What to Know Before Buying a Hybrid Mattress

July 19, 2022

The material of your mattress can greatly affect your sleep quality. If you prefer better firmness than an all foam mattress or a softer comfort than an innerspring bed, we have great news for you.

The term "hybrid" is not an unfamiliar term. In fact, we see this term in many industries, including the mattress industry, so we may have the general idea that hybrid means combining two or more materials or properties to produce a levelled up product. Hybrid mattresses have the best features of memory foam, latex foam, and innerspring mattresses in one efficient unit.

What is a Hybrid Mattress?

A hybrid mattress is designed to maximise the benefits of memory foam, latex, and innerspring mattresses while decreasing their drawbacks by engineering a better mattress design. For example, a memory foam mattress may be very supportive and generally loved because of its contouring comfort. However, it tends to trap heat and is not preferred by hot sleepers. For a high quality hybrid mattress, the contouring comfort of traditional memory foam mattresses is combined with the cooling properties of other materials to address the ability to trap heat. This is amazing, right?

If you're searching for a new hybrid mattress that combines the features that you like, continue reading this guide to understand more about the components of this innovative sleep solution.

What are the Components of a Hybrid Mattress?

Hybrid mattresses may come in different designs and components based on the materials used in manufacturing the new mattress. Here are the common components a hybrid mattress has:

1. Comfort Layer

   The comfort layer is the uppermost part of the hybrid bed, but other hybrid mattresses have this layer under the pillowtop. This top layer is usually two inches thick and made of foam. This foam comfort layer acts as a cushion for your hybrid mattress. This is typically responsible for the contouring comfort that alleviates the pain during sleep.

   The comfort layer can be made from memory foam, latex foam, or polyurethane foam.

2. Transition Layer

   Like the comfort layer, the transition layers can also be manufactured from memory foam, latex foam, or high-density polyfoam. This works as an extra cushion that supports proper weight distribution, especially for mattress sharers.

   Not all hybrid mattresses have this foam comfort layer, but when they do, it means they will receive additional loft and weight support. The transition layer also includes the cooling layer, like gel, which is supported by the proper airflow the coil layer will provide.

3. Support Layer

   The main function of the support layer is well, to provide you with the right body support during sleep. This is the coil support system, generally made from pocketed coils, that prevents motion transfer to other parts of the mattress.

   Since the support layer is made of coils, it provides the right push to keep your body lifted instead of letting it sink like on other foam mattresses. The support layer also promotes proper spine alignment.

   By standard, the support layer must not be 50% less than the actual thickness of the whole hybrid mattress. This means if the hybrid mattress is 15 inches tall, at least half of it must consist of the support layer.

4. Base Layer

   The base layer is around one inch thick and located underneath the support layers. This layer is optional but is efficient in keeping the shape of the hybrid mattress longer. This extra layer can also protect the pocketed coil support core from damage.

 Read more: How to Choose the Best Mattress

What is Edge Support?

Remember that feeling of slipping from your latex foam mattress when you lie down on the edge? Hybrid mattresses offer better edge support for sleepers, especially bed sharers. A hybrid mattress with proper edge support has the ability to retain its shape all throughout the mattress, including the left and right edges. This can be done by adjusting the coil support around the edges.

If you toss and turn a lot or have a hard time finding a comfortable sleeping position, a hybrid mattress with the right edge support will help you stay in the right place without the fear of slipping off the mattress.

What is Motion Isolation?

Motion isolation is one of the greatest features mattress shoppers love about hybrid mattresses. Motion isolation is the ability of the mattress to reduce motion transfer when one of the sharers moves. This is important, especially when mattress sharers have different weights or preferred sleeping positions.

This motion isolation is achieved by the presence of the pocketed coils, which follow individually with movements compared to the traditional coil support system.

Is a Hybrid Mattress the Right Mattress for You?

A Hybrid Mattress is the Best for You If:

1. You are a hot sleeper. Hot sleepers will benefit from the pocketed coil system and open-cell transition layer of the hybrid mattress. These two layers ensure better air circulation compared to a more compact memory foam mattress.

2. You experience back pain. A hybrid mattress provides better pressure relief than an all-foam mattress, which may lack push back, or an all-innerspring mattress, which lacks direct pressure relief, due to the combination of the contouring comfort layer and firmer support layer.

3. You share your mattress. A hybrid mattress prevents motion transfer, which often causes discomfort and sleep deprivation to light sleepers.

4. You have a higher weight range. If you are pregnant or weigh more than 200 pounds, a hybrid mattress can offer you the proper sleep support without torturing your back with a mattress that is too firm for your liking. The coil support system will give your body the right amount of sleep support while the comfort layer gives you pressure relief.

Our Favourite Hybrid Mattress

The Vesper hybrid mattress comes with six layers of comfort, including several breathable gel and latex foam layers that increase the air circulation in the mattress. These cooling layers are placed on top of the zero motion transfer support layer and are enclosed with a Tencel Ice Silk cover for a cooler, sweat-free good night's sleep. The OEKO-TEX certified Vesper hybrid mattress is engineered for all body types and sleeping positions.

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