Memory Foam vs. Hybrid Mattress: What's the Difference?

A good night’s sleep is important for everyone, but how does one choose the right kind of mattress to sleep on? This article will talk about the differences between memory foam and a hybrid mattress, two of the most popular types of mattresses. We’ll also compare them based on cost, material, durability, and more.

The main difference between these two types is that a hybrid has coils within the mattress, while the other does not. A hybrid is made up of different kinds of materials, while a memory foam mattress primarily uses foam. The latter can also include other materials such as copper or gel.

What Is A Memory Foam Mattress?

A memory foam mattress is usually softer than other types of mattresses because of the material that is used (viscoelastic foam). It is able to fit around a person’s body (regardless of body type) when they sleep, allowing for equal weight distribution.

Benefits Of A Memory Foam Mattress

• Heat retention: This mattress can retain your body heat, allowing the user to stay warm even on cold nights. People who live in colder areas will find this mattress type more suitable for its heat-retaining properties.
• Pressure relief: Its material allows weight distribution away from pressure points such as the hips. This results in more comfort when sleeping, as the material provides contouring pressure relief. 
• Motion isolation: Because it is designed to cradle the body well, the mattress has motion isolation. This is excellent for sleepers who are extra sensitive to vibrations or movements from a sleeping partner.
• Soft: Because this model is made to cushion your body, it is more “plush” than other mattress types. 

 Drawbacks Of A Memory Foam Mattress

• Too warm: Due to its ability to retain body heat, this mattress can feel uncomfortable or too warm for some (e.g. those living in warmer climates). 
• Constricting: While this mattress type can contort to the body for equal weight distribution and pressure, it may feel constricting or suffocating.
• Limited movement: Because of its motion isolation properties, the mattress may prevent you from freely moving on the bed.

Should I Choose A Memory Foam Mattress?

A memory foam mattress is an appropriate purchase for someone who is looking for something soft or plush. These types of mattresses can work for people who have joint pain or regularly feel aches in pressure points like the hips, back, or shoulders. 

However, this type of mattress may not be suitable for people who move around a lot in their sleep, easily give off body heat, or live in a warm climate.

What Is A Hybrid Mattress?

A hybrid mattress is a multi-layer mattress, meaning that it has both a foam or latex base layer and durable coils on the inside.

Benefits Of A Hybrid Mattress

• Long-lasting: A major benefit of hybrid models is that a hybrid mattress can be more durable and long-lasting because of its pocketed coils. 
• Pressure relief: Hybrid types tend to provide added support. It can also isolate motion when a person is sleeping.
• Breathable: Due to its innerspring or pocketed coils, this mattress allows more breathability and airflow than all-foam mattresses. Because of this, it is less likely to trap body heat and more able to retain body temperature.

Drawbacks Of A Hybrid Mattress

• Heavier: Other drawbacks of hybrid mattresses are the potential for noisiness and weight. Because of the spring coils within the layers, this mattress type is heavier and therefore harder to transport, move, and set up. If not built right,  It can be prone to making noise compared to all-foam types.

Should I Choose A Hybrid Mattress?

This mattress type can be a solid option for people looking for a mattress with added support, and more breathable.. More sought after as it’s considered a “traditional mattress”, hybrid models are one of the most popular types out there and can be easily purchased in most, if not all, mattress stores.

Comparing Memory Foam vs Hybrid Mattress

These two mattress types have similarities and differences, so the question remains: what is the better mattress to choose between the two? How can you know what type of mattress would best fit your needs? 

Below are the important factors when choosing the right mattress.

Cost

Mattresses aren’t cheap. The price largely depends on what type of mattress you are looking for and how high the quality of the materials are.

Queen memory foams can go as low as $800 because they’re usually made of one material. In contrast, Queen hybrid models generally start at around $1,000 and can go as high as $5,000.

Durability

When it comes to durability, the hybrid mattress has the memory foam beat. Because the hybrid has coils inside the mattress, it lessens the likelihood of your mattress sagging or quickly deteriorating in quality.

Materials

Hybrid mattresses come in a range of materials for coil types and foam layers. Most traditional innerspring mattresses are pure latex, but other innerspring mattresses use a combination of foam, such as latex and memory foam.

There is also a wide range when it comes to memory foam models – not all are made purely out of memory foam. For example, gel memory foam mattresses have gel infused into traditional memory foam for better heat absorption.

Temperature Regulation

Because a hybrid model has better air circulation, it is more adept at temperature regulation compared to memory foam. One of the main drawbacks of the memory foam mattress is its tendency to retain heat.

Motion Isolation

Hybrid mattresses use a coil system with a layer of comfort. The coils compress individually which provides great motion isolation.

A memory foam mattress absorbs movement rather than transfers it to other areas. All foam mattresses do not have the added support coils which can give the mattress more of a bouncing feel.

Differences Between Memory Foam vs Hybrid Mattress

Between the memory foam and the hybrid mattress, there is a big difference in what they’re made of. Usually, memory foam is made up of one single material, but materials like gel or copper can be added for heat absorption. Hybrid mattresses, in contrast, are always made up of two different materials: a foam base layer, plus metal coils or springs.

Memory Foam vs. Hybrid Mattress: Which Is Better?

If you’re looking for comfort and on a tight budget, then a memory foam mattress could be the right choice. But if you’re looking for added support, and more breathability, and don't mind spending a little more, Hybrid may be a good option for you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Memory Foam vs Hybrid Mattress

Is memory foam or hybrid more comfortable?

Though it depends on a person's definition of comfort, a memory foam mattress is particularly known for its “body sinking” ability. The user may feel like they’re being hugged by the mattress when sleeping on it. Compared to a hybrid model, memory foam is soft, with no coils to push back.

Whereas Hybris mattresses have coils combined with a top comfort layer. Depending on the thickness of the top comfort layer. This can provide anywhere from a soft to firm feel while having added support from coils.

Which lasts longer, memory foam or hybrid?

A memory foam mattress is an all-foam type that is usually made up of one material, which can cause it to sag over time.

Hybrid mattresses have metal coils, making the foam base layer more durable as the metal coils are the ones carrying the weight. Hybrid mattresses having coils plush a top comfort layer means you get the comfort plus added support

Which is better for side sleepers: hybrid vs memory foam mattress?

It is important for side sleepers to have a mattress that contours to the body. More specifically the hips and shoulders. Both memory foam and hybrid mattresses can provide this. Hybrid mattresses should have a thicker comfort layer for side sleepers.