Pocket sprung versus memory foam, compared through two worked examples: the Sleepeezee Deluxe 1000 Pocket Mattress and the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress.
You are choosing between two constructions here, so it helps to treat these two mattresses as worked examples rather than the final word on their categories. Pocket sprung mattresses like the Sleepeezee Deluxe 1000 use individually pocketed springs, which means each spring reacts on its own to your body and the surface pushes back with a traditional, springy feel. Memory foam mattresses like the Nectar contour slowly instead, letting you settle slightly into the surface while the foam spreads pressure away from hips and shoulders.
On this comparison, memory foam takes it, with the Nectar as the stronger example of the two. Its five-layer build, including a 7-zone supportive base for spinal alignment, is more sophisticated than the three-layer fibre-and-spring Sleepeezee, and its terms are hard to argue with: a 365-night manufacturer trial against a trial that varies by retailer on the Sleepeezee side.
That said, the pocket sprung example wins on value, sitting well below the typical price for its construction type. If a firm, traditional feel at a modest outlay is your priority, the Sleepeezee remains a sensible buy.
Our verdict at a glance: which mattress wins?
The Nectar's 365-night manufacturer trial and more sophisticated five-layer zoned build give memory foam the edge in this pairing.
WINNER
You want a firm, traditional sprung feel
The Sleepeezee is a firm mattress with 1000 pocket springs that react independently, so you get support that follows your shape with the pushed-back feel foam cannot offer.
You want strong value for the construction
It sits well under the typical price for a pocket sprung design, which makes it an affordable route into the category from an established brand.
You want reduced partner disturbance from springs
Each spring sits in its own fabric pocket, which means movement on one side transfers less across the bed.
RUNNER UP
You want pressure relief for side sleeping
The Nectar's memory foam layer adapts to your shape, easing pressure on shoulders and hips, and the 7-zone base adds firmer support where your body is heaviest.
You want a long, no-risk trial
Nectar runs its own 365-night trial, a full year to decide, where the Sleepeezee's trial varies by retailer.
You sleep warm but want foam
The open-cell foam and MTick-certified cooling cover give hot sleepers genuine help, which addresses the usual worry about foam.
Sleepeezee Deluxe 1000
Nectar
Firmness
Firm
Medium-firm
Layers
3
5
Trial (nights)
100
365
Guarantee (years)
10
10
Price Range
£298 to £558
£199 to £649
Neither construction wins outright on build quality here, and the sheet calls this dimension too close to call. What differs is character: the Sleepeezee's 1000 pocket springs under soft white fibres give a firm, responsive surface, while the Nectar layers three CertiPUR certified foams over a 7-zone base for a contouring, medium-firm feel. Both are 25cm deep. Choose on feel rather than construction quality.
Construction verdict: which wins on build?
Neither construction wins outright on build quality here, and the sheet calls this dimension too close to call. What differs is character: the Sleepeezee's 1000 pocket springs under soft white fibres give a firm, responsive surface, while the Nectar layers three CertiPUR certified foams over a 7-zone base for a contouring, medium-firm feel. Both are 25cm deep. Choose on feel rather than construction quality.
Which mattress feels better?
<p>The Sleepeezee Deluxe 1000 is rated firm, which suits back and front sleepers who want to sit on top of the mattress with plenty of push-back. Lightweight side sleepers may find it puts a little too much pressure on shoulders and hips, and owner feedback suggests firmness perception varies, so cautious buyers should use whatever trial their retailer offers.</p><p>The Nectar sits at a medium-firm feel, 6.5 out of 10 by the brand's rating, which is territory that suits most back and combination sleepers and gives side sleepers more give at the shoulder. You sleep slightly in it rather than on it. If that enveloping quality appeals, foam is your construction; if it sounds claustrophobic, springs will feel more natural.</p>
Other important factors to consider before buying.
