Nectar vs. Ghostbed Mattresses: Our Comprehensive Review
When you’re in the market for a new mattress, there are so many choices available. Not only can you peruse the selection at a brick-and-mortar store, but there are tons of online, bed-in-a-box brands to choose from. Mattress brands can vary significantly on price, texture, firmness, and construction. While bed-in-a-box mattresses can make the shopping experience easier on your nerves and wallet, you need an in-depth review on each bed. Without the ability to try it out in-store, how can you know if a particular mattress is going to meet your needs ? The truth is, you can’t know for sure without an analysis. At Sleep Reviews, we understand how important it is for consumers to know what they are getting when they order a bed-in-a-box mattress. Today, we’ll cover the fundamental similarities and major differences between the Nectar and the Ghostbed. You’ll come away with a firm understanding of each bed’s construction and you’ll know which one is a better value for your money.
Overview
The Nectar Sleep brand has taken over the bed-in-a-box industry. Nectar beds are some of the most popular, affordable all-memory foam beds on the market. The beds are made in China and are comprised of five layers of dense, supportive memory foam. For the price, you’ll be getting a quality memory-foam mattress when you order from Nectar Sleep. But keep in mind, you can only order these beds from the online Nectar Sleep store. If you want an all memory foam mattress, read on for a more in-depth analysis of the Nectar bed.
The Ghostbed is part memory foam, part latex construction. It stands at 11 inches thick, and all Ghostbed mattresses are manufactured in the U.S. They have a generous base layer that makes up the total of the bed’s thickness, so it is a durable bed that will hold up well over time. Below, we’ll cover the Ghostbed’s unique construction in more detail.
What are the fundamental similarities between the Nectar and the Ghostbed?
- Both use memory foam
- Both beds are compressed, sealed, and shipped in a box
- The Ghostbed and the Nectar have the same firmness level
- Both beds offer similar cooling abilities
- They are both 11 inches thick
What are the significant differences between the Ghostbed and the Nectar?
- Nectar beds are made in China
- Ghostbed mattresses are manufactured in the U.S.
- The Ghostbed costs more than the Nectar
- Ghostbed mattresses use latex in the top layers
- The Ghostbed is a springier mattress because of its latex construction
- Ghostbed mattresses are heavier than the Nectar bed
- The Ghostbed has a thicker base layer
How are Nectar beds and Ghostbed mattresses constructed?
The Nectar bed is made out of five layers of memory foam. Tencel and long-staple cotton make up the cover of a Nectar bed. Tencel is created from wood and is 100% certified organic. The top cover in a Nectar bed provides superior heat wicking and bedbug resistances.
Below the cover is a layer of woven gel memory foam which allows for additional air circulation. Gel memory foam keeps heat from getting trapped inside the mattress. Memory foam beds tend to trap heat, so if you are a medium-hot sleeper, a Nectar bed may help you stay cooler at night. The second layer is 3 inches of memory foam for pressure relief, contouring, and compression. The third layer is made out of a transitional support memory foam, which allows further contouring and comfort. Side sleepers find that the Nectar does an excellent job of relieving pressure at the hips and shoulders. The final base layer in the Nectar bed is made out of high-density support foam.
In contrast, the Ghostbed uses a combination of memory foam and latex to create a durable, comfortable mattress. Although the Ghostbed is the same thickness as a Nectar mattress, Ghostbed layers are fundamentally different than the Nectar.
The cover of a Ghostbed is a stretchy, resilient polyester and propylene blend. The first layer is made out of aerated latex foam, which is a cooling, comfortable layer that allows for a springy feel and quick response time. The middle layer is created out of gel memory foam that provides good compression, contouring, and additional cooling. The final base layer is made out of 7.5 inches of high-density foam. This base layer gives the Ghostbed a sturdy, durable structure that is good for medium to heavyweight sleepers.
Are there any differences between the firmness and support of the Ghostbed vs. the Nectar?
Both of these beds have the same firmness rating. On a scale of 1 – 10, both the Nectar and the Ghostbed come in at a medium-firm 6.5. Medium-firm mattresses meet the needs of all types of sleepers.
However, the Nectar bed has a gel memory foam top layer. This gives a slower response time from most mattresses. If you switch positions a lot while you sleep, the Nectar mattress will take longer to contour to your body.
In contrast, the latex top layer of a Ghostbed gives it a quicker response time. The lower memory foam layer provides the bed with a good contouring ability, but if you toss and turn, the bed will be quick to give you that ‘hugging’ feeling that memory-foam mattresses are famous for. The memory foam and latex combo in the Ghostbed give sleepers a balance between response time and contouring abilities. Also, the thick base layer in a Ghostbed is incredibly supportive and dense enough to hold its shape and structure over a long period.
Does either mattress off-gas or produce unpleasant odors?
Bed-in-a-box mattresses have a reputation for off-gassing.
