According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults should get 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. This means you’ll spend around 33 percent of your life sleeping. That’s why it’s so important that you take the time to carefully review your many options as you mattress shop.
The investment in a mattress can be a hefty one, and you want to make sure you find the best value for your buck. Using the online business model, you’re already able to take advantage of substantial savings. However, when you fail to pinpoint a product that meets your specific needs, you will often find you continue to suffer with problems like aches, pains, and trouble falling and staying asleep.
As you shop, two options you’ll likely encounter are memory foam and hybrid products. Each have unique features and benefits, so keep reading to take a close look at each and decide which will work best for your needs.
Memory Foam vs Hybrid: Identifying the Differences
Before we get too far into the specifics of each product type, let’s first understand the main differences between these two mattresses. To understand the concept of the hybrid mattress, let’s look at the hybrid car. These vehicles combine traditional gasoline fuel with battery power to boost fuel economy. Hybrid mattresses combine traditional and contemporary mattress materials into a product that works to offer consumers the best complementation of the various features of each material.
A memory foam mattress, on the other hand, is comprised using only viscoelastic material. You may find memory foam used in a hybrid product, but it will work with other materials to offer consumers special features. For instance, memory foam alone can sometimes cause the sleeper to feel as though they are being enveloped by their mattress. The addition of pocketed coils, for example, can reduce this negative aspect.
A Look at Memory Foam Mattresses
Memory foam was originally designed in the 1960’s, and its intended use wasn’t for the mattress industry at all. Instead, it was developed for NASA to be used for airplane seats. The material is visco elastic, and this gives it the quality of being able to mold itself to the shape of your body. If you’re heavier, you’ll find this offers that cradling and contour often lacking in other mattress types. It can also offer a high degree of support. These two features make it a popular choice in the mattress industry.
Memory Foam Pros and Cons
Pros
- Typically feature warranties of between 10-25 years that protect consumers against defects in manufacturing
- Easy to clean as you can typically keep them well-maintained by wiping them down from time to time with a damp cloth
- Excellent contour and support
- Great for spinal alignment
- Widely available
Cons
- Sometimes prone to off gassing
- Can sleep hot
- Can be difficult to move around
- Little to no bounce
Main Features
Since memory foam reacts to heat and pressure, it feels as though it’s cradling your body. It’s unique in that it is able to offer even hug throughout the entirety of your body. Aside from this primary feature, memory foam mattress users can also enjoy:
Increased Motion Isolation
If you have a sleep partner, it can get frustrating when they move around a lot. However, the right mattress will keep motion transfer low. It’s known for its high degree of motion isolation, keeping the energy from movement isolated to its origin.
Keeps Spine Aligned
Proper alignment is just as important when we’re sleeping as it is during our waking hours. All too many people aren’t properly aligned at night due to the wrong mattress and/or pillows. Since body weight is evenly distributed on products using this material, your head and neck should remain properly aligned in all three primary sleeping positions.
Hypoallergenic
Whether or not you suffer with allergies, a hypoallergenic product can go a long way in keeping you and your loved ones healthy. This is because it features a resistance to dust, dust mites, and other allergens that commonly congregate on our mattresses.
Better Breathing
Many people suffer with issues like sleep apnea and snoring. Because of memory foam’s ability to keep you well-aligned, they can often help reduce or eliminate these problems.
A Look at Hybrid Mattresses
Hybrid Pros and Cons
Pros
- Better contour than traditional innerspring mattresses
- Great bounce and response to help you get in and out of bed
- Good breathability
- Reduces the problem of sinking and sleeping hot in memory foam mattresses
- Often a good choice for those shopping on a budget
- Variety of firmness options
Cons
- Can feature high motion transfer with the wrong construction
- Often very heavy and difficult to move
Hybrid Mattress Features
Hybrid products strive to offer the qualities offered by both innerspring and foam products, and they typically feature pocketed coils in the base with latex or memory foam in the comfort layer. Just some of the features you can expect from hybrid mattresses include:
Great Support
Coils are known for their ability to offer great support and even firmness and flexibility associated with innerspring products.
Good for Side Sleepers
Since most hybrid mattresses are flatter than traditional spring products, they can be a great fit for those who sleep primarily on their sides.
Comfort
Traditional innerspring products would often poke and prod the sleeper through the night. However, the foams in the comfort layer of hybrid products reduce or eliminate this issue. When memory foam is used in the construction, even more support is added.
Cost
You can often receive the benefits of this material at a lower cost when you opt for a hybrid mattress.
Which is Right for You?
Now that you have a better understanding of the differences between memory foam and hybrid mattresses, which one is right for you? If you carry a lot of weight and need a solution that offers a high degree of comfort, you may opt for a viscoelastic product. They can also be a great solution for those struggling to stay properly aligned. However, those looking for something with a little more bounce along with more options in layer combinations may prefer the hybrid option. Hybrid can also be a good idea for those who have trouble moving around in bed. If you’re on the fence and don’t really know which way to turn, you may want to consider a hybrid mattress containing memory foam.
Only you know your preferences and needs, and I hope we’ve provided you the information necessary to make the best decision. If you still have some questions or concerns, leave them in the comments section below. We’ll get back with you and point you in the right direction.