What are the pros and cons of a hybrid mattress? The main advantage of a hybrid mattress is that it combines all the best features of memory foam and innerspring into a single mattress. The main disadvantages are its high price and considerable weight. See below for all you need to know about the pros and cons of hybrid mattress.
WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF A HYBRID MATTRESS?
Are you thinking about buying a hybrid mattress? Do you want to know a little more about hybrid mattress pros and cons before you part with your money? You’re in the right place. We’ll take you through everything you need to know about the advantages and disadvantages of a hybrid mattress.
Hybrid mattresses are made by combining multiple mattress technologies into a single mattress. The majority of them are made by placing a specially designed memory foam layer on top of a traditional spring core.
By marrying these two mattress types together you get many of the best characteristics of each. A hybrid mattress is unlike any other and they have become incredibly popular in recent years.
We’ll walk you through the features that work well and point out the areas of concern you should be aware of. See below for the pros and cons of hybrid mattress.
HYBRID MATTRESS GUIDE
• Advantages of a Hybrid Mattress
• Disadvantages of a Hybrid Mattress
• What Other Types of Mattress Are There?
ADVANTAGES OF A HYBRID MATTRESS
What are the benefits of a hybrid mattress? Hybrids combine innerspring and foam technologies to deliver a unique set of characteristics. Let’s take a look at the pros of a hybrid mattress.
INCREDIBLY COMFORTABLE
One of the key advantages of a hybrid mattress is its incredible comfort. By combining a soft cushioning foam top layer with a traditional spring core – hybrids combine the best of both worlds.
Hybrids are unlike any other mattress type. They deliver the gentle cradling support of an all-foam mattress with the stability, support, and bounce of a traditional spring mattress.
This means you get the gentle body contouring and pressure-relieving characteristics of a foam mattress but the motion isolation. The responsive movement of the springs beneath is a welcome addition for people who like to feel a bounce in their mattress.
SUPERB COOLING
Another great pro of a hybrid mattress is its cooling ability. The spring core in the lower section of the mattress facilitates airflow between the coils. This has a natural cooling effect, drawing warm air away from the mattress surface while you sleep.
In contrast, foam mattresses such as memory foam tend to trap heat around your body. And, the solid nature of the foam means air cannot move through the mattress. If you are a hot sleeper or live in a warm climate – a hybrid is a great choice.
SUITABLE FOR ALL SLEEPING POSITIONS
Hybrids work well for all sleeping positions. Whether you are a side sleeper, back sleeper, or stomach sleeper – there’s a hybrid mattress for you. That’s one of the reasons they are so popular. The soft foam layer provides soft cushioning that cradles your body and relieves pressure points.
And, the innerspring core below provides strength, stability, and responsive movement. They are available in a range of firmness levels, from soft to firm. Heavier individuals will sleep better on firmer mattresses and lightweight people will feel more comfortable on softer models.
PRESSURE RELIEF
Another great pro of a hybrid mattress is its ability to relieve pressure on stress points while you sleep. If you are used to sleeping on a traditional mattress but often wake up with stiff or sore hips and shoulders – then a hybrid mattress may be just what you need.
The foam comfort layer of a hybrid mattress is much thicker and more effective than the thin layer on a traditional spring mattress. It is specially designed to absorb pressure and contour the shape of your body while you sleep.
This allows stress points such as the hips and shoulders to sink deeply into the foam. And, this relieves pressure on these areas, allowing you a more comfortable and restful sleep. One of the most popular benefits of hybrid mattress.
GOOD FOR HEAVIER PEOPLE
Hybrids are a great choice for heavier people, above the weight of 250 lbs. Especially heavier people that want to enjoy the soft cushioning feel of memory foam.
An all-foam mattress may not provide the support needed for a heavier individual. But, a good quality hybrid will – thanks to the strength and stability of the innerspring core supporting the foam layer above.
Another feature that works well for heavier people is the responsive movement you get with a hybrid movement. The spring core provides a bounce that helps people move across the surface of the mattress and makes it much easier to change sleeping position during the night.
EXCELLENT LONG-TERM INVESTMENT
Value for money is key when discussing the pros and cons of a hybrid mattress. And, hybrid mattresses come with a bigger price tag compared to other models. However, they are an excellent long-term investment.
