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Mattress shopping for your mini-me can feel like a tall order. It’s tough to find a bed that’s comfortable, stain-resistant, and supportive enough for growing bodies — all with a reasonable price tag.
The Nectar Kids mattress checks all those boxes with its affordable, dual-sided design that supports children through different stages of development. To take the guesswork out of your decision, we put it through our full series of tests to see how it would perform day in and out.
Our team of certified sleep science coaches has been testing beds and sleep accessories since 2014, helping more than 60,000 people find the best mattress for their needs. We have evaluated over 330 beds using our proprietary, medically-informed review methodology. The insights we gain from our mattress testing ensure our reviews stay accurate, trustworthy, and unbiased.
We also rely on a network of medical professionals, such as board-certified doctors, physical therapists, registered nurses, and sleep specialists. These experts review our findings and ensure they’re accurate from a medical perspective. We work closely with our chief medical advisor, Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD, FACP, FCCP, FAASM, who provides our readers with advice for common sleep issues and pain concerns.
Read on to see how the Nectar Kids performed on all our tests.
The Nectar Kids mattress should have your tot sleeping comfortably. Its flippable, all-foam design works with your child as they grow from toddler to tween. One side is a bit firmer, meant for children aged 3 to 7 who may need strong support for growing pains. The 8-and-up side is a touch softer, but still providing a supportive sleep surface. Just note that this lifted profile is better for kids who sleep on their back or stomach.
What our tester says:
“Even as an adult, I’m getting awesome support. My spine feels very straight, so I think this is a great option for older kids who want some softness but still need firm support.” – Riley Otis, staff writer and certified sleep science coach
Nectar Kids Mattress Overview
The Nectar Kids is a dual-sided memory foam mattress specifically designed for growing children. One side is firmer for kids ages 3 to 7, while the other is slightly softer to better suit children 8 and up.
When we tested the Nectar Kids mattress in our studio, we found both sides to be firmer and more supportive than the average adult bed, making them a great fit for younger children. Firmer materials are especially beneficial for kids under 10, as they help promote proper posture and keep the spine in healthy alignment during sleep. We also found it well-suited for lightweight back and stomach sleepers, who need enough lift to keep their hips in line with their shoulders and avoid back strain.
Nectar Kids Mattress Sleepopolis Scores
Nectar Kids Value
When evaluating the value of the Nectar Kids mattress, we looked at whether the quality of materials and performance align with the price point. The Nectar comes with two third-party certifications (OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and CertiPUR-US) that ensure the foams are free from harmful substances and meet strict safety and environmental standards. We were also impressed with how the Nectar Kids performed across the categories in our extensive testing methodology.
A twin size currently costs $632, while a full size comes in at $750. Given the mattress’s high-quality materials, dual-sided design, and reliable support system, I think it’s a solid value. Overall, the Nectar Kids is a high-value option that should last for several years — making it a smart long-term investment for growing children.
Nectar Kids Comparison
- Amore Hybrid Mattress – Great budget option for kids
- Helix Kids Mattress – Best hybrid model for kids
- Nectar Mattress – Medium-firm for back sleepers
- Nectar Classic Hybrid – Soft contouring for side sleepers
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| Nectar Kids Mattress | Amore Hybrid Mattress | Helix Kids Mattress | Nectar Mattress | Nectar Classic Hybrid | |
| Rating | |||||
| Firmness | Firm: 8/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Medium-soft: 6/10 | |
| Material | Foam | Hybrid | Hybrid | Foam | Hybrid |
| Cooling | — | — | — | ||
| Best For |
Back Sleepers,
Stomach Sleepers, Kids |
Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Couples
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Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Hot Sleepers, Kids
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Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Couples
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Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Hot Sleepers, Back Pain
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What Is the Nectar Kids Mattress Made Of?
When assessing a mattress’s materials, we cut into its side using a box cutter to evaluate the layers inside. The Nectar Kids is an 8-inch memory foam mattress. This flippable Nectar mattress features a soft, machine-washable cover and two sides, catering to two different age groups. It is also 100-percent fiberglass-free to offer parents more peace of mind.
Cover – The top layer of the Nectar Kids features a removable and machine-washable cover that’s perfect for potty training kids. It’s soft, stain-resistant, and easy to maintain.
Comfort Layers – The Nectar Kids is a flippable mattress, with one side being firmer for kids between the ages of 3 and 7 years old, while the other side is more plush for children 8 years or older.
