This is why you need a hybrid mattress for your bedroom
If Goldilocks were shopping for a mattress, she’d probably pick a hybrid one. These designs combine pocket spring with foam, so they’re not too soft and not too hard; they're – you guessed it – just right. For most of us anyway.
Generally, hybrid mattresses provide medium-firm support, which means they should suit most sleep styles. As proof, check out our round-up of the top mattresses on the market, which is dominated by hybrids.
For those who know they want the Goldilocks option, we've compiled the best hybrid mattresses – as tested by the Good Housekeeping Institute – into one handy list. Here they are at a glance, or you can keep scrolling for more on why hybrid mattresses are just so popular, and what to look for.
What is a hybrid mattress?
Drifting off on a hybrid mattress means you get all the benefits of sleeping on pocket springs and memory foam in one. The springs respond to your movements, providing support and making your mattress more breathable as they allow air to flow throughout, while the foam makes your bed comfortable and cushioning.
Hybrids can be expensive, but that’s because they combine the best features of other mattress types. When you’re shopping for one, look at the number of springs – the more there are, the more supportive the mattress should be.
As for foam, it can be hot, so look out for any temperature regulating features to help with this.
While support levels can vary slightly, most mattresses will fall in the middle of the scale. There's no perfect ratio, so look for a firmness that you find comfortable to sleep on, but if you want more information on this, we break it all down in our overall mattress buying guide.
Testing mattresses at home with our reader panel
How we test hybrid mattresses
To find the best hybrid mattresses, we asked our panel of testers for help; they tried each mattress for up to six weeks then told us what it was like to drift off on and how it affected their sleep. Our survey covers everything from delivery and temperature regulation to noise, and whether it eases any aches or pains.
We also want to know what the mattresses are like over time, so we surveyed our readers too, asking them to share their verdicts on the mattress brands they have at home. We received 3,829 responses and everyone who took part had to have owned their mattress for at least six months.
Finally, our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute collated all the data from both surveys to award a final score.
Note that the prices shown are for the standard UK double size.
NextGen Cooling Mattress
Score: 92/100
With layer upon layer of cosy materials (four of foam plus zoned pocket springs), it’s little surprise this mattress with our panel. Testers said it “was instantly comfortable” thanks to the supportive design, which stayed quiet and still even if they fidgeted.
Our readers also loved their Emma mattresses – so you know you’re in safe hands – and while designs with memory foam in can be be warm, most felt that this one regulated their body temperatures well.
It’s on the firmer side, so it took some testers a bit of time to adjust. But that’s normal, and unless you want a sink-in feel, this mattress should be a good fit, as the back and side sleepers who tried it raved about the excellent sleep it provided.
Exquisite Essence Medium
Score: 92/100
This is one premium buy. It’s made in the UK and our testers found it supportive – it even eased back pain for some. This makes sense, as all Sealy’s mattresses are designed in collaboration with orthopaedic surgeons.
While the foam felt soft, testers didn’t sink in too much, and they found it breathable and stable. In fact, it suited sleepers of all styles in our tests. You may need new fitted sheets, because it’s very deep. But that small niggle aside, this mattress earned a resounding thumbs-up from everyone who curled up on it.
£2999.00 at mattressonline.co.uk
Hybrid Pro Mattress
Score: 90/100
If you’ve ever wondered what happens to a mattress you send back during a trial period, you needn’t worry with Origin – all returns are donated to the British Heart Foundation. But based on our testers’ feedback, you should be happy with this design, which includes pocket springs, foam, latex and wool to provide comfort and breathability. The latter was a standout feature for our testers, with some telling us they sweated less at night.
Once unboxed, it’s not the easiest to move into place because there aren’t any handles, and there’s no washable cover either. But both qualms are easily resolved because you don’t need to rotate this one and a protector should keep it in good nick.
Other highlights include how quiet it was to lie on and how well our readers' Origin mattresses aged over time – remaining comfortable night after night. Dreamy.
£689.00 at originmattress.co.uk
Hybrid Mattress
Score: 89/100
Simba is a B-Corp, making it a good choice if you want a mattress that’s kinder to people and planet, as well as supportive to sleep on. Testers found the brand’s unique foam and spring combination a comfy bedroom addition, and most found it just right temperature-wise.
In our reader survey, some told us they noticed dips forming after a while, so make sure to rotate it as advised. But most were still pleased with their choice and would turn to Simba again when they need a new mattress.
