Hybrid Mattress vs Memory Foam: Which Mattress Is Best For You? (2024)

Updated: November 18, 2024

Alex Forest

Sleep Content Specialist

Choosing between a hybrid mattress and a memory foam mattress can be a challenging decision. Memory foam mattresses have excellent pressure-point relief and motion isolation. Hybrid mattresses, on the other hand, combine the best of foam and innerspring mattresses to create a balance between support and comfort.

This article will explore memory foam and hybrid mattresses, comparing their construction, benefits, and drawbacks. After reading this article, you’ll be better equipped to decode which mattress type best suits your needs.

Breakdown: Hybrid vs Memory Foam Mattress

Category	Hybrid Mattresses	Memory Foam Mattresses
Cost	$1,000–3,000+	$500–2,000+
Feel	Balanced feel with bounce and responsiveness	Contours around your body for a “hugging” effect
Advantages	Good balance between support, bounce, and breathability Can be firmer and more supportive than foam mattresses A good choice for heavier sleepers Tend to last longer than foam mattresses	Excellent motion isolation and pressure-point relief Often somewhat lighter than hybrid mattresses, making them easier to move Wide variety of foam types available
Disadvantages	Can be heavier than foam mattresses, especially with larger mattress sizes Can be noisier due to metal coils Motion isolation often isn’t as good as foam mattresses	Not ideal for heavier sleepers Can lack edge support Less bouncy and responsive compared to hybrid mattresses Can trap heat, especially in mattresses with a softer feel
Best for…	Sleepers who prefer bounce and support Hot sleepers Sleepers who want the feel of a traditional mattress	Light sleepers Sleepers who need pressure-point relief Budget-conscious sleepers

Memory Foam Mattresses

Also known as viscoelastic foam, memory foam was developed by NASA in the 1960s for use in airplane seats. Most memory foam mattresses contain three or more layers of foam, and each layer may be made from a different type of memory foam.

While many brands use the terms “foam” and “memory foam” interchangeably, not all foam used in mattresses is memory foam. Memory foam is a specific type of polyurethane foam that’s known for its viscoelastic properties, meaning it’s dense and slow to respond.

In contrast, many mattresses use general polyurethane foam, which is less dense and responds more quickly to pressure.

diagram of memory foam mattress showing memory foam premium foam and high density support foam layers Text says the mattress is best for couples and back pain and the mattress is known for motion isolation and pressure point relief Description states that memory foam layers of different types and densities are stacked to provide body contouring comfort and support

Memory foam adapts to pressure and heat, contouring itself to your body as you’re lying down. This is great if you’re looking for pressure-point relief.

In addition, higher-quality memory foam mattresses often come with foam layers tailored to your specific needs. Octave Vista, for instance, features copper-infused cooling memory foam in the comfort layer to help pull excess heat away from the body so you can enjoy a fully restorative sleep.

Cooling technologies are becoming more and more common in memory foam mattresses. This is because memory foam tends to trap heat, especially memory foam with a closed-cell structure. Open-cell memory foam is more breathable, and doesn’t trap heat as much.

Memory Foam Mattress Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Contours itself to your body for personalized pressure point relief Gives you the feeling of being “hugged” as you’re sleeping Often has advanced cooling features in the foam and/or cover Known for good motion isolation	Can trap heat Heavier sleepers might feel like they sink too far, or feel “stuck” Less edge support Less bouncy and responsive, which may make it difficult to change sleep positions or get out of bed

Hybrid Mattresses

Hybrid mattresses combine the best of both foam mattresses and innerspring mattresses, offering a balanced sleep experience. Hybrid mattresses like Logan & Cove Choice typically use at least one foam layer that’s at least 2″ thick, paired with different types of coils. The coil layers in a hybrid mattress are typically 6″–10″ in height.

diagram of hybrid mattress showing cooling gel foam premium foam and wrapped pocket coil layers Text says the mattress is best for heavy people and hot sleepers and the mattress is known for pressure point relief and bounce Description states that different materials like foam and coils combine to give you all the benefits of those materials

In addition to different foam varieties, hybrid mattresses may use different kinds of coils in their construction (sometimes more than one). You’ll usually find these coil types in a hybrid mattress:

Continuous coils are connected to each other at their tops and bottoms to provide support. These springs are long-lasting but known to be noisy.
Bonnell coils have an hourglass shape and are often wired together for added strength. They’re durable but less supportive than other coil types, and they don’t isolate motion very well.
Offset coils are similar to Bonnell coils, but the top and bottom sections of each coil are squared off. This gives them better motion isolation and support.
Pocket coils are individually wrapped in fabric and aren’t linked with each other. This makes them much quieter, more durable, more responsive, and better at isolating motion than other coil types.
Micro coils have the same basic design as pocket coils, but they’re much smaller. Often found with larger pocket coils in a separate layer, micro coils help the mattress contour to your body.

what is a hybrid mattress illustrations showing the coil design for bonnell coils pocket coils offset coils continuous coils and micro coils

Hybrid Mattress Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Balanced contouring and support Suitable for a wide range of sleepers, including combination sleepers and heavier people Enhanced breathability Durable construction for long-lasting comfort and support	Coils can be noisy, especially with lower-quality models Higher price point than foam mattresses Reduced motion isolation compared to foam mattresses Can be heavy, making them challenging to move or rotate

Should you choose a memory foam mattress vs hybrid mattress?

Both memory foam and hybrid mattresses can provide comfortable sleep, no matter what budget you’re working with.

Consider a memory foam mattress like Octave Vista if you want a mattress with excellent pressure-point relief and motion isolation for an undisturbed night’s sleep. If you sleep hot, look for one with advanced cooling features, like Vista’s copper-infused foam and cooling nanofibre cover that pulls away sweat and heat from your body.

Think about getting a hybrid if you want a balance between comfort and support. Hybrids like Logan & Cove Choice offer the best of both worlds, and tend to work well with most sleep preferences.

Best Sleep

Octave Vista

Canada’s Best Mattress For a Good Night’s Sleep

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Five-zoned support system for full-body pressure-point relief
Advanced cooling features for optimal temperature regulation and all-around comfort

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