Nectar Mattress vs Purple: Canadian Mattress Comparison with a Natural Alternative

Are you caught between choosing a Nectar mattress vs a Purple mattress in Canada? Many shoppers face this dilemma when seeking affordable comfort. Despite their popularity, both memory foam mattresses have limitations—from synthetic materials to durability concerns. Fawcett Mattress offers a compelling natural alternative crafted in Canada with sustainable materials and personalized support that addresses these limitations while providing superior long-term value.

Mattress Comparison Table

Still unsure which mattress will provide your ideal night's sleep? Get personalized recommendations from our sleep specialists based on your individual preferences.

Nectar Mattress: Key Features

Nectar mattresses offer classic memory foam with a conforming feel at competitive price points. Their Canadian lineup includes:

• Standard Construction: Multiple layers of gel memory foam (2-4" top layers) with poly foam transition and support cores
• Materials: Polyester/nylon/polyethylene covers with gel-infused memory foam
• Feel: Medium-firm mattress (6/10) with deep body contouring and slower response
• Best For: Side sleepers seeking pressure relief and budget-conscious shoppers
• Canadian Availability: Sold through Nectar.ca, The Brick, and Leon's
• Pricing: Queen nectar mattresses range from $1,099-$1,299 CAD
• Warranty: "Forever Warranty" (full coverage for 10 years, prorated thereafter)

Purple Mattress: Key Features

Purple mattresses' innovative approach centers around their proprietary GelFlex Grid technology:

• Standard Construction: 2" GelFlex Grid polymer over foam or hybrid layers
• Materials: Hyper-elastic gel polymer grid with polyurethane support foam
• Feel: Medium (6.5/10) with a floating, responsive surface
• Best For: Hot sleepers, combination sleepers, and those with joint pain
• Canadian Availability: Available through direct shipping and select retailers
• Pricing: Queen purple mattresses approximately $1,599 CAD
• Warranty: 10-year non-prorated warranty

Construction & Feel Differences

The most significant difference between these two mattresses lies in their construction methods and resulting feel—Purple's gel grid versus Nectar's memory foam create fundamentally different sleep experiences.

Classic Memory Foam vs GelFlex Grid

Nectar's Memory Foam Approach:

• Uses multiple layers of gel-infused memory foam (3-5 PCF density)
• Creates a slow-responding memory foam "sink-in" feeling that cradles the body
• Foam layers build heat over time despite cooling gel infusions
• Traditional pressure relief through body conformance

Purple's GelFlex Grid Technology:

• Features a 2" hyper-elastic gel polymer grid with 1,400+ air channels
• Creates a more buoyant feel that's simultaneously soft and supportive
• Grid structure allows significant airflow for better temperature neutrality
• Unique pressure relief through grid collapse under pressure points

How The Feel Differs: When lying on a Nectar mattress, you'll experience gradual sinking as the memory foam slowly conforms to your body shape. In contrast, Purple's gel grid offers immediate give under pressure points while maintaining support elsewhere, creating what many describe as a "floating" sensation.

Mattress Feel & Motion Isolation

Both mattresses perform well in different aspects of overall comfort:

Nectar Strengths:

• Superior motion isolation (great for couples)
• Familiar memory foam hug many sleepers prefer
• Consistent feel across the entire surface

Purple Strengths:

• Excellent cooling features for hot sleepers
• More responsive top layer that doesn't limit motion transfer
• Unique pressure relief without deep sinking

Thinking of switching from foam to a natural mattress? Visit our Victoria showroom or Nanaimo showroom and personally explore the comfort, cooling, and support advantages of natural materials.

Body Type & Sleeping Positions

Your body weight and preferred sleeping position significantly impact which mattress might work better for you.

Average Weight Sleepers – 130 lbs – 230 lbs

Side Sleepers: Nectar typically performs better for average-weight side sleepers, providing deeper pressure relief for shoulders and hips through its memory foam layers. Purple's grid works well for some but may not offer enough give for those seeking deep pressure relief.

Back Sleepers: Both mattresses accommodate back sleepers in this weight range, but Purple often provides better spinal alignment due to its more responsive support system.

