Casper Dream vs Nectar Premier

We tested the Casper Dream vs Nectar Premier mattresses for 3 nights each. In this hands-on comparison article, we will share our test results on feel, firmness, support, cooling, durability, value and who each mattress is best for.

Mattress Millionaires Quick Verdict: Casper Dream vs Nectar Premier

Even though the Casper Dream is a hybrid and the Nectar Premier is memory foam, they both had a fairly similar overall comfort and feel during testing. We think Nectar Premier is the overall better choice that will appeal to more consumers because at under $1,000 the price really can’t be beat for the quality of the mattress.

The Casper Dream performed well and felt supportive, especially in the stomach sleeping position, but we just didn’t feel that it delivered an extra $500 of value over the Nectar Premier. Additionally, the Casper had more noticeable off-gassing after unboxing.

Our whole bedroom smelled strongly like foam for at least 3 days after unboxing, and the mattress itself continued to have a noticeable odor for more than two weeks. Some off-gassing from VOC emissions is common with foam mattresses, but Casper clearly knows this can be an issue because it publishes multiple tips for reducing the smell, including airing out the mattress, using baking soda, and lightly walking on the surface to speed up dissipation.

With all that said, the Casper Dream has clear strengths and may be the better choice if you really don’t like the deep contouring sensation of memory foam or if you need a firmer surface because you are a strict stomach sleeper or a heavier sleeper. If you are looking for a plusher hybrid mattress with good pressure relief, read our full comparison of the Casper Dream vs DreamCloud Premier.

Here is a quick breakdown of how each mattress performed during testing:

The bottom line: Casper Dream wins for support, responsiveness, and ease of movement. Nectar Premier wins on feel, pressure relief, cooling and overall value.

• • Choose Casper Dream if you want a more balanced hybrid feel that is more supportive for your back and better at maintaining spinal alignment for stomach sleepers.
  • Choose Nectar Premier if you like the memory foam feel, stronger pressure relief and the lowest price for the best overall value.

How We Tested the Casper Dream 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

Construction and Materials Comparison

Casper Dream = Cozy Knit Cover + “Zoned Support” Foam Layers + Pocketed Coils

The Casper Dream is made with base support foam, pocketed coils, zoned memory foam with a cozy knit cover that feels like soft cotton knit jersey fabric. If you want the full breakdown of its construction, feel, and performance, read our Casper Dream mattress review after 3 nights of testing.

Their trademarked “Zoned Support” is a combination of firmer foam in the center to keeps hips and waist lifted and a responsive flex foam for pressure relief.

Nectar Premier = thick all-foam with deep contouring

The Nectar Premier doesn’t use coils for support and responsiveness and is made up of multiple layers of foam with a cover that is cool to the touch. The initial sensation is that it is plush and softer than the Casper Dream.

My Hot Take: the Casper Dream has the balanced and lifted feel of a hybrid while the Nectar Premier is more inviting, comfortable at a lower price.

Firmness and Feel

The Casper Dream is marketed as medium, but in my experience it felt more like a medium-firm. It was especially supportive on the lower back and kept us feeling lifted, so you felt like you were sleeping on the mattress, not in the mattress. If you dislike the sinking sensation of memory foam, then this is a good alternative.

The Nectar Premier is softer with deep contouring. It is more plush than the Casper Dream and has strong pressure relief. The cover was also cooler initially as well.

Besides the difference in firmness, the next most noticeable difference is that the Casper pushes back on your body faster, while the Nectar envelopes you and hugs the pressure points.

If you are concerned about back support, read our full article on whether the Casper Dream is good for back pain.

Casper Dream and Nectar Premier Specs Side-by-Side

Pressure Relief

The Nectar Premier is the clear winner for pressure relief.

Although the Casper doesn’t have a harsh firmness, we noticed more shoulder compression in the side sleeping position. By contrast, the Nectar Premier was softer and extremely comfortable in the side sleep position.

Side sleepers generally need more cushioning for pressure relief in the shoulders and hips.

Overall, the Casper Dream is better for people who prioritize strong support over pressure relief, while Nectar Premier is better for side sleepers and people who want pressure relief at a very affordable price.

Support and Spinal Alignment

Casper Dream really delivers on support and helping to maintain a neutral spinal alignment. During our testing, there wasn’t sagging or dipping at the hips and the “Zoned Support” felt firm in the lower back and waist.

