Casper vs. Purple vs. Nectar: Main Differences and Similarities

Top Similarities and Differences

When looking at Casper vs. Purple vs. Nectar, it’s crucial to understand the main differences and similarities. This can help shoppers figure out which mattress may work for them.

Starting with similarities, all three mattresses are all-foam models. They can deliver close conforming and that cradling feel many people love. Each mattress does a good job reducing tension, even though they may feel somewhat different. 

It’s also worth mentioning that Casper, Purple, and Nectar mattresses all have a relatively slow-moving feel. Therefore, they don’t allow that much shock from motion to travel across the bed. This means that when choosing between Nectar versus Casper versus Purple for couples, each model can ensure undisturbed partnered sleep.

Now, there are also some differences between these three mattresses. Even though they all are labeled “medium,” each of these mattresses has a unique feel that might or might not work for certain types of people. 

Prices vary too, with the Nectar mattress being the cheapest among the three.

Additionally, when looking at Casper vs. Purple vs. Nectar, shoppers should know that these mattresses perform differently in terms of edge support. 

These are the major differences and similarities. This review will cover them (and more) in detail below.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Construction & Design

When comparing Casper vs. Purple vs. Nectar, some people may think that these mattresses have the same construction. Yes, they are all made using foam. However, the combination of layers and additional features is what makes these mattresses differ from each other.

Now, here is the construction of the Casper mattress:

• cover, which is made using a combination of quality cotton, rayon, lycra, and recycled polyester;
• comfort layer, which uses perforated memory foam called AirScape;
• transition layer that features a zoned design and delivers optimal support levels (feels firmer in the middle to offer extra support for the hips and lower back);
• base layer, which uses extra-dense foam to prevent sagging.

Next, here are the layers of the Purple mattress:

• cover, which uses a blend of viscose, polyester, and lycra;
• comfort GelFlex Grid, which is the egg-crate layer made using the company’s proprietary hyper-elastic polymer;
• Comfort Core, which is comprised of 2 layers of polyurethane foam that are meant to deliver reliable support.

Moving on to the Nectar mattress:

• cover, which is made of polyester and nylon (with an anti-slip layer on the bottom);
• comfort layer that uses gel-infused memory foam;
• transition layer, which is made using responsive polyfoam;
• thick base layer that’s made of high-density polyfoam for responsive, long-lasting support.

Firmness

Among the three mattresses, the Casper is the firmest. It falls somewhere around 7 on the firmness scale (with 10 being the stiffest). As for the other two, both Purple and Nectar are medium-firm mattresses. They are rated 6-6.5 on the firmness scale.

Because the Casper is slightly firmer, it also feels a bit more resilient. The Purple and the Nectar mattresses offer slightly more cradling, enveloping the body more. 

Of course, the medium-firm feel of these mattresses might not work for some people. If they want something softer, they can check out this Puffy vs. Nectar review. It compares a softer mattress with a medium-firm model, which may help readers understand what firmness level they require.

Edge Support

When comparing the edge support of Nectar versus Casper versus Purple, it’s important to remember that these are all-foam models. Foam mattresses typically can’t boast of impressive edge support, which might disappoint some people.

That being said, these three mattresses showed decent results during testing. None of them made me feel like I was about to roll off when sleeping near the edge. There was some compression when sitting (the highest levels in the Purple mattress, I have to say). Still, I didn’t feel like slipping off the mattress, which means these three models can offer good edge support.

Motion Transfer

Among these three mattresses, the Nectar showed the best results. This model moves very slowly after the pressure is applied, making it a perfect solution for partnered sleepers.

The second place goes to the Casper. This mattress has a more resilient top layer. However, the foam underneath balances it out very well. As a result, the Casper may allow for some motion transfer, but its levels won’t be too high. Therefore, it can suit couples who aren’t too sensitive to each other’s moves,

Finally, the Purple mattress showed the worst results (among the three contestants). Its top layer is pretty responsive and allows some shock from motion to travel to the other side of the bed. Of course, things aren’t that bad, as it’s an al-foam model that doesn’t have as much bounce as many other mattress types. Nonetheless, the Purple might not be ideal for light sleepers, especially if there’s a big weight difference between the two.

Feel

Overall, the Casper mattress seemed the most balanced to me when testing these three models. It offers just the right combination of support and cradling, with a bit of a bounce. This mattress would be ideal for someone who wants that golden middle between responsiveness and cushioning.

The Purple mattress has a pretty unique feel. It’s a slow-moving mattress, but the top grid layer is responsive. That’s why the Purple feels squishy and supportive at the same time. I have to admit, the elastic top layer might not be everyone’s cup of tea, as it took me some time to get used to. Nevertheless, this doesn’t make the Purple uncomfortable. On the contrary – this mattress excels at pressure relief and feels quite comfy.

As for the Nectar, this model has a classic slow-moving feel characteristic of memory foam. The mattress’s surface is adaptive and allows the body to sink in slowly. There isn’t much noticeable bounce, so the Nectar can be a perfect match for people who love hugging memory foam.

Material

Here’s an overview of the materials Casper, Purple, and Nectar mattresses use.

The Casper uses the company’s AirScape foam for the comfort layer, which is a more breathable variation of adaptive memory foam. The transition layer uses traditional memory foam. As for the base layer, it’s made of polyurethane foam that ensures resilient support. 

Moving on to the Purple mattress, which hides something interesting under the cover. The top layer is made using elastic polymer. It has a grid design for increased breathability and improved pressure relief. As for the transition and the support layers, they are both made using polyurethane foam.

The Nectar mattress uses gel-infused memory foam for the comfort layer. It sleeps cooler than traditional foam but doesn’t sacrifice its pressure-alleviating qualities. The transition and the base layer use polyfoam of different densities to achieve a balanced feel.

Warranty and Trial

Casper and Purple mattresses have the same warranty and trial offers – 10 years of coverage and 100 nights of in-home testing. Such numbers are pretty standard for the mattress market. 

Now, the Nectar mattress is the one that seems to be breaking the rules. It comes with a Forever Warranty; however, it does have certain coverage limitations. Additionally, this mattress also comes with a 365-night sleep trial. This makes the Nectar a perfect solution for hesitant shoppers.

Price

The Casper mattress currently costs $1,165 for the Queen size.

The Purple is a bit pricier - $1,399 for a Queen.

And the Nectar is the cheapest option among the three. It costs $799 for the Queen size.

Wrapping Up

The Casper, Purple, and Nectar mattresses are all well-made and have something to offer. The Casper is the firmest among the three, so it should work for back sleepers, heavier individuals who require more support, and back pain sufferers looking to achieve a healthy alignment.

The Purple has a responsive, breathable top layer. It’s a perfect option for hot sleepers. It would also work for people who want effective pressure relief but hate feeling stuck in the foam layers. 

As for the Nectar, it has a classic hugging feel. It would shine especially bright when used by side sleepers. Additionally, the Nectar is the cheapest option on this list, with the best warranty and trial conditions. Therefore, it offers excellent value for money.

Which mattress managed to catch your attention? Share your thoughts in the comments!