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Best Hybrid Mattress in 2024: Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

Best Hybrid Mattress in 2024: Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

Mattress Guides
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Hybrid mattresses use a combination of latex or memory foam and innerspring coils to offer both cushioning comfort and responsive support. Hybrids are known to score well for motion isolation, pressure relief, and overall comfort. Plus, hybrids can be a fit for almost any type of sleeper— it just comes down to finding the best hybrid mattress for your sleep needs.

In this guide, we discuss top-rated hybrid mattresses, different types of hybrids to consider, and tips for finding your most comfortable bed.

Best Hybrid Mattress of 2024: 30 Second Summary

  • Amerisleep AS3 Hybrid — The Amerisleep AS3 Hybrid is our favorite hybrid mattress because it features eco-friendly foam, works for the majority of sleepers, and comes with a 20-year warranty. Amerisleep designed this hybrid to perfectly balance comfort and support, so it’s bouncy and responsive but still has a lot of cloud-like cushion.
  • Zoma Hybrid – Zoma’s hybrid mattress is another great model to consider, as it combined gel-infused memory foam and pocketed coils for premium coolness. The Zoma Hybrid even contains targeted perforations throughout its comfort layer to provide zoned back support and alleviate aches and pains.

Best Hybrid Mattresses

Best Hybrid Mattress Overall: Amerisleep AS3 Hybrid

  • Price Range:

    See Price

  • Mattress Type:

    Hybrid

  • Thickness:

    12 Inches

  • Firmness:

    5 to 6 out of 10 (Medium)

  • Warranty:

    20 Years

  • Sleep Trial:

    100 Nights

Mattress Highlights
  • Cool and responsive plant-based memory foam
  • Pocketed coils isolate movement, perfect for couples
  • Durable edge support simplifies mornings
Recommended For
  • Side, back, combo sleepers
  • Hot sleepers
  • Eco-conscious shoppers

Our recommended hybrid mattress Amerisleep’s AS3 Hybrid—it contains plant-based, pressure-relieving memory foam and sturdy innerspring coils to offer sleepers a good mix of comfort and support. We also like the AS3 Hybrid because it is medium in firmness, meaning it’s a good option for side, back, and combination sleepers alike.

Amerisleep makes both memory foam and hybrid mattresses, their AS3 Hybrid is an extension of the all-foam AS3. It has mostly the same construction but contains a coil core instead of durable base foam. Like every memory foam model, each Amerisleep hybrid mattress features a soft, breathable cover designed to promote better sleep.

The AS3 Hybrid comes with a 100-night sleep trial, free shipping, and a 20-year warranty.

What It’s Made Of

The first layer of the AS3 Hybrid is 3 inches of Bio-Pur®. Bio-Pur® is a plant-based memory foam, because it’s plant-based, it’s more breathable and responsive than traditional memory foam—so you’ll never overheat or feel “stuck” in this foam layer.

Below the layer of memory foam is an 8-inch pocketed coil system. Amerisleep designs this system to offer zoned support—the coils are firmer under your torso to keep your spine lifted in neutral alignment, and softer under your shoulders and hips to alleviate pressure points.

The last layer of the bed is a thin, 1-inch layer of base foam. The inclusion of this layer gives the coils a sturdy surface to rest on and respond to, and it also gives the bed added support.

Amerisleep’s AS3 Hybrid offers great edge support, as well, because the pocketed coil system is encased in foam edging, preventing you from sliding off the edge of your bed.

AMERISLEEP AS3 HYBRID

  • Breathable, plant-based memory foam
  • Medium feel perfect for most sleeping positions
  • Zoned pocketed coils for even support

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Best Cooling Hybrid Mattress: Zoma Hybrid

  • Price Range:

    See Price

  • Mattress Type:

    Hybrid

  • Thickness:

    12 Inches

  • Firmness:

    5 out of 10 (Medium)

  • Warranty:

    10 Years

  • Sleep Trial:

    100 Nights

Mattress Highlights
  • Gel memory foam conforms to most body types
  • Transition layer enable the mattress to quickly adapt
  • Bouncy pocketed coils buoy the sleeper's body
Recommended For
  • Hot sleepers
  • Most sleep styles
  • Chronic pain sufferers

If you enjoy an active lifestyle, you’ll love the Zoma Hybrid Mattress. The Zoma Hybrid is specifically designed for athletes. Cool and responsive foam layers relieve pressure points without trapping heat. You’re less likely to wake up feeling hot. Plus, the innerspring coils evenly distribute weight and better support your body, preventing back pain.

The comfort layer of the Zoma Hybrid is gel memory foam. Cooling gel absorbs body heat, lessening the chance of sleep disruptions from night sweats. The gel memory foam also has zoned support to keep you sleeping comfortably throughout the night.

The gel memory foam comfort layer contains hundreds of triangular segments that form five zones. You’ll experience softness under the head, shoulders, and legs, and firmness under the back and hips.

The Reactiv™ transition foam prevents your body from sinking too deep into the mattress and encourages spinal alignment. The elastic material makes it easier to switch sleeping positions and also enhances the contouring properties of the comfort layer.

