Considered the happy medium between memory-foam and innerspring mattresses, hybrid mattresses are a balanced blend of springy and soft.
As their name suggests, hybrid mattresses comprise memory foam and coils, and the arrangement and materials for each brand and model are a little different. Their multilayer construction usually allows for better-targeted pressure relief and enhanced airflow that you can't always get with other types. The coils also help reduce motion transfer from one side of the bed to the other.
Hybrid mattresses are a popular option for most people since they allow you to sink in just enough while providing ample support to keep the shoulders and hips in better alignment. They are also available as beds-in-a-box, making shipping incredibly easy, and they are usually compatible with adjustable bed frames.
The Best Hybrid Mattresses
What to Consider
Shopping for a mattress online can be a little mind-boggling — there's a seemingly infinite amount of variety now. But to hone in on the best hybrid mattress for you, there are a few things to consider.
- Check the construction: Nearly every brand will have a diagram of the mattress's internal construction on their retailer page. If you can look past the marketing terms, they can be helpful guides to see how many layers of foam (or inches, if that information is available) separate you from the interior coils at the base layer. More foam will usually indicate a softer, spongier feel, while a thinner top layer of foam (or any material deemed "support foam" at the very top) will feel more firm. Keep in mind, too, that foam tends to retain heat, so keep an eye out for phase-changing or cooling materials or ventilated foam that can help mitigate this.
- Finally, if you are a side sleeper or you usually wake up with a lot of body aches, we recommend looking into hybrid mattresses that offer zoned support. The composition and materials of each mattress will be a little different, but these types of products usually have more give in the shoulder and hip areas to help you sink in a bit deeper.
- Assess your bedding: Mattresses may be the largest element of your bed, but your pillows and sheets can be just as important in helping you get a comfortable night's sleep. If you're sleeping with a pillow that you have to mash into shape to get comfortable with or wrapped in sheets that make you sweat night after night, consider making these swaps first before you ditch your mattress. Also, in certain seasons, you can't underestimate the power of a good bedside fan or humidifier for helping you sleep more soundly!
- Consider the trial period: At the end of the day, we all just want a good night's sleep, and if your new mattress isn't providing that for you, you can decide whether you want to take advantage of the brand's trial period and arrange a return within the designated timeframe. Keep in mind that this isn't a decision to take lightly, as in most cases, mattresses cannot be donated or repurposed into other material, and very often are landfilled once disposed of. We've denoted the trial period for each brand, just so you are aware of the time you have to decide if your mattress is yours for the long haul.
How We Tested
All of the hybrid mattresses in this guide were evaluated either by me or other site editors for an initial 3-week long trial, although we've slept on our respective mattresses for much longer. Our criteria include general firmness, pressure-relief, cooling properties, and motion transfer, and we try to take into consideration how these qualities can affect different types of sleepers.
We've narrowed down the wide landscape of hybrid mattresses to this curated list of the five best. Read on to learn more about our top picks.
Note: These mattresses are available in all sizes, but we've denoted queen-size prices throughout this guide.