Memory Foam vs. Hybrid: What’s the Best?

Mattress shopping can be a tricky business, especially in deciding between memory foam or a hybrid. Both offer excellent benefits, but they both have their own unique feel, which potential shoppers may prefer one over the other.

In our article, we go over the difference between memory foam beds and hybrid mattresses, outlining their layers and what differentiates them from other mattress types.

What is Memory Foam?

Memory foam, or viscoelastic foam, is an all-foam mattress, containing two to three foam layers, depending on the mattress brand. Heat and pressure soften memory foam and cause it to form to the body’s natural curves for a hug-like sensation, relieving pressure points and reducing aches and pains.

Layers

Most memory foam mattresses contain two layers—a memory foam layer and a high-density foam layer. Additional layers depend on the brand, but they should contain memory foam, poly-foam, or latex.

Comfort Layer

The comfort layer contains memory foam, which conforms to the body for pressure point relief. The top layer of memory foam may vary in density, depending on the brand.

Transition Layer

Some mattress companies include a transition layer, usually made of polyurethane foam, or poly-foam. The transition layer provides extra cushioning and prevents the body from sinking too deeply. Some companies include sleep technology, like a zoned support system, for enhanced pressure point relief in the transition layer.

Support Layer

The support layer contains high-density foam, evenly distributing weight across the surface and supporting the body with little risk of sagging.

Types of Memory Foam

Since traditional memory foam beds retain heat, mattress manufacturers incorporate cooling materials to regulate temperature. These types of memory foam mattresses are especially beneficial to hot sleepers.

Plant-Based

Partially replacing petroleum with plant oils produces a breathable and more responsive memory foam. Plant-based memory foam is eco-friendly and produces little to no off-gassing odor.

Cooling Gel

Gel, whether mixed, swirled, or added as gel beads, absorbs and disperses body heat for even temperature regulation.

Copper and Graphite Infusions

Copper and graphite are natural heat conductors—copper pulls heat away and may improve local blood flow, while graphite, usually used to cool down high-powered machines, draws heat away from the body.

Benefits

• Conforming, pressure point relief
• Hug-like feel
• Great for back pain relief
• Excellent spinal alignment

Drawbacks

• Heat retention
• Off-gassing potential
• Risk of sagging

What is a Hybrid?

The best hybrid mattress combines pressure-relieving memory foam with bouncy innerspring coils to form the perfect mattress. Hybrid beds solve the problem of what each mattress lacks on its own—bounce, cooling, and edge support missing in memory foam mattresses and pressure relief and motion isolation not found in innerspring mattresses.

Layers

Many manufacturers claim their bed is a hybrid—a true hybrid mattress will have a comfort layer at least 2 inches thick and a support layer of innerspring coils.

Comfort Layer

Hybrids contain a comfort layer of either memory foam or latex, for body-contouring, pressure-point relief.

Transition Layer

The transition layer contains poly-foam, though some hybrids include latex or memory foam. The transition layer acts as padding between the comfort and support layers and prevents the body from sinking too deeply.

Support Layer

The support layer contains pocketed innerspring coils. Individually-wrapping steel coils in fabric reduces motion transfer and produces less noise. The open structure also enables air circulation inside the mattress leading to better cooling.

Base Layer

The base layer contains high-density poly-foam or latex. The base layer reinforces the bed’s shape and protects the floor or mattress foundation from pocket coils.

Benefits

• Pressure point relief
• Responsive bounce
• Cooling
• Edge support

Drawbacks

• Heavy
• Expensive compared to other mattress types
• Overheating
• Less pressure relief

Other Mattress Types

If memory foam or a hybrid isn’t what you’re looking for, other mattress types include innerspring and latex.

Innerspring

Innerspring mattresses are commonly found in the home. Their bounce, cooling, and edge support come from their innerspring coils. Also, because of its open structure, innerspring beds provide better cooling with air flow inside the mattress.

A traditional innerspring mattress contains a thin comfort layer (usually a pillow top) of foam or fiberfill and a support layer of innerspring coils.

Latex

Latex foam shares similar properties with memory foam, including contouring, pressure point relief and motion isolation. Latex sleeps cooler and has a responsive bounce, making movement easier.

A latex mattress contains a comfort layer of latex and a support layer of either high-density foam or latex.

How to Find the Best Mattress

To find the best mattress, don’t just look at mattress reviews. Consider your sleeping position, body weight, and available sleep trials, return policies, and warranties.

Sleeping Position

Sleeping position is a significant factor that determines firmness level. Each sleep position requires a specific level of comfort and support to fill in gaps between the body and the mattress to keep the spine in alignment.

