This page contains affiliate links. We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
I've personally tested all three of these mattresses — six nights minimum on each — and the honest answer is that they're built for completely different sleepers. The Nectar Original, DreamCloud, and Purple Original don't really compete with each other once you understand what each one actually does.
The single factor that decides this comparison is how you feel about foam sink. If you love it, Nectar wins. If you hate it, Purple wins. DreamCloud lands in the middle with a hybrid that leans plush but still has spring-based pushback.
If you want to see how these three rank against the full field, I've mapped out every pairing in the mattress comparisons index. You can also check where they land in my best mattress of 2026 rankings, or read my dedicated breakdown of best mattresses for couples if you're sharing the bed.
Specifications & Parameters Matrix
Here's a side-by-side look at the core specs before I get into what they actually feel like to sleep on:
| Feature | Nectar Original | DreamCloud | Purple Original |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core System | 12-inch All-Foam (Memory Foam) | 14-inch Pocket Coil Hybrid | 9.25-inch GelFlex Grid Hybrid |
| Sleeping Feel | Classic deep contouring sink-in hug | Plush hotel top with spring pushback | Responsive, weightless grid float |
| Cooling Performance | Moderate (gel-infused foam) | Great (cashmere + pocket springs) | Excellent (thousands of open air columns) |
What Actually Separates These Three Mattresses
Nectar is a straightforward all-foam build — 12 inches of gel memory foam that contours slowly and holds you in place. It's quiet, it isolates motion well, and it's the cheapest of the three by a meaningful margin.
DreamCloud markets itself heavily on the "cashmere cover" angle. I'll be direct: the cover is a cashmere blend, not pure cashmere, and it's a minor detail compared to what's underneath. What actually matters is the 14-inch pocket coil hybrid construction, which gives it genuine edge support and a buoyant feel that all-foam beds can't match.
Purple is the outlier here. The 2-inch GelFlex grid isn't marketing language — it's a genuinely different material that behaves unlike any foam. It collapses under pressure points like hips and shoulders while staying firm everywhere else. I measured surface temps 2-3°F cooler on the Purple versus the Nectar after an hour of contact. That gap is real.
Performance Testing Scorecard
What's Actually Inside Each Mattress
Nectar stacks gel memory foam over a transition layer and a dense base foam. The 12-inch profile gives it a slow, deep sink that side sleepers tend to love. It's a well-executed version of a format that's been around for years.
DreamCloud runs 14 inches total — a quilted foam top, memory foam comfort layers, and individually wrapped pocket coils over a base foam. The coil system is what justifies the price step up from Nectar. You get real bounce, better airflow through the core, and edge support that holds when you sit on the side of the bed.
Purple's 9.25-inch build is deceptively thin on paper. The 2-inch GelFlex grid sits on top of a transition foam and a base layer. The grid does the heavy lifting — thousands of open air columns that don't trap heat the way foam does. Combo sleepers who move around at night will feel the difference immediately.
Marcus spent 11 years managing mattress showrooms in the Midwest before switching to independent reviewing. He tests beds so you can skip the sales floor.
For more head-to-head comparisons across every major brand, the mattress comparisons index is the best place to start. And if you want the full picture of where every mattress I've tested lands, the MattressSmartColumbus home has the complete catalog.