The base layer contains pocketed coils. These coils provide targeted support and evenly distribute body weight. You won’t have to worry about soft spots or sagging.

The Zoma Hybrid comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty. If you don’t like the mattress after breaking it in, Zoma will issue a full refund.

ZOMA HYBRID

  • Cooling gel memory foam prevents night sweats
  • Responsive transition foam prevents you from feeling stuck
  • Pocketed coils provide targeted support

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Best Budget Hybrid Mattress: Vaya Hybrid

  • Price Range:

    See Price

  • Mattress Type:

    Hybrid

  • Thickness:

    12 Inches

  • Firmness:

    5 to 6 out of 10 (Medium)

  • Warranty:

    10 Years

  • Sleep Trial:

    100 Nights

Mattress Higlights
  • Airy Vaya Foam provides an enduring cushion
  • Pocketed coils feature corner-to-corner edge support
  • Foam base provides long-lasting stability
Recommended For
  • Budget shoppers
  • Most sleeping styles
  • Couples

For an affordable, yet high-quality hybrid mattress, we suggest the Vaya Hybrid. With a plush comfort layer and a supportive spring coil base, this bed keeps body weight evenly distributed while protecting the joints from pressure points.

The Vaya Hybrid has a soft, ventilated cover to encourage airflow and prevent heat retention. Beneath this cover is 3 inches of Vaya’s proprietary foam which has an elastic quality to keep the hips lifted and aligned with the shoulders. When the body is aligned, muscles can fully relax and heal during sleep.

The base of the Vaya Hybrid features 8-inch pocketed coils. Each coil is wrapped in a lightweight, durable material for added comfort and pressure relief. These coils also move independently of one another to reduce motion transfer and to contour to the body more effectively.

The Vaya Hybrid comes with a 10o-night sleep trial, giving you plenty of time to become accustomed to the mattress. Vaya also includes a 10-year warranty to help protect your investment and ensure you sleep supported for many years.

VAYA HYBRID

  • Soft, ventilated cover promotes air circulation
  • Responsive comfort foam reduces sinking and spinal misalignment
  • Pocketed coils base keep body weight evenly distributed

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Best Latex Hybrid Mattress: Amerisleep Organica

  • Price Range:

    See Price

  • Mattress Type:

    Latex Hybrid

  • Thickness:

    13 Inches

  • Firmness:

    5 to 6 out of 10 (Medium)

  • Warranty:

    20 Years

  • Sleep Trial

    100 Nights

Mattress Highlights
  • Organic cotton and Joma wool for a cushioning top
  • Thick comfort layer of natural Talalay latex
  • Responsive coils with edge support for easy mornings
Recommended For
  • Allergy sufferers
  • People sensitive to synthetic materials
  • Side, back, and combination sleepers
  • Green shoppers

Latex mattresses are an excellent choice for people who want a natural mattress or are sensitive to the synthetic materials inside memory foam. When it comes to latex hybrid mattresses, our top recommendation is the Amerisleep Organica. It contains not only Talalay and Dunlop latex but also natural wool and cotton to establish a balanced medium feel.

The mattress cover is organic cotton for a breathable, dry, and soft surface. The yarns of the fabric are GOTS® certified organic. Underneath the cotton is New Zealand Joma Wool® that’s approved by Standard 100 OEKO-TEX®. Like cotton, wool wicks heat and moisture away from the body.

The main comfort layer is 3 inches of Talalay latex, certified by three organizations:

  • Standard 100 OEKO-TEX®
  • Rainforest Alliance
  • eco-INSTITUT

The first two concern the material’s eco-friendly production, while eco-INSTITUT verifies the latex’s low emissions.

The Organica’s support core is 8 inches of pocketed coils with firm edge support along the sides. The coils push off of a Dunlop latex base, a firm material that promotes stability.

The Amerisleep Organica comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 20-year warranty.

AMERISLEEP ORGANICA

  • Medium surface cushions the body with wool, latex, and cotton
  • Four different certifications from independent organizations
  • Bouncy pocketed coils offer motion isolation and edge support

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Best Luxury Hybrid Mattress: GhostBed Flex

  • Price Range:

    See Price

  • Mattress Type:

    Hybrid

  • Thickness:

    13 Inches

  • Firmness:

    6 to 7 out of 10 (Medium)

  • Warranty:

    25 Years

  • Sleep Trial:

    101 Nights

Mattress Highlights
  • Cooling cover with airy fibers and gel foam
  • Responsive Ghost Bounce layer for transition
  • Pocketed coils on top of a dense foam base
Recommended For
  • Most sleeping positions
  • Petite and plus-sizes sleepers
  • Hot sleepers

Many of the hybrids we’ve covered are excellent choices if you’re looking for a luxury mattress. However, GhostBed pushes their Flex mattress as their top recommendation for a luxury mattress. Considering how many layers go into the Flex hybrid mattress and how these different layers promote better sleep, GhostBed does a good job of backing up their claim.

The GhostBed Flex is 13 inches tall and contains six layers.

The top layer is an inch of cool burst airflow technology fiber sewn into the mattress’s quilted cover. The fabric covering the mattress is “instantly cool to the touch” and promotes a plush surface to relax the sleeper.

