What Is a Hybrid Mattress? Pros + Cons (2024 Guide)

A hybrid mattress has both a foam or latex base layer and a bottom layer with durable metal coils. It combines the airflow and support of a traditional innerspring mattress with a foam mattress's softness, resulting in a more responsive experience.

Hybrid mattresses have grown in popularity over the past few years, with a study indicating that the global market for hybrid mattresses is projected to grow by a staggering $1.83 billion by 2028. But, what is a hybrid mattress, and what sets it apart from a traditional mattress? 

A hybrid mattress combines an innerspring mattress and a foam mattress with an inner metal coil construction topped with comfort layers. Hybrid mattresses offer a more responsive experience by combining:

• Airflow and support of a traditional innerspring mattress
• Softness of a foam mattress

We’ll break down everything from the construction of hybrid mattresses to their pros and cons so you can choose the best mattress for your sleep needs.

What Is a Hybrid Mattress Made of?

Hybrid mattresses are a harmonious blend of comfort and support designed to cater to various sleep preferences. At the heart of a hybrid mattress are two layers:  

• Comfort layer: The top layer of the mattress is a comfort layer, often made from a combination of materials like memory foam, latex, or polyfoam. This top layer molds to your body’s contours, relieving pressure points. 
• Responsive coils: These coils typically consist of metal and offer bounce, support, and quick response to movement. They also contribute to excellent airflow, helping to regulate temperature throughout the night. 

This combination of plush comfort layers and supportive coils ensures that side, back, stomach, and combination sleepers can all find their ideal sleep position. 

Hybrid vs. Memory Foam vs. Innerspring Mattress

The main difference between hybrid and memory foam mattresses is that hybrids contain coil systems, while foam mattresses do not. Typically, hybrid mattresses use pocketed coils, but it isn’t unusual to find hybrids with Bonnell, offset, or continuous wire coils.

Similarly, foam mattresses provide less pressure relief, whereas hybrid mattresses feel more supportive, with coils pushing back against your body. 

The main difference between hybrid and innerspring mattresses is their comfort layers. While hybrid and innerspring mattresses use coil support bases, hybrid mattresses have thicker comfort layers (usually two inches thick or more) made of different types of foam.

Innerspring mattresses are also typically less expensive and use a less costly or less advanced type of coil than hybrid mattresses. You can also flip an innerspring mattress to use both sides, while you can only use one side of a hybrid mattress due to its comfort layers. 

How Long Do Hybrid Mattresses Last?

While a hybrid mattress lasts anywhere from seven to 10 years, how long a mattress lasts depends on your care routine and upkeep, as well as the quality of the mattress and its components. Hybrid mattresses are durable and long-lasting due to their inner coil structure. This added support layer reduces the likelihood of your mattress sagging over time.

Pro Tip: Proactive care, like using a mattress protector and vacuuming regularly to remove dust and mites, can help prolong the lifespan of your mattress.

Pros and Cons of Hybrid Mattresses

Hybrid mattresses offer many benefits, but it’s important to consider your unique sleeping preferences when weighing your options. Explore the pros and cons of a hybrid mattress below to see if it’s the right mattress type for you.

Pros

Thanks to their blend of coils and foam layers, hybrid mattresses offer a unique combination of comfort and support. This innovative design delivers several key benefits:

• Breathable: The coils promote airflow, helping to regulate temperature and prevent overheating. Some models even incorporate cooling materials like latex or gel in the comfort layers for enhanced temperature control.
• Responsive: Targeted coils provide excellent pressure relief and support, allowing personalized support to your body’s contours.
• Edge support: Enjoy maximum sleeping space with robust edge support that prevents sinkage and provides a stable feel.
• Versatile comfort options: Whether you’re a side, back, or stomach sleeper, hybrid mattresses offer a wide range of comfort levels to accommodate different sleep styles.
• Durability: Built to last, hybrid mattresses typically have a lifespan of 7-10 years with proper care and maintenance.
• Motion isolation: The even weight distribution of coils helps to absorb movement, reducing disturbances for light sleepers and partners.

Cons

While hybrid mattresses offer many advantages, there are a few potential drawbacks to consider:

• Heavy: The coils and comfort layers can make hybrid mattresses heavier than other mattress types, which may present challenges during setup or moving.
• Higher price range: Hybrid mattresses tend to be more expensive than traditional innerspring or all-foam options, but the quality and performance may justify how much you spend on a mattress.

How Much Does a Hybrid Mattress Cost?

The cost of a hybrid mattress can vary significantly based on factors like brand, materials, and construction quality. Generally, you can expect to invest between $1,200 to $3,000 or more for a hybrid mattress. 

Pro Tip: Determining the best time to buy a mattress can help you find a fair price for a high-quality model.

How To Choose a Hybrid Mattress

If you’re stuck between traditional spring and memory foam mattresses, a hybrid mattress may be the best option for you. Consider purchasing a hybrid mattress if you: 

• Prefer bounce and responsiveness
• Tend to sleep hot.
• Value edge support 
• Toss and turn throughout the night 
• Require extra support for your body 
• Willing to invest in a premium mattress

When choosing a hybrid mattress, the main factors to consider are body type, sleep position, desired firmness, and budget. Hybrid mattresses come in a wide range, so you should be able to find one that meets all of your needs. 

The Best Hybrid Mattresses

When deciding which hybrid mattress to buy online, consider opting for a Purple hybrid mattress. In addition to typical hybrid comfort and coil layers, Purple hybrid mattresses feature a unique top layer: the GelFlex Grid®. 

This innovative material provides unparalleled pressure relief, conforming to your body’s contours while offering exceptional support and breathability. 

Take a look at the differences between Purple’s hybrid options to discover which is best for you:

• Restore™: This mattress offers all the benefits of the GelFlex Grid® plus an adaptive comfort foam layer, responsive, edge-to-edge coils, and an antimicrobial treatment to help the cover stay fresh. 
• RestorePlus™: Building upon the core benefits of the Restore™ mattress, the RestorePlus™ offers enhanced pressure relief, improved cooling, and superior edge support through a combination of the GelFlex Grid®, zoned coils, and advanced cooling technologies.
• RestorePremier™: The RestorePremier™ mattress elevates the RestorePlus™ using Ultra Comfort Foam to individually top the coils, offering ultimate pressure relief and enhanced cooling.

Choose Purple for a Better Night’s Sleep

So, what is a hybrid mattress? It’s an innovative blend of comfort and support, combining the best aspects of innerspring and foam mattresses. By understanding the components and benefits of hybrid mattresses, you can make an informed decision about your next sleep investment. 

Purple offers a range of hybrid mattress options, each designed to cater to different sleep preferences. Learn more about the differences between Purple mattresses to make the right choice for you.