Both memory foam and hybrid mattresses are popular choices for sleep in the US. The memory foam mattress market is set to exceed USD 48 billion, while the hybrid market is also seeing significant growth. These two mattress styles offer unique features that cater to different consumer needs; for example, memory foam mattresses are known for their pressure-relieving properties, while hybrid mattresses are praised for their temperature regulation and motion isolation.

What is a memory foam mattress?

A memory foam mattress, also known as a viscoelastic foam mattress, was originally developed by NASA. But this is common knowledge, isn’t it? The close-conforming pressure relieving material was used as cushioning in the aircraft seats to make them more comfortable, and this technology made its way to the mattress identity thanks to its properties designed by NASA experts and tested out in space for comfort and excellence.

These days, each memory foam mattress is very different, but all memory foam mattresses consist of a memory foam comfort system with a high-density polyfoam support core. You might find that some memory foam mattresses use other materials, too, such as latex or polyfoam. But these are incorporated to increase durability and responsiveness and assist with regulating temperature/temperature neutrality.

When slept on, memory foam is designed to cradle the body. This helps distribute weight evenly and relieve pressure points, making memory foam a popular choice for people who want a more weightless feeling or live with chronic pain. 

However, this cradle action can also trap heat. As the mattress envelopes around you to conform to you when sleeping, it makes you feel warmer, which some people don’t like, and it can create a more uncomfortable sleeping surface.

This is why some manufacturers often use other properties, such as gel or copper, to help with heat distribution and draw excess heat from the body. Other options can induce cooling covers to help with this.

Typically, memory foam mattresses last for around 5 to 7 years, but the quality and density of the foam can dictate how long it will last; some people have reported having to replace their mattresses sooner than anticipated. And while other options can last 7-plus years, you might find you need to replace a memory foam mattress earlier than other options.

Pros of memory foam mattresses

There are many advantages to using a memory foam mattress.  

• Pressure relief – A memory foam mattress offers enhanced pressure relief, which can help you to feel more comfortable as the weight of your body is evenly distributed, removing it from pressure points such as the hips and shoulders.

• Motion Isolation – you will find that the memory foam absorbs movements and vibration, meaning you will be less likely to be woken up by your partner who is moving around or is active in their sleep as you will be cradled and shielded from their activities.

• Snug –  if you want to feel like you’re being embraced as you sleep and you want to feel hugged as you drift off, memory foam mattresses give you that comfort as they conform to your body.

Cons of memory foam mattresses

Like with anything, there are some drawbacks to the memory foam mattress. 

• Overheating – a common complaint for memory foam mattresses is that they trap heat, making it hotter for sleepers and harder for them to get comfortable.

• Quicksand feeling—when you lie on the mattress, the memory foam contours your body, shielding you from other movements of the bed. It also restricts your movements, and some users say it can feel like they are sleeping in quicksand as they sink into the memory foam.

• Off-gassing refers to the odors given off when you first unwrap your mattress. Memory foam mattresses are notorious for having a strong and off-putting “off-gassing” effect that comes from the VOCs (volatile organic compounds) used in production and in the wrapping itself.

• Shorter lifespan – memory foam mattresses last around 5 to 7 years, which is a shorter  lifespan, unlike other mattresses, including the hybrid.

What are hybrid mattresses?

Hybrid mattresses, despite their futuristic-sounding name, have been a staple in the market for many years. Their versatility lies in the materials used to create them, allowing users to benefit from a range of different functions. This provides a wealth of options and versatility for the informed consumer.

The elements of a hybrid mattress include a coil-based support core of inner springs paired with a thick comfort system similar to what you might find in a latex or foam mattress. This combination offers sleepers a balance of support and responsiveness for a more comfortable night’s sleep, providing a reassuring level of comfort and support. 

Let’s take a closer look at what’s under the hood, or the cover layer, to be exact. In a hybrid mattress, you can typically find an individually wrapped coil support core. This support core is what gives the mattress a durable, springy, and breathable surface. It delivers a stable edge support and has minimal motion transfer. However, not all hybrids use this system; some might have other coil types, including offset, continuous wire, or Bonnell. While they’re all effective, these options don’t give reduced motion transfer as the individually wrapped coil system does.

The material and composition of the hybrid mattress can vary depending on the style and features of the exact mattress. The hybrid comfort systems involving the wrapped coil springs can include memory foam, latex, polyfoam micro coils, or a combination of some or all of these materials. 

The aim of hybrid comfort systems is to cradle the body, relieve pressure, and limit motion transfer. However, different systems are available to meet different needs and budgets and deliver features, so it is important to understand how each material can benefit you and the mattress so you understand what it expects.