Hybrid Pocket 1000
Score: 89/100
There are 1,000 pocket springs in this mattress, and they’re surrounded by open cell foam for a breathable and comfortable night’s sleep. Our testers loved this combination and were impressed with the support it offered, even improving back pain for one. It absorbed movement and didn’t smell on arrival either.
In our reader survey, some said their REM-Fit mattresses have changed over time, but that didn't impact their overall impression of the brand – in fact, almost all were happy with their mattress and most would buy it again.
And our panel testers were also happy with this design; everyone told us they slept well on it no matter their sleep style, with one declaring it the “most comfortable mattress” they’ve ever had.
Hybrid Mattress
Score: 89/100
Max is a new mattress brand to the UK, so this score isn’t adjusted to include longevity feedback from readers. We will follow up with our reader panel and update the score accordingly later. For added peace of mind, however, it comes with a 100-night trial and a ten-year warranty.
Hello, 2,000 pocket springs! Factor in the foam too and you have yourself a mattress that "feels like heaven" according to one of our testers. This opinion wasn't unique; most told us it was supportive and comfortable, as well as ticking the box for breathability.
But it's relatively firm, so keep in mind the style of mattress you prefer before buying as it was too much for some. You'll need a bit of patience when unboxing too, as it took a while to take its shape. Leave ample time before bedtime, however, and you should be sleeping easy with this one.
Hybrid Luxe Mattress
Score: 88/100
This performed very similarly to the Simba Hybrid above with our panel of testers, but it’s more expensive, so we’d suggest being led by your budget when deciding between the two. But what else separates them?
Well, this one has 6,000 springs as opposed to the Hybrid’s 1,900. This just means the mattress should be even more responsive to your movement. There are also layers of bamboo and wool for additional temperature regulation.
All this makes it quite deep, but our testers loved its cool, comfortable feel, and said they were well supported. We received similar reports (to the Hybrid) about dips in the foam over time, but if you're hot on your rotating routine, this should be fine. And of course, it shares the same sustainability credentials.
We’ve tested lots of hybrid mattresses from Simba. Here are the others we’ve tried and approved, and their scores:
Simba Hybrid Pro: 85/100
Simba Hybrid Ultra: 85/100
Simba Hybrid Essential: 79/100
600 Lux Hybrid Mattress
Score: 87/100
With an impressive 4,000 pocket springs and a memory foam layer that’s denser in some spots (to provide optimum support in all the right places), this mattress delivered a great night’s sleep. The outer edges are made of thick foam too, so it’s comfortable everywhere (and you don’t need to worry about rolling off).
Panellists weren’t disturbed by their partner’s movement and they all raved about its temperature-regulating capabilities – which isn’t something we usually see.
They found the mattress heavy to move and lift when fitting their sheets. But this supportive and breathable hybrid was a real panel-pleaser overall, with everyone looking forward to using it after the trial period was over, and saying they’d recommend it to family and friends.
600 Lux Elite Hybrid Mattress
Score: 84/100
Multiple testers told us there was nothing to dislike about this mattress. There are 5000 springs, and everyone found the medium-firm design quiet and comfortable, praising the edge-to-edge support, and breathability. In the words of one tester: “It’s a quality, deep mattress that moulds to the body giving a good night’s sleep”. Delightful.
While no dips formed during the test period and everyone was impressed with its quality, some found the new mattress smell lingered for a bit. But this didn’t stop them from saying they’d recommend it and plan to keep it as a permanent fixture in their bedrooms.
We’ve tested lots of hybrid mattresses from REM-FIT. The 600 Lux Elite is one of its latest designs, but here are the others we’ve tried and approved, and their scores:
REM-Fit 400 Hybrid Mattress: 85/100
The Wunderflip Hybrid Mattress
Score: 81/100
Sometimes it’s hard to know what level of support you need, so when Eve launched its new range of adaptable mattresses, we were excited to see what our panel thought. One side is soft, the other firm, and you simply zip the comfort layer onto the right one for you.
As a result, it suited our testers no matter how they slept (whether on their front, side or back), providing just the right level of support and even easing some back pain. Plus, it was breathable for most, and panellists who shared a bed said fidgeting wasn’t disruptive.
It’s heavy to get into place and smelt a little foam-y at first. Some noticed that it didn’t quite line up with their bed frames either. But Eve is now owned by Bensons For Beds, and our readers rate the longevity and quality of the brand's mattresses. The ten-year warranty is generous too. So, you can enjoy the same experience as our tester who told us: “I had a firm and supportive night’s sleep – like a cuddle at the end of the day.” Delightful.
We’ve tested Eve’s full Wunderflip range. Here are the scores so you can see how they compared:
You Might Also Like
