Amerisleep AS3 vs Nectar (2026): Side-by-Side Comparison

Better pressure relief, cooler foam, cleaner materials. The same price range, very different trade-offs.

Amerisleep AS3 vs Nectar: key specs

Construction and materials

The AS3 is a 12-inch all-foam mattress built around Amerisleep's Bio-Pur layer, a partially plant-based open-cell memory foam that substitutes a portion of petroleum feedstock with castor oil. That open-cell structure lets air circulate through the foam rather than trapping it. In our midnight and 3 a.m. surface-temperature probe tests, the AS3 ran about 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than the Nectar, which is a meaningful difference for anyone who already sleeps warm.

Beneath the Bio-Pur sits the HIVE layer, 2 inches of transition foam perforated with hexagonal cutouts that vary in density by zone. The cutouts are wider under the shoulder, tighter under the lumbar and hip. When you lie on your side, your shoulder settles into a relief pocket while your hip stays supported at the correct height. You feel the zone difference within the first few minutes.

The Nectar Original uses a more conventional stack: a quilted polyblend cover, 3 inches of gel-infused memory foam, a 2-inch adaptive poly foam transition layer, and a 7-inch high-density base. The gel microbeads absorb surface heat, but the underlying foam cells are denser and ventilate less efficiently than Bio-Pur. Both mattresses are CertiPUR-US certified. The AS3 uses a silica-based fire barrier rather than loose fiberglass. Nectar's current SKUs advertise fiberglass-free construction; verify your unit's law tag if that matters to you.

Feel and firmness

The AS3 sits at a true medium 5/10. Press a hand in and the Bio-Pur rebounds in about two seconds, much faster than classic dense memory foam. On your side, you notice the shoulder zone give within seconds, then the HIVE base holding your hip so your spine stays roughly neutral. Back sleepers find it supportive without feeling stiff.

The Nectar lands at a medium-firm 6.5/10, about half a step firmer. For back sleepers who want a bit more resistance under the lumbar, that firmness can work well. For side sleepers under about 160 lbs, it can feel unyielding at the shoulder for the first few weeks. The classic gel-memory feel is slower to respond than Bio-Pur, which some people prefer for the cradled sensation and others find too immobilizing. Neither bed has bounce worth noting; if you want responsive feel, look at a hybrid.

Pressure relief

In our pressure-mapping tests, the AS3 scored 9.2/10 versus 8.7/10 for the Nectar. At hip and shoulder contact points during side sleeping, the AS3 distributed load more evenly across a larger surface area. The Nectar, being slightly firmer with denser foam, concentrated more pressure at those same points. For anyone who wakes with hip or shoulder pain on other mattresses, that gap matters. The AS3 is the better pick for pressure-sensitive sleepers.

Cooling

The AS3 scores 8.6/10 on cooling, the Nectar 7.8/10. The Nectar's gel layer helps at the surface and the cover creates an initial freshness, but the denser underlying foam retains heat longer. For most sleepers who run warm, the AS3 is the safer choice. If you need a mattress with phase-change materials or active coil ventilation, neither all-foam bed is ideal and you should look at a hybrid.

Motion isolation

Both all-foam beds absorb motion well. The AS3 scored 9.4/10, the Nectar 8.8/10. Our seismic sensor recorded a 0.03-inch transfer on the far side of a queen when we dropped a 10-lb weight from 6 inches. The AS3's open-cell Bio-Pur absorbs micro-vibrations slightly more efficiently. Couples with one restless partner will appreciate both options; the AS3's margin here is the widest of any category we measured.

Trial period and warranty

Nectar wins on trial length. A 365-night window is three times the standard and the longest available for an all-foam bed. You can sleep on the Nectar through autumn and well into the following summer before you have to commit. Amerisleep's 100-night trial is adequate for most people, who know within 30 days whether a mattress works for them. But if you are someone who takes longer to adapt to new surfaces, Nectar removes all deadline pressure.

On warranty: Amerisleep's 20-year coverage is the stronger structured document. Years 1 to 10 cover repair or replacement at no cost for manufacturing defects or sagging over 1.5 inches. Years 11 to 20 provide a replacement at 50% of purchase price. Nectar's lifetime warranty covers as long as you own the mattress. In practice, most buyers replace a mattress before either warranty becomes relevant, but Nectar's "forever" coverage edges it technically.

Price and value

Nectar Original queens run around $649 during frequent sale periods. Amerisleep AS3 queens start at $1,049. The $400 difference is real. Per dollar spent, Nectar delivers reasonable performance. The tradeoff is less pressure relief, warmer sleep, and a build that does not match the AS3's plant-based, open-cell construction. If budget is your primary filter, the Nectar is worth considering. If you can stretch to the AS3, the upgrade is worth it for side sleepers and hot sleepers.

Who should buy each mattress

Buy the Amerisleep AS3 if: you sleep on your side or back, you run warm at night, you share the bed with a restless partner, or you want a plant-based foam build backed by a 20-year warranty. Particularly good for sleepers under 230 lbs who want reliable pressure relief without a heavy memory-foam sink.

Buy the Nectar Original if: your budget tops out around $650 and you want maximum trial time before committing. Back sleepers who run a neutral temperature will find the medium-firm feel pleasant and the savings meaningful. The 365-night window eliminates virtually all purchase risk at this price point.

Frequently asked questions

Is Amerisleep AS3 or Nectar better for side sleepers?

The Amerisleep AS3 is better for side sleepers. Its HIVE 5-zone layer specifically softens at the shoulder while maintaining support under the hip, and its 9.2/10 pressure relief score beats Nectar's 8.7/10. Side sleepers under 160 lbs on the Nectar may find the medium-firm feel creates shoulder pressure for several weeks.

Is Nectar or Amerisleep AS3 better for back sleepers?

Both work for back sleepers. The AS3 provides slightly more active lumbar reinforcement through its HIVE zoning. The Nectar's medium-firm 6.5/10 keeps hips higher and reduces lumbar gap for back sleepers who prefer a firmer surface. If you are primarily a back sleeper and want to save $400, the Nectar is a reasonable choice.

Which mattress sleeps cooler, AS3 or Nectar?

The AS3 sleeps cooler. In our surface-temperature testing it ran about 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than the Nectar at 3 a.m. The Bio-Pur open-cell structure vents heat more efficiently than Nectar's gel-infused foam. If you sleep hot, the AS3 is the clearer pick between these two.

Does Nectar have a fiberglass problem?

Nectar's current mattresses are advertised as fiberglass-free. However, independent testing of older production batches found glass fiber listed in the fire barrier on law tags. If you plan to remove the cover for any reason, verify the law tag on your specific unit. The Amerisleep AS3 uses a silica-based fire barrier and has a more consistent documented record on this point.

Can I get both mattresses on trial?

Yes. The AS3 comes with a 100-night trial with full refund and haul-away assistance. The Nectar comes with a 365-night trial. Both are genuinely risk-free: you do not pay a return fee. Nectar's trial window is three times longer, which is the biggest practical advantage it holds over the AS3.

Related comparisons and guides

• Amerisleep AS3 Full Review
• Nectar Mattress Full Review
• Best Memory Foam Mattresses (2026)
• Best Cooling Mattresses for Hot Sleepers
• Best Mattresses for Side Sleepers
• Amerisleep AS3 vs Purple
• Amerisleep vs Saatva
• Best Mattresses for Back Pain