Not Too Firm, Not Too Soft – The Best Hybrid Mattress is Just Right

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As the name suggests, a hybrid mattress employs several different mattress materials to create a bed that blends elements of innerspring, foam and latex. The result is a mattress that supports the spine and midsection while also giving pressure points the cushioning they require. The best hybrid mattress options tend to sleep cooler than foam mattresses thanks to the breathability of the innersprings, and most beds use a cooling element such as gel memory foam or heat-dissipating fabrics to keep sleepers comfortable. 

When it comes time to buy a new mattress, the variety of available options can make it difficult to narrow down your selection. If you want a bed that offers the sturdy stability of innersprings plus the contouring of memory foam or the bounce of latex, a hybrid mattress is the perfect fit. We’ve curated a guide to the best hybrid mattresses on the market, with options for couples, back pain, recovery and more. 

Our Picks for the Best Hybrid Mattress:

• Best Overall – DreamCloud Original
• Best for Back Pain – Saatva Classic
• Best for Side Sleepers – Helix Midnight
• Best Luxury – Nolah Evolution 15”
• Best for Recovery – Bear Hybrid
• Best Extra-Firm – Titan Plus
• Best for Combination Sleepers – WinkBeds Original
• Best for Overweight Sleepers – Puffy Lux
• Best for Couples – Casper Wave Hybrid

The DreamCloud Original is an all-around great mattress for all sleep positions. It sits at a 6.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale, which is soft enough for side sleepers but offers enough support that back and stomach sleepers should also be able to rest comfortably. Three layers of foam help pressure points to sink into the mattress, earning this bed an 8.75 out of 10 in pressure relief. The pocketed coil system gently lifts the midsection, maintaining good posture in the spine as you sleep (9 out of 10 in spine alignment). A plush cover crafted with cashmere promotes breathability and works in tandem with the coils to keep sleepers cool as they rest (8.75 out of 10 in cooling). 

Back pain can impact your life in a major way, and sleeping on a poor mattress can worsen the issues. The Saatva Classic mattress is the best hybrid mattress for back pain due to an impeccable 10 out of 10 score in spine alignment. A construction that offers multiple firmnesses makes it simple to find the perfect fit for your sleep style, whether you’re a side sleeper who needs something a bit softer or a stomach sleeper looking for firm support. Two layers of coils ensure your lumbar region receives ample lift while memory foam offers cushioning comfort for high-tension areas. This sturdy construction also earned the Saatva Classic a 10 out of 10 in durability. 

Sleeping on your side puts a lot of pressure on certain areas of your body, requiring a bed that cradles pressure points without letting the spine fall out of alignment. The Helix Midnight sits in that sweet spot, its hybrid construction of foam and coils delivering lift in the midsection and contouring for the shoulders and hips. This bed received a 9 out of 10 in spine alignment and an 8.5 out of 10 in pressure relief, maintaining proper posture for side sleepers throughout the night. The foam layers help inhibit motion transfer as well (9 out of 10), which is beneficial for couples who don’t want to wake their partners if they shift in the night. 

From the moment you lay on the plush Euro pillow top, you can tell that the Nolah Evolution has a high-quality build. Three different layers of foam contour to the body’s pressure points and aid in motion isolation – great for couples – while individually wrapped support coils deliver support in all the right areas. A heat-escape gusset and cooling cover promote heat dissipation, preventing overheating during the night. Three different firmness options allow you to select whichever support level you need, whether that’s plush, luxury firm or firm. A system of edge support rails help to deliver support all the way to the periphery of the mattress, reducing sagging and letting sleepers sprawl out as they rest.

People who routinely work out, whether it’s on a professional or recreational level, know how crucial sleep is to their recovery. Bear Mattress understands the importance of rest and recuperation and crafted their line of mattresses based around sporty lifestyles. The Bear Hybrid is our pick for best hybrid mattress for recovery for several reasons: It keeps your spine in near-perfect alignment (9.5 out of 10) which reduces strain and tension in the back and neck. An equally high score in durability (9.5 out of 10) and their lifetime warranty proves that this mattress was built to last, aiding in quicker recovery for years. Cooling components such as gel memory foam and a temperature regulating cover keep sleepers cool and comfortable throughout the night. You’ll be fully rested and back on the treadmill in no time. Anyone looking to squeeze in some exercise in the workday should check out our recommendations for under desk treadmills, too. 

Stomach and back sleepers rely on an extra-firm mattress to deliver adequate lift in their midsection, and the Titan Plus does just that, offering nearly perfect alignment in the spine (9.5 out of 10). This bed is designed with heavier sleepers in mind and employs industrial-grade coils, high-density foams and cooling phase-change materials to provide the right blend of support, pressure relief and cooling to sleepers. The foams and coils work in tandem to provide excellent responsiveness (9.5 out of 10) and motion transfer (9 out of 10), which is ideal for those who shift in their sleep and those who share a bed. If you’re looking for a firm-yet-comfortable mattress, we recommend the Titan Plus. 

If you like to change positions as you sleep, a mattress that doesn’t easily allow movement can be frustrating to sleep on. The WinkBeds Original is our choice as one of the best mattresses for combination sleepers because of the dual-coil system that makes it easy to shift, toss and turn throughout the night. This mattress earned a 9 out of 10 in responsiveness, a perfect 10 out of 10 in durability and a 9.75 out of 10 in edge support. These high scores are attributed to the quality construction of the WinkBed, which includes a layer of micro-coils as well as pocketed steel coils, a lumbar-support pad which aids in spine alignment (8.75 out of 10), a layer of gel memory foam and a plush Euro pillow top for added comfort.