Stomach Sleepers: Neither mattress is ideal for strict stomach sleepers, as both may allow too much hip sinking, though Purple's gel grid offers marginally better support.

Heavyweight Sleepers – Over 230 lbs

Purple generally outperforms Nectar for sleepers over 230 pounds. The gel grid structure maintains support under greater pressure, while Nectar's memory foam may compress too deeply, creating alignment issues.

For heavyweight sleepers:

• Purple's grid maintains consistent support without bottoming out
• Nectar's comfort layer may compress excessively over time
• Heavier individuals often report premature sagging with Nectar

Lightweight Sleepers – Under 130 lbs

Lightweight sleepers may find both all-foam mattresses suitable with some caveats:

• Nectar provides gentle conforming that lightweight sleepers may prefer
• Purple's grid might feel too firm for some lightweight side sleepers
• Overall pressure relief is good with both options, but Nectar typically offers a bit softer initial feel

Temperature Regulation

One of the most significant differences between these mattresses is their temperature regulation capabilities.

Sleeping Hot or Cold

Nectar's Cooling Approach:

• Uses gel-infused memory foam to draw heat away
• Includes phase-change materials in some models like Nectar Premier Copper
• Still retains more heat than non-memory foam designs

Purple's Cooling Technology:

• Gel grid structure creates natural airflow channels throughout the comfort layer
• Minimal surface contact reduces heat buildup
• Purple mattresses sleep significantly cooler in comparative tests

Canadian sleepers dealing with varying seasonal temperatures should note that Purple typically maintains a more temperature-neutral sleeping surface year-round.

Edge Support & Durability

Long-term performance differences between these mattresses become apparent when examining edge support and overall durability.

Edge Support Comparison

Nectar: Provides adequate edge support for sitting but may compress significantly when sleeping near the perimeter. The all-foam construction limits reinforcement options.

Purple: Offers better edge support, especially in hybrid models with coil perimeters. The grid structure maintains shape better when compressed than traditional memory foam.

Neither mattress excels in edge support compared to traditional innerspring designs, but Purple generally outperforms Nectar in this category.

Durability & Longevity

Expected Lifespan Comparison:

• Nectar: 6-8 years (typical memory foam mattress durability)
• Purple: 7-10 years (polymer grid resists impression better than foam)

Customer reviews highlight durability concerns with both brands:

• Nectar users report premature softening and body impressions
• Purple users mention grid collapse in high-pressure areas over time

Pressure Relief & Pain Relief

Both Nectar and Purple mattresses take different approaches to relieving pressure points and addressing pain.

Nectar's Pressure Relief Method:

• Deep contouring memory foam that gradually conforms to body shape
• Excellent for side sleepers with shoulder/hip pressure points
• May help those with arthritis who benefit from conforming support

Purple's Pressure Relief Method:

• Grid collapses precisely under pressure points while supporting elsewhere
• Creates a unique "floating" sensation that reduces pressure without deep sinking
• Better for those who need to relieve pressure but dislike feeling "stuck" in foam

For Canadians with specific pain concerns, Nectar tends to work better for those who need deep pressure relief, while Purple's unique responsiveness benefits those who need support while still being able to move freely.

Price & Value Comparison

Pricing represents a significant consideration for Canadian shoppers, with substantial differences between these brands.

Current Canadian Pricing (Queen Size):

• Nectar: $1,099-$1,299 CAD
• Purple: $1,599 CAD

Value Considerations:

• Nectar offers a better initial price point and longer trial period (365 nights)
• Purple's innovative hyper-elastic gel polymer technology commands a premium but may offer better long-term durability
• Both companies offer financing options for Canadian customers

When considering value beyond price, factors like durability, warranty terms, and sleep quality should factor into your decision.

Company Policies & Warranty

Canadian shoppers should pay particular attention to policies that may differ from U.S. offerings.