Double Foundation Layer – The foundational memory foam layer of the Nectar Kids mattress features 3 inches of responsive support foam. This layer helps give the mattress its shape and provides support for healthy spinal alignment.
Nectar Kids Mattress Firmness
Mattress firmness is generally subjective, as every sleeper has preferences based on factors like body weight and preferred sleeping position. What feels like a cloud to one sleeper might feel like sleeping on a cinder block to another. To better understand how a mattress feels for different sleepers, we invite multiple expert testers to lie on the bed in three sleeping positions.
At Sleepopolis, our firmness scale ranges from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest. For reference, a 6.5 out of 10 represents a medium-firm mattress, which is the most common firmness level.
Our testers rated the firmer side of the Nectar Kids mattress — designed for children 3 to 7 — at an 8 out of 10 in firmness. The softer side, intended for kids 8 and older, received a 7 out of 10. Overall, the Nectar Kids is noticeably firmer than the average adult mattress, which is not unusual for kids’ mattresses. Children benefit from a firmer sleep surface that helps keep their bodies properly supported, promoting healthy spinal alignment as they grow.
Our adult tester Riley Otis, who falls into our lightweight category, was impressed by the overall support provided by the Nectar Kids mattress.
“I feel very ‘on top’ of the bed in this position, with minimal sinkage anywhere on my body,” Riley noted. “My hips are sinking in just slightly, and my spine feels straight, so I think this is a great option for kids who want a touch of softness but still need firm support.”
Nectar Kids Mattress Performance
When you’re looking for a new mattress for your child, there are a few performance factors to consider. In place of a junior mattress tester, we relied on Riley, who falls into our lightweight sleeper category, to perform numerous tests on the Nectar Kids and gain further insight into how the bed performs.
Nectar Kids Cooling
As children grow, hormonal changes and natural body temperature fluctuations can make some kids more prone to sleeping hot. That’s why a mattress with reliable cooling features is essential for maintaining comfort throughout the night. To assess the Nectar Kids mattress, Riley conducted a series of cooling tests, including a thermal gun scan, a hands-on feel test, and an assessment of the cover materials. Riley awarded the firmer side of the Nectar Kids a 4.5 out of 5 for its exceptional cooling properties.
Thermal gun test: First, Riley used a thermal gun to take the initial temperature of the Nectar Kids mattress before lying on it. Next, she lay on the mattress for 5 minutes before recording its temperature again. For reference, if the temperature increases by fewer than 5 degrees, we consider it to have excellent cooling. An increase of 5 to 10 degrees indicates good cooling, 10 to 15 degrees indicates decent cooling, and more than 15 degrees indicates poor cooling.
In the case of the Nectar Kids, Riley saw that both sides of the mattress only increased by roughly 5 degrees, which is exceptional for an all-foam model.
Cover test: For the cover test, Riley felt the surface of the Nectar Kids to determine if it was noticeably cool to the touch when initially lying down. When she felt the cover, Riley said, “I don’t think either side of the mattress feels cool to the touch. However, the cover is still very lightweight and promotes breathability.”
Feel test: During the thermal gun test, Riley also paid close attention to her body temperature and whether she could feel the bed warming up.
“As I lay there, I didn’t detect a noticeable difference in my body temperature,” Riley said. “When I felt the spot where my body was, it felt warm but not hot. It was just a smidge warmer than the rest of the mattress.”
Nectar Kids Edge Support
Edge support refers to the strength of the mattress perimeter. Nectar only offers this mattress in twin and full sizes, so there’s less room for your child to spread out. Supportive edges are crucial on smaller surfaces because they allow sleepers to utilize the entire surface of the mattress without feeling unsteady or falling off. Firm edges can also help children and parents with mobility issues, as they can bear down on the side of the bed when getting in and out.
Riley performed our tape measure, seated, and full-body edge support tests to calculate a final score of 4.7 for the firmer side and 4.3 for the softer side.
Tape measure test: Our first test is the weighted edge support test. Riley placed a 45-pound weighted plate directly on the edge of the Nectar Kids and used a tape measure to calculate how much the layers sank beneath the weight. Riley measured only 2 inches of sinkage on both sides of the Nectar Kids. These results indicate strong edge support that won’t quickly falter when weight is applied, so she awarded this test 5 stars.
