I’m extra excited about this comparison because I’ll be sizing up two of the most popular all-foam mattresses in the game: Ghostbed and Nectar. From the outset these beds seem super similar, but there are tons of differences between them.
While I’m explaining what makes these mattresses unique, I’ll also be helping you decide which one is the right new mattress for you.
In a rush? Click here to skip to the review summary.
Nectar vs GhostBed
Product
Firmness
Score
Nectar vs GhostBed
Nectar vs GhostBed Overview
Here’s a brief overview of the strong points of the Nectar and GhostBed, as well as which type of sleepers are best suited for them.
| Nectar is best for… | GhostBed is best for… |
| Back sleepers | Hot sleepers |
| Side sleepers | Back pain |
| Hip and joint pain | Back sleepers |
Nectar vs GhostBed Video Review
Need a quick rundown of each mattress and who I recommend them for? Check out my Nectar vs. GhostBed video review below.
Nectar vs GhostBed: Top Similarities
- Construction: Both the Ghostbed and Nectar are built entirely of foam. While this may lead some to think they have identical feels, their different foams result in distinct sleeping experiences.
- Value: Both mattresses are great value buys, which is a nice perk for shoppers on a budget.
- Pressure relief: Both mattresses offer great pressure relief, but depending on your preferred sleeping position you may prefer one over the other.
Nectar vs GhostBed: Top Differences
- Firmness: The GhostBed feels firmer than the Nectar, which features pressure-relieving memory foam.
- Cooling: The GhostBed sleeps cooler than the Nectar thanks to its aerated latex layer.
- Motion isolation: The GhostBed has much better motion isolation than the Nectar Classic. Couples will appreciate the GhostBed’s ability to prevent one partner’s motion from transferring to the other.
Nectar vs GhostBed: Construction & Feel Differences
Now that we have the main similarities and differences between the Nectar and GhostBed out of the way, let’s talk about how these beds feel. Remember, a mattress will feel different depending on your body type, weight, shape, and preferred sleeping position.
What’s the Firmness Difference?
It’s important to understand that, when it comes to mattresses, firmness isn’t a one-size-fits-all scenario. Your size, weight, shape, and other factors all determine your ideal level of firmness. So your preferences might not be the same as mine. When testing a mattress for firmness, we try to capture the variance different people might feel. I test every bed with colleagues of various body shapes, types, and sizes, then average those responses to determine the final firmness score.
I gave the all-foam Nectar Classic a 6.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale, which is the industry standard for medium-firm. I think the Nectar Classic is a touch firmer than most memory foam mattresses.
The GhostBed fell on a 7 out of 10 on the firmness scale for me, so it’s slightly firmer than the Nectar Classic. Overall, I thought the GhostBed had a good amount of support for back sleepers. However, strict side sleepers or folks with joint pain may find this bed too firm.
What Does Each Mattress Feel Like?
Since the original Nectar mattress is constructed primarily with plush memory foam, I think most sleepers will find this bed gentle and comforting. However, it’s important to remember that everyone interacts with memory foam differently. After testing the Nectar Classic, I felt more cradled than lifted up by it.
The deep sinkage and body contouring could be a nice touch for side sleepers or folks who like a pressure-relieving feel. On the other hand, stomach and combination sleepers may find the Nectar too soft for their needs.
I mentioned earlier that I gave the GhostBed a 7 out of 10 on the mattress firmness scale. Because you don’t sink into it, this bed feels firmer than the Nectar. This foam bed is very responsive, and I felt more “on top of” than “stuck in” this mattress. I’d say this is the main feel difference between the Nectar and the GhostBed. Combination sleepers especially should prefer the ease of movement the GhostBed offers.
The GhostBed strikes a nice balance between pressure relief and support. Back sleepers should enjoy this feel. I think lighter stomach sleepers and back and stomach combo sleepers could also find this firm mattress comfortable.
Overall, both mattresses are a good choice for back sleepers. However, these beds might not be the best fit for heavier stomach sleepers and strict side sleepers.
How Does The Construction Differ?
Nectar vs GhostBed Per Body Type
Every mattress will feel different to sleepers depending on individual attributes and preferences, such as body weight and sleeping position. Up next, I’ll compare how the Nectar and GhostBed mattresses perform for various sleepers.