The first foam layer is an inch of gel memory foam, which the company describes as providing a “GhostHug” cushion. This top layer is bolstered by another 1-inch layer of gel memory foam underneath, meant to provide contouring spine support.

The transition layer is an exclusive Ghost Bounce layer, made to mimic latex’s responsiveness while still providing memory foam’s conforming cushion. The Ghost Bounce layer also promotes a floating feeling, according to the website.

The support core is pocketed coils that promote responsive support and cooling comfort. The coils are in turn supported by the mattress’s base of high-density foam. Sleepers will have a simpler time getting out of bed with the mattress’s Spirited Edge™.

The GhostBed Flex comes with free shipping, a 101-night sleep trial, a 25-year warranty.

GHOSTBED FLEX

  • Two layers of cooling gel memory foam
  • Ghost Bounce increases mattress's responsiveness
  • Motion-isolating pocketed coils with edge support

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Best Hybrid Mattress with a Pillow Top: Saatva Classic

  • Price Range:

    See Price

  • Mattress Type:

    Innerspring

  • Thickness:

    11.5 or 14.5 Inches

  • Firmness:

    3 out of 10 (Plush Soft), 5 to 7 (Luxury Firm), 8 (Firm)

  • Warranty:

    15 Years

  • Sleep Trial:

    180 Nights

Mattress Highlights
  • Choice of three firmnesses and two mattress heights
  • Pillow top sewn on underneath mattress cover
  • Pocketed coils and tempered steel coil base
Recommended For
  • Varying sleep styles
  • Hot sleepers
  • Couples

Many mattresses with a more traditional innerspring design include a pillow top instead of a foam layer for conforming comfort. The Saatva Classic comes in plush soft, luxury firm, and firm feels. Shoppers can also choose between an 11.5-inch or 14.5 inch mattress height.

The first layer of the Saatva Classic is, as we mentioned, a pillow top. Some pillow tops are sewn onto the mattress’s cover, but the Classic mattress has what is known as an Euro pillow top. This pillow top is sewn on under the mattress cover for a seamless look.

The next layer is individually wrapped coils, meant to provide comfort and responsive support. The main purpose of these coils is to contour to the body and minimize motion; the bed’s main support comes from the base layer. The coils are made with recycled steel for added sustainability.

Next is an active wire and CertiPUR-US® certified memory foam, a combination that works together to increase the bed’s back support. The layer also increases the mattress’s pressure relief. The bottom layer consists of tempered steel coils for durable support.

The cover of the mattress is a GOTS-certified organic cotton cover with a botanical treatment that limits microbial build-up. This treatment keeps potentially harmful bacteria from accumulating inside the mattress, and also prevent unpleasant odors from developing.

The mattress’s perimeter consists of high-density foam for firm edge support. The firm foam protects the coils and provides a sleeper with edge support.

As we mentioned earlier, the Classic comes in three firmnesses. The plush soft firmness is recommended for side sleepers, while the firm feel is great for stomach, back, and heavyset sleepers. The luxury firm feel is the most popular option and is suitable for all sleep styles, making it an excellent mattress for couples.

The Saatva Classic comes with a 180-night sleep trial and a 15-year warranty. People can choose to add on a mattress pad, down alternative pillows, and a foundation or adjustable bed frame for added savings. A shopper can also add on free white glove delivery, where the delivery team will go beyond just dropping off the mattress and setting it up in their home, but also haul away the old mattress.

We must warn shoppers that there’s a catch to Saatva’s sleep trials, as they charge a $99 transportation fee for any returned mattress.

SAATVA CLASSIC

  • Organic cotton cover wicks away heat
  • Upcycled steel coils for support
  • CertiPUR-US® approved foams for eco-friendly comfort

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Best Flippable Hybrid Mattress: Layla Hybrid

  • Price Range:

    See Price

  • Mattress Type:

    Hybrid

  • Thickness:

    13 Inches

  • Firmness:

    4 or 7 out of 10 (Soft or Firm)

  • Warranty:

    10 Years

  • Sleep Trial:

    120 Nights

Mattress Highlights
  • Copper-infused foam for a cool, clean surface
  • Targeted support from transition layer
  • Bouncy pocketed coils support both sides
Recommended For
  • Guest bedroom
  • Sleepers experimenting with their sleep styles
  • Hot sleepers

Most hybrid mattresses have a bottom layer of coils and a foam base, topped with conforming foam that cushions the body. Flipping the mattress would mean sleeping on a stiff foam layer that wasn’t designed to feel comfortable, making it difficult to sleep well.

Layla sets itself apart from other mattress brands by offering the rare mattress you can flip. Even better, each side has a different mattress firmness, one side feeling firm and the other soft. The Layla Hybrid is perfect if you want to try out different sleep styles or keep a versatile bed on hand for guests.

The Layla Hybrid comes with free shipping, a 120-night sleep trial, and a 10-year warranty.

What It’s Made Of

The Layla Hybrid stands 13 inches tall and contains five layers.

The first layer of the bed’s soft side is 2.5 inches of copper gel-infused memory foam. The thickness establishes a plush, conforming feel. The memory foam lowers pressure on the body while supporting the spine in a neutral alignment.

