Nest Bedding Quail Mattress Review
Our Verdict: Available in two firmness levels, topped with a breathable cover, and housing temperature-regulating cooling gel in its core, it’s hard to believe this mattress comes at such a budget-friendly price point. The Quail mattress (formerly the Love & Sleep mattress) makes great value possible without sacrificing great sleep. It is one of our top picks for best affordable mattresses.
Who the Quail Mattress is Best For
The Quail mattress from Nest Bedding makes great value possible without sacrificing great sleep. It's one of our top picks for Best Affordable Mattresses, and includes a breathable cover and temperature-regulating gel in its core.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Quail mattress from Nest Bedding makes great value possible without sacrificing great sleep. It's one of our top picks for Best Affordable Mattresses, and includes a breathable cover and temperature-regulating gel in its core.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Quail mattress from Nest Bedding makes great value possible without sacrificing great sleep. It's one of our top picks for Best Affordable Mattresses, and includes a breathable cover and temperature-regulating gel in its core.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.Nest Bedding Quail Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
365 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight stomach sleepers.
Financing Options
Nest Bedding Quail Mattress
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
365 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight stomach sleepers.
Financing Options
Nest Bedding Quail Mattress
Material
Foam
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight stomach sleepers.
Financing Options
Best For
Not Best For
✅Back sleepers
✅Stomach sleepers using the firm option
✅Side sleepers using the plush option
✅Children, college students, and the budget-savvy
✅A guest bedroom mattress
❌Couples may not get enough edge support
❌Sleepers who weigh on the lighter side may find both types too firm
❌ People who like a soft mattress
Nest Bedding Quail In-Depth Mattress Review
The Quail mattress by Nest Bedding is meant to provide all of the benefits of a good foam mattress (responsiveness, support) at a decent price. When Nest set out to build a new mattress for the masses, it ended up with the Quail. For more of our top picks, see the best memory foam mattresses.
Reviews and reactions to the Quail seem to support that ambition. The Quail is Nest Bedding’s least expensive model and it comes in two iterations—medium and firm. Nest doesn’t believe that one mattress can or should fit all needs. They offer a number of them, including the more expensive Sparrow Signature (all foam, three firmness levels) for those looking for something more.
Nest Quail Mattress Highlights
There are many desirable qualities within the Quail mattress. Here are a few that we like:
Great Value
- Most affordable option from Nest
- Eco-friendly foams are both CertiPUR-US and Greenguard Gold certified
- Purchase online or in one of their stores
- Free shipping and returns
Customizable & Adaptable
- Available in either medium or firm
- Surface said to mimic the bounce of an innerspring mattress
Temperature Regulating
- Cover is breathable
- Cooling gel in memory foam layer– creating a great mattress for hot sleepers.
- Medium option has an egg-carton shaped layer for additional airflow
Nest Quail Mattress by Sleeping Positions
| Back | Stomach | Side | Combination |
| ✅Supports hips, spine and lower back
✅Foam provides contouring ❌Heavyweight sleepers may prefer something firmer for sturdier support |
✅Firmer option provides sturdier support for strict stomach sleepers
✅Firm enough to prevent average sleeper’s hips from sinking ❌Heavyweight stomach sleepers may still experience sinking in firm option |
✅Medium firm option cradles hips and shoulders
✅Medium firm relieves tension on pressure points |
✅Resembles an innerspring bed with its bounciness, makes it easy to shift positions
✅Does a good job of limiting motion transfer |
Back Sleepers
The foam in the Quail does contour to the buttocks and keep your spine aligned when you sleep on your back. Contouring is a big reason to seek out a foam mattress in the first place. For similar options, see the best mattresses for back sleepers.
Side Sleepers
Here’s where the firmness of your mattress really matters relative to your sleep position. The best mattresses for side sleepers are ones that are less firm as these generally provide better pressure relief.The medium firm option of the Quail will do a better job contouring and relieving pressure than the firm one. The firm option may be too much support when you sleep on your side and need the give to avoid too much pressure on shoulders and hips.
Stomach Sleepers
Stomach sleepers may prefer the firm version. The Quail has pretty good bounce for an all-foam mattress. You’ll be able to shift positions and get out of bed. For mattresses that are more supportive, see the best mattresses for stomach sleepers.
Combination Sleepers
The best mattress for combination sleepers is one that’s both responsiveness and limits motion transfer. Sleepers will be able to shift around easily with the springy Quail. Couples would also enjoying the motion isolating properties of this bed’s foam.
Quail Mattress Price and Specs
Quail Price
The Quail is one of the lower-priced mattresses-in-a-box out there. It is only $699 in a Queen. Most competing mattresses are in the $800–$1,000 dollar range for a Queen. Many of those other mattresses will be slightly better than the Quail, but it is not a big difference. For other mattresses that are shipped right to your door, see the best online mattresses.
