What is a Hybrid Mattress?

Hybrid mattresses are different than traditional mattresses. While other beds are characterized by memory foam or innerspring coils, hybrids combine both to offer both soft comfort and bouncy support. Comfort layers of memory foam relieve pressure points while innerspring coils evenly support the body.

Inside a Hybrid Mattress

Unlike other mattress types, hybrids contain more layers and more materials. A hybrid mattress may contain several foam comfort layers and more than one support layer. While there are several types of hybrids (i.e., memory foam hybrid), a true hybrid mattress must contain a 2-inch-thick foam comfort layer and a coiled support layer.

Comfort Layer

The comfort layer or top layer contains memory foam or latex. A true hybrid mattress must have a comfort layer at least 2 inches thick. The foam comfort layer conforms to the body, relieving pressure points, especially in heavier sections like the shoulders and hips.

Transitional Layer

The transitional layer usually contains poly-foam, acting as both extra cushioning for the body and padding between the comfort and support layers. The transitional layer is also more responsive, encouraging spinal alignment.

Some hybrid mattresses may include a support system built into one of the foam layers, designed to evenly relieve pressure points and support the body.

Support Layer

The support layer contains a coil system of individually wrapped coils— a hybrid mattress isn’t a true hybrid unless it has a coiled support layer. Pocketed coils reduce sound and restrict motion transfer, making you less likely to be woken from movement.

Hybrid Mattress Pros and Cons

Hybrid mattresses enable sleepers to receive the benefits of both memory foam and innersprings all in one bed. Layers of memory foam and an innerspring system for spinal support may improve a person’s sleep experience.

The coils are not just bouncy support but typically have sides that provide edge support. Mattresses with edge support are particularly helpful for sleepers who have trouble moving in and out of bed.

Pros

• Pressure relief
• Cooling
• Edge support
• Less noise

Cons

• Expensive
• Heavy

Who Prefers a Hybrid Mattress?

A hybrid mattress is a great option for any type of sleeper, but couples, plus-size sleepers, and hot sleepers in particular may benefit the most.

Couples

Hybrid beds have better motion isolation than traditional innerspring mattresses. For couples, a mattress with good motion isolation may help improve sleep quality, especially if one sleeper tends to toss and turn regularly.

Plus-Size Sleepers

A thicker mattress with enhanced support is a great option for plus-size sleepers. More materials and firmer support prevents plus-size sleepers from sagging and ensures better sleep.

Hot Sleepers

Hybrids sleep cooler than traditional memory foam because the open structure of the coiled support layer allows for more airflow. Plus, some hybrid mattresses may include cooling foam like plant-based memory foam or gel memory foam.

Price

Because of the number of materials, a hybrid mattress contains, they tend to have a higher price tag than other mattress types. Price ranges between $800 on the low end and may reach as high as $4000. The average price for a queen-size hybrid mattress is $2077.

Other Mattress Types

If a hybrid mattress isn’t for you, other types of mattresses include memory foam, innerspring, and latex. Each mattress type offers sleepers their own unique feel, like the body-contouring feel of memory foam or the responsive bounce of an innerspring.

Memory Foam Mattress

Memory foam gained popularity from its body-contouring, pressure-relieving properties. Memory foam is also known to sleep silently and isolates motion. One drawback to memory foam is its tendency to retain heat, which is a result of its dense structure. As a solution, mattress manufacturers incorporate cooling features, like gel, graphite, and copper into their foams. Some mattress manufacturers also choose to use plant-based foams instead of traditional memory foam in an effort to combat heat retention.

A memory foam mattress contains a comfort layer of memory foam and a support layer of high-density foam.

Innerspring Mattress

Innerspring mattresses are commonly recognized in most households. Innersprings provide a bounciness to the sleep surface with good edge support and cooling from steel coils. A few drawbacks to an innerspring mattress are less pressure relief, lack of motion isolation, and noise potential.

An innerspring mattress contains a comfort layer of foam or fiberfill (usually in pillow top form) and a support layer of innerspring coils.

Latex Mattress

Latex conforms to the body, relieving pressure points, though not as close as memory foam and has a responsive bounce. There are two types of latex— synthetic and natural. Synthetic is made through a chemical process, while natural latex is created from rubber tree sap. Latex mattresses can be expensive, depending on whether or not they contain natural latex.

We always suggest choosing natural latex mattresses over synthetic ones. While synthetic latex mattresses are inexpensive, they typically break down much quicker than natural memory foam mattresses (putting you back in the market for a new mattress after only a few years).

A latex mattress contains a comfort layer of latex and a support layer of either high-density foam or latex.

Sleeping Position

The sleeping position plays a major role in determining the best mattress. Each sleep position has gaps between the body and the sleep surface— the right mattress fills in those gaps, encouraging spinal alignment and offering the best comfort and support to the sleeper.

