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Nectar vs Emma Mattress Reviews

Compare Nectar and Emma mattresses side by side: owner satisfaction, support, durability and price, based on aggregated customer reviews.

Checked byBecky Reeve, Staff Writer, Mattress Expert
SourceCompiled from WantMattress review data

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Brand

Nectar

Our pick
Overall score4.7/5
Price range£199 – £549
Brand

Emma

Overall score4.4/5
Price range£183 – £1,069

On aggregated owner reviews, Nectar scores higher: 4.7 against 4.4 out of 5.

Head to head

Nectar has sprung throughout, every model a hybrid; Emma has 12 of its 13 mattresses sprung and 1 all memory foam. Every Nectar mattress is medium, and Emma runs from soft-medium to firm. Emma covers more of the firmness scale, which helps if two sleepers need different feels. Both start at much the same price. But at the top end Emma goes further, so it also has the more premium options. Nectar's owner score rests on far more reviews (4,334 against 1,042), so treat Emma's number as the less settled of the two.

How they differ

NectarEmma
Mattresses we list313
Price range£199 – £549£183 – £1,069
Owner rating4.7 out of 5 (4,334 reviews)4.4 out of 5 (1,042 reviews)

Mattresses only. Ratings are the review-weighted average across each brand’s mattresses on UK retailer sites. Prices read 15 October 2026.

Nectar

Nectar is one of the biggest direct-to-consumer mattress brands in the UK, part of the Resident Home group that also owns DreamCloud. The brand launched in the US and expanded to the UK with a focused proposition: a well-made memory foam mattress sold direct at competitive pricing, backed by the longest trial period available in the UK market. Nectar's UK catalogue splits into memory foam and hybrid pocket spring builds, each sold in a Classic and a Premier tier, covering the all-foam and hybrid pocket spring buyer profiles.

What defines Nectar in the market is not the mattress technology itself, which is competent but not unique, but the buyer protection terms wrapped around it. A 365-night home trial and a Forever Warranty that covers the original buyer for life are both category-leading and are the primary reason most UK buyers put Nectar on their shortlist.

Emma

Emma is an immensely popular German sleep brand that specialises in bed in a box mattresses. First clamouring to fame in 2015 but achieving real velocity from 2018 onwards, Emma is one of the last standing in the war on sleep having bested Eve, Casper and Leesa, all of whom had similar marketing objectives and business models. To date, Emma offers a short core range of mattresses commercially through their own website with store and retailer derived versions for the masses of retailers looking to piggyback the brand's success. The mattresses all feature foam as a staple with some featuring additional springs. Regardless of which version you choose, comfort is almost guaranteed with thousands of satisfied customers to date.

Recently Emma rebranded to become known as Emma Sleep and pivoted their focus toward other items in the bedding sector ranging from bed frames, pillows, duvets and protectors.

Nectar owner satisfaction

The 365-night trial is the single most important satisfaction driver for Nectar and the one thing that separates the brand from almost every direct-to-consumer rival. Most competitors offer 100 to 200 nights. Nectar gives you a full year, which is enough time to sleep through seasonal temperature changes and genuinely assess whether the mattress suits your body. Returns within the trial period are collected free of charge and the refund process has been reliable on the cases we have followed.

Side sleepers consistently rate Nectar highest among the buyer profiles we track, because the memory foam comfort layer cradles the shoulder and hip more effectively than most hybrid alternatives at similar prices. Back sleepers also report strong satisfaction. The main area where feedback dips is temperature, with the all-foam Memory model sleeping warmer than the Hybrid or than competing spring-based alternatives.

Nectar supportiveness

The Nectar Memory uses a breathable foam top layer over pressure-relieving memory foam and a zoned support base. The feel sits at medium firm and the foam contours to the body in the classic memory foam way, distributing weight evenly and reducing pressure at the shoulders and hips. For side sleepers and back sleepers of average weight, the support profile works well without feeling too firm or too soft.

The Nectar Hybrid adds a pocket spring core beneath the foam comfort layers. The springs bring structural support, edge stability and airflow that the all-foam Memory model lacks. Heavier sleepers over around sixteen stone should look at the Hybrid rather than the Memory, because the pocket spring core handles higher body weights without the compression that an all-foam build can suffer under heavier loads.

