Latex vs. Hybrid: What’s the Difference?

If you’re looking for a cooling, highly responsive new mattress, you’ve probably heard of latex and hybrid mattresses. Both of these mattress types are cool and bouncy. So what’s the difference between them?

The main difference between latex and hybrid mattresses is their construction. Latex mattresses are made of foam all the way through. Meanwhile, hybrids might have multiple layers of foam, but they’ll always have a pocketed coil support core.

That means these two types of mattresses will have different feels, different costs, and different durabilities. Let’s talk about the differences between these beds.

Natural Latex Foam

Latex is made from the sap of the rubber tree. Liquid sap is harvested from mature trees and processed into one of two kinds of foam: Talalay and Dunlop. Talalay is lighter and more contouring, while Dunlop is denser and more supportive.

Latex foam is often stacked up against memory foam in terms of feel. Latex is an upgrade over memory foam in a number of ways. It’s bouncier than memory foam. It’s more breathable than memory foam. And it’s much more durable than memory foam. Some consider it even more hypoallergenic than memory foam, though which is the best mattress for allergies depends on what your allergy triggers are.

All this means latex is an excellent option for sleepers who want a responsive and cooling all-foam mattress. Still, memory foam isn’t without its advantages, as we discuss in our memory foam vs latex guide.

Latex mattresses should always have at least two foam layers. The comfort layer is the contouring and cushioning top layer where your body rests. The support layer is the high-density foam that keeps you lifted onto the sleeping surface and aligns your spine.

Latex mattresses, especially organic latex mattresses, often have an all-cotton cover and wool fire barrier to keep the mattress’s synthetic chemical content to a minimum.

SEE ALSO: Best Mattress for Couples

Feel

Overall, latex’s feel offers few drawbacks. One of the biggest issues with latex is it cannot contour quite as well as memory foam. Latex wants to retain its shape. That means it will contour to your shape—just not as well as memory foam can. On the flip side, latex will spring right back into place as soon as you move. This means active sleepers will likely prefer latex.

Latex is also the most cooling option for an all-foam mattress. While memory foam needs lots of construction alterations and infusions to be cooling, latex is naturally breathable and cool. This means hot sleepers should consider latex if they want a foam mattress.

However, a pure latex mattress may not be as cooling as a hybrid. Hybrid mattress coils encourage more airflow than foam alone. That means a hybrid mattress will likely be cooler than a pure foam one, latex or not.

Cost

The initial cost is the biggest drawback of latex. It can be prohibitive for many people. At an average price of $2,000 for a queen, latex is the most expensive type of mattress upfront. That’s only $300 more than the average price of a queen hybrid ($1,700). But it’s significantly more than the average prices of memory foam and innerspring mattresses ($1,100 and $950, respectively).

Durability

The longevity of latex makes up for its high initial cost. In fact, latex’s durability brings down its lifetime cost so much that it actually makes latex mattresses less expensive than hybrids over time. A pure Dunlop latex mattress can be expected to last no fewer than 20 years but can usually make it much longer. A few latex beds have even made it to 40.

Purity

If you want a mattress that contains no synthetic ingredients and is free of potentially toxic chemicals, latex is your friend. Organic latex mattresses must be at least 95 percent pure organic latex and contain no heavy metals, chemical flame retardants, or other dangerous ingredients to be certified under the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS).

Even non-organic all-natural latex is still much purer and more natural than synthetic alternatives like memory foam.

Eco-Friendliness

Latex is also unbeatable when it comes to eco-friendliness. Most hybrids contain memory foam, which produces tons of toxic waste during manufacturing and is not biodegradable. Even latex hybrids still have steel coils that require tons of energy and environmentally harmful chemicals to manufacture.

Meanwhile, pure latex is harvested from trees. It’s biodegradable, so it won’t be around a thousand years after you throw it away. And it doesn’t require loads of toxic chemicals to produce.

Hybrid Mattresses

Hybrid mattresses are a newer sleep technology that combines a pocketed coil support system with a foam comfort layer to create a mattress that has the spring of an innerspring bed and the contouring of a foam mattress.

Don’t be fooled, though. Some retailers try to market pillow-top open-coil innerspring mattresses as hybrids. But unless it has both a support layer made of individually wrapped coils and a comfort layer of at least two inches of foam, it isn’t a hybrid.

One of the best things about hybrid mattresses is they can feature any type of foam, from memory foam to latex foam and everything else. Most hybrids have memory foam comfort layers. However, latex hybrids are becoming more popular because they combine all the benefits of latex with all the benefits of coils.

See our hybrid mattress buying guide for more details.

Feel

Hybrids offer even more bounce and breathability than pure latex mattresses. In fact, latex hybrids are so responsive and cooling they even compete with innerspring mattresses. They have all of the bounce with none of the sagging and motion transfer.

