Nest Starling Mattress Review

Michael Magnuson

Founder of GoodBed, Leading Mattress Expert

Summary: Is the Nest Starling a Good Mattress?

The Nest Starling is an innovative new mattress that combines an all-foam design with customizable comfort materials and a unique “contour grid’ transition layer. This means that while the Starling feels like an all-foam or memory foam mattress, it can actually contour and align with your body in a manner that’s analogous to a pocket spring design.

The secret is in the contour grid just under the comfort layers. This is a layer of high-density foam that’s cut into a gridlike pattern that allows for segments of foam to function independently of other segments. This creates more conformance than what you would typically see from a flat sheet of poly foam.The contour grid is also cut slightly differently in different areas of the mattress to create zoned regions that are firmer or softer to adapt to a person’s curves.

In addition, the Nest Starling has a customizable comfort layer with two foams that can be flipped and reversed to modify the feel of the mattress. The first is a layer of Energex. This is an ultra high-density poly foam with a rapid response and a lively overall feel. The second is a layer of titanium and graphite-infused memory foam with a slow response and a softer feel.

We tested the Starling in both configurations and found both to be about a Medium-Firm on our scale. When handling these foam layers in isolation, we found that the Energex felt slightly firmer than the memory foam. However, when the memory foam was positioned as the top layer in the mattress, the slow response and feeling of "surface tension" created a sense of firmness. In our opinion, having the memory foam as the top layer felt slightly firmer, though again, we found both configurations to be about a Medium-Firm overall.

We also found that the Nest Starling had excellent motion isolation. We attribute this to the high-quality and conforming foams in the comfort layer and the motion isolating effect of the contour grid itself. It also performed well on an adjustable base, although the quite firm base foam prevented it from fully articulating with the base at a maximum incline. Still, it is compatible with an adjustable base and we do expect this to improve with time and mattress break-in.

In summary, the Nest Starling is a unique and innovative mattress. The use of a contour-cut transition foam is uncommon in the US mattress industry, and this creates more conformance and alignment than what we typically see with other all-foam designs. What’s more, the customizable comfort layers allow you to further fine-tune the mattress to your preferences. We think it’s a great option for people that like foam mattresses or for anyone that prioritizes pressure relief and motion isolation.

Bottom Line: Who is the Best Match for the Nest Starling?

BEST if you:

• Are looking for a foam or memory foam mattress 
• Prefer a mattress with good conformance
• Want something that's customizable
• Are a side or back sleeper

NOT IDEAL if you:

• Are mostly a stomach sleeper
• Want a pure memory foam mattress
• Prefer a pocket spring or hybrid mattress

If you’d prefer to watch rather than read, check out our full Nest Starling video review above.

Comfort and Feel

The “feel” characteristics of a mattress cannot be universally better or worse. They can only be more or less desirable to you, based on your personal preferences. For this reason, we call these “preference-based” attributes. Our ratings here are based on objective measurements that we apply to a consistent scale for products from all brands.

Softness ( what’s this )

Keep in mind that what mattress companies call “firm” or “soft” is relative and varies between manufacturers. Mattresses are designed to be supportive and promote healthy spinal alignment, however, different people tend to have different preferences for overall softness.

We found the Nest Starling to be about a Medium-Firm in feel. There are subtle differences between the two different configurations, but these were mostly felt in terms of initial surface characteristics, and not overall softness.

Not sure what softness is best for you? Take our Mattress Match Quiz and find out.

Cushioning Depth ( what’s this )

Cushioning depth refers to how deeply you sink into the mattress. Some brands will talk about a feeling of "sleeping-on" a mattress vs a feeling of "sleeping-in" a mattress, and this typically refers to cushioning depth. More cushioning depth means more conformance and more of a cradled or "hugged" sensation.

We thought the Nest Starling offered a slightly greater than average amount of Cushioning Depth. We attributed this to the contour grid foam just under the initial comfort layers.

Memory Feel

Memory feel refers to how quickly a mattress recovers its shape after being compressed. A mattress with a lot of memory feel will have a much slower recovery after compression. This is often noticed by sleepers in repositioning.

