Foam vs Hybrid Mattress: How to decide which one is best for you
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So many mattresses, so little time.
Shopping for a new bed is already confusing enough, with consumers needing to make a raft of decisions including spring vs foam, soft vs hard, budget vs premium and more.
However, one comparison that’s definitely racking heads is foam vs hybrid mattresses. Both types of mattresses are relatively similar but the little differences can make a big difference for some people, especially hot sleepers.
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If you’re finding it a nightmare trying to nab a decent mattress for under $1000, we have good news – the Emma Comfort Adapt Mattress has been slashed from $1700 to $935. That’s a saving of $765!
Fans say they “absolutely love it”, including “fussy” shoppers who don’t usually do their mattress shopping online.
The Origin Hybrid Mattress has also been dubbed by some as “a win”, a victory resulting in “longer sleeps and ultimate comfort”.
“Very happy with the quality of the mattress. On top of that, it’s great value for money. This was exactly what I was looking for,” raved a reviewer.
Please note prices reflect queen size mattresses, unless stated otherwise.
OUR TOP PICKS
BEST FOAM AND HYBRID MATTRESSES FOR SUPPORT
Ergoflex 5G Memory Foam Mattress, $1058.49 (down from $1449.99)
What You Need To Know
Relaxing is about more than just lying down. A memory foam mattress like this one from Ergoflex can be great for pressure relief since it moulds to the shape of your body and reduces pressure points including the hips, lower back and shoulders.
Ergoflex’s five-layer memory foam mattress contains a Cool-Sleep airflow system and Tencel outer cover with 3D vented mesh panels for temperature regulation and breathability. It also has a 9cm high-density memory foam layer to minimise motion transfer.
“Without a doubt the best mattress that we have ever bought. Cool, comfortable, super luxurious and it really has improved our sleep quality,” praised a reviewer.
“Comfortable mattress with excellent support. Sleeping way better than before,” another raved.
S1 Atlantis Mattress, $1899 at Atlantis Sleep
S1 Atlantis Mattress
What You Need To Know
The S1 Atlantis Mattress stands out with a top cover that’s made from Seaqual Yarn, a material created from discarded marine plastic, and renewable Tencel for something soft, breathable, moisture wicking and sustainable. The mattress also has a multi-zone support system for targeted support and less motion transfer, plus firmer springs along the perimeter to give you better edge support and maximum sleeping surface.
Unlike most other mattresses, you can choose to receive your mattress either ‘fresh-boxed’ (i.e. vacuum compressed) or traditional.
Emma Comfort Adapt Mattress, $935 (down from $1700) at Emma Sleep
What You Need To Know
Hybrid mattresses with a medium firmness like the Emma Comfort Adapt Mattress are a great in-between, packed with pocket springs to aid with proper spinal support and encourage airflow. It also includes a MemoryAdapt layer and Comfort HRX foam comfort layer to mould to the body and relieve pressure.
“Absolutely love it! Soft but I don’t sink into it,” reviewed a shopper.
“Really happy with our mattress. My husband is very fussy about mattresses, I was nervous that he would not be happy with a mattress bought online, but we are both really happy with it,” another posted.
BEST SOFT FOAM AND HYBRID MATTRESSES
Macoda Mattress, $1300 at Macoda
What You Need To Know
While mattresses come in different firmness levels, weight and other factors impact how soft or hard will actually feel for a person. Some hybrid mattresses like the Macoda mattress can be adjusted to either a soft, medium or firm feel, allowing you to firm it up if it’s too plush and vice versa.
“Like sleeping on a cloud. Really comfortable and whole body support in the pressure zones of your body,” a shopper commented, rating it five stars.
“I travel a lot and it’s my favourite thing about coming home! It’s super comfy and I love that you can change it around and wash the top. I’ve had mine for three years or more and it hasn’t changed at all. I later bought one for my spare room and my son has one too,” agreed another.
“I’ve been sleeping on this mattress for nine months now and it’s wonderfully comfortable and supportive with the right amount of softness for my small frame,” a third posted.
Yinahla Copper Gel, $3867 (down from $4549) at Yinahla
What You Need To Know
Looking to invest in a mattress? Sometimes soft mattresses can trap heat as many feature multiple comfort layers that might end up making them more dense – particularly memory foam mattresses.
This premium Australian-made mattress contains an Ultra-Coil pocket spring system for support and airflow, along with copper to wick away heat for an easy, sweat-free night’s sleep. It also includes reinforced edges for better edge support, durability and a reduced motion transfer.