The Puffy Lux can support up to 700 lbs and delivers great spine alignment (8 out of 10) and cooling (8 out of 10) while doing so, making this a top choice for overweight sleepers. An adaptive coil base ensures sleepers receive the support they need while layers of foam provide pressure relief. A layer of heat-resistant memory foam and a layer of gel memory foam promotes a cooler sleep environment. This mattress boasts a lifetime warranty and an 8 out of 10 in durability, indicating that it should last for quite some time. The Puffy Lux comes with a hypoallergenic cover that’s machine-washable, which is great for anyone with allergies or have kids or pets. 

Sharing a bed with someone can be disruptive to your sleep if you don’t have the proper mattress, and there are several factors that make the Casper Wave Hybrid our pick as the best hybrid mattress for couples. A combination of latex, memory, high-resiliency and polyfoams all work to isolate motion, earning a 9 out of 10 and helping you sleep soundly even if your partner shifts or gets up. Pocketed coils provide solid support, keeping the spine in alignment (9 out of 10) and aiding in responsiveness (9.25 out of 10) that makes changing positions easy. The coil spring system and breathable foams aid in cooling, earning a 9 out of 10 and keeping both partners at a comfortable temperature.

About the Testing Team

Mattress Advisor team arrives at a weighted score that reflects how well the mattress performed out of 10. While some of these factors are performance-based, others are focused on aspects like customer service, and shipping and warranty policies. This testing methodology delivers a holistic score that covers everything you need to know before purchasing. Mattress Advisor uses this proprietary methodology with in-depth interviews and customer experience to give the most in-depth reviews possible. 

Our Testing Process

Each mattress on this list was put to the test — literally — in Mattress Advisor’s lab located in Raleigh, North Carolina. They’ve spent over 1,200 hours testing, evaluating and comparing mattresses to find the best beds across multiple categories. Their process involves using a 14-point testing methodology to judge how well each mattress performs on a range of factors like spine alignment, motion transfer and cooling, to name a few. 

Performance Factors Tested

• Motion Isolation: Sleepers with kids, couples and light sleepers usually need a mattress that isolates motion and prevents it from traveling across the mattress if one partner shifts or moves around. Beds with good motion isolation tend to have foam in their construction. 
• Cooling: Hot sleepers won’t get the restful sleep they need if they’re overheating every night, so buying a mattress crafted with materials that promote air circulation is a good way to keep everyone cool and comfortable at night. Latex and innerspring beds usually have the coolest constructions. 
• Pressure Relief: Mattresses that boast comfort layers or thick slabs of foam offer solid pressure relief, an important factor for sleepers with joint pain and those who sleep on their sides.  
• Edge Support: Sharing a bed can be tight on space, especially when you can’t rely on the edges to provide good support. Some beds maintain their structure through the perimeter better than others, and co-sleepers, hot sleepers and those with low mobility should look for beds with solid edge support. 
• Durability: Mattresses are expensive, so finding one that lasts and delivers pressure relief and support for years can save you lots of money down the road. The durability of a mattress varies depending on the materials it’s made of, the type of construction it has and how much use it receives. 
• Spine Alignment: Keeping the back in proper posture while sleeping is important for reducing and preventing issues with the spine. Beds with high scores in spine alignment are good options for those with back problems. 

Who Are Hybrid Mattresses Good For?

With their multi-material constructions, hybrid mattresses cater to multiple types of sleepers. There is no universal firmness on a hybrid. In fact, companies like Helix offer a variety of different hybrid mattresses that fit all sleep positions, body types and preferences. Hybrid mattresses come in an array of options, so most sleepers should find one suitable for their needs. 

What to Consider Before Buying A Hybrid Mattress

Discerning what factors are most important to you before deciding on which hybrid mattress to buy can help you select the bed that’s the right fit for your needs. Hybrid mattresses tend to offer good responsiveness, decent cooling capabilities, and solid spine alignment. Some aspects, such as pressure relief, firmness

• Sleep Position: Sleepers of all positions should be able to find a hybrid mattress that meets their needs. The varied construction of these types of beds–with each brand having different materials and layers–makes it easy to find one that gives you a comfortable night’s rest. 
• Price: If you’re seeking a new mattress and don’t want to break the bank, consider some of the more budget-friendly hybrid mattress options. Those with luxury builds and materials (such as Saatva and Nolah) are a bit higher in price than those with more traditional makes (such as DreamCloud and Helix). Hybrids tend to be a bit more expensive than other mattress types, but there are still budget-friendly options that exist. 
• Materials: One benefit to snagging a hybrid mattress is the versatility of materials you can find a new bed in. If you share the bed or have joint pain, finding a hybrid that contains more comforting, motion-absorbing foam layers will likely be the best route for you. If you prefer to toss and turn or have low mobility, we recommend a hybrid with latex layers for more bounce and responsiveness. 
• Pain: Dealing with sore joints or an achy back can be tiresome, and your mattress shouldn’t make those issues worse. Looking for a bed that offers good spine alignment and pressure relief can help, and hybrid mattresses tend to do pretty well in both of those categories. The support from the coils keeps the back in neutral position, while those with foam layers offer solid pressure relief. 
• Motion Isolation: Light sleepers, and especially light sleepers who share the bed, understand the importance of sleeping sans disturbances. A mattress with cushy foam layers can help isolate motion at the source, rather than allowing it to travel and shake the entire bed. Co-sleepers and those who don’t sleep deeply should keep an eye out for layers of slow-release foams (such as memory foam) to prevent motion transfer. 
• Responsiveness: If you prefer to toss and turn as you sleep, resting on a bed that sinks in around your body can make you feel trapped and make it difficult to change positions through the night. A hybrid mattress with latex in the construction is the best option for good responsiveness, as latex is supremely bouncy. These hybrid models are also good for adult activities, if you catch our drift.