It’s impossible for me to tell you whether it’s worth the money to spend on one of the other better quality mattresses. If money is tight, and you’ll be put under a lot of pressure to spend $900 on a mattress, then, by all means, the Quail will do just fine. On the other hand, if you won’t feel the difference at all in your bank account, I’d recommend getting a better mattress. In between those two extremes, it all comes down to how comfortable you are spending money. It doesn’t matter how well your mattress works if you can’t sleep at night because of your budget.
One thing to note: the price is for the mattress only. If you need a boxspring and frame, or platform bed, or even an adjustable base, that will be extra. (Though, if you have enough money to afford an adjustable base, I’d recommend putting that money into the mattress instead.) Luckily, Nest Bedding has options for foundations (see Nest Bedding Accessory section below), so you can make a one-stop-shop.
| Twin | Twin XL | Full | Queen | King | California King |
| $499 | $549 | $649 | $699 | $849 | $849 |
*Prices listed are standard without sales or Mattress Nerd exclusive discounts.
Quail Mattress Dimensions and Specs
| Size | Dimension | Weight | Thickness |
| Twin | 38″ x 75″ | 40 lbs | 10 inches |
| Twin XL | 38″ x 80″ | 45 lbs | 10 inches |
| Full | 54″ x 75″ | 50 lbs | 10 inches |
| Queen | 60″ x 80″ | 65 lbs | 10 inches |
| King | 76″ x 80″ | 85 lbs | 10 inches |
| Cal King | 72″ x 84″ | 85 lbs | 10 inches |
Mattress Dimensions are pretty regular. The different sizes of a mattress (Twin to California King) differ only about an inch from one another. The Quail mattress is slightly thicker than the standard mattresses, which are usually anywhere between 6″–9″. Usually, the thicker a mattress, the more heavy it is. Thickness also relates to layers, so usually when a mattress is thicker, it means it has more layers, thicker layers, or more foam. This helps the mattress accommodate a greater variety of sleepers by making the bed more cushioned and comfortable. If you weigh over 250 lbs, it’s in your best interest to look for a mattress that is on the thicker side (12″ or more).
The Quail mattress is a tad heavier than some other bed-in-a-box brands, but with the extra weight comes extra layers of comfort and foam. You may want to find an extra set of hands when unboxing the mattress, especially if you purchase a Queen size or larger. Nest Bedding does offer optional white glove service at an additional cost if you want some extra help assembling the mattress.
Quail Mattress Firmness
The medium firmness option feels pretty plush, about a 5/10 on the firmness scale (“1” being soft and “10” being most firm). The firm is slightly more firm than that, more like 6–6.5/10 on the firmness scale. The medium did a good job bouncing back, so you should escape getting sore from too much pressure on the curves of your body. The firm version will provide more support if you’re a back or stomach sleeper, with slightly less ability to curve to the body. The two firmness levels responded fairly similarly. For firmer mattresses that support the entire body, see the best mattress for heavy sleepers.
Quail Mattress Construction
The Quail is a fairly basic mattress. It comes in two types of firmness: a medium and a luxury firm. (This part gets a little technical, so feel free to skip over it if your eyes start to glaze over.)
The Medium uses 5″ of comfort layers on the top followed by a 6″ support layer for a total of 11″ thick. The top layer uses a “phase change material” which keeps the mattress a more neutral temperature (basically, as heat goes into or out of the material, it changes phase, for example from a liquid to a solid and back, rather than increasing temperature). Below that is a 3″ layer of foam called “Energex”, which is a foam designed to be bouncier than memory foam, a little more like latex (but not quite as bouncy).
Then, there is a 1″ layer of “convoluted foam” (meaning egg-crate-shaped). The bottom layer is 1.8 lbs density high resiliency foam, which is pretty standard (though competitors at this price point may go down to a weaker foam. This is a base layer many mattresses twice the price will use).
The Luxury Firm version is a little simpler and uses less comfort foam. The top layer is the same, then it uses 2″ of the Energex foam instead of the 3″ the Medium uses. It skips the convoluted foam layer and goes right to a thicker layer of the support foam. This is so that you won’t sink as far into the mattress.
- The Cover: The top cover for both medium and firm versions is a 1″ fabric cover made of a phase-change material which regulates temperature.
- Layer 1: A cooling comfort layer that is 3″ thick in medium and 2″ thick in the firm. This layer is made of breathable and responsive foam that will take heat away from your body.
- Layer 2: Next is the airflow layer that is an extra 1″ thick layer in the medium version. You will not find this layer in the firm version. This section gives you more insurance against overheating since it encourages air to flow through the mattress.
- Layer 3: The final layer is the support base and its made of a study, high-density foam. It measures 6″ thick for the medium and 8″ on the firm. Its job is to strengthen the edges of the mattress and provide a sturdy base for everything going on above it.
How the Quail Compares
There are dozens of direct-to-consumer mattress companies out there, and I don’t have the time or patience to list them all, so here is how the Quail compares to a couple of them.
Quail vs. Tuft & Needle
I don’t know this for sure, but I suspect that the Quail was created by Nest Bedding as a direct competitor to Tuft & Needle. They’re constructed fairly similarly and are about the same price. (When I originally wrote this article, Tuft & Needle had recently increased their prices, but it looks like they decreased them again. Just compare the prices. If one is drastically cheaper than the other, that’s the better deal.)
