Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we may earn a commission from our partners’ links. This content is created by TIME Stamped, under TIME’s direction and produced in accordance with TIME’s editorial guidelines and overseen by TIME’s editorial staff. Learn more about it.
You don’t have to be Goldilocks to have trouble finding a mattress just right for you. If you’re torn between the alluring siren song of soft, sinking-in comfort and sensible, spine-supporting firmness, then a hybrid might be one of the best mattresses for you. To find out more about how they work, and which ones are worth your time, here’s our list of the best hybrid mattresses on the market right now.
The appeal of hybrid mattresses is that they strike the right balance between pressure point-cradling softness and spine-supporting firmness, and that’s something that Helix’s Midnight Luxe does perfectly. It does this through a carefully considered layering of different foam types atop around 1,000 individually wrapped coils, leading to luxurious comfort while remaining stable enough to keep your spine aligned.
Anyone who’s ever had ongoing back issues knows how much a single night’s sleep can mess you up. To help avoid that morning–or even recurring nighttime–pain, try a hybrid mattress that offers the appropriate levels of support and give–in this case, Bear’s Star hybrid. “This mattress features a variety of comfort layers, including memory foam and latex, to provide pressure relief, while the individually wrapped coils offer preeminent support,” says Seeley.
For couples sharing a bed, motion transfer is an important factor to take into account, especially if one of you tends to move around a lot at night, or if one of you is a particularly light sleeper. A mattress with low motion transfer means that one of you can get in and out of bed–or at the very least, roll over a bunch–without waking up the person on the other side. Leesa’s Sapria Hybrid performs well when it comes to reducing motion transfer, making it our pick for the best hybrid mattress for couples.
As we saw in our guide to the best pillows for side sleepers, side sleeping is the most common way to sleep, so you’ll find plenty of mattresses out there designed for this sleeping position. Side sleepers in particular require pressure point-relief (particularly in the hips and shoulders) and help with spinal alignment, which Nolah’s Evolution excels at. It does this through its layering of multiple different types of foam, atop a thick layer of individually wrapped coils for targeted support and elevated relief for the lumbar region. If side sleeping is the only comfortable position for you, give this one a try.
Read the full Review: Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress 15 Plush Review: The Ultimate Mattress for Side Sleepers
If you’ve already tried the best cooling sheets out there and need a little extra to take the heat out of your sleep, try a cooling mattress. Featuring a GlacioTex cooling cover and cooling Copperflex foam inside, “the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe is the perfect choice for those looking for a cooling hybrid mattress,” says Seeley. “For an extra touch of luxury, the Aurora Luxe also features a quilted top layer for superior comfort.” Interesting to note: The Aurora Luxe also made our list of the best mattresses for side sleepers.
“The Titan Firm Hybrid is the perfect choice for a heavy person looking for a supportive mattress,” says Seeley. “It features an extra-firm support system and a combination of individually wrapped coils and advanced foam layers that contour to your body for exceptional comfort. Also, it’s made with eco-friendly materials and has enhanced edge support to ensure maximum sleep surface area.”
Read, Also: Best Mattresses for Heavy People to Sleep Soundly All Night
While there are certainly less expensive options on our list, this entry finds the sweet spot between thrifty and feature-stuffed. “The Saatva Classic is an affordable hybrid mattress that offers a comfortable sleep experience,” says Martin Seeley, founder and CEO of Mattress Next Day. “It features a cushion-y Euro pillow top to provide pressure relief, while the individually wrapped coils contour your body for exceptional support. Plus, it’s made with eco-friendly materials and has a no-flip design for minimal maintenance.” Shopping tip: Saatva is not just one of the best places to buy a mattress. It’s truly a one-stop place for anything else you may need to outfit your bed for a better night’s rest. They’re one of the best places to buy bedding and offer some of the best pillows out there.
*Wondering what size is best for your sleeping needs? Read our guide to mattress sizes and bed dimensions.
In ye olden days, people with back pain were advised to sleep on the floor. These days, thankfully, you can get a firm mattress that doesn't feel like concrete, especially if you go for a hybrid. “The Allswell Luxe Hybrid Mattress is the perfect choice for those looking for extra-firm support,” says Seeley. “It features a combination of individually-wrapped coils and advanced foam layers that provide superior support and comfort.”
“The Linenspa Hybrid Mattress is the perfect choice for those looking for a convenient, easy-to-set-up mattress,” says Seeley. “It comes in a box and features individually wrapped coils and high-density foam layers.” With its medium-firm feel and thick layer of memory foam over six-inch springs, this mattress-in-a-box option is supportive, but it’s still extremely comfortable—and can work with any kind of base.
