Nectar Classic vs DreamCloud Original: Which Resident Home Mattress Should You Buy?
Nectar and DreamCloud are two of the most-searched mattresses online. Both are owned by the same parent company, Resident Home, and both offer generous 365-night trials. But they aren’t the same bed. The Nectar is a classic, soft, all-foam mattress built for pressure relief. The DreamCloud is a taller hybrid mattress with coils for bounce and support. This comparison will help you understand the a key difference in feel to make the right decision.
Quick verdict by sleep style
Nectar Classic: construction & feel
The Nectar Classic is a 12-inch all-foam mattress that creates the quintessential memory foam “hug.” It starts with a cooling poly-blend cover over two inches of gel-infused memory foam. This top layer provides that slow-sinking, contouring feel that memory foam is known for, adapting to your body to relieve pressure points, especially around the shoulders and hips. Below that, a three-inch firmer foam transition layer eases you into the seven-inch durable foam base. The overall effect is a medium-firm feel (around a 6.5/10) with minimal bounce. When you press into the surface, it’s slow to respond, which is great for isolating motion but can make it slightly more difficult to change positions if you toss and turn.
DreamCloud Original: construction & feel
The DreamCloud Original is a 14-inch hybrid mattress that feels more balanced and responsive than the Nectar. It features a quilted cashmere-blend Euro top, which provides immediate plushness. Under that is a layer of gel-infused memory foam for contouring and pressure relief, but it’s what’s underneath that makes the difference: an 8.5-inch layer of individually wrapped coils. This coil unit gives the mattress reliable support, bounce, and airflow. The springs around the perimeter are also reinforced to provide solid edge support. It has a similar medium-firm feel to the Nectar (a 6.5/10), but you feel more like you’re sleeping “on” the bed rather than “in” it. It’s a more traditional feel with the modern benefits of foam.
Side-by-side specs
5-year total cost of ownership
Nectar and DreamCloud are both budget-friendly beds, but the sticker price isn’t the whole story. A mattress is an investment in your sleep for years to come. To understand the real value, we calculate the 5-Year Total Cost of Ownership. This breaks the price down to a simple cost per night over the first 1,825 nights you own the mattress. While both Nectar and DreamCloud offer a low cost-per-night, they achieve it with globally-sourced materials that may not have the longevity of American-made alternatives.
Pros and cons
Nectar Classic pros
- Excellent motion isolation for couples.
- Deep pressure relief, especially for side sleepers.
- Very affordable price point.
- Classic memory foam feel.
Nectar Classic cons
- Weak edge support.
- Can trap heat for some sleepers.
- Slow response foam can make repositioning feel difficult.
DreamCloud Original pros
- Good edge support for sitting and sleeping.
- Responsive feel with noticeable bounce.
- Durable coil system provides strong support.
- Great value for a hybrid mattress.
DreamCloud Original cons
- Transfers more motion than an all-foam bed.
- Less contouring and pressure relief than Nectar.
- Heavier and more difficult to move.
Who should buy each one
Buy the Nectar Classic if…
- You are a lightweight or average-weight side sleeper.
- You share a bed and are easily disturbed by a partner’s movement.
- You love the deep, contouring hug of classic memory foam.
- You are on a tight budget.
Buy the DreamCloud Original if…
- You are a back, stomach, or combination sleeper.
- You need strong edge support to feel secure or use the whole mattress.
- You prefer a balanced, responsive feel with some bounce.
- You want the durability and airflow of a hybrid bed.
Better-value alternatives at Yawnder
Nectar and DreamCloud are popular, but they aren’t your only options. At Yawnder, we carry several American-made mattresses that offer better performance or value. If you want an upgrade that doesn’t break the bank, consider one of these beds you can try in our San Diego showroom.
- Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid — The absolute best value in the bed-in-a-box market, with three firmness options and superior, American-made quality for a similar price.
- Helix Midnight — An ideal alternative for side sleepers who want the benefits of a hybrid—better support and bounce—without sacrificing pressure relief.
- Nolah Evolution 15 — A significant step up in cooling, support, and pressure relief from DreamCloud, featuring advanced foams and a robust, zoned-coil system.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better for side sleepers, Nectar or DreamCloud?
The Nectar Classic is the better choice for most side sleepers. Its all-foam construction is purpose-built to contour around the hips and shoulders, providing deep pressure relief that prevents joint pain. While the DreamCloud’s Euro top offers some initial softness, its underlying coils create a firmer, more supportive feel that may not allow for enough sinkage, especially for lightweight individuals. Strict side sleepers need that conforming cushion, and Nectar delivers it more effectively.
Which mattress is better for heavy people?
For sleepers over 230 lbs, the DreamCloud Original is the clear winner. Its 8.5-inch layer of steel coils provides far more durable and consistent support than the Nectar’s foam core, which can break down faster under more weight. The coils prevent excessive sagging and help maintain proper spinal alignment. However, for even better long-term durability and support, heavier sleepers should also consider a mattress built specifically for their needs, like the WinkBed Plus or the Titan Plus Luxe, both of which feature high-gauge steel coils and resilient, high-density foams.
Do Nectar and DreamCloud mattresses have a smell?
Yes, both mattresses will likely have a slight odor upon unboxing. This is a normal and harmless process called off-gassing, which occurs as vacuum-sealed foams release volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It typically smells ‘new’ or slightly chemical. The smell from both Nectar and DreamCloud should dissipate within 24 to 72 hours in a well-ventilated room. Both brands use CertiPUR-US certified foams, which are made without ozone depleters, heavy metals, or harmful flame retardants, ensuring the off-gassing is not a health concern.
Can I try the Nectar or DreamCloud mattress in San Diego?
Yes, you can! While both are primarily sold online, you can try both the Nectar Classic and the DreamCloud Original in person at our Yawnder mattress showroom at 1441 Encinitas Blvd in Encinitas. Trying a mattress before you buy is the best way to know if it’s right for you. You can feel the difference between Nectar’s foam and DreamCloud’s hybrid construction firsthand, which is something you can’t do through a screen. Our team can help you compare them and other top brands.
Do I need a special foundation for a Nectar or DreamCloud?
You don’t need a traditional box spring, and in most cases, you shouldn’t use one. Old-school box springs have actual springs inside that don’t provide the solid, consistent support that foam and hybrid mattresses need. Instead, you should use a modern, rigid foundation. This can include a platform bed, a slatted base (with slats no more than 4 inches apart), an adjustable base, or a solid mattress foundation (often called a ‘bunkie board’ or ‘box foundation’). Using the wrong support can cause the mattress to sag prematurely and may void your warranty.