Pros of hybrid mattresses

Let’s uncover some of the benefits of choosing a hybrid mattress.

• Temperature regulation – hybrid mattresses are better at distributing heat and offer a cooler sleeping surface than other types of mattresses. This is due to the air being able to travel through the core, which prevents overheating.

• Easier to move around – the coil support means you can move around easier on the mattress and offers fewer restrictions for movement, meaning you can toss and turn all night with ease, and it can even be more beneficial for sex, too.

• Edge support – due to the coil support cores, most hybrid mattresses have sturdier edges, which means that you can sleep without feeling like you’re sagging wherever you lay.

• Longer lifespan – on average, a high-quality hybrid mattress can last up to 10 years, meaning you get more of your investment and don’t have to replace it as soon.

Cons of hybrid mattresses

There are some downsides to the hybrid mattress, too.

• Heavier – due to the construction of the mattress and the steel springs, hybrid mattresses are heavier, meaning they are not as easy to move as other options. This can make maneuvering them more difficult, especially if you intend to rotate your mattress or you need to carry it up and down stairs to move home.

• More expensive – hybrid mattresses can be more costly than their all-foam models. You can find budget-friendly options but for a high-quality mattress, it can be a more expensive investment.

• It could be noisy – there is the potential for motion noise transfer, and hybrid mattresses are more likely to produce noise than foam mattresses.

Memory foam vs hybrid mattresses

Both memory foam and hybrid mattresses have pros and cons, and whether or not a mattress is right for you will depend on your sleeping habits, how you sleep, and what you find the most comfortable. 

Both options use thick comfort cores for an improved night’s sleep. As the name suggests, memory foam mattresses do use memory foam, but as mentioned, that’s not always the only material they are constructed from. Hybrid mattresses, on the other hand, can be made from a range of materials to incorporate the best qualities for an improved mattress with multiple features and benefits.  

One thing to consider with memory foam mattresses is that you need to understand the density levels to help you find the right support for your body and a better-quality mattress. 

Memory foam is very soft, and over time, you will find it loses its support characteristics if you sleep in the same place every night; It may look the same, but the support has lessened. You ideally want to be looking for a higher-density foam to support your body. Mattresses with a density of 4 or 5lb, for example, will last longer than those with a density under 3.5lb. The higher the density, the less chance they will sag, lose support or become unusable faster.

The elephant in the room, however, when comparing memory foam vs hybrid mattresses, is the cost. Hybrid mattresses are more expensive than their memory foam counterparts as they require more intensive construction and more materials to make. You can find mattresses at different price points, but typically, the lower something costs, the lower the quality it likely is. The same applies to mattresses. While both options can have cost-effective models to choose from alongside more expensive mattress choices, typically, a hybrid mattress will have a higher cost.

The main difference between the two is the core. Hybrid mattresses use a coil system, while memory foam mattresses use a high-density polyfoam core. While polyfoam cores perform better for motion, isolation coil cores allow more airflow, resulting in a cooler night’s sleep and improved heat distribution.

Who should choose a memory foam mattress?

As memory foam mattresses offer exceptional support, they are more suited to people who; 

• Prefer the hugging sensation of a mattress and want something that can cradle you as you sleep.

• You sleep on your side and want to relieve pressure on your joints, especially your hips and shoulders. This is due to the memory foam distributing the weight more evenly.

• If you’re a light sleeper and if the motion of a partner in bed with you or someone you share a bed with often disturbs you, memory foam can be a great choice as it reduces these distractions.

• You do not want a heavy mattress, and you want to be able to move it around easily, change rooms, etc., as memory foam mattresses are lighter than hybrid options.

Who should choose a hybrid mattress?

As hybrid mattresses offer more support, they’re perfect for people who 

• Prefer more bounce and movement? As the coils in a hybrid mattress offer a more responsive surface to sleep on, making them easier to move around on.

• You want a mattress that offers pressure relief but doesn’t feel like you’re being swallowed up. A hybrid is better than a memory foam mattress for sleepers who prefer a firmer surface.

• If you sleep at the edge of the bed, then memory foam might not give you the support you need, while a hybrid mattress has greater edge support.

• For people who don’t like to be too hot when they sleep, a hybrid mattress offers improved air circulation, making them a cooler mattress choice than memory foam choices.

As you can see, there are pros and cons to the discussion of memory foam vs. hybrid mattresses, and like with anything in life, you need to understand what you are looking at to make a more informed decision. After all, mattresses aren’t just a financial investment; they’re investments in your sleep quality and your overall health, so you need to make the right decision for you.