If you’re wondering, ‘What is a hybrid mattress?’, then you’re in luck. In short, a hybrid mattress maximizes the best features of an innerspring and a foam bed while downplaying their pitfalls. Hybrid mattresses offer a lot of benefits. For example, if you happen to be a hot sleeper, these beds will alleviate that issue almost entirely. Also, for sleepers who experience frequent aches and back pains, the dynamic combo between coils and foam brings ideal relief to pressure points. Learn everything you need to know about hybrid beds in our comprehensive guide.
At a Glance
What is a Hybrid Mattress Made of?
The Coil System and What to Know
The Best Sleepers for a Hybrid Bed
What is a Hybrid Mattress?
We’ll fill you in if you’ve been asking, ‘What is a hybrid mattress?’ and what makes it different from other beds. A genuine hybrid mattress has to include a foam comfort layer and a pocketed coil system. Below, we’ll walk through what each layer of this specific mattress entails.
Comfort
A hybrid mattress’s comfort layer can variably be made of memory foam, polyfoam, or latex. These materials are ideal for sleepers who enjoy a bed that conforms to their body’s curves. That said, one of the downfalls of memory foam is that many sleepers can feel trapped by the intense divots made in the mattress — hybrid beds alleviate this issue by pairing its material with bouncy coils underneath the foam.
Transition
Some, but not all, hybrid mattresses include a transition layer. This layer guarantees, even more, cushioning due to an extra tier of memory foam, polyfoam, or latex foam. The transition layer distributes body weight with special zoned tech and alleviates pressure points. If you find you wake up with new knots in your neck each morning, a hybrid mattress with a transition layer may be for you.
Support
The support layer is where the pocketed coils in a hybrid mattress reside. Pocketed coils are steel springs that are individually wrapped in a lightweight fabric, comprising the main element in a hybrid’s bed support. When comparing an innerspring vs a hybrid mattress, you’ll find issues with innerspring beds like squeakiness and broken coils. But a hybrid mattress implement pocketed coils individually to minimize motion transfer that can lead to those deep divots in a bed. Also, hybrid mattress coils are wrapped in a fabric casing, which nearly eliminates all those irritating squeaks.
What are the Materials in a Hybrid Mattress?
There are three main types of hybrid mattresses. We have previously mentioned that hybrid mattresses can be made from memory foam, polyfoam, or latex foam. But what exactly are these materials, and how do they help you sleep? Let’s see.
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Memory Foam
We’ve all heard of memory foam, and we all have those stories where a friend laid down and couldn’t roll off the bed. So, what is the difference between a memory foam vs a hybrid mattress? Memory foam is made out of a material called polyurethane foam, which is specifically designed to cradle the body’s contours. This material was invented for an entirely different reason than what we use it for now, as it was originally made for pilots on fighter jets or rockets. During high-speed flights, the material was meant to cushion the pilot’s body while in motion. It’s no surprise that the mattress industry quickly adapted this technology.
Complaints that memory foam was extremely hot hit the engineers’ ears, and they adjusted, making a few different sub-categories of memory foam: open-cell foam, gel memory foam, and plant-based memory foam. All these inventions further alleviate excess heat from the body, better accommodating a wide range of sleeping preferences.
Because complaints came from sleepers that memory foam cradled their body too much, causing them to sink deeper into the bed, the mattress world adjusted and combined a two-in-one bed, the hybrid mattress.
Latex Foam
When you think of latex, what comes to mind? Probably balloons or gloves. Well, latex actually comes from the natural sap of a rubber tree. From there, the sap is processed and made into many different products, one of them being mattresses. A pricier option for proponents of the hybrid movement, latex mattresses serve sleepers in that they are a naturally cooling choice and give you a lot of responsiveness. Latex mattresses are also extremely durable beds, and they have the longest life expectancy.
What to Consider with a Hybrid’s Coil System
Hybrid mattresses all have a pocketed coil support system. When looking to buy a hybrid mattress, knowing which coil system is best for you will make your sleep even better.
Coil Count
The coil count in a mattress relates to the number of coils within that bed. The general rule is the bigger the mattress, the more coils it has, but there are a few caveats. For example, one hybrid queen mattress may have just 350 coils while a different queen hybrid mattress will have as many as 2,000. So, what does that mean, and which one is better?
If a bed has a lower coil count, it will give you less support. On the other side of the coin, many mattress experts believe that if a bed has a super high coil count, it’s probably a gimmick to charge you extra money. So, we advise choosing a hybrid bed right in the middle of the coil count.
Remember, the more coils a bed has doesn’t automatically mean it’s better. Here’s a little breakdown of the average coil counts for hybrid mattresses of different sizes.
Full: 500 coils
Queen: 600 coils
King: 800 coils
Coil Gauge
The coil gauge is based on the thickness of each individually wrapped coil. The scale of a coil gauge is typically measured from 12 to 15. The thicker the coils, the lower the gauge; the thinner the coils, the higher the gauge.
In short, a mattress with a smaller coil count (400) but a higher coil gauge (12) will be just as supportive as a bed with a high coil count (1,000) and a thinner coil gauge (15). What truly matters when it comes to choosing the right mattress for you is the coil gauge. It may seem like the more coils you have within the mattress will deem it softer or firmer, but in reality, the thickness of the coil gauge will determine the comfort level.
