If you’ve been researching memory foam mattresses, Leesa and Nectar have definitely come up on your radar. Both are highly rated, and while they may seem similar, they have some key differences. This Leesa Original vs Nectar Classic comparison will compare and contrast each mattress in terms of price, design, and features to help you decide which one is best for your body and sleep.
Both mattresses are flagship models of their respective brands. Nectar is a highly rated model in our guide to the best mattresses of the year thanks to its affordable price, good benefits (one-year trial and lifetime warranty), and pressure-relieving properties. The Leesa Original is also a good choice for many people thanks to its affordable price, fiberglass-free design, and responsive but cushioning foams.
We’re now approaching one of the best times of the year to shop, as this year’s Labor Day mattress sales and deals are expected to offer some great discounts on major sleep brands. This applies more to Leesa than Nectar, as Leesa typically increases its standard 25% to 30% discount during major holidays. Nectar has held its ground by offering up to 40% off for much of the year, but it could launch a 50% flash sale at any time.
Leesa Original vs Nectar Classic: characteristics
Our full comparison of the Leesa Original and Nectar Classic mattresses is below, but if you only have time for a quick read, here's a quick rundown of how they compare to each other:
| Header Cell – Column 0 | Leesa Original | Classic Nectar |
|---|---|---|
| Type: | Foam (also hybrid) | Foam (also hybrid) |
| Layers: | 4 | 5 |
| Height: | ten” | 12″ |
| Firmness: | Medium to medium firm | Semi-firm |
| Trial: | 100 nights | 365 nights |
| Guarantee: | 10 years | Lifetime |
| Regular Sale Price (Queen) | $999 | $649 |
Leesa Original vs Nectar Classic mattress: price
- Both brands have regular promotions, but Nectar is more affordable.
- Leesa includes two free pillows with purchase
- Nectar offers a 365-night trial and a lifetime warranty
If you base your decision solely on price, then Nectar is the clear winner. It tops our list of the best memory foam mattresses because it is suitable for most types of sleepers at a very affordable price. Even at the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, the Nectar Classic would still be classified as a budget mattress, but thanks to Nectar’s continued mattress sales, you’ll never pay full price.
The standard offer is up to 40% off, which brings the price of a queen-size Nectar Classic memory foam mattress down to $649. However, occasional 50% off flash sales have occurred at various times throughout the year, usually around the holidays.
At the manufacturer's suggested retail price, the Leesa Original falls into the mid-range category, but while the discounts aren't as steep as Nectar's, you rarely see the Leesa at full price. The brand's standard offering is discounted by 25%, bringing the price of a queen-size Leesa Original memory foam mattress to $999.
However, we've seen 30% off deals during Black Friday and other major holidays. Better yet, Leesa typically includes two free pillows with your purchase. (Nectar used to offer a free bedding set with its mattresses, but prefers to offer lower prices up front.)
Both companies offer good benefits, but Nectar is the more generous of the two. With the Leesa Original, you get a 100-night sleep trial, a 10-year warranty, and free shipping and returns. Nectar, on the other hand, offers a 365-night sleep trial, a lifetime warranty, and free shipping and returns.
It's worth noting that while the lifetime warranty is impressive, memory foam mattresses have a lifespan of around 8-10 years, so if you opt for the Leesa Original you can rest assured that you'll still be covered for the life of your mattress.
Leesa Original vs Nectar Classic Mattress: Materials and Design
- The Leesa Original has a 10″ profile and three layers of foam
- The Nectar Classic has a 12″ profile and four layers of foam
- Both mattresses are available in all-foam or hybrid versions.
The Leesa features a breathable polyester and viscose knit cover, 2 inches of cooling comfort foam, 2 inches of pressure-relieving memory foam, and a 6-inch support foam core for stability. With a 10-inch profile, the Leesa isn't as thick as other memory foam mattresses in its class, including the Nectar, but it's still deep enough to be comfortable for most adults.
The Nectar features a heat-wicking fiber cover to wick away moisture and excess heat. This is followed by 1″ of memory foam, 3″ of dynamic response foam for proper alignment, and 8″ of base foam for stability. It is wrapped in a slip-resistant cover with side handles for easy maneuvering.