It’s easy to take your life—or at least, your spine—in your hands when you spend under $500 on a mattress. Sleepy’s Basic Hybrid delivers for the price, with enough of the features you’d expect in a quality mattress. “The contouring carbide gel memory foam and individual pocketed coils gently cradle and support your body, while helping ease joint discomfort,” says Carly Lycke, manager of product development and sourcing at Mattress Firm. “And the temperature-regulating memory foam works with the soft, breathable, stretch-knit cover to provide more breathability.”
“The Brentwood Home Hybrid Latex is the perfect choice for those looking for a latex hybrid mattress,” says Seeley. “It features an all-natural, breathable wool layer and a combination of individually wrapped coils and natural Dunlop latex to provide superior comfort and support.” You’ll also sleep better at night knowing that this is one of the most environmentally-friendly options out there.
First, it’s about the question on everyone’s mind whenever this type of mattress comes up: What is a hybrid mattress, anyway? In a nutshell, it’s a mattress that combines two types (usually inner-spring coils and a memory foam, latex or gel outer layer) in one comfortable package.
According to Seeley, the following should be considered when shopping for a hybrid mattress.
“When shopping for a hybrid mattress, the firmness should be your top priority. Look for a mattress option that has medium-firm support with just enough give to keep you comfortable all night. Some hybrids offer adjustable firmness settings, so you can customize the feel of your bed according to your preference.”
“Many hybrid mattresses feature temperature-regulating technology, such as cooling gel memory foam or airflow-enhancing coils. This helps to keep you cool and comfortable during the night by dissipating heat buildup. Look for a mattress with breathable materials so your body heat won't be trapped in the bedding.” Note: Make sure you also pick a mattress protector that’s breathable, so it doesn’t interfere with any airflow-enhancing or cooling benefits.
“Hybrid mattresses are known for their motion isolation capabilities, making them an ideal choice for couples. When you move around at night, the coils will absorb most of the motion so your partner won't be disturbed. This is also beneficial if you usually sleep alone and don’t want to be woken up by movements on the other side of the bed.”
We made our selections through a combination of expert advice, thorough research, and making sure customer reviews for each pick were overwhelmingly positive.
“Generally speaking, people who sleep on their sides or backs tend to like hybrid mattresses,” says Byron Golub, vice president of product and merchandising for Saatva. “For side sleepers, two major pressure points—your shoulders and hips—are vulnerable as they support you on top of the sleep surface. Hybrid mattresses provide the pressure relief of foam, combined with the elevation provided by the active support of an innerspring. Hybrid mattresses are also great for minimizing motion transfer, which innerspring mattresses traditionally have not been great at, while still offering the responsiveness of a coil support system.”
“Hybrid mattresses are essentially the best of both worlds in terms of comfort and support,” agrees Lycke. “They maximize the best attributes of innerspring mattresses with their support construction, while also providing comfort from the multiple layers of foams used. The mix of comfort and support make these mattresses great for all different types of sleepers. For those looking for a bed not too firm or not too soft, this mattress type is the best way to go.”
“Hybrid mattresses can be helpful for lower back pain, due to their blend of support and comfort from innerspring coils and foam layers,” says Dr. Raj Dasgupta, a board-certified sleep and internal medicine doctor. “They may aid in distributing body weight, aligning the spine and reducing pressure points.”
“The top foam layer in a hybrid mattress contours to your body and provides pressure relief for your back and joints, which is especially important if you’re prone to back pain,” adds Golub. “A hybrid mattress with added lumbar or ‘zoned’ support has firmer foams in the center third to promote proper spinal alignment and reduce back pain.”
“Generally, hybrid mattresses don't require a box spring,” says Hafiz Shariff, sleep expert and founder of luxury bedding brand Owl Lark. “Instead, they can be used on different types of foundations like platform beds, adjustable bases, or slatted frames. Just make sure the foundation you choose provides adequate support for the hybrid mattress.”
“The best time to buy a hybrid mattress is during the holiday season, when many retailers offer special deals and discounts,” advises Seeley. “Shopping for a new bed at this time of year can save you money, as well as giving you the chance to compare different models and find the one that's right for you. Be sure to do your research beforehand so you know what type of mattress will best suit your needs.”
“The best times to buy a hybrid mattress are during major holidays and sales events like Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday,” agrees Dasgupta. “Changing seasons, new model releases, and the ends of months or quarters may also offer discounts. Online retailers often have promotions year-round.”
“Hybrid mattress prices vary based on factors like size, brand, materials, and features,” says Dasgupta. On average, you can expect to pay around the following:
“Prices can go higher for luxury models or extra features,” Dasgupta continues. “Remember to balance your budget with the mattress quality and features that matter to you. Look for sales and financing options if available.”
For more in-depth shopping tips, check out our guide on how to choose a mattress.
The information presented here is created by TIME Stamped and overseen by TIME editorial staff. To learn more, see our About Us page.
