Shopping for a mattress can feel like wandering through a labyrinth, with countless brands vying for your attention. WinkBed and Nectar are two heavyweights in the bedding world, each offering unique strengths. At Mattressnap, we’ve dug into expert reviews, performance tests, and real-world data to compare these mattresses head-to-head.
Whether you’re a side sleeper, a hot sleeper, or just hunting for value, this guide will help you decide which one’s your perfect match. Let’s get started!
WinkBed: The Luxury Hybrid
WinkBed is a premium hybrid mattress crafted in the USA, blending supportive coils with plush foam for a balanced, durable feel. Its modern upgrades—like a cooling Tencel cover and gel-infused foam—pair with a classic innerspring vibe. With four firmness options (Softer: 4/10, Luxury Firm: 6/10, Firmer: 7/10, and Plus: 7/10 for heavier folks), it’s a versatile pick for all sleep styles. A queen costs around $1,499, and it comes with a 120-night trial and lifetime warranty.
Nectar: The Budget-Friendly Foam Favorite
Nectar’s memory foam mattresses deliver that signature body-hugging feel at a wallet-friendly price, starting at about $699 for a queen. With three models (Original, Premier, and Premier Copper), all medium-firm (5.5–6.5/10), Nectar uses gel-infused foam to tackle heat retention. It’s a standout for motion isolation and offers a 365-night trial with a lifetime warranty, making it a low-risk choice for budget shoppers.
Compare the Models
- WinkBed Original: A 14” hybrid with gel foam, pocketed coils, and a Euro-pillow top. Three firmness levels make it ideal for balanced support and cooling. Perfect for combination sleepers and hot sleepers.
- WinkBed Plus: A 14.5” hybrid built for heavier sleepers (>250 lbs), with latex foam for durability and a firm 7/10 feel. Best for back and stomach sleepers needing robust support.
- Nectar Original: A 12” all-foam mattress with slow-responding memory foam (6.5/10). Great for side sleepers and couples who need motion isolation.
- Nectar Premier: A 13” foam mattress, slightly softer (5.5/10), with better cooling. Excellent for side sleepers craving pressure relief.
- Nectar Premier Copper: A 14” foam model with copper-infused foam for enhanced cooling and low motion transfer. Ideal for sensitive sleepers and those who run hot.
Best Mattress For
- Side Sleepers: Nectar Original or Premier shine here, contouring hips and shoulders for pressure relief. WinkBed Softer works well for lighter side sleepers.
- Back Sleepers: WinkBed Luxury Firm or Plus, with zoned coils for lumbar support. Nectar Premier suits lighter back sleepers.
- Stomach Sleepers: WinkBed Firmer or Plus, offering firm support to prevent hip sinkage. Nectar’s medium-firm feel may be too soft for heavier stomach sleepers.
- Combination Sleepers: WinkBed Original (Luxury Firm) excels, thanks to responsive coils that ease position changes.
- Hot Sleepers: WinkBed Original or Plus, with breathable coils and Tencel covers. Nectar Premier Copper improves cooling but doesn’t match WinkBed’s airflow.
- Couples: Nectar Premier Copper for top-tier motion isolation, perfect for light sleepers. WinkBed Luxury Firm wins for edge support and bounce.
- Heavier Sleepers (>250 lbs): WinkBed Plus, designed for durability and support. Nectar may compress too much for heavier bodies.
Performance Tests
Using data from expert sources like NapLab, Sleepopolis, and Mattress Clarity, we’ve evaluated how WinkBed and Nectar stack up in key performance areas. Here’s the scoop:
Cooling Test
Hybrids like WinkBed sleep cooler than foam mattresses due to better airflow. Nectar’s cooling tech helps, but it can’t quite keep up.
- WinkBed Original: 9.8/10. Pocketed coils and gel foam keep temps low (max 89.2°F vs. average 89.8°F). A dream for hot sleepers.
- WinkBed Plus: 9.8/10. Latex foam boosts breathability, matching the Original’s cool sleep.
- Nectar Original: 8.5/10. Gel foam reduces heat, but it retains more warmth (max 90.5°F).
