Our Nectar vs. Bear Bed Comparison for 2024

Written by Nicole LaMarco, Writer

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In This Article

Nectar vs Bear: which cooling mattress is best? Our experts break down the features of each mattress to help you decide.

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While the Nectar and Bear mattresses offer incredible cooling capabilities alongside comfortable memory foam top layers, they also differ in many ways. The Nectar is a more affordable option, made with high-quality memory foam infused with cooling gel. On the other hand, the Bear is a high-quality design that uses performance construction and materials, including Celliant®, to help athletic individuals recover from workouts.

Memory foam with cooling capabilities is important for hot sleepers, co-sleepers, and individuals seeking pressure relief for joints and muscles. In this comparison, we’ll help you decide which mattress is best for your needs.

Product

Firmness

Trial Period

Nectar Mattress

Medium-firm: 6.5/10

365 nights

CHECK PRICE

Read Nectar Mattress Review

Bear Original Mattress

Medium-firm: 6.5/10

120 nights

CHECK PRICE

Read Bear Original Mattress Review

Product

Nectar Mattress

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6.5/10

Trial Period

365 nights

CHECK PRICE

Read Nectar Mattress Review

Product

Bear Original Mattress

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6.5/10

Trial Period

120 nights

CHECK PRICE

Read Bear Original Mattress Review

Comparing Firmness, Support & Feel

Firmness

Firmness is rated on a scale from 1 to 10, in which 1 would be cloudlike softness, and 10 would be the firmest. This scale varies per person since a bed will feel softer to a heavier individual and firmer to someone who is exceptionally lightweight. Both the Nectar and the Bear are rated at a 6.5 on this scale, which is considered medium-firm. This is especially good for side and back sleepers but may be too soft for some heavier stomach sleepers.

Support

Proper support is important for balancing your weight and keeping your spine aligned. The bottom layer is much firmer than the top layer in both the Nectar and the Bear. This should form a comfortable bed with a robust support system.

The Nectar has a total weight limit of 650 pounds, and the Bear has no specific weight limit. In general, though, both beds aren’t recommended for heavier sleepers above 230 pounds, with the exception of those who exclusively sleep on their side.

Feel

The Nectar takes 24-72 hours to inflate fully. You will want to let it inflate in a well-ventilated room to reduce temporary smells from off-gassing. After this, Nectar’s foam will begin to cradle your body the more you use the bed. When unboxing the Bear, you will only need to wait a few hours for it to inflate fully. After this, it is ready for use, and the foam will start to cradle your body with use.

Comparing Sinkage and Bounce

Both mattresses feature all-foam designs, which are far less bouncy than mattresses with springs. Both the Nectar and the Bear lack springs and are rated the same on our firmness scale. Additionally, both mattresses feature a memory foam top layer, which is great for those seeking pressure relief on achy joints or stiff muscles.

The memory foam in each mattress should provide nice sinkage and contouring around the body. Heavier sleepers, however, may experience too much sinkage if they lie on their back or stomach, which could impact spinal alignment, and lightweight side sleepers on the Bear may not get enough sinkage for pressure relief in this position.

Comparing Motion Transfer

In terms of motion isolation, both mattresses are comparable. The Nectar and Bear are all-foam designs, which are excellent for isolating motion. This means that co-sleepers shouldn’t feel the movements of others in the bed.

This feature is also essential for those who have pets that may climb in and out of bed often. Foam beds are remarkably good at motion isolation because they lack the high bounce from springs. Not feeling your partner, kid, or pet’s tossing and turning can help you to sleep undisturbed, and if you and your partner wake up at different times, motion isolation may also help you sleep in later.

Comparing Cooling

Both mattresses use memory foam in their top layers, which is known for overheating due to a lack of airflow. The Nectar combats this by infusing gel into the memory foam and using a cover with heat-wicking technology.

The Bear also infuses gel into the memory foam, more specifically graphite gel. The Nectar and the Bear both use gel in their design, but the Bear is much better at cooling. Of these two, the Bear is recommended more for hot sleepers. While both of these mattresses are cooler than traditional memory foam mattresses, they still may not be suitable for those in warmer climates.

