Key takeaways
- Hybrid mattresses are firm enough for back and stomach sleepers, while still offering pressure relief for side sleepers.
- The Saatva Classic mattress is the best hybrid mattress for side sleepers and overall.
- We chose the Winkbed as the best hybrid mattress for back pain.
Hybrid mattresses are a combination of classic spring mattresses and all-foam mattresses. They have spring coils at their core and multiple layers of foam for added comfort.
The firmness and feel of a hybrid mattress depend on the materials used in its construction, so it’s important to pay attention to how each product is made to determine the right fit for you.
Keep reading to see our mattress review and learn how to choose the right one.
Pricing guide
This pricing guide is based on a queen-size mattress.
- $ = under $1,200
- $$ = $1,200 to $1,800
- $$$ = over $1,800
• it took around 3 days to get used to the new firmness
• it may not suit certain types of bed frame
• it’s heavy to move and didn’t help much with sleeping cool
• found it lacked motion isolation
There are many hybrid mattress types on the market. To determine the best, we looked at the following criteria:
- Materials: All hybrid mattresses are made of at least two support systems. The materials used to create those support systems (think: innerspring versus pocketed coils, memory foam versus latex foam) can create a totally different feel for the mattress. We made sure to include a variety of materials to help you find the right fit for you.
- Company policies: Knowing there are so many kinds of hybrid mattresses, it’s important to find a company with a good in-home trial period and return policy. This will give you some peace of mind as you search for the perfect mattress.
- Customer reviews: We dug into customer reviews to make sure we only recommend the most loved products on the market.
Additionally, all mattresses featured here have been vetted by our in-house team for medical and business standards. Read more about our process.
Hybrid mattresses are good for back and stomach sleepers, thanks to their overall firmness and supportive structure. Side sleepers may also be a fan of hybrids, since foam layers offer pressure relief.
These mattresses are great for a variety of body types and sizes. Plus, they offer a soft foam feel with less sinkage.
Still, hybrid mattresses aren’t for everyone. If you’re looking for maximum firmness, or if you prefer your mattress cradle your body, you may want to opt for a different style.
Read our in-depth comparison of hybrid mattresses and foam mattresses.
Pros
- Durable: Since hybrid mattresses have both coils and foam, they’re more stable overall compared with all-foam mattresses.
- Supportive: These mattresses are often thick, with multiple layers for easing pressure points. Plus, coils help sleepers avoid sinking, which is common with memory foam.
- Suited for different body types: Thanks to the mix of foam and coils, hybrids can offer sturdy support for a range of body types.
- Bounce factor: All-foam mattresses take the bounce out of things, but a hybrid can still offer bounce along with the body contouring of foam.
- Breathable: Many hybrid mattresses offer little heat retention, and some even include cooling properties.
Cons
- Costly: Hybrid mattresses tend to come with bigger price tags.
- Little motion isolation: Hybrid options don’t isolate movement quite as well as foam mattresses.
Because one hybrid mattress can feel so different from the next, the biggest thing you need to look for is the materials used in its construction.
Depending on what materials are used, other characteristics of your mattress can vary, such as:
- quality
- price
- feel and firmness
- pressure relief and body contouring
- motion isolation
- edge support
- temperature control
- ease of movement
Common hybrid mattress materials
Most hybrid mattresses are made with a spring coil support at their core, with foam transition and comfort layers.
The spring coil core of a hybrid mattress can be made of either innerspring or pocketed coils:
- Innerspring coils: These are often described as “old-school” mattress coils. They’re usually shaped like an hourglass and interconnected, so if one coil moves, they all move.
- Pocketed coils: Sometimes called individually wrapped coils, these are found in newer mattresses. They’re typically shaped like a cylinder and individually wrapped, so not every coil moves together. This provides better motion isolation and targeted support than innerspring coils.
The foam comfort layers in hybrid mattresses can be made of any kind of foam typically found in an all-foam mattress:
- Memory foam: Primarily made from polyurethane, memory foam is really soft and known for contouring to your body shape. It also tends to feel pretty warm, especially because your body gets tucked into it as it conforms to your shape.
- Latex foam: Latex foam can be made of Dunlop or Talalay latex. It’s bouncier than memory foam, so it doesn’t conform to your body as much. It’s also known to be firmer, less likely to trap body heat, and more expensive.
- Gel foam: Gel foams are usually just memory foams infused with gel. This helps prevent trapping body heat and that sinking-in feeling of traditional memory foam, making the bed more responsive.
- Proprietary foam: Some mattress companies use their own foam and give it a punchy name that fits with their brand. These foams are often similar to memory foams and made from polyurethane, but they’re often created to trap less heat and bounce back a bit better than memory foam.
Paying attention to which materials are used in the mattress you’re considering can help you figure out what kind of mattress best fits your needs, preferences, and budget.
Also, whether you’re buying online or in the store, always keep an eye out for mattress companies that have in-home trials and solid warranties.
These company policies can make it easier for you to return your mattress if it’s not working for you or get a replacement if it has a defect.
There can be a few drawbacks to buying a hybrid mattress.
If you prefer a firm traditional mattress, you might not like the softer feel of memory foam. In addition, most memory foam holds heat. So if you get hot when you sleep, be sure to get a hybrid mattress with built-in cooling technology.
Hybrid mattresses are also much heavier than the average mattress, which can make them difficult to transport. Finally, mattresses with lower quality materials can sag after a few years.
Over time, hybrid mattresses can sag due to general wear and tear. The coils in the mattress can lose tension, and comfort layers can soften and break down. It is more likely that a mattress will sag in areas that take the most weight or pressure.
Hybrid mattresses can benefit back pain because they aim to balance comfort and support. Our testers generally found that the hybrid mattresses they tried noticeably improved back pain and sleep quality. The extra bounce the coils provide can also make them easier to move in if you have back pain. In contrast, memory foam mattresses can be easy to sink into and difficult to move around on.
No, you do not need to use a box spring for a hybrid mattress.
A hybrid mattress combines foam comfort layers and a layer of metal coils or springs.
Hybrid mattresses are a great pick for almost any type of sleeper. To find the right pick for you, you’ll need to pay extra attention to what materials are used in its construction.
It can be a little overwhelming trying to decide what kind of hybrid mattress materials you’ll like best, but keep in mind that most mattress companies offer in-home trials that allow you to easily return or exchange your mattress if it’s not the right fit.