Written by Olivera Jancikin, Content Writer
If you’re after a new pillow that will fit different sleeping positions, you should consider the Nectar Resident. This pillow is made from memory foam, but what really stands out is the pillow-in-pillow design, allowing you to change the height to accommodate different sleeping positions.
A pillow is an important part of your bedding that can make or break your sleeping experience. Have you ever woken up with an achy neck or a numb ear? This is likely due to sleeping on a pillow that doesn’t fit you. The Nectar Resident is a versatile option as it’s designed to fit a range of sleepers.
In this review, we’ll discuss everything about the Nectar Resident pillow, including its features, specifications, pros, and cons. We’ll tell you about its feel, firmness, durability, and other factors that can help you decide if this is the right pillow for you.
Nectar Pillow
A memory foam pillow with adjustable firmness levels.
Sleep Advisor Score
4.80 / 5
Read Full Review
Who Is the Nectar Resident Pillow Best for?
Who Might Like the Nectar Resident Pillow:
- Memory foam lovers – This is a memory foam pillow with small bits of memory foam stuffed inside a uniquely plush cover. The cover is also quilted to a layer of memory foam, hence the pillow-in-pillow design name.
- Hot sleepers – Although memory foam tends to overheat, this shouldn’t be the case with this pillow. The Tencel cover is cooling, moisture-wicking, and breathable, making the Resident good for those who sleep hot.
- Combination sleepers – Combination sleepers should appreciate how easily you can change the height of the pillow so that it fits all sleeping positions.
Who Might Not Like the Nectar Resident Pillow:
- Those who prefer feather or down – People who like softer pillows like down pillows or those made out of feather may want another model.
- Budget shoppers – The Resident isn’t the cheapest pillow out there, so it may not be the best fit for those on a budget.
- People looking for a washable pillow – Unfortunately, no part of this pillow is safe to wash in a washing machine.
Sleep Advisor’s Testing Methodology
We test pillows in various sleeping positions to see how they would fit different sleepers. We also make sure to test all the features and perks, especially those heavily advertised, to ensure they live up to the expectations. In the case of the Nectar Resident pillow, we tested everything from ease of use and adjustability to firmness and feel.
What is the Nectar Resident Pillow Made of?
Cover
This pillow has a unique cover made from a polyester and Tencel blend. Tencel is a soft and moisture-wicking fabric known to be breathable and cooling. On top of that, it’s made from dissolving wood pulp, so it’s sustainable and good for eco-conscious shoppers.
However, what stands out the most is a layer of shredded foam quilted to the cover. This is what the brand calls a pillow-in-pillow design, adding more softness to the cover.
Core
The core of this pillow is stuffed with shredded memory foam. Memory foam has a soft, slow-responding feel but is supportive enough not to let your head sink too deeply. The pieces are small, so you shouldn’t have to worry about feeling big chunks of foam.
One of the best things about the core is that it’s adjustable. In other words, it comes overstuffed, which means you can remove some of the memory foam to customize the feel and loft. This should take a few minutes at most since all you have to do is unzip the fabric and remove the filling.
Nectar Resident Pillow Firmness & Feel
Firmness
The Nectar Resident pillow has a medium-firm feel, so it’s excellent for side and back sleepers looking for support and pressure relief.
Feel
Although it’s medium-firm, you can adjust how it feels by removing some filling. By doing so, you can make the pillow a bit softer.
Another thing we noticed is that the memory foam in this pillow is quite slow-responding. This means it doesn’t feel as soft as feather or down pillows. Instead, it feels firmer at first, slowing responding and adapting to the shape of your head. Once the foam adapts to your head, that’s when you’ll notice the soft and pressure-relieving feel with just enough sinkage.
Loft
The Nectar Resident pillow is about 6 inches high, which is considered a taller pillow. As such, it’s best for side and back sleepers. However, as mentioned, the loft is adjustable since you can always remove some of that memory foam stuffing to make the pillow thinner.
Weight (Density of the Pillow)
This bed feels dense and heavy, but it’s not too firm. The medium-firm feel and its slow response give enough cushioning, while the density ensures there’s only a bit of sinkage to relieve tension and remain supportive.
Sleeping on the Nectar Resident Pillow
Before you remove any filling, we suggest you consider your sleeping position and try the pillow as it is. If you’re a side sleeper, you’re likely to find its high loft and medium-firm feel comfortable. On the other hand, back sleepers may want to remove some of that stuffing. We think the slow-sinking feel offers just enough softness, allowing for excellent pressure relief without taking away from the support.
Side Sleepers
We think side sleepers will enjoy the medium-firm feel that helps keep the head from sinking too deeply so that the head and spine remain well-aligned. The pillow has a slow response but does a good job of adapting to the shape of your head. In addition, the memory foam layer in the cover adds extra cushioning to prevent numb ears.
For More Information: Best Pillows for Side Sleepers
Back Sleepers
Back sleepers can experiment with the filling by adding or removing as much of it as needed to keep the spine in good alignment. We think the 5-inch loft may be too high for most people sleeping on their back, but this is easy to fix by simply taking some of the stuffing out. The medium-firm feel should offer a nice level of support and pressure relief in the neck.
