Written by Jill Zwarensteyn, Editor
For our Nectar vs. Sparrow Signature Hybrid comparison, an affordable memory foam option that’s swept the internet since 2017 goes head to head with a quality hybrid from Nest Bedding.
The Nectar mattress caught the public eye with its amazing value that blends an affordable price and quality materials with an impressive trial period that offers customers up to an entire year to try out their product.
Then there’s Nest Bedding’s Sparrow Signature Hybrid, which comes from a manufacturer that’s raised the bar by producing high-quality luxury mattresses at an attractive price.
Keep reading to read our thoughts on each bed and find out which is best for you.
Quick Comparison: Nectar vs. Nest Bedding Sparrow Signature Hybrid
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Who I’d Recommend the Nectar For
- Shoppers on a tighter budget – Nectar’s design is great for people looking to get the most for their dollar. This is a popular bed-in-a-box option that customers rave over.
- Fans of all-foam beds – This product uses three layers of quality foams, which include gel-infused memory quilted to the cover to provide optimal pressure relief and that deep hug that memory foam fans adore.
- Those who prefer a firmer bed – Though the Sparrow comes in three firmness options, we reviewed the Medium, which we ranked as 5.5 out of 10 on our firmness scale. The Nectar is 6.5, giving it a bit of a firmer feel. Heavier side sleepers or those who prefer a slightly less plush feel may sway towards the Nectar.
Who I’d Recommend the Nest Bedding Sparrow Signature Hybrid For
- Couples who like to spread out – Hybrids tend to perform better than all-foam models at edge support, and the reinforced coils around the perimeter of this model should allow you to sleep closer to the edge of the bed without feeling like you’re going to roll out.
- Shoppers who want the best of both worlds – Customers should experience the conforming properties of memory material along with the traditional feel of an innerspring mattress. The combination of these materials fosters excellent pressure relief and body support.
- Indecisive shoppers – Nest Bedding’s Lifetime Renewal Exchange allows you to swap out the comfort layer to change the feel of your mattress – or to extend its life – for a one-time fee that must be made at the same time as your bed purchase. We think this could be a great option for those who have concerns about buying a bed online.
Comparing Nectar vs. Nest Bedding Sparrow Signature Hybrid: Top Similarities
- Memory foam comfort layers – The Nectar has a 2-inch gel memory foam comfort layer while the Sparrow Signature Hybrid has a 2-inch gel memory foam pillow top and a 3-inch memory foam alternative comfort layer. We found that both beds offer great pressure relief with the deep hug of memory foam.
- Motion isolation – Our mattress testers found minimal motion transfer on both beds. This means that while some movement traveled across the bed when someone on the other side moved around, it shouldn’t be enough to disturb most sleepers. This is often an important mattress quality for co-sleepers.
- Not suitable for most stomach sleepers – Stomach sleepers tend to prefer firmer beds that can keep their hips lifted for a neutral spine. Neither bed is particularly recommended for stomach sleepers, although lightweight stomach sleepers – who experience beds as firmer than their heavier counterparts – will likely feel supported enough.
Comparing Nectar vs. Nest Bedding Sparrow Signature Hybrid: Key Differences
- Bounce – While we found the Nectar surprisingly responsive for a memory foam model, we wouldn’t consider it bouncy. Some of the Sparrow Signature Hybrid’s springiness is muffled by the thick foam layers above the coil unit, but it did offer more bounce than the Nectar.
- Firmness options – The Nectar is only available in a medium-firm feel, whereas the Sparrow Signature Hybrid is available in Plush, Medium, or Lux Firm, offering customers much more versatility.
- Country of origin – Nest Bedding manufactures their beds in Phoenix, Arizona, with the majority of materials sourced from the United States. Nectar, on the other hand, sources and manufactures products globally, in places like China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Mexico, and the United States. If you prefer to buy locally-made products, the Sparrow Signature Hybrid is the one for you.
Comparing Firmness, Support & Feel
Firmness
We rate mattress firmness on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being like sleeping on the floor. Our team ranked the Nectar at 6.5, making it medium-firm, while the Sparrow Signature Hybrid’s Medium model came in at a 5.5, which is on the softer side of medium. This bed is also available in Soft and Lux Firm versions, though we tested the Medium model as this tends to be the most versatile firmness level.
