Nectar vs Sleep Number: which mattress should you buy?

By The FindMattress team · Updated Oct 8, 2026 · How we pick

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The short answer

Nectar vs Sleep Number comes down to whether you need adjustable firmness. Choose Nectar if you sleep on your back or stomach and like a firm bed: the Nectar Classic is often around $699 for a queen, with a 365-night trial and lifetime warranty. Choose Sleep Number if you and your partner want different firmness on each side, or you want sleep tracking; the c2 costs about $1,299 and has a 15-year warranty. Solo sleepers who know what they like should save the money and buy Nectar.

Key differences at a glance

Nectar Classic Memory Foam is firmer (7.5 vs 5.5/10). Sleep Number c2 will feel more cushioned at the shoulders and hips; Nectar Classic Memory Foam keeps hips more level for back and stomach sleeping.
Different constructions: Nectar Classic Memory Foam is memory foam, Sleep Number c2 is adjustable air. Expect the foam bed to feel more “in” the mattress and the other to feel more “on top”.
Nectar Classic Memory Foam costs about $600 less for a queen at typical prices ($699 vs $1,299).
Trial: Nectar Classic Memory Foam gives 365 nights; Sleep Number c2 gives 100 nights.
Warranty: Lifetime vs 15 years.

Firmness compared

Nectar Classic Memory Foam

Soft7.5/10 · FirmFirm

Sleep Number c2

Soft5.5/10 · Medium (est.)Firm

Performance head to head

Nectar Classic Memory FoamSleep Number c2

Pressure relief
3 vs 3

Cooling
4 vs 3

Motion isolation
4 vs 4

Edge support
5 vs 4

Bounce
2 vs 2

Specs side by side

Spec	Nectar Classic Memory Foam	Sleep Number c2
Type	Memory foam	Adjustable air
Firmness	7.5/10 (Firm)	5.5/10 (Medium)
Queen price (approx.)	$699	$1,299
Height	12″	8″
Sleep trial	365 nights	100 nights
Warranty	Lifetime	15 years
Pressure relief	3/5	3/5
Cooling	4/5	3/5
Motion isolation	4/5	4/5
Edge support	5/5	4/5
Price check	See today’s price	See today’s price

Prices are approximate queen prices when we last checked and change often. Ratings are 1–5 from published specs and independent test results — see how we score.

How they feel: fixed firm foam vs adjustable air

The Nectar Classic Memory Foam is labeled Firm and rated about 7.5 out of 10 by independent testers. It's 12 inches of foam, with 1 inch of memory foam over responsive support foam, so you rest on top with a light hug. In our review-based ratings it earns 5 out of 5 for edge support and 4 out of 5 for cooling and motion isolation, but 3 out of 5 for pressure relief.

The Sleep Number c2 is an 8-inch air bed with a ceramic-gel layer and 2-inch comfort layer over dual air chambers. You set the firmness for each side on a 0 to 100 scale, and it can auto-adjust as you sleep. Its ratings are estimates from an older review: strong edges, little motion transfer, low bounce and average pressure relief and cooling.

Who should pick each: Sleep Number vs Nectar by situation

Pick Nectar if you sleep alone or with a partner who likes a similar firm feel, if you're a back or stomach sleeper, or if budget matters. Skip it if you sleep on your side; the Classic's pressure relief is its weak point.

Pick Sleep Number if you and your partner disagree on firmness, if your comfort needs change over time, or if you want SleepIQ tracking. Skip it if you'd rather not deal with a pump, electronics and Sleep Number's base ecosystem, or if you need thick cushioning for side sleeping.

Side sleepers who want Nectar's value and policies should look at the Nectar Premier Hybrid, a medium coil hybrid with 5 out of 5 motion isolation, often around $1,199, which is still less than the c2.

Value and policies: Nectar's trial vs Sleep Number's warranty

The Nectar Classic lists at about $1,615 but is routinely sold for around $699. The Sleep Number c2 is about $1,299, with no regular discount shown. Nectar offers a 365-night trial and lifetime Forever Warranty. Sleep Number offers 100 nights and a 15-year limited warranty. Nectar is cheaper and gives you more time to decide.

Compare more in Saatva vs Sleep Number, Sleep Number vs Tempur-Pedic, our Nectar guide, or take the mattress quiz.

Frequently asked questions

Is Nectar better than Sleep Number?

For most solo sleepers and couples who agree on firmness, Nectar is the better value: it's about $600 cheaper on sale, firmer for back and stomach sleepers and comes with a much longer trial. Sleep Number is better only if you need different firmness on each side or want adjustable comfort and sleep tracking.

Can you adjust a Nectar mattress like a Sleep Number?

No. The Nectar Classic has a fixed firm feel. If it's too firm, adding a soft topper is the usual fix, or you can exchange it for the medium Nectar Premier Hybrid within the trial, subject to Nectar's terms. Sleep Number's air chambers let you change firmness any time, separately for each side.

Is Sleep Number or Nectar better for back pain?

Both list back pain among their best-fit uses in our data. Sleep Number lets you fine-tune firmness until your spine feels supported, while the firm Nectar Classic gives consistent support for back and stomach sleepers. A mattress isn't a treatment, so see a doctor or physical therapist if pain persists.