Memory foam hybrids are more adaptable than latex hybrids because memory foam is more contouring. So if you want the coolness and bounce of latex with some extra contouring, a memory foam hybrid might be a better option for you.

Cost

Hybrids have a slightly lower initial cost than latex beds. But at $1,700 for an average queen size mattress, they’re still not cheap. Such a small difference in price between hybrids and latex mattresses likely won’t impact many people’s decisions between the two.

Durability

Hybrids become the most expensive mattress type when you factor in durability. Hybrid mattresses have pocketed coils. While individually wrapped coils last longer than open coils (which are wired together), all coils break down faster than foam support cores.

This means a hybrid mattress will have a life expectancy between 10 and 20 years, but it won’t last any longer than that. This reduced lifespan means you’ll have to replace your hybrid mattress more often and will be paying more per year of use than you would with a natural latex mattress.

Purity

The purity of a hybrid mattress depends on what kind of foam is in it. Of course, if you have an organic latex hybrid, the synthetic and toxic chemical content of your mattress should be negligible. However, memory foam hybrids will be a different story.

Memory foam is made of polyurethane. That means if you want to avoid synthetic ingredients, memory foam hybrids are definitely not for you. Even CertiPUR-US® certified memory foam will still have some Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions, though it will still contain no toxic flame retardants or heavy metals.

Eco-Friendliness

Just like with purity, a hybrid mattress’s eco-friendliness depends heavily on the type of foam in the comfort layer. Memory foam hybrids are not very eco-friendly because their support and comfort layers both have a high environmental impact.

Even latex hybrids are not quite as eco-friendly as their all-foam counterparts because of the impact of steel coil manufacturing.

Sleepers who like the feel of memory foam but want more natural materials should consider the AS3 Hybrid by Amerisleep. Unlike most memory foam hybrids, the AS3 Hybrid features a comfort layer made of plant-based Bio-Pur® memory foam. This foam encourages spinal alignment. It protects your hips and shoulders from pressure. And it’s natural.

Bio-Pur® foam swaps some petroleum products in favor of plant oils. This allows the memory foam to be extremely cooling and airy without the need for gels or other infusions. This high-quality foam is also much more responsive than a traditional memory foam without sacrificing any of its contouring power.

Another wonderful thing about the Bio-Pur® foam is that it’s hypoallergenic. This foam creates a hostile environment for all kinds of allergens like mold, mildew, dust mites, and other microbes. It also experiences less off-gassing. This can be a huge help to allergy sufferers with sensitivities to both chemical emissions and stuff that could potentially grow in their mattresses.

Plus, Bio-Pur® foam is CertiPUR-US® certified, meaning its free of potentially harmful materials.

Below the comfort layer, the advanced pocketed coil support system provides edge support, adaptability, and responsiveness. No matter your sleep position, these individually wrapped coils can move with your body to offer you customized support all the way through the mattress.

On the bottom, the high-density base foam increases motion isolation. It also offers more durable and resilient support than your average base foam. This is part of the reason why the AS3 is such a durable hybrid. While most hybrids won’t last longer than 15 years, the AS3 Hybrid boasts a full 20-year warranty.

Those who need a soft feel can get all the benefits of the medium-feel AS3 Hybrid with the plush AS5 Hybrid. The AS5 Hybrid still sports the hypoallergenic Bio-Pur® foam featured in its firmer counterpart. It also has a plush transition layer for even more pressure relief.

One of the benefits of using Amerisleep’s Bio-Pur® material in a soft mattress is its breathability. Soft beds tend to retain heat because they hug your body and reduce airflow. However, the Bio-Pur® foam is so breathable that air can continue to move through your mattress even as it cradles your body. This is great for hot sleepers who need a soft bed.

The ultra-airy cover works with the breathable Bio-Pur® foam to keep you even cooler. By wicking away sweat and body heat, the cover helps with temperature regulation and promotes more restful sleep.

The soft and bouncy Active Flex transition layer rests underneath all this cooling technology. This transition foam adds softness to the bed without sacrificing support. It protects your joints from pressure from the coils below. It also helps the bed bounce right back as soon as you change positions.

Underneath the transition foam, you’ll still find the same adaptable and durable coils as the AS3 Hybrid. These coils fight sinkage by keeping you lifted onto the sleeping surface above. This is essential in a soft bed where sinking can be a problem if you don’t have the sturdy support to counter it.

Those who like the feel of an innerspring mattress but want to swap it for something more contouring should consider the Organica. This all-natural latex hybrid offers the responsiveness and breathability of an innerspring mattress. It also offers much more motion isolation and customizable support than a coil mattress.

The top layer of the Organica consists of cushioning New Zealand Joma Wool®. The wool offers tons of pressure relief for any sleeping position. It also helps provide excellent temperature regulation, keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Best of all, this wool eliminates the need for chemical flame retardants. It’s a natural fire barrier.