Nectar durability

Nectar uses memory foam at reasonable densities across the range, and the Forever Warranty is the strongest signal of how confident the brand is in the long-term performance of its products. The warranty covers the original buyer for as long as they own the mattress, which is longer than any other UK mattress warranty we are aware of. Standard conditions apply around proper use and a supportive base, but the headline coverage is really lifelong.

Being owned by Resident Home gives Nectar the corporate infrastructure to honour that warranty at scale, which matters because a lifetime warranty from a small standalone brand carries less practical weight than one from a group with multiple brands and established operations. The foam quality is consistent with what a mattress at this price tier should deliver, and the Hybrid model adds pocket spring longevity to the foam layers above.

Nectar best offers

We've managed to find the following top deals from across the web on Nectar mattresses.

Emma owner satisfaction

Emma Sleep’s entire business model is focussed toward consumer satisfaction. Key parts of their marketing strategy comes from word of mouth and statistics show that people buy from people. What makes Emma stand out from the crowd is an interesting shift in consumer buying behaviour. Previously, if you bought a mattress and didn’t enjoy it, you were out of luck, not so with the rise of Emma. Now, if you don’t like your mattress you can arrange a return within Emma’s trial, which the brand advertises as up to 200 nights when you buy direct. This shift has proved extremely positive for customers and has increased satisfaction in the lineup.

To date, Emma has amassed more than 53,000 reviews on Trustpilot (checked 9 October 2026), a fantastic display given the company's fairly new tenure in the industry.

Emma supportiveness

Firmness is a very subjective thing which proves a particularly tough nut to crack when you are producing one mattress to suit all people. So much so that Emma has prototyped and tested numerous models previous to going to market in order to get that mix just right. The result? Emma’s own range runs from a medium tension to a medium firm one. Medium is a great supportive rating as it gives the user enough body contouring and support in the back and neck while giving enough softness and compression to accommodate those who sleep on their side or are of a lower BMI. It really is considered the one-size-fits-all approach and it’s one that suits many who purchase an Emma mattress, just take a look at the thousands of reviews to date.

Emma durability

With the mid-range price point of Emma products, it’s important for shoppers that the bed lasts for a number of years. Generally we find companies consistently trying to cut costs at the expense of durability. Fortunately Emma already has a unique business model as the mattresses follow the rolled and bed-in-a-box model that allows savings through logistics and delivery meaning Emma can spend more on materials while still finding profit. The result of this means you get a mattress that is affordable and of higher quality than competing brands which, as a result of the quality increase, is more durable and lasts longer as a result. It’s a win for everyone.

Emma best offers

We've managed to find the following top deals from across the web on Emma mattresses.

Corrections

When we get something wrong, we fix it and say so here. All corrections

9 October 2026
We said Nectar sold two mattresses in the UK. It sells memory foam and hybrid models, each in Classic and Premier versions.
9 October 2026
We called Emma a British manufacturer, said it sold two mattresses and offered a 100-night trial. Emma is a German brand with a wider range, and it advertises a trial of up to 200 nights.

Owner reviews of Nectar mattresses

5 Kate S.

My partner and I had the goal to get ourselves a king bed and after hearing good feedback from friends and coworkers we decided Nectar was going to be the one. I experience daily back pain (moderate to constant aching) and knew I wanted something that would be firm enough in support but would also mold enough to my body to support my back (to be frank, I have a larger butt and so getting any support under my lower back requires a pillow typically). I try to sleep on my back to help with my back pain so that was important to me. It was also important that we didn't disrupt each other in the night while tossing and turning as we really value our sleep. The hybrid model is perfect. The king size of course is great for space but even more, due to the memory foam qualities I don't feel it at all when my partner moves in his sleep (he doesn't move often but when he does he sort of flops around so it always woke me up). The combination of the memory foam and the coils is such a great balance of support with softness still. And sleeping on my back is amazing (I almost can't fall asleep any other way now). The memory foam allows you to sink into the bed just enough for it to almost mold to your body and you feel as though you settle in, but the density of the foam in addition to the the coils , provides such great support. I'd never slept on anything besides a traditional springy bed on a box spring so this mattress did take some getting used to. My partner and I took a little over a month, I'd estimate, until we were absolutely sure we loved it. We are so happy with this mattress so far!!! Of course I can't speak to the longevity of the product but I'm not too worried about that based on other reviews I've read. The price was also so great! It's rare to find a king mattress at this price let alone a really good one. Cannot say enough good things about my Nectar.