The second layer is 2 inches of Max Airflow Support Foam. Channels cut into the foam increase air circulation, and the layer is set up to establish areas with different support. These zones of support create greater comfort across the body.

The middle layer is 6 inches of pocketed coils, providing motion isolation and reactive support. The coils along the side of the bed establish edge support, making it easy to slip out of bed. Edge support is a particularly beneficial feature if you find it difficult to move in the morning, such as people with arthritis.

The reverse firm side consists of 1.5-inch Max Airflow Support Foam and an inch of copper gel-infused memory foam.

Pros

  • Reversible design with clear labels for ease of use
  • Copper-infused foam for a cool, clean feel
  • Targeted support on both sides of the mattress

Cons

  • Some sleepers may be most comfortable with a medium

LAYLA HYBRID

  • Copper infusions limits heat and bacteria
  • Multiple zones of support across the surface
  • Motion-isolating pocketed coils for undisturbed rest

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Best Hybrid Mattress for Stomach Sleepers: Tuft & Needle Hybrid

  • Price Range:

    See Price

  • Mattress Type:

    Hybrid

  • Thickness:

    12 Inches

  • Firmness:

    5 to 6 out of 10 (Medium)

  • Warranty:

    10 Years

  • Sleep Trial:

    100 Nights

Mattress Highlights
  • Infused graphite and ceramic gels for coolness
  • Plush quilted top for a conforming hug sensation
  • Micro-coils and pocketed coils for responsiveness
Recommended For
  • Side, back, and combination sleepers
  • Hot sleepers
  • Varying body types

Tuft & Needle is a popular online mattress brand known for offering affordable all-foam mattresses. Recently, they added a hybrid mattress to their line-up featuring their proprietary T&N Adaptive® foam and pocketed coils.

We like the Tuft & Needle Hybrid because it’s made with pressure-relieving, cooling foams and a plush pillow top for added comfort. Tuft & Needle’s hybrid is best suited for side and back sleepers, but may be too soft for some stomach sleepers. All in all, it has two layers and stands 12 inches tall, so it fits nicely within most bed frames. Plus, it’s compatible with adjustable bed frames, too.

The cover of the Tuft & Needle Hybrid is soft but breathable, and it’s quilted with an inch of poly-foam for an extra cushioning feel. Inside, is a 2-inch layer of T&N Adaptive® infused with graphite and ceramic gel to wick away heat and prevent night sweats. Tuft & Needle also fashions cooling channels into this top layer of foam to promote better airflow.

Below the comfort layer of foam is a thin layer of micro-coils for zoned support. Then, the last layer of the mattress are pocketed coils. These pocketed coils also provide zoned support, but they also limit motion transfer and prevent sagging.

Tuft & Needle’s hybrid comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.

TUFT & NEEDLE HYBRID

  • Built with cooling channels and graphite gel for temperature regulation
  • Best for side and back sleepers
  • Contains micro coils for extra bounce and support

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Best Hybrid Mattress for Side Sleepers: Nest Bedding’s Alexander Signature Hybrid

  • Price Range

    See Price

  • Mattress Type:

    Hybrid

  • Thickness:

    14 Inches

  • Firmness:

    2 to 3 out of 10 (Plush), or 4 to 5 (Medium), or 7 to 8 (Firm)

  • Warranty:

    Lifetime

  • Sleep Trial:

    100 Nights

Mattress Highlights
  • Choice of three firmnesses for different styles
  • Internalized split firmnesses offered for couples
  • Cooling foam with pocketed coils
Recommended For
  • Couples with different sleep preferences
  • Hot sleepers
  • People who favor any or all sleep positions

Another top-rated hybrid mattress is Nest Bedding’s popular Alexander Signature Hybrid. With five layers in total, this mattress has 3 layers of comfort foam, a pocketed coil system, and a supportive base. We recommend choosing Nest’s hybrid in medium firmness because it’s the most adaptable to varying sleeping positions.

The pillow top of this bed is 1 inch of gel-infused memory foam quilted in Nest’s phase-changing fabric. This layer provides a bit of cushion when you first lay down on the bed, and it’s cooling materials combat body heat to keep you at a cool temperature all night.

The first layer is 3 inches of Nest’s Energex™ Foam®. This latex-like poly-foam is designed to be contouring like memory foam and responsive like latex. When you lay down on this mattress, this layer is pressure-relieving and supportive, so it alleviates pain points and prevents you from sinking too far. It’s also infused with cooling gels to contribute to temperature regulation, too.

Next, is a 1-inch layer of SmartFlow support foam to act as a transition layer between the soft memory foam layers above and the pocketed coil system below. This airy foam layer gives the bed extra support and prevents any discomfort that could be caused by bottoming out on the pocket coils below.

The third layer of the Alexander Signature Hybrid is 8 inches of Quantum Edge Pocketed Support Coils to increase motion isolation and provide zoned support. These coils give the bed its bouncy feel, too.

The last layer of this mattress is 1 inch of supportive poly-foam to give the layers above structural support and prevent premature deterioration.