- Nectar Premier: 8.7/10. Slightly better airflow than the Original, still warmer than WinkBed.
- Nectar Premier Copper: 9.0/10. Copper infusion helps, but it’s less airy than WinkBed’s coils.
Sinkage Test
Sinkage determines how much a mattress hugs your body. WinkBed offers deeper contouring, while Nectar’s foam feels more balanced.
- WinkBed Original: 2.36” sinkage (above average 2.2”). Enveloping, great for side sleepers.
- WinkBed Plus: 2.50” sinkage. Plush but firm coils prevent over-sinking.
- Nectar Original: 1.97” sinkage. Shallow for foam, creating a “floating” feel.
- Nectar Premier: 2.20” sinkage. Average, balancing hug and support.
- Nectar Premier Copper: 2.22” sinkage. Similar to Premier, with a firmer edge.
Motion Transfer
Low motion transfer is crucial for couples. Nectar’s foam absorbs movement better than WinkBed’s bouncy coils.
- WinkBed Original: 8.2 m/s² (below average 8.68 m/s²). Decent for a hybrid, but some motion transfers.
- WinkBed Plus: 14.92 m/s². Firmer coils increase motion, less ideal for light sleepers.
- Nectar Original: 2.23 m/s². Near-perfect isolation, a win for restless partners.
- Nectar Premier: 3.5 m/s². Excellent, slightly less than Original.
- Nectar Premier Copper: 3.0 m/s². Top-notch, ideal for sensitive sleepers.
Response Test
Response time shows how fast a mattress adjusts to movement. WinkBed’s coils are quick, while Nectar’s foam lags.
- WinkBed Original: 0.3 seconds. Near-instant, perfect for combination sleepers.
- WinkBed Plus: 0.4 seconds. Fast, even with latex foam.
- Nectar Original: 1.2 seconds. Slow, typical for memory foam, may feel sticky.
- Nectar Premier: 1.0 seconds. A bit faster but still sluggish.
- Nectar Premier Copper: 0.9 seconds. Improved, yet trails WinkBed.
Bounce Test
Bounce impacts ease of movement and intimacy. WinkBed’s coils provide more spring than Nectar’s foam.
- WinkBed Original: 9.91” (above average 9.73”). Balances mobility and stability.
- WinkBed Plus: 8.5”. Lower but functional for a firmer bed.
- Nectar Original: 7.5”. Low bounce prioritizes motion isolation.
- Nectar Premier: 8.0”. Slightly better but still minimal.
- Nectar Premier Copper: 8.2”. Nectar’s best, yet below WinkBed.
Edge Support Test
Strong edge support maximizes usable surface area, key for couples. WinkBed’s reinforced coils dominate.
- WinkBed Original: 2.25” sitting sinkage (vs. average 4.67”). Stellar for sitting and lying.
- WinkBed Plus: 2.5” sinkage. Robust, slightly less than Original.
- Nectar Original: 4.0” sinkage. Decent for foam but compresses more.
- Nectar Premier: 3.8” sinkage. A touch better than Original.
- Nectar Premier Copper: 3.7” sinkage. Nectar’s strongest, but WinkBed wins.
Sex Test
High bounce, edge support, and cooling enhance performance. WinkBed’s responsiveness gives it the edge.
- WinkBed Original: 9.7/10. Great bounce (9.91”) and edge support.
- WinkBed Plus: 9.4/10. Slightly less bounce but still strong.
- Nectar Original: 8.0/10. Low bounce limits ease, though quiet foam helps.
- Nectar Premier: 8.2/10. Marginal bounce improvement.
- Nectar Premier Copper: 8.5/10. Nectar’s best, but WinkBed outperforms.
Pressure Relief Test
Both brands relieve pressure well, but WinkBed’s thicker comfort layer excels for side sleepers.
- WinkBed Original: 9.8/10. 5” foam layer contours perfectly for side and back sleepers.
- WinkBed Plus: 9.8/10. Latex foam supports heavier bodies without pressure buildup.