5 Thomas F.

My wife and I were researching new mattresses for about two months and read over 20 reviews before choosing Nectar’s Premier Hybrid 2. 1 mattress. Some of the reviews stated their reviewers thought the Nectar Premier Hybrid 2. 1 slept “warm to hot,” which was a significant concern of ours. However, the vast majority of the reviews rated the Nectar mattress as their number one pick overall. We now understand why! Until this purchase, we've never purchased a mattress online. However, due to bad experiences shopping retail mattress stores, we both expressed great reluctance to subject ourselves to shopping for a new mattress in a brick and mortar store. Nectar’s "365-Night Trial" and “Forever Warranty” made our decision easier. We’re so glad we chose the Nectar Premier Hybrid 2. 1! We also purchased a Th*** platform bed frame with headboard. After almost two months living with our Nectar mattress and Th*** bed, we’ve found the mattress DOES NOT sleep "warm to hot”! We feel the Nectar Premier Hybrid mattress is sort of the "Momma Bear Mattress"… not too cool, not too warm… just right! Our mattress is relatively firm, our rating would be maybe a 7 to 8 on a scale of 10. But it's a very comfortable firmness that slowly softens after a few minutes to a 6 or 7. Now my wife and I are sleeping better, sleeping through the night, and we both hate to get out of bed in the morning! We’re both very pleased we chose the Nectar Premier Hybrid mattress!

5 Doug H.

Let's start with the Customer Service. The mattress was scheduled for delivery but I had a last minute change to my schedule. Customer Service quickly responded to my request and reschedule delivery for a few days after I returned. No hassle, no angst. As with any boxed mattress, it was a bit of a struggle to get it into the house; after all, it IS kind of heavy. I also had to get our other mattress out of the way. My son helped me with that chore. Unboxing and installing the new mattress was, actually, fairly easy. I did this by myself: and I am 68 years old. It most certainly would have been easier with two people. . . The MOST important thing, though, is how well am I sleeping. This is among the most comfortable mattresses I've ever experienced. I have an arthritic right shoulder and, typically, when I sleep on my right side the shoulder and arm go numb. That has not happened with my new mattress. It has just the right amount of support for my 215 pounds, and I couldn't be more pleased with how it helps keep me just the right temperature. We've had nights with temperatures in the low 50's and I've had the windows open; I was comfortable. We've had nights with temperatures in the 80's and the air conditioning is set to 75 degrees; I was comfortable. I'm so pleased with this mattress and do not hesitate to recommend it to anyone.

2 THOMAS L.

I purchased this for my 60lb 8-year old in twin size. I normally lay down with him to read for a while before bed and was excited to have a comfy new mattress as was he. We were both disappointed when we realized this mattress was as firm as a brick on either side, even for my 190 lb self. I will be looking for a mattress topper on Amazon, as it is quite uncomfortable to lay on.

1 Alissa M.

The mattress is fantastic! We bought it for our son & are so jealous. I’m giving one star because I think this company can afford to be more generous with discounts especially for returning customers. I don’t think you can expect to get a review without a little generosity. Just some feedback for your marketing team to consider. But like I said. . fantastic matress!! Would buy only this brand if the price point wasn’t so high