If a medium mattress isn’t for you, Nest also carries this bed in “Plush” and “Luxury Firm.” Plus, Nest Bedding allows you to customize the firmness of each side of the bed, which is ideal for couples with different sleep styles or personal preferences.

Every Nest bedding mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a Lifetime Warranty, protecting your investment forever.

NEST ALEXANDER SIGNATURE HYBRID

  • Compatible with all sleep styles, even providing mattresses for couples
  • Extra cooling technologies combat heat retention
  • Cushioning pillow-top provides soft comfort

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Best Hybrid Mattress for Combo Sleepers: Purple® Hybrid Premier

  • Price Range:

    See Price

  • Mattress Type:

    Hybrid

  • Thickness:

    12 or 13 inches

  • Firmness:

    5 to 6 out of 10 (Medium)

  • Warranty:

    10 Years

  • Sleep Trial:

    100 Nights

Mattress Highlights
  • Thick, flexible grid comfort layer
  • Poly-foam transition layer for support
  • Bouncy pocketed coils with airy side panels for circulation
Recommended For
  • Hot sleepers
  • Varying sleep styles
  • Couples

Another top-rated hybrid to consider is the Purple® Hybrid Premier. Purple® made a name for themselves by offering a one-of-a-kind foam mattress comfortable for all sleepers.

Since their debut, they’ve modified their original mattress and released two hybrid models: the Purple® Hybrid and the Purple Hybrid® Premier. For more information on all of their models, read our Purple® mattress review.

We suggest choosing their Purple® Hybrid Premier because it has a thicker Smart Comfort Grid™ layer than their standard hybrid, allowing for more pressure relief and superior comfort. When shopping the Hybrid Premier, you can choose between a 3 or 4-inch comfort layer— if you prefer a medium feel from your mattress, choose the 3-inch top layer, but if you want something softer, choose Purple’s® 4-inch option, instead.

Purple® features their innovative Smart Comfort Grid™ in each of their mattresses. Their Smart Comfort Grid™ looks exactly how it sounds— it’s a mattress-sized grid made with a hyper-elastic polymer to deliver No-Pressure® support. When you lay down on one of these mattresses, the Smart Comfort Grid™ molds to your body to alleviate pressure points and offer instant comfort. While contouring, the Smart Comfort Grid™ is designed to offer extra support under your torso to prevent your hips from sinking too far into the mattress. Plus, because this layer is a grid, it allows for plenty of airflow and prevents hot air from being trapped in the bed.

Below the Smart Comfort Grid™, Purple® includes a thin layer of poly-foam to serve as a cushion between the comfort layer above and the inner coil system below.

Next is this bed’s innerspring system providing bounce and zoned support. Purple® includes a 7.5-inch layer of pocketed coils in their Hybrid Premier to not only enhance your night’s sleep, but also to increase the bed’s durability.

If you’ve done any research into a new mattress, chances are you stumbled upon the Purple® brand— as they’re one of the leading mattress in a box brands. Every Purple® Hybrid Premier is backed by a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.

PURPLE HYBRID PREMIER

  • Features the Smart Comfort Grid™ for No-Pressure® support
  • Most comfortable for side and back sleepers— but too soft for stomach sleepers
  • Comes with a 10-year warranty and a 100-night sleep trial

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What is a Hybrid Mattress?

By definition, a hybrid mattress combines two or more support systems— at least 2 inches of foam followed by an innerspring coil system— to deliver pressure-relieving, responsive support. If you like the feel of a traditional bouncy mattress but want the benefits of a foam bed, a hybrid is likely the best mattress for you.

Hybrids closely resemble foam beds, rather than innersprings. Traditional innerspring mattresses have a tufted cover, leaving small indents across the surface of the bed. Foam mattresses, on the other hand, have a flat surface to conform to your body. Because hybrids contain foam comfort layers, these beds won’t have a tufted cover.

Many hybrids do feature pillow or Euro tops, though (but they don’t have to). These are commonly made with cotton, wool, fiberfill, and even sometimes extra poly-foam, memory foam, or latex foam. The difference between pillow and Euro tops lies in their construction and not so much their feel.

Pillow top mattresses are sewn with a small gap between the pillow top and the comfort layer below, so it looks like an add-on to your mattress, whereas euro tops are sewn directly to the comfort layer to give the bed a more uniform appearance.

It’s important to note the term “hybrid” is largely a marketing gimmick. “Hybrid” literally means “a thing made by combining two different elements,” so it’s not uncommon for beds to be labeled as “hybrids” despite not having the minimum 2 inches of foam and required inner coil system.

Brands can get away with doing this because their beds technically do combine two or more materials; they’re just not following the proper construction of a true hybrid. To make sure you’re getting a true hybrid mattress, take a close look at the structure of the bed.

Different Types of Hybrids

The term “hybrid” is rather broad; however, remember a true hybrid must contain at least two inches of foam and a coil support core. Let’s talk about the two main types of hybrids.

Memory Foam Hybrid Mattresses

As their name implies, memory foam hybrid mattresses are hybrids featuring memory foam layers. These beds typically contain a thick comfort layer of memory foam, a transition layer of poly-foam, and a base of innerspring coils. These beds offer the pressure relief of memory foam and the bouncy support of innersprings.