The Leesa mattress is designed and manufactured in the United States, while Nectar sources and manufactures its mattresses in Vietnam, Malaysia, China, Mexico, and the United States. Both use CertiPUR-US certified foams, ensuring they meet essential safety and environmental standards.
Layla also doesn’t use fiberglass, but rather a proprietary blend of fibers as a firewall. Nectar is less transparent about its use of fiberglass, but the fact that the brand advises against removing the cover suggests that it does. Fiberglass poses little risk to your health when fully covered, but direct contact can lead to potential health issues.
Leesa Original vs Nectar Classic Mattress: Comfort and Support
- Two medium-firm mattresses for side/back sleepers
- Both do a great job of motion isolation
- Neither offers enough support for heavier bodies
In our Leesa Original mattress review, our tester gave it a rating of about 7 out of 10 on the firmness scale, or medium-firm. (According to the brand, most Leesa customers report that it has a medium feel.) Despite its lower profile, it's suitable for side sleeping—and many back sleepers should be fine with it, too.
The foam layers provide a good level of pressure relief for the shoulders and hips, while the responsiveness of the foam allows for easy movement, so combination sleepers who change positions throughout the night will find this a good choice.
Our testers gave the Nectar mattress a firmness rating of 6.5 to 7 out of 10 in our Nectar mattress review , which is within the brand's self-assessment range. We think it's a good all-around mattress that will suit most people, especially side sleepers, although stomach sleepers may find that their hips sink in too much.
Note that the Nectar has undergone a slight redesign since we tested it, adding an inch to the base layer while removing an inch from the top comfort layer, though we don't think this will have too much of an impact on the overall feel.
Both mattresses do a remarkable job of motion isolation. If you share your bed with another person or a furry friend, you probably won't feel them moving around during the night, making them both great choices for lightweight sleepers. The Leesa and Nectar don't have the sturdiest edges, but all-foam beds aren't known for that anyway. If you like to sit or lie near the edge of the bed, try a hybrid.
As comfortable as the Leesa and Nectar mattresses are, neither can claim to be the best mattress for heavy people. The Leesa is too low and the Nectar is too soft. If you’re a heavier sleeper (over 230 lbs), they won’t provide the right level of support, although opting for their hybrid versions might help.
Leesa Original vs Nectar Classic mattress: Temperature regulation
- The Leesa has a knitted cover and a layer of aerated foam
- The Nectar incorporates a heat-absorbing cover
- Both sleep cool for all-foam beds, but not cool enough for hot sleepers
Memory foam mattresses tend to retain heat, which means they sleep less cool than innerspring, hybrid, and latex mattresses. However, both the Leesa Original and Nectar mattresses have temperature-regulating properties in their layers that can help promote a cooler night's sleep.
The Leesa Original uses a polyester and viscose knit cover to wick away moisture and heat. It also features a cooling comfort layer with holes in the core to promote airflow so heat isn't trapped.
The Nectar's cover is made of heat-absorbing polyethylene fibers and is supposed to be cool to the touch – but that seems to be the extent of its cooling materials as it no longer uses the gel foam featured in the Nectar Original.
Our testers didn't report any overheating with either mattress, and for all-foam beds, they do a good job of keeping sleepers at a reasonable temperature. That said, today's best cooling mattresses will offer hot sleepers more relief from night sweats.
Leesa Original vs Nectar Classic Mattress: Should You Buy It?
Buy the Leesa Original mattress if…
✅ You want a mattress without fiberglass: Leesa does not use fiberglass in their mattresses. If this is important to your final decision, choose the Leesa over the Nectar.
✅ You prefer to buy local: The Leesa is exclusively designed and built in the USA, so if you want an all-American bed, this is a great choice.
✅ You are a mixed sleeper: While most sleepers will find this bed comfortable, combination sleepers will find the Leesa's responsive surface easy to move around on.
Buy the Nectar Classic mattress if…
✅ You have a tighter budget: The Nectar is an incredible value mattress. With a near-permanent 40% discount, it's one of the most affordable mattresses you can buy right now.
✅ You want a longer sleep trial: It takes at least three weeks to get used to a new sleep surface. If you want a longer sleep trial than the 100 nights Leesa offers, choose the Nectar and take a full year to decide.
✅ You sleep mainly on your side: Both mattresses are suitable for side sleeping, but the Nectar is particularly comfortable thanks to its contoured foams and pressure-relieving support.