Memory Foam Vs. Hybrid Mattress: How To Decide, According To Experts

Forbes

6 days ago

If you're in the process of shopping for a new mattress that delivers consistent comfort and support, it's not uncommon to find yourself in the memory foam vs. hybrid mattress debate. Both varieties offer lush, body-conforming benefits, but there are a few key differences. Most notably, in addition to a foam layer, hybrid mattresses also feature an innerspring core. So which one best suits you and your needs?
'A good mattress should support the body's natural curvature and prevent you from sinking too deep or being too flat,' explains Dr. Thomas Nguyen, an interventional pain specialist at Virginia Spine Institute. He goes on to explain that while memory foam can cushion achy joints, hybrid mattresses offer more structural support for chronic pain. 'If you are consistently waking up stiff and sore, you might want to evaluate your mattress choice and get a new one.' Of course, this is not a one-size-fits-all decision, and each mattress type serves certain sleepers better than others.
The ever-popular memory foam mattress hasn't been around very long. In fact, the material didn't exist at all before NASA invented it in the 1960s as a solution for uncomfortable spacecraft seats. It became a commonplace mattress material decades later in the 1990s, and has remained popular for its distinctive dense, pliable texture.
So what exactly is memory foam? It's typically made of polyurethane, a plastic-based material. What sets it apart is its viscoelastic texture, which combines viscosity and elasticity to change shape slowly and eventually bounce back to its original form. It's known for molding to your specific body shape as you lie down on it, providing personalized support as it contours around every curve.
There are three main different types of memory foam to choose from: traditional, open-cell and gel. Traditional refers to that molding texture that's characteristic of memory foam, but it's often known for trapping heat due to its inherent makeup. Open-cell memory foam attempts to solve this problem by incorporating internal pockets to promote air circulation for a cooling effect.
Finally, gel memory foam mattresses are made with gel-based microbeads that are incorporated into the foam, designed to absorb and dissipate built-up heat to promote cooling and regulate body temperature as you sleep.
Hybrid mattresses offer a lot of the same plush benefits as memory foam, with an added innerspring core for a little more support. However, choosing a hybrid mattress can be much more complex. While some hybrid mattress foam layers are made of memory foam, others are made from polyfoam, latex or microcoils. The foam topping material you choose results in varying firmness levels, responsiveness and temperature regulation.
The innerspring coils can differ, too. They can be individually wrapped or pocketed, which makes for better motion transfer, or they can be continuous, which makes for more stable support. You also have to consider the thickness of the foam layer(s), as well as the number of coils included, in order to best suit your personal needs (and the needs of your partner).
Both memory foam and hybrid mattresses offer a soft, plush component that's designed to support the curves in your body for a better night's sleep. But while memory foam mattresses are all foam, hybrid mattresses contain innerspring coils for a layer of support that minimizes that 'soft sink' that comes from pure memory foam. Hybrid mattresses are also made with varying materials—not just memory foam—which can make for a more customized sleep experience.
Due to memory foam's intense contouring capabilities, they're not suited to every sleeper. Zachary Smith, doctor of physical therapy and co-founder of HIDEF Physical Therapy, highlights that if you are a larger person, for example, memory foam may not offer adequate support. It could cause you to 'sink in at the hips, which will cause you to sleep in a flexed position,' he says. Additionally, 'if you have a history of a disc injury, this may cause irritation or stiffness when you wake up.'
McKenzie Dillon, certified sleep science coach and mattress and sleep editor at Forbes Vetted, echoes this. 'Memory foam beds are better for people under the 250-pound range, since they aren't as supportive and durable as a hybrid bed, and won't last as long for heavier body types,' she says.
However, memory foam mattresses are great for couples who are light sleepers and struggle with being awakened by each other's movements. As Dillon puts it, 'the foam excels at deadening movement.'
The best memory foam mattress we tested is the Nectar Premier, which has a medium-soft feel that's suited to back and side sleepers alike, making it a great compromise pick for combination sleepers or couples with different sleep habits. We also love the WinkBeds GravityLux Mattress for its breathable AirCell Memory Foam that doesn't sleep as hot as most memory foam mattresses.
There are a few factors to consider when deciding on the appropriate mattress for you, including your size, sleep habits and preferences. 'If you are a back sleeper and are heavier, a moderate-to-firm mattress is best,' Smith says. 'In this case, a hybrid is great.' However, due to their versatility, hybrid mattresses can work for all sleeping positions; many are featured in our best lists for side, stomach and combination sleepers.
They're also recommended for sleepers with chronic back pain. 'They help promote better spinal alignment, especially after years of regular wear and tear,' explains Dillon. Smith differentiates which mattress helps back pain based on symptoms. 'If you have back pain, but standing and walking feels better than sitting, you will likely feel better with a firmer mattress' over a memory foam, he says.
Hot sleepers also benefit more from hybrid mattresses over memory foam, as they offer more breathability. Memory foam mattresses are known for trapping heat, while hybrid mattress offer more airflow thanks to embedded coils, as well as flexibility when it comes to foam materials.
When we tested the best hybrid mattress, we crowned the Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid Mattress as our top pick because of its impressive motion isolation and cooling technology, thanks to temperature-regulating fibers. We also love the Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress for its supreme comfort, thanks to a thick quilted pillow top that offers excellent support.
The sleep team at Forbes Vetted is comprised of sleep experts and product testers that have spent countless hours testing, researching and reviewing everything from the best mattresses to the best pillows on the market. They prioritize education so that readers can make the best choices when it comes to sleep products.