Memory Foam or Hybrid Mattress: Which One Suits You Best?

Buying a new mattress is not an easy task. We spend approximately a third of our lives in bed so getting the right mattress is extremely important. You will want to choose a mattress that is right for your body type and sleeping preferences to ensure you are as comfortable as possible.

With so many options, how do you even begin choosing the right mattress for you? The key is to do your research before you buy. Learn about different mattresses and how well they meet your requirements.

In this article, we focus on memory foam vs hybrid mattresses, which are, at the moment, the most popular mattress types in Canada. We explore the qualities, including the pros and cons, of both mattresses to help you make an informed decision between the two.

Memory Foam Vs Hybrid Mattresses

While both mattress types have a lot to offer to Canadian sleepers, there are some key differences between the two types. For quick reference, we have compiled them into the table below but will also discuss them in more detail further in the article.

What Are Memory Foam Mattresses?

Memory foam is a man-made material developed by NASA in the 1960s. It was originally used in their spaceships to make the seats more comfortable for astronauts. From there, the use of memory foam has spread to the furniture and mattress industries.

A memory foam mattress has a soft feel. It is designed to compress under your body weight, allowing you to sink into the mattress, and providing excellent pressure relief. There are no springs used in memory foam mattresses, only foam. Some memory foam mattresses might use the same type of foam throughout, while others may feature several types of foam to improve zoned support.

What Are the Benefits of Memory Foam Mattresses?

Because memory foam reacts to your body weight and temperature, it contours your body and offers great pressure relief. This makes them one of the best mattresses for people who prefer to sleep on their side. A memory foam mattress lets the hips and shoulders sink deeper into the mattress which relieves pressure on these areas. As the mattress moulds to the shape of your body, it helps to keep your spine in a neutral position.

Because there are no springs, memory foam mattresses are very quiet. While springs in hybrid mattresses may begin to squeak over time, you will not have this problem with a memory foam mattress. There are no creaking or other audible noises that could wake you up when you change your sleeping position during the night.

Memory foam mattresses have excellent motion isolation. This makes them a popular choice for couples as they limit the disturbance caused by your partner moving. The foam absorbs movement and stops it from travelling across the mattress.

What Are the Cons of Memory Foam Mattresses?

When you are choosing a mattress, you need to consider the cons as much as the benefits. One of the main issues people have with memory foam mattresses is that they do not have great temperature regulation. If the mattress is made purely with memory foam, it will trap heat, which can cause you to overheat. To prevent this, look for memory foam mattresses with cooling properties.

Another issue with memory foam mattresses is that the material can sag over time, especially if you often sleep in the same position. Mattresses made with high-density foam are more resistant to sagging and therefore have better longevity than low-density foams.

Some sleepers may also experience a feeling of being stuck in the mattress because memory foam can be slow to adapt to your movements. This can also mean that when you change your sleeping position during the night, the mattress may be slow to respond.

What Are Hybrid Mattresses?

Hybrid mattresses combine two different types of mattresses. They will have springs in the core of the mattress, with a foam layer on the top. Sometimes hybrid mattresses have foam on the bottom as well to further increase their longevity. Usually, the core uses pocketed coils, which have the best motion isolation out of innerspring mattresses.

On top of the innerspring core is a comfort layer, which could be made with polyfoam, memory foam, or latex. In some mattresses, the comfort layer combines various foams to offer sleepers the best possible support and comfort.

What Are the Benefits of Hybrid Mattresses?

Because hybrid mattresses have coils in their core, they are breathable with good airflow through the mattress. This helps the mattress to release heat rather than retain it, which in turn helps you sleep cooler.

While the comfort layer in a hybrid mattress will still allow your body to sink in a little, the coils in the core offer you more support than foam alone can offer. Because of this added support, hybrid mattresses are great for heavier sleepers and for those who prefer to sleep on their back or stomach.

Hybrid mattresses are among the longest-lasting mattress types. The coils used in the innerspring core are very durable and prevent the mattress from sagging. For the best longevity, look for hybrid mattresses that have an added foam layer below the innerspring core.