Side Sleeping

Side sleeping is a popular sleep position—over 70% of American adults sleep in the side sleeping position. Side sleeping enables better breathing, improves heart health, and reduces acid reflux.

The best mattresses for side sleepers are medium in firmness for optimal pressure point relief in the shoulders and hips, since those areas are pressed into the bed for long periods of time.

Back Sleeping

Back sleeping naturally aligns the spine because of the back’s direct contact with the surface. Some risks with back sleeping include snoring potential and risk of developing sleep apnea—the tongue falls back, blocking airways or soft tissue collapses at the back of the throat.

Back sleepers need a medium to firm mattress to form against the spine for better lower back support, and cradling, pressure relief in the hips.

Stomach Sleeping

Stomach sleeping is the least common sleep position due to the high amount of pressure placed on the spine. Excessive pressure increases the risk of neck strain and back pain, but placing a thin pillow under the hips may reduce this pressure.

Stomach sleepers need a medium-firm to firm mattress to keep the body resting on the surface with no deep sinkage.

Combination Sleeping

Combination sleepers toss and turn each night, regularly switching between sleep positions. Combination sleepers receive the benefits of each sleep position, like improved heart health, but they also get the drawbacks, including neck strain.

Combination sleepers need a medium to medium-firm mattress for consistent spinal alignment and a balance of comfort and support for each sleep position.

Body Weight

Body weight is another deciding factor in choosing the right firmness level. Weight affects how well the bed can support the body—a mattress that’s too soft or too firm will throw the spine out of alignment and result in poor sleep.

Light

Light sleepers weigh less than 130 pounds. They find the best comfort with a softer surface, which enables body-contouring, pressure relief.

Average

Average sleepers weigh between 130 and 230 pounds. A medium feel gives them both comfort and support for their body type.

Plus-Size

Plus-size sleepers weigh more than 230 pounds and need a firmer surface to provide support without the risk of sagging.

Sleep Trials, Return Policies, and Warranties

Manufacturers include sleep trials, return policies, and warranties to reassure their customers of a high-quality mattress purchase. These perks give customers time to try out a new mattress and ensures it’s protected for years.

Sleep Trial

A sleep trial allows customers to try a new mattress within the comfort of their own home. Sleep trials typically last 90 to 120 nights, with some companies requiring the customer to keep the mattress at least 30 days to adjust. Should the customer not like the mattress, most companies will issue a full refund.

Return Policy

A return policy is a good substitute for a sleep trial. Return policies last 30 days, roughly the same time it takes to adjust to a new mattress. If the customer doesn’t like the bed, they can return it for a refund.

Warranty

A warranty protects the mattress against manufacturing defects and sagging greater than 1 inch. Most beds come with a standard 10-year warranty, though some may last longer to 20, 25, or lifetime warranty.

Other Things to Consider

Do you need a box spring with a hybrid mattress?

Hybrid mattresses don’t need a box spring. For the best support, hybrid beds do best on a bed frame or placed directly on the floor.

Whether you choose a memory foam bed or a hybrid mattress, you shouldn’t pair it with a box spring. A box spring was designed for use with a traditional innerspring mattress, not other types of mattresses. The coils inside a box spring can’t provide the consistent support that many modern mattresses need, and instead leave room for parts of the mattress to sag and lose its shape.

Are hybrid mattresses better than memory foam?

It depends on the personal preference of the sleeper. Memory foam has a hug-like feel, excellent motion isolation, and sleeps silently, while hybrids have a responsive bounce, breathability, and edge support. Between the two, memory foam might be more cost-effective than a hybrid—hybrids are more expensive than other mattress types due to the high number of materials they contain.

Are hybrid mattresses hot?

A hybrid is actually a good mattress for a hot sleeper because of its breathable design. The support coils leave plenty of space for air to circulate and wick away heat. Many manufacturers infuse a hybrid’s foam top with cooling gels for better heat dispersion.

Can you flip a hybrid mattress?

No, you can’t flip your average hybrid mattress. Hybrids have a layered construction, with a bottom coil support and a top layer of foam. Flipping a hybrid mattress means sleeping on the bed’s stiff foam base, which is unlikely to promote a good night’s rest.

What are the pros and cons of a hybrid mattress?

Hybrid owners often love the bed’s bounce and breathability. Plus, a hybrid usually provides the best of a foam bed and an innerspring mattress, blending comfort with support.

A hybrid’s biggest con is its price tag. The average hybrid mattress costs more than $1,000, while there are plenty of quality foam mattresses that cost under $1,000.

Conclusion

Memory foam provides a hug-like sensation to relieve pressure points and isolates motion, while hybrids also reduce pressure points and have a responsive bounce. The mattress you choose should be based on your personal preferences, not which is most popular.