Seated test: During the seated test, Riley sat on the side of the Nectar Kids mattress and stood up several times. While the Nectar Kids offered solid edge support across the board, Riley noticed more sinkage on the softer side (designed for children 8 and older). She experienced better edge support on the firmer side (for ages 3 to 7).
“I felt relatively supported while sitting on the softer side, though I did sink into the comfort layer a bit,” Riley said. “The layer is only about 2 inches thick, so I was mostly resting on the dense support core. It felt stable and secure enough to sit and write, but since there’s no bounce, I could see older adults — like a grandparent reading a bedtime story — struggling to stand without extra help.”
Full body test: Next, Riley lay directly on the edge of the Nectar Kids mattress in side-sleeping, back-sleeping, and stomach-sleeping positions. During this test, she found both sides of the mattress offered solid performance, though each behaved slightly differently. Overall, her experience on the firmer side was more reassuring.
“On the softer side, the edge support felt great at first,” Riley said. “But the longer I lay there, the more I sank into the memory foam. The support layer eventually caught me and kept me from sinking too far, but I still felt a bit unstable. On the firmer side, however, I felt lifted and evenly supported, just like I did at the center of the mattress.”
Nectar Kids Durability
When shopping for a kids’ mattress, durability is key. Ideally, you want to choose something that can keep up as your child grows. To assess durability, we review the quality of materials, the strength of the support system (including edge support), and the mattress warranty. A well-built support core that extends to the edges helps prevent premature sagging, while high-quality materials are more resistant to wear and tear over time. We also consider the warranty as an indicator of the brand’s confidence in the mattress’s longevity.
Based on Riley’s feedback, I think the Nectar Kids is a durable mattress. Both sides of the mattress are quite firm, with a layer of high-density memory foam serving as its supportive base. It also has strong and consistent edge support, meaning it’s less likely to sag over time. The mattress is also OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and contains CertiPUR-US certified foams, so it’s non-toxic and fiberglass free. With Nectar’s forever warranty, you should also be able to use this mattress throughout your little one’s childhood years without needing a replacement.
Nectar Kids Performance Scores
| Test | Product Score | Average Score |
| Firmness (Firmer side) | 8 | 6.7 |
| Firmness (Softer side) | 7 | 6.7 |
| Cooling (Both sides) | 4.5 | 4.1 |
| Edge Support (Firmer side) | 4.7 | 4 |
| Edge Support (Softer side) | 4.3 | 4 |
| Off-Gassing | 5 | N/A |
| Trial Period | 5 | 4.3 |
| Warranty | 5 | 4.6 |
| Full Rise | 5 | N/A |
| Unboxing/Moving | 5 | 3.5 |
Nectar Kids Sleeping Position and Body Weight
Sleeping position and body weight significantly impact the feel of a mattress. While most children fall into the lightweight category (under 130 pounds), this mattress may also appeal to some teens. The Nectar Kids is also a decent option for RVs and guest rooms. It’s important to note that what feels firm to a child might feel noticeably softer to a heavier sleeper.
Read on for a breakdown of how the Nectar Kids mattress will likely feel to different sleeper types.
Before we dive into our recommendations, though, we want to recognize that people come in all shapes and sizes, and people of every size deserve a mattress that works for their body type. We use the weight categories light, average, and heavy to more easily categorize sleepers based on how mattresses will perform for their body type, as most mattresses are designed for the group we call “average” (130 to 230 pounds).
As a general takeaway, lighter sleepers don’t require as much support as average-weight sleepers, and mattresses will tend to feel firmer to them. On the other hand, heavy sleepers tend to need more support than average-weight sleepers and sink into the mattress more. As far as sleeping positions go, side sleepers likely need a softer mattress while stomach sleepers usually need a firmer, more supportive one. Back sleepers are usually somewhere in the middle.
Is the Nectar Kids a Good Mattress for Light Sleepers (Under 130 pounds)?
- Lightweight Back Sleepers – These sleepers should experience excellent lift at the hips, helping to keep the spine in a healthy, neutral alignment.
- Lightweight Side Sleepers – The Nectar Kids will likely be too firm for these sleepers in this position. Side sleepers in this weight category typically require something with more cushioning to cradle their shoulders and hips.
- Lightweight Stomach Sleepers – The Nectar Kids should perform well for these sleepers and offer ample support to keep their hips elevated and aligned with their shoulders, which is key for preventing back pain.
