Sleep deprivation is a serious problem in the modern world — many of us go about our days on too little sleep. The consequences of sleep deprivation range from problems with memory, all the way to excessive fatigue and higher sensitivity to pain.
If you’re looking for a way to improve your sleep, buying a better mattress is a good place to start. But with so many different options available, it can be tough to know which is the best mattress for you.
To help you make a decision, we’ll compare two of the most popular types of bed: a hybrid mattress vs. memory foam.
Hybrid Mattress vs. Memory Foam Mattress
Many lists of the best online mattresses feature lots of memory foam mattresses. That’s partly because they’ve been around longer, and partly because they are indeed fantastic beds. However, while hybrid mattresses are still somewhat new to the market, they’re steadily gaining in popularity.
Both are great options, but you need to compare a hybrid mattress vs. a memory foam mattress to truly understand which one is best for you.
Let’s start by looking at each option separately to get a better idea of its features, materials, and pricing.
Memory Foam Mattresses
Memory foam was developed by NASA — yes, that NASA — to help make spaceship seats more comfortable for astronauts. Later, companies started to use this material for other purposes, including the development of memory foam mattresses.
A memory foam mattress is primarily made from a type of viscoelastic foam. This type of foam is able to contour according to the shape of the item placing pressure on it. What that means is that a memory foam mattress will mold itself around your body as you lie down, offering comfortable support.
There are many different types of memory foam mattresses available today. While you’ll still find a number of “traditional” options, you will also see that many companies have started to use new types of memory foam. Infusing certain compounds, such as gel, into memory foam helps improve the material’s temperature regulation.
Let’s consider a couple of the benefits of a memory foam mattress:
- The materials used to develop newer memory foam mattresses are durable, so your mattress will last for years.
- Due to the quality of the memory foam used in higher-priced mattresses, they often come with extended warranties.
- Memory foam mattresses can give you specialized spinal alignment and support. This is due to the body contouring effect offered by the memory foam.
- Motion transfer can be effectively isolated because the mattress has almost no bounce. This means that you won’t be disturbed in the night by sleeping next to a restless partner.
- Memory foam mattresses are usually very easy to keep clean. In many cases, the materials are hypoallergenic, which means you don’t have to worry about allergic reactions.
- Many newer memory foam mattresses come with covers that are resistant to dust mites, airborne allergens, and dust.
If you compare a typical hybrid mattress vs. a memory foam mattress, you will find that the memory foam option tends to be somewhat more affordable. Therefore, if you’re shopping for a mattress on a lower budget, you might want to consider this type of mattress.
While memory foam mattresses offer many benefits, we should not ignore the potential drawbacks.
One is that you may feel somewhat restricted in your movements, as these mattresses contour to your body and don’t offer any bounce. That means no jumping on this bed! In addition, if you don’t opt for a memory foam mattress with a gel or cooling foam layer, you might find yourself feeling hot at night.
Hybrid Mattresses
Now we’ll take a closer look at a hybrid mattress and what it can do for you.
Hybrid mattresses are new to the market, compared to memory foam mattresses. They’re actually similar in some ways to the traditional innerspring mattresses that have been popular for over 100 years, but with some key differences.
In the center of a hybrid mattress, you’ll find an innerspring system. On top of this construction, you’ll see a foam layer. But it’s not an old-school mattress with a thin layer of foam: this layer is made from memory foam, and it’s usually at least 1.5 inches thick. In fact, many hybrid mattresses feature a much thicker foam layer.
Many modern hybrid mattresses come with a pocketed coil innerspring system. In these cases, hundreds of coils are individually wrapped with foam or another material to add support and comfort at the same time.
Either way, the coils are responsible for making the mattress supportive, while the memory foam on top adds cushioning. In most cases, you will find that a hybrid mattress is medium-firm. This kind of mattress often shows up on lists of the best mattresses for back pain.
Some of the top benefits to be considered, especially when comparing a hybrid mattress vs. memory foam, include:
- A hybrid mattress is more breathable and allows for better airflow, which helps to keep you cooler while you sleep.
- The bounce factor of a hybrid mattress makes changing your sleeping position less unpleasant. It’s easier to roll over or to get out of bed, since you don’t have the “sinkage” of a memory foam mattress.
The one issue many people have with hybrid mattresses is the fact that they tend to be quite expensive. Combining both a pocketed coil system and memory foam makes for a comfortable mattress, but not necessarily one that will fit a smaller budget.
Hybrid Mattress vs. Memory Foam Mattress: Which One’s for You?
Hybrid mattresses are quickly rising in popularity, which makes more people curious about the difference between a hybrid mattress vs. memory foam. Both options have their benefits, as well as their drawbacks.
To decide which kind of mattress is right for you, consider your sleeping preferences, budget, and other needs. If you don’t mind spending a little more for a very supportive mattress and you want to make sure you don’t overheat at night, a hybrid might be perfect for you.
If added support is not something you need, and you want to stick to a lower budget, consider opting for a memory foam mattress instead.
