A hybrid mattress combines comfort foam layers with a supportive coil base. It’s the best of both worlds, with all the pressure-relieving, contouring qualities of a foam mattress and the bouncy responsiveness of an innerspring mattress.
Hybrid mattresses are best for heavier sleepers, hot sleepers, combination sleepers, and anyone who wants the support of innersprings paired with pressure-point comfort and spinal alignment. They’re also great for couples who have different support needs or body types.
In this article, we’ll discuss hybrid mattress construction and materials, the difference between hybrid and innerspring mattresses, how much hybrid mattresses cost, how long a hybrid mattress should last, and more. Get all the information you need to decide whether a hybrid mattress is the right type of mattress for you.
A hybrid mattress includes at least one comfort foam layer and one coil layer, all wrapped in a cozy top cover. But that’s just your basic hybrid—some mattresses combine multiple layers of foam, hybrid, and other materials for an even more luxurious sleep.
The comfort layer is the top part of the mattress, located directly underneath the mattress cover. It’s typically made of at least one type of foam. However, some mattress manufacturers use multiple thinner foam layers to create a single “comfort layer.” The purpose is to provide pressure relief and keep your spine aligned while you sleep, no matter what position you’re in.
Quality hybrid mattresses will also include a transition layer between the comfort layer and the coil layer. This provides additional pressure relief and comfort. It’s designed to be highly responsive to your movements and to the coil support layer below, making it easy to change positions throughout the night.
The support layer consists of coils of various thicknesses. Look for individually wrapped steel pocketed coils, arranged in multiple zones to support different areas of your body. There should be thicker coils beneath your hips and thinner coils beneath your shoulders and knees, as well as reinforced coils around the edge of the mattress. This combination provides ideal cushioning, spinal alignment, and targeted support.
Wrapped around these layers is a mattress cover. The cover is typically made of comfortable, breathable materials designed to promote airflow and wick away moisture for a cooler sleep. Some hybrid mattresses have a removable, machine-washable cover, but many don’t and need to be spot-cleaned in case of any messes.
Using Logan & Cove Frontier as an example, here’s what quality hybrid mattress construction should look like:
READ MORE: Foam vs hybrid mattress: which mattress type should you choose?
At one time, traditional wire frame box springs were designed to be paired with a traditional innerspring mattress. Many modern mattresses, including hybrid bed-in-a-box mattresses, require some sort of a supportive foundation, but it doesn’t have to be a box spring.
The mattress’s warranty should describe what type of foundation it needs—for example, a solid base or wooden slats spaced a certain width apart. You should only need a box spring if your current bed frame doesn’t meet the needs of your mattress warranty.
READ MORE: Types of bed frames: which style is right for you?
Hybrid mattresses use a wide variety of materials in their layers and top covers, including fabrics, foams, and metals.
A hybrid mattress’s top cover materials should include a soft, breathable blend of fabrics. Hybrid mattresses will often have luxury styling, textures, and designs on their top covers, like quilting and tufting filled with hollow fibre. Some manufacturers like Logan & Cove weave in additional materials, like cooling nanofibres to help keep the mattress cool and comfortable.
Quality hybrids often come with two or more comfort layers. They’re designed to provide a comfortable surface that gently cradles your body, aided by the transition and support layers beneath. Typical comfort layers include gel-infused memory foam, latex or latex blends, and polyfoams. Look for higher-density foam, which will last longer than lower-density foam.
If you’re a hot sleeper, keep an eye out for gel-infused foam, air channels, and other cooling technologies that will pull heat away from your body. Premium hybrids like Logan & Cove Frontier will also have a layer of micro-coils between two foam layers. This provides extra body-contouring support and more airflow to keep you cool.
READ MORE: Get our list of the best cooling mattresses for hot sleepers
There are several different types of coils that can be used in hybrid mattresses. These coils are usually made of steel or another durable material.
The total number of coils in a mattress (and the height of those coils) is less important than the quality and type of coil that’s used. However, a higher or lower coil count can indicate what type of coil is used. This can help you determine a mattress’s quality. The best hybrid mattresses use individually pocketed, multi-tempered steel coils in multiple zones for targeted support, as well as contouring micro coils.
For example, Bonnell coils are larger, so mattresses with these types of coils will have a lower coil count. These are also lower-quality coil types that won’t provide good motion isolation. Pocket coils, on the other hand, are smaller and better quality. A mattress with pocket coils (like Logan & Cove Choice) will have a higher coil count and offer greater motion isolation.
A hybrid mattress is best for heavy sleepers, combination sleepers (people who sleep in a variety of positions on their side, back, and stomach), and couples with different support needs or body types. It’s also ideal if you like the support of an innerspring mattress—especially for back or shoulder pain—but want pressure-point comfort and spinal alignment without that “sinking” feeling.
Let’s take a look at how each group benefits from using a hybrid mattress.
If you sleep beside a partner, there’s a good chance you both have different sleep styles and comfort needs. That’s why a hybrid bed is often the best choice for couples. Look for a coil layer with individually wrapped, zoned pocket coils to provide excellent motion isolation. This will keep you from waking up every time your partner shifts positions—especially if you’re a light sleeper.
Comfort is also key. You’ll need a thick comfort layer that provides pressure-point relief while keeping your spine aligned. You may also want cooling features like a layer of gel-infused foam, especially if one or both of you sleeps warm. Bonus points if you can find a hybrid mattress with a layer of micro coils for an affordable price, like Logan & Cove Frontier.
