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You’re looking for a mattress online but there are just so many brands to choose from. Don’t worry, we’ve narrowed the list down to the three most popular brands on the market: Nectar, Casper, and Purple. Our team of sleep experts spent dozens of hours reviewing and comparing the flagship mattresses from each of these brands. Our Editor’s Choice is the Purple Mattress.
Casper vs Nectar vs Purple: Which is Best?
- Purple Mattress – editor’s choice
- Casper Original – best for all sleeper types
- Nectar Memory Foam Mattress – best for budget shoppers
Purple Mattress
Check Current Price | Editor’s Choice | Review
Pros
- Great for back and stomach sleepers
- Good for combination sleepers
- Cooling
- Responsive
- Good edge support
Cons
- Some people don’t like the unique feel of the Grid
- Not for individuals over 250 lbs
- Moderate motion transfer
Our Experience with the Purple Mattress
Out of all the mattresses that we’ve tested so far, the Purple Mattress has the most unique feel. It features the brand’s very own GelFlex Grid layer which feels nothing like the memory foam mattresses that have been taking the mattress industry by storm. Though all Purple mattresses contain this special layer, we reviewed the Purple Original mattress in particular.
Our team gave the Purple Mattress a 6.5 out of 10 on the mattress firmness scale. This is considered medium-firm which is the sweet spot for mattress firmness as it typically fits a wide range of individuals.
The Purple Grid layer is very responsive and it feels quite firm to the touch. However, when I lay down on the mattress, it contoured to the shape of my body and I felt like I was floating on top of the grid. It’s definitely something you don’t experience with other all-foam beds.
I felt the most comfortable when I lay on my back on the Purple Mattress. My spine was well-supported and I also got some nice contouring around my lower back.
It isn’t the best for side sleeping though, in my opinion. For reference, I weigh 155 lbs. and I felt a bit of pressure on my shoulders especially. We recommend that strict side sleepers go for a softer mattress such as the Amerisleep AS5.
Although it’s not the best fit for strict side sleepers, it is a great option for combination sleepers. As a side and back combination sleeper myself, it was really easy to switch positions on this mattress.
Most stomach sleepers should feel well-supported on this mattress. But we would steer heavier individuals toward a hybrid mattress that offers more durable support. One great example is the Winkbed mattress.
Construction
The Purple Mattress is 9.25 inches tall and is made in the USA. It’s comprised of three layers including the GelFlex Grid and CertiPUR-US certified foam layers. The mattress is encased in a breathable cover that’s made with a combination of polyester, viscose, and Lycra.
Directly beneath the cover is the Purple Grid which is made of hyper-elastic polymer. This proprietary layer is very responsive and it has a convoluted design to promote airflow. If you sleep hot, the Purple Mattress is a great option to keep you cool at night.
Next up, is a transition layer that’s made of high-density polyurethane foam. This layer acts as a buffer between your body and the firm support layer below.
Finally, the mattress features a firm base layer made of high-density foam. This section is the bed’s main source of support and it also adds durability and shape to the mattress.
Sizes
The Purple Mattress comes in 7 sizes. It’s compatible with most foundations and bed bases as well as an adjustable bed frame.
- Twin
- Twin XL
- Full
- Queen
- King
- California King
- Split King
Warranty
The Purple Mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty. It also ships for free within the contiguous US.
Buy: Purple Mattress
Casper Original
Check Current Price | Best for All Sleeper Types | Review
Pros
- Available in both all-foam and hybrid versions
- Offers zoned support
- Suitable for all sleeper types
- Low motion transfer
- Responsive
- Good edge support
- Machine-washable cover
Cons
- Might be too firm for lightweight side sleepers
- All-foam version is not suitable for individuals over 230 lbs
- Not for fans of soft memory foam
Our Experience with the Casper Original
Founded in 2014, Casper was the first direct to consumer bed-in-a-box company in the online space. Their flagship mattress, the Casper Original, was the first mattress in the world to be compressed and shipped inside a box. It’s made with high-quality materials and it’s available in both all-foam and hybrid versions.
Since the Casper Original comes in two versions, each model has a different firmness level. We rated the all-foam version 5.5 to 6, and the hybrid version 6.5 out of 10 on the mattress firmness scale. Although the two versions have a similar balanced foam feel, the hybrid version offers a bit more support for heavier individuals.
Lying down on this mattress, it felt like a happy medium between slow-moving memory foam and bouncy latex. Its top comfort layer gives just enough contouring and pressure relief without letting your body sink in too much. It’s really easy to move around and switch sleeping positions on this mattress.
The Casper Original is suitable for all sleeper types and it also has a hybrid version that can accommodate heavier individuals. This mattress offers zoned support which means it firmer around your lower back and hips, and softer around your shoulders.
If you’re a side sleeper, go for the all-foam version which is slightly softer and offers more pressure relief. On the other hand, we recommend the hybrid version of the mattress for back and stomach sleepers.
Despite its hybrid construction, the original Casper Mattress is not supportive enough for individuals over 300 lbs. Check out our best hybrid mattresses list for more durable and supportive options. Also read our list of alternative mattresses like Casper for more similar brands.
