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Shopping for an item as commonplace as a mattress may seem like a simple task, but once you see how many options there are, you’ll quickly realise that you are wrong. Mattresses come in so many varieties, it can be hard to sort through them to decide which is best for you. Are you more concerned about comfort or support? What do you want your mattress to feel like? How firm do you like your sleep surface?
Determining the characteristics you are searching for is the first step to picking out a new mattress. The second step is understanding the different types of mattresses. One of the most prominent mattress types you will come across is the hybrid mattress. Could this be the right type of mattress for you?
Keep reading to learn more about this mattress type and get tips for picking out the best hybrid mattress 2024 has to offer.
Recommended hybrid mattresses
Some of our favourite hybrid mattress brands are:
What is a hybrid mattress?
A hybrid mattress is a multi-layered mattress that combines two or more sleep systems. In doing so, it is able to provide a balance of comfort and support that you wouldn’t be able to find in a single-system mattress. Usually, hybrid mattresses pair springs with foam, such as memory foam. However, you may also come across hybrid mattresses that pair springs with other materials, including latex, gel, or wool.
A standard hybrid mattress consists of at least three layers: a foam base, a supportive coil core, and a comfort layer.
- Foam base – Usually a thin layer one or two inches thick, this layer gives the mattresses a sturdy base, padding the coils to protect them from wearing out too quickly and helping to keep the mattress in place.
- Supportive coil layer – Coils provide the main support system of a hybrid mattress. The thickness of this layer may vary from a couple of inches to nearly a foot in height. In most cases, though, this is the thickest layer. The thicker this layer is, the more pressure exertion it can support. This coil layer may be made of traditional innerspring, but is most likely to be individual-wrapped pocket coils, which move independently to provide more precise support.
- Comfort layer – The comfort layer serves as the more plush and soothing sleep system and is made of a soft material like memory foam, latex, or polyfoam. This is the layer that will help you fall asleep and stay asleep comfortably all night long. Depending on the mattress, there may be multiple comfort layers. For instance, a hybrid memory foam mattress may have a second comfort layer made of gel-infused foam to provide extra cooling action.
Another layer that you may find in a hybrid mattress is a transition layer, which is a thin layer of foam that separates the comfort layer from the coil layer. This layer helps prevent sleepers from feeling the springs through the comfort layer. The best hybrid mattresses may also include a second coil layer as part of an advanced dual-coil support system.
Our top picks for December 2024
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Hybrid
Who would benefit from a hybrid mattress?
A major reason to consider a hybrid mattress is if you like the bounce and support of springs, but want the comfort of foam. That said, getting those best of both worlds isn’t the only reason to choose a hybrid mattress. Hybrid sleep systems also offer specific benefits to certain types of sleepers.
- People who change sleep positions – The springs in a hybrid mattress are more responsive than foam, allowing sleepers greater ease when changing positions. In traditional foam mattresses, especially memory foam mattresses, the time it takes for foam to respond to the body is slower, which can make changing positions a struggle.
- Habitual side sleepers – Due to the curvature of the body, side sleepers exert the most amount of pressure onto their mattresses. To ensure that your spine stays in healthy alignment as you sleep, you’ll need a mattress that supports these zones while maintaining lift in the mid-back. Modern pocket-coils found in most hybrid mattresses are individually-wrapped to provide the kind of pinpointed support side sleepers need.
- Heavy-bodied sleepers – It’s no contest, hybrid mattresses outshine foam mattresses when it comes to providing the support heavy-bodied sleepers require. Springs offer strong support, durability, and resistance where foam is more likely to collapse and break down quickly.
- Hot sleepers – The coil layer in a hybrid mattress acts as an air circulation chamber that draws heat away from the body and pushes it out through the sides of the mattress. It also promoted breathability and keeps the sleep environment fresh, cool, and less likely to harbour moisture, dust-mites, and microbes.
Pros & cons of hybrid mattresses
Pros:
- Great durability; while a foam mattress has an average lifespan of 5 to 7 years, the best hybrid mattress will last well over 10 years
- More supportive than a foam mattress
- Good breathability and cooling
- Buoyant sleep experience, good for those who prefer a slight bounce to their mattress
Cons:
- Typically more expensive than other mattresses
- Not great at eliminating motion transfer
- Can be heavy and cumbersome, making them a pain to transport or rotate
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High-quality, premium materials
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CertiPUR certified means the foam is free of harmful chemicals
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360-degree high-density foam border for edge support
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What to look for when shopping for a hybrid mattress
While browsing for hybrid mattresses, make a list of the characteristics that matter most to you. What features do you want in a mattress? What features do you need? What are the practical aspects you should keep in mind while shopping? Below are some things to consider when comparison shopping for mattresses.
Edge support
An unsupported coil edge is more likely to collapse and send you rolling off the bed. Look for a hybrid mattress that has reinforced edge support in the form of a high-density foam barrier or higher-gauge coils. Edge support is especially important when shopping for a single hybrid mattress, as a smaller sleep surface presents a higher risk of sending you rolling off the bed if you don’t have reinforced edges.
Comfort layer construction
The comfort layer in a hybrid mattress may be made of a variety of different materials, each offering a different sleep sensation. For example, you may want to look for latex if you prefer a cooling, responsive foam. If you prefer body-contouring comfort you can sink into, look for a hybrid memory foam mattress like the Dreamcloud mattress. With its breathable memory foam and luxurious pillow top, this is one of the best hybrid mattresses 2024 is likely to see.
Support zones
For enhanced support, choose a mattress that features support zones that provide different levels of support in different areas of the mattress. For example, the Simba Mattress features support zones in its base layer, allowing for more flexibility around the shoulders.
Coil thickness
The thickness of the coils determines the durability of the mattress, and is of particular importance to heavy-bodied sleepers. For a sturdier and more supportive mattress, heavier and larger-framed sleepers should look for a double hybrid mattress or a king hybrid mattress with a thicker coil layer.
Mattress size vs. motion transfer
One of the pitfalls of a hybrid mattress is that it isn’t apt to cut out 100% of motion transfer. If you or your partner tend to toss and turn at night, you might want to consider a king hybrid mattress. The wider sleep surface would provide greater space for movement and minimise motion isolation.
Price
Another downside of hybrid mattresses is that they tend to be more expensive, though this isn’t always the case. Hybrid mattress sales are quite common throughout the year. Check our site regularly to see when sales are happening.
Conclusion
Hybrid mattresses offer a balance of comfort and support that you are unlikely to find in a single sleep-system mattress, making them an ideal choice for many types of sleepers. Hot sleepers, chronic pain sufferers, heavy-bodied sleepers, and people of all sleep positions will find something to appreciate in a hybrid mattress.
On our site, you can browse reviews of many of the UK’s leading hybrid mattress brands and stay informed of ongoing and upcoming hybrid mattress sales. Take time to study the various options out there so that you can find the mattress that is right for you!
