I'm desperately looking for a way to make my Nectar premier more firm. I know they say it's a one-sided mattress but just wondering if anyone has ever tried sleeping on the "wrong" side. Or any other trick to get it more firm? My back is killing me. Unfortunately we bought it from a mattress re-sale guy who sells the returned mattresses at a discount on fb marketplace. So I can't use the Nectar warranty/trial option.
If I can't find a solution I'll have to sell it and try for a different brand... So lmk if you've found a nice firm alternative. Dreamcloud perhaps??
For a stomach sleeper I think you'd need something more firm. I'm on the all-foam premiere not the hybrid, but it's literally the softest mattress I've ever experienced so I would never trust their advertising that it's 7/10 firm. I even laid on it before I bought it, but at home once it warms up with body heat it just sinks several inches in, especially at the hips. If I sleep on my back my bottom is very sunken in. So on your stomach that means your hips would be lower than your spine and your lower back would be kinked.
I have to strongly recommend against Nectar. I've heard a lot of people love theirs, which is shocking to me bc ours sinks down into a deep pit of quicksand and the misalignment causes sooooo much discomfort and pain. It's so soft that I have trouble turning over or getting out of bed (in my 30s and fit... But this mattress makes me feel 88 years old). Maybe we just got a dud but I truly hate it.
*cracks knuckles* I work at a mattress store and I know more about the specs on these things than any of my customers probably care about.
First of all: for your own sanity, do not buy a mattress without trying it out in person first. Even if the online-only purchases come with free returns it is NOT worth the hassle. It's legitimately so much easier to go to a store and have a brief conversation about the way you sleep with someone who knows mattresses. Different mattresses are all made to support different sleep needs, someone who is knowledgeable will likely be able to match you with the best one to address your needs in your budget.
With that said, knowing only from your post that you're a side sleeper, here are my luxury hybrid recs.
Best of the best: Tempur-pedic. These things are built to last 25 years. Fantastic if you're a hot sleeper, have any pain, and/or toss and turn. (Side note: a lot of people are convinced that tossing and turning is normal. It's not, it's a sign that you're struggling to get comfortable on your bed). Specific model recommendation to start with is the Pro Adapt 2.0 Medium Hybrid. A bed as good as this is an investment in the way you heal, feel, and function, but holy shit is it worth it. I've fallen asleep on this one in the store in five MINUTES by accident while not even tired or intending to fall asleep, just testing it out. I need to physically restrain myself from laying on this bed in between customers. Having had plenty of time to try all the top brands... This one's my personal fave.
Great if you don't like the feel of Tempur pedic: Purple. I typically find that people who don't like the feel of Tempur love the feel of purple and vice versa. It's kind of a coin toss. Either way, both fantastically supportive. Purple is also really great for people with chronic conditions; the gel flex grid adapts to support your body no matter what position you're in
Very good option if these two are a little out of the budget: Sealy Posturepedic hybrids. Not as durable as the above two, and won't give as much targeted support or pressure relief, but still very comfortable. If you have any hip pain or back pain, posturepedics actually have some extra coils in the middle third of the bed (where your hips/back go) for added support there.
FYI, if you're a side sleeper, a firm mattress isn't recommended. A firm puts too much pressure on shoulders/hips for side sleepers. Medium and plush/soft mattresses don't sacrifice support, they just add comfort layers.
I'm going to stop here before I never shut the fuck up about my esoteric mattress knowledge 😭😅
Stomach sleepers usually need something on the firmer side so your hips don't sink in too much. I'll give you some "good-better-best" recs that some of my stomach sleeper customers have really liked.
Good: Nectar premier memory foam, if you want to keep it around $1000 or under then memorial day sales are gonna be your best friend (many companies go until the end of the month). Even in a medium, nectar is definitely on the firmer side for memory foam because it's denser and higher quality. As far as I've seen, nectar seems to be the most durable for memory foam mattresses.
Better: if you don't like the feel of memory foam as much as an innerspring bed, Serta Perfectsleeper with a Pillowtop (I actually have a Serta perfectsleeper! Genuinely very supportive for the price point it's at)
Best: if you like the firm feel, Stearns and Foster has an extra firm mattress that's specifically designed for stomach sleepers! Lux Estate 13.5" extra firm. If that feels too hard for your preference, the 15" firm is great too.
Edit: OP I'm sorry for being a nerd in your comments section LOL
*5'9", 64kg side sleeper getting bruised shoulders and hourly arm numbness — what mattress actually works for light people?*
I've been through the wringer and could really use recommendations from people who've actually solved this.
**My situation:**
\- 5'9", 64kg (10 stone), side sleeper
\- Sleep position: one leg hitched up ("mountain climber") — puts a lot of pressure on one shoulder
\- Symptoms: bruising on my right shoulder and waking every hour with numb arms
\- I sleep perfectly on my sofa — have done for months at a time. No numbness, no bruising.
**What I've tried:**
\- Several IKEA mattresses → immediate pain, too hard for my weight
\- Silentnight 2000 pocket spring → okay for about 100 nights, then back pain + numbness as it started to sag
\- Nectar Premier (current, 30 nights in) → bruising and hourly numbness. The high-density foam just doesn't compress under my weight
\- Various memory foam toppers including a 10cm one → back pain, and a Panda bamboo topper → didn't stop the bruising with the Silentnight under it.
\*\*What I think I need (based on the sofa clue):\*\*
The sofa works because it's thin and flat — it can't sag enough to cause back pain, but the surface is soft enough that my shoulder doesn't get crushed. I'm thinking:
\- A thinner base mattress (12–15cm), something like the IKEA ÅSVANG or Dormeo Memory Silver
\- A soft latex topper (2–3cm) on top for shoulder pressure relief
**My questions for you:**
1. Has anyone else solved this with a "thin base + latex topper" setup? What did you use?
2. Any other mattresses that actually work well for lighter side sleepers (under 65kg)? Everything seems built for heavier people.
3. Any UK-specific recommendations where I can actually return it if it doesn't work?
I'm returning the Nectar now — it's genuinely injuring me — so open to anything. Thanks in advance.
For side sleepers, the Nectar Premier often strikes a nice balance: it’s contouring without the “quicksand” feel most all-memory-foam beds have. It can help shoulder/hip pressure, especially if your current mattress is too firm. Durability is generally solid for foam, but expect some break-in settling—not dramatic sagging at normal weights. It won’t feel as responsive as a hybrid, but it’s a reliable midrange choice overall.
lilytheunicorn7
