with 0% interest via Affirm.
If you’re still interested in Nectar but want a more affordable option, the Nectar Mattress (the brand’s original offering) starts at just $699, and as I mentioned before, the Nectar Premier Mattress is also a great less expensive alternative for those who want a premier mattress but don’t need the added cooling benefits.
I suggest you order the this mattress sooner rather than later. Your back, body and significant other will thank you.
Sources:
- Peter Whang, MD, a Yale Medicine orthopedic surgeon specializing in spine conditions
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