Comparing Construction (Materials & Quality)

Nectar Construction

The Nectar is a 12-inch all-foam mattress that features cooling technology, both in the heat-wicking mattress cover and gel-infused foam underneath. Experience the gradual density of the foam layers, with a cradling memory foam at the top and a denser conventional foam at the base for stability.

• The top is made of a 2-inch layer of gel-infused memory foam. The memory foam is quilted to a polyethylene and polyester/nylon blend cover that features heat-wicking technology, both offering some cooling and pressure relief.
• The center is made of a 3-inch layer of soft, premium foam to further limit motion transfer from one side of the bed to the other. This layer also serves as a supportive transition layer between the plush memory foam and the denser bottom layer.
• The bottom is made of a 7-inch layer of a standard higher-density conventional foam base for stability and durability.

Bear Construction

The Bear is a 10-inch all-foam mattress that features cooling technology via graphite gel-infused memory foam. The memory foam is topped with a cover that uses Celliant® technology to help athletic individuals recover faster and improve sleep. The center poly foam layer adds additional pressure relief, and the denser poly foam in the bottom layer is solid and supportive.

• The top is made of a 2-inch layer of graphite gel-infused memory foam for cooling and pressure relief. The memory foam is topped by a cover that uses unique Celliant technology to convert energy from the body into infrared light, which should aid recovery by improving tissue oxygen levels.
• The center is made of a 2-inch layer of polyfoam to add further pressure relief. This layer also serves as a supportive transition layer between the plush memory foam and the denser bottom layer.
• The bottom is made of a 6-inch layer of denser polyfoam for stability and support.

Comparing Company Policies & Price

• Warranty – The Nectar offers a Forever warranty, but only for the original purchaser. The Bear comes with a lifetime warranty.
• Shipping – Delivery within the contiguous United States is free if you buy the Nectar, or it can be shipped to Hawaii and Alaska for an additional fee. The Bear also delivers free within the continental U.S.
• Trial Period – The Nectar offers a 365-night trial risk-free, and if you are unsatisfied, you may request a full return and refund. The Bear offers a 120-night trial period, though you can return the mattress anytime after 30 nights.
• Returns – Returning the Nectar is free within the contiguous United States, but those in Alaska or Hawaii would need to pay a fee. You can return a Bear mattress anytime after 30 nights and before 120 nights for no additional fee. The Bear team requires customers to keep the mattress for at least 30 nights because they found that more customers were satisfied with the product at the end of the break-in period.
• Price – Depending on the price, the Nectar or Bear can cost more.

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Nectar vs. Bear Compared Side-by-Side

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Final Thoughts

Both mattresses offer pressure relief, but the Nectar is more suitable for lighter individuals due to having more sinkage than the Bear. The Bear would be preferable to hot sleepers who still want to enjoy a memory foam mattress. The Nectar is a formidable opponent to the Bear in terms of affordability, but the innovative manufacturing of the Bear may be worth the price to some. Additionally, both beds offer great motion isolation for couples.

These all-foam mattresses offer a wonderful sleeping experience, but each has individual benefits that are worth your consideration. If you still need clarification, please check out our individual reviews on each mattress.

Product

Firmness

Trial Period

Nectar Mattress

Medium-firm: 6.5/10

365 nights

CHECK PRICE

Read Nectar Mattress Review

Bear Original Mattress

Medium-firm: 6.5/10

120 nights

CHECK PRICE

Read Bear Original Mattress Review

Product

Nectar Mattress

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6.5/10

Trial Period

365 nights

CHECK PRICE

Read Nectar Mattress Review

Product

Bear Original Mattress

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6.5/10

Trial Period

120 nights

CHECK PRICE

Read Bear Original Mattress Review

More Nectar Comparisons:

• Loom & Leaf vs. Nectar
• Nectar vs. Casper
• Nectar vs. Leesa
• Nectar vs. Brooklyn Signature
• Nectar vs. Layla
• Nectar vs. DreamCloud
• Nectar vs. Brooklyn Aurora
• Nectar vs. Nolah
• Nectar vs. Zenhaven

Nicole LaMarco

Writer

About Author

Nicole is a freelance writer with 19 years of experience. She specializes in the health industry and is passionate about fitness, nutrition, mental health, wellness, and martial arts.

Combination Sleeper