Combining motion-swallowing with wrapped coils establishes one of the best mattresses for motion isolation.

Latex Hybrid Mattresses

Latex hybrids contain a thick uppermost layer of latex and a sturdy coil core. Sometimes these beds contain a transition layer of poly-foam, and other times they feature another smaller layer of latex to act as the buffer between the comfort layer and coil system.

Also, it’s not uncommon to find hybrid mattresses with both latex and memory foam above a layer of coils. Many times these beds are quite thick and use both memory foam and latex to offer the benefits of both materials while mitigating their downfalls. These beds also usually contain a thin transition layer of poly-foam below the comfort layers.

How Do Hybrid Mattresses Feel?

Because a true hybrid combines at least 2 inches of foam with a coil system, they offer a mix of cushioning comfort and bouncy support.

When you lay on these beds, you don’t sink in as far as you would on a foam bed, but the top layers conform to your body to alleviate pressure. A hybrid will keep you more lifted “on top” of the mattress, making it easier to switch sleeping positions and climb in or out of bed.

These beds come in a variety of firmness options— finding one that’s comfortable for your sleep style can upgrade your night’s sleep.

Pros and Cons of Hybrid Mattresses

As with any mattress on the market today, hybrids have their pros and cons. In this section, we’ll break those down to help you decide if one of these beds is for you.

Because hybrid beds combine a number of high-quality sleep-promoting materials, they have a truly unique feel. For those who are used to the classic innerspring mattress but need to upgrade their bed set due to aches and pains, these beds can help you get a better night’s sleep.

Pros:

  • Pain-relieving
  • Responsive and better ease of movement
  • Completely different feel in comparison to other mattress types

While combining foams and innerspring coils creates a luxurious sleep experience, these top-notch materials come with a price tag. Hybrid mattresses are normally the most expensive options, and may not be within everybody’s price range. Cheaper hybrid mattresses typically receive poor customer reviews— if you’re going to get one of these beds, make sure you’re picking something high-quality.

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • Not the best at preventing motion transfer
  • Cushioning but not contouring

Mattress Types

Hybrid mattresses offer a variety of sleep-enhancing benefits, but they’re not for everybody. Apart from hybrids, there are three main types of mattresses sold today: memory foam, latex, and innerspring. In this section, we compare hybrids to other types of mattresses to help you choose what’s best for your needs.

Hybrids vs. Memory Foam Mattresses

Memory foam mattresses are some of the best for pain relief because they mold closely to the body to relieve pressure points. Memory foam responds to heat and pressure, so when you lay on these beds they contour to your body for instant comfort. Then, once you get up, the memory foam bounces back to its original shape.

These beds tend to have a cradling or “hug-like” feel because of how closely they conform to your body. Plus, because these beds respond to heat and pressure, they adapt to sleepers individually, meaning couples who share a bed with a partner won’t be disturbed by their partners movement throughout the night. If you need a mattress for back pain relief, memory foam is a great option. Same goes if you’re looking for a mattress for two people to share.

The biggest complaints with memory foam mattresses are their tendency to trap heat and sometimes, uncomfortable sinkage. If a memory foam mattress is lacking in adequate support layers, they can feel like sleeping in quicksand. Fortunately, many modern mattress companies now design their memory foam beds with features to mitigate these concerns (e.g. zoned support layers, cooling gels).

Hybrids, as we’ve already discussed, can contain both memory foam and innerspring coils. While hybrids with memory foam offer all of the same cushioning and pressure relief, they’re not as cradling as memory foam mattresses because the coils keep you lifted more in the bed. Inner coil systems are responsive, so they give a bed bounce, and the inclusion of these coils with memory foam makes for a cushioning yet bouncy bed.

Hybrids vs. Latex Mattresses

Eco-friendly shoppers tend to gravitate towards latex beds because all-natural latex mattresses are the only true organic mattresses you can buy. These beds are contouring like memory foam, but they don’t offer a cradling feel; instead, latex beds offer more lifted support and have an “on top of the mattress” feel. Many people tend to feel latex mattresses are firmer than memory foam beds for that reason.

Another perk to latex is its natural cooling abilities. One of the more common complaints about memory foam mattresses are their tendency to trap heat, but latex mattresses can effectively dissipate heat to keep hot air out of the bed and cool air in.

The biggest downfall to buying a latex mattress is its price and weight. Latex is an expensive material, so these beds are sometimes priced quite high. Plus, they’re heavy to pick up and carry. While you likely won’t have to maneuver your mattress too much, these beds do require periodic rotating. If you live alone or don’t have the physical strength to hoist up a latex mattress, maintaining one of these beds may be difficult.

Hybrids with latex are notably lifting and bouncy. Both coils and latex are notably bouncy mattress materials, plus latex isn’t as cradling as memory foam, so hybrids with latex offer a distinct “on top of the bed” feel and should never feel too sinking or cushioning.

Hybrids vs. Innerspring Mattresses

Innerspring mattresses are what you think of when you hear the term “traditional mattress.” Otherwise known as a “coil mattress,” these beds are defined by coil layers. Innersprings do not contain layers of foam, so any cushion you receive from these beds comes from the cover or pillow top.