Construction
The Casper Original all-foam model is 11 inches tall, while the hybrid version is slightly taller at 12 inches. All the foams used in both mattresses are CertiPUR-US certified free of ozone depleters and other toxic chemicals. Both versions are encased in a soft machine-washable cover that’s made of a knit polyester blend.
Its top comfort layer is made of proprietary AirScape™ foam. This material is quite responsive but it does offer some nice body contouring as well. It’s also perforated to enhance airflow and keep you cool at night.
Up next, is a transition layer that’s made of tri-zoned memory foam. It’s slightly softer at the shoulders and feet, and firmer around the hips and lower back. This layer also keeps you from sinking into the firm support layer below.
For the bed’s support layer, the all-foam version contains a thick layer of high-density polyfoam which prevents sagging and provides firm support. Whereas, the hybrid version contains individually-wrapped coils instead of dense support foam. These coils provide support, bounce, and extra room for airflow.
The hybrid version of the Casper Original also has a thin high-density polyfoam layer below the coil system. This layer gives the coils something to bounce off of.
Sizes
The Casper Original comes in 6 sizes. It’s compatible with most foundations and bed frames, including adjustable bed bases.
- Twin
- Twin XL
- Full
- Queen
- King
- California King
Warranty
The Casper Original comes with a 100-night sleep trial and is backed by a 10-year limited warranty. Casper offers free shipping within the contiguous US and additional fees for Hawaii and Alaska.
Buy: Casper Original
Nectar Memory Foam Mattress
Check Current Price | Best for Budget Shoppers | Review
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Great for side sleepers
- Good for back sleepers
- Provides nice pressure relief
- Excellent motion isolation
- Machine-washable cover
Cons
- Not for heavyweight individuals
- Too soft for strict stomach sleepers
- Stuck-in-the-mud feel
- Below average edge support
Our Experience with the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress
The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress is a budget-friendly all-foam mattress that’s made with high-quality materials. It’s a great fit for side sleepers and fans of traditional memory foam beds. It has the classic slow-moving feel of memory foam that contours to your body and alleviates pressure points.
Our team gave the Nectar Mattress a 6 out of 10 on the mattress firmness scale. It’s slightly softer than medium-firm and it has the conforming hug feel of classic memory foam.
We think this mattress will work best for strict side sleepers. Its gel memory foam comfort layer provides deep pressure relief for your shoulders and hips. However, it isn’t a good mattress for combination sleepers because it has the stuck-in-the-mud feel of traditional memory foam.
It’s also a good option for back sleepers who are looking for a contouring memory foam mattress. I thought the dense memory foam top layer would have a lot of give, but it actually provided adequate support and kept my spine in a neutral alignment.
Construction
The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress is 12 inches tall and is comprised of three layers. All the foams used in its construction are CertiPUR-US certified for low VOC levels and zero heavy metals. The mattress is encased in a quilted cover that’s breathable and cool to the touch.
Below the cover is the top comfort layer which is made of gel-infused memory foam. This foam cushions your body and contours to your curves. The gel infusion also helps dissipate body heat which is a good thing for hot sleepers.
Next up, is a layer of convoluted foam which adds some responsiveness and airflow to the mattress. This section also acts as a buffer between your body and the firm support layer below it.
Finally, the base layer of the mattress is made of high-density foam. It provides firm support as well as overall structure to the mattress. All of these layers sit on a shift-resistant lower cover which keeps the mattress from sliding around your bed frame.
One thing that you need to be aware of is that the brand puts fiberglass in their mattresses. Read our article titled “Does Nectar Mattress Have Fiberglass“? for more information.
Sizes
The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress comes in 7 sizes. It’s compatible with most foundations and bed frames, such as a platform bed.
- Twin
- Twin XL
- Full
- Queen
- King
- California King
- Split King
Warranty
The mattress comes with a lengthy 365-night trial and is backed by Nectar’s forever warranty. Nectar mattresses ship for free within the contiguous US.
Buy: Nectar Memory Foam Mattress
Quick view and comparison
| Brand | Purple Mattress | Casper Original | Nectar Memory Foam Mattress |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sizes | 7 | 6 | 7 |
| Thickness (inches) | 9.25 | 11/12 | 12 |
| Feel | Medium Firm | Medium Firm | Medium Firm |
| Motion Transfer | Minimal | Minimal | Minimal to none |
| Hybrid | No | Yes | No |
| Adjustable | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Edge Support | Very Good | Excellent | Good |
| Sleeping Position | Back, stomach and combination sleepers | Back, stomach and combination sleepers | Back and side sleepers |
| Trial (nights) | 100 | 100 | 365 |
| Warranty (years) | 10 | 10 | Forever |
| Link to buy | Buy Purple Mattress | Buy Casper Original | Buy Nectar Mattress |
Differences and similarities
In this section, I’ll be going through the main factors to consider when buying a mattress and how each of the above-mentioned brands performed in each area. I’ll also talk about who each mattress would be a good fit for and which model is best for specific sleeper types.
Firmness
In terms of firmness, all three mattresses are pretty similar. They are all either medium-firm or slightly softer. However, they do have some major differences when it comes to feel.