Owner reviews of Emma mattresses

5 Mandy

It's been 2 years now, so here is a review after 2 years of sleeping on it. I am a larger lady who has many disabilities that cause a lot of bodily pain, I have Neuropathy, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, ME, spondylitis of the neck and spine and a crumbling spine, sciatica etc. I tell you this because it's very important to find that perfect mattress when you have physical disabilities. I can not tell you the difference this mattress has made to my life. As soon as I lay down on it, it was like heaven, it was like I was weightless and 2 years on it is still the same, every time I get on it, it feels as good as the first time. My pain levels at night decreased by a lot, i used to wake constantly with hip pain, since sleeping on this Emma Mattress I have not woke with hip pain once! my sleep is deeper and longer, which has made a massive difference in my everyday life. The mattress has zero lumps, bumps, springs, coils, it's just like a smooth cloud. The mattress is that fantastic and feels so good under your body that when I put my electric blanket on top of it, and I have a very expensive thick electric blanket, I hated the feel of it and had to take my electric blanket off. You will be just fine with your electric blanket on top of the mattress, but having fibromyalgia, they used to call fibromyalgia 'The princess and the pea disease' because you can feel every stitch, lump, bump ect and every stitch, lump and bump causes so much pain, but the Emma mattress feels like a smooth cloud, you actually feel weightless. It was the best decision I ever made to get this mattress, it was more expensive than any other mattress I have purchased previously, but it is worth so much more than that just to have a pain free, long, cosy nights sleep. It's also not to hot for menopause, I don't know why that myth was put out there but it's just fine temperature wise. I also bought my son one, he has cerebral palsy and he agrees with me about how amazing they are, especially if you suffer from any aches and pains. Just buy one, do it, you will be amazed how great they are.

4 Richard

I think the mattress is great but my wife thinks it is a little hard. I have not had any back ache since we bought the matress. Our previous mattress was killing my back and had become extremly unsupportive. The delivery staff were great as they brought the new mattress in and removed the old one. I would have never been able to move the old mattress so having the gentlemen take our wornout one away was really helpful. We left the Emma mattress to vent and take shape over the stipulated time. Not sure how we could ever have returned it though as the delicery staff removed the box it came in and I would never have been able to compress it into such a small roll again. The extensive strong plastic wrap retained the compression forces which I imagine were processed at the factory so I can not think how it could be completed at home. I love the mattress and have slept well since it was delivered and the back ache has not returned.

4 Siya

We bought the Emma Hybrid AirGrid Mattress in October as a replacement for our king-sized Sloom mattress from South Africa after relocating to the UK, and we've been extremely happy with the experience so far. The mattress strikes a great balance in firmness - it's supportive without being too hard, and we've had no back pain since using it. Sleep quality has been noticeably better, and it's been comfortable from the very first night without needing a long 'breaking in' period. Delivery was smooth and right on schedule, which made the whole purchase experience stress-free. What really stood out for us was the price as it was significantly more affordable than other mattresses in the same range, yet the quality hasn't felt compromised at all. Overall, we're very pleased with our purchase and would confidently recommend the Emma Hybrid AirGrid to anyone looking for a high-quality, comfortable mattress at a great price.

2 Stuart

Having slept on an Emma memory foam mattress a few times and loved it when staying with family I was expecting great things from what I assumed would be an upgraded and better product. As well as the experience on the memory foam mattress I’d spent weeks reading reviews and was confident this mattress would deliver on the three things we most wanted - comfort, minimal motion transfer, and a cool sleep. Sad to say my wife and I are disappointed on two of those things. Comfort wise I’ve no grumbles, but I’m a fidget and mover in bed and my wife reckons it’s like sleeping on a boat, and to be honest, I don’t find it any better than the 30 yr old mattress we both got rid of. In addition we both find it quite a bit warmer than the old mattress as well. With the pocket springs covered by layers of various foams it is nothing like the memory foam mattress we’d tried at our daughters. I’m disappointed that I can easily feel the springs through the sides and bottom (just a couple of layers of fabric) - in fact it actually feels quite cheaply made to me. I guess I should have expected this from a roll up mattress, but no one mentioned this in any of the dozens of reviews I read! Maybe I’m just fussy, but I wouldn’t get another one.

2 Col

I’m a bit disappointed with this product. We previously owned an Emma Original mattress purchased in 2020, which was the best mattress we’ve ever had. Based on that experience, I expected this one to be the same or at least similar. However, despite being called “Original,” it is nothing like the one we had before. The old mattress was entirely memory foam, whereas this one has pocket springs with only a thin layer of foam on top, which makes it feel quite firm. Had I realised this, I would never have purchased it. In addition, because the underside consists of hard springs, the mattress slides on the base and needs to be pushed back into place regularly. MattressOnline have offered to exchange the mattress for a different one but as we would be unable to test the mattress, we would simply be swapping it for another unknown model that may not be any better, so we have decided to keep it. However, this will definitely be the last time we purchase an Emma mattress

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