What is a hybrid mattress?

Hybrids are an increasingly popular mattress style. Instead of choosing between an innerspring mattress and a foam mattress, hybrid mattresses allow you to get the best of both worlds.

Here’s what you need to know when shopping for a hybrid mattress.

What is a hybrid mattress? Depends who you ask.

There is no official definition for a hybrid mattress.

Most mattress manufacturers define a hybrid mattress as a mattress that combines an innerspring unit with specialty foam like latex foam or memory foam, thus becoming a hybrid of the two major mattress types. Combining both an innerspring and specialty foams allows hybrid mattresses to provide a unique feel. The sleeper may sense the active support from the innerspring (particularly if it is of high quality) but still get the comfort of memory or latex foam.

Some mattress brands also include gel foams in the “specialty foam” category. Gel foam is typically a standard polyurethane foam with a small amount of gel sprinkled in. These brands say the gel foam can have a cooling effect — but the truth is that they don’t actually work.

Not all hybrid mattresses are created equal

A hybrid mattress may be a great option for you, but do your research before you buy. 

Some mattress manufacturers will advertise a mattress as a hybrid, but it may have a small amount of specialty foam or a gel foam that has no real benefits. While the hybrid designation gives them a good excuse to hike up the price, the amount, construction, and/or types of foams they use may not have any real benefit to the sleeper.

What should you look for in a high-quality hybrid mattress?

• Support: Support comes from the core — in this case, the innerspring. In order to get the most benefit from your hybrid mattress, you’ll need a high-quality innerspring that offers proper support. 
• High-density memory foams: Density is a great indicator of quality when it comes to memory foam. We use 3.5 lb/ft³ memory foam in our Regency Sapphire Hybrid and 5 lb/ft³ memory foam in our Orthopedic Hybrid. While these memory foams are high-density, that doesn’t meant they’re hard — they actually provide a soft feel. If a hybrid mattress features memory foam, that memory foam should be at least 2 inches thick and near the top layer of the mattress to be beneficial to the sleeper.
• Durability: There are a few different factors that will impact a mattress’ durability. High-quality upholstery materials and innerspring system will definitely make a hybrid mattress more durable. A two-sided mattress that can be flipped and rotated regularly will also improve long-term durability. Our Orthopedic Hybrid is two sided.

Original Mattress Factory hybrid mattresses

At The Original Mattress Factory, we offer two different styles of hybrid mattresses.

Our Regency Sapphire Hybrid features our premium-quality innerspring with a five-turn, 14.5-gauge offset coil and 6-gauge border rod for edge-to-edge support. It also features two inches of 3.5 lb/ft³ density memory foam, 2-inch high-density super-soft foam, and a blended cotton pad, making the Regency Sapphire Hybrid our softest mattress.

Our Orthopedic Hybrid features our highest-quality innerspring with a six-turn, 12.75-gauge, knotted offset coil and a 6-gauge border rod for edge-to-edge support. It also features two inches of 5 lb/ft³ density memory foam, two inches of high-density foam, and a heavy-weight stitched cotton pad for a plush, luxurious feel. It is a two-sided mattress.

Ready to start your mattress buying journey? Come to The Original Mattress Factory first. No one knows more than our team about what makes a great mattress great. Whether you buy from us or not, you’ll be better prepared to make a smart mattress buying decision. Find a store near you.