Nectar vs Emma Mattresses

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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. The Nectar Memory and Nectar Hybrid are the two models in the UK catalogue, covering the all-foam and hybrid pocket spring buyer profiles respectively.

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.

Read our full Nectar review

Emma

Emma is an immensely popular British manufacturer who 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 2 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.

Read our full Emma review

Mattress Score

Overall Score:
Nectar: 4.63/5.00
Emma: 4.38/5.00

Price:
Nectar: £265.00 - £599.00
Emma: £188.49 - £335.49

Based on aggregated reviews and performance scoring, we would recommend Nectar in this face off!

Becky
Compares

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 gel-infused memory foam comfort layer over a firmer transition foam and a high-density 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 gel-infused 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 simply arrange a return and get a full refund within the first 100 days. This shift has proved extremely positive for customers and has increased satisfaction in the lineup.

To date, Emma has amassed an impressive 22,000+ reviews on Trustpilot, 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? Right now Emma has two mattresses, a medium tension and a medium firm tension. 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.

Up to 55% Off Sale

*EMMA*

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Up to 70% off Big Brands

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Nectar Bestselling Mattresses

Nectar Premier Hybrid Mattress

5.0/5

2 Reviews

Nectar Essential Hybrid Mattress

4.5/5

4.5/5

4.5/5

Emma Bestselling Mattresses

Emma Original Mattress

4.3/5

7 Reviews

Emma Original Elite Mattress

5.0/5

2 Reviews

Emma Original Pro Mattress

4.0/5

2 Reviews

Emma Original Lite Mattress

4.0/5

2 Reviews

Emma Signature Bed

4.9/5

7 Reviews

Emma Comfort Cooling Pillow

5.0/5

2 Reviews

Nectar Most Useful Customer Reviews

4 Verified Reviewer

Impressed with the comfort and hygiene features of this mattress. Two-sided design is smart and practical, adapting to growing kids' needs. Appreciate the machine-washable cover and firm yet cosy feeling. Kids are sleeping well on it.

5 Verified Reviewer

The mattress is so cozy and soft. It's good to know that memory foam supports my back while I sleep. Firm enough to keep my spine aligned but soft enough for a comfortable sleep.

5 T Rhategan

Really impressed with this purchase. Comfort and support provided leaves me assured of a good night's sleep for my little one.

5 Kaiser1997

Been using this for a few weeks now, it's certainly comfy and provides a good night's sleep. Worth the price for the quality.

4 Shaun L

Brilliant duvet, great for all seasons with its light and airy feel. Easy to maintain and perfect for those with allergies.

Emma Most Useful Customer Reviews

5 Verified Buyer

After purchase and having a nightmare with a different boxed mattress from a very well-known brand, I was really sceptical about all the positive reviews for this but really wanted to see if they were all the same.
I need not have feared. This is simply brilliant.
Excellent delivery from 2 John Lewis drivers who both wore masks and asked me to keep my lounge door closed. They called to say they were on their way so I had everything ready.
Yes the mattress needed airing for a few hours and what u found was that if you remove the top cover this helps the foam breathe. I washed the cover twice straight after each other and left the mattress overght with the window wide open in the bedroom.
The results were that within a few days the smell had completely gone and nothing was lingering. Yes put your nose to it and you could still smell bits but nothing like the other I had which smelt toxic.
The comfort is fantastic. If you sit on it you sink, especially perched on the edge but once laid flat on it your body is well supported with no bottom sag in the middle that I had from the previous one.
A few months in and I have to say this is the best mattress I have ever had. No dips, easy to change due to handles close to the 4 corners and very light.
The zipped top is great for removing and washing if needed.
John Lewis you have restored my faith in boxed mattresses after a terrible experience with another brand.
Stick with this one and you wont go wrong.
I use 2 firm down pillows with it and due to the softness of the mattress they have eased more giving a medium to firm response. With my previous mattress these pillows were far too hard so you may need to play with some pillows as they will feel different.