- Nectar Original: 9.0/10. Memory foam hugs curves, ideal for lighter side sleepers.
- Nectar Premier: 9.2/10. Thicker foam boosts relief.
- Nectar Premier Copper: 9.3/10. Nectar’s best, but WinkBed’s deeper layer is superior.
Off-Gassing Test
Off-gassing is the initial chemical smell from new mattresses. Both brands are mild.
- WinkBed: Light odor, fades in 2–3 days.
- Nectar: Slightly stronger foam smell, clears in 3–5 days.
Company Policies
- WinkBed: 120-night trial, lifetime warranty, free shipping. $50 off for military/first responders.
- Nectar: 365-night trial, lifetime warranty, free shipping. Longer trial adds flexibility.
Firmness
- WinkBed Original: Softer (4/10), Luxury Firm (6/10), Firmer (7/10). Luxury Firm is the go-to for balanced comfort.
- WinkBed Plus: Firm (7/10), tailored for heavier sleepers.
- Nectar Original: Medium-firm (6.5/10), slightly firmer feel.
- Nectar Premier: Medium-firm (5.5/10), softer than Original.
- Nectar Premier Copper: Medium-firm (6/10), well-balanced.
Support & Sleeping Positions
WinkBed’s zoned coils provide targeted support, ideal for back and stomach sleepers. Nectar’s foam contours beautifully for side sleepers but may lack support for heavier stomach sleepers.
- Lightweight (<150 lbs): Nectar Original or Premier for side sleepers; WinkBed Softer for all positions.
- Average (150–250 lbs): WinkBed Luxury Firm or Nectar Premier Copper for versatility.
- Heavy (>250 lbs): WinkBed Plus for sturdy support; Nectar may sag.
Design
- WinkBed: 14–14.5” hybrid with a Euro-pillow top, gel foam, and pocketed coils. Breathable and responsive.
- Nectar: 12–14” all-foam with memory foam and cooling covers. Contouring but less airy.
Materials
WinkBed Original
- Tencel cover (cooling, moisture-wicking)
- 2” gel foam (pressure relief)
- 2.5” SupportCell foam (support)
- 8” pocketed coils (zoned for lumbar support)
- 1” base foam (stability)
WinkBed Plus
- Tencel cover
- 2” latex foam (durable, cooling)
- 2.5” SupportCell foam
- 8” pocketed coils
- 1” base foam
Nectar Original
- Cooling gel cover
- 3” gel memory foam (contouring)
- 2” transition foam (support)
- 7” base foam (stability)
Nectar Premier
- Cooling cover
- 3” gel memory foam
- 3” transition foam
- 7” base foam
Nectar Premier Copper
- Copper-infused cooling cover
- 4” gel memory foam
- 1” transition foam
- 9” base foam
Mattressnap’s Verdict
At Mattressnap, we believe the choice between WinkBed and Nectar hinges on your priorities. WinkBed is the luxury champ, delivering superior cooling, edge support, and responsiveness. Its hybrid design and firmness options suit combination sleepers, hot sleepers, and heavier individuals. The Luxury Firm is a fan favorite, while the Plus is a lifesaver for plus-size sleepers. The downside? It’s pricier and has slight motion transfer.
Nectar is the budget hero, offering a cozy memory foam hug at a fraction of the cost. It’s unbeatable for motion isolation, making it a top pick for couples and light sleepers. The Premier Copper steps up cooling, but foam can’t rival WinkBed’s breathability. It’s best for side sleepers and deal-seekers but may not support heavier sleepers or those craving bounce.
- Pick WinkBed if: You want a cooling, responsive hybrid with great edge support and firmness choices. Ideal for back/stomach sleepers, couples needing bounce, or heavier bodies.
- Pick Nectar if: You love a contouring foam feel, need top-notch motion isolation, or want an affordable bed with a long trial. Perfect for side sleepers and restless couples.
Both mattresses are excellent, but WinkBed feels like a high-end hotel bed, while Nectar offers value and a risk-free trial. Try them out with their generous sleep trials to find your sleep soulmate!
