If you’re deciding between the Purple Plus vs Nectar Premier, you’re comparing two premium, medium firm mattresses that have very different designs. Purple uses its proprietary GelFlex Grid technology designed for airflow and responsive support, while Nectar Premier relies on traditional memory foam contouring to provide deep pressure relief and motion isolation.

In this hands-on comparison, we tested both mattresses for at least 3 nights each to give our honest thoughts on firmness, comfort, cooling, durability, motion isolation, edge support, pricing, and which sleepers each mattress works best for.
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Mattress Millionaires Quick Verdict: Purple Plus vs Nectar Premier
These two mattresses are both medium in firmness and in the upper mid-tier price category, not budget and not ultra luxury. They are each defined by a unique feel that ultimately comes down to if you prefer lightness, cooling and a floating sensation, or a heavier, more plush, hugging sensation of memory foam.
Here is a quick breakdown based on spending at least 3 nights on each mattress:
| Category | Purple Plus | Nectar Premier |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | Buoyant, responsive, pressure-relieving | Deep contouring, slow response |
| Firmness | Medium (6/10) | Medium-Medium Firm (6.5/10) |
| Cooling | Excellent airflow | Decent for memory foam |
| Motion Isolation | Very good | Excellent |
| Edge Support | Weak | Moderate |
| Best For | Hot sleepers, combo sleepers | Side sleepers, couples |
| Not Ideal For | Those who like contouring foam and a hugging sensation | Those who dislike memory foam feel |
The bottom line:
- Choose Purple Plus if you are a hot sleeper and want a buoyant, floating sensation.
- Choose Nectar Premier if you like body contouring, luxury feel and strong motion isolation.
🏆 Our Recommendation Based on Testing
If you already know your sleep style, check current pricing:
Quick Pick: Choose based on your sleep style below.
[Read More: Purple Plus vs. Saatva Classic | Purple Plus Mattress Review | Does Purple Sleep Cool?]
Purple Plus
Best for Cooling & Combo Sleepers
- ✔ Excellent airflow (GelFlex Grid)
- ✔ Responsive & easy to move
- ✔ Sleeps significantly cooler
Nectar Premier
Best for Side Sleepers & Pressure Relief
- ✔ Deep contouring memory foam
- ✔ Excellent motion isolation
- ✔ Great for couples
How We Tested the Purple Plus and Nectar Premier
At Mattress Millionaires, we evaluate every mattress through hands-on testing in our home sleep lab.
For this comparison we:

- Slept on each mattress for at least 3 nights
- Tested side, back, and stomach sleeping positions
- Measured cooling performance using a surface temperature test
- Evaluated motion isolation using a 10-lb drop test
- Assessed edge support by sitting and lying near the perimeter
- Researched and reviewed mattress materials and policy terms from brands’ official websites.
Both mattresses were tested using the same foundation and bedding conditions to ensure fair comparison.

Construction & Materials Comparison
Purple Plus = engineered airflow + adaptive grid response

The Purple Plus’s defining feature in the GelFlex Grid, a proprietary hyper-elastic polymer arranged in a grid. The material is non-toxic, hypoallergenic and CertiPUR-US certified to meet the highest safety standards. It differs from memory foam, as it doesn’t trap body heat, which helps with cooling, and it collapses under pressure and rebounds quickly instead of moulding to a body slowly like memory foam.
Nectar Premier = traditional foam layering + deeper contour + motion isolation
The Nectar Premier is thicker overall, with a substantial dense base and a traditional memory foam top. It slowly contours to your body and offers great pressure relief. The dense core helps create excellent motion isolations, which is great for couples who are sensitive to each others movements.
Here is a breakdown:
| Feature | Purple Plus | Nectar Premier |
|---|---|---|
| Mattress Type | All-foam with GelFlex Grid | All-foam memory foam |
| Height | 11 inches | 13 inches |
| Top Comfort Layer | 2” GelFlex Grid (hyper-elastic polymer) | Cooling gel-infused memory foam |
| Feel at Surface | Responsive, buoyant, pressure-adaptive | Slow-response, contouring, body-hugging |
| Airflow Design | Open grid columns allow continuous airflow | Perforated foam + breathable cover |
| Transition Layer | Supportive polyfoam | Transition foam layer |
| Support Core | High-density base foam | High-density support foam |
| Sinkage Profile | Minimal sink, weight disperses through grid | Moderate sink, traditional memory foam cradle |
| Bounce / Responsiveness | Moderate bounce | Low bounce |
| Motion Isolation | Very good | Excellent |
| Edge Structure | Foam perimeter (moderate stability) | Foam perimeter (moderate stability) |
| Certifications | CertiPUR-US foams | CertiPUR-US foams |
Firmness & Feel
Purple Plus is medium firmness that supports you without hugging you. It was noticeable during our testing that pressure was relieved in the hips and shoulders without the sinking sensation. We were able to move within the bed and change positions with ease.

