Memory foam or pocket springs: we compare the two constructions using the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress and the Sleepeezee Deluxe 1000 Pocket Mattress as worked examples.
You are choosing between two constructions here, so it helps to treat these two mattresses as worked examples of each. Memory foam mattresses like the Nectar contour slowly around you, which means you sleep slightly in the mattress with pressure spread away from hips and shoulders. Pocket sprung mattresses like the Sleepeezee Deluxe 1000 push back instead, with each spring reacting independently, so you sleep more on the surface with a springier, more traditional feel.
On this pairing, memory foam takes the win, with the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress the stronger buy of the two examples. It has the more sophisticated build, five layers including a 7-zone support base against the Sleepeezee's three, and its terms are far kinder: a 365-night manufacturer trial and a 10-year guarantee, where the Sleepeezee's trial varies by retailer.
That said, the Sleepeezee is the better value pick, sitting well below the typical price for a pocket sprung mattress, and its double-sided build lets you flip it to extend its life. If a firm, springy feel is non-negotiable, it remains a sensible choice.
Our verdict at a glance: which mattress wins?
The Nectar pairs a more sophisticated five-layer build with a 365-night manufacturer trial the Sleepeezee cannot match.
WINNER
You want pressure relief for side sleeping
The Nectar's pressure-relieving memory foam adapts to your shape, which means less pressure on hips and shoulders, backed by a 7-zone base that firms up where your body is heaviest.
You want a long, risk-free trial
Nectar runs its own 365-night trial, a full year to decide, where the Sleepeezee's trial depends on which retailer you buy from.
You sleep warm but still want foam
Open-cell foam and a cooling cover with MTick certification for menopause-friendly cooling give the Nectar genuine help against the heat retention foam is known for.
RUNNER UP
You prefer a firm, springy feel
The Sleepeezee's 1000 pocket springs react independently and push back against you, so you sleep on the mattress rather than in it, with less partner disturbance than a connected spring unit.
You want strong value from an established brand
It sits well below the typical price for a pocket sprung mattress, from a National Bed Federation Approved Brand, which is honest money for this construction.
You want a mattress you can flip
The double-sided build lets you turn it over, admittedly with some effort, which should extend its useful life.
Nectar
Sleepeezee Deluxe 1000
Firmness
Medium-firm
Firm
Layers
5
3
Trial (nights)
365
100
Guarantee (years)
10
10
Price Range
£199 to £649
£298 to £558
On construction the two are too close to call, which reflects the type difference more than a quality gap. The Nectar is a five-layer all-foam build at 25cm, while the Sleepeezee pairs 1000 pocket springs with soft fibre layers at the same depth. Where the examples do separate is layer sophistication: the Nectar's five layers, including its zoned base, edge out the Sleepeezee's simpler three-layer design.
Construction verdict: which wins on build?
On construction the two are too close to call, which reflects the type difference more than a quality gap. The Nectar is a five-layer all-foam build at 25cm, while the Sleepeezee pairs 1000 pocket springs with soft fibre layers at the same depth. Where the examples do separate is layer sophistication: the Nectar's five layers, including its zoned base, edge out the Sleepeezee's simpler three-layer design.
Which mattress feels better?
<p>The Nectar carries a medium-firm feel, rated 6.5 out of 10 by the brand, which suits most back and combination sleepers and gives side sleepers enough give at the shoulder. The Sleepeezee is simply firm, and that is a meaningful difference: lightweight side sleepers may find it presses a little too hard on shoulders and hips.</p><p>Owner feedback on the Sleepeezee suggests firmness perception varies, with some finding it supportive and others calling it too soft or too firm, so cautious buyers should lean on whatever trial their retailer offers. If you sleep on your back or front and like a solid surface, the firmer sprung feel will serve you well.</p>
Other important factors to consider before buying.
Beyond feel, the practical terms differ sharply between these two examples. Both carry a 10-year guarantee, but the trials work very differently, and that matters when you're buying a mattress unseen. The table below sets them side by side.