BEST BUDGET FOAM AND HYBRID MATTRESSES
Ecosa Mattress, $920 (down from $1150) at Ecosa
Ecosa Mattress
What You Need To Know
Scoring a deal doesn’t get any easier. Sign up to Ecosa’s free newsletter by simply adding your email address and you’ll receive 20 per cent off the original price instantly, reducing it to $920. Plus, it comes with a free waterproof mattress protector valued up to $200!
The Ecosa mattress lets you swap between three firmness levels, making it especially great if you generally like a medium or medium-firm feel but want just a little more firmness without having to use a topper.
“I can’t believe we put up with our old (spring) queen sized $10k mattress for so long,” an impressed shopper posted, calling it a “game changer”.
“I’ve been using the Ecosa queen mattress for almost a year now and can safely say it’s been a fantastic investment. It has not sunk in at where your hips lie compared to other mattresses, so am hoping this will be the case over time,” a shopper posted.
“(It’s) not overly warm as you’d think and does not sink in. (O)verall can’t recommend this enough.”
The Origin Hybrid Mattress, $703.20 (down from $879) at Origin
The Origin Hybrid Mattress
What You Need Know
It’s getting harder and harder to find a decent quality mattress for under $1000 these days, especially one that’s received plenty of rave reviews such as The Origin Hybrid Mattress. Originally the Plush Comfort 2.0 from the brand, the mattress has been given a face lift and given a more cooling bamboo-infused memory foam, increased reinforcement around the perimeters for edge support, and a thicker and more plush Tencel pillowtop.
“Very happy with the quality of the mattress. On top of that, it’s great value for money. This was exactly what I was looking for,” praised a shopper.
“Very comfy mattress. I was specifically searching for eco-friendly materials and good air circulation (as I get sweaty) and this has been perfect for me,” another reviewed, giving it five stars.
“It’s actually like sleeping on a cloud (words from my children) since my youngest has transitioned into his big boy bed this has been such a win. Longer sleeps and ultimate comfort. Definitely a must!” a happy reviewer agreed.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A FOAM VS HYBRID MATTRESS
Here are a few key differences between foam and hybrid mattresses.
Temperature regulation
Feel like you’re overheating during the night? Hybrid mattresses tend to be better for hot sleepers because these contain innerspring coils to help with the airflow, along with any cooling technology.
Foam mattresses are denser, so they’re likely to trap more heat and this can make the surface uncomfortable for those who sleep hot. Most memory foam mattresses absorb more body heat than other types of mattresses since they’re quite dense and are designed to hug the body, which can further limit breathability. Although many foam mattresses now feature a variety of cooling tech to wick away body heat, push airflow and keep your body comfortable and dry.
Motion isolation (partner disturbance)
Tired of getting disrupted by your partner’s tossing and turning? Finding a mattress that can minimise motion transfer is great for preventing any movement on one side of the bed being felt on the other side.
All-foam mattresses typically isolate motion well. In particular, memory foam mattresses are seen as one of the best at absorbing movement. And thanks to its body hugging properties, the mattress compresses directly under the body.
It can be a mixed bag for hybrid mattresses, depending on the materials used. Fortunately, most contain individually wrapped pocketed coils which press down on each coil separately (unlike innersprings, which use an interconnected system that ripples out).
Price
While budget-friendly options are available, hybrid mattresses tend to be more expensive.
Warranty
Mattresses generally have a warranty of 10 or 15 years. However, you can find hybrid mattresses created by online brands like Emma Sleep and Origin which usually also offer a free trial, often for 100 nights.
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
Our team of experienced writers spend hours researching products to include in articles. We find out what factors make a good product by talking to experts, reviewing test results and analysing thousands of customer reviews.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a hybrid mattress?
A hybrid mattress is essentially the love child between foam and innerspring mattresses. Unlike foam mattresses, hybrid mattresses are made with at least two different types of materials. That includes a coil support system and multiple comfort layers on top, with each comfort layer designed to serve a particular purpose. This usually includes improving pressure relief, adding cushioning for comfort, reducing motion transfer and regulating temperature.
Is a hybrid the same as a foam mattress?
All-foam mattresses are different to hybrid mattresses because they don’t use a coil system. They can feature a variety of foam layers, such as memory foam and polyurethane foam, but they’re not underpinned by metal springs or coils.
Are hybrid mattresses better than memory foam beds?
While many hybrid mattresses contain memory foam, they also include other materials that help make up for some the common downfalls such as poor motion isolation and temperature regulation.
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