Hybrid Vs. Foam Mattress

If you are currently shopping for a new bed, you might be amazed by the number of modern developments in mattress technology. Science has brought us a wide range of fantastic mattress materials that offer just the right amount of bounce, responsiveness, softness, comfort and cooling properties.

No mattress can be determined to be the “best”- it all comes down to your personal preferences. So, let’s take a look at two of the main styles of mattresses - Hybrid vs Foam.

What is the Difference?

First of all, it makes sense to define what these types of mattresses are. A foam mattress does not contain coils and is only made of layers of memory foam. It is a dense material that was first developed for NASA in 1996 for its shock absorbing properties. When you lie on top of it, it will mould around your body and provide support where you need it most. (However, keep in mind that a memory foam mattress won’t be made of 100% memory foam - it will have a base support layer of regular high density foam.)

On the other hand, a hybrid mattress is one that combines traditional mattress springs along with contemporary memory foam materials in order to create a sleeping experience that brings together the “best of both worlds.” It has a responsive layer of memory foam on the top, with a layer of coils underneath to provide more bounce and support. Hybrid mattresses can also include other exotic materials such as gel foam and thin layers of springs called microcoils.

Mattress preferences are unique to each person, so it really depends on what you like and don’t like. So, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of these types of mattresses so that you can determine which one is right for you.

Foam Mattress - Pros and Cons

Pros

● Memory Foam mattresses are great for those who sleep on their side, as they offer the cradling and softness needed for the spine and joints.

● If you have neck, shoulder or back pain this type of mattress can help to alleviate it - because these pressure points will be supported.

● Memory foam mattresses usually last longer than coil mattresses, which means that the initial investment is more worthwhile.

● Because there are no coils to squeak, memory foam beds are perfectly silent. Also, they have limited motion transfer so you will not disturb your partner if you move around in the middle of the night.

Cons

● Many users of memory foam mattresses have reported that this type of mattress is not ideal for sex. Because your limbs sink into the bed, some couples find that they feel like they are trying to make love in quicksand.

● Some sleepers have complained that memory foam retains more heat and can make you feel hot in the middle of the night.

● Some users of memory foam mattresses have stated that the foam itself has a chemical smell that takes a while to go away.

● If you are a heavy person, you’ll sink into the foam significantly which can be uncomfortable. Heavier people may want to choose a mattress that offers more support.

Hybrid Mattress - Pros and Cons

Pros

● Hybrid mattresses are excellent for people who tend to sleep on their back or stomach. This is because the coils offer more lower back support and a slightly firmer feel.

● Due to the memory foam layer, this type of mattress is better at contouring to your body than a simple innerspring mattress.

● According to this report by Sleep Like the Dead, hybrid mattresses provide much better edge support than all-foam mattresses. This means that you will be able to sit on the edge of the bed or sleep near the edge without feeling like you are going to slide off the mattress.

Cons

● Hybrid mattresses are generally more expensive than the average mattress.

● Sometimes when hybrid mattresses try to capture the best of both worlds, they fail to excel at either aspect. So, they just end up being not as bouncy as an innerspring mattress but not as body-cradling as memory foam. Those that achieve the perfect balance are rare and often expensive.

● Hybrid mattresses are usually very, very heavy - weighing anywhere between 80-120 pounds. This means that when your mattress is delivered, you might need a few friends around to help you move it into the bedroom and lift it onto the bed.

● The “break in time” of a hybrid mattress can sometimes be longer than average - so your mattress will feel different after a month than it did on the first night you slept in it.

These are just a few of the important points to consider when you are choosing between hybrid and foam mattresses. There is no right or wrong answer, it just depends on your personal preferences and your individual sleep needs.

Our team of writers edited this article for informational purposes only. The content provided herein should not be considered or relied upon as a professional or expert advice.