We'd describe the Nest Starling as having a Medium-High amount of memory feel. This is particularly noticeable when the memory foam is on top of the mattress, but it's also noticeable even with the Energex on top.

Bounce

Responsiveness also translates into bounce, and with most innerspring mattresses, you'll get a good bit of it.

The Nest Starling has almost no bounce whatsoever. There's the smallest amount of resilience felt in the Energex, but nothing deeper than that.

Back Support

The key to good back support is for the mattress to support your spine in a “neutral” position while you sleep, meaning that the shape of your spine is roughly the same as when you're standing. The ability of any given mattress to do this will vary by sleeper, depending on its “fit” for your weight, body shape, and preferred sleep position(s).

In our evaluations, the Nest Starling performed very well for our tester in most sleeping positions.

Spinal Alignment

The key to good back support is maintaining proper spinal alignment while you sleep. This means that the mattress should hold your spine in roughly the same position it's in when you're standing. The ability of a given mattress to do this will generally depend on your weight, sleep position, and body shape.

Here is how we break down the spinal alignment of the Nest Starling:

Back Sleepers:

Our tester really enjoyed the Nest Starling in this position. The accommodating comfort layers and the contour grid provided the right amount of support.

Side Sleepers:

We also thought the Nest Starling was good for side sleeping. The zoned contour grid allowed for solid conformance and alignment.

Stomach Sleepers:

Our tester felt less well-supported on his stomach. However, a lighter individual may still do well in this position.

Pressure Relief

Inadequate pressure relief from your mattress results in “pressure points,” which can be a source of pain, soreness, loss of circulation, restlessness, and other problems. Pressure relief requirements will vary be sleeper, with side sleepers needing the most. Likewise, the amount of pressure relief that a given mattress provides will also vary by sleeper, depending on its “fit” for your weight and body shape.

We thought that the Nest Starling had good overall pressure relief. The Energex and soft memory foam do a lot to prevent pressure.

Performance Features

With the “features” of a mattress, performance will tend to be consistent across all sleepers – without regards to your body type or preferences. However, these attributes have differing levels of importance to each sleeper, which is why we consider them “priority-based” characteristics.

Motion Isolation ( what’s this )

If you are easily disturbed by a partner's movements in bed, or perhaps you and your partner go to bed and get up at different times, then motion isolation may be a priority for you. Generally speaking, pocket spring and all-foam mattresses tend to perform best here.

We thought the Nest Starling had exceptional overall motion isolation. It's rare that we see a 10/10 score here.

Temperature ( what’s this )

The Nest Starling also worked well in terms of temperature regulation. There's a small amount of phase-change material in the cover, and the memory foam has an added titanium and graphite infusion to help with heat mitigation.

Edge Support ( what’s this )

The Nest Starling also did better than expected in terms of edge support. There's a firm 2" foam rail along the outside of the contour grid, and this greatly helped with overall edge support.

Ease of Repositioning ( what’s this )

If you tend to move and change positions a lot over the course of a night, ease of repositioning will be a priority for you. The Nest Starling also performed well in this area. Our tester had no trouble at all moving around or rolling into another position.

Green Features ( what’s this )

For mattress shoppers concerned with the use of natural materials, sustainable manufacturing practices or the like, we offer our subjective evaluation of any efforts taken by the company to make the mattress more green, healthy, or safe.

The Nest Starling doesn't really have any green features to speak of, although all the foams are CertiPUR-US certified.

Adjustable Base Compatibility ( what’s this )

We look at three things when testing a mattress on an adjustable base.

First, will using an adjustable base harm the mattress? In the case of the Nest Starling, the answer is no. Like most foam matresses, the Starling works well with an adjustable base.

Next, we look at conformance. How closely did the bed hug the curves of the base as it is raised and lowered? The Nest Starling did a pretty good job in this aspect. There was a slight gap between the mattress and foundation on the opposite side of the mattress, but this is also normal for new mattresses. We'd expect this to improve with time.

Lastly we look at the cover and what happens when the bed is in an articulated position. We did notice some very minor wrinkling of the cover when the head of the bed was raised, though again, this is normal for many mattresses and isn't typically noticed by sleepers.