High-quality hybrid mattresses are highly durable. They will last you many years and they regularly outperform other mattress types in terms of longevity. A hybrid mattress is a great investment in your long-term comfort and sleep quality.
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DISADVANTAGES OF A HYBRID MATTRESS
What are the disadvantages of a hybrid mattress? Now that we’ve run through all the advantages of a hybrid mattress, let’s take a look at the downsides. What are the cons of a hybrid mattress?
THEY’RE HEAVY
What are the negatives to a hybrid mattress? First up – they are heavy! There’s no getting away from the fact that hybrid mattresses weigh more than your average mattress. And, this can make them difficult to lift or carry about your home.
It can be a challenge for one person to move a hybrid mattress and position it on a bed frame. So, if you buy one, make sure you have someone on hand to help you lift it and place it on your bed. You’ll greatly appreciate the helping hand.
THEY BLEND TWO TYPES OF MATTRESS
Hybrid mattresses are made by blending different technologies together. Most hybrids use a spring core and a foam comfort layer. This arrangement provides a unique balance of responsive movement and soft gentle cushioning.
However, some people may see this as a disadvantage of hybrid mattresses. If you are in the market for a specific type of mattress technology, then a hybrid may not be the choice for you.
For example, if you have a preference for the soft cradling comfort of memory foam and don’t like the bounce of a traditional spring mattress – then you will prefer the feel of a regular memory foam mattress.
PRICE
Hybrids can be expensive. A key consideration when discussing hybrid mattresses pros and cons. And, they are generally more expensive than most other types of mattress. This is because you are essentially getting two types of mattress in one – a traditional spring core and a foam top layer.
If you are on a budget, you may find that the hybrid range is priced too high. On the other hand, high-quality hybrid mattresses are durable and are an excellent long-term investment.
MOTION TRAVELS THROUGH THE MATTRESS
If motion isolation is an important feature in a mattress for you – then a hybrid may not be the best option. The spring core of a hybrid delivers responsive movement and this gives a bouncy feel to the mattress. Some people see this as a con of hybrid mattress.
If you are looking for a mattress that isolates motion then you may prefer an all-foam mattress such as memory foam. All-foam mattresses absorb motion. This means motion is largely limited to the area it originated and it doesn’t travel across the mattress.
BEWARE CHEAP MODELS
Beware cheap, low-quality hybrids. Like all other mattress types, there are hybrids out there that have been poorly made and use cheap materials.
Low-quality hybrids use poorly constructed spring cores that won’t stand the test of time. And, the foam comfort layers use budget foams that are prone to wearing and off-gassing. Our advice is to stick to the high-quality hybrids and you’ll enjoy many years of superb comfort and restful sleep.
THEY CAN NOT BE FLIPPED
Another disadvantage of hybrid mattresses is that they cannot be flipped. It’s a simple one, but worth pointing out all the same. Many people like to occasionally flip their traditional spring mattress to freshen things up.
Hybrids are designed to be positioned in the same top-to-bottom orientation at all times. The spring core will always be on the underside of the mattress and the foam comfort layer on top. You can however periodically rotate the mattress so that the head becomes the foot and vice versa.
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WHAT IS A HYBRID MATTRESS?
A hybrid is a type of mattress that combines two types of mattress technology in one mattress. The most common type uses an innerspring base and a foam comfort layer. They are versatile mattresses that blend the responsive movement of a spring base with the soft cushioning of a foam top layer.
Hybrid mattresses are a great choice for combination sleepers. They work well for back, side, and stomach sleepers. They strike a superb balance between the bounce of a traditional spring mattress and the soft gentle cushioning of a foam mattress.
Hybrid mattresses are available in a range of firmness levels to support all body shapes and sizes. And, they are a great fit for a larger-sized individual that wants to enjoy the soft comfort of memory foam but needs the firm support of a spring base. For more see – What Is a Hybrid Mattress?
SHOULD YOU BUY A HYBRID MATTRESS?
Yes, a hybrid mattress is a great choice if you are looking for a unique combination of gentle foam cushioning, backed up by the bounce and responsive movement of the spring core beneath. They are incredibly comfortable mattresses and are available in a range of firmness levels – to suit all body shapes and sizes.