The biggest difference between innersprings and hybrids are innersprings lack of foam layers. Innersprings used to be the most popular type of mattress, but now they’ve lost their thunder to more comfortable, sleep-promoting mattresses such as memory foam and latex. Hybrids are commonly described as “offering the best of both worlds” because they combine the traditional bouncy mattress feel with more innovative, pain-relieving mattress materials.

If you experience chronic pains, an innerspring is not for you. Instead, choose a hybrid. Innersprings cannot conform closely to your body for pressure and pain relief, but hybrids can because of their foam layers. Also, unlike hybrids, innersprings often have the short lifespan and a budget-friendly price tag.

Things to Consider Before Buying a New Bed

Before buying your next bed, take a step back from the overwhelming amount of options and consider your sleep needs first. Every brand advertises their bed as the best, but your sleeping position, budget, and preference for firmness will steer you towards your most comfortable mattress.

Sleeper Types

Your preferred sleep style is the most significant factor in determining how firm your new bed should be. Different sleeping positions require different firmness levels for healthy support.

Side Sleepers

The most common sleep style is side sleeping. Side sleepers need a mattress that’ll nurture healthy spinal alignment but have enough give to alleviate pressure in the hips and shoulders— that’s why the best mattresses for side sleepers are medium in firmness. When you sleep on your side, your hips and shoulders take on all of your body weight.

If your bed is too firm, it can cause pressure to build up in those areas, resulting in pain points. This can also happen to back or combination sleepers, but side sleepers are perhpas the most at risk for pressure build-up.

Side sleepers are most comfortable on medium-soft, medium, and medium-firm beds. Typically, anything with “medium” in the name is suitable for side sleeping. Because this sleep style is most common, you’ll find a lot of beds fall within this medium firmness range.

Many side sleepers enjoy the hug-like feel of a pure foam mattress. Some, however, prefer a bed with an adaptable bounce. Hybrid mattresses for side sleeping balance cushion with responsiveness, which a traditional innerspring mattress usually can’t match.

Stomach Sleepers

Stomach sleeping is the unhealthiest because it puts extra stress on your spine and can result in lower back pain later on down the line. When you sleep on your stomach, your center of gravity shifts to your torso; this shift in weight causes your midsection to sink into the mattress, resulting in an over-extended spine.

The best mattresses for stomach sleepers are firm because they’ll hold the spine in a neutral position and prevent uncomfortable sinkage. Hybrid mattresses are a good choice because they’re naturally buoyant, thanks to their pocketed coil support.

Back Sleepers

The best mattresses for back sleepers can be medium-soft, medium, or medium-firm, depending on personal preference and body weight.  The only thing back sleepers should be cautious of is excessive sinkage.

If you climb into bed and your hips sink below your thighs, your bed isn’t giving you enough support. Hybrid mattresses usually avoid this issue, with responsive coils that support the body in a neutral position. For the healthiest sleep, back sleepers should look for a mattress with zoned support to promote proper posture.

Hot Sleepers

Hot sleepers aren’t defined by their preferred sleeping position, but by their body temperature. Some people have a naturally higher body temperature than others, which can interfere with their sleep if they don’t have a mattress that maintains a cool temperature. If you frequently wake up in a sweat, you may be a hot sleeper.

A cooling mattress for hot sleepers essentially needs to release body heat faster than the bed absorbs it. If body heat builds up, the surface feels too warm and can disturb a sleeper’s rest. Hybrid mattresses are often a good choice for cooler sleep because the coils leave plenty of room for air to circulate and wick away collected body heat. Other cooling features include added air channels and gel infusions.

People may also sleep hot if they live in a warm climate, such as a desert. A mattress with cooling features can still help them sleep better.

Body Types & Firmness Levels

A person’s body type is another important factor when it comes to judging a mattress’s firmness. How much a person weighs determines the amount of force they place on a mattress, which affects how the mattress feels to them. For example, lightweight people push down less on a mattress, so the bed is more likely to feel firmer to their bodies than the average sleeper.

Now, the average sleeper doesn’t have to think too much about their body type when mattress shopping, but it’s worth considering if you’re under 130 pounds or over 230 pounds.

The best mattress for a petite sleeper offers a feel near the softer side of their recommended range. A side sleeper on the lighter side would probably want to try a medium-soft or even a plush mattress, while a petite back sleeper might want to try a medium mattress.

Conversely, mattresses for heavy people usually benefit from offering a firmer feel. Plus size sleepers are more likely to sink into their mattress, and a firm surface helps to buoy their bodies. That said, heavy sleepers can enjoy a softer mattress if features things like targeted support and responsive coils.

Coil Gauge & Coil Counts

A hybrid’s coil gauge and its coil count are an integral part of the mattress’s feel.

Coil gauge describes how thick the wire is that makes up a coil. The thicker the wire, the lower the gauge number is. Generally speaking, thicker coils establish a firmer feel. Most mattresses use a mix of coil gauges to provide different levels of support, such as thick coils along the sides for edge support.

As you probably realized, coil count is the term that expresses the number of coils inside a hybrid mattress. Hybrid mattresses can have anywhere between a few hundred to more than a thousand coils.