Nectar Canada Policies:

• 365-night trial period
• "Forever Warranty" (full coverage for 10 years, prorated thereafter)
• Free returns (potential $150 fee for remote areas)
• Available through Nectar.ca and retail partners

Purple Canada Policies:

• 100-night trial (after 21-night break-in period)
• 10-year non-prorated warranty
• Free returns
• Ships directly to most Canadian provinces

Return Policy

Both companies allow returns during their trial periods, but with notable differences:

• Nectar requires you to contact customer service and arrange return shipping
• Purple coordinates pickup of unwanted mattresses
• Canadian customers report varying experiences with both companies' return processes

Fawcett Mattress: A Superior Canadian Alternative

While weighing the pros and cons of Nectar vs Purple, many Canadian shoppers overlook a superior local alternative: Fawcett Mattress, crafted on Vancouver Island.

Why Consider Fawcett Instead:

1. Natural Materials Construction

• 100% Natural Talalay latex (not synthetic foams)
• Organic cotton and New Zealand Joma wool covers
• Chemical-free fire protection using natural wool
• No off-gassing concerns found in synthetic mattresses

2. Customizable Comfort

• Available in multiple firmness levels (3-9/10)
• Split-firmness options for couples with different preferences
• Personalized for each sleeper's body type and sleep style

3. Superior Durability

• Natural latex maintains resilience for long-term use
• Handcrafted construction with visible quality control
• Maintains consistent support without the sagging issues reported with both Nectar and Purple

4. Canadian Craftsmanship

• Mattresses crafted in Victoria, BC
• Direct-to-consumer model eliminates middleman markup
• Local expertise with understanding of Canadian sleep needs

5. Temperature Regulation

• Natural latex and wool provide excellent year-round comfort
• Breathable materials wick moisture without chemical cooling gels
• Performs well in both winter and summer Canadian climates

Pricing Comparison:

Fawcett's natural mattresses are competitively priced between CAD $1,399-$3,499 for Queen models, delivering superior long-term value through exceptional durability, healthier materials, and customized comfort.

To keep comparing top contenders, check out our Purple vs Puffy mattress breakdown and explore the differences in our Novaform vs Casper mattress comparison.

FAQs

Which mattress is better, Purple or Nectar?

For Canadian sleepers, Purple generally performs better for hot sleepers, combination sleepers, and those over 230 pounds. Nectar works better for budget-conscious shoppers, side sleepers seeking deep pressure relief, and those who prefer traditional memory foam. However, both fall short of Fawcett's natural materials and customization options.

What are the downsides of a Nectar mattress?

The main downsides of Nectar mattresses include potential durability concerns, heat retention despite cooling claims, and reported customer service issues. Canadian customers have noted premature softening and difficulty with warranty claims through retail partners.

Why does my back hurt after sleeping on Nectar?

Back pain on a Nectar mattress typically occurs because the memory foam may allow excessive sinking for some sleepers, especially stomach sleepers and some back sleepers. This creates improper spinal alignment over time. Heavier individuals often report this issue as the support foam compresses under body weight.

Do hospitals use Purple mattresses?

No, hospitals typically don't use Purple mattresses. While Purple's founders have backgrounds in medical cushioning technology, their consumer mattresses aren't designed for clinical settings. Hospitals generally require specialized medical-grade mattresses with specific infection control features and medical certifications that consumer brands don't offer.

Conclusion & Recommendation

When comparing Nectar and Purple mattresses, Nectar appeals to Canadians seeking a classic memory foam feel, strong motion isolation, and affordability, particularly side sleepers under 230 pounds. Purple, on the other hand, suits those prioritizing temperature regulation, responsive comfort, and advanced cooling technology, which is ideal for combination sleepers who sleep hot.

However, if you're looking beyond standard foam and synthetic technologies, Fawcett Mattress offers a premium alternative. Crafted in Canada using natural, non-toxic materials, Fawcett mattresses provide superior durability, personalized firmness, and healthier sleep. While the initial investment may be higher, Fawcett delivers exceptional long-term value through adjustable comfort and sustainable craftsmanship, significantly outperforming Nectar and Purple in both quality and lifespan.

Contact us to speak with a mattress expert or explore our collection of natural mattresses handcrafted on Vancouver Island.

A great sleep. A better you. Life changing.