The rule of thumb when it comes to off-gassing:
- The distance the product is shipped
- How many unnatural chemicals were used in its construction
These two elements will determine how much and for how long a product will off-gas. Both the Nectar and the Ghostbed will produce a bit of off-gassing after they are unboxed. The NEctar will produce slightly more off-gassing than the Ghostbed. This is because the Nectar is being shipped all the way from China.
When you unwrap either bed, it will need at least a day or two to expand fully and for the odors to fade. While the beds are developing, don’t put any bedding on them until the smells have dissipated and the beds are fully grown.
Which mattress is better for hot sleepers?
Memory foam beds are a naturally hot material. Memory foam is incredibly dense and contouring so that it will trap body heat. But both of these beds are constructed so that the memory foam doesn’t trap as much heat as the leading competitors.
When it comes to the Nectar, the cover and the top layer of woven gel memory foam do an excellent job of dispelling heat and cooling off sleepers. Because it is a medium-firm mattress, sleepers won’t sink into the bed too much. Less sinkage means less heat is going to get trapped in the bed. But if you have a hard time staying cool night after night, you probably don’t want to purchase a memory foam bed.
How does the Ghostbed fare with hot sleepers? The unique, springy and aerated latex in the top layer does a better job of keeping sleepers cool. Also, the bed offers less sinkage than the Nectar, allowing for additional heat dissipation throughout the bed. If you sleep hot, the Ghostbed is a better choice for you.
How does the Ghostbed and the Nectar fare on motion transfer and isolation?
Memory foam beds usually do an excellent job of protecting sleepers from motion transfer. The beds are contouring, so they will absorb motion better than say, an innerspring mattress. In this regard, the Nectar does an excellent job of motion isolation. The five, dense layers of memory foam in a Nectar bed dull and absorb movement. If you toss and turn at night, the Nectar mattress should keep you from waking up your partner. The Ghostbed also offers decent motion isolation and minimal sinkage. If you are going to purchase a bed based on its motion isolation abilities, either mattress is a decent choice.
Do Ghostbed mattresses and Nectar mattresses give sleepers good edge support?
When you share a bed, it’s crucial that you have a mattress that offers good edge support. On this metric, the Nectar scores reasonably well. The five layers of memory foam are evenly distributed across the bed. You can sleep right on the edge and not feel like you’re about to fall off. If you have to sit on the side, the mattress will support you, but not for very long. With a Ghostbed, you’ll also get good edge support.
How much can you expect to pay for either mattress?
Nectar beds are currently priced at the following intervals:
- $399 Twin
- $469 Twin XL
- $599 Full
- $699 Queen
- $799 King
- $799 California King
With a Ghostbed, expect to pay these prices:
- $495 Twin
- $650 Twin XL
- $775 Full
- $795 Queen
- $975 King
- $995 California King
What are the warranties and trial periods for these two beds?
The Nectar offers customers a 365-day trial period and a lifetime warranty. Be aware though, that Nectar beds have only been in business for a few years now. In contrast, the Ghostbed comes with a 101-day trial period and a 20-year warranty.
How is the customer support and service of each company?
A few years ago, Nectar Sleep starting gaining a poor reputation for shoddy service and problems with shipping. Since then, the company has made decent strides in repairing their reputation. Overall, they net consistently good reviews on third-party sites. Ghostbed gets relatively good reviews across the board and for many years now.
How are the mattress shipped?
Nectar beds are compressed, vacuum-sealed, and shipped in a box from China. Shipping is free in the lower 48 states with applied shipping fees for Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Alaska. Ghostbed offers free shipping across the country.
What sleepers can benefit from a Nectar bed?
Medium-hot sleepers and light to medium-weight sleepers can benefit from a Nectar bed. The beds, despite their memory foam construction, do a decent job of keeping hot sleepers cool at night. Side, stomach, and back sleepers are firmly supported on a Nectar mattress. But Nectar’s unique contouring layer allows for added pressure relief for side sleepers. If you want a more extended trial period, then a Nectar bed is a good choice. You can try one out for full year without making a commitment.
Hot sleepers, people who want a supportive bed, and heavier-weight sleepers can get a good night’s sleep on a Ghostbed. These beds do an excellent job of helping hot sleepers keep cool at night, and the bed’s thick base layer allows for added structure, support, and durability.
What’s a Nectar and Ghostbed review bottom line?
Overall, we think the Ghostbed will give you a better value for your money. The beds are springier, more durable, and offer more benefits and comforts for hot sleepers. These beds provide greater support than the Nectar, and their solid construction makes them more durable. The Ghostbed is an excellent choice for side, back, and stomach sleepers. It prevents motion transfer and offers good edge support for couples. Plus if you toss and turn at night, the Ghostbed will respond quicker to your changing positions, and you won’t feel pressure on your neck, back, shoulders, or hips. If you like the feel of memory foam without the heat-trapping properties of one, go with a Ghostbed.
Are you still curious about other mattresses? Check out our other reviews. We’ve conducted numerous in-depth analyses of all different types of beds.