Nectar
Sleepeezee Deluxe 1000
Trial (nights)
365
100
Guarantee (years)
10
10
Do bear in mind that as these mattresses come delivered in sealed boxes they will have a rubbery smell when first extracted. They need a good few hours in a room with the windows open before you sleep on them.
Environmental impact and sustainability
Nectar
Sleepeezee Deluxe 1000
Certifications
CertiPUR
BS 7177
Both examples sit below the typical price for their respective construction types, with the Sleepeezee particularly keenly priced for a pocket sprung design. Check the live tables below for today's figures.
Nectar Memory Foam Mattress
Sleepeezee Deluxe 1000 Pocket Mattress
Memory foam wins this pairing, and the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress is the stronger buy of the two examples. The decision rests on layers and terms. Its five-layer build, with contouring memory foam over a 7-zone support base, is more sophisticated than the Sleepeezee's three-layer fibre-and-spring design, and its 365-night manufacturer trial with a 10-year guarantee is far easier to buy against, since the Sleepeezee's trial varies by retailer. Cooling and construction quality were too close to separate. The Sleepeezee takes value, sitting well below the typical pocket sprung price, and its firm, flippable build will suit traditionalists. But for most sleepers, especially side and combination sleepers who want pressure relief and a full year to decide, the foam route via the Nectar is the safer recommendation.
Decision helper
Consider your primary need: contouring pressure relief with a year-long trial, or a firm, springy surface at a lower outlay.
WINNER
You want pressure relief for side sleeping
The Nectar's pressure-relieving memory foam adapts to your shape, which means less pressure on hips and shoulders, backed by a 7-zone base that firms up where your body is heaviest.
You want a long, risk-free trial
Nectar runs its own 365-night trial, a full year to decide, where the Sleepeezee's trial depends on which retailer you buy from.
You sleep warm but still want foam
Open-cell foam and a cooling cover with MTick certification for menopause-friendly cooling give the Nectar genuine help against the heat retention foam is known for.
RUNNER UP
You prefer a firm, springy feel
The Sleepeezee's 1000 pocket springs react independently and push back against you, so you sleep on the mattress rather than in it, with less partner disturbance than a connected spring unit.
You want strong value from an established brand
It sits well below the typical price for a pocket sprung mattress, from a National Bed Federation Approved Brand, which is honest money for this construction.
You want a mattress you can flip
The double-sided build lets you turn it over, admittedly with some effort, which should extend its useful life.
Is memory foam or pocket sprung better for side sleepers?
Memory foam is usually the safer pick for side sleepers. The Nectar's contouring foam adapts to your shape, easing pressure on hips and shoulders, while a firm sprung mattress like the Sleepeezee Deluxe 1000 may press too hard on those points, particularly for lighter sleepers.
Do memory foam mattresses sleep hotter than spring mattresses?
Foam has a reputation for holding warmth, but modern designs work against it. The Nectar uses open-cell foam and a cooling cover with MTick certification, while the Sleepeezee's knitted cover is designed for airflow. On this pairing, cooling was too close to call between the two.
What does a pocket sprung mattress feel like compared to memory foam?
Pocket springs push back, so you sleep on the surface with a springy, traditional feel, as with the Sleepeezee Deluxe 1000. Memory foam responds slowly and cradles you, so with the Nectar you sleep slightly in the mattress. Neither is wrong, it comes down to preference.
Which lasts longer, memory foam or pocket springs?
Both examples here carry a 10-year guarantee, so the brands back them equally. The Sleepeezee is double-sided, and flipping it regularly should help extend its life. Nectar's guarantee covers its all-foam build for the same decade, so longevity should not be the deciding factor.
Are spring mattresses cheaper than memory foam mattresses?
Not reliably, though the Sleepeezee Deluxe 1000 sits well below the typical price for a pocket sprung mattress, making it the value pick here. The Nectar is also priced below the norm for memory foam. Compare live prices, as both types span a wide range.
Author
Jo Plumridge
Author