They work well for all sleeping positions thanks to their balance between firm support and soft foam cushioning. And, they are highly durable. If you are still undecided, check out the pros and cons of hybrid mattress above for more info.
WHAT OTHER TYPES OF MATTRESS ARE THERE?
Now that we’ve covered the pros and cons of hybrid mattress – let’s take a look at the other types of mattresses you can buy? There are four alternatives to a hybrid mattress. They are memory foam, latex, innerspring, and polyfoam – see below.
MEMORY FOAM MATTRESS
Memory foam is one of the most popular types of mattress on the market today. They are characterized by their superb soft cushioning ability that gently cradles your body weight. Memory foam relieves pressure on stress points such as the hips and shoulders.
Memory foam tends to sleep hot. It contours around the body and traps heat. If you are a hot sleeper you should look out for gel-infused or open-cell memory foam. For more information see – What Is a Memory Foam Mattress?
LATEX MATTRESS
A latex mattress is another type of foam mattress. These mattresses can be made from natural latex, synthetic latex, or a blend of the two. They are naturally hypoallergenic, cooling, and have a distinctive bounce, unlike memory foam.
Natural latex mattresses are the premium model and they come with the highest price tag. If you’re after a super comfy foam mattress that will last for many years – latex is a great option. For more information see – What Is a Latex Mattress?
INNERSPRING MATTRESS
An innerspring mattress uses springs to provide support and bounce. The springs are covered with a thin foam comfort layer. This provides comfort to the individual and prevents the springs from popping through the surface.
Innerspring mattresses are characterized by their distinctive bouncy feel, responsive movement, and strong support. They are what many people consider a traditional mattress and are found in homes all across the globe.
POLYFOAM MATTRESS
Polyfoam is another type of foam mattress. It has a similar feel to memory foam but is much cheaper to make. In general, polyfoam mattresses are cheaper than memory foam or latex models.
Polyfoam delivers comfortable soft cushioning that does a good job of cradling your body weight and relieving pressure points. However, it tends to trap heat around your body that accumulates during the night. They are not well suited to hot sleepers or warmer climates.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
IS A HYBRID MATTRESS WORTH IT?
Yes, a hybrid mattress is an excellent investment. Although they are more expensive than many other mattress types, they deliver outstanding comfort and are highly durable. A hybrid mattress will give you many years of comfortable, restful sleep.
ARE HYBRID MATTRESSES THE BEST?
Hybrid mattresses are one of five types of mattress. They combine the features of a foam and innerspring mattress. If you want a mattress that has the soft cushioning feel of memory foam and the bounce of a traditional spring – then a hybrid mattress is the best for you.
ARE HYBRID MATTRESSES COMFORTABLE?
Yes, hybrid mattresses are comfortable. The deliver a balanced feel by combining the supportive structure of coils with the soft cushioning of foam and other materials. This is great news for pressure relief and support.
CAN YOU FLIP A HYBRID MATTRESS?
No, you cannot flip a hybrid mattress. Hybrids are designed so that the spring core should always be on the bottom and the foam comfort layer on top. This should never be switched around. The bottom of a hybrid mattress is not designed for sleeping on.
ARE HYBRID MATTRESSES GOOD?
Yes, hybrid mattresses are good because they combine the advantages and unique features of different mattress materials such as innerspring and foam. This provides improved support, comfort, and durability. Result!
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A HYBRID MATTRESS?
The main benefit of a hybrid mattress is that it combines the best features of memory foam and innerspring in one mattress. This means you get the soft cradling cushioning of memory foam in the comfort layer. And, the support, bounce, and stability of the spring core below.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
SARAH FOY – Mattress Expert
Sarah joined the MCG team in the summer of 2021. She is our in-house foam mattress expert. Whether it’s memory foam, latex foam, or straightforward polyfoam – she has you covered. Sarah has a particular passion for the unique body contouring effects and soft cradling support of latex and memory foam mattresses.
She has over 15 years of experience in the bedding, furniture, and textile industries. Sarah is a native of Arizona where she graduated from Northern Arizona University in the mid-noughties. When she’s not in the office she likes to tend to her apple tree orchard in Flagstaff where she lives with her husband and two daughters.