Nectar Premier offers pressure relief and body contouring while still having medium firm surface feel and support. The compression was deeper than the Purple Plus with an enveloping sleep experience that many might find luxurious. Sleeping in the side position was especially comfortable and when we slept as a couple, there were less sleep disturbances than in the Purple Plus.

| Feature | Purple Plus | Nectar Premier |
|---|---|---|
| Firmness Level (1–10 Scale) | Medium (6/10) | Medium–Medium Firm (6.5/10) |
| Overall Feel | Responsive, buoyant, adaptive | Deep contouring, slow-response |
| Surface Sensation | Floating “on” the mattress | Cradled “in” the mattress |
| Pressure Relief Style | Grid flexes under pressure points | Foam compresses and hugs body |
| Sink Depth | Shallow–moderate | Moderate–deep |
| Ease of Movement | Very easy to reposition | Slower repositioning |
| Bounce / Responsiveness | Moderate bounce | Minimal bounce |
| Body Contouring | Targeted contour only where needed | Full-body contour |
| Best For Feel Preference | Those who dislike memory foam | Those who love memory foam |
| Weight Distribution Feel | Evenly dispersed across grid | Centered compression at hips/shoulders |

Cooling Comparison: Which Sleeps Cooler?
Results:
Purple Plus: 86°F surface temperature after 30 minutes
Nectar Premier: 90°F surface temperature after 30 min

The Purple Plus is significantly cooler. The GelFlex grid design maintains constant airflow and heat disperses through the columns which is much more cooling than having dense foam directly under you.
Besides the open grid design, the polymer material does not trap foam like viscoelastic foam. All of this makes the Purple sleep cooler than other all-foam beds.
Nectar Premier tries to improve cooling with a breathable knit cover and counteract the heat retention of memory foam by infusing gel. This has a moderate cooling effect, making it sleep cooler than other all foam mattresses we have tested, but not as cooling as the Purple Plus.
Having a cool room and keeping your body cool while you sleep if important for overall sleep health. So if you are a hot sleeper or live in a warm climate, the Purple Plus is the better option for cooling comfort.
Motion Isolation
Nectar Premier is the clear winner for excellent motion isolation. Memory foam absorbs movement very well, so it is the better choice for couples who are sensitive to each others movements.

Purple’s grid design and polymer material is more bouncy and responsive, so we noticed more movement during testing when we dropped a 10 lb ball on one side of the bed while one of us rested on the other side.
Edge Support
Both mattresses rank moderately for edge support. Neither is strong at the edges when you sit on it, but it is not problematic to sleep.
The Nectar Premier has slightly better edge support because of its greater total thickness and more dense foam core base. Purple collapses more at the edges as the grid design caves in more with pressure .
If edge support is a priority for you, you would be better off testing a hybrid mattress with a coil base that will make the edges more stable.
Sleeping Position Performance
Here is a breakdown of how each mattresses ranked in various sleep positions.
| Sleep Position | Purple Plus | Nectar Premier |
|---|---|---|
| Side | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Back | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ |
| Stomach | ⭐⭐⭐½ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Combination | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Side Sleepers