Support
We think both beds should be able to offer enough support for most light to average-weight back and side sleepers, as well as lightweight stomach sleepers.
The Nectar is a touch firmer so may also suit heavier side sleepers who prefer a plush feel. Neither bed is recommended for average to heavyweight stomach sleepers, who will likely find their hips sinking to an uncomfortable level. However, sleepers in this category may find enough support on the Sparrow Signature Hybrid’s Lux Firm model.
Feel
We found that both beds offered great pressure relief. “The Nectar’s layers do a pretty good job of pressure relief, keeping the most sensitive joints from feeling all the weight bearing down on them,” said lead product tester Julia. However, some side sleepers might enjoy the Sparrow more because the Medium offers some softer cushioning for the hips and shoulders, and if that’s not enough, it’s also available in a Plush option.
Comparing Sinkage and Bounce
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Depending on your body’s weight and shape, the amount of sinkage in the Sparrow Signature’s memory materials might be slightly counteracted by the pocket coils at the base of the mattress, though with the Nectar, you should rest in a comforting deep hug.
As expected, the hybrid offers more bounce than the all-foam Nectar, however, Julia reported that while the Nectar doesn’t offer instantaneous bounceback, it still moves fairly quickly to support you. Repositioning should be easily achieved in both of these models, which is great news for combination sleepers. Nevertheless, those seeking a bouncier mattress for sex may prefer the Sparrow Signature Hybrid.
Comparing Motion Transfer
Our team scored both beds at a 3 out of 5 when it comes to motion isolation, which is an important consideration if you share your bed with a restless partner. “Since the Nectar’s layers are pretty dense, they’re able to stifle the feeling of motion pretty well,” reported Julia. “If you sleep with a partner and move around a lot, this helps ensure you’re not shaking them awake.”
The Sparrow Signature Hybrid scored well considering it has a coil unit, which often exacerbates motion transfer – our tests revealed that the thick memory foam pillow top does a good job at absorbing movement.
Comparing Cooling
“With all of the cooling features, foam simply isn’t going to sleep as cool as a hybrid mattress or materials geared towards temperature regulation,” said Julia of the Nectar. “The cover doesn’t stay cool to the touch and the initial gel foam layer doesn’t feel like it’s regulating temperature.”
However, this shouldn’t be too much of an issue unless you sleep hot or live in a warmer climate. If you do fall into those categories, the Sparrow Signature Hybrid may be a better option for you. The bed’s coil unit allows for airflow and phase change material in the cover works to draw heat away from the body.
Comparing Construction (Materials & Quality)
Nectar Construction
Nectar is an all-foam construction with a breathable poly-blend cover that envelops 12 inches of contouring and supportive layers beneath. This mattress is compressed and air-sealed into a bag to be delivered to your residence.
- The top layer is made with 2 inches of proprietary memory foam. Gel inside the material helps to expel heat from the surface, helping to keep you cool. The gel gives the mattress a plush feel, as well as offering contouring and pressure relief.
- The middle layer is constructed with 3 inches of soft conventional foam, with grooves that allow for airflow, helping to keep the mattress cool. This layer is a tad firmer and more responsive than the memory foam above, which helps the body transition into the thicker and firmer base.
- The foundation is a layer of standard conventional foam. This supportive foam is 7 inches tall and works to maintain spinal alignment.
Nest Bedding Sparrow Signature Hybrid Construction
This hybrid bed ships and arrives at your home compressed within a box. The cover fabric incorporates THERMIC® phase change technology, which is designed to regulate temperature. The bed comes in three firmness options – Plush, Medium, and Lux Firm – and as mentioned, we’re focusing on the more versatile Medium version.
To note, while the layers added up to 13 inches, Nest Bedding says the Sparrow is 12 inches tall. For the basis of this comparison, we will say it’s 13 inches high.
- Quilted to the cover are two 1-inch layers of cooling gel memory foam, making up the pillow top.
