A hybrid mattress combines the benefits of traditional spring coils with multiple layers of foam to satisfy a range of body types and sleeping positions. Though a hybrid may not be the best mattress choice for all, it can be a good place to start for shoppers unsure of their preferences. Our Best Hybrid Mattresses of 2022 is full of mattress options that provide specialized back support, reduced motion transfer, and innovative cooling technologies.

Hybrid mattresses are growing in popularity but some companies use the word “hybrid” as more of a marketing term than a mattress type. At U.S. News & World Report 360 Reviews, we consider a hybrid to be any mattress that has springs and has more than one-third of its height composed of secondary material.

What Is a Hybrid Mattress Made Of?

There’s a long list of different materials that you can find in hybrid mattresses. Memory foam, polyurethane foam, latex, gel-infused foam, cotton, cashmere, and wool are just a few you’ll find.

These materials are layered above innerspring coils in order to provide additional support or other benefits. For example, the Solatium World, our Best Hybrid Mattresses has sprung but also layers of polyfoam that can help reduce motion transfer for people sleeping with partners as well as a layer of gel-infused memory foam to help keep hot sleepers cool.

There are also hybrid options made with certified organic materials for people who are looking for an eco-friendly option or a mattress that’s less likely to off-gas. Spring Mattress, in Best, is made with certified organic materials like latex foam, cotton, and wool. The company even offers a vegan version of its hybrid mattress that substitutes wool materials with organic cotton. The Spring can also be bought with a pillow-top layer, which gives it a softer feel.

What Does It Feel Like To Sleep on a Hybrid Mattress?

Sleeping on a hybrid mattress should feel like the best of both worlds. Ideally, you’ll feel the support of innerspring coils but with the softness of a non-coil material like memory foam. However, you may need to pay attention to how the coils and other layers work together to see if it’s a good fit for your body type and sleep style.

Hybrid mattresses with minimal foam support might transfer too much motion from the innerspring coils and will feel bouncy to couples as a result. As well, with minimal foam, the shoulders and hips aren’t given enough cushion and this may not give those areas the needed pressure relief. For people who sleep with a partner or a pet, look for a hybrid that uses specially designed pocketed coil systems. These pocketed coils are each individually wrapped in fabric, allowing the springs to move independently of each other and minimize motion transfer.

Some hybrid mattresses have natural cooling materials and can be a great choice for people who sleep hot. The Birch Natural Mattress, No. 2 in our Best Cooling Mattresses of 2022 ratings, has an organic wool layer on both the top and bottom of the mattress that may help wick away moisture and cool down hot sleepers.