Side Sleeping

Side sleeping is the healthiest sleep position that enables better breathing, reduces acid reflux symptoms, and improves heart health. Placing a pillow between the knees prevents the spine from twisting.

The best mattresses for side sleepers are usually medium in firmness because they allow for extra cushioning under the shoulders and hips while still maintaining spinal alignment.

Back Sleeping

Back sleeping enables natural alignment because of the back’s direct contact with the mattress. Some risks to back sleeping include snoring potential and developing sleep apnea— gravity causes the tongue to fall back, blocking airways and the collapse of soft tissue in the throat.

Back sleepers feel most comfortable on a medium to firm mattress for enhanced lumbar support and pressure relief in the hips and shoulders. Back sleepers can also benefit from mattresses to prevent back pain as well as beds for sleep apnea relief.

Stomach Sleeping

Stomach sleeping is one of the unhealthiest sleep positions due to large amounts of pressure on the spine. Considerable spinal pressure may lead to neck strain and back pain. Placing a pillow under the hips reduces pressure on the spine. Additionally, using an extra firm mattress can help keep the spine properly aligned and reduce pressure points that can lead to discomfort and pain.

Medium-firm to firm beds are the best mattresses for stomach sleeping because their firmness keeps the body floating on top and prevents deep sinkage.

Combination Sleeping

Combination sleepers, or restless sleepers, toss and turn regularly each night. They receive the benefits from each sleep position, including improved heart health and natural alignment, but they also face the drawbacks like sleep apnea and back pain.

The best mattress for combination sleepers is a medium to medium-firm one to maintain spinal alignment and provide consistent comfort and support for each sleep position.

Sleep Trials, Return Policies, and Warranties

Assurances like sleep trials, return policies, and mattress warranties give customers peace of mind when making a mattress purchase. These perks protect the mattress and ensure it lasts between 7 to 9 years, the average lifespan of a high-quality mattress.

Sleep Trial

A sleep trial enables the customer to try a new mattress within the comfort of their own home, without pressure to buy from a salesman. Sleep trials last between 90 to 120 nights. Should the customer not love the mattress, most mattress companies will issue a full refund.

Return Policy

If a new bed doesn’t include a sleep trial, a return policy is the next best thing. Return policies last 30 days— about the same time it takes to adjust to a new mattress. If not happy with the bed, customers can return it for a refund, but read the fine print before purchasing. Some companies will only accept returns for an unopened package.

Warranty

A warranty covers sagging over 1 inch (varies depending on the brand) and any manufacturing defects which could damage the mattress. Warranties only apply to the original purchaser and can’t be transferred to another person. Most mattresses come with a 10-year warranty, though some companies may offer extended warranties lasting 20 years to a lifetime guarantee.

Other Things to Consider

Is a hybrid mattress better than memory foam?

Depends— while hybrid mattresses do relieve pressure points, they may not be as effective as memory foam mattresses in regards to pain relief. Memory foam beds also have excellent motion isolation and sleep silently. Deciding whether a hybrid mattress is better than memory foam ultimately comes down to personal preference.

Are hybrid beds good for side sleepers?

Hybrid mattresses can be fit for all sleepers since they’re available in varying firmness levels and options. Since side sleepers sleep best on soft to medium mattresses, a hybrid of medium firmness would likely be best— the softer memory foam can relieve pressure points in the shoulders and hips while the supportive coils can maintain proper spinal alignment.

Can you flip a hybrid mattress?

Most hybrid mattresses can’t be flipped because they have sturdy coils at their base—so if you were to flip the bed, you’d be left sleeping on uncomfortable coils rather than cushioning foam layers.

Do hybrid mattresses need a box spring?

Hybrid mattresses are better paired with solid or slatted mattress foundations rather than box springs. Box springs offer uneven support and can cause damage to the foam layers inside hybrids. The only mattresses that still pair with box springs are innerspring beds.

Are hybrid mattresses worth the money?

Hybrids combine a number of sleep-boosting materials and many achieve better sleep from making the switch to a hybrid, so it’s safe to say they’re usually worth the investment. That said, the type of bed you like best will ultimately depend on personal preference. If you like a cradling, “cloud-like” mattress, you may prefer an all-foam model over a hybrid. Considering how many benefits hybrids offer, though, they’re a great value.

How long will a hybrid mattress last?

Hybrid mattresses usually last six or seven years. Some can last longer, but these beds tend to break down faster than memory foam or latex mattresses because they contain innerspring coils. Coils have a shorter lifespan than foam beds, but hybrids still last longer than innerspring mattresses since they do have thick foam layers, as well.

Conclusion

Hybrid mattresses combine the pressure-relieving properties of memory foam with the responsive bounce of innerspring coils. Hybrids may be heavy and more expensive than other mattress types, but plus-size sleepers and couples may find the cost worth it because of the enhanced support and exceptional motion isolation. Take advantage of a sleep trial and see if a hybrid mattress is right for you.