- The second layer has 3 inches of Energex™ temperature-responsive foam. This is designed to be a more responsive version of memory foam, offering body contouring and pressure relief.
- The middle layer features 1 inch of high-density SmartFlow support foam, which transitions the sleeper into the firmer layers below.
- The innerspring layer consists of 6-inch individually wrapped 16-gauge coils, which provide support and motion isolation. Stronger coils around the perimeter offer edge support.
- The base layer is constructed from 1 inch of dense foam, providing a buffer between your base and the coils.
Comparing Company Policies & Price
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Warranty – A lifetime warranty is provided with both beds.
Shipping – Free bed-in-a-box shipping is provided with both mattresses, with additional fees for Alaska and Hawaii. Both brands offer white glove delivery for an extra cost, which can be added to your online order with the Nectar. You must place your order over the phone with a Nest Bedding store to receive this service.
Trial Period – You’ll get 365 nights to trial both the Nectar and the Sparrow Signature Hybrid.
Returns – Returns are free for both beds within the trial period, with full refunds given. However, you’re required to have owned each bed for at least 30 nights before initiating a return.
Price – The Nectar is considerably cheaper than the Sparrow Signature Hybrid, potentially making it a more suitable option for shoppers with less money to spend.
| Size | Nectar Price (w/o discount) | Nest Bedding Sparrow Signature Hybrid Price (w/o discount) |
| Twin | $699 | $1,226 |
| Twin XL | $899 | $1,332 |
| Full | $949 | $1,759 |
| Queen | $1,099 | $2,132 |
| King | $1,399 | $2,452 |
| Cali King | $1,399 | $2,452 |
| Split King | $1,798 | N/A |
| Split Cali King | N/A | $2,664 |
Nectar vs. Nest Bedding Sparrow Signature Hybrid Compared Side-by-Side
| Features | Nectar | Nest Bedding Sparrow Signature Hybrid |
| Height | 12” | 13” |
| Cover | Poly-blend quilted to memory foam | THERMIC® phase change fabric and gel-infused memory foam pillow top |
| Materials | Gel memory foam and conventional foams | Energex™ foam, SmartFlow support foam, coil system, poly foam |
| Cooling | Breathable cover, gel in the memory foam layer, grooves in the transition foam layer | THERMIC® phase change cover, gel-infused memory foam, aerated materials, pocketed coils |
| Firmness | 6.5/10 | 5.5/10 (Medium option) |
| Support | Great | Great |
| Motion Transfer | Minimal | Minimal |
| Edge Support | Good | Exceptional |
| Sinkage | Deep Hug | Deep Hug |
| Bounce | Minimal | Moderate |
| Warranty | Forever | Lifetime |
| Trial Period | 365 nights | 365 nights |
| Certifications | CertiPUR-US® | CertiPUR-US® |
| Adjustable Base Compatible | Yes | Yes |
| Shipping | Ships free to contiguous U.S., additional fees apply for Alaska and Hawaii, white glove delivery available for an extra fee | Ships free to contiguous U.S., additional fees apply for Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada, white glove delivery available for an extra fee |
| Made in the USA | No | Yes |
| Read Full Review | Nectar Mattress Review | Nest Bedding Sparrow Signature Hybrid Mattress Review |
| Shop Now | Nectar Mattress | Nest Bedding Sparrow Signature Hybrid Mattress |
Final Thoughts
So, who is the winner? While both beds are affordable in their own right, Nectar’s price point is a stellar deal for an all-foam bed. Conversely, Nest Bedding’s hybrid would be considered affordable for a luxury hybrid model.
Both work great for easing away pressure and providing ample support for most light to average-weight sleepers. Plus, you’ll get a 365-night trial and lifetime warranty with either bed.
Still racking your brain about which to buy? Take a closer look at our in-depth articles on both of these products to help you finalize a decision.
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Jill Zwarensteyn
Editor
About Author
Jill Zwarensteyn is the Editor for Sleep Advisor and a Certified Sleep Science Coach. She is enthusiastic about providing helpful and engaging information on all things sleep and wellness.
Combination Sleeper
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