For More Information: Best Pillows for Back Sleepers
Stomach Sleepers
Stomach sleepers may want to look for another option because the Nectar Resident is a bit too tall for this sleeping position. Although you can remove enough stuffing to make the loft thinner, removing too much of it would mess up the firmness and support level too much.
For More Information: Best Pillows for Stomach Sleepers
Nectar Resident Pillow Sizing Options & Pricing
| Size | Dimensions | Price w/o Discount |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 18″ x 28″ x 6” | $75 |
Nectar Pillow
A memory foam pillow with adjustable firmness levels.
Sleep Advisor Score
4.80 / 5
Read Full Review
Sleep Advisor’s Performance Ratings for the Nectar Resident Pillow
Temperature
3/5
The Nectar Resident pillow comes with a Tencel cover. Tencel is a breathable fabric known for its cooling and moisture-wicking properties. However, it’s made entirely out of memory foam, which is in both the cover and filling. As such, it may not be as breathable throughout.
Support
4/5
This pillow excels in support, as it’s stuffed with shredded memory foam and has a high loft. Although the memory foam pieces are tiny, the pillow is overstuffed, which offers excellent support so that your head shouldn’t sink all the way into the pillow.
Durability
4/5
The Nest Resident feels well-made and durable from the stitching to the core. Memory foam is a durable material, meaning that this pillow should last you several years. On top of that, Tencel is also a long-lasting material, so it’s unlikely to show signs of wear and tear as quickly.
Comfort
5/5
This memory foam pillow feels comfortable in most sleeping positions, although it will likely be too high for stomach sleepers. We also like that you can adjust the loft by removing some of the filling to make the pillow more comfortable. The memory foam has a slow response, allowing enough sinkage to relieve tension in the neck and head while keeping them aligned with the rest of the body.
Off-Gassing
4/5
Since this pillow is made from memory foam, some off-gassing can be expected. We noticed only a slight odor, which should go away in a day or two.
Allergens
2/5
Since this pillow is made from memory foam, some off-gassing can be expected. We noticed only a slight odor, which should go away in a day or two.
Cleaning & Care
3/5
This pillow isn’t machine washable and neither is the cover. For this reason, you can only spot-clean it using a damp cloth and mild detergent. This should be an easy process, but make sure not to get the pillow too wet as it can take too long to dry, potentially damaging the foam and causing bacteria to develop.
Sleep Trial & Warranty
4/5
Nectar offers a 5-year warranty with this pillow and a 50-night trial for customers to test how the Resident fits their needs.
Nectar Pillow
A memory foam pillow with adjustable firmness levels.
Sleep Advisor Score
4.80 / 5
Read Full Review
Nectar Resident Pillow Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for a Nectar pillow to expand?
The memory foam in this Nectar pillow should take about 15 minutes to expand after you remove the packaging. Once expanded, the pillow is ready for use.
Can Nectar pillows be washed?
Nectar pillows aren’t machine-washable, so you can only spot-clean them with a damp cloth and mild detergent.
What size is the Nectar Resident pillow?
The Nectar Resident pillow is available in one size, measuring 18 inches x 28 inches x 6 inches.
How Does the Nectar Resident Pillow Compare to Other Pillows?
Nectar Resident Pillow vs TEMPUR-Neck Pillow
TEMPUR-Neck Pillow
A firm pillow available in multiple sizes.
Sleep Advisor Score
3.90 / 5
Read Full Review
Who Should Get the Nectar Resident Pillow?
- Side sleepers
- Back sleepers
- Memory foam fans
Who Should Get the TEMPUR-Neck Pillow?
- People with neck pain
- Those who want more size options
- Shoppers who want a washable cover
For more on Tempur-Pedic’s pillow, visit our TEMPUR-Neck pillow review.
Nectar Resident Pillow vs MyPillow
Who Should Get the Nectar Resident Pillow?
- Eco-conscious shoppers
- People who want a durable, long-lasting pillow
- Combination sleepers
Who Should Get the MyPillow?
- Budget shoppers
- Those who want a washable pillow
- Sleepers who need a longer trial
For more on the MyPillow, visit our MyPillow review.
Our Final Thoughts on the Nectar Resident Pillow
The Nectar Resident is a high-quality memory foam pillow with an adjustable loft and a medium-firm feel. The pillow has a Tencel and polyester cover that allow a bit of cooling, but the foam inside isn’t particularly breathable, so it should be good if you don’t run very hot at night. However, extra-hot sleepers may prefer something with more advanced cooling capabilities.
We think this is a good match for many sleepers, especially back and side sleepers, as well as those who rotate between these two positions.. The loft is easy to adjust so that it fits your needs and preferences.
One drawback is the fact that you can’t remove the cover or wash any part of the pillow. Spot cleaning is an option, but it may not be as convenient for some people. Other than that, it’s a quality model worth your attention if you’re after a supportive and pressure-relieving memory foam pillow. Our overall score for this product is 3.6 out of 5.
Nectar Pillow
A memory foam pillow with adjustable firmness levels.
Sleep Advisor Score
4.80 / 5
Read Full Review
Olivera Jancikin
Content Writer
About Author
Olivera is a content writer for Sleep Advisor and is enthusiastic about sleep. She firmly believes in the benefits of daytime naps on top of getting a full 8-hour sleep at night.
Combination Sleeper