As suggested by its name, a hybrid mattress combines traditional innerspring coil technology and gel, latex, or memory foam into one innovative sleep solution. This multi-layer bed affords the user the stability of an innerspring mattress, along with the pressure relief and breathability of non-traditional mattress materials.

Structure of a Hybrid Mattress

Hybrid mattresses consist of a base layer and one or more top layers. The base layer typically consists of pocketed innerspring coils, while the top layer contains at least one contemporary mattress element.

Base Layer

This base support layer of individually wrapped innerspring coils provides hybrid mattresses with the bounciness and firmness found in conventional mattresses. The stability of this pocket coil design also removes the need for a box spring.

Support Layers

The three materials used in the comfort layer of a hybrid bed are gel, latex, or memory foam. They can be used in a number of combinations, and each type of mattress layer has its benefits.

A gel-infused mattress contains layers of gel and memory foam. Gel mattresses are known for molding to the user’s body to target pressure points, as well as adding a refreshing cooling effect to the sleep experience.

Latex is a naturally-derived material that comes from rubber trees. It is often combined with other environmentally-friendly materials to create an overall eco-conscious mattress system. Latex is a popular contemporary mattress material because of its comfort, durability, and natural resistance to mold and dust mites. Latex is also naturally porous and, regardless of the user’s sleeping position, does not trap heat.

Although memory foam was originally a NASA invention, it is most known today for its applications in pillows and mattresses. Layers of memory foam contour the body to provide pressure point relief. Memory foam layers also absorb movement so that even the tossing and turning of a partner does not disrupt precious sleep.

Pros and Cons of a Hybrid Mattress

Pros

The hybrid mattress ranks well in areas of performance and construction. Users report that the bed provides above-average back pain relief and thorough edge support. The hybrid mattress also minimizes pressure points, absorbs movement across the bed, and adapts well to the contours of the body.

Cons

There are two major concerns about hybrid mattresses – their durability and price.

Even though a hybrid bed is made of at least two different materials, evidence still suggests that they may not have a competitive advantage in terms of lifespan. Long-time users can sometimes report the presence of sagging and “sinkholes” on their hybrid mattresses.

The fact that hybrid mattresses are made of traditional and non-traditional materials also contributes to their price. A mid-priced hybrid mattress can still cost an average of $1,200 – well within the premium price range for the average consumer.

Why Would You Enjoy a Hybrid Mattress?

A hybrid mattress is a great option for a sleeper who wants a “best of both worlds” sleep experience – the firmness and bounciness of a traditional innerspring mattress, along with the support and comfort of newer mattress materials like gel, latex, and memory foam.

The pocketed inner coils of innerspring mattresses offer a stable, motion-isolating base for the mattress topper materials. The pocket-coil system also provides contouring spinal support and added breathability relative to the memory foam mattress, which is known for trapping heat.

Edge support, which describes the usable surface area of a mattress, is a huge advantage of the hybrid mattress. Many memory foam mattresses lack structural integrity along the sides of the mattress, relegating the user to sleeping on the core of the mattress. In contrast, the edge support of the hybrid mattress allows all sides to be evenly used.

The design of many hybrid mattresses often includes a transition layer between the upper comfort layers and the lower support layer. This protective transition layer ensures that even in the long run, the innerspring coils do not come undone or create discomfort to the sleeper.

How Do You Choose the Best Hybrid Mattress for You?

We strive to provide consumers with honest, fact-based reviews about a wide variety of mattress options for different needs – from best mattress for side, back, or stomach sleepers. we also offer our readers in-depth reviews on each mattress brand on the market. Our goal is to empower mattress buyers to make an informed choice and buy a mattress online that fits their needs.

Other Mattress Options

Innerspring System

The classic innerspring design utilizes a steel coil system in order to provide the user with an essential foundation for quality sleep. The innerspring coils may be arranged in a number of support-enhancing ways. More sophisticated innerspring designs contain a mix of individually wrapped coils to provide more pressure relief and less motion transfer. The top layer of an innerspring mattress is upholstered with fiber and foam to create a comfort layer.

Memory Foam

One of the cornerstones of the memory foam mattress is its ability to remember a sleeper’s shape – press your hand down on top of a memory foam mattress and watch the material contour your hand’s shape. Memory foam mattresses seek to retain the shape of the user in order to reduce pressure points and reduce tossing and turning at night.

One of the cons of the memory foam mattress is its use of synthetic materials that may introduce harmful chemicals to the household. Plant-based memory foam, which is made of plant-based materials like coconut foam or soy, is a sustainable solution to synthetic mattresses.

Latex Mattresses

Latex mattresses are another eco-friendly mattress option for the environmentally-friendly consumer. Some latex beds are even biodegradable, and many are naturally allergy-reducing. There are two main processes in making these mattresses – the Talalay method and the Dunlop method. The Talalay method fills the mattress mold with tree sap and vacuumed air in order to create uniform bed density, whereas the Dunlop method fills the mattress mold completely.

Latex mattresses are known for facilitating a cool and comfortable sleep experience. They are also on the costlier side – a king-size mattress made of latex easily runs from $1,350 to over $6,000.

Final Thoughts

The hybrid mattress is a great choice for the sleeper who is willing to invest in better quality sleep. It is also a recognized option for the mattress connoisseur who does not feel wholly served by gel, latex, or memory foam bed offerings.

While the monetary costs of a hybrid bed, no matter if it is a king or queen size mattress, can be steep, their benefits remain significant. The base layer of pocketed innerspring coils gives the sleeper important back support, regardless of sleeping position, and ensures that the user’s sleep is not disturbed by a partner’s tossing and turning. The upper comfort layers further aid in sleep quality – gel-infused layers keep the body temperature cool during sleep, while memory foam adds supreme comfort and pressure relief.