What Are the Cons of Hybrid Mattresses?

Because hybrid mattresses combine the best qualities of innerspring and foam mattresses, they often come with a higher price tag than any other mattress type, except for natural latex. However, with the higher price tag comes better longevity so it may work out better in the long run.

While the comfort layer helps to isolate motion, the innerspring core means that there is more motion transfer compared to memory foam mattresses. If you or your partner is a combination sleeper who changes sleeping positions several times during the night, you are likely to feel more movement than with a memory foam mattress.

Hybrid mattresses can be quite heavy because of the innerspring core combined with the foam. It is worth considering the mattress’s movability if you have to get it up the stairs, especially if there is no lift or it will not fit into a lift.

Memory Foam Vs Hybrid: Point-by-Point Comparison

You are probably already forming an idea of which type of mattress would be better for you. To make the decision even easier, let’s compare key factors of hybrid and memory foam mattresses.

Longevity

If you want your mattress to last as long as possible, then a hybrid is often a better option. The coils used in the core are highly resistant to wear and tear, while memory foam mattresses are prone to sagging over time. However, how long your mattress will last also depends on how well it is maintained and if it is used on an appropriate base for the mattress type.

Price

In general, hybrid mattresses are more expensive than memory foam mattresses. While the prices for memory foam mattresses range from around $500 to $1,200 in Canada, the price range for hybrid mattresses is $650 to $2,000. You will find budget and luxury options for both mattress types.

However, if you would like a memory foam mattress with advanced technologies, such as cooling properties, the price will be higher. The price is likely to be closer to the price of a hybrid mattress.

Temperature Regulation

If you often find yourself overheating during the night, consider a hybrid over memory foam. The coil core helps the air to move better around the mattress and prevents it from becoming trapped. However, if you have your mind set on a memory foam mattress, consider investing in one with cooling properties or use cooling sheets and pillows to aid temperature regulation.

Motion Isolation

If motion isolation is important to you, for example, if you share your bed with a partner, a memory foam mattress is better at isolating motion. The foam prevents movement from travelling to other parts of the mattress, while a mattress with springs has more bounce and allows movement to travel. If you would prefer a hybrid but want the best possible motion isolation, look for a mattress with individually pocketed springs and a thick comfort layer.

Preferred Sleeping Position

You should always consider the position you prefer to sleep in when purchasing a new mattress. Side sleepers often experience pressure buildup, which means they need a softer mattress. Memory foam mattresses are better for preventing pressure points and can often be better for side sleepers than hybrid mattresses.

If you sleep on your back, both mattress types will support your back as long as you choose a medium to firm mattress, depending on your weight. Stomach sleepers can also consider either option as long as the mattress is firm enough to prevent the mid-section from sinking in too deep and creating an unnatural curve in the spine.

Perhaps you do not identify yourself as any of the above sleepers but tend to switch between different positions. If you do, you are a combination sleeper and should consider a hybrid before memory foam. Because hybrid mattresses have some bounce, changing positions will be easier and there is no delay in the mattress readjusting to the new position.

Body Type

If you are a petite person weighing under 60 kg, you are likely to find a memory foam mattress more comfortable. It will respond to a lighter body weight better and support the body’s natural alignment.

Most Canadians fall within the average weight bracket and can choose either a memory foam or a hybrid mattress. Because both bed types are equally good, consider other factors such as sleeping position, budget, and motion isolation when deciding on a new mattress.

Heavier sleepers need a more supportive mattress that keeps their spine in the right alignment. Hybrid mattresses with their coil core are usually more supportive than memory foam mattresses and therefore better suited for heavier sleepers.

Conclusion

Choosing between a hybrid and a memory foam mattress can be tricky because both have several benefits but also some disadvantages. When you are ready to decide, consider all the different factors and test both types of mattresses in a store if possible.

You might also like to purchase a mattress from a company that offers an at-home sleep trial. That way you can try the mattress at home for an agreed time and return it for a full refund if you are not happy with it.