All About Hybrid Mattresses

A side view of a woman laying on a mattress with a cutaway view of the inner mattress materials

Hybrid mattresses have exploded in popularity in the last 10+ years as consumers have learned of their benefits. People have realized that a hybrid is essentially taking the benefits of an innerspring and the benefits of a memory foam and combining them into one bed. For all the information you need about hybrid mattresses, read on:

What is a Hybrid Mattress?

A hybrid mattress combines some of the foams found in memory foam beds with the springs found in a traditional innerspring mattress. Memory foam conforms to the body’s shape, providing pressure relief and a comfortable “hug.” Innersprings provide bounce, support, and a responsive feel. They help with distributing weight and maintaining proper spinal alignment.

A cutaway image of a Tempur-Pedic Pro Breeze Medium Hybrid mattress

As you can see in this example from Tempur-Pedic, multiple layers of foam and comfort materials are combined with an innerspring system to create a hybrid mattress. The combination of these creates a mattress that appeals to a wider group of people. The hybrid mattress addresses more consumer complaints than any other type of mattress.

The Benefits of Hybrid Mattresses

  • Support and Comfort: The combination of innerspring coils and memory foam provides a good balance of support and comfort, catering to different sleep preferences and body types.
  • Motion Isolation: Memory foam layers help reduce motion transfer, making hybrid mattresses a good choice for couples where one person’s movements won’t disturb the other’s sleep.
  • Temperature Regulation: The incorporation of cooling materials helps prevent heat buildup, making hybrid mattresses cooler than traditional memory foam mattresses.
  • Edge Support: The innerspring coils often extend to the edges of the mattress, providing better edge support and preventing the feeling of rolling off the bed.
  • Durability: The combination of materials can contribute to a longer lifespan compared to mattresses made solely of memory foam or innerspring coils.

However, it’s important to note that not all hybrid mattresses are the same, and the exact construction can vary widely among different brands and models. When considering a hybrid mattress, it’s essential to research the specific materials used, and the quality of construction, and speak with a mattress expert to ensure that the hybrid meets your comfort and support preferences.

A woman laying on her side in bed sleeping

The Difference Between Hybrids, Innersprings, & Memory Foam Mattresses

  • What is an Innerspring Mattress? An Innerspring Mattress is a type of mattress that is constructed using a system of metal coils or springs as its primary support structure. These coils are typically made from steel and are designed to provide varying levels of support and comfort throughout the mattress. The coils are usually covered by layers of padding, upholstery, and fabric to create the overall feel and appearance of the mattress.
  • What is a Memory Foam Mattress? A memory foam mattress is a type of mattress that is constructed using a viscoelastic foam material known as memory foam. This foam is designed to respond to heat and pressure, conforming closely to the shape of the body when it comes into contact with it. Memory foam mattresses are known for their ability to contour to the sleeper’s body, providing a cradling sensation and distributing body weight evenly.
  • What is a Hybrid Mattress? A hybrid mattress is a type of mattress that blends the support of innerspring coils with the comfort of memory foam. This combination aims to provide sleepers with a balance of responsive support and contouring comfort, addressing issues like pressure points and motion transfer. Hybrid mattresses often use individually wrapped coils to reduce motion transfer and may incorporate various types of foam for enhanced comfort and support, catering to a wide range of sleep preferences.

Hybrid mattresses have been found to be the perfect blend of the best parts of both innersprings and memory foam. In fact, the use of a hybrid mattress has been found to improve objective and perceived sleep outcomes according to this study performed for periodical Sleep.


Kevin Aldred, Mattress Expert

There have been several innovations made in sleep technology over the last ten years, and hybrids have been at the forefront of those achievements. They truly give the best of both worlds for people seeking the support of a traditional innerspring with the pressure relief of today’s specialty foams.

— Kevin Aldred, Mattress Expert at Gardner White

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Need Help From a Mattress Expert?

You can contact one of Gardner White’s experts at (248) 481-2208, chat with one online, or visit one of our local Michigan stores.

Dave has been in the furniture industry in one capacity or another for the last decade. When not writing about furniture he enjoys cooking for his family, guitar playing, oil painting, the Detroit Tigers, and the comedic antics of English Bulldogs.