Hybrid vs memory foam − what's the difference and which is best for you?

Hybrid and memory foam are two of the most popular mattress types in America. Memory foam offers motion isolation for couples and pressure relief for chronic pain, where hybrid mattresses combine the look and feel of foam with the airflow of an innerspring.

Which mattress type meets your needs depends on a host of factors, from how you tend to lie on the bed to whether you run warm or cool, as well as how much you're prepared to spend. To help you decide, I've evaluated hybrid vs memory foam mattresses.

As the resident Sleep Editor at Homes & Gardens, I lead a team of expert testers in the search to find the world's best mattress. Together, we've tested 30 models, including a range of hybrid and memory foam mattresses. I can tell you the pros and cons of each mattress type, drawing on my first-hand wisdom.

Hybrid vs memory foam – which is best for you?

Before we begin, let's define our terms. To help you visualize the difference between hybrid vs memory foam, I've picked out two of our top-rated models to use as examples. Don't worry if you encounter any unfamiliar terms: you can always cross-check against my mattress jargon buster.

Hybrid vs memory foam – what's the difference?

What you need to know about hybrids

A hybrid mattress marries the plush comfort and pressure relief of memory foam with the edge support and airflow of an innerspring. Without knowing anything else about you, I'd recommend a hybrid mattress − it's sufficiently versatile to suit sleep positions.

Where a memory foam mattress tends to trap heat in its dense layers, hybrids are much more breathable. Beneath the foam comfort layer stands a support core of metal coils, which push air through the mattress as they contract and expand. Many of the best cooling mattresses are hybrids.

Your average hybrid mattress has reinforced coils around the sides for enhanced edge support. This makes it much easier to get into and out of bed if you struggle with mobility.

Putting together this piece, I realized that your average hybrid mattress is seriously expensive: at least $1,000 for a Queen. The combination of materials and techniques inside a hybrid mattress, which marries foam and springs, makes it far more expensive than your average memory foam mattress. If you're buying on a budget, I'd encourage you to expand your search or wait for a sale.

The springs inside a hybrid mattress create a bit of bounce, which leads to motion transfer through your mattress. If you share a bed with a pet or partner who moves around a lot in the night, you might prefer a memory foam mattress with better motion isolation.

A hybrid mattress poses a few practical problems, too. For one thing, they're heavy: the metal inside the mattress makes it harder to lift, flip, or move from room to room. Even the sturdiest coils will start to stiffen over time, which means that your hybrid mattress might get noisier with age. If you tend to toss and turn in the night, you might struggle to sleep with all that squeaking.

What you need to know about memory foam

Let me be clear: you can't cure chronic pain with a memory foam mattress. With that said, our expert testers offer anecdotal evidence that memory foam can alleviate aches and pains and relieve pressure by cushioning your muscles and joints. It's not a coincidence that the best mattress for back pain is made from memory foam.

If you share a mattress, or you're a particularly light sleeper, you'll appreciate the enhanced motion isolation of memory foam. Developed by NASA to absorb the G-force of astronauts in space, memory foam is used to minimize motion transfer in mattresses.

Your average memory foam mattress is more affordable than a hybrid. The techniques are simpler and the materials are cheaper to source. It's no coincidence that five out of the six best affordable mattresses are made from memory foam.

Early iterations of memory foam were known to trap heat. Hybrids tend to be more breathable, since the springs push hot air through the mattress. If you're set on a memory foam mattress, but you struggle with night sweats or hot flashes, I suggest you opt for a gel memory foam model.

There's also the issue of mattress off-gassing. Memory foam is made from polyurethane, a spongy synthetic that contains a lot of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. When these chemicals are released into the air, they create an unpleasant smell. I recommend you leave your memory foam mattress to air for a few days in a room with an open window before you try to sleep on it.

In my experience as a mattress tester, memory foam models often lack edge support. The soft squishiness of the center extends around the sides and it's harder to sit or sleep on the edge of the mattress. Your average hybrid or innerspring mattress features superior edge support.

If you share a bed or you're buying on a budget, I suggest you shop for a memory foam mattress. If you're a hot sleeper, or you prefer a slightly firmer surface, you'll be better off with a hybrid mattress.