We would like to suggest avoiding mattresses with too low coil counts, but the problem is that it’s difficult to define what a too-low count is, thanks to size differences. As a rule of thumb, we suggest a coil count of at least 400 in a queen size mattress.

Density

When it comes to material density in a hybrid mattress, there is foam density and coil density to consider. Of the two, foam density is the more important.

Foam density expresses the amount of material in a cubic square foot of foam, measured in pounds. Density isn’t the same thing as mattress firmness, but it can still affect how a mattress feels.

Perhaps more importantly, density usually affects durability, too. Foams with higher densities are more likely to last longer than lower densities, largely because there’s more material to hold the foam together as it wears out.

If you want to understand more about foam density, please check out our memory foam density guide.

Coil density is a confusing term for many shoppers, as it expresses how many coils the mattress would have had if some weren’t taken out for a foam encasement around the side. In other words, it shows how many coils the mattress would hold if they were lined up end to end. This term isn’t necessary for every hybrid mattress, as many hybrid models use specialty coils to establish edge support instead of a foam perimeter.

Budget

Before you get too deep in your search for a new mattress, consider your budget. Mattresses range in price, and while some are affordable, others can be quite expensive. Narrow down your selection by eliminating all of the beds outside of your price range.

Be careful with inexpensive mattresses, too. Though it may be nice to find a new mattress for close to nothing, many of these beds are cheaply made. Look for a mattress with high-quality materials and at least ten years of warranty coverage. A quality mattress will likely come with a sleep trial, too. It’s usually a smart idea to avoid beds without trial periods.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a hybrid mattress cost?

Many hybrid mattresses cost over $1000 for a queen size because they are a mix of high-quality materials. We must note that how much you can expect to pay depends on what material is used in the hybrid’s top layer. Memory foam and poly-foam hybrids are less expensive than latex foam hybrids, which often use all-natural materials.

How long does a hybrid mattress last?

The average hybrid mattress lasts about 7 years. That said, hybrids are still relatively new, and their average life expectancy may go up as advances are made. You may also be able to stretch out your mattress’s lifespan by rotating it every three to six months.

Will a hybrid mattress work with an adjustable bed?

Yes, a well-made hybrid mattress works with an adjustable bed. The coil layer flex with the base’s panels without taking damage, ensuring they still feel bouncy for years. The top foam layer(s) still conform to the body, even as the mattress is angled upward.

Are hybrid mattresses good?

Hybrid mattresses are great for a variety of sleepers. These bouncy, sleep-promoting beds can work for all sleep styles, and deciding whether or not a hybrid is right for you comes down to determining whether you want an all-foam bed or something with a little bounce. When it comes to cost and durability, hybrid mattresses are on the pricier side and are less durable than memory foam or latex mattresses, but they do tend to last six to seven years.

Are hybrid or innersprings better?

It’s safe to say hybrid mattresses are a better version of innerspring mattresses because they have foam layers offering significantly more cushion and comfort. All innerspring mattresses contain some cushioning materials, but a true hybrid contains a comfort layer that’s at least 2 inches thick. Plus, hybrids have a longer lifespan than innerspring mattresses, so they’re a better value.

Are hybrid mattresses cool?

Hybrid mattresses are much cooler than all-foam beds, including naturally-cool latex mattresses, because they contain an open pocketed coil system to prevent hot air from being trapped within the bed. Some hybrid mattresses contain gel memory foam and other cooling technologies to further prevent night sweats, as well.

Can you flip a hybrid mattress?

No—if you flip a hybrid mattress, you’ll be stuck sleeping on the inner coil system and not the cushioning comfort layers. Instead of flipping a hybrid, you should rotate these mattresses every so often instead.

Do hybrid mattresses need a box spring?

We advise against pairing hybrids with box springs since box springs can damage foam layers. Instead, we recommend investing in a solid or slatted foundation to prolong your hybrid’s lifespan. These provide more solid support for your hybrid and won’t cause any damage to your bed.

Did You Find Your Next Bed?

We hope our guide has brought you one step closer to your next hybrid mattress. Don’t forget to read customer mattress reviews during your search to get the most honest feedback about your prospective new bed. Between brick and mortar retailers and online brands, you have plenty of high-quality options— and you can shop in confidence knowing your new bed comes with a generous sleep trial.

If you’re not so sure a hybrid is the best mattress for your sleep needs, check out our other mattress guides to learn more about other brands and beds.

Meg Riley Certified Sleep Science Coach

Meg Riley is a Certified Sleep Science Coach and a full-time writer focused on sleep and mattresses. She is currently the Editor-in-Chief of Sleep Junkie.

Meg started to focus on the sleep industry in 2018. Since then, she has written over 70+ articles on sleep hygiene, product reviews, and the newest trends in the mattress and bedding industry.

A non-exhaustive list of some of the topics she has written on: the effectiveness of alarm clocks, how to prevent jet lag, the NREM & REM Sleep Cycle, and causes and treatments of Restless Legs Syndrome.

Meg Riley has her undergraduate degree from Pennsylvania State University where she studied Advertising and Public Relations and wrote articles on the student experience for College Magazine.

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