The Nectar Premier provides excellent pressure relief and contours nicely at the shoulders and hips, making it a great choice for side sleepers. The Purple Plus’ cushion will meet the needs of side sleepers too, but if you want maximum pressure relief. go with the Nectar Premier.
Back Sleepers
Both mattresses will serve back sleepers well. Even though Nectar sinks, it maintains good spinal alignment. Purple’s buoyancy helps keep hips elevated without putting stress on the spine and back.
Stomach Sleepers
Neither mattress performed well for stomach sleepers due to the softness and cushioning. A firmer mattress would be better for stomach sleepers.
Combinations Sleepers
Purple Plus’ buoyancy makes it easy to move on, which is most comfortable for combination sleepers who change positions frequently.
Durability & Lifespan
Both mattresses have solid construction and high-quality materials, indicating they are likely to last 7 – 10 years if cared for properly and used with a strong foundation support. The Purple Plus ranks slightly better for durability because the polymer grid is exceptionally resistant against pressure and compression, so it would dent and sag from body impressions.
Memory foam can start to sag and compress over time in the areas were the heaviest body weight rests. It’s one of the drawback of one sided foam mattresses, but the Nectar Premier is well constructed of high-density foam so that will help it last longer than an average foam mattress. Between the two, Purple’s polymer grid will hold its shape longer.
Pricing & Value
We studied the average prices of both mattresses throughout 2025 and saw that Nectar runs aggressive promotions during key holiday times and end of season. Purple discounts less and on average a queen is $300 – $500 more than a Purple Plus.
With Purple, you pay a slight premium for the unique design, branded packaging, and the durability of the GelFlex grid. If you are looking for the best value for a luxury feeling memory foam, Nectar Premier delivers the best value for comfort.
Here is the type of pricing you can expect from each brand:
| Mattress | Queen MSRP Range | Frequent Sale Price |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Plus | ~$1,399 | ~$1,099–$1,199 |
| Nectar Premier | ~$1,699 | ~$1,099–$1,299 |
Trial, Warranty & Policies
Nectar clearly has the best trial and warranty length and terms. However, both mattresses are designed well and should realistically last 7 – 10 years regardless of warranty, which is mainly used as a marketing strategy to increase sales and build consumer confidence.
Here is a breakdown from when we purchased both mattresses (always check the manufacturer websites to confirm any updates on trial, warranty and return policies).
| Policy | Purple | Nectar |
|---|---|---|
| Trial | 100 nights | 365 nights |
| Warranty | 10 years | Forever warranty |
| Returns | Free | Free |
Who Should Buy the Purple Plus?
You should choose Purple Plus if:
- You are a hot sleeper
- You switch positions frequently
- You want a durable, responsive feel
- You dislike the hugging sensation of memory foam
- You have an athletic build
- You sleep with a partner
Who Should Buy Nectar Premier?
You should choose the Nectar Premier memory foam mattress if:
- You love the plush, cradling feeling of memory foam
- You are a side sleeper
- Pressure relief is a top priority
- You are a couple who wants strong motion isolation
- You share a bed with a restless partner
- You want a long trial period
Final Thoughts on the Purple Plus vs Nectar Premier
Based on our hands-on testing, the Purple Plus is more technically impressive due to the GelFlex grid cooling and material durability. The Nectar Premier is the more traditional choice and will please side sleepers looking for pressure relief and couples needing motion isolation.
If you want a luxurious, contouring memory foam mattress that is thick and sturdy, and you are looking for the best value with maximum comfort and durability, the Nectar Premier is for you. If cooling and responsiveness are important to you, and you want a modern mattress backed by new technology and durable material, the Purple Plus is for you.
💤 Final Decision Time
Both are great — choose based on your sleep style:
- 🔥 Hot sleeper → Purple Plus
- 🛏️ Side sleeper / pressure relief → Nectar Premier
Purple Plus vs Nectar Premier: Final Comparison
| Category | Mattress MillionairesCrowned Winner |
|---|---|
| Cooling | Purple Plus |
| Motion Isolation | Nectar Premier |
| Pressure Relief | Nectar Premier |
| Ease of Movement | Purple Plus |
| Durability | Purple Plus |
| Best for Couples | Nectar Premier |
| Best for Hot Sleepers | Purple Plus |
FAQs Purple Plus vs Nectar Premier
Is Purple better than Nectar for back pain?
It depends. Purple offers firm support in the hip which is good if you are a back sleeper and are prone to back pain. Nectar Premier is better for relieving pressure points in the hips and shoulders. If you have lower back pain and are a stomach sleeper, neither mattress is ideal and you should look for something firmer.
Does Nectar Premier sleep hot?
During testing, we found that the Nectar Premier reached a temperature of 90 degrees F after 30 minutes of rest. It has a breathable cover and is infused with gel to help facilitate cooling and reduce heat being trapped. It sleeps cooler than other traditional memory foam mattresses, but it is not as cool as Purple’s grid design.
Is Purple worth the higher price?
It depends on what you value the most. The material and engineering is truly unique and it is a great choice for hot sleepers and restless combination sleepers. You do spend a premium for Purple, so if getting the best value is a priority, you should go with the Nectar Premier.
Which lasts longer?
We feel both mattresses are very durable and should last 7 to 10 years. However, it you want assurance that your mattress will last and won’t sag, the Purple Plus’s GelFlex grid is especially durable and resistant to breakdown from compression over time. Nectar Premier is more prone to get dented with body impressions because memory foam has the tendency to collapse from the heaviest pressure points over many years.
Which is better for couples?
Nectar Premier ranked much better for motion isolation, so if you are a couple where one partner moves around a lot and the other is a light sleeper, the Nectar Premier will help reduce nighttime disturbances. If you are a couple who is sensitive to each others body temperatures and tend to sleep hot, the Purple Plus’ cooling features will make it a more comfortable mattress.
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