Just so you know: While soft mattresses can feel like a pleasant hug to some folks, they’re not for everyone. “It isn’t always the case that a softer mattress equals better comfort, especially for back and stomach sleepers, where a too-soft mattress can cause misalignment and pain,” Dr. Wu says. With that in mind, we like the Puffy Lux Hybrid for side sleepers, who can benefit from extra softness at their shoulders and hips.
Just so you know: The Puffy Lux Hybrid’s softness allows your body to sink in, which comes with the trade-off of low responsiveness. Our testers say that it’s easy to feel stuck while you’re trying to adjust your sleeping position. (So, take note, combination sleepers.)
Product specs
Material: Hybrid | Firmness: Soft (5.5 out of 10) | Trial period: 101 nights | Warranty: Lifetime | Shipping: Free
Benefits of a hybrid mattress
In many ways, hybrid mattresses are the perfect blend—here are some of the specific areas where they shine:
Support
Hybrid mattresses combine the support of springs with the cushioning of foam. The level of support that hybrid mattresses provide can vary depending on factors like how sturdy the coils are, whether latex or memory foam is incorporated, and the thickness of each layer. Some mattresses offer zoned support, meaning they’re sturdier in areas that are prone to pressure buildup, like the lumbar region.
Responsiveness
Since hybrid mattresses incorporate bouncy coils, they tend to be more responsive than marshmallowy all-foam mattresses. That’s a plus if you’re a combination sleeper or want to be able to move around easily on your mattress during sex.
How to find the best mattress for you
Even if you’ve narrowed your mattress search to include just hybrid models, you’ll still need to sift through a whole bunch of options. These are some of the elements that can help you narrow down your choice.
Firmness
Hybrid mattresses are available in a range of firmness levels, so you can choose an option that suits your needs. Generally, back and stomach sleepers will do better on a mattress that’s on the firmer side, according to Dr. Wu. “Side sleepers need more pressure relief around their hips and shoulders, which means they’ll [probably] want a hybrid with a softer top layer or thicker foam for better contouring,” he says.
Cooling
Hybrid mattresses are naturally more breathable than all-foam options because air can flow freely through the coils. Some hybrids also use cooling agents in their foam layers, like gel and graphite. For general comfort reasons, it’s a no-brainer to pass on waking up in a pool of sweat if you can help it, but getting a mattress that has solid cooling capabilities also stands to help you to sleep better. In a study published in the journal Sleep last year, self-identified hot sleepers had increased total sleep time and reported better sleep quality after switching to a hybrid mattress.
Pressure relief:
Hybrid mattresses can provide pressure relief in areas where your body sinks furthest into the bed, thanks to their foam and, in some cases, coils that use zoned support. “For side sleepers, the hybrid design is soft enough to reduce pressure points on the hips and shoulders, while for back sleepers, it provides enough support to maintain a neutral spine, promoting overall spinal health and comfort,” Dr. Wulke notes.
Who is a hybrid mattress best for?
Since hybrid mattresses are a cross between foam and innerspring bed, they can suit a range of sleeping positions, according to Dr. Wulke. “A common misconception is that hybrids are just a middle ground, when for some people, they provide more personalized comfort than either all-foam or innerspring alone,” says Dr. Wu.
How we tested these mattresses
Our team of testers puts every mattress they try through a series of diagnostics before recommending anything. We use those results to get a full picture of a mattress’s best features and who would like it. You can check out our full mattress-testing methodology here; but in the meantime, here are a few factors we consider, plus how we evaluate each.
Firmness
We’ve tried mattresses that are soft and squishy, firm and stiff, and everything in between. We have testers of various body sizes lie on each mattress and rate its firmness on a scale of 1 to 10, then we average the results for an overall score.
Responsiveness
Some mattresses are responsive and easy to bounce on, while others seem to swallow you up. (Looking at you, memory foam.) To assess a mattress’s responsiveness, testers lie on the bed and cycle through sleeping positions. The more effort they need to exert to move around, the lower the score.
Motion isolation
When we give a bed high marks for motion isolation, you can rest assured that you won’t feel your bedmate move around. We measure motion isolation in a few ways:
- Placing a glass of water on the mattress and seeing if pressing down on the other side of the mattress causes it to spill.
- Having one tester roll around on one side of the mattress to see if a second tester on the other side can feel the movement.
- Dropping a kettlebell onto the mattress to see how much the mattress surface vibrates upon impact.
FAQs
Do you need a box spring for a hybrid mattress?
While some hybrid mattresses are compatible with a box spring, others aren’t. For example, the Puffy Lux Hybrid works with any base (including box springs), but the Bear Elite Hybrid isn’t compatible with box springs.
Do hybrid mattresses sag over time?
Hybrid mattresses can sag over time, particularly if they’re made with certain materials, like lower-density foams, which can break down faster than other materials.
Who shouldn’t get a hybrid mattress?
Your budget may steer you away from this mattress type, as hybrid mattresses can be more expensive than many all-foam bed-in-a-box options, according to Dr. Wulke. Most hybrid options on our list retail for over $2,000, while many all-foam mattresses cost several hundred less.
“Additionally, because a hybrid is a blend of materials, it tends to offer a balanced feel that may not be ideal for those seeking a very soft or very firm mattress,” says Dr. Wulke. “If someone has a specific preference for a firmer feel or the softness of all-foam, a hybrid might not fully meet their needs.”
Are hybrid mattresses good for side sleepers?
“Side sleepers can definitely benefit from experimenting with a hybrid mattress,” says Jeremy Smith, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at the Hoag Orthopedic Institute in California. “They need something that is going to offer support, while also not overloading the pressure that this position can put on your shoulders and hips.”
What are the types of coils used in hybrid mattresses?
Pocket coils are individually wrapped, while open coil (or standard sprung( are connected to each other. “Pocketed coils help reduce motion transfer, so you’re less likely to feel your partner moving,” says Dr. Wu. “These coils also provide better contouring to your body’s shape. Open coils offer support, but can feel a bit firmer.”
The types of coils in a hybrid mattress can impact its feel and durability, according to Dr. Wu. “Two important things to look out for are coil thickness and coil count,” he says. “Thicker coils—lower gauge numbers—offer firmer support, while thinner coils provide more flexibility. Meanwhile, higher coil counts typically provide better overall support.”
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