Overall, we would say that the performance on our adjustable base was very good.

Materials & Construction

What's in the Nest Nest Starling Mattress?

The Nest Starling is an all-foam mattress comprising roughly five overall layers

• 2” UHD poly foam (3lb "Energex Temperature Responsive Foam")
• 1.25" HD memory foam (4lb "Slow Response Memory Foam")
• 2" HD poly foam (2lb "Contour Grid Support Foam")
• 5.5” base foam (1.5lb "Transitional Support Foam")
• 1.75" UHD base foam (3lb "Base Support Foam")

At the top of the mattress we have a 2” layer of Energex. This is what we would call an “ultra high-density” (or UHD) poly foam with a rapid response. Some people call this a "latex-like" foam, and while we don’t think it feels quite like latex, it's certainly faster responding and more resilient than simple poly foam. Just under that, there’s a 1.25” layer of HD memory foam. This is a slower responding memory foam with a dense feel and a graphite and titanium infusion to manage heat retention.

Underneath these initial comfort layers we have the "Contour Grid Support Foam." This is a layer of HD poly foam with channels cut into the surface to increase airflow and allow segments of the mattress to move relatively independently of one another. This layer is also zoned, with a contour cut pattern that’s slightly firmer in the middle third to support one’s hips and a pattern that’s slightly softer at one’s shoulders.

After this, we have about 5.5” of base foam (note - we say about here as this was actually 6” on our review model). Nest actually calls this a “Transitional Support Foam,” but we think it’s more of a support layer and not a transition layer. In other words, this is the layer that will be providing the bulk of support for the mattress. And underneath this there is a second layer of base foam that’s an even higher density.

Durability, Warranty & Value

The “value” of any mattress is both subjective and personal – reflecting how well it meets that person’s unique sleep needs and preferences, relative to their budget. As a result, our ratings in this area are focused on more objective factors like quality and longevity.

How Much Does the Nest Starling Cost?

Prices shown are list prices. Remember that GoodBed keeps our site current with the best available discounts on online mattresses, many of which are exclusive discounts for our readers.

What Are You Getting?

The Nest Starling is an all-foam mattress with HD and UHD comfort layers and a unique contour grid to aid alignment.

How Long Will the Nest Starling Last?

When it comes to estimating the comfort lifespan of a mattress, we can use foam density as our best, albeit imperfect, predictor of how long a foam will retain its shape and resiliency.

We'd expect the Nest Starling to do well in this respect. All of the comfort layers are HD or UHD foams, which should last for many years. The only possible weak point would be in the 1.5lb base foam just under the contour grid, but this is balanced by the HD and UHD foams in every other layer. Additionally, the Starling is also backed by a lifetime guarantee from Nest Bedding.

Overall Value

We think that the Nest Starling compares well to most foam models on the market. The customizable comfort layers and the contour grid are also unique features that add a lot of value.

Warranty

• Warranty Length: Limited Lifetime Warranty
• Indentation Coverage: 1” and above with some exclusions

One of the biggest, if not THE biggest complaints about any mattress from consumers regards body impressions — the inability of a mattress to spring back, eventually creating a low spot/sinkhole in the mattress. As such, mattress warranties all contain a term defining how big a sag or ‘body impression’ (measured when no one is on the mattress) is considered a defect, and thus covered under the warranty.

The industry standard for body impressions is 1.5" on most mattresses.

Nest has chosen to cover body impressions at or above 1" on the Nest Starling.

You read the fine print on this here: Nest's Warranty Policy.

Other Factors to Consider

Delivery

• Free delivery to your door

Returns

• 365-Night Trial period
• Lifetime Renewal Exchange

Nest offers a 365-Night Trial period. This is one of the longest trial periods in the industry.

Nest also provides a free Lifetime Renewal Exchange (LRE) with this mattress. The LRE is a one-time comfort guarantee that can be redeemed anytime during the lifetime of your mattress, whereby Nest will send you a new comfort layer to renew your mattress and save you the time and money it takes to shop for a new one.