Trial and guarantee terms differ more than you might expect between these two. Nectar runs its own 365-night trial, while the Sleepeezee's trial depends on where you buy it. Both carry 10-year guarantees, so the table below shows where the real gap sits.
Sleepeezee Deluxe 1000
Nectar
Trial (nights)
100
365
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
Sleepeezee Deluxe 1000
Nectar
Certifications
BS 7177
CertiPUR
Both examples are priced attractively for their construction types, with the Sleepeezee sitting particularly far below the typical pocket sprung price. Check the live tables below for today's figures.
Sleepeezee Deluxe 1000 Pocket Mattress
Nectar Memory Foam Mattress
Memory foam takes this comparison, with the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress the stronger of the two examples. It won on layers, with a five-layer build including zoned support and a cooling cover against the Sleepeezee's simpler three-layer design, and on terms, where a 365-night manufacturer trial beats a trial that varies by retailer. The pocket sprung Sleepeezee wins on value, sitting well below the typical price for its type, and it remains the right call if you want a firm, springy, traditional feel. Construction and cooling were too close to call, so neither loses ground there. If you are undecided between the constructions themselves, the Nectar's year-long trial is the safer way to find out whether contouring foam suits you, and that safety net is a large part of why it wins here.
Decision helper
Consider your primary need: a firm, traditional sprung feel at a low price, or contouring pressure relief with a year-long trial to test it.
WINNER
You want a firm, traditional sprung feel
The Sleepeezee is a firm mattress with 1000 pocket springs that react independently, so you get support that follows your shape with the pushed-back feel foam cannot offer.
You want strong value for the construction
It sits well under the typical price for a pocket sprung design, which makes it an affordable route into the category from an established brand.
You want reduced partner disturbance from springs
Each spring sits in its own fabric pocket, which means movement on one side transfers less across the bed.
RUNNER UP
You want pressure relief for side sleeping
The Nectar's memory foam layer adapts to your shape, easing pressure on shoulders and hips, and the 7-zone base adds firmer support where your body is heaviest.
You want a long, no-risk trial
Nectar runs its own 365-night trial, a full year to decide, where the Sleepeezee's trial varies by retailer.
You sleep warm but want foam
The open-cell foam and MTick-certified cooling cover give hot sleepers genuine help, which addresses the usual worry about foam.
Is a pocket sprung mattress better than memory foam?
Neither is better outright; they feel different. Pocket sprung mattresses like the Sleepeezee Deluxe 1000 push back with a springy, traditional surface, while memory foam like the Nectar contours slowly and relieves pressure. In this comparison the foam example won on layers and trial terms, but the sprung example won on value.
Which is better for side sleepers, memory foam or pocket springs?
Memory foam generally suits side sleepers better in this pairing. The Nectar's pressure-relieving foam adapts to shoulders and hips, easing pressure points, while the Sleepeezee is a firm mattress that lightweight side sleepers may find puts a little too much pressure on those areas. A firm sprung mattress suits back and front sleepers more readily.
Do memory foam mattresses sleep hotter than pocket sprung ones?
Not necessarily with these two; the cooling dimension was too close to call. The Nectar uses open-cell foam and a heat-wicking cover with MTick certification, while the Sleepeezee's knitted cover is designed for airflow and breathability. Older foam designs held more heat, but both examples here state cooling materials.
How long do pocket sprung and memory foam mattresses last?
Both examples carry a 10-year guarantee, so the makers back each construction for the same period. The Sleepeezee is double-sided, so you can flip it to help extend its useful life, which admittedly takes some effort. Nectar's guarantee is its Forever Warranty, with no expiration date, an unusually generous term.
Can I try a memory foam or pocket sprung mattress before committing?
Trials differ noticeably here. Nectar runs its own 365-night trial, giving you a full year to decide whether foam suits you. The Sleepeezee has no manufacturer trial, so any trial varies by retailer. If you have never slept on foam, that longer manufacturer trial is the safer way to test the construction.
Author
Jo Plumridge
Author