Overall the Casper Dream felt more structured when lying on the mattress and was especially comfortable and supportive in the back and stomach sleep positions. Maintaining proper spinal alignment when sleeping is very important for your health.

The deep foam contouring of the Nectar Premier makes it feel softer and not as lifted. So if you prefer a more controlled, lifted feeling, Casper Dream is the better choice.

Cooling Performance

The Casper Dream prevents heat retention through the hybrid design, as the coil airflow helps it sleep cooler than denser memory foam mattresses. However, we found the Nectar Premier’s cover to be softer and cooler to the touch initially.

Nectar Premier wins for first-contact cooling, but the Casper Dream stayed at a cooler temperature and we felt less hot throughout the night. If you want above average cooling that lasts, the Casper Dream is the better choice.

Motion Isolation

During our 10 lb ball drop test, the Casper Dream performed better than we would expect from a hybrid with pocketed coils. A vibration was present, but minimal and not noticeable enough to cause meaningful sleep disturbance for a couple.

Nectar Premier’s layered all foam design has stronger motion isolation capabilities. Dense foam absorbs movement before it ripples through the surface. During the ball drop test, the ball quickly settled into the foam instead of bouncing.

Edge Support

Neither mattress showed good results for edge support. We measured edge compression of 4 inches in the Nectar and 5 inches in the Casper during the edge sitting test.

We would expect the Casper to have stronger edge support than the Nectar Premier because of the hybrid design and the higher price that would indicate higher-quality materials, but we found the Nectar to have less sinkage.

We measured minimal sinkage when lying down near the edge of both mattresses, so this means that the weaker edge support is not too concerning or problematic for sleeping, only sitting.

Durability and Long-Term Value

The Casper Dream ranks better for durability because of the hybrid design and that it felt more structurally supportive. It is a well-built hybrid, but we need to consider price as well.

While the Casper Dream measured as sturdier, the sleep experience and quality of the mattress materials was very similar to the Nectar Premier, yet the cost of the Casper was more. Therefore the Nectar Premier is the better long term value because it will likely last as long as the Casper and costs an average of $500 less.

Pricing and Discounts

The Nectar Premier is clearly the smarter choice for the purchase price, trial, warranty and returns. If the Casper Dream outperformed more testing categories, and offered better terms, then thevhigher price would be justified, but that is not the case.

Nectar’s low price for premium materials is its biggest value proposition, and we observed that their claims of offering the best value ring true.

Final Verdict: Casper Dream vs Nectar Premier

Our Pick: Nectar Premier Memory Foam Mattress

We crowned the Nectar Premier the overall winner for its softer feel, stronger pressure relief, cooler-to-the-touch cover, and unbeatable value for the price. If you like a plush sleeping experience, enjoy the sensation of memory foam, and want the maximum comfort for dollar, the Nectar Premier is the better buy.

The Casper Dream is still a good mattress that is responsive, supportive and will meet the needs for sleepers who want to feel lifted with strong lumbar support. It’s just hard to justify paying a premium cost with the notable off-gassing and comparable comfort and sleep experience to the Nectar.

Who Each Mattress is Best For:

Choose Casper Dream If:

• • • You prefer a lifted hybrid feel over the hugging sensation of memory foam
    • You are a stomach sleeper or back sleeper
    • You prioritize feeling supported over plushness

Choose Nectar Premier If:

• • • You want the better overall value
    • You are a side sleeper or prefer a softer mattress surface
    • You want pressure relief in the hips and shoulders

FAQs: Casper Dream vs Nectar Premier

Is Casper Dream or Nectar Premier better for side sleepers?

Nectar Premier is better for most side sleepers because the layers of memory foam are softer than the Dream and deliver better pressure relief in the hips and shoulders. Casper Dream is more supportive of the lower back and we did notice some shoulder compression during side sleeping because of the firmer surfcae.

Which mattress sleeps cooler?

Casper Dream is the stronger cooling hybrid that maintains a neutral temperature throughout the night. Nectar Premier’s cover felt cooler to the touch initially.

Which mattress has better motion isolation?

The Nectar Premier has stronger motion isolation. Casper Dream is a slightly more bouncy, responsive mattress, but still performed well and can still be a good choice for couples who are sensitive to each other’s motions.

Is Casper Dream worth the higher price?

In our opinion, Casper Dream is not worth the higher price. It does not deliver enough better performance or better features or policies to justify costing about $500 more than the Nectar Premier.