Nectar Classic Body Weight Scale
| Body Weight | Side | Back | Stomach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light (under 130lbs) |
unpleasant | good | good |
| Average (130-250lbs) |
good | excellent | unpleasant |
| Heavy (over 250lbs) |
unpleasant | unpleasant | unpleasant |
| Body Weight: Light (under 130lbs) | |
|---|---|
| Side Sleeper | unpleasant |
| Back Sleeper | good |
| Stomach Sleeper | good |
| Body Weight: Average (130-150lbs) | |
| Side Sleeper | good |
| Back Sleeper | excellent |
| Stomach Sleeper | unpleasant |
| Body Weight: Heavy (over 250lbs) | |
| Side Sleeper | unpleasant |
| Back Sleeper | unpleasant |
| Stomach Sleeper | unpleasant |
GhostBed Body Weight Scale
| Body Weight | Side | Back | Stomach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light (under 130lbs) |
unpleasant | excellent | excellent |
| Average (130-250lbs) |
good | excellent | unpleasant |
| Heavy (over 250lbs) |
unpleasant | good | unpleasant |
| Body Weight: Light (under 130lbs) | |
|---|---|
| Side Sleeper | unpleasant |
| Back Sleeper | excellent |
| Stomach Sleeper | excellent |
| Body Weight: Average (130-150lbs) | |
| Side Sleeper | good |
| Back Sleeper | excellent |
| Stomach Sleeper | unpleasant |
| Body Weight: Heavy (over 250lbs) | |
| Side Sleeper | unpleasant |
| Back Sleeper | good |
| Stomach Sleeper | unpleasant |
Nectar vs GhostBed Comparing Mattress Performance
Temperature
Several factors impact a mattress’s ability to stay cool. The first thing I consider is its construction. Since both mattresses are memory foam beds, you can expect that they will trap more heat than your typical innerspring or hybrid mattress. However, Nectar’s cooling cover layer should help offset some of that heat.
I tested both beds’ cooling features by lying down on each mattress for a few minutes and measuring how much heat each one trapped. During this test, I found that both beds have great cooling abilities. While I think both mattresses do a decent job at keeping things, I would say the GhostBed sleeps a little cooler thanks to its latex foam layer, which promotes airflow throughout the mattress.
Motion Isolation
After testing out my fair share of mattresses, I’ve noticed that all-foam beds typically absorb motion and prevent it from transferring to the other side of the mattress. However, this isn’t always the case.
To determine if a bed has strong motion isolation, we perform a few tests on it. One of those tests consists of dropping a steel ball from various heights and measuring the disturbance it causes using a seismometer.
The GhostBed performed better than the Nectar Classic on the motion isolation tests. If you look at the test results below, you can see that the Nectar Classic carries more motion to the other side of the bed, whereas the GhostBed sees the most motion at the impact site.
Overall, I would argue that the GhostBed is a better option for couples. The GhostBed is responsive enough for sex, but is good enough at isolating motion that they shouldn’t feel each other move around at night.
Edge Support
Edge support measures the strength of a mattress’s perimeter. In other words, you should be able to lie and sit down on the edge of your bed without it sinking too much beneath you. Strong edge support is an appealing feature for couples, heavier people, or anyone who likes spreading out across the mattress surface.
When testing the edge support on both mattresses, I found that each bed did an excellent job here. While the Nectar Classic wins this category overall, I think the GhostBed also does great for a memory foam mattress.
When I measured the sinkage on each mattress, I found that the Nectar Classic only sank 2 inches, which is great for an all-foam bed. On the other hand, the GhostBed had pretty average edge support, which is typical for most memory foam mattresses. I think the GhostBed should work for most sleepers, but I wouldn’t recommend it for folks with mobility issues or couples who use the entire surface area of the mattress.
Pressure Relief
The Nectar Classic and the GhostBed performed well on the pressure map test. For this test, I used a specialized mat to measure how much pressure the materials put on different body parts.
The mat then creates a graphic or “map” of the body using color-coded imagery. Areas with low pressure buildup are blue and green, and areas with high pressure buildup are yellow and red.
As you can see on the maps below, there are a lot of blue and green areas, indicating that both mattresses are good at relieving pressure, especially for back sleepers.
However, you can see there is more green on both pressure maps on my side. While I think both beds should be good for most side sleepers, I wouldn’t recommend it to those with sensitive joints based on these results.
Pain Relief
The results of the pressure map test can also indicate if these mattresses can help reduce pain in specific areas. Since the Nectar and GhostBed had similar pressure map results, I think they are both excellent options for back sleepers and can help sleepers with back pain alleviate discomfort. While both beds could be a good fit for side sleepers, individuals with severe hip and shoulder problems may require something with more sinkage.