Is the Nectar Kids a Good Mattress for Average-Weight Sleepers (130–230 pounds)?
- Average-Weight Back Sleepers – These sleepers may sink slightly more into the mattress, particularly at the lower back, but should still feel adequately supported with a touch of contouring.
- Average-Weight Side Sleepers – The bed may feel too firm for comfort in this position. With minimal pressure relief from the comfort layers, side sleepers could feel some pressure buildup at the shoulders and hips.
- Average-Weight Stomach Sleepers – Stomach sleepers in this weight range may find their hips sinking too deeply, which could throw the spine out of alignment. A firmer or more supportive mattress might be a better fit.
Is the Nectar Kids a Good Mattress for Heavy Sleepers (over 230 pounds)?
- Heavyweight Back Sleepers – This mattress does not provide enough support for sleepers with bigger bodies. At only 8 inches tall, its all-foam construction may compress too much, leading to poor spinal alignment and discomfort.
- Heavyweight Side Sleepers – Similar to back sleeping, side sleepers over 230 pounds will likely sink too far into the mattress.
- Heavyweight Stomach Sleepers – The support level here is insufficient for heavier stomach sleepers, as your hips are likely to dip too low, creating strain on the lower back.
My Final Thoughts About the Nectar Kids Mattress
Now that we’ve covered all our tests, it’s time to figure out if this mattress is right for your little one. Let’s summarize some of my favorite things about the Nectar Kids, as well as some things to keep in mind.
Who I Recommend the Nectar Kids For
- The Nectar Kids mattress is a great choice for children ages 3 to 7 on the firmer side and 8+ on the softer side. Both sides offer strong support tailored to age-specific needs.
- Lightweight and average-weight back sleepers can benefit from the mattress’s firm, spine-aligning feel.
- Its compact profile and dual-sided design make it a smart pick for RVs or guest rooms.
Who I Don’t Recommend the Nectar Kids For
- This mattress lacks the support needed for sleepers with bigger bodies.
- It may also feel too firm for adult side sleepers in the lightweight and average-weight categories.
Nectar Kids Pricing and Sizing
Like many mattresses for kids, the Nectar Kids is a relatively affordable option. To save more, use our Nectar coupons to get the best deal.
| Size | Dimensions | Price |
| Twin | 8” H x 38” W x 75” L | $632.00 |
| Full | 8” H x 54” W x 75” L | $750.00 |
Nectar Kids Policies
Before swapping out your child’s old mattress for a new one, always review all the details, including how to make returns, the sleep trial, and the warranty terms. Here’s an overview of Nectar’s most important policies.
| Warranty | Lifetime warranty |
| Sleep Trial Period | 365-night trial |
| Shipping/Returns | Free shipping and returns |
| Unboxing | A slight off-gassing odor that dissipates after 24 hours. A twin-sized Nectar Kids is 45 pounds, while the full-sized model is 62 pounds. Both sizes should be manageable for one person. |
| Full Rise | The mattress fully decompressed and was ready to use 24 hours after unboxing. |
| Customer Reviews | This bed earned an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 on the Nectar website based on 81 customer reviews. |
Nectar Kids vs. Competitors
Still can’t decide? See how the Nectar Kids stacks up against some of its competitors below.
Nectar Kids vs Brooklyn Bedding BB Kids
The Brooklyn Bedding is another all-foam mattress built for kids ages 10 and under. While it is similar to the Nectar Kids in firmness (7 out of 10 on our firmness scale), it is not flippable.
- Price: The BB Kids mattress is much cheaper than the Nectar Kids and comes in more sizes, including twin XL.
- Sleeping position: Both mattresses are firm enough to support stomach- and back-sleeping children. However, they might be a touch too firm for side sleepers.
- Cooling: Neither mattress has specialized cooling features. However, the Nectar Kids outperformed the BB Kids on our thermal gun test.
- Body weight: Neither mattress is suitable for sleepers with bigger bodies. However, the Nectar Kids could work for some average and lightweight adults.
Read more in our full Brooklyn Bedding BB Kids mattress review.
BB Kids
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Nectar Kids vs Helix Kids
Like the Nectar Kids, the Helix Kids mattress is a flippable bed with two sides. It has a firm side for kids aged 2 to 7 and a softer side for kids 8 and older. Unlike the Nectar Kids, the Helix Kids is a hybrid mattress that combines layers of foam with pocketed coils. Our testers placed the Helix at 6.5 out of 10 on the mattress firmness scale for its medium-firm feel.