Underneath the wool fire barrier is a comfort layer of highly contouring Talalay latex foam. This natural latex is springy and still contours almost as well as memory foam to offer superior pressure relief. It’s also up to seven times more breathable than memory foam. For those with chemical sensitivities, the Organica’s latex is all-natural and free of synthetic materials.

At the bottom sits the support layer of pocketed coils. These coils work with the springy natural Talalay latex to make the Organica just as bouncy as any innerspring while still controlling for motion transfer. The independently wrapped coils are also flexible enough to adapt to your body curves and even move with an adjustable bed!

All this comfort is wrapped up in an organic cotton cover with a Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification. This soft and airy cover helps wick away moisture, so you stay sweat-free all night. It also has a reduced environmental impact when compared to other cover materials.

Alternatives to Latex and Hybrid Mattresses

In addition to latex and hybrid mattresses, you have a couple of other mattress types on the market. The most common alternatives are innerspring mattresses and memory foam mattresses.

Innerspring

Innerspring mattresses are still the most popular mattresses out there, though they’re being overtaken by the other types of mattresses on this list. Innerspring mattresses have an open coil support core underneath a comfort layer of any plush material. Some common innerspring comfort layer materials include cotton, foam, wool, and fiberfill.

Innerspring mattresses are highly responsive and cooling. But they’re not durable or contouring. Coil mattresses tend to sag down rather than contouring to your shape. This is why they don’t offer the quality of support that foam and hybrid mattresses do.

Memory Foam

Memory foam is made of flexible polyurethane. This special type of polyurethane foam is the most contouring mattress material on the market. A memory foam mattress can alter its shape to take yours in a way that no other material can.

However, this customized support comes at a cost. Memory foam is the least responsive material. If you have a straight memory foam bed, it can take forever to regain its shape when you move. This can be especially annoying to active sleepers.

Also, unless it has infusions to make it cooler, memory foam can retain heat. This can lead to sweats and discomfort for hot sleepers.

Mattress Sizes

FAQs

What’s the best option for active sleepers, latex or hybrid?

Both of these mattress types can work if you like to toss and turn. Active sleepers need lots of responsiveness. A mattress that doesn’t spring back into place can interrupt your sleep and drive you nuts if you like to move around at night.

Latex and hybrid mattresses can offer you the responsiveness you need. Just make sure you’re getting a natural latex mattress instead of synthetic latex (made with petroleum rather than rubber tree sap). If you want the bounciest bed possible, you could always get a latex hybrid!

Can I get an organic latex hybrid?

Yes and no. You can get a hybrid with a comfort layer made of GOLs-certified organic latex. What you can’t get is a hybrid mattress labeled organic. This is because steel coils cannot be labeled organic. And if less than 95 percent of a mattress is made of non-organic materials, it’s impossible to have the whole thing labeled organic.

If you want an entirely organic mattress, you’ll have to get an all-latex one. However, you can still get a hybrid mattress with organic natural ingredients if you’re alright with the whole thing not having an organic label.

What’s the most cooling mattress?

The absolute most cooling mattress is an innerspring bed. However, with their sagginess, lack of durability, and motion transfer issues, innerspring mattresses have enough problems to outweigh their coolness.

Latex hybrids and gel memory foam hybrids are much better options. They’re almost as cool as innerspring mattresses. And they offer the contoured support and pressure relief your body needs to get a good night’s sleep.

Keep in mind that different firmness levels also impact cooling. Medium-firm to extra firm mattresses allow for more airflow than softer mattresses. That means for ultimate cooling, consider going as firm as you can handle.

Is pure latex more durable than a latex hybrid?

Yes, it is. All-foam latex mattresses can last for decades. Meanwhile, even though the foam in a latex hybrid can last a long time, the coils will break down. Sagging becomes an issue once coils start to lose tension. That means you can expect your latex hybrid to wear out up to 10 years earlier than an all-latex mattress.

Does a hybrid have open coils or pocketed coils?

A mattress that has open coils is an innerspring mattress, no matter how many layers of foam are on top of the support core. A hybrid always has pocketed coils. Don’t be fooled by marketing gimmicks that try to pass off innerspring mattresses as hybrids because they have a foam Euro top or pillow top. If it doesn’t have pocketed coils, it is not a hybrid.

Another thing to watch out for is the comfort layer. A hybrid always has at least two inches of foam in the comfort layer. A pillow top sits on top of the comfort layer. It provides extra padding, but it is not a comfort layer.

So take a look at the construction of any mattress you’re considering. If it has less than two inches of foam or a comfort layer made of something other than foam, it isn’t a hybrid.

Bottom Line

Both latex and hybrid mattresses can be amazing options for those who like bounce and coolness. Either one of these mattress types can allow you to ditch saggy, flimsy innerspring mattresses without sacrificing their good qualities.