What is a Hybrid Mattress and Do I Need One?

When shopping for mattresses, you might have come across the term “hybrid mattress.” You are likely curious about what such a thing is, and the answer is quite simple. A hybrid mattress is a combination of an innerspring and foam mattress. It’s a popular choice for luxurious yet supportive mattresses that will give you a great night’s sleep.

What Makes a Hybrid Mattress?

As we said, a hybrid mattress is a hybrid of a foam mattress and an innerspring mattress. This means that the mattress is made up of several different layers; mainly, a core coil support system surrounded by softer materials like latex, foam, or batting. This allows you to experience both soft comfort and firm support. It’s a combination of the best parts of all mattresses into a single product. Here’s a breakdown of the different layers that make up a hybrid mattress.

Support Layer

The support layer is composed of individually wrapped and pocketed coils, such as continuous wire springs or pocketed coil units. These coils will move with your body to reduce motion transfer while sleeping.

Comfort Layers

One of the most important parts of a hybrid mattress is the comfort layers. These are often made of memory foam, latex, or a combination of things. It creates a soft top that your body can sink into, which is great for side sleepers. 

An additional cooling layer might be included within the comfort layers, which is usually made of gel. This will help slow down body heat from seeping into the mattress, which makes you even more comfortable in your sleep.

Transition Layer

Between the support layer and the comfort layers is the transition layer. This is the layer that keeps the foam from sinking into the springs, acting as a foundation for the comfort layer. This way your mattress stays in top condition for a long time, preventing sagging and other issues.

Mattress Cover

Pretty much every mattress, hybrid or otherwise, has a cover to tie the mattress together and add extra comfort. This layer is often made of cotton, poly-blend, or wool and is the layer you directly sleep on if you’re not using a fitted sheet. The mattress covers also help keep dust, dirt, and fluids off the inner materials of the mattress. You can usually remove and clean a mattress cover, but if you do, be sure to read the directions on the tags first to know how to wash it properly.

Do I Need a Hybrid Mattress?

Anyone can benefit from a hybrid mattress, as they’re good for side, stomach, and back sleepers alike. They’re especially friendly on joints and backs. If you suffer from chronic pain that’s making sleep difficult, you should consider going hybrid. The cooling gel layer is especially good for hot sleepers, and the foam and latex layers can be good for couples as they reduce motion transfer.

Hybrid mattresses, as they’re meant to have the best features of an innerspring and memory foam mattress, can be used by everyone, but whether or not you actually need one is a personal preference. You should make sure to test various mattresses out at our showrooms before committing to buying any type of mattress, and we offer a risk-free 90-day trial for any mattress you purchase to ensure you’re getting the best night’s sleep.