The Purple and Nectar mattresses in particular are opposites in terms of feel. The Purple Mattress has a unique feel that’s very responsive yet body-contouring. The Nectar Mattress, on the other hand, has a soft memory foam feel that gently hugs your body.
Unlike those two mattresses, the Casper Original mattress has a balanced foam feel. This means that it doesn’t have as much give as memory foam but it isn’t as bouncy as latex or the Purple Grid.
Edge support
Edge support is a measure of whether or not you’ll be able to sleep all the way on the side of your bed and still feel supported.
Both the Purple Mattress and the Casper Original mattress have very good edge support. You can sleep on the edge of any of these two mattresses and you’ll feel secure.
The Nectar Mattress has the worst edge support out of the three mattresses. It contains soft foam layers which collapsed under our body weight.
Motion isolation
Motion isolation is an important factor to consider for couples. If a mattress is bad at isolating motion, your sleep might be interrupted by your partner’s movements during the night.
First up, the Purple Mattress is decent at isolating motion from small movements such as switching positions or tossing around on the bed. However, bigger movements such as getting in and out of bed transfers a lot of motion which might disrupt your partner’s sleep.
Next, the Casper Original Mattress does a pretty good job of isolating motion. The all-foam version in particular excels in motion isolation despite having responsive foams on top.
Finally, and this came as no surprise, the Nectar Mattress is excellent at isolating motion. This is because memory foam mattresses are typically great at reducing motion transfer.
Construction
The Purple Mattress is a unique all-foam mattress that features an innovative layer called the GelFlex Grid. It’s made of hyper-elastic polymer and you won’t find it in any other mattress in the online mattress industry. The Purple Grid is very responsive and its honeycomb structure promotes lots of airflow to keep you cool.
The Casper Original mattress comes in an all-foam and a hybrid version. Basically, the all-foam version has a standard design which includes a comfort layer, a transition layer, and a foam base layer. Whereas, the hybrid version features individually encased coils as its main support layer.
The Nectar Mattress also has a standard all-foam structure but it features a pressure-relieving gel memory foam comfort layer on top. Then it has a transition layer and lastly a thick foam support layer on the bottom.
Comfort
The comfort level of a mattress depends on your body weight and preferred sleeping position. Average-weight individuals will feel comfortable and supported on the Purple Mattress and Nectar Mattress. However, heavier individuals will get more long-lasting comfort and support from the Casper Original hybrid mattress.
If you’re a side sleeper, the best option on this list is the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress. It contains soft memory foam which gently cradles your joints and relieves pressure from your hips and shoulders.
If you’re a back or stomach sleeper, the Purple Mattress is a great choice. It provides ample hip and spinal support and it alleviates tension from your lower back.
If you’re a combination sleeper, go for the versatile Casper Original mattress. It’s great for all sleeper types and it doesn’t impede your movement.
Warranty and trial period
Out of the three mattresses, the Nectar Mattress has the best and longest warranty and trial period. It comes with a 365-night sleep trial and a forever warranty.
Whereas, both the Purple Mattress and the Casper Original Mattress come with 100-night sleep trials and 10-year warranties.
Price
The Purple Mattress has the highest price range and the most high-end mattresses out of the three brands. The Casper Original Mattress is a bit cheaper than the Purple. And the most affordable mattress on this list is the Nectar Mattress.
FAQs
The Nectar Mattress is a bit softer than the Purple Mattress.
Yes, the Casper mattresses are cheaper than Purple mattresses.
The Purple Mattress is firmer and much more responsive than the Nectar Mattress.
The Casper Mattress is a bit firmer than the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress.
Nectar is usually compared to Casper because they both have similar all-foam mattresses.
Since the definition of comfort is different for each individual, we can’t really say that Purple beds are the most comfortable mattresses. However, it is our overall best pick in this mattress reviews and comparison article.
Yes, Casper is a popular mattress brand that manufactures high-quality mattresses.
No, the Purple mattress is made out of hyper-elastic polymer and comfort foam layers.
Conclusion
All three of these mattresses come from popular brands and are made of high-quality materials. At the end of the day, there is no one single best mattress that suits every individual. But, there are some mattresses that are a better fit for some people and not so good for other people.
Choose the Purple Mattress if you want a responsive and supportive mattress that has a unique feel unlike anything else on the market. It works best for back and stomach sleepers, as well as combination sleepers.
Choose the Casper Original Mattress if you’re looking a bed that has a balanced feel, not too soft and not too firm. It’s a good choice for all sleeper types and it comes in both an all-foam and a hybrid version.
Choose the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress if you’re looking for a bed that offers pressure relief and body contouring. It’s best suited for side sleepers and some back sleepers who prefer the conforming hug of memory foam.
Next step: Take a look at the Purple Mattress. It’s our #1 pick because its unique Purple Grid technology provides comfort, durability, and support. If you’re not sure which mattress to buy, go with Purple.
How we rate mattresses
We rate mattresses using the following criteria:
- Comfort
- Structural integrity and durability
- Firmness and support
Learn more about our mattress rating process and methodology here.
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