- Price: Before discounts, the Helix Kids is more expensive than the Nectar Kids.
- Sleeping position: The Helix Kids is softer, making it a better pick for side-sleeping children. However, the Nectar Kids mattress is better for stomach sleeping. Both beds should work fine for back sleepers.
- Cooling: While the Helix Kids has more cooling technology, the Nectar Kids performed better on our thermal gun test.
- Body weight: Neither mattress is suitable for sleepers over 230 pounds. I would only recommend these beds to sleepers under 130 pounds.
Our full Helix Kids mattress review is coming soon.
Helix Kids Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Other Models from Nectar
In addition to the Nectar Kids mattress, Nectar offers a range of models designed for adults. If your child is transitioning to a full-size bed or you’re looking for a mattress that works well in guest rooms or RVs, it may be worth comparing the Nectar Kids to one of the brand’s standard models.
Nectar Kids vs Nectar Classic
Nectar’s flagship mattress is an all-foam bed-in-a-box made for adult sleepers, offering more advanced contouring and pressure relief. The Nectar Classic is the most similar to the Nectar Kids in terms of construction; however, the Classic is a bit softer than the Nectar Kids at 6.5 out of 10 on our firmness scale.
- Price: The Nectar Classic is more expensive but typically comes with deeper discounts and bundle offers.
- Sleeping position: The Nectar Kids mattress offers firmer support, which is ideal for children who need more lift and spinal alignment. In contrast, the foam layers of the Nectar Classic provide better pressure relief for side-sleeping adults.
- Cooling: The Classic comes with more advanced temperature-regulating technology, including a cooling cover, making it a better option for hot sleepers.
- Body weight: The Nectar Kids is best for children and lightweight sleepers under 130 pounds. The Classic is built to handle a wider range of body weights, offering better long-term support for average-weight sleepers.
Read more in our full Nectar Classic mattress review.
Nectar Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Nectar Kids vs Nectar Classic Hybrid
The Nectar Classic Hybrid combines contouring memory foam with a coil-based support system. Despite its sturdy innerspring coils, it’s much softer than both sides of the Nectar Kids. We placed it at 6 out of 10 on our firmness scale.
- Price: The Nectar Classic Hybrid is more expensive than the Nectar Kids, which is to be expected from a mattress made for adults.
- Sleeping position: The firmer surface of the Nectar Kids is ideal for back- and stomach-sleeping children. The Hybrid is better for side sleepers and back-sleeping adults, thanks to its pressure-relieving comfort layers and responsive coils.
- Cooling: The Classic Hybrid outperforms the Nectar Kids in cooling thanks to its coil layer that facilitates airflow.
- Body weight: The Nectar Kids is best suited for children and lightweight sleepers under 130 pounds. The Hybrid is built to support average-weight adult sleepers thanks to its reinforced coil system and more adaptive comfort layers.
Read more in our full Nectar Classic Hybrid mattress review for more information.
Nectar Classic Hybrid
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Our Review Process
At Sleepopolis, our team of certified sleep science coaches personally test each mattress. We start by unboxing the mattress to figure out how difficult (or easy) it is to get the mattress from the box to the bed. Then, we spend time lying on the bed in different positions, taking time to assess it on our backs, stomachs, and sides. Next, we perform our Sleepopolis tests, using specialized tools to measure qualities like motion transfer, bounce, and pressure relief. Our last step is to open up the mattress and take a look at each layer. These steps allow us to give our final verdict on the mattress.
FAQs
Is the Nectar Kids mattress good for children?
Yes, the Nectar Kids mattress is designed specifically for children, with dual-sided firmness to support different ages and growing bodies.
Does the Nectar Kids mattress contain fiberglass?
No, the Nectar Kids mattress is fiberglass-free and made with OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified foams for added safety.
What type of mattress is best for kids?
A medium-firm to firm mattress made of safe, supportive materials is best, as it helps keep a child’s spine aligned while accommodating growth and movement.
Do you need a bed frame for the Nectar Kids?
No bed frame is required, but the mattress should be placed on a flat, supportive surface such as a platform bed, slatted frame, or bunk bed.
What age should a child get a full-size bed?
Many children transition to a full-size bed between ages 6 and 10, especially if they need more room to grow or if the bed will be used long-term.