Tuft & Needle only comes in one firmness, comparable to the Luxury Firm version of the Quail, so you have an additional comfort option with the Quail. So if you want a really firm mattress, either is fine. Otherwise, Quail has a plush option.
Quail vs. Sparrow Signature
The Sparrow Signature is the “signature” mattress that Nest Bedding sells. It uses higher quality materials than Quail, and it is more expensive as a result. Whether it is worth it to you is entirely up to your budget. If you have the money, the Sparrow Signature is a better mattress. If money is tight, or you plan to upgrade the mattress in a few years, or if you’re in a college dorm, etc., the Quail is probably the better way to go. If you are on a budget but looking for a quality mattress, see the best mattresses under $500.
Buying Experience
Nest Bedding Trial
You can try out your Quail mattress for 365 days. If between days 30 and 365 you decide you don’t like it, you can return it to Nest for free or exchange it for a different one to try a different firmness level or style. You can donate the unwanted mattress to charity and you still get your original price fully refunded. Nest does have actual stores if you need to feel and look at mattresses before you buy. Find a location near you.
Nest Bedding Warranty
The Quail is covered by a limited Lifetime warranty. That means it covers the life of the mattress—not your life, the life of the mattress. It’s a generous term for such an affordable mattress.
Nest will address these defects through the warranty:
- Sagging 1″ or more
- Manufacturing flaw in the cover zipper
- The physical flaw in cover construction (tearing, stitch unraveling)
You still have to use the right base or foundation for the warranty to be valid. Additionally, defects must occur because of a problem and not as a result of abuse or normal wear and tear. If you do have a mattress that needs attention, and Nest agrees it needs attention, they will repair or replace it.
Delivery & Setup
The Quail comes compressed and rolled into an 18” x 18″ x 48” box. It should be delivered in four to eight business days across the lower 48 states (meaning everywhere but Alaska and Hawaii). That is reasonable since Nest builds each bed for every new buyer. It can take up to two weeks to produce new Nest mattresses.
Setting up your Nest bed is as simple as opening the box, hauling the mattress onto your platform or foundation, removing the plastic, and letting it inflate back to full size. Speaking of the foundation, you should use the mattress with a strong base. You can use a box spring, metal platform (or one with strong wood slats) and an adjustable base.
Remember you get free shipping and returns, within that 365-night window.
Nest Bedding Customer Service
So many current and newer mattress manufacturers put faith in an online profile to sell directly to consumers. Nest does, too, but it also still maintains actual stores with locations on both coasts if you want to look at the Quail mattress, and other Nest products, for yourself. It’s ironic that maintaining a physical store can be a plus for a mattress company. It certainly signals a sea change in the way mattresses are sold.
You can reach Nest to talk about the Quail via email and phone also. Whether you’re ordering or returning, the customer service reps know their product and can even give you recommendations based on your needs.
Nest Bedding Quail Rating and Conclusion
Overall, both of the Quail mattresses are very well-constructed for the price. These aren’t luxury mattresses but, given what they deliver, they’re a great value. The Quail is one of the best mattresses in its price range ($599 in a Queen). You will not find a mattress that costs so little but does so much. For most people, the medium firmness will be the best. The firm version is only for people who like a firmer mattress.
Nest doesn’t rest its laurels on just one mattress or style. It has developed several that can fulfill a range of needs, including the affordable and functional Quail offering.
Other popular Nest Products
Nest Bedding Bamboo Luxury Sheets
Mattress Nerd Score
4.60 / 5
Nest Bedding Cooling Mattress Topper
The Nest Alexander Cooling Topper has a Soft to Medium Soft firmness setting, making it ideal for side sleepers and lightweight sleepers who want pressure relief. It also works well for average-weight sleepers who are sleeping on a mattress that’s too firm for their taste. However, all sleeper types will rest a little cooler with the addition of this topper. If you’re a heavier-weight sleeper (more than 230 pounds), you’re unlikely to feel a significant change in the comfort of your mattress due to the firmness setting and 2” thickness of this topper, and we recommend looking for a Medium or Medium Firm topper instead.
Nest Easy Breather Side Sleeper Pillow
Mattress Nerd Score
4.50 / 5
FAQs:
Does the Quail mattress produce any off-gassing?
There is no off-gassing from the Quail mattress. Nest Bedding uses CertiPUR-US certified foams, and also airs out all of the foams in their factory to prevent any off-gassing.
When can I sleep on my new Quail mattress?
Your new Nest Bedding mattress will be ready to sleep on the first night you unbox it. As soon as you unbox your mattress, set it up on its frame or foundation, and allow it to inflate, you can enjoy a cozy night's rest on your new mattress.
Is there a break-in period for the Quail mattress?
Yes; Nest Bedding doesn't allow you to initiate a return, until after you've slept on the mattress for 30 nights. It takes your body about 30 days to adjust to a new mattress.
See More FAQs at nestbedding.com
