A third of our life is spent in bed. When it comes to sleep, comfort should be a priority. If you are not comfortable in your bed, you are going to have a difficult time either falling or staying asleep throughout the night. Knowing what needs to look for when purchasing a bed, whether you are on a budget, have chronic back pain, or are looking for something for you and your partner, will determine the kind of mattress that will be right for you.
Currently, two of the most common mattress types are hybrids and memory foam. Learn more as we discuss hybrid vs memory foam to help you figure out which of the two is better suited for your sleeping needs.
What is a Hybrid Mattress?
While traditional innerspring mattresses are made using interlinked coils covered with a top layer of wood or padding, a hybrid mattress takes the traditional mattress and combines it with a more contemporary approach. Typically, hybrid beds have individually pocketed springs and one or more layers of foam to decrease the coil’s ability to prod out like in a traditional mattress. Since these coils are able to move seamlessly independent from one another, it aids in reducing motion transfer. A comfort layer made out of memory foam, latex or another kind of foam is also added in a hybrid bed and is about 1.5 inches deep. Cooling materials such as cooling gel are put inside a hybrid mattress to slow down the body’s warmth, preventing the mattress from getting hot. On top of this, a pillow top made from foam, cotton, wool, fiberfill or latex, helps with adding an extra layer of comfort. This provides for a better quality night's sleep.
Pros of a Hybrid Mattress
Better Contour - Compared to a traditional innerspring mattress, a hybrid mattress offers better contour due to its added comfort layer and individually wrapped coils. This addition allows for greater support and mobility.
Good Breathability - As opposed to a memory foam mattress that can offer a warmer night’s sleep, a hybrid mattress sleeps cooler because of its cooling materials. It allows for more breathability and is good if you have a naturally higher body temperature and are prone to being warm or live somewhere with a hotter climate.
Reduces Sinkage - Unlike a memory foam mattress that molds to your body, a hybrid mattress reduces this level of sinkage and gives you more of the feeling like in a traditional mattress.
Has Bounce - The coils in a hybrid mattress allows for more bounce and is easier for people who need extra help when getting in and out of bed.
Budget-Friendly - Along with a variety of firmness options, hybrid mattresses are great for people on a budget. On the other hand, a memory foam mattress can get a little bit pricier.
Cons of a Hybrid Mattress
Heavy - Hybrid mattresses tend to be on the heavier side and are more difficult to move around when compared to a memory foam mattress.
Not Good For Couples - The motion transfer on hybrid beds could be irritating for a couple who shares a bed, especially if one partner moves around more during the night.
High Motion Transfer - With the wrong construction, hybrid beds can have high motion transfer which is not good for a light sleeper or someone who is looking for a slower response.
Pros of a Memory Foam Mattress
Easy to clean - Memory foam mattresses can be easily cleaned by wiping the mattress down with a damp cloth.
Keeps Spinal Alignment in Check - If you have issues with your spine, either from using the wrong mattress or pillow, a memory foam mattress may be the best option for you. Body weight is evenly distributed on this material and helps with overall spinal alignment.
Less snoring - In addition to spinal alignment, memory foam helps with sleepers who snore since the even distribution of weight allows for better breathing at night.
Motion Isolation - If you or your partner tends to move around at night, memory foam mattresses can be a good fit since it decreases motion isolation letting both of you sleep comfortably.
Good for Light Sleepers - Because of the memory foam’s slow-response foam, it will not disturb light sleepers allowing for an uninterrupted night’s sleep.
Best contour - This kind of mattress is recommended for people who are side sleepers who deal with issues relating to back pain. Since memory foam is not a harsh material and has the ability to mold with your body, it will not add pressure to sensitive areas but will offer some relief.
Hypoallergenic - Memory foam mattress models are great for people with allergies since they are hypoallergenic making them resistant to dust, dust mites, and other allergens typically found in a mattress.
Cons of a Memory Foam Mattress
Allows Sinkage - Memory foam’s ability to mold with your body can also make a person feel engulfed in their mattress, but having pocketed coils in your memory foam mattress will reduce this feeling.
Can Get Hot - Memory foam tends to retain a person’s body heat giving you a warmer night. If this is a problem, make sure the memory mattress you purchase is open cell or gel-infused to reduce heat.
Bounce Restrictions - If you have trouble getting in and out of bed, then you might prefer a hybrid mattress. With a memory mattress, there is less bounce and slower cushion response.
Off-gassing - A new memory foam bed can sometimes result in off-gassing, giving off the chemical manufacturer’s scent. Fortunately, this smell will fade over time.
Better Nights Are In Your Future
We want to help find the right mattress for you. At Bel Furniture, we offer a variety of mattresses from memory foam, gel foam, and hybrid. In this blog, we have compared hybrid vs memory foam mattresses so that you can choose the one that best fits your needs. When you buy from the Bel Mattress Company, you get a 180 Day Sleep Guarantee to be sure you made the right decision with your mattress. Sleep peacefully throughout the night. Check out our wide selection of mattresses and our blog for everything you need to know about furniture.