Edge Support
Have you ever rolled onto your side in the middle of the night and almost fallen off the bed? That’s probably because the mattress had poor edge support. If you have a partner with you while you sleep, edge support is vital. Whether you cuddle up to each other or enjoy your own space, no one wants to feel as though they may wake up on the floor. To check to see if a bed has good edge support, sit on the crest of the bed with your feet on the floor. If the mattress keeps its shape while supporting your weight, its edge support is good.
The Benefits and Downfalls of Hybrid Mattresses
Of course, there are hybrid mattress pros and cons. Discover what they are below.
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Pros of Hybrid Beds
These mattresses succeed in cooling off your body, supporting your body’s natural contours, and relieving specific pressure points.
Alleviates Pressure Points: The foam comfort layer contours to your body’s natural curves, leaving you with deeper pressure relief on areas that can become strained (like your neck, shoulders, or back) if a mattress is too firm.
Air Circulation: To solve the problem of overheating at night due to foam mattresses, hybrid beds give you great air circulation through the coil system. Because the coils are spaced properly, airflow circulates throughout the night, giving each sleeper a better night’s rest.
Silent Transfer: You won’t be woken up by your partner (or dog) moving anymore. Hybrid mattresses pride themselves on their no-noise feature, as each coil is individually wrapped in fabric to alleviate those random squeaks.
Cons to Hybrid Beds
Due to their innovative technology, these mattresses fall into a higher price range and can be quite heavy.
High Cost
Hybrid mattresses are easily one of the more expensive beds on the market. The average cost for a hybrid queen-sized mattress is anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000, with fewer budget-friendly options.
Heavy Material
The average hybrid mattress weighs around 100 pounds, which makes them much heavier than any other type of mattress. If you are moving into a second-floor apartment or your bedroom is up a flight of stairs, you may have some difficulty moving this bed.
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Who’s a Hybrid Mattress For?
Although hybrid mattresses are great for any type of sleeper, there are a few specific individuals this bed may be perfect for.
Back or Neck Pain
Hybrid mattresses are perfect for individuals with continual back or neck pain because of their ability to contour to the body’s curves while giving the right amount of support. When you sleep, your spine needs to stay aligned, but you also don’t want to feel like you’re sleeping on a board. Hybrid mattresses offer enough support to provide your spine the alignment it needs while adding perfect comfort for a good night’s rest.
Hot Sleepers
Do you find yourself running hot while trying to fall asleep? Experts say the perfect external temperature for falling asleep is somewhere between 60 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit, based on a study done by the Cleveland Clinic. WebMD states that “heat is the enemy of sleep,” so why wouldn’t we invest in a mattress that alleviates this issue even further? Hybrid mattresses do just that. The pocketed coils are designed to allow air to flow freely underneath you, which, in turn, will wick away excess body heat.
Partners
Lastly, if you frequently sleep with someone next to you, hybrid beds are the way to go. Since each coil is independent of the one next to it, there is no motion transfer from person to person. Carelessly shift as much as you like with a hybrid mattress without disturbing your partner.
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FAQs
If you have any lingering questions on what is a hybrid mattress and how it can serve you, read on.
Q: Do you need a box spring with a hybrid mattress?
A hybrid mattress does not require a box spring. Some people have found that they prefer the additional support a box spring provides, but it is a matter of personal preference.
Q: Do you need a bunkie board for a hybrid mattress?
A bunkie board will be required if the slats on your bed are too far apart. For memory foam and hybrid mattresses, slats should be no further than 2.75 inches apart.
Q: Which sleep position is a hybrid best for?
A hybrid mattress is great for all sleepers. The position you sleep in dictates which firmness level you may need above what type of bed is best for you.
- Side sleepers need softer beds to keep their spine aligned.
- Stomach sleepers should invest in firmer beds for spine alignment.
- Back sleepers and sleepers who switch it up throughout the night need a medium-firm or firm bed.
Q: What’s the best hybrid mattress?
In our opinion, a Beautyrest hybrid mattress is the best hybrid mattress. Beautyrest Hybrid mattresses feature innovative gel memory foam and NaturalCool eco-friendly yarn that creates an exceptionally breathable night’s sleep. If you’re a hot sleeper or experience back pain regularly, this mattress design is a top-tier choice.
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Why Trust Us
Since 1973, Spencer’s TV & Appliance has grown to 10 locations throughout the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. The secret to our longevity is simple: personal service. Customer satisfaction has always been the focus of our business, and throughout the years, we have been able to work hard with our suppliers to bring you the best prices. After all, getting customers the best price and personal attention is how we compete with big-box stores, day in and day out.
Not only do we offer top-rated appliances, name-brand electronics, and the best mattresses on the market but we also provide water treatment solutions and perform kitchen design services. Stop by your nearest Spencer’s and see what you’re missing!
Shop Hybrid Mattresses at Spencer’s
At Spencer’s TV & Appliance, we provide high-quality, name-brand products at great prices — check out our catalog to shop hybrid mattresses online today. Your friends in the business are always happy to help you answer that burning question, 'What is a hybrid mattress?’ Call us, or better yet, stop by at one of our locations in the Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Glendale regions. Visit us today!
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