If you and your partner have different sleep needs, consider a “split king” hybrid mattress. This is actually two twin-XL mattresses, which together give you the same size as one king mattress. This option gives you and your partner a customized sleep experience while still keeping you connected at night. You can even pair your split king mattress with an adjustable bed for precision comfort.
READ MORE: Check out the best adjustable beds in Canada
If your body is heavier than 230 lb, you may want a hybrid mattress for combined support and pressure-point relief. In fact, hybrid mattress Logan & Cove Choice is #1 on our list of the best mattresses for heavy people.
Look for thicker comfort foam layers and cooling features to enhance your sleep experience. Keep an eye out for micro coil layers, and find a support layer with individually wrapped pocket coils. You’ll also want heavier-gauge steel coils to support your hips and back, and lighter-gauge coils for your neck, shoulders, and knees.
Ideally, your hybrid mattress should have several zones of coiled support, with each zone providing a different function. The mattress should also have coils around the perimeter for better edge support.
If you have several go-to sleep positions, it might just be the way you sleep—or it could mean your body has trouble finding a comfortable sleep position on your current mattress. Whatever the reason for your combination sleep style, a hybrid mattress provides exceptional comfort and support in any position, without the sink.
A lot of mattresses are geared toward a particular sleep style or comfort preference. That’s where a hybrid really wins: it provides both comfort and support, no matter how you sleep. This is especially true if you find a medium-firm mattress. A medium-firm hybrid will give you perfectly balanced comfort and support in any position, all night long.
READ MORE: Read our ranked list of the best medium-firm mattresses
Many back pain sufferers feel better when they sleep on a mattress that balances pressure-relieving comfort and support. According to a 2023 survey of Logan & Cove mattress owners, 88% of back pain sufferers said their Logan & Cove mattress helped with their back pain somewhat or a lot.
A hybrid mattress like Logan & Cove Choice can provide more support than a foam mattress, while still offering just as much comfort. A multi-zoned coil system in the bottom mattress layer helps support your shoulders, back, and hips while the comfort layer contours around your body.
If there’s a little extra room in your budget, you could even consider upgrading to a mattress with a layer of micro coils like Logan & Cove Frontier. This gives you extra precision support in your neck, shoulders, and knees, as well as your back.
READ MORE: Discover the best mattresses in Canada for back pain
A hybrid mattress is a great fit for most people. However, as with any mattress, there are upsides and downsides of buying a hybrid. Weigh the pros and cons to determine whether a hybrid is right for you.
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The cost of a new hybrid mattress can range from under $1,000 to well over $3,000, depending on the brand, features, benefits, structure, and other factors. Some well-known mattress brands charge more for premium features compared to lesser-known brands with the same or better quality.
Not all hybrid mattresses are created equal, so do your research and consider the factors that are most important to you before you buy. These are just a few factors that could drive up the cost of your hybrid mattress:
READ MORE: Why you should buy your mattress online vs in-store
That said, some mattress-in-a-box hybrids like Logan & Cove offer these features at an affordable price point. You can purchase a queen-size Logan & Cove Choice for just $999, or the upgraded Logan & Cove Frontier for $1,299 for a queen.
An innerspring mattress usually has 2″ or less of material covering the coil support layer, while hybrid mattresses have more than 2″ of material over the coils.
A hybrid mattress contains more comfort materials that conform to your body and keep your spine aligned, like foam, polyfoam, and gel-infused memory foam. The mattress may include other features like micro coils, which aren’t often found in a conventional innerspring mattress. You can also use most hybrids on an adjustable base.
Like hybrids, innerspring mattresses also have a comfort layer over the coils, but they often use lower-density foams that don’t last as long. You may not find an innerspring mattress as comfortable for long-term sleeping, and it won’t be compatible with an adjustable bed. Innerspring mattresses are also much bouncier and more responsive to movement than hybrids.
Hybrid mattresses last 7–10 years on average. However, as with any mattress, there are numerous factors which can affect lifespan. This could include user weight, environmental conditions, the type of base used, and the number of times it’s been moved.
These are just a few signs it might be time to replace your mattress:
You can extend the life of your mattress by rotating it regularly, using a good-quality mattress protector, cleaning your mattress regularly, washing your sheets often, using a proper foundation, and being mindful of weight on the mattress. Do your best to prevent damage from wear and tear, too, like kids jumping on the bed.
READ MORE: How long a mattress lasts (and when to replace yours)
Logan & Cove Choice is the best hybrid mattress according to independent, third-party engineers (commissioned by us) and was rated the Best Luxury Hybrid Mattress by Canadian Living. It’s also our pick for Best Hybrid 2024.
Logan & Cove Choice features a five-zone system with up to 1,200 individually wrapped pocket coils for targeted support and spinal alignment. It also comes with premium cooling foams, luxury fabrics, a 365-night sleep trial, and a 15-year warranty—all for just $999 for a queen size.
When you’re shopping for a mattress, it’s important to consider more than just how comfortable it is. There are a whole range of factors to keep in mind, which we list below.
READ MORE: Read our ranked list of the best cooling mattresses in Canada
Our goal is to provide the information you need to find the mattress that’s right for you. Get started with some of our most popular mattress shopping resources:
We use independent, third-party engineering firms (commissioned by us) with the APEGA stamp of approval to conduct mattress testing on our behalf, using publicly available data. We review and test all mattresses on over 40 criteria we think are important to you, including price, country of manufacture, sleep trial, warranty, features, materials used, motion isolation and edge support ratings, customer satisfaction reviews, returns, and refunds.