5 Verified Buyer

I am soooooo glad that I bought this just before the Black Friday when it came back into stock. This bed is so comfortable! I have never had a memory foam mattress, only a mattress with springs. It sound strange but I cant believe how quiet it is! When my boyfriend moves around, I cant hear or feel anything! The mattress is currently on the floor as my new bed frame has not arrived yet and its still very comfortable. Its not too firm. I would definitely say its medium. I am thinking about getting the firm topper which is free. But will decide once frame arrives. The mattress is a lot lighter than my previous mattress which makes changing the sheet easier. And the delivery service was excellent. I received a text message with my 4 hour time slot. And it arrived exactly at the beginning of the slot. I was running late and the driver called me and waited for me. He even took it up two flights of steep stairs. All the Way to my flat. There is a slight chemical smell. Its been two weeks and sometimes I do get a hint of it under the sheets. But I wouldnt say its terrible or very noticeable. And would probably disappear faster if I aired the mattress out a bit. There are only two downsides for me. Number one, the handles on the side arent very strong. Number two, I never want to get out of bed in the morning, so Im nearly late for work every day!

5 Verified Buyer

We had been waiting to get a new mattress from before lockdown, but wanted to go to the storeroom of a well known manufacturer but hadnt found the time. After some research and reading reviews decided to take a chance on this mattress rather than just keep waiting for said showroom to re-open, and are we glad we did. This mattress is wonderfully comfortable and a fraction of the price we were considering spending on the other mattress. With the price, the option to return if not happy and the 10 year guarantee you really cannot go wrong with this mattress. It is also considerably lighter than the one we were considering - a consideration as you get older, particularly in these strange times when you might only get something delivered to the door. My wife is sensitive to temperature at night and we have slept (or tried to sleep) on mattresses that seem to generate heat, and this was a concern with a mattress that included memory foam, but there has been no issue from that perspective. Others have commented on the smell of the mattress, but having left the mattress to "settle" and air for 24 hours, we didnt find this to be an issue. All in all delighted with this purchase and would recommend to others - so much so that we bought a second for the guest bedroom.

5 Verified Buyer

I was a little dubious at the beginning about this product because of reviews online and had to think before I purchased it but after a week I decided to just buy it as it comes with a sleep trial so its risk free (200 night trial)
The mattress is top quality, was surprised at how easy it is to unpack and get ready on the bed. After about 3-4 hours it was in its full size and ready to sleep. The best thing to do is leave the window opened so room is well ventilated as it has a new sort of smell at the beginning, I would say this lasts about 48 hours but can be longer.
The easiest way to allow this mattress to expand is to remove the top cover and let it breathe (tip that Emma gave me when I emailed them). The first time I used it I felt so weird sleeping on it (in a good way), it was so comfortable! It just goes to show how bad an old mattress is. I find it a little soft for me however you can receive a comfort layer (request these and Emma will send it free of charge) which can improve it and make it firmer and also add 14 days to the trial!
Has it made a difference to my sleep? Yes!
Would I recommend it? Yes!
Would I buy another? Yes!
Do I want to get out of bed in the morning? No

5 Verified Buyer

This is a fantastic mattress and extremely comfortable. Having bought a different out of the box mattress that seems to be on the TV all the time, I was really apprehensive about getting another as the first one was great for the first few months but then sagged in the middle and the springs became faulty. John Lewis were brilliant however and refunded me.
So onto this one - delivery was fantastic as always and contactless as I stayed downstairs.
The mattress is easy to turn around due to the 4 handles - 2 on each side which is a bonus. The quality is outstanding and the top cover is easy to remove and wash.
There was a slight smell for a couple of weeks but I regularly removed the cover to air the foam for a few hours and washed the cover so it smelt of my washing powder. This has now completely gone.
The firmness did take a while to get used to. I had a cheap firm mattress from a famous swedish store so this felt soft but after a few nights sleep, this wasnt an issue. I now sleep soundly.
Really pleased with this and with the 200 day trial and no quibble return - I feel very assured that this could finally be the one for me.
Highly recommended.