Durability
I would say the Nectar is more durable than the GhostBed. The Nectar has stronger edge support thanks to its high-quality memory foams. The Nectar Classic also has a base support layer made of 6 inches of high-density foam, which should contribute to its longevity. However, the GhostBed uses latex, which is a long-lasting material, so it should hold up fairly well over the years.
Company Policies
Nectar Policies
- Trial Period – 365-night trial
- Shipping – Free shipping
- Mattress Warranty – Lifetime warranty
GhostBed Policies
- Trial Period –101-night sleep trial
- Shipping – Free
- Mattress Warranty – 20-year warranty
Nectar Customer Service Rating
- Stellar: I gave Nectar this rating because I was immediately paired with a helpful agent after asking a question in their chat function. This agent answered my questions thoughtfully and even offered to hop on the phone to help me place my order. For my rating, I also took the bed’s warranty and trial period into account. With a 365-night trial and lifetime warranty (which is as high as you’re going to find in the sleep industry), Nectar scored high marks in this area as well.
GhostBed Customer Service Rating
- Good: I gave GhostBed a good rating because I was paired with a helpful agent right away. However, I want to note that if you contact GhostBed outside of normal working hours your request will be sent to the company as an email, and it takes much longer to get a response this way.
Comparing Nectar vs GhostBed Price
Price point can be a very important factor when deciding on a new mattress. Take a look at the table below to compare costs. And be sure to use our Nectar coupon codes to save some extra money.
Prices listed are before discount or offer on each bed.
| Size | Nectar Classic | GhostBed |
| Twin | $1,063 | $1,195 |
| Twin XL | $1,130 | $1,295 |
| Full | $1,436 | $1,395 |
| Queen | $1,563 | $1,495 |
| King | $2,020 | $1,815 |
| California King | $2,020 | $1,825 |
Other Nectar and GhostBed Mattress Comparisons
Wondering how the Nectar stacks up to some of its competitors from other online mattress companies? Take a look at some of our other comparisons below.
Nectar vs
- Nectar vs DreamCloud
- Nectar vs Tuft & Needle
- Nectar vs Purple
- Nectar vs Leesa
- Nectar vs Layla
- Nectar vs GhostBed
- Nectar vs Puffy
GhostBed vs
- GhostBed vs GhostBed Luxe
- GhostBed vs Tuft & Needle
- GhostBed vs Leesa
- GhostBed vs Purple
- GhostBed vs Casper
- GhostBed vs Tempur-Pedic
Comparing Other Mattress Models
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| Nectar Mattress | GhostBed Mattress | Nectar Premier Mattress | Nectar Premier Copper Mattress | DreamCloud Original Mattress | Tuft & Needle Mattress | Purple Mattress | Leesa Original Mattress | Layla Mattress | Puffy Cloud Mattress | |
| Rating | ||||||||||
| Firmness | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Medium-soft: 6/10 | Firm: 7/10 | Firm: 7/10 | Firm: 7/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Soft: 5.5/10 | Soft: 5.5/10 | Medium-soft: 6/10 |
| Material | Foam | Foam | Foam | Foam | Hybrid | Foam | Hybrid | Foam | Foam | Foam |
| Cooling | -- | ✓ | -- | ✓ | ✓ | -- | ✓ | -- | ✓ | -- |
| Sleep Position | Combination | Back & Stomach | Combination | Back & Side | Back | Back & Stomach | Combination | Combination | Combination | Back & Side |
Nectar vs GhostBed Frequently Asked Questions
How do the Nectar and GhostBed mattresses ship?
Nectar offers free shipping on all of its mattresses, and GhostBed offers free shipping in the US except for residents in Hawaii and Alaska.
What are the return policies for the Nectar and GhostBed mattresses?
Nectar’s mattresses come with a 365-night sleep trial period. Meanwhile, GhostBed only offers a 101-night sleep trial. If you decide you don’t like your new mattress within this time, you can return it and get a full refund (minus applicable shipping costs).
Is the GhostBed softer than the Nectar mattress?
No, the GhostBed is firmer than the Nectar. We gave the GhostBed mattress a rating of 7 out of 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest. The Nectar Classic scored a 6.5 out of 10, right at the industry standard of medium-firm.
Are the Nectar and GhostBed mattresses good for hot sleepers?
Both mattresses should do a decent job at keeping you cool through the night. However, neither of them come with specialized cooling features. For this reason, extra hot sleepers might prefer one of our best cooling mattresses.
As we finish this comparison, I’ll leave you with what I like most about the GhostBed and point out some of my complaints.
Before we wrap up this comparison, I’d like to highlight what I like most about the Nectar and point out some of my complaints.
Our